GCSC | WINTER ISSUE 2017 VOL. 95 NO. 4 · The West Piedmont District of the Garden Clubs of South Carolina is very fortunate . to be located in the Upstate of South Carolina. We have

The South Carolina Gardener | Winter 2017 | 1

The South Carolina

The Official Publication of The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.

GARDENERGCSC | WINTER ISSUE 2017VOL. 95 NO. 4

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Dear Garden Club Members,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday with family and friends! The snow that heralded in the New Year was a beautiful surprise! It brought back many happy memories!

By the time you read this article, GCSC Awards will have been judged and many sent on to SAR and NGC competitions. Exciting surprises await you at the State Meeting in April in Columbia!Right now the Districts are getting ready to invite us all to the Spring District Meetings.They promise to be classic displays of each district’s warm and inviting hospitality. You will not want to miss them and by the way, you can attend all of them if you wish! All Club President’s will be receiving dues notices and club rosters soon. If you have any questions about the information you receive please contact GCSC Treasurer Marion Atkins. GCSC dues are officially due April 1, but can be sent as soon as you fill out your rosters. Club and Council President’s Reports are due to your District Director and me by February 1. All this information will be posted on the GCSC website.October 9-12, 2018 is the GCSC Bus Tour to Mt. Vernon, US Botanical Garden, Washington, DC and Monticello! It will be a great trip and it is limited to 56 (family and friends are welcome) so please don’t hesitate to sign up! (see President’s Projects)Of course, BIRDS are still my main focus! Thank you to all the clubs that have contributed so far to the ‘Feed the Birds’ project! You have been so generous and it is most aprreciated!! Great things will happen with the funds you donate!I look forward to seeing you at the Spring District Meetings!Sincerely,

Donna

President’s Message

The ROSTER copy Club Presidents send to ECS Data Systems is the list telling us what dues-paying club members will receive the four quarterly issues of the SC GARDENER. If you are a new member or a current member with address changes, your Club President MUST notify ECS three weeks in advance of the next publication date to receive your copy. [email protected]


The South Carolina GardenerWinter 2017

The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.501c3 non-profit organizationWebsite: www.gardenclubofsc.org

4896 Members, 199 Garden Clubs,19 Councils, 9 Affiliate Organizations

Donna Donnelly, President4494 McCords Ferry Rd.Elloree, SC [email protected]

GCSC Treasurer701 Gervais St., Suite 150-142Columbia, SC [email protected]

GCSC HeadquartersLocated at Riverbanks Botanical Garden1300 Botanical ParkwayWest Columbia, SC 29169

NGC Schools:Flower Show SchoolsLinda Howle [email protected] Design SchoolsMary Alice Hall [email protected]

NGC President-Nancy Hargroves1235 Dover Creek Ln.Manakin Sabot, VA [email protected]

SAR Director-Judy Barnes3616 School House LaneCharlotte, NC [email protected]

Mission: The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., a non-profit organiza-tion, is a force for good that promotes all aspects of gardening, focusing on preservation and restoration of historic gardens, conservation and environ-mental protection of natural resources, education of members and youth organizations, civic beautification, horticulture and floral design.

TABLE OF CONTENTSPresident’s Message 2President’s Project 4GCSC Chairmen 6Feature Articles 9GCSC Events 14District News 15

ClubsCouncils

NGC Schools 28SAR/NGC 29SC Gardener 31

Cover PhotoState Christmas Tree pictured in front of the SC State House in Columbia, December 2017. Thank you to all the Clubs and GCSC members that donated to this wonderful project.

GCSC AFFILIATESAudubon SCSC Wildlife FederationSC Bluebird SocietySC Botanical Garden, ClemsonMoore Farms Botanical GardenRiverbanks Zoo & GardenPearl Fryer Topiary GardenSC Native Plant Society

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Feeding Our Birds Includes Winterizing Our BirdsThe Fall and Winter seasons temps us to focus on in-house subjects such as

great food for the holidays, decorations and those books we have been waiting all Summer to read. Please remember our native birds are wintering also and their needs are great. Here is an easy winter tip you from one of our birding resource sites and you will love it! How? Be a MESSY GARDENER!

‘Gardens are havens for wildlife–even at the end of the growing season. Overgrown grassy reeds, dried flower stalks, and shrubby fruit-filled branches provide food, cover, and protection in the fall and winter for animals big and small. Take our Pledge to be a Lazy Gardener, join thousands of other gardeners who vow to not cleanup their gardens until spring, 2018.’ (Yardmap.org.)

Our GCSC goal for 2017-2019 is to make a long-term impact on the bird population.

The most effective way we can do this is to educate our members and the public on how they can make the transition from only feeding from a bird feeder to cultivating habitats in which the birds can feed themselves. These habitats can be established in their backyards and in their community.

