Today was perfect in terms of weather with a cool start, plenty of sunshine and a high temperature around 75 degrees F. I think all of us commented on how nice of a day it was. Unfortunately the mosquito population is still quite sizable and I think we all commented on this as well! I was able to really check over the gardens today and the color is still quite impressive. Above is the ‘Velvet Elvis’ lavender spurflower (Plectranthus hybrida) which seems to look better and better as the season progresses. We had a solid turnout of volunteers and the gardens were quite busy with a visiting tour enjoying the gardens as well.
The grounds staff had a busy day which included some more Holiday Light Show (HLS) set up as well as helping with some post plant sale duties. Larry H. worked on a wide range of tasks including hauling plants, tearing out annuals, planting kale (Brassica), watering and putting up more LED lights in the Japanese garden. Janice finished putting away plant sale elements, worked with volunteers and plenty of other work as well. Big John removed shrubs, watered, collected a massive branch (with Larry O.) from the pond and had a wide range of other tasks. Bobby K. continued preparations for some serious power improvements out in the gardens. I put out some signs and labels and continue to plug away at the never-diminishing pile of desk work!
‘Miyazaki’ toadlily (Tricyrtis hirta) – perennial
Pegasus™ begonia (Begonia hybrida ‘Gryphon’) – annual
annuals/tropicals along our gazebo garden border (two of plants in this border are featured further up in this blog)
‘Robustissima’ grapeleaf anemone (Anemone tomentosa) – perennial
Del (above) was one of many excellent volunteers that helped today. We also saw Eva, Kay, Steve, Vicky, Kristin, Gena, Myrt, Nancy, (maybe Mary and Patty?), Dr. Gredler, Larry O. and many more. Marv B. did a nice job tidying up his moss gardens. The Chestnut House Volunteers came to help out and we also saw Maury, Dave B. and many others. I was offsite for a bit and missed catching everyone but all of our carts were out and busy and many projects were addressed.
Marv
Kathy
Eva
beefsteak bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii) – annual (also called chicken gizzard plant)
Japanese shellflower (Chelonopsis yagiharana) – perennial
‘Gold Bar’ compact porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis) – perennial
fruits of white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) – perennial
chocolate snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) – perennials
‘Copperhead’ copperleaf (Acaylpha wilkesiana) – annual