Today was another nice sunny day with temperatures around 85 degrees F. I took the top photo yesterday on my way over to Jenka Blossoms. I had taken this route
years ago and saw the truck back then, wishing I had my camera. Well, I had the camera yesterday and caught this unique "container planting." Neat-O and glad they continued planting it for my second pass by yesterday morn. Last night, I had 42 members of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society (WHPS) come to RBG for a tour and presentation. We had a delightful walk/tour thru the garden and everyone seemed to enjoy the overall experience. That group has lots of plant nerds and while our tour was fairly rapid to see the gardens (90 minutes) and leave time for the presentation (45 minutes), I think we've inspired some repeat visits for these people to go a bit slower and check out the plant material more closely. I've been a member of the WHPS for t
he past 12 years and have enjoyed attending meetings, programs and of course, have met many fellow gardeners and supporters of RBG. The presentation on the history of RBG (with supporting visuals) seemed well received as well as did the yummy snacks. It was a great evening and I hope we can host at least one WHPS meeting each summer with the same format. To the right are the just emerging blooms of the late blooming turtlehead (
Chelone obliqua) in the English cottage garden. There are a couple different species and varieties of this neat perennial that include varieties with a brighter pink flower, white flower and even green/black foliage. We probably have 50+ varied specimens out in the gardens. Turtleheads universally like rich, moist soil
and really fill a color void late in the summer with their welcome flowers, characteristic of the shape of a turtle's head. We had another great batch of Grumpies, Grumpettes and other volunteers today. Bob C. and Ron B. worked on sweeping up various paths and patios which is becoming more necessary as the cottonwoods (
Populus deltoides) drop their leaves notoriously early. Pat (above left) did a nice job regraveling the road near the terrace while Rollie was out laying memorial bricks again. Dennis, Ron and Del set up two tents for the Smelly Garden program this Sunday afternoon (family drop-in activity, see our website!). The guys moved on to some other projects later on including hauling and spreading more gravel. Dick H. helped Pat later with regravelling and Dave, Jim, Vern and Bob continued to put up the new Japanese garden fence. Suzy, Marilyn, Karen and Glenna did a great job weeding and purging (removing spent annuals) the flower beds east of the visitors center. Above is Marilyn (blue shirt) amongst the jungle. Hal and Doris were also in to primp their garden and Dr. Gredler worked on myriad projects. We also saw Kelli, Kris, Mike M., Mary Kay, Laura, Joanne, Karen and many others. To the right is Sudan grass (
Sorghum sp.) in our Ornamental Edible & Compact Vegetable garden that is topping out around 9' tall right now. This old world grain plant is also used for forage and to make syrup. Directly below is one of three begonia hanging baskets under the back porch in the English cottage garden. These baskets have really flushed out the past couple of weeks and are getting plenty of attention in this shady location. Further below is a close-up of the 'Indian Summer' gloriosa daisy (
Rudbeckia hirta) that is also called an annual black-eyed Susan.
Larry helped facilitate the Grumpies this morning and was running irrigation as he finished up his weedwhipping project. He also watered, pruned and did some push mow
ing as well. Big John worked on digging out some invasive seedlings, fertilized, weeded and watered containers. John and Larry also picked up some items for the
Garden Festival (hosted by the Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association) this weekend. Janice worked with the Grumpettes and continued installing our new labels out in the gazebo garden and woodland walk. She developed a good sytem for creating "starter holes" to get these labels securely installed in tougher soils. I met brie
fly with Kelli and Kris and the three of us had a good meeting with Mike, Laura and Mary Kay regarding some exciting educational offerings for 2012. I also worked on some plant sale details. To the right is the 'Millenium' hybrid ornamental onion (
Allium hybrida) in the woodland walk. I really like spherical flower clusters in the garden as they add both color and interesting, simple form. To the left is the Jim Crockett dwarf boltonia (
Boltonia asteroides var.
latisquama 'Masbolimket') blooming in the formal perennial gardens. This variety is named after Jim Crockett of
Victory Garden fame. I think I've photographed these very pale violet daisies with yellow centers (2
4" plant) many times over the past 4-5 weeks meaning this workhorse has a long bloom period. I'm already scheduled to do presentations this fall and next year on late blooming perennials. This topic will not only include those perennials that truly don't bloom until later but will also include those (like Jim Crockett boltonia) that bloom for a long period of time in to the late summer/early fall. To the right are the ripening fruits of the 'Chilly Chili' ornamental hot pepper (
Capsicum annuum). You can see the youngest, cream-colored fruits that age thru yellow, orange and finally red. The color only gets better thru this month and this All-America Selections variety (2002) is known for having very little "heat" and has potential for those like me that can't stand the "fire" of the hotter varieties. The year we planted 232 varieties of hot peppers (
Capsicum sp.) was so much fun for both the culinary fans and those that also enjoy the ornamental fruits. Directly below is the gold-leaved variety of the Asian spikenard (
Aralia racemosa 'Sun King'). This species, native to Japan, Korea and parts of China, will do well in the understory in part shade and will offer nice "illumination". The foliage contribution of this perennial will grow with it as it matures at close to 72" high!. The bottom photo is the always attractive bloom (to butterflies too) of the annual, Mexican sunflower (
Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'). This variety gets 72"+ tall but look for the variety 'Fiesta Del Sol' for a shorter, 36" tall version. Both of these varieties are All-America Selections winners and if you like this bloom in a yellow, look for 'Yellow Torch' which, incidentally, is featured in our blue/yellow them in the front entrance garden (also 72" tall).
