Today, while a bit cooler than previous days this week, was still mild and sunny with a temperature around 50 degrees F.  We had a small but efficient crew of grounds staff and volunteers today.  I was running cords out in the arboretum for the Holiday Light Show (HLS) and enjoyed seeing the leaves on the ground.  The silver backing seen on the leaves above is from the ‘Fialaspire’ white poplar (Populus alba).  We still saw quite a few visitors out in the gardens and will look back with appreciation on this prolonged warm spell as it looks like our hard frost (27 degrees F) tonight will take care of business.  We all enjoyed the day and look forward to putting some closure (we hope) on the garden and HLS preparations over the next week or two.

Cindy did some more work on shifting milk jug luminaries today and also put in some solid time on tidying which she is very good at accomplishing.  Big John put up more lights, primarily on the gazebo, and continues his momentum on HLS related tasks.  Bobby K. had a wide range of electrical projects today including putting in some permanent power in the Japanese garden.  Larry H. put lights on more arches and helped John J. install more icicle lights throughout the Japanese garden.

Pacific Sunset® hybrid maple (Acer truncatum x A. platanoides ‘Warrenred’ ) – woody tree

Harvest Gold® crabapple (Malus hybrida ‘Hargozam’) – woody tree (above and below)

‘Fastigiata’ upright European beech (Fagus sylvatica) – woody tree

peering upwards through the fall color on a ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – woody tree

fall color on ‘Popcorn’ doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum) – woody shrub

Santa’s reindeer are ready for the HLS and we will be soon as well!

Our volunteers today included Kathy and Eva seen above.  I stumbled upon this scene and assumed Eva had shoved Kathy (again) but that was not the case.  Kathy said she was sunbathing.  The ladies did a great job as a “rogue tidying team”.  They collected leaves and debris in many locations.  Cheryl D. did a nice job tidying up in the Japanese garden.  John J. (helped by Larry H.) put up more icicle lights in the Japanese garden.  Alan M. went mobile and collected a whole lot of leaves while Marv B. tidied up both moss garden areas.  Bill O. worked on some odds and ends and we also saw Maury, Mark S. and many others today.

‘Cheju-Do’ dwarf feather reed grass (Calamagrostis hybrida) – perennial

colorful fruits on Korean mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) – woody tree

fall color seen on the leaf of Celebration® maple (Acer x freemanii ‘Celzam’) – woody tree

chartreuse fall color on ‘Saratoga’ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – woody tree

interesting fall color on golden orixa (Orixa japonica ‘Aurea’) – woody shrub

fall color on ‘Elizabeth’ magnolia (Magnolia hybrida) – woody tree

fall color on ‘Rising Sun’ fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum) – woody tree

was working by this bench and love the quote from Dr. Luis Owano – a great volunteer, man and poet!

The title of this blog is a phrase that can’t be pronounced enough at RBG.  Our volunteers continue to be such a driving force here at the gardens.  While this horticulture blog shares the daily exploits of our gardening volunteers, we have excellent volunteers helping with a wide range of tasks related to education, the Cottage Garden Gallery, committees, our Board members, etc.  Volunteers have been and continue to be vital (and appreciated) here at the gardens.  We had another excellent turnout of volunteers today including some that were helping with interior preparations for the Holiday Light Show (HLS).  The day was a repeat of what we have seen over the last three weeks with sunshine and a cool morning warming up nicely throughout the day!  Beautiful fall color above on ‘White Tigress’ striped maple (Acer tegmentosum).

The grounds staff continued a strong focus on preparations for the HLS.  Cindy processed more lights this morning, did some decorating and luminary work and also was able to do some solid gardening.  Larry H. continued putting up lights in many locations and helped John J. later with getting icicle lights up in the Japanese garden.  Big John and Bobby K. were Siamese twins and did an excellent job hauling, placing and installing our animated displays in multiple locations.  Larry O. put up more arches and is now helping me run extension cords.  I ran a whole lot of cords today!  It was another uber-productive day out in the gardens.  Terry N. stopped by and it’s always good to see him!

fall color tinting on Citrus Swizzle™ greenstem forsythia (Forsythia viridissima ‘McKCitrine’)

fall color of dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) – deciduous conifer

fall color on Gold Spire™ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Blagon’) – woody tree

fall color on Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) – woody shrub

fall color on Scarlet Beauty™ Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Morton’) – woody shrub

We had a lot of great volunteers on hand like Maury seen above.  We also had Kathy, Eva, Marilyn, Suzie, Bob K., Alan, Dave E., Vicki, Steve S., Steve J., Dr. Gredler, Dave T. (with son Dan visiting), Vern, Jim, Ron Y., Liz K., Kay, Ron P., John J., Marsha M. and many others.  Suffice it to say that a wide range of tasks were accomplished in a timely and productive fashion.

