T-Shirt Weather Again!

Posted: October 18, 2016 by Mark Dwyer

Today was another gift of warm weather and sunshine. Nice shot above featuring the fall color of a Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) in the shade garden this morning. The temperature was close to 80 degrees F today which might make this the hottest day left in 2016! All of our grounds staff and volunteers took advantage of nice weather to head out in the gardens for continued plant removals, tidying and preparations for the Holiday Light Show (HLS). We saw a lot of kids out in the gardens today for the youth education program which is facilitated by our excellent volunteers. We did also see some visitors today enjoying the mild weather and intense fall coloration out in the gardens.

Big John and Bobby K. continued their tandem progress on the HLS set-up. The guys put up lights in many locations including the arched bridge, reception garden, etc. Larry H. watered containers then spent the day putting up more lights near the gazebo. Cindy helped removed plant material in multiple locations and had some watering duties as well. I got out in the gardens for a good half day of running extension cords for the HLS. Colder weather and more fall clean-up will continue to open up more garden areas for decoration.

many of our mums are at peak – here in the sunken garden

the holiday season has truly arrived when our Santa’s village houses are ready for placement

fall color on shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) – woody tree

I love this classic view through the gazebo to the arched bridge!

‘Blazin’ Rose’ bloodleaf (Iresine hybrida) with ‘Golden Dreams’ coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) – annuals

‘Aureola’ Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) – perennial

Above is Bobby K. on the U.S.S Ginger. Bob is making his way past the Russo Family Fountain to the arched bridge to help John with some lights set-up. Our staff was very productive today as were our volunteers. Kathy and Eva did a great job picking up a huge pile of debris from yesterday and then moved on to clearing plants from two different areas. Vicki and Steve also did quite a bit of clearing as did Mary and Roy (see below). Bill O. did his mowing rounds while Dr. Gredler collected leaves and aerated at the same time. Alan was in this afternoon for removals and our top notch education volunteers did an excellent job as usual. I saw Barb, Laura and Renee but am sure there were others too! Nancy continued with a big painting project and Julie G. and her son Jacob helped count and sort bulbs for our Volunteer Work Day this Saturday, October 22nd (8 am until 12 noon, bulb planting!). We also Mary Kay and many others as well!