Bird WalksBird Walk at Silver Bluff

Audubon Center and Sanctuary Jackson, SC, November 18, 2017. Our guide was Matt Johnson (center in green) Director of Audubon SC. It was a beautiful day.

‘Feed the Birds’Chairman Mary [email protected]

Yellow Rump

President's Projects


GCSC Aiken Home & Garden TourChairman Kathy New

The Aiken and North Augusta Garden Club Councils welcomed GCSC members and guests on October 6th and 7th to Aiken, Beech Island and Graniteville for the GCSC Fall Tour 2017. The tour was a great success and lots of fun! Fourteen gorgeous homes and gardens, three lectures and a walking tour offered by Dr. Harry Shealy in Hitchcock Woods showcased Aiken County. Brenda Baratto provided guests with the history of Aiken and Eddie Mann shared historical information on St. Thaddeus Church and Cemetery. A reception was held Friday night at the Aiken Historical Museum and catered by the Aiken and North Augusta Councils. The tour concluded with an exhibition croquet game, champagne and a tour of The Green Boundary Private Club. Cheryl Martino,

of the Lilac Garden Club of Columbia, won the raffle package trip to Edisto. The tour committee gives a warm thanks to the homeowners and gardens on the tour! The profits will support the GCSC President’s Projects across the state, especially the SC Botanical Garden in Clemson and Riverbanks Botanical Children’s Garden in Columbia.

Trish Bender GCSC 1st VP, Kathy New, Chairman, Donna Donnelly GCSC President, Sue Lawley GCSC Corresponding Sect’y

Bottle Tree Sculpture

Donna Donnelly, Libby Bland Aiken Council Chairman, Dr. Harry Shealy, GCSC Botanical Advisor.

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The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc. Bus TourGCSC invites You On A Wonderful 4 Day/3 Night tour, October 9 – 12, 2018

George Washington’s Estate, Mount VernonThe U.S. Botanic Garden, DC ~ Thomas Jefferson’s MonticelloFor Information and/or Reservations Please Contact Chairman

Nancy O. Rayner [email protected]: $599.00 Per Person – Double Occupancy

$75 deposit due with reservation, balance due July 1, 2018Travel Protection: $79.00 per person separate check payable to: PML Travel & Tours.

Bus Tour

Jenk’s Farmers’Crinum Lily Farm

Private Garden


Colonel Wojtowicz, USAF; Colonel Vitali, USMC; Senator Graham

Peggy Little, Mary Rivers, Donna Donnelly, Lib Foster Chairman

Veterans Day CeremonyChairman, Lib Foster

On November 11th, GCSC had an impressive Veterans Day Ceremony in our beautiful Memorial Garden in Columbia. Governor Henry McMaster and State Senator Lindsey Graham spoke as well as Colonel Gail Wojtowicz, USAF and Colonel Steve Vitali, USMC. Their military tempered speeches gave a rounded perspective of the immense sacrifice given to us by all servicemen in order to keep us safe in this country. The speeches are listed on the GCSC website under Memorial Garden Activities. The Fort Jackson Brass Band and Color Guard made the event extra special as we honored our SC veterans and all military. Governor McMaster

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GCSCYOUTH SYMPOSIUMSaturday, April 14, 2018Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia

Youth Awards PresentedAlecia Elrod, [email protected]

GCS Club and Council President’s Reports

Due February 1, 2018to GCSC President and your District Director Forms on the Website

homepage

Save The Dates

GCSC Scholarship UpdateBy Chairman Sandie Duerksen

Applications for GCSC Scholarships are due on February 1, 2018. Clubs are now in search of qualified students to apply. I hope your club will be one who is sponsoring a student. College costs a lot more than it used to and expenses for students are up. All GCSC Scholarship information is on the GCSC website. Please take the time to study the simple procedure and consider being a sponsor for a worthy student! An education is a gift that can never be replaced. GCSC Scholarship Chairman: Sandie Duerkson [email protected]

GCSC ChairmenFive Star Honor Club

Five Star Honor Club donations support the following continuous GCSC projects: SC Gardener, Camp Wildwood/Youth, Memorial Garden, Headquarters and Blue Star. With a $200 donation ($40 to each entity) your club’s name will be listed on the Five Star plaques and displayed at the State Meeting and Convention. All donations may be sent to the GCSC Treasurer. Chairman Norma Miller [email protected].


Feature ArticlesWest Piedmont DistrictSubmitted by: Marguerite P. Warren, West Piedmont District DirectorDee LeMay, West Piedmont District Co-Director

The West Piedmont District of the Garden Clubs of South Carolina is very fortunate to be located in the Upstate of South Carolina. We have one of best locations, close to the mountains, beach, 90 miles to Columbia and a mere 200 miles to Charleston. This Spring 2017, we were honored to host the Garden Clubs of South Carolina convention, culminating after a year of extensive planning. Hopefully many of you enjoyed a short stay in our beautiful Upstate City of Greenville.