Larry O. above hauling arches

Bobby K. above

Larry H. doing more ladder work and lights set up

Suzie (in purple) and Marilyn (disguised)

Kathy (downslope) and Eva

Vicki and Steve

Kay (neat sweater!)

John J. shooting an arrow (blunted) attached to fishing line (see below) to guide more icicle lights over some cottonwood (Populus deltoides) branches near the Japanese garden – he’s donating his time to help with the HLS

interior HLS preparations by Sandi S., Carol and Jim (left to right) – Sandi P. not pictured

‘La Veta’ white fir (Abies concolor) – compact conifer

geranium still going above!

color in the fern & moss garden above

fall color on Red Fox katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Red Fox’) – woody tree

‘Ice Dance’ Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii) – perennial

a view from underneath one of our obelisks

intense late season color ‘Emperor I’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – woody tree

Today had weather consistent with what we have been receiving over the past couple of weeks with above average temperatures and ample sunshine.  Staff and volunteers all took advantage of the continued excellent weather and focused on gardening tasks and more Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up.  We saw lots of visitors today and despite 99% of our annuals removed and 70% of our perennials cut back…there is still plenty of color.  Above is the fall color on ‘Elata’ black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa).

Big John, Bobby K., Cindy, Larry O. and Larry H. all focused on HLS-related tasks.  I would say about 80% of the show is set-up with about 60% of it all “wired up”.  We’re on track to finish in the coming week or two and again, are very thankful for the nice weather.  The grounds staff put up more lights, displays, processed lights, etc.  We’re a well-oiled machine in getting this show up and ready.

‘Ford’s Freeway’ variegated forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) – woody shrub

 bright leaves of ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – woody tree

maroon fall color of ‘Magicien’ deutzia (Deutzia x hybrida) – woody shrub

fall color on ‘Crispa’ cutleaf stephanandra (Stephanandra incisa) – woody shrub

glowing leaf of ‘Princeton Gold’ Norway maple (Acer platanoides) – woody tree

Our volunteers worked on a wide range of projects today.  Kathy and Eva tidied up three areas with tasks ranging from collecting leaves to cutting back perennials.  Patty (above), along with Gena and Myrt (below) worked on collecting the heavy carpet of leaves from the woodland walk garden.  The ladies did a nice job.  John J. was in to put up some lights for the HLS and was helped by Larry H. in the afternoon.  Dr. Gredler was in to mow and mulch leaves while Bill O. helped Larry O. out.  Peg was in to work on our plant records and both Vicki and Steve focused on decorating many of our temporary evergreens with lights.  We also saw Pam G. (new education coordinator) and many of our education volunteers today.

Beaver Creek® fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii ‘KLMtwo’) – woody shrub

‘Cinnabar Silver’ coral bells (Heuchera) – perennial

I enjoyed working along the pond today (above and below)

fall color on ‘Miss Honeybee’ magnolia (Magnolia sp.) – woody tree

fall color on ‘Sunflower’ paw paw (Asimina triloba) – woody tree

clear gold fall color on this ‘Chi Chi’ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – woody tree (see the lights on there?!)

Today was another beautiful one with ample sunshine and a crisp breeze.  We’re sure riding this wave of excellent weather for our late season clean-up and continued progress setting up the Holiday Light Show (HLS).  The gardens continue to exhibit beautiful and prolonged late season fall color and plenty of interest. Above is the fall color on a Summer Wine® ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Seward’).  I saw a couple visitors today and I think they were enjoying the gardens and will likely be inspired to come see the HLS in the dark.  We had a nice turnout of volunteers and our staff had a busy day as well.

Cindy finished laying out the half gallon milk jug luminaries for the HLS and moved on to some gardening and processing of additional lights that will go out in the gardens soon.  Big John put up lots more displays, lights and other HLS elements.  Bobby K. also had some duties at the main building and continued with his own HLS projects.  Larry O. finished the Olsen Pavilion in the reception garden which looks awesome.  I had a couple meetings but otherwise was cord boy.

