Above is the white rose mallow (
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Blue River II') as seen at Allen Centennial Gardens (ACG) yesterday. T
he blooms are almost 12" across and very showy. When I started at RBG 13 years ago, we had a huge bed of these types of hibiscus and it was an awesome showing for the three weeks in late July and early August when they
peak. However, not too much interest in the "off time" so we evenually relocated them. I'd like to incorporate more of these but the Japanese beetle enjoys nibbling on this dessert plant quite vigorously. Two other neat things I saw at ACG included a raised, square foot garden (to the left) and a raised, accessible planter (to the right). These look neat and I think we'll build a couple and help spread the word that gardening can happen in small spaces and can become more accessible as we get older or limited in some fashion. Below is a shot of our 'Coffee Cups' elephant ear (
Colocasia esculenta) that looks better (and bigger) each week and is really living up to its name with the cupped leaves.
We had a great day today although I didn't get any large projects completed except spraying herbicide in some weed war zones. I had lots of small projects and we spent time preparing for our seven weddings on Saturday. Marv and Terry installed some edging, mowed and did lots of watering in case we don't get that rain Sunday. Marianne weeded, tidying, put together her cutting display, fertilized and watered. Janice mowed and took care of watering containers. Little Jerry and Bill did a great job mowing and I think we always appreciate Dr. Gredler's "mowing contribution" more when he is gone. Both Jerry and Bill also helped tidy up the garden for our weekend visitors. Nice shot below of Autumn moor grass
(Sesleria autumnalis) which is just starting to bloom and will have this nice look well in to October. This grass, reaching only 20", is from Europe and is highly promoted by Roy Diblik of Northwind Perennial Farms (
www.northwindperennialfarm.com/).
We had more great volunteers today. Kay came in and bopped around weeding our hot spots and was later joined by Mary D. (who also weeded every tree circle in the
arboretum). The ladies did a great job as usual and it's neat seeing them interact with the public and answering questions, promoting the gardens and real
ly being valuable ambassadors. Dr. Yahr was in to weed and Maury stopped by as well. Mary was out weeding in the garden and we also saw Vern, Rose, Urban, Big John (weeded!), and many others. To the right is the ebony plant (
Eranthemum nigrum) which has the "closest to black" leaves I've seen. This tropical can reach 36" or so and I recall seeing in bloom at Chanticleer (Wayne,PA) last summer. We're using this plant in our maroon/red theme and have used it for many years in container arrangements. Another nice tropical accent can be seen to the left (at ACG). I've featured this grass in previous blogs and we have over 500 out in the gardens this summer. This is the 'Fireworks' fountain grass (
Pennisetum 'Fireworks') that works as a 30" accent in the full sun border or container. Below is a paper wasp nest that we found (and left alone!) today. The architecture of this next is truly amazing and complex. Neat stuff. Nice shot of the gazebo at the bottom (although the shot is a bit akimbo).
Above is the white rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos 'Blue River II') as seen at Allen Centennial Gardens (ACG) yesterday. T
he blooms are almost 12" across and very showy. When I started at RBG 13 years ago, we had a huge bed of these types of hibiscus and it was an awesome showing for the three weeks in late July and early August when they
peak. However, not too much interest in the "off time" so we evenually relocated them. I'd like to incorporate more of these but the Japanese beetle enjoys nibbling on this dessert plant quite vigorously. Two other neat things I saw at ACG included a raised, square foot garden (to the left) and a raised, accessible planter (to the right). These look neat and I think we'll build a couple and help spread the word that gardening can happen in small spaces and can become more accessible as we get older or limited in some fashion. Below is a shot of our 'Coffee Cups' elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) that looks better (and bigger) each week and is really living up to its name with the cupped leaves. 
arboretum). The ladies did a great job as usual and it's neat seeing them interact with the public and answering questions, promoting the gardens and real
ly being valuable ambassadors. Dr. Yahr was in to weed and Maury stopped by as well. Mary was out weeding in the garden and we also saw Vern, Rose, Urban, Big John (weeded!), and many others. To the right is the ebony plant (Eranthemum nigrum) which has the "closest to black" leaves I've seen. This tropical can reach 36" or so and I recall seeing in bloom at Chanticleer (Wayne,PA) last summer. We're using this plant in our maroon/red theme and have used it for many years in container arrangements. Another nice tropical accent can be seen to the left (at ACG). I've featured this grass in previous blogs and we have over 500 out in the gardens this summer. This is the 'Fireworks' fountain grass (Pennisetum 'Fireworks') that works as a 30" accent in the full sun border or container. Below is a paper wasp nest that we found (and left alone!) today. The architecture of this next is truly amazing and complex. Neat stuff. Nice shot of the gazebo at the bottom (although the shot is a bit akimbo). 
No comments:
Post a Comment