A "Dry" Gap In The Forecast

I thought we'd have a total rain out for the day based on the dark skies and rain this morning. However, it stopped raining early and while it was cloudy most of the day, it was a perfect gap in the weather to get out in the gardens and everyone took advantage of the opportunity. The sun peeked out around 2 pm and we hit that 80 degrees F with no problem. We had a visit from the Rockford Area Garden Club and with the potential chance of rain, I was prepared to do an indoor presentation. However, the weather held for a nice tour with 30 members of that group. They were a fun group and seemed to enjoy the tour. The highlight was pointing out Marianne weeding and introducing her as part of the prison work/release program. Above are some peonies (Paeonia) blooming today (unknown varieties). The photo directly above is one of the many tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) donated by Roy Klehm of Song Sparrow Nursery many years ago. Our best tree peony specimens are "peppered" throughout the fern & moss garden and Japanese garden.

The grounds staff did another stellar job out in the gardens and were all as "busy as a bee"..(see to the left). To the above right are Terry and Marv working on the oak leaf art projects and preparing them for installation out in the gardens. The guys also set up benches for the spring plant sale (see our website for details), reset some bricks in a problem path area, prepared more container soil and accomplished other projects as well. Jenny and Marianne were both weeding demons with Jenny in the shade garden and color rooms and Marianne in the formal gardens and ultimately the color rooms with Jenny. Pat and Big John started the day with mulching in the woodland walk garden and moved on to some other projects as well including tree planting. With the surprisingly dry weather, they were able to also do some painting on the porch/balcony in the English cottage garden. I accomplished some timely desk work which included finalizing my presentation on Container Gardening for the Thrive! - Over 60 Expo being hosted by the Janesville Gazette tomorrow. I had hoped to spray some herbicide and fertilize the remainder of our lawns but there is just not enough time in the day. To the right are the showy blooms of the 'Lipstick' ornamental strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). This plant is a spreader that we'll thin out shortly but the blooms are so engaging right now.... Directly below are the showy blooms of the white bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba') and further down, the dark, ruffled foliage of the 'Rosita' European filbert (Corylus avellana) in the Scottish garden. I sure do like maroon in the garden, particularly combined with whites and yellows.

It was nice to have a good volunteer turnout as well. Above (from left to right) are Myrt, Nancy and Gena. What a glamourous job they have weeding amongst those tulips. The ladies actually worked a good portion of our western gardens and did a great job out there. Dr. Gredler was in and worked on some various projects as the lawns are in good shape and shouldn't need mowing until Wednesday. Work by Nature's Touch continues in the herb garden where we're having new aluminum edging installed and flagstone paths created to replace the old, compacted gravel paths. This will be a significantly aesthetic improvement and I think the Janesville Area Herb Society is excited about the improvements. The flagstone spacing will allow for some small gaps to plant creeping herbs as well. To the right is a shot of the alpine garden beyond the tulips (Tulipa) with the rose garden pergola in the distance. To the left is a shot of our south Japanese garden entrance with our largest 'Bloodgood' Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). The golden shrub in the foreground is the 'Golden Sunshine' willow (Salix sachalinensis) which is quite bright and we're keeping it medium sized with some serious pruning.

Gary came in to continue his work on our plant sale registers (programming) and met with Marianne regarding the details. Maury was in for a meeting and ran out for some timely supplies for many of us. We also saw Dick H., Bev D., Tom P., Dr. Yahr and many others as well. To the right are the often overlooked blooms of a coral bell (Heuchera). This is the variety 'Lipstick' which has deep red, trumpet shaped blooms. Granted, most coral bells have the primary attribute of colorful foliage. This green-leaved variety has the merit of these airy (but showy) blooms. Speaking of colorful leaves on a coral bell...below is the variety 'Frosted Violet' which has a dark maroon cast but with these overlays of pinkish violet. This variety always catches my eye although you don't really appreciate the artwork involved with the foliage until you get quite close. At the bottom is one of our PLANT SALE signs which is being dusted off and will be ready for the end of next week. With pick-ups and deliveries all next week, we're looking at another great sale with a wide range of vegetables, herbs, perennials, bagged compost, etc. Check out www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org for plant lists for all vegetables and herbs. While the sale runs Saturday and Sunday (May 12th & 13th), there is a "pre-sale" for RBG Friends members at 10% off the duration of the sale. Of course on Friday, RBG Members also get "first dibs" as well.