Today was another hot one and although we didn't see too many visitors, our neighboring swimming beach was quite busy with people trying to cool off. The shot above is of the criss cross flower
(
Cladanthus arabicus) which has a spicy-sweet fragrance and is one of the many scented plants in our Smelly Garden. The name "criss cross" comes from its branching pattern although the plants are only 15" tall or so, they have plenty of flower power. The grounds
staff came in early today to beat the heat which came all too quickly. Marv, Terry and Pat started the day preparing a bed for planting and had to return later to that task after some needed rototiller repairs were accomplished (thanks Dick H.!). Marv and Terry also planted lots of caladiums and took care of moving sprinklers all over the gardens. Marv also kept various irrigation zones going after I started the process this morning. Pat moved on to some weeding, container watering and other projects. Marianne did some target weedi
ng this morning, plenty of hand watering, her cutting display and also watered our diminishing collection of plants in our holding yard. I gave an early tour to 10 grounds people from the Chicago Botanic Garden. They were a great group of people with lots of good questions. Most of them were actually grounds interns for the summer and it was interesting and fun to talk about our respective gardens. After this tour, I was on the local radio (WCLO) to promote the upcoming
Home Garden Tour this Saturday (10 am - 4 pm, see details on our website!). I've also spent time getting ready for the seminar this evening on
Pruning (6 pm - 8 pm). Chris R., our speaker, stopped by and we made sure his program was ready to go. To the above right is our marigold (
Tagetes) collection filling in nicely. To the left is one of our containers out in the North Point garden that features a simple arrangement of elephant ear (
Colocasia esculenta) in the center and aluminum plant (
Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls') as a nice, trailing edger. To the right is the annual scarlet sage (
Salvia coccinea 'Lady In Red') which should bring in some hummingbirds! Directly below is one of our hanging baskets in the Scottish garden. This combination includes trailing begonia (
Begonia boliviensis 'Bonfire') as well as leatherleaf sedge (
Carex buchananii).
Above is our prairie ironweed (
Vernonia fasciculata) starting to bloom in the formal perennial garden. I love this deep violet color and these plants are at least
7' tall or so. Very statuesque! Don't forget the beautiful Butterfly Art Display out in the gardens. The piece to the right is just one of 34 that are out in the garde
ns. There is a map/guide for all of these beautiful butterflies right in our entranceway to the Parker Education Center. This afternoon, the office staff, myself and our new maintenance man (Mark) were part of a planning retreat that involved lots of discussion and ideas regarding 2012. It was quite productive and we hope to keep that proverbial "ball rolling" with progress. Kelli, Kris, Ariel, Amanda, Peggy, Lori, Mark and I were all involved. It is so important to be proactive with programs, events, etc. so we can start
early with soliciting sponsors and promoting these events well in advance. To the left is just one of the seven entries in the American Garden Award (
www.americangardenaward.org) program featured at our garden and many others. This is the SunPatiens 'Variegated Spreading White' impatiens. Come to the gardens to see this entry and the other six. You can vote for your favorite online at the website listed above or take a card from the mailbox at our display and send it in (no postage required). Come check it out. To the right is the Dahlberg daisy (
Dyssodia tenuiloba) which is a wonderful, shorter stature annual (12" or so). The lacy foliage is fragrant but I like the non-stop summer flowering that requires no care. They like full sun and are just non-stop bloomers. Directly below is 'Flying Saucers' squash that Janice picked yesterday. The forms of the squash out in our collection will be quite interesting. At the bottom is a shot of our Ornamental Edible / Compact Vegetable display which has filled in nicely and is attracting lots of attention.
Today was another hot one and although we didn't see too many visitors, our neighboring swimming beach was quite busy with people trying to cool off. The shot above is of the criss cross flower 
(Cladanthus arabicus) which has a spicy-sweet fragrance and is one of the many scented plants in our Smelly Garden. The name "criss cross" comes from its branching pattern although the plants are only 15" tall or so, they have plenty of flower power. The grounds
staff came in early today to beat the heat which came all too quickly. Marv, Terry and Pat started the day preparing a bed for planting and had to return later to that task after some needed rototiller repairs were accomplished (thanks Dick H.!). Marv and Terry also planted lots of caladiums and took care of moving sprinklers all over the gardens. Marv also kept various irrigation zones going after I started the process this morning. Pat moved on to some weeding, container watering and other projects. Marianne did some target weedi
ng this morning, plenty of hand watering, her cutting display and also watered our diminishing collection of plants in our holding yard. I gave an early tour to 10 grounds people from the Chicago Botanic Garden. They were a great group of people with lots of good questions. Most of them were actually grounds interns for the summer and it was interesting and fun to talk about our respective gardens. After this tour, I was on the local radio (WCLO) to promote the upcoming Home Garden Tour this Saturday (10 am - 4 pm, see details on our website!). I've also spent time getting ready for the seminar this evening on Pruning (6 pm - 8 pm). Chris R., our speaker, stopped by and we made sure his program was ready to go. To the above right is our marigold (Tagetes) collection filling in nicely. To the left is one of our containers out in the North Point garden that features a simple arrangement of elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) in the center and aluminum plant (Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls') as a nice, trailing edger. To the right is the annual scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea 'Lady In Red') which should bring in some hummingbirds! Directly below is one of our hanging baskets in the Scottish garden. This combination includes trailing begonia (Begonia boliviensis 'Bonfire') as well as leatherleaf sedge (Carex buchananii). 
7' tall or so. Very statuesque! Don't forget the beautiful Butterfly Art Display out in the gardens. The piece to the right is just one of 34 that are out in the garde
ns. There is a map/guide for all of these beautiful butterflies right in our entranceway to the Parker Education Center. This afternoon, the office staff, myself and our new maintenance man (Mark) were part of a planning retreat that involved lots of discussion and ideas regarding 2012. It was quite productive and we hope to keep that proverbial "ball rolling" with progress. Kelli, Kris, Ariel, Amanda, Peggy, Lori, Mark and I were all involved. It is so important to be proactive with programs, events, etc. so we can start 
early with soliciting sponsors and promoting these events well in advance. To the left is just one of the seven entries in the American Garden Award (www.americangardenaward.org) program featured at our garden and many others. This is the SunPatiens 'Variegated Spreading White' impatiens. Come to the gardens to see this entry and the other six. You can vote for your favorite online at the website listed above or take a card from the mailbox at our display and send it in (no postage required). Come check it out. To the right is the Dahlberg daisy (Dyssodia tenuiloba) which is a wonderful, shorter stature annual (12" or so). The lacy foliage is fragrant but I like the non-stop summer flowering that requires no care. They like full sun and are just non-stop bloomers. Directly below is 'Flying Saucers' squash that Janice picked yesterday. The forms of the squash out in our collection will be quite interesting. At the bottom is a shot of our Ornamental Edible / Compact Vegetable display which has filled in nicely and is attracting lots of attention. 
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