A Busy Start To A Short Week

Today saw a lot of action out in the gardens after a long weekend.  Larry and Cindy did a nice job watering yesterday (John and volunteers on Sunday) and while we expected more rain today, it didn't materialize until the afternoon.  The nice morning though allowed for the installation and placement of a new fountain (see above and below) out in our 3 acre pond.  This Fleur de Lis fountain has three levels and is quite substantial in terms of scale (shoots almost 40' high). We had instant compliments from visitors and all the school children at the gardens for our educational programs this morning!  This is a donor-funded addition to the gardens and not only adds beauty but functionality in regards to keeping that pond aerated and circulating.  The second photo down shows our volunteer Bob K. (standing) and Joel Reinders (from Reinders Inc.) getting the fountain ready for placement.  Bob K. had been involved every step of the way and his talents have been appreciated.  The photo below them shows Big John (red suspenders) and Ron P. mucking out branches and other debris from the east end of the pond where we usually have an accumulation.  It's a messy and stinky task but the guys did a nice job and Joel R. and Bob K. helped as well as another Reinder's employee on site.  The fountain is a great addition to that area for sure.

Another large project going on this morning was the continued excavation and preparation of our three brick patios in front of the Parker Education Center (see the guys above). Years of wear and tear (and salt) had made this surface dangerous so we'll be having concrete poured in these three circles later this week.  Thus, the task was to removed deteriorating block/brick and excavate the circles to a 6" depth.  We had a great team on this including Terry, Larry, Kevin C., Ron W., Bob C., Emmett and Dick H.  Supervision was provided by Dick P. and Maury F. seen relaxing below.  Garden volunteers today included Kay and Joanne (third photo down, Kay to the left) who did a great job tidying up the larch wall planting bed which we'll start planting tomorrow. Ron B. continued scooping up old mulch in the rose garden and accumulated quite a few loads.  Eva, Bethany, Kathy P. and Mary H. all did some planting (see their photos below) in various locations.  Urban did some serious shrub pruning and both Bill O. and Dr. Gredler did their mowing rounds.  Dave E. did a nice job tidying up his area in the formal gardens.  Stan was in and Art H. came in to take the large passenger cart out for a spin and "mock tour."  We also saw Dr. Yahr, Ron Y. and many others today.

Dick P. (left) and Maury F. supervising

Kay (left) and Joanne (back all the way from NC!)

Bethany planting in the sunken garden

Eva planting in the sunken garden

Kathy (left) and Mary planting near the gazebo

 

Above is the Joseph Rock peony (Paeonia rockii) looking splendid this morning!  This is a rare tree peony and is worth the space for only 10 days of awesome color on these 12" wide double flowers.  The grounds staff had a busy day and we had everyone but Jenny today.  Big John helped with the pond projects and made another plant run this afternoon.  Terry helped with the patio project out front and moved on to watering and other tasks before it started pouring.  Larry also helped with the patio project, checked over water features and did some push mowing.  Pat also push mowed and helped "lift" spent tulips (Tulipa) in front of the building.  Cindy and Cheryl were attached at the hip today and did a nice job weeding the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden (we hope to plant this Saturday at the Volunteer Workday), watering the yard and doing some significant planting in the afternoon.  Janice helped organize labels, did the cutting display and helped prepare for the Volunteer Potluck tonight among other tasks.  Everyone had indoor projects at the end of the day as the rains arrived.  I hauled plants out to three areas today and bounced between some various projects as well.  More plant shots below!

 



tricolor European beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Roseomarginata') from beneath!

a columbine (Aquilegia sp.) close-up

'Purple Smoke' false indigo (Baptisia x hybrida) starting to bloom

white meadowrue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium 'Alba')

perennial gromwell (Buglossoides purpureocaeruleum)

