Thursday Progress (Belated Posting!)

 

This blog posting is a day late due to computer problems at home last night!  UGH!  The photos are all from yesterday including the beautiful new fountain seen above.  It was another very productive day with plenty of volunteer and staff assistance.  While the Wednesday rain created some sogginess out in the gardens, we proceeded with a wide range of gardening projects including planting.  I'm headed to the American Public Garden Association (APGA) Conference in Denver at the end of the month and am trying get as many plants in the ground as possible so progress isn't thwarted too much!  There will be plenty of weeding though based on what I'm seeing with the rains and lots of cottonwood (Populus deltoides) seeds drifting far and wide throughout the gardens on a daily basis.  Below are some additional plant shots from yesterday.

 

variegated sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa 'Fruhlingsgold')

'Mystic Dreamer' dark-leaved dahlia (Dahlia hybrida)

Decadence 'Blueberry Sundae' false indigo (Baptisia hybrida) 

Thursday always sees a strong showing of volunteers and yesterday was no exception.  Above is the sunken garden where Ron R. and Ron P. did a nice job sweeping and collecting debris.  We normally use a blower but some of the debris is significant and warranted being collected.  We had a nice team of Grumpettes (Women Weed Warriors) out doing some work near the east entrance (see below).  Mary R., Marilyn, Winifred, Kathy and Tina all helped weed and plant in that vicinity.  That berm is the assigned garden of Betty (second photo down) and I'm sure she appreciated the help with planting.  Betty and others will finish planting this berm next week.  Shirley did a great job weeding in the old color rooms garden which is vital before we mulch.  Mary D. (third photo down) weeded and tidied up the Thomas Jefferson Collection and Karen M. was in to work in the Japanese garden.  Steve and Vicki (fourth photo down) bounced between planting two areas and significant weeding.  Gary B. and Bob C. cut back more bulb foliage in the daylily (Hemerocallis) collection and Dr. Gredler was in for mowing.  Ron Y., Dave, Jim and Vern worked on carpentry projects including repairs on the Japanese garden fence.  In the afternoon, we had nine members of the Bower City Garden Club help plant the terrace garden and formal annual sections (see below).  They did a great job and planted another 2,000 annuals or so.  Thanks to Kris K. and Megan (RBG intern) for helping as well!

Betty H. with helpers

Mary D.

Steve & Vicki

Bower City Garden Club ladies (above and below)

The grounds staff had a busy day.  Jenny continued to match labels and is essentially done with that task with the exception of any more incoming plants and future donations.  She also did a nice job weeding.  Big John worked on rototilling, watering, mowing and other tasks.  Larry also mowed, weed whipped and bounced between projects.  Cheryl spent most of her day weeding and then shifted to watering the yard.  Janice had some planting projects and helped with the Bower City Garden Club project.  I'm keeping busy trying to keep others busy which is no challenge!  Below are more plant photos from Thursday.

lady' mantle (Alchemilla mollis)

goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)