Butterflies Will Abound

In 2010, the "Petal Your Way Thru the Garden" program was very successful with 27 uniquely decorated daisies being displayed throughout the gardens. Visitors and participants alike seemed to enjoy this program and it actually became a nice fundraiser when the daisies were auctioned off at the end of the season. Due to the popularity of that program, Bev and Deb have moved ahead with promoting a very similar program for 2011 but with butterflies as the garden element for decoration. Above is one of thirty-five that will be available after February 1 for a registration fee ($ to be determined). We'll again display these out in the gardens from May until September when they will again be auctioned off as the daisies were in 2010. The shot below is a butterfly that was displayed in Whitewater, WI as part of a similar program and this sample (from Bev) inspired us to replicate the pattern and try it here at the gardens. More details to follow regarding this opportunity.

It was quite chilly today and no one went out in to the gardens but there was plenty of action at the Horticulture Center. I worked on seed orders primarily with a focus on ordering our marigold (Tagetes) collection. It will be interesting to see this collection at peak and compare these varieties (150+). I really need to get moving on ordering vegetable seeds for our plant sales too and should complete that next week. I've been also arranging some interesting garden seminars that will be held monthly at RBG. They will all be on our website shortly (don't miss Moss Gardening on Jan. 19th, 6pm-8pm, RBG members free, $5/public). We're also exploring some other opportunites that would include cooking demonstrations, container planting workshops, pruning workshops, etc. Keep checking our website (www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org) for the latest information.

Urban and Rose came in to put another coat of blue on the last two (of five) large culvert planters and will do the last coat tomorrow. Dr. Gredler was here unwrapping lights and putting water sealant on some of the obelisks that recently returned from duty as part of the Holiday Lights Show. Vern was here working on his desk refinishing project and Marianne came in to put away some cords and we talked about some winter projects that will benefit from her wonderful attention to detail. We also saw Gary, Julie, Bill and Bev over here today. Gary, Maury and I met with some members of the Golden Kiwanis Club (Janesville) and it's not too early to let everyone know that we'll be working together this spring to facilitate their annual tree sale (smaller, 2 yr. old transplants, four types of conifers). This event will occur over the Earth Day weekend (April 22 & 23) and will correspond with our compost sale as well. Details are still to follow but it should be a nice fundraiser for both organizations. I don't normally endorse any products unless I'm paid handsomely but I did want to recommend the tasty chips seen below. They are delicious, organic and are from Janesville (A-Maize-Ing Corn Products, Inc.). Yummy.