70 Helping Hands

This past Saturday, May 24th, we had a very successful Volunteer Workday at the gardens.  Lily (seen above) was one of thirty-five volunteers that showed up to help us plant four garden areas.  The weather was beautiful and we so appreciate such committed volunteers which also included a group from the Mercy Health System (seen in blue t-shirts further below).  It was nice to see so many veteran volunteers as well as some new ones too!  We planted a good portion of the Jungle Garden and the reception garden.  We completed the two large flower beds along Palmer Drive in the entrance garden as well.  Janice and Big John helped facilitate the morning while Larry and Bill O. prepared the gardens for weddings, tidied up, ran irrigation, etc.  Marcia and Mirjam planted in the English cottage garden (their assigned garden area) and Jim and Carol S. helped run the Compost Sale (only one Saturday left on May 31st, 8 am - 12 noon at the Horticulture Center).  We have three more Volunteer Workdays over the next three Saturdays (8 am - 12 noon, meet at the Parker Education Center).  It was a great day with over 15,000 plants going in the ground that morning!  Some of the team efforts can be seen below.  The RBG Founder, Dr. Robert Yahr, can be seen in the bottom photo and he's never been shy about jumping right in!  :)

A Day Of Progress & Preparations

It was another busy day of Friday activity coupled with "pre-Saturday" preparations.  With a long weekend looming and garden weddings on the horizon, we needed to get the gardens in shape which also included some significant planting and watering.  We also have a Volunteer Workday tomorrow (8 am until 12 noon) and I spent the day getting ready for that.  Staying ahead of 30+ enthusiastic planting volunteers is a challenge and I like to avoid any "idle time."  We had a small grounds staff today (Terry, Janice, Cindy and me) but numerous volunteers and we should be in shape for the weekend.  Above is a shot of fading grape hyacinths (Muscari armenicacum 'Valerie Finnis') amongst Japanese painted ferns (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) that I found striking in the shade garden this morning.  Some other plant photos can be seen directly below.

hellebore (Helleborus purpurascens) still looking nice as it fades...

'Red Fox' katsuratree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum 'Rotfuchs') with maroon spring growth (fades)

Good volunteer help was readily available today. Above is Kathy P. who is a relatively new volunteer this year and has really been a great addition to the team (she bakes yummy cookies too!).  Kathy and Eva weeded in the Nancy Yahr Memorial Children's Garden and shifted to the sunken garden which has become "weed central" over the past week or so.  Roy and Mary (next photos down) did a nice job tidying up their portion of the shade garden and installed quite a few plants as well.  Their space will be one of the most colorful locations in the garden by mid-summer.  The third photo down shows Ron K. in the woodland walk where he tidied and also installed another 50 or so perennials and watered them in nicely.  He is a heck of a worker with plenty of real estate to maintain which he does well.  The fourth photo down shows Don and Pearl weeding their garden area which they'll plant in a couple weeks once the bulbs finish up.  They are known for their great teamwork and always matching their shirts (both at the gardens and elsewhere.....creepy).  Karen M. tidied in the Japanese garden and both Dr. Gredler and Bill O. did their mowing rounds.  Many members of the Janesville Area Herb Society were out planting the herb garden sections.  Bob K. continued progress with our electrical service for the new fountain.  Kay was a huge help in the Thomas Jefferson Collection with planting and watering.  Darcie O. helped Janice coordinate work with student volunteers from Shepherds College (see further below). Maury ran errands and Mary Kay T. helped in our reference library.  We also saw Dr. Yahr, Chuck S., Bob C. and many others today.

 



Today we had some wonderful assistance from six students that travelled to the gardens from Shepherds College (Union Grove, WI).  The gang (seen above) with their instructor Leslie (far right) worked with Janice and Darcie in the sunken garden with a focus on weeding and planting.  The team was motivated and did a great job planting two garden beds and eight containers. Their work in that garden was perfect timing because of looming weddings!  We've worked with Shepherds College students in the past and appreciate their commitment to the gardens and hopefully they had an enriching experience as well.  Janice and Darcie helped facilitate the day and everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Below are some images of their progress and activities.

The grounds staff was in perpetual motion today.  Cindy repotted plants, spread out compost, hauled oodles of plants for tomorrow and worked on plenty of afternoon watering in the yard.  Janice worked with Kay early in the morning and shifted to work with Darcie, Leslie and the Shepherds College students.  She later helped prepare for the work day tomorrow.  Terry sheared a small maple, push mowed, watered, checked containers for watering and tidied up in the gazebo garden.  I set plants out most of the day and bounced between some other projects as time allowed.  Certainly a busy day but that is "par for the course"!

