Spring Has Sprung

Today was nice and sunny although the weather looks like it will turn cold, wet and sour later this week.  There wasn't much wind today as evidenced above with a nice clear reflection of the arched bridge on the pond this morning.  We continue to see more blooms emerging daily with many of our earliest bulbs up and blooming.  The winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis), snowdrops (Galanthus), crocus (Crocus sp.) are all blooming strongly.  Hellebores (Helleborus sp.) as seen below are opening up quickly as well.  While the garden is still mostly brown and grey, hints of brighter colors continue to appear!  Perennials and early season grasses are also starting to emerge. 

We had a great event this past Saturday with our Spring Symposium having well over 130 attendees.  This Plantaholics Retreat was well received and all of our speakers were informative and engaging.  We had Christina Salwitz from Seattle (THE Garden Coach and author) and Andrew Bunting from the Chicago Botanic Garden.  I finished off the day talking about annuals and our auction items from Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery were quite popular as well.  We're already promoting our November 5th symposium!

 hellebore (Helleborus sp.) - perennial

 our Chinese lions are looking happy?

these crocuses (Crocus sp.) have avoided the rabbits thus far...

 'Hillside Winter Gold' white pine (Pinus strobus)

 winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)

 'Whitespire' birch (Betula populifolia)

 hellebore (Helleborus sp.) - perennial

Our staff and volunteers were in full motion today.  The photo of Larry H. (above) was from last week as he prepared our four front containers for the Saturday event using 'Flame' willow (Salix hybrida) and some other elements for color.  Our Grumpies included Kevin, Bob C. and Lloyd all doing garden clean up at the East parking lot or mulching the main parking lot islands.  Peg and Kathy P. were out tidying as well.  Marv B. worked on his moss areas and planted some new moss as well.  Terry helped John with securing some obelisks and containers as well as some pruning.  Dave, Vern and Ron Y. worked on some carpentry projects while Gene continued to sand benches for re-staining shortly.  Dr. Gredler did more painting and Maury ran errands for us.  Gary S. made many more labels too including quite a few for our future Heirloom Garden which will feature 100+ varieties of pre-1900s perennials, vegetables, herbs and vegetables.  Jenny and Dave E. put a lot of time in getting our annual labels ready to go in advance of their arrival (perfect!).  We also saw Rollie, Janice and many others today.  Larry H. had a full day of gardening in multiple locations too while I continue to finish up our spring orders.

 Kevin C. and Bob C. (right) tidying up

 Peg L.

 Mossy Marv

 Kathy doing her raking "kung fu"

 Lloyd leaning on a broom (he's mastered leaning on a shovel)

Big John (left) and Terry

 the daffodils (Narcissus) are really pushing up now

catkins have formed on the Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta')