Our tulips have really shown some growth with a few early species already blooming. I always enjoy the foliage of the Greigii type tulips (Tulipa greigii) like those above that also show nice striping and spotting on the leaves as well. Native to mountain slopes in Central Asia, this smaller height tulip is known for large flowers and the foliage you see above. I think there are some other tulip species with foliage like this (the Fosteriana hybrids?) but am not totally sure to be honest. Below is a shot of Marianne's cutting display which she's had no trouble filling this week as blooms are everywhere. 
It was another gorgeous day and the weather forecast seems to indicate less savory weather over the next four days. As much as I hate to see our spring progress slowed in the gardens, including the significant work with the Japanese and North Point projects, the spring rains are welcome. It was the pe
rfect day to be outside and I was able to get out for a bit. However, it was another day of obligations with three more hours of meetings that were very important. Our Education Committee met (Kris, Mary D., Bev F., Karen B., Chris G., Janice, Dave B. and me) and covered some important topics then our Earth Day committee met to discuss our upcoming Earth Day activities (April 22 and 23). The Youth Education Committee also met to organize their Earth Day offerings. We also had our annual grounds staff lunch/orientation with Big John, Marv, Marianne, Terry, Larry and Pat (sans Janice and Jenny whom I'll meet with later). This is a g
ood opportunity to discuss the upcoming year and talk about goals and expectations. It's nice to have a dedicated staff of veterans that really take pride in their work and their contributions to RBG. While Pat isn't on the payroll yet, he comes in often as a Grumpy and volunteer and can be seen to the left touching up our last pyramid (damaged/repaired on Monday). We let him out of his "blue prison" for lunch though... To the right are 'Jetfire' daffodils (Narcissus)blooming in the sunken garden. These are some of the first to bloom and are categorized as Class 6 Daffodils which are also called Cyclamineus Narcissus. There are 13 classifications of daffodils and Class 6 (like 'Jetfire') are known for their early blooms, shade tolerance, heavy soil tolerance but more importantly, the reflexed flower petals which give a "windswept look". This class is quite short but a great naturalizer. I knew 'Jetfire' before coming to RBG and had to include a couple thousand for sure! Check out the American Daffodil Society at www.daffodilusa.org/ for more information on daffodils and their classification differences.Marv and Terry set many more obelisks today and dropped off some major compost for Mary and Roy W. to topdress their half of the shade garden which is a significant space of close to 2,000 square
feet. They did a nice job. Marv and Terry went on to compost some major areas on their own and prepare a space for spring planting. Larry worked on some irrigation modifications and repairs in the Japanese garden that were necessitated by the work occuring with our stream and waterfa
ll. Big John dug up some perennials for division and moved on to composting as well. Marianne worked on more garden clean-up, the cutting display and she and I spent some time figuring out our plan of attack for the tree sale as it relates to the checkout process. Jumbo Jim came in with four RECAPPERS and while one helped John with composting, the rest worked with Jim to tidy up in the Japanese garden. Dr. Gredler was in for various projects and we saw Deb, Bev, Mary W., Bill and many others today. It was another crazy day. To the left are the mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) emerging in the woodland walk garden. It is so amazing to see plants emerge in the spring, particularly those like the mayapple which will unfurl and really have some sizeable leaves. To the right is one of the white blooming hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) in the gazebo garden. The picture below is not at RBG but about two blocks from my house. This is a good example of a "bulb lawn" and what you're seeing are thousands of Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) that will bloom early and finish up before this lawn has to be mown later this spring. The earliest of bulbs, like squill, are most appropriate for the bulb lawn and will colonize and perennialize well over the years, particularly by spreading seed.
feet. They did a nice job. Marv and Terry went on to compost some major areas on their own and prepare a space for spring planting. Larry worked on some irrigation modifications and repairs in the Japanese garden that were necessitated by the work occuring with our stream and waterfa
ll. Big John dug up some perennials for division and moved on to composting as well. Marianne worked on more garden clean-up, the cutting display and she and I spent some time figuring out our plan of attack for the tree sale as it relates to the checkout process. Jumbo Jim came in with four RECAPPERS and while one helped John with composting, the rest worked with Jim to tidy up in the Japanese garden. Dr. Gredler was in for various projects and we saw Deb, Bev, Mary W., Bill and many others today. It was another crazy day. To the left are the mayapples (Podophyllum peltatum) emerging in the woodland walk garden. It is so amazing to see plants emerge in the spring, particularly those like the mayapple which will unfurl and really have some sizeable leaves. To the right is one of the white blooming hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) in the gazebo garden. The picture below is not at RBG but about two blocks from my house. This is a good example of a "bulb lawn" and what you're seeing are thousands of Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) that will bloom early and finish up before this lawn has to be mown later this spring. The earliest of bulbs, like squill, are most appropriate for the bulb lawn and will colonize and perennialize well over the years, particularly by spreading seed.
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