Today was another special day for a couple of reasons:
1) New volunteer Katie Shank (pictured below) was introduced to the Tuesday Crew:
2) Ed Merlo (pictured below) who usually works a different day was on site doing cleanup activities in anticipation of the rain event this week. He sometimes comes on Tuesday if rain is predicted later in the week.
and 3) Daryl Stutley, a member of the Tuesday Crew, visited the group this morning with her dog Jack:
Daryl did a number on her wrist some weeks ago and was unable to actually participate in the work.
Regular Tuesday Crew members, Dale Harshberger, Beverly Kemmerling, Nancy Taylor Walker, Janet Wall and Ann Wright (I had a conflict and wasn’t there today) oriented Katie to the garden and gave her a taste of garden maintenance activities. I received numerous images from today but chose to use the one that showed the whole group at the top of the hill. Pictured below: Dale, Ann, Beverly, Janet, Nancy and Katie.
Activities included work in the Salvia and South African Gardens, repositioning some rocks that had become dislodged from the path borders, and general cleanup throughout the garden. As part of the orientation, and to focus on parts of the garden which don’t always get as much attention as other parts, the group covered the “front” of the garden (the space between the 2 entrances and up hill from there). In addition, Bill Dobner was on site managing the compost operation.
Two plants of interest this week are similar only because they are both known for their foliage rather than their blooms. Pelargonium graveolens or rose-scented geranium is a S. African native, and we have several cultivars with different scents in the KAG and at the 2nd 4-corners in the main garden. I’m sure you’re already familiar with the amazingly strong sent when you rub the leaves.
The second is the copper spoons plant in the Desert Garden which is currently blooming. Kalanchoe orgyalis has spoon-shaped hairy leaves the newest ones of which are a distinctive rust or copper color on the top. The yellow blossoms are unremarkable.
Finally, the atmospheric river that is supposed to bring us rain this week has been preceded by dramatic cloud formations. Picnic bench the top of the hill:
Top of the hill looking SE past old-man-of-the-Andes cacti (and the copper spoons at the left of the image):
Many thanks to Dale, Beverly, Nancy and Janet for the many photos from which I only selected these few.
Before visiting this week, check the website to be sure the garden is open. Rain is supposed to start later tonight. We have already had sprinkles in Newbury Park.
Enjoy the garden…KMM
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