Our West Piedmont District is comprised of forty-one garden clubs. Locations include: Greenville, Greer, Anderson, Abbeville, Pickens, Greenwood, Pendleton, Piedmont, Seneca, Liberty, Fountain Inn, Hodges, Taylors, McCormick, Simpsonville, and Travelers Rest. Our clubs are organized into five Garden Club Councils. These are very vibrant Clubs/Councils, very involved in their communities and give many hours of service and financial support.

After a very busy spring, summer months brought the greatly anticipated 2017 GCSC EXPO on July 15 in Columbia. Dee LeMay, West Piedmont District Co-Director and GCSC Third Vice President, had the tremendous responsibility of the organizing and planning the event. We were very pleased to have substantial WPD participation with thirty-two of our membership attending, including 8 Club Presidents, 2 Council Presidents, and 6 GCSC Board Members. Communications with our WPD Members continue to be very important. A welcoming newsletter was originated in September and sent by email to all members. With such an interest in GCSC and WPD Awards, an Awards Training Meeting and WPD District Fall Meeting was held on October 17th at the Kilgore-Lewis House, historic headquarters of the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs. We were honored to have in attendance our GCSC State President, Donna Donnelly and our GCSC 2nd Vice President, Yvonne Jordan, leading the GCSC Awards Training Session. Included was a luncheon menu full of fall soups, artisan breads, and delicious desserts, prepared by the WPD leadership. Over 45 WPD members were in attendance. It was a day spent learning more details on awards submissions, plus fun and fellowship.

As I write this article, our clubs are busy getting their GCSC Awards Submissions mailed in. Several such as the Greenville Garden Club and McCormick Garden Clubs have very interesting submissions involving historic restorations. Please see the photos on both. I continue to be amazed at the work done by our clubs both large and small. This Fall, Dee and I were honored and pleased to visit several garden club meetings and events.

The West Piedmont District is very pleased to announce the annual spring meeting will be in Greer, SC, March 17, 2018. The Greer Council, headed by Donna Yarborough, has done a wonderful job, working closely with us on selections of site, speakers, vendors, etc. Our club members are always planning ahead; plans are underway already for our 2019 annual spring meeting at Club Keowee Key, hosted by the Lake & Hills Garden Club.

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Along the Garden PathJerry W. Weise. GCSC Horticulture Chairman

As winter holds us indoors or bundled up and braving the elements to check our birdfeeders and winter water sources, let’s plan. Plan to continue planting native grasses, trees and flowering forbs for next spring and summer. Plan to leave the seed heads and frost-browned native grasses standing throughout winter. Their movement in winter winds is a delight and many small birds and other critters eat the seeds and use the clumps for shelter. If you have the space tuck a brush pile in an out-of-the-way place. This too serves as winter shelter for many birds and critters. When spring nesting arrives many birds use sticks from the brush pile and line their nests with the soft grasses. Take a tip from Mother Nature---she doesn’t employ mow-blow-and- go guys to give grasses and plants butch haircuts!

Many cavity nesters, bluebirds and woodpeckers for example, will use these houses and tree hollows to sleep safely or for protection from ice, snow and winter winds. In colder climates a single birdhouse had many bluebirds packed together for warmth. Moral: Leave those dead limbs or snags standing as long as they don’t present a danger and return the bluebird, wood duck or bat house to its mount after cleaning for the winter.

Equally important as food and shelter is clean unfrozen water. If you live where winter brings long periods of freezing weather you may need to install a warming devise in the birdbath. Birds’ feathers insulate better when clean and fluffy. A clean water source may attract more birds and creatures than food! Happy gardening, planning and bird-watching along the garden path!

WINTER BIRD CUPCAKESIn winter, birds benefit from a high-energy suet treat. Stacy Tornio, editor of

Birds & Blooms, developed this recipe with her kids using cupcake liners to stay mess-free. They’re happy to report that the birds love it. You will need:

1 cup shortening2 cups chunky peanut butter5 cups cornmealAssorted nuts, birdseed or dried berries

To make a bird cupcake, melt 1 cup shortening and 2 cups chunky peanut butter over low heat, then mix in 5 cups cornmeal. Fill cupcake tins and top with your choice of nuts, birdseed or dried berries. Cool in the refrigerator. To give as a gift, arrange on a plate or stack and then wrap with cellophane. Print off the recipe card below and attach it to the cellophane so your recipient can make more. Add a bow, and you have an instant gift!


