Late summer at Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Last Friday I found myself doing errands just down the street from Olbrich Botanical Gardens, so naturally I bopped in to see what was happening. All the rain had caused some flooding in the gardens especially in the area along Starkweather Creek which is visible in the background.

But elsewhere, it just seemed as though all that moisture had pushed the plants into overdrive. I could hear people but I could rarely see them over the huge shrubs and tropicals and trees. It was a lovely wander. 

I'm growing purple Perilla frutescens aka beefsteak plant in my garden, but it looks nothing like these herbal bushes!

I love the red stems on this pond plant.

This plant is unfamiliar to me and I did not find an Id tag. But what great a color combo, especially growing near the above plant.

The circular bed above was surrounded by these bright borders below. 

And there was a sign giving us a clue as to the color inspiration and the plants.

For all the gorgeousness everywhere I looked, I have to say I was pleased to periodically find a plant looking as unhappy as the same one in my garden. In this case, it's Brunnera 'Looking Glass'.

Comments

[Jenny]

It's good to see that most of the plants have not minded the extra rain. Those walkways are lovely inviting you around the corner to see the hidden views.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

It is most heartening to find an ugly spot in a near perfect garden. It seems to encourage us to aspire to the betterment of our own gardens.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Beautiful! It is nice to see that even the pros have problems with plants sometimes. Sounds like a lovely meander through the gardens.

[Nell]

By coincidence, just yesterday I ran across a post on the Olbrich gardens from August, by the gardener at the Rotary BG in Janesville: http://www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org/olbrich-in-august/
Back then the ghostly Brunnera was nearly flawless.

[Linda Brazill]

i have that plant in my garden and all but one of them look good. So I was amused to see Olbrich had a group that did not look good either.

[Kris P]

That's one lovely garden. I'm glad to see evidence that the plants appreciated all that rain.

[Nell]

Can totally relate! The Olbrich gardens look dauntingly well cared for, both in sunny August and now, lusher for all that rain.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

That's so encouraging, Linda! I've been meaning to get over there, so I must within the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the reminder!