Sick Day + Barrenworts (Part 2)

I took a "sick day" today although all I needed was to catch up a lack of sleep from a weekend of my little one not feeling well (stomach flu). After some visits to Urgent Care and the Emergency Room, she's on the mend thankfully and I spent the day keeping an eye on her (between our collective napping). I called Larry this morning and had no doubts that everything would run smoothly with the Grumpies and first day back for the grounds staff. I knew that Marv, Terry, Marianne and Janice were coming back with a possibility of Pat as well. We'll see Jenny's return tomorrow. We had some trees delivered from K&W Greenery which will be part of our parking lot planting project that is funded with a Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Grant. Ultimately, ten new trees will be planted out in these islands (main parking lot) near the Parker Education Center. Each selection will have a nice sign mentioning the merits of that tree in an urban setting. Each sign will also mention the reality of Emerald Ash Borer and the potential implications in our area. We're getting some great consultation from the Janesville Shade Tree Advisory Council (JSTAC) regarding this project.

Included in this post are many of our barrenworts (Epimedium sp.) that are just starting to bloom out in the gardens. At the top is the 'Starlet' barrenwort (Epimedium x youngianum) and to the right is always showy 'Purple Prince' (Epimedium grandiflorum). I mention that this is (Part 2) of this topic. I posted my first blog on the Wisconsin Gardening magazine website last night as one of their guest bloggers. This is a new magazine although the parent company, State-by-State Gardening, has been publishing for the past 11 years and includes editions for 16 states total. The magazine is very nice and I've enjoyed the first two issues greatly. It's nice to see the use of many local experts and authors to create a very relevant publication in my mind. I think there will be an article in the upcoming summer issue that talks about scent and features our Smelly Garden!

The blogging format has similarities and differences to the process by which this blog is posted but I think I'll get the hang of it soon enough and will try to post at least weekly in that venue. There will actually be little to no overlap of topics (with this exception!) as I wont ever run out of plants to talk about so why recycle!? To the left and right are the awesome blooms of the 'Bandit' barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum var. higoense) and directly below is the stunning spring foliage and early blooms of the yellow barrenwort (Epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten') which is a tough, clumping groundcover for part sun or shade. Many species and varieties are known for a nice spring "bronzing" on the foliage although fall color is also spectacular with many selections as well.Epimediums, also called bishop's hat and fairy wings, have been almost no maintenance at RBG. In fact, I don't every remember uttering the phrase, "I wonder why that barrenwort died?" or "What insect or disease caused that damage?". Essentially, they have fended well for themselves and are thriving in our color rooms garden, shade garden, woodland walk garden and gazebo garden. They don't seem to enjoy full blazing sun and while they are drought tolerant, our best specimens are in moist, well-drained, quality soils in dappled shade. I keep "accumulating" various varieties and species and look forward to expanding the collection each year. While the clean foliage is quite ornamental, particularly in spring and fall, I feel many gardeners miss the blooms in very early spring. While the blooms are small and many arch towards the ground, do take the time to examine them closely as their architecture is amazing. The fall color on barrenworts doesn't frequently offer much interest until November and December and in fact, is typically green throughout the frosts in October. However, the late color is quite welcome with very little other color out in the garden. To the right is the orange fall color of 'Red Queen' barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum). To the left and right are some amazing fall color examples that we observe on our 'Black Sea' barrenworts (Epimedium hybrida). This variety is currently blooming with small yellow and white blossoms but it's nice to know that we'll also get this contribution later in the season (after Halloween). Further below is the spring and fall foliage (respectively) of the red barrenwort (Epimedium x rubrum). This selection has a strong bronzing on the foliage during bloom and in to mid-summer. The newest foliage has the strongest coloration but the leaves eventually turn entirely green in mid-summer. However, the late season fall color can be quite engaging as well. We don't cut barrenwort foliage until the next year when we just start to see the new growth emerging.