The image above may look like an optical illusion with the vertical hosta but this is an image sent to me by friends Tom and Donna that experienced some horrible storms east of here (Big Bend, WI) and lost many of their trees and had structural damage as well. What a tragic loss as you can see here many plants that benefited from the shady location. Tom and Donna are professional photographers and horticulturists. They've been working with our fern collection as volunteers and have replicated many of the same ferns in their garden so we can evaluate them in tandem. We wish them best in the recovery of their property, garden and structures and are glad they weren't injured. This container below was at the Lincoln-Tallman House (museum) here in Janesville. We know President Lincoln never saw 'Jade Princess' millet (
Pennisetum glaucum) but here, it is a nice centerpiece to colorful container.
I spent most of the day inside (unfortunately) working on getting everything organized for next week when I am on vacation. It was another perfect day of sun and relatively low humidity. Marv and Terry wo
rked on watering, edging and other tasks in preparation for the weekend. Marianne did her cutting display, watered, weeded and tidied up in general. Little Jerry was here to mow with Dr. Gredler and Janice continued on some of her projects from earlier in the week and pushmowed with Terry. We had Kay here weeding in the color rooms garden and shade garden. She is one of the few volunteers that can pull her weight in
weeds in a couple hours. She does a wonderful job as does Bill who was here working on shearing boxwood "domes". We had three ladies painting in the alpine garden, led by Lois W. Mary H. was out cleaning up in her area and we also saw Dr. Yahr, Maury, Chuck, John, Elsa, Jean, Cora, Janet, Bev and Dave. Nice shot to the left of dwarf wood betony (
Stachys monieri 'Hummelo') with masterwort (
Astrantia major), unknown variety, in the front. This is a good example of not only mixing flower colors, but flower forms (architecture). To the right is the variable foliage of the variegated five-leaf aralia (
Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus') which is a durable shrub for sun or shade. Below is another copperleaf or calico plant (
Alternanthera dentata) called 'Mai Tai'. Note the variable pink patterns overlaying the creamy patterned leaf. Foliage can certainly be as interesting and effective as blooms!
This will be my last blog until Monday, July 5th. I can't believe I've posted so many and have enjoyed it immensely. It's often challenging to keep up with so many blog postings but it has generated more interest in the gardens and serves as a "diary" of our seasonal activities and plants of interest. When I get back, we'll finish planting and get ready for our iris division and the Home Garden Tour & Luncheon. Directly below is a neat bloodleaf (
Iresine hybrida) for part shade called 'Blazin' Rose'. This plant can get 2-3' with ample water and is a nice component in those dappled sun areas. At the bottom is my darkest daylily (
Hemerocallis) at home called 'Africa'. Daylilies will really be coming apparent over the coming weeks.
The image above may look like an optical illusion with the vertical hosta but this is an image sent to me by friends Tom and Donna that experienced some horrible storms east of here (Big Bend, WI) and lost many of their trees and had structural damage as well. What a tragic loss as you can see here many plants that benefited from the shady location. Tom and Donna are professional photographers and horticulturists. They've been working with our fern collection as volunteers and have replicated many of the same ferns in their garden so we can evaluate them in tandem. We wish them best in the recovery of their property, garden and structures and are glad they weren't injured. This container below was at the Lincoln-Tallman House (museum) here in Janesville. We know President Lincoln never saw 'Jade Princess' millet (Pennisetum glaucum) but here, it is a nice centerpiece to colorful container.
I spent most of the day inside (unfortunately) working on getting everything organized for next week when I am on vacation. It was another perfect day of sun and relatively low humidity. Marv and Terry wo
rked on watering, edging and other tasks in preparation for the weekend. Marianne did her cutting display, watered, weeded and tidied up in general. Little Jerry was here to mow with Dr. Gredler and Janice continued on some of her projects from earlier in the week and pushmowed with Terry. We had Kay here weeding in the color rooms garden and shade garden. She is one of the few volunteers that can pull her weight in 
weeds in a couple hours. She does a wonderful job as does Bill who was here working on shearing boxwood "domes". We had three ladies painting in the alpine garden, led by Lois W. Mary H. was out cleaning up in her area and we also saw Dr. Yahr, Maury, Chuck, John, Elsa, Jean, Cora, Janet, Bev and Dave. Nice shot to the left of dwarf wood betony (Stachys monieri 'Hummelo') with masterwort (Astrantia major), unknown variety, in the front. This is a good example of not only mixing flower colors, but flower forms (architecture). To the right is the variable foliage of the variegated five-leaf aralia (Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus') which is a durable shrub for sun or shade. Below is another copperleaf or calico plant (Alternanthera dentata) called 'Mai Tai'. Note the variable pink patterns overlaying the creamy patterned leaf. Foliage can certainly be as interesting and effective as blooms! 
No comments:
Post a Comment