years ago and saw the truck back then, wishing I had my camera. Well, I had the camera yesterday and caught this unique "container planting." Neat-O and glad they continued planting it for my second pass by yesterday morn. Last night, I had 42 members of the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society (WHPS) come to RBG for a tour and presentation. We had a delightful walk/tour thru the garden and everyone seemed to enjoy the overall experience. That group has lots of plant nerds and while our tour was fairly rapid to see the gardens (90 minutes) and leave time for the presentation (45 minutes), I think we've inspired some repeat visits for these people to go a bit slower and check out the plant material more closely. I've been a member of the WHPS for t
he past 12 years and have enjoyed attending meetings, programs and of course, have met many fellow gardeners and supporters of RBG. The presentation on the history of RBG (with supporting visuals) seemed well received as well as did the yummy snacks. It was a great evening and I hope we can host at least one WHPS meeting each summer with the same format. To the right are the just emerging blooms of the late blooming turtlehead (Chelone obliqua) in the English cottage garden. There are a couple different species and varieties of this neat perennial that include varieties with a brighter pink flower, white flower and even green/black foliage. We probably have 50+ varied specimens out in the gardens. Turtleheads universally like rich, moist soil
and really fill a color void late in the summer with their welcome flowers, characteristic of the shape of a turtle's head. We had another great batch of Grumpies, Grumpettes and other volunteers today. Bob C. and Ron B. worked on sweeping up various paths and patios which is becoming more necessary as the cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) drop their leaves notoriously early. Pat (above left) did a nice job regraveling the road near the terrace while Rollie was out laying memorial bricks again. Dennis, Ron and Del set up two tents for the Smelly Garden program this Sunday afternoon (family drop-in activity, see our website!). The guys moved on to some other projects later on including hauling and spreading more gravel. Dick H. helped Pat later with regravelling and Dave, Jim, Vern and Bob continued to put up the new Japanese garden fence. Suzy, Marilyn, Karen and Glenna did a great job weeding and purging (removing spent annuals) the flower beds east of the visitors center. Above is Marilyn (blue shirt) amongst the jungle. Hal and Doris were also in to primp their garden and Dr. Gredler worked on myriad projects. We also saw Kelli, Kris, Mike M., Mary Kay, Laura, Joanne, Karen and many others. To the right is Sudan grass (Sorghum sp.) in our Ornamental Edible & Compact Vegetable garden that is topping out around 9' tall right now. This old world grain plant is also used for forage and to make syrup. Directly below is one of three begonia hanging baskets under the back porch in the English cottage garden. These baskets have really flushed out the past couple of weeks and are getting plenty of attention in this shady location. Further below is a close-up of the 'Indian Summer' gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta) that is also called an annual black-eyed Susan. 
ing as well. Big John worked on digging out some invasive seedlings, fertilized, weeded and watered containers. John and Larry also picked up some items for the Garden Festival (hosted by the Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association) this weekend. Janice worked with the Grumpettes and continued installing our new labels out in the gazebo garden and woodland walk. She developed a good sytem for creating "starter holes" to get these labels securely installed in tougher soils. I met brie
fly with Kelli and Kris and the three of us had a good meeting with Mike, Laura and Mary Kay regarding some exciting educational offerings for 2012. I also worked on some plant sale details. To the right is the 'Millenium' hybrid ornamental onion (Allium hybrida) in the woodland walk. I really like spherical flower clusters in the garden as they add both color and interesting, simple form. To the left is the Jim Crockett dwarf boltonia (Boltonia asteroides var. latisquama 'Masbolimket') blooming in the formal perennial gardens. This variety is named after Jim Crockett of Victory Garden fame. I think I've photographed these very pale violet daisies with yellow centers (2
4" plant) many times over the past 4-5 weeks meaning this workhorse has a long bloom period. I'm already scheduled to do presentations this fall and next year on late blooming perennials. This topic will not only include those perennials that truly don't bloom until later but will also include those (like Jim Crockett boltonia) that bloom for a long period of time in to the late summer/early fall. To the right are the ripening fruits of the 'Chilly Chili' ornamental hot pepper (Capsicum annuum). You can see the youngest, cream-colored fruits that age thru yellow, orange and finally red. The color only gets better thru this month and this All-America Selections variety (2002) is known for having very little "heat" and has potential for those like me that can't stand the "fire" of the hotter varieties. The year we planted 232 varieties of hot peppers (Capsicum sp.) was so much fun for both the culinary fans and those that also enjoy the ornamental fruits. Directly below is the gold-leaved variety of the Asian spikenard (Aralia racemosa 'Sun King'). This species, native to Japan, Korea and parts of China, will do well in the understory in part shade and will offer nice "illumination". The foliage contribution of this perennial will grow with it as it matures at close to 72" high!. The bottom photo is the always attractive bloom (to butterflies too) of the annual, Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch'). This variety gets 72"+ tall but look for the variety 'Fiesta Del Sol' for a shorter, 36" tall version. Both of these varieties are All-America Selections winners and if you like this bloom in a yellow, look for 'Yellow Torch' which, incidentally, is featured in our blue/yellow them in the front entrance garden (also 72" tall). 
No comments:
Post a Comment