'Crackling Fire Orange' begonia (Begonia boliviensis) in a basket (Scottish garden)

'Touch of Class' plantain lily (Hosta)

'Princeton Gold' Norway maple (Acer platanoides) looking nice and bright today

Just three of the twenty-five Adirondack chairs comprising our 2014 Garden Art Display!  These chairs will be auctioned off on September 7th!

Busy, Busy, Busy

It was another crazy and productive day at the gardens and we all enjoyed the perfect 70 degrees F with a light breeze.  It was perfect gardening weather and we certainly took advantage of it.  Although it looks like a garden center in the photo above, that's Jenny (far right) sifting, sorting and matching labels to all those plants that will ultimately find a home out in the gardens.  She did a great job today as we have a full yard with many more plants coming in over the coming weeks.  The morning was quite busy with Grumpies, Grumpettes and other volunteers.  The grounds staff had multiple tasks as well and we're incorporating more watering in to our schedule as a little rain will be very welcome any time now.  Memorial Day Weekend typically sees nice attendance at the gardens and I believe there are a couple of weddings as well.  We'll continue planting, weeding and primping on a daily basis and will have everything tidied up for the weekend.  Some fun plant shots from today can be seen below.

'Purple Sensation' ornamental onion (Allium) at peak

pink lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis 'Rosea')

cutleaf lilac (Syringa laciniata)

We had some significant volunteer help today. Above, from left to right, are Ron B., Larry H. and Gary B.  The guys were tidying up the rose crescents in the formal gardens and removing older mulch.  We'll freshen this up next week. Below is Dave T. working on one of the eight doors that will be part of our Jungle Garden Theme. He was helped by Jim and we later saw Vern as well.  Del (second photo down) did a nice job tidying up the Horticulture Center and we saw Bill O. in the afternoon.  Pat M. finished anchoring Giant Obelisk #2 (third photo down) and moved on to other activities. The fourth photo down shows Mary R. (left) and Karen who are both returning Grumpettes.  The ladies, along with help from fellow Grumpettes Susie, Bethany, Eva and Kathy P., planted our entire Cosmos Collection today which was close to 3,000 plants (64 varieties).  Many of the ladies moved on to other projects as well.  Pat C. worked on her labeling repair/replacement rounds and Dr. Gredler was in for mowing.  The fifth photo down shows Resa (left) and Cookie who both did a great job tidying the North point garden and the nearby vicinity.  Bob C. and Lloyd W. (sixth photo down) did some significant composting in the entrance garden but had time to stop for a posed photo shoot apparently.  Bob K. (seventh photo down) finished almost all the electrical work needed prior to the installation of the new fountain next week.  You might note that he is wet after falling in the pond.  After determining he was ok, we all had a good chuckle at his expense. Marianne G. helped Janice in the Thomas Jefferson Collection with lots of planting and Bethany shifted over to help too.  Ron and Bev W. did a nice job in the sunken garden and we also saw Doris and Hal R. this afternoon. Mary W. was around to help out and we also saw Tom C., Kelli C., Dr. Yahr and countless others. 

The grounds staff had a busy day.  Janice, seen above planting in the Thomas Jefferson Collection, helped orchestrate the Cosmos Collection planting and moved on to more projects and afternoon watering.  Larry repaired an irrigation line and worked on myriad other projects.  Big John placed a new memorial bench which was no small task and shifted between mowing and other projects.  Jenny was in the yard all day sorting plants and matching labels so ideally, our plants headed out in to the gardens have their IDs!  I'm focused on getting more plants in the ground and preparing for daily planting as well as efforts at our Volunteer Saturday Workdays (8 am - 12 noon). 

This morning I stopped by the Land of the Giants Hosta Farm (Milton, WI) and spent some time with Jeff and Penny, the owners.  Had a great chat and a quick tour of their nursery.  WOW!  Lots of exciting plants and quite an amazing place that I've watched develop over the years.  They have one of their big OPEN HOUSE events this weekend so check out their website at http://www.landofthegiantshostafarm.com/ for more details including hours and directions.  The photos below were taken at their place this morning.