Not the prettiest picture above but this is one of the many puddles around the gardens today with the rain coming down nicely overnight (and pounding down again around 2 pm). It has been overcast all day with the threat of rain throughout the evening. I've been looking at the radar all day and am watching the storm swing north of us although I wouldn't mind a bit more moisture to carry us thru the weekend. Despite the wetness, we all were outside today and everyone did a dynamite job with their projects. We actually planted nothing but accomplished much! The contractors were also here continuing their work on the new lower pool in the Japanese garden. Below is the 'Seven Sisters' rose at my home that earned its name for the vivid progression of color from fresh to spent blooms. The bummer is that it only blooms for about three weeks in June, then it gets about 12' tall and drapes over my driveway and will frequently draw blood!
Everyone (except me) was involved with targeting some of our "ugly areas" and activities included weeding, cutting back spent bulb foilage, pruning, etc. The gang brought back many loads of debris and the visual difference is quite amazing in the areas they worked. Marv and Terry prepared six containers for our new North Point garden that will be planted tomorrow and moved on to clearing debris and preparing three areas along the pond. They really sunk their teeth in to the nightmare bed overlooking the zig-zag bridge that gets weedy and overgrown very quickly. In the past, we've struggled to even address that area and the guys have it looking the best it ever has in many years. Marianne focused on the gazebo garden beds and the parking lot islands, both of which were in dire need of her attention. She had a pet robin following her around waiting for her to stir up some worms. Pat cleared a large berm near the formal gardens of weeds and LOTS of foliage from grape hyacinths (
Muscari armeniacum) and later teamed up with Marianne in the parking lot ("wonder twins powers, activate!"). If you know where that quote is from, you've definitely "aged" yourself. Below is a nice grouping of 'Walker's Low' catmint (
Nepeta x
faassenii) that is extremely tough and durable. As the blooms wane, we'll shear these down to 3" and expect a repeat performance. Catmint (
Nepeta sp.) is a decent substitute for a "lavender-like" effect out in the gardens. Beneath the catmint is a close-up of the "otherworldly" blossom of the masterwort (
Astrantia major 'Sunningdale Variegated') that is very long-blooming and floriferous. I always feature the early spring foliage of this variety too as it has a clear yellow variegation (which later fades with June heat). Masterworts are universally underplanted and the specimen I'm featuring was planted over 12 years ago.
Oddly enough, we had no volunteers out in the gardens today. I can't recall ever observing that occurance! Weird. Vern, Art, Dave and Dorothy stopped by but we didn't see much a
ctivity as I think the threat of severe thunderstorms kept everyone away! I was able to haul out plants to another four areas for planting tomorrow.
I have faith that the rains will let up and we'll be able to poke all these plants in the ground. I'm impressed with how little is left in the yard although the casual observer might think it's a lot of plants without the perspective of what we've already installed. I think we're about 2/3 planted and are on track to finish by July 1 hopefully! Tonight is my talk on
Container Gardening (6 pm - 8 pm) and I hope we have a good crowd. We've averaged 75.2 attendees for each of our first five presentations which is an amazing average. The Thursday evening programs have averaged 28 attendees each and we hope to further promote not only the remainder of all of our talks but really do some saturation marketing next year for these neat education opportunities.
Kris K., Ariel, Bev F. and others are putting together some nice programs and events to go along with our new Smelly Garden too. Above and to the right is the bright blooms of sundrops (
Oenothera tetragona) that are real eyecatchers but this perennial is not shy about "doubling its real estate" each year so beware! To the left is the foliage of the golden smokebush (
Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit') in my front yard. While this variety has never been vigorous and we've lost all three at RBG over the years, I do like the clean yellow foliage. I've not seen it bloom and have noted larger specimens in other Midwest gardens that seem to be thriving. Regardless, it's certainly a nice focal point for the foliage alone and I'll continue to try it at RBG. To the right is the Japanese tree lilac (
Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk') blooming at the south entrance to the Japanese garden. This tree is always showy when it blooms although it doesnt' bloom all at once and the fading flowers aren't real sightly. This specimen is our largest at about 16' tall or so. Below is a bloom close-up of crown vetch (
Coronilla varia) which is beautiful in bloom but is a rambunctious, rambling groundcover. Frequently recommended for highway medians and slopes near overpasses, this tough groundcover does have merit but not in the home garden! At the bottom is a close-up of the awesome 'Bartzella', intersectional peony (
Paeonia) developed and introduced by Mr. Roger Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI. Mr. Anderson donated many peonies to RBG including this variety. Ours at RBG is done blooming but I took this picture yesterday at the home of one of our volunteers.
