Monday, May 11, 2009

Plant Sale Looming!

Nice shot of wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) to the left blooming today throughout the gardens. We plant columbine by the hundreds every year as it is welcome color in early spring and the dangling flowers are nice to see. There is a variety of this species called 'Little Lantern' that stays 12-18 inches as opposed to the normal height of 30". Great weather today although sporadically overcast with some rain coming mid-week. Nice shot of 'White Candle' crabapple (Malus) that I took at Longenecker Gardens at the UW-Arboretum. The crabapples and lilacs were really starting to peak and I saw all sorts of other neat plants. Dr. Hasselkus has assembled quite a collection of plants and I never get tired of visiting Longenecker. My wife reprimanded me for "working" on Mother's Day although I classify my photography of plants as strictly a hobby! Spring blooms are nice but so is colorful foliage. See below for the beautiful foliage of 'Hedgerow's Gold' dogwood (Cornus sericea 'Hedgerow's Gold').
We had a superb turnout for our Grumpy day today. Ron and Gary moved one of our new signs (no small task) and then helped "un-mulch" and compost. Dick P, Dick H., Bill, Ed and Terry T. assembled our plant sale tables and helped move them in to place. They trickled to other projects after that while Urban and Dick K. planted boxwoods and helped compost. Vern and Bob A. worked on carpentry project while Shirley and Mary weeded the entire sunken garden. Janice and Marianne are working on organizing the plant sale and were able to do some gardening and tidying today. Marv and Terry drew the "short stick" and are removing some very old cotoneasters that are failing in our entrance garden. This is a monstrous task but I think they'll tackle it in short order. Larry continues to work on water features and equipment while I've been getting ready for the plant sale and other upcoming activities. Jan R. came in today and we saw Little Jerry for awhile too. French lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) will be peaking this week and next so enjoy the perfume of spring!









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