Bird TalkBy Zach Steinhauser

To all those with a Green Thumb,

For the past 50 years Wingard’s Market in Lexington has sat at the corner of Pilgrim Church Rd. and Number 6 Highway allowing gardeners the pleasure of adding texture, color, depth, & levels to yards across the Midlands. Starting as a hobby, Judson Wingard started growing azaleas in his yard as a way to enjoy his retirement from South Carolina Electric & Gas. He quickly realized he grew too many and began to propagate & sell azaleas in front of his house. What began as a hobby soon turned into a blossoming business. After 38 years of growing his plant nursery, he decided to retire for good. His daughter, Delores, & son-in-law, Wally, moved to Lexington in 2005 and bought the business, growing it to new heights. Since then, Wally & Delores have incorporated different “businesses” related to gardening within their family-owned business. A Gift Shoppe was added in 2006, followed by a Produce Market in 2013, and most recently a backyard nature store called Wings & Things in Fall 2016. Wings & Things ties together the pleasure of feeding wild birds in your backyard with the importance of gardening for wildlife.

Judson Wingard’s grandson Zach Steinhauser graduated with a degree in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation from the University of Florida and is the manager of Wings & Things. He uses his knowledge of conservation and teaches gardeners basic principles to create wildlife habitat in their own backyards. Beginning as a wild bird store, Zach brought in the highest quality birdseed, feeders, & houses on the market to spoil the wild birds all around Wingard’s, but he didn’t stop there.

In order to attract wildlife and have them stay, there must be a suitable habitat. There’s no better plants to attract wildlife than those that are native. This past Spring, Zach expanded Wingard’s plant selection with a diverse variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, & grass-es with each plant benefitting wildlife in very specific ways. Whether you want to plant for birds or pollinators, you will begin to see wildlife of all kinds in your yard. Native plants not only provide

Brown Headed Nuthatch

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benefits to the wild animals near your house, but they also benefit gardeners as well. Natives have evolved to endure South Carolina’s climate allowing them to be low-maintenance. Their root systems dig deeper in the soil than that of a nonnative horticultural plant, which makes their water requirements typically lower depending on the environment. While most native plants can grow large and tall, they are easily manipulated to stay in the bounds you desire. Once natives are planted, bees & other pollinators will show up, then the birds & lizards that eat those insects will arrive. As these plants grow larger, cover space develops and many birds, mammals, & reptiles will take shelter in these green cathedrals. For butterflies, some native plants are very important. Butterfly species can only lay their eggs on specific plants. Monarch butterflies, for exam-ple, only lay their eggs on Milkweed plants. Many milkweed plants have been eradicated, which has led to the decline of Monarch butterflies in North America. Here at Wingard’s we loaded our shelves with Milkweed plants only to see them fly off the shelf (pun intended). What we’re doing at Wingard’s enables us to give back to nature when so much has been taken away.

What you do in your yard directly affects the animals around you, and if you’re a nature lover wouldn’t you want to plant the plants that brings nature to your backyard? When people hear the word “conservation” they think that only applies to lions & tigers somewhere across the globe, but that can apply to putting up a birdhouse in your yard or planting a pollinator garden. We hope that your interest in gardening will cross over to backyard wildlife. Improving backyard habitats, one plot at a time, will help our communities move in a conservation direction benefitting wildlife of all shapes and sizes around us.

Pura vida,Zach Steinhauser

Red Breasted Nuthatch


A Mystery Writer Among UsMurder and Gardening. Not a likely pairing, unless you’re Simpsonville Garden

Club member and murder mystery writer, Sally Handley. Sally handles publicity for the club, putting to use her writing skills developed during a 30-year career in marketing. Now retired and living in Mauldin, SC, she devotes her time to gardening

and writing her cozy mystery series about two, 50-something sisters who share a love of gardening.

In Second Bloom, the first Holly and Ivy mystery, the two, look-alike sisters are drawn into a murder investigation when they discover the body of Holly’s friend and garden club member in her kitchen. Holly’s trusted landscaper, Juan Alvarez, is arrested for murder, and the sisters become reluctant sleuths. Their knowledge of gardening helps solve the crime. And, of course, there’s a spicy dash of romance between Holly and “hunky” detective Nick Manelli.

Just in time for Christmas, Sally published Book Two, Frost on the Bloom, which starts out when the sisters arrive at Skylands Manor on Christmas Eve. They get drawn into another murder investigation when Becky Powell, a former student of Holly’s,

becomes the prime suspect in the attempted murder of her manipulative grandmother, Lyla Powell.

Holly and Ivy are loosely based on Sally and her sister, Mary Ellen, also a member of the Simpsonville Garden Club. Sally first got the idea for the Holly and Ivy series sitting in the garden at the Daniel Webster Inn on Cape Cod. She and Mary Ellen were admiring the flowers and started talking about Rosemary and Thyme, the PBS cozy mystery series that featured two women gardeners as amateur sleuths. Suddenly she got the spark of an idea. Wouldn’t an American version be great…a series about two sisters who garden and solve mysteries? And that’s where it all began, in a garden.

