Brief Respite from the Rain

Posted: April 28, 2017 by Mark Dwyer

We actually had some sun this morning which turned to clouds and eventually light rain by the afternoon. We took advantage of the respite from the recent rains and caught up with mowing, garden tidying, weeding and a whole lot of other tasks. The gardens were gorgeous today as seen in some of these photos and it was nice to see some visitors strolling about and taking photographs. We had a very productive day with a solid crew of volunteers and staff. The top photo is a view through the windows on the observation pier structure towards some redbuds (Cercis canadensis). Directly above is the Azumaya structure in the fern & moss garden which continues to be charming in this setting which is displaying more and more ferns emerging daily. The two photos below feature the observation pier and the colorful splendor of redbuds (Cercis canadensis) at peak bloom.

Our grounds staff consisted of Janice, Cindy, Bobby K., Larry H., Larry O. and myself today. Both Larry’s mowed and Larry H. continued with mulching and composting. Cindy worked on tidying, greenhouse shifting of plants, watering and many other projects. Janice did the cutting display, worked on Spring Plant Sale preparations and helped me with our youthful volunteers (see below) today. Bobby K. continues to work on our water features and started some preliminary work on preparing our Garden Art Project submissions (fish!) for installation out in the gardens. I worked with volunteers and spent lots of time on our looming Spring Plant Sale and on preparations for our annual Home Garden Tour (July 15th).

blooms of the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) – woody tree

‘Akebono’ barrenwort (Epimedium x youngianum) – perennial

merrybells (Uvularia grandiflora) – perennial

weeping katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendula’) – woody tree

‘Eye Declare’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

We had some excellent volunteers today including an energetic group from Oakhill Christian High School (seen above and below). These 19 students and their instructor (Kath) did a great job weeding our perennial trial beds at the Horticulture Center. Dr. Gredler and Bill O. were in for mowing and Kristin attended to the Japanese garden. Steve J. had some projects and both Kathy and Eva had plenty of weeding. Steve E. continued mulching and tidied up the observation pier. We also saw Art, Marlene, Polly and many others today. More rain this weekend!