Trials

Not legal type trials…flower trials.  Horticulture plots. Usually these are open to the public… as was the one in Grand Rapids on the campus of the University of Minnesota. It is called the North Central Research and Outreach Center.

A lovely place to stop and see how the Mums are doing!

  Centerpiece Peach

Some of the Mums looked a bit ragged…but these were winners in my book.

Lindy

The trial gardens

The whole idea behind these gardens is to see what grows and flowers the best in Minnesota conditions.  They are Zone 3 and the only facility in Minnesota that trials plants for cold hardiness…like Hydrangeas!  

They planted 26 different varieties of Hydrangea in 2011.

Little Lime Hydrangea

She has the best flower heads (mopheads)..and a great compact shape.

Quick Fire Hydrangea

I like a paniculata type bloom too and this one was lovely…but it’s habit was a bit “off”…it was a tad spindly.

I am certain that you have all seen the Proven Winners reference or a PW tag on plant that you have purchased.  Those plants have proved themselves to be the best in field trials all over the United States.

The University of Minnesota has the only public Chrysanthemum breeding project in the United States. They are trialed in seven different areas of Minnesota…Grand Rapids being the most northern spot.

I was intrigued with this Mum.  It is called Minnbronze.  It has great foliage and lots of buds but if it hadn’t begun to bloom by September 19…when would it bloom? 

Tuesday Trip

Last Tuesday we took off on an adventure.  The leaves were at the height of their Fall color.

We made many stops along the way.

This public access to a small lake was a perfect place to stretch our legs..Chance is a good traveler…but we all need to get out of the car!  We stopped at a few Antique Shops, and visited a few places that are total blog fodder.

Our destination is clear..

Follow the yellow brick road..follow the yellow brick road..no we are not in Kansas..we are in Grand Rapids, Minnesota the birth place of Judy Garland.  There is a museum there ..but it is only open on weekends in the winter..and they think winter starts right after Labor Day.  I wanted to see the Ruby Slippers..then I heard that they were stolen back in 2005. We will have to go back again..on a weekend. They must have some other fine memorabilia there.  I did see a pair of ruby slippers in one of the Antique Shops..unfortunately I hardly ever take my camera into Antique Shops.

This time we were there to see two special ladies. The first one was Far Guy’s Cousin,  we had a lovely visit with her..Chance played ball and pooped in her front yard. We found out later that the next door neighbor has hand raised two baby skunks that have been known to spray dogs..luckily we did not see them. Her dogs Curley and Macy have both been sprayed.  She reported that both times a diluted bleach water worked the best to remove the worst of the offensive odor.

In the evening we headed to the Library, to meet the second special lady.  Chance was walked once again..before we headed to the book club talk where Laurie of Three Dog Blog and the Author of News To Me Adventures of an Accidental Journalist was being featured.   It was a pleasure to meet Laurie and have her sign my copy of her book.  Her interview was awesome, just like Laurie!  If I had not already read and reviewed her book..I would have bought it.  Far Guy enjoyed Laurie’s stories too! 

Laurie is on the right, she was interviewed by a local Grand Rapids Gal that had a local radio show about books.  Anyway..both of these gals who said they were both “shy” were very entertaining!  Far Guy said “They both have a way with words.”  It was a very casual gathering..with cookies and hot apple cider served.  We were welcomed by several people..it seemed to be a real friendly group of people…they had on their Minnesota Nice!  This was a lovely way to end our adventure and head back home:)