“If you’re a gardener and you like reading mysteries, I think you’ll enjoy the Holly and Ivy series because gardening know-how always plays a role in the sisters’ discovering the murderer,” Sally says. “I’ve gotten some great reviews on Amazon.com and even participated in a discussion of the book at the book club of one of my fellow Simpsonville Garden Club members.”

If you’d like to learn more about Sally and the Holly and Ivy Mystery Series, visit www.sallyhandley.com, where she also writes a blog entitled, “On Writing, Reading and Retirement.” Her November blog, “Murder Most Poisonous” described her visit to the “Wicked Plants” exhibit at the NC Arboretum. A gardening mystery writer’s work is never done!

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THE GARDEN CLUB OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC.“Birds of a Feather Garden Together”

2018January 25 GCSC Board of Directors Meeting, Riverbanks Botanical

Building, ColumbiaFebruary 1 Club/Council President’s Report due to GCSC President and

District DirectorFebruary 19-21 Flower Show School, Course II, CharlestonMarch 1 Entries to Juried Art/Photography Contest due. Theme: BIRDSMarch 1 NAJCSC Judges Club Meeting, ColumbiaMarch 6 West Piedmont District Meeting, GreerMarch 7 East Piedmont District Meeting, UnionMarch 8 West Sandhills District Meeting, IrmoMarch 13 East Sandhills District Meeting, SumterMarch 14 Coastal District Meeting, North Myrtle BeachMarch 15 East Low Country District Meeting, PinopolisMarch 18, 19 SAR Convention, Covington, KYMarch 21 West Low Country District Meeting, Hilton HeadMarch 22-27 Belize Trip to Chan Chich

Master Calendar of Events 2018

The Garden Club o f South Caro l inaState Meeting

April 25-26, 2018April 25th – Council Building, Columbia

Executive Committee MeetingBoard of Directors Meeting

April 26th – Embassy Suites, ColumbiaBusiness Meeting & Awards Presentation

Special Guest Judy Barnes, SAR DirectorPresentation to Dr. Patrick McMillan, SC Botanical Garden Director

Regis t ra t ion information coming soon on GCSC websi te!Dee LeMay d lemay98@aol .com


District NewsEast Sandhills DistrictDirector Jennifer McCutcheon, Co-Director Radine Tate

Director Jennifer McCutcheon and Julie Jameson of Poinsett GC at the “A Very Southern Christmas” Holiday Tour hosted by the Council of Garden Clubs, in Sumter December 2nd.

Pine Haven Garden Club spruced up theirs public Garden, ‘Carolyn’s Garden’, on Pineland Ave. Four of the members made hats and scarves for a shelter in Florence and made caps for newborns and preemies for the Heart Association Campaign in February. The Florence Council decorated The President’s House at Frances Marion University.

Darlington Garden Club held a fall arrangement workshop for their November meeting. Left to right: DeLette Jordan, Myra Bumgarner, Lou Kirchen.

Forget-Me-Knot Garden ClubMembers of the club celebrate Arbor Day planting a Little Gem

Magnolia tree at the Habitat for Humanity House.

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East Low CountryDirector Michael Pound, Co-Director Sue Lawley

Council of Garden Clubs of Greater Charleston celebrates Arbor Day and a Memorial Service for past members at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, December 4, 2017.


RIPTIDE GARDEN CLUBCharleston Charter School for Math and Science1002 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

A group of twelve middle school and high school scholars were actively requesting a gardening club at their charter school. While attending my first PTO meeting, the information of these twelve reached my ears. I currently work as an office manager for a local landscape construction company and have had some experience in gardening. Having been raised on a farm with the greatest teacher ever, my grandfather, I decided to jump on board and see what I could do to make it happen. One faculty member in particular, Mrs. Patricia Joseph, did not hesitate to join in and has been a great supporter and is involved in the gardening community. She allows us to use her classroom for meetings and is actively working on grants

for our group. Also, she is currently co-leader along side Mr. Porter, Ms. Dash, and Ms. Edwards of the STEMester group ‘Urban Farm and Outdoor Classroom’ at our school which has been a great success! The Urban Farm group and our Gardening Club work together as one unit and are a force to be reckoned with for sure. Recently, the two groups moved forward to construct six raised beds that

contain winter vegetables, flowers, and different types herbs. Our scholars worked tirelessly on this project and have been the talk of the school ever since. These same scholars have been invited to tour the US Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston where the facility normally does not allow school tours. The scholars are planning a special ‘ground to plate’ day in December where we will learn to harvest and prepare these plants working a long side of our cooking club. What a great opportunity to see these scholars shine as they embrace the opportunity to learn more about gardening. Our school is extremely academically minded with career focuses such as Business/Entrepreneurship/Marketing, Architecture/Engineering/Design, Medical, and other Sciences. We are a charter school for math and science and are made up of over 50% reduced lunches in a high need area. We are moving

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forward to create as many avenues of opening the world up to our scholars as possible. With our new, highly focused Executive Principle and CEO, Mrs. Carmichael leading us on, we have had more school spirit than I have ever seen. Our school started its football program last year, and this past Friday we won our first ever varsity game… we are on cloud nine! Also, our band is now in its second year and we performed at our Homecoming game for the first time a couple of weeks ago… the stands were packed!

