It is amazing to me how fast this month has flown by! It is a very busy time here at the Gardens, and that includes the water gardens. Today our volunteer, Karen Webbink, joined me in the ponds to do a little clean-up. We were pleased to see that our hardy waterlilies are in spectacular bloom, with a rainbow of flowers gracing our three display pools.
The lotus are also gearing up for an impressive show, with some leaves over 2' in diameter and flower buds visible. These should be at their peak bloom in June, so don't miss them! We've added a few new lotus hybrids to our collection this year, so keep an eye out for 'The President', 'Mrs. Perry Slocum', and 'Perry's Giant Sunburst'. All are creations of the renowned waterlily and lotus hybridizer Perry Slocum.
Joining us at the ponds today were a number of bullfrogs, baby turtles, and children from local school groups! The kids were especially excited when I asked them to take a baby tu
rtle I caught down to the South Pool to release him. One down... and countless others to go! Speaking of turtles, we were not so delighted to find that a snapping turtle has taken up residence in the Virtue Peace Pond behind the Doris Duke Center. This guy is proving to be especially difficult to catch, but he does enjoy sunbathing right next to the turtle trap... I can't be sure, but I think he's laughing at us.
Next week we have our final contest lilies arriving, and the following week all of our tropicals, including the Victoria waterlilies, will be planted outdoors. Stay tuned for more info and photos in the coming weeks!
It is amazing to me how fast this month has flown by! It is a very busy time here at the Gardens, and that includes the water gardens. Today our volunteer, Karen Webbink, joined me in the ponds to do a little clean-up. We were pleased to see that our hardy waterlilies are in spectacular bloom, with a rainbow of flowers gracing our three display pools.
The lotus are also gearing up for an impressive show, with some leaves over 2' in diameter and flower buds visible. These should be at their peak bloom in June, so don't miss them! We've added a few new lotus hybrids to our collection this year, so keep an eye out for 'The President', 'Mrs. Perry Slocum', and 'Perry's Giant Sunburst'. All are creations of the renowned waterlily and lotus hybridizer Perry Slocum.
Joining us at the ponds today were a number of bullfrogs, baby turtles, and children from local school groups! The kids were especially excited when I asked them to take a baby tu
rtle I caught down to the South Pool to release him. One down... and countless others to go! Speaking of turtles, we were not so delighted to find that a snapping turtle has taken up residence in the Virtue Peace Pond behind the Doris Duke Center. This guy is proving to be especially difficult to catch, but he does enjoy sunbathing right next to the turtle trap... I can't be sure, but I think he's laughing at us.
Next week we have our final contest lilies arriving, and the following week all of our tropicals, including the Victoria waterlilies, will be planted outdoors. Stay tuned for more info and photos in the coming weeks!
