No Frost Yet!

Cool shots above and below of one of our giant, 20′ obelisks being moved and positioned for decorating with LED lights and ultimately, situated out on the U.S.S. Ginger (our raft).  This is a neat feature of the Holiday Light Show (HLS) which continues to be a huge priority with only five weeks left for set up before this huge fundraising event. Our grounds staff today of Cindy, Bobby K., Larry H., Big John and Terry all had HLS duties including helping move this obelisk (while I took the photo!).  Our volunteers (Kathy, Eva, Jenny, Marleen, Sandi, Vicky, Vern and many others) had a busy day with much of the focus being clearing plants and cutting back perennials.  We also had some meetings at the Horticulture Center to discuss details for 2018 events like the Home Garden Tour (July 21) and Horticulture Therapy Committee (August 8).  Our committee volunteers included Darcie, Art, Karen, Elaine, Cora, Barb, Janet, Sue, Jean and Marsha M.  It’s one of the busiest times of year right now…second only to our spring planting time in early June.  Rich Eyre of Rich’s Foxwillow Pines (Woodstock, IL) did a great job with his lecture this evening with 27 in attendance.

Majestic™ elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) – annual

fall color of Eye Stopper™ corktree (Phellodendron lavallei ‘Longenecker’) – woody tree

the Heirloom Garden still has some treasures growing

our annual beds (above) are still hanging in there!

seed capsules on ‘Zanzibariensis’ castor bean (Ricinus communis) – annual

neat detail above in the Scottish garden

Tiger Eyes® golden sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Bailtiger’) – woody shrub

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

fruiting structures of ‘Sun King’ Japanese spikenard (Aralia cordata) – perennial

‘Fireball’ French marigold (Tagetes patula) – annual

cords galore

the druid is a great feature in the reception garden

this antique sleigh will be part of the HLS interior decorations this year!