We are truly excited about becoming a part of GCSC and are looking forward to our ventures together, Michele Dotter (843-452-0884).

West Sandhills DistrictDirector Jan Burch, Co-Director Kay WilliamsCountry Gardeners, Trenton, SC, Blue State Marker

When driving down Highway 121 just beyond the entrance to Trenton, S.C., please take notice of the recently dedicated Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker, which pays tribute to all members of our Armed Forces

The Country Gardeners Garden Club of Trenton sponsored the marker and held a dedication ceremony on Thursday, November 2 at the site of the marker. The program featured master of ceremonies and current garden club president Penny Hunt with a welcome by past president Virginia Culbertson. Tim Berry, Chaplin of American Legion Post 154 in Johnston, gave the invocation. Sen. Shane Massey gave a tribute to the members of the Armed Forces, and Ms. Betty


Gourdin, GCSC Blue Star Marker Chairman, provided the history of the Blue Star Markers. After the unveiling of the marker by Mrs. Gourdin and Ms. Trish Bender, GCSC 1st Vice-President, the marker was dedicated by Ms. JoEllen Barbare, Country Gardeners Marker Chairperson and Treasurer. Mayor Billy Padgett offered acceptance on behalf of the town of Trenton, and Rep. William Clyburn provided heartfelt closing remarks. Adjutant Jimmy L. Bates from the Military Order of the Purple Heart gave the Benediction. Adding to the dedication ceremony by presenting the colors were the wonderful students from the Naval Junior ROTC Color Guard at STHS. The STHS, state award-winning band directed by Mr. Justin Craig, provided patriotic music during the dedication. A delightful reception at the Trenton United Methodist Church followed the ceremonies.

Ms. JoEllen Barbare was the driving force behind getting the Blue Star Marker. She wanted to honor the veterans of the area because of the service of her two sons, one of whom is a Wounded Warrior. The marker was funded by generous donations from several American Legion Posts: Post 30 of Edgefield, Edgefield Ladies Auxiliary, Post 154 of Johnston, Post of Langley, and Douglas Elementary School, the Trenton Development Center, the town of Trenton, members of the Country Gardeners and many community members. The actual receiving, storing and erecting of the marker was a combined effort of Moorecraft Cabinets, Trenton Development Center, Town of Trenton, Reg Williams of the Log Creek Timber Company, State Highway Department, Trenton Fire Department, and Chief of Police of Trenton, Mr. Deke Tanks.

Other special guests included: Mr. Don Shealy, a WWII veteran who served at Pearl Harbor; Ms. Jan Burch, GCSC West Sandhills District Director; Ms. Yvonne Jordan, GCSC 2nd VP; Mr. Michael Washington, head of Veterans Affairs in Edgefield County; Mr. Bobby Turner, Principal of Douglas Elementary School, and members of his faculty, as well as members visiting from other garden clubs and from the community.

History of the Blue Star Markers can be found on the GCSC website: www.GardenClub.org.

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Gardening Girls Study Club

The Gardening Girls Study Club celebrates Arbor Day by planting a Buckeye tree in Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster, SC. This site was selected to honor the celebra-tion of the 250th Anniversary of President Andrew Jackson’s birth and the 50th Anniversary of the “Boy of the Waxhaws” sculpture.

Pictured: Betsy Steele, Rita Brewington, Peggy Little and Sarah Floyd plant the tree.

Chapin Garden Club Commemorates Arbor Day 2017

Chapin Garden Club members gather with students and staff of the Center for Advanced Technical Studies to plant and dedicate a Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) donated to the school by CGC in observance of Arbor Day.


West Low CountryDirector Ann Sheets, Co-Director Nancy KarlThe Garden Club of Williston

The Garden Club of Williston presented its annual fall exhibit of Gourd People with this year’s theme, Flocking to Williston, to follow the bird theme of GCSC President, Donna Donnelly. The bird watchers arrived in Williston, S.C. in full force when the Gourd People lined up along Church Street. The yearly visitors have been popping up in this quiet little town between Charleston and Aiken since 2013. Member Peg Sutherland is the

mastermind behind it. She says, “We have such fun making the life size gourd people come to life with their different poses.” The Gourd people have become a fall tradition as people stop and take fall family photos with them.