Not the prettiest picture above but this is one of the many puddles around the gardens today with the rain coming down nicely overnight (and pounding down again around 2 pm). It has been overcast all day with the threat of rain throughout the evening. I've been looking at the radar all day and am watching the storm swing north of us although I wouldn't mind a bit more moisture to carry us thru the weekend. Despite the wetness, we all were outside today and everyone did a dynamite job with their projects. We actually planted nothing but accomplished much! The contractors were also here continuing their work on the new lower pool in the Japanese garden. Below is the 'Seven Sisters' rose at my home that earned its name for the vivid progression of color from fresh to spent blooms. The bummer is that it only blooms for about three weeks in June, then it gets about 12' tall and drapes over my driveway and will frequently draw blood!
Everyone (except me) was involved with targeting some of our "ugly areas" and activities included weeding, cutting back spent bulb foilage, pruning, etc. The gang brought back many loads of debris and the visual difference is quite amazing in the areas they worked. Marv and Terry prepared six containers for our new North Point garden that will be planted tomorrow and moved on to clearing debris and preparing three areas along the pond. They really sunk their teeth in to the nightmare bed overlooking the zig-zag bridge that gets weedy and overgrown very quickly. In the past, we've struggled to even address that area and the guys have it looking the best it ever has in many years. Marianne focused on the gazebo garden beds and the parking lot islands, both of which were in dire need of her attention. She had a pet robin following her around waiting for her to stir up some worms. Pat cleared a large berm near the formal gardens of weeds and LOTS of foliage from grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) and later teamed up with Marianne in the parking lot ("wonder twins powers, activate!"). If you know where that quote is from, you've definitely "aged" yourself. Below is a nice grouping of 'Walker's Low' catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) that is extremely tough and durable. As the blooms wane, we'll shear these down to 3" and expect a repeat performance. Catmint (Nepeta sp.) is a decent substitute for a "lavender-like" effect out in the gardens. Beneath the catmint is a close-up of the "otherworldly" blossom of the masterwort (Astrantia major 'Sunningdale Variegated') that is very long-blooming and floriferous. I always feature the early spring foliage of this variety too as it has a clear yellow variegation (which later fades with June heat). Masterworts are universally underplanted and the specimen I'm featuring was planted over 12 years ago.
ctivity as I think the threat of severe thunderstorms kept everyone away! I was able to haul out plants to another four areas for planting tomorrow. 
I have faith that the rains will let up and we'll be able to poke all these plants in the ground. I'm impressed with how little is left in the yard although the casual observer might think it's a lot of plants without the perspective of what we've already installed. I think we're about 2/3 planted and are on track to finish by July 1 hopefully! Tonight is my talk on Container Gardening (6 pm - 8 pm) and I hope we have a good crowd. We've averaged 75.2 attendees for each of our first five presentations which is an amazing average. The Thursday evening programs have averaged 28 attendees each and we hope to further promote not only the remainder of all of our talks but really do some saturation marketing next year for these neat education opportunities. 
Kris K., Ariel, Bev F. and others are putting together some nice programs and events to go along with our new Smelly Garden too. Above and to the right is the bright blooms of sundrops (Oenothera tetragona) that are real eyecatchers but this perennial is not shy about "doubling its real estate" each year so beware! To the left is the foliage of the golden smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit') in my front yard. While this variety has never been vigorous and we've lost all three at RBG over the years, I do like the clean yellow foliage. I've not seen it bloom and have noted larger specimens in other Midwest gardens that seem to be thriving. Regardless, it's certainly a nice focal point for the foliage alone and I'll continue to try it at RBG. To the right is the Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk') blooming at the south entrance to the Japanese garden. This tree is always showy when it blooms although it doesnt' bloom all at once and the fading flowers aren't real sightly. This specimen is our largest at about 16' tall or so. Below is a bloom close-up of crown vetch (Coronilla varia) which is beautiful in bloom but is a rambunctious, rambling groundcover. Frequently recommended for highway medians and slopes near overpasses, this tough groundcover does have merit but not in the home garden! At the bottom is a close-up of the awesome 'Bartzella', intersectional peony (Paeonia) developed and introduced by Mr. Roger Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI. Mr. Anderson donated many peonies to RBG including this variety. Ours at RBG is done blooming but I took this picture yesterday at the home of one of our volunteers. 
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