‘Black Pearl’ ornamental hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) – annual

fall color on ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – woody tree (above and below)

this little guy was secured to Big John’s vehicle….scary….

kale (Brassica oleracea) stems look pretty cool! (the pattern is made as leaves detach…)

late blooms of witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – woody tree

fall color on ‘Fenway Gold’ Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) – woody vine

fall color on ‘Northern Gold’ forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia) – woody shrub

‘Red Head’ fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) – perennial

fall color of fragrant snowball viburnum (Viburnum x carlcephalum) – woody shrub

Our volunteers enjoyed a nice day outside.  Above is Alan raking leaves and he sure covered a lot of real estate today!  Kathy and Eva also worked on collecting leaves and debris and Jenny E. tidied up her area as well which always looks pristine.  Magda and Marleen (below) did an excellent job tidying up their area and also did some planting as well.  Maury ran errands for us and we also saw John J., Bill O. and many others.

‘Erecta’ upright silver linden (Tilia tomentosa) – woody tree

‘Northwind’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – perennial

fall color on ‘Hartlage Wine’ allspice (Calycanthus raulstonii) – woody shrub

bronzing fall color of shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria) – woody tree

They are still blooming! – Zahara® Fire zinnia (Zinnia marylandica ‘PAS719124’) – annual

the South entrance to the Japanese Garden was colorful today!

fall color on ‘Chi Chi’ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – woody tree

Today was another beautiful day with a chilly morning quickly warming to the lower 60 degrees F with some decent sunshine included in the mix!  While warming weather trends should be of concern, the reality is that this certainly makes our Holiday Light Show (HLS) set-up go more efficiently.  Morale on a warm, sunny day in November is very apparent and we all took advantage of the sunshine and fresh air.  Above is the brown and beautiful leaf of the Chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii).  There is still plenty of excellent fall color out in the gardens although I believe we removed most of our annuals and cut back the vast majority of our perennials.  Most of our leaves are down although there are still a couple of trees hanging on to them.  We had a great team of staff and volunteers today.

Cindy spent another day laying out our half gallon milk jug luminaries and she’s inserting the lights for all of these as well.  Larry O. worked on the Olsen Pavilion in the reception garden and it’s going to look pretty neat!  Larry H. put up lights in many different locations and rotated between using three different ladders.  Big John and Bobby K. hung out together (see below) and did a whole bunch of “two man” projects for the HLS as well.  I ran cords.  Plain and simple.

Black Scallop bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Binblasca’) – perennial

fall color on ‘Heronswood Globe’ katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) seen above – woody tree (sweet fragrance of late leaves!)

fall color on white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) – woody tree

Bobby K. (left) and Big John also got up the sleigh and reindeer today

Ron P. (above) was one of the few volunteers that didn’t get outside today!  Ron has been repairing lights for the HLS since this summer and has no shortage of work.  We greatly appreciate his efforts.  Our volunteers had a very productive day.  Kay and Eva removed annuals and cut back more perennials in select locations.  Kay was also in to tidy up her area which looks excellent right now although there are still a few leaves left to flutter downwards.  Lloyd tidied up paths while Dave E. continued tidying up the fern & moss garden.  Alan and Bob K. cleared out more containers and had some other jobs as well.  Vern, Dave, Jim, Dick H. and Steve J. all spent significant time in the carpentry shop although Dick H. also went on an errand with Maury and had some runs to the dump.  Maury ran some errands while Dr. Gredler went out to mow in various locations that have accumulated leaves.  We also saw Bill O., Mark S., Maryam and many others.  Our Home Garden Tour committee met tonight (Barb T., Jean S., Marsha M., Sue S., Carol K., Pam, Jean S. and myself) and are actively working on our 2017 event with all eight gardens already selected and confirmed!

Dick H.

intense fall color on three-flower maple (Acer triflorum) – woody tree

fall color on bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) – deciduous conifer

fall color on ‘Compactum’ Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) – woody shrub

nice backlighting with ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) above and oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) below

late season fall color (above) still abounds

‘Stairway to Heaven’ Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium reptans) – perennial

‘Pearl Frost’ variegated orixa (Orixa japonica) – woody shrub

cool shot to bridge with overhead fall color from swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) – woody tree

grape leaves (Vitis sp.) with fall color and great lighting – woody vine at my house