The display has been making some drivers passing through take a second look! Diane Wilson, President of the Ivy Garden Club, says, “Drivers will come up to the red light and do a double take and then they’ll circle around and come back

and look like “are those real people?” They have even been mentioned on Big Dog Radio and this year they were featured on WRDW’s Channel 12, On Your Side.

Garden Club members and the town hope these fall visitors stick around for years to come. Kenny Cook, Williston Town Administrator, says, “When you see a tradition like this where people love the town enough to they give their time to do this every year, it’s a special thing.” Is this the GCSC President?

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Driftwood Garden Club Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony

In cooperation with the North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Department, the Driftwood Garden Club continued its time-honored tradition of planting a tree on December 1st, South Carolina’s Arbor Day. The tree was planted at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex adjacent to the children’s playground and pavilions. It was dedicated in memory

of Mrs. Cecelia Campbell, a Driftwood Charter Member who passed away in March 2017. The Club’s Arbor Day Committee Chairman, Jeanette Bell, presided over the ceremony and welcomed the crowd of more than 30 people. Among the special guests were Garden Club of South Carolina (GCSC) President Donna Donnelly, City Council members, other City officials, members of the Driftwood Garden Club and other Clubs, and several Campbell family members. A pink Sioux Crepe Myrtle tree was chosen for this year’s planting. Participating in the ceremonial tree planting were members of the City Council, State Garden Club, Campbell family members and Driftwood Garden Club members. Accepting the tree on behalf of

Coastal DistrictDirector Allyson Hirsch, Co-Director Susan Carter

Members of the Yellow Jessamine

Garden Club participated in the City

of Dillon’s Annual Holiday Goodness

Arts and Crafts Bazaar on Saturday,

November 18. The baked goods,

cookies, casseroles and desserts were

made to sell for the holiday season. It

was a very successful fundraiser!

Glenda Campbell, Mildred Mishue, Melissa Moody, Judy Powell and President Mary Ricks.


West Piedmont DistrictDirector Marguerite Warren, Co-Director Dee LeMayGreenwood’s Unit One Garden Club honors member Sandy Orr

Inspired and inspiring, Sandy Orr is everywhere horticulture is taking place. She gives talks on hugelkultur, the art of growing plants in raised beds or hills. She speaks on creating English garden and can be seen pruning shrubs and weeding in uptown Greenwood and the City Garden. Her massive floral arrangements have taken center stage at civic functions and her seeds and cuttings have found homes in gardens throughout Greenwood County. She is the 2017 Lakelands Master Gardener of the Year.

A former president of the Greenwood Council of G C’s, Unit One GC and Lakelands Master Gardeners, Sandy is currently editor of the Lakelands Master Gardener Newsletter. She is one of the most sought-after speakers on the garden club circuit. Growing up in Ohio, her green thumb began its development under the tutelage of her stepmother, whose garden Sandy describes as “sophisticated” with its wide selection of conifers, ground covers and ornamental grasses.

Marriage and a move to Houston, Texas, introduced her to the riotous colors

the City was its Director of Parks and Recreation, under whose jurisdiction the tree will be maintained. Following the ceremony, guests were invited to join the Club for light refreshments. The lovely table setting and lighted floral arrangement highlight the color yellow as it was Mrs. Campbell’s favorite color.

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of bougainvillea. Relocating to Manning, S.C., in 2000, she went “garden crazy,” earning her Master Gardener certification and turning her attention to planting along the fence lines of her three acre property. She and her husband, Joel, moved to Greenwood in 2006 and became one of the most active members in Unit One and Lakelands Master Gardeners. Her belief that a gardener should garden has led her to donate more than 60 hours a month of her time to hands-on service whether it be potting plants for the Master Gardeners annual sale, working in the children’s garden at Rice Elementary School or promoting the Festival of Flowers Garden Tours held annually in Greenwood.

A serious student of plant life, Sandy is often the go-to person when someone needs a plant identified, and she is ever generous in sharing both her knowledge and her plants. Her use of the exotic cardoon leaves with vividly colored tulips was a showstopper at a recent Greenwood Council of Garden Clubs Awards Luncheon. “Sharing seeds, visiting gardens and attending seminars on plant and animal life are what make gardening fun,” said Sandy.

