Fun in the Sun

The recent rains and increasing heat have plants really growing well at the gardens right now.  The turf has also gone bonkers and our mowing schedule is already at “full speed ahead.”  Nice shot above of perennial sea kale (Crambe maritima) in the Scottish garden.  Today was probably our busiest Thursday yet this year.  Thursdays are usually busy but today was exceptional in that all the carts were out being used almost the entire day and we had a full parking lot at the Horticulture Center for the majority of the day.  Our talented grounds staff included Janice, Larry H., Cindy, Shania, Alex and myself.  We all had gardening duties which now includes watering due to the increased sunshine, heat and lots of new plants in the ground.  Our volunteers accomplished a wide range of tasks and our impressive list of volunteers today included Kathy P., Eva, Marilyn, Suzie, Ron R., Steve E., Alan, Bob K., Jim, Ron Y., Vern, Dr. Gredler, Peg, Barb, Sandi, Mary H., Kathy P. (#2), Bill O., Greg P., Cheryl P., Steve, Marsha M., Dick H., Maury, Mary K., Jim H., four RECAPPERS and many others.

‘Grand Prize’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

‘Pleniflora’ double-flowered Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) – woody shrub

Gold Bullion™ pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia ‘Bachone’) – woody tree (above and below)

‘Silver Heart’ false forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) – perennial

Lady in Red® ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Tuilad’) – woody shrub

the Chestnut House volunteers did a great job planting all of these elevated containers this morning (above and below)

Marilyn (left) and Suzie in the woodland walk garden

Dr. Gredler (above) mowing by the cool Kaleidoscope Planter

red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) – woody tree

‘Silver Moon’ plantain lily (Hosta) – perennial

white bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Alba’) – perennial

the classic ‘Palace Purple’ coral bells (Heuchera) – perennial

Korean mountain ash (Sorbus alnifolia) – woody tree

‘Popcorn’ Japanese snowball viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum) – woody shrub

Rock’s peony (Paeonia rockii) at peak! – woody shrub

cattail iris (Iris typhifolia) – perennial