Plant Sale Prep After A Fun Weekend!

Today started out chilly but warmed up nicely with ample sunshine!  I’m embarrassed to type that I never even entered the gardens proper as my focus was on our Spring Plant Sale coming up this weekend.  We had two deliveries of perennials today (see top photo) and will likely have the remainder of our plants here by tomorrow.  See our website for more details on this exciting fundraiser that features a wide range of vegetables (many heirlooms!), herbs, perennials, shrubs and much more!  RBG Members receive 10% off their purchases over the duration of the sale and are invited to a Members Only Preview this Thursday evening from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm for “first dibs”!  My photos share two experiences from this weekend.  Along with my family, we visited Longenecker Gardens at the UW-Arboretum (Madison, WI) and caught some excellent spring color!  The plant seen in the foreground of the photo directly above is prairie smoke (Geum triflorum).  Yesterday (Sunday) I went to the garden of Tom Horner in Waterford, WI.  Tom’s garden was the setting for a lecture/demonstration hosted and arranged by the Midwest Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society.  Twenty five of us enjoyed a wonderful presentation, planting demonstration and then a tour of Tom’s spectacular garden which included a wide range of azaleas and rhododendrons.  It was a blast and I enjoyed my “plant filled” weekend!

The grounds staff had a busy day.  Larry H., Larry O., CIndy, Big John, Bobby K. and I all had a wide range of projects related to the plant sale and certainly out in the gardens.  Tasks including tidying, watering, planting, composting, plant sale duties and much more!  Janice was in briefly as well to address some plant sale preparations.  It was a VERY productive day for our volunteers.  Our garden volunteers included Dennis, Alan, Bob K., Bob C., Ron Y., Dave, Vern, Jim, Steve, Dick H., Dr. Gredler, Maury, Gary, Marv, Stan, Kristin, Jim H., Greg P., Cheryl P., Kathy P., Eva, Rollie and many more.  We also saw Mark S., Maryam, Becky, Urban and others.  Lots of coming and going today!

‘Declaration’ lilac (Syringa x hyacinthiflora) – woody shrub

redbud (Cercis candensis) – woody tree

Chinese lilac (Syringa x chinensis) – woody shrub

Longenecker Horticultural Gardens (above and below) at the UW-Aboretum (Madison, WI)

‘Pink Sparkles’ crabapple (Malus) – woody tree

redbuds (Cercis canadensis)

above is Tom Horner in his garden chatting about azaleas and rhododendrons….his garden was exceptional (see below)!

‘Purple Prince’ barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum) – perennial

balm-leaved deadnettle (Lamium orvala) – perennial

white lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – woody shrub

witchalder (Fothergilla gardenii) – woody shrub

trillium (Trillum sp.) and woodland phlox (Phlox sp.) – perennials

early growth of ‘Katsura’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) – woody tree

‘Domino’ barrenwort (Epimedium hybrida) – perennial