Simpsonville Garden Club Plant Historic Carolina Fence Garden at Heritage Park

Encouraging civic plantings and aiding in the project of nature’s plants and birds are two of the Simpsonville Garden Club’s primary goals. The newly planted Carolina Garden installed at Heritage Park is a giant step towards fulfilling those goals and a wonderful addition to the Simpsonville community. The Carolina Fence™ Garden has historic underpinnings in our state. Members of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation W.A.I.T.™ (Wildlife And Industry Together) traveled across the state seeking simple landscape elements that would attract native species. In their handbook, The Greater Greenville Master Gardeners and the Clemson Master Gardeners define the Carolina Fence Garden as follows:

“Utilizing some very basic elements, the Carolina Fence™ incorporates both natural and cultural elements, which have been designated as symbols of our state. The Carolina Fence™ is a landscape component that can be adapted to a variety of settings. The Fence can function as a valuable habitat element while showcasing symbols of natural and cultural history. Most importantly, as a habitat device, the Fence has the ability to attract and support native animal species.

http://www.scwf.org/index.php/education-programs/habitats/fence-gardenGarden Club Members Judy McGinty and Christine Barnett chaired the project

in Heritage Park that had suffered from many years of neglect. First, an old fence had to be removed, as well as older, overgrown shrubs. A red cedar split fence replaced the old fence and Judy and Christine planted over 30 perennials native to


Unit One Garden Club Chilling out,On a cold November morning, volunteers from the Unit One Garden Club

joined residents of Wesley Commons and members of the Cokesbury Commission to plant over 200 boxwoods at Greenwood County’s historic Cokesbury College. Once matured, the four entry gardens will display a Celtic knot and the circled

Celtic Trinity. These designs, selected and laid out by landscape architect Phil Lewis, were chosen to honor the Scotch-Irish settlers of the early Cokesbury community. Sharlene Greene, President of Unit One, said, “The Unit One Garden Club does revere the gardens of yesterday, today and tomorrow; therefore we are honored to be invited to help renew some of these historical gardens.” Unit One members wielding rakes and shovels at the planting were Susie Aufderheide, Connie Carstens, Jill Criscuoli, Melinda Fincham, Sharlene

Christine Barnett, Judy McGinty

the area including, Sedum, Echinacea (coneflower), Black-eyed Susans, Coreopsis, Ajuga, Sweet Woodruff and Cardinal Flower to name a few. All of the plants were selected to attract birds and pollinators. The Heritage Park project meets all the criteria for certification as The Carolina Fence™. This on-going project will involve the addition of grasses, shrubs and trees in the Fall. To learn more about The Carolina Fence™ visit: http://www.scwf.org/carolina-fence-gardens/.

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East Piedmont DistrictDirector Wayne Deal, Co-Director Elaine Wade

Carolina Wren Garden club members of Clinton, SC, decorated a Christmas tree for the Bailey Retirement Home.

Director Wayne Deal and Co-Director Elaine Wade are pictured with Carolina Wren Garden Club President, Amy Grant.

Greene, Glenda Horton, Mary Ann Newton, Shirley Pate and Sharon Westbrook. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Cokesbury College was founded in 1854. Today, it serves as a venue for weddings and other gatherings. Cokesbury College and the surrounding Cokesbury community represent an extraordinary glimpse at an early planned utopian community committed to innovative education for young men (Cokesbury Manual Conference School), young women (Cokesbury Female College) and for emancipated slaves (Allen University). Cokesbury was once one of the most prominent communities in the upper part of South Carolina.


Lancaster Garden Club

Immediate past president Carolyn Tolson of the Lancaster Garden Club in Lancaster, SC and Father Gordon Hamilton dedicate a crepe myrtle in memory of former LGC president and state flower judge, Eleanor “Tommie” Barber, on Dec 1, 2017, in Lancaster, SC.

Dear Club Members,

Please purchase GCSC and NGC Life Memberships!

Both Life Memberships support our youth scholarships

and GCSC Life Memberships also support the Memorial

Garden. Contact Margaret Graham [email protected]

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FLOWER SHOW SCHOOLFLOWER SHOW SCHOOL, COURSE IIFebruary 19, 20, 21, 2018

FSS Course II is Co-Sponsored by The Nationally Accredited Judges Club of South Carolina, The Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia, The Council of Garden Clubs of Greater Charleston. It will be held at Old Santee Canal Park Leaning Center 909 Stony Landing Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Course II Instructors: David Robson-Horticulture and Flower Show Procedure-Hollies and Herbs; Claudia Chopp-Design-Table Designs and

Petite Designs. Please contact Chairman is Sue Lawley, [email protected] 843-696-3794 and Co-Chairman, Linda Smith, Co-Chairman [email protected], 843-991-0757 for the registration form.

FSS is not only for prospective flower show exhibitors and judges, but also for all garden club members and persons interested in floral design and horticulture. While the primary purpose of these courses is to train prospective flower show judges, many people attend for information only and they do not have to take the examinations. Those who would like to take for credit must have completed Course I. The Handbook for Flower Shows (HB) (Revised 2017) will be studied. All students taking for credit must bring their copy when they register at the school. Deadline is Monday, February 12, 2018.

NGC Schools

Claudia Chopp Design

Herbs by David Robinson


Please go to the GCSC website homepage, bottom of page, to access Registration forms.

South Atlantic Region 57th Annual ConventionMarch 18 – 19, 2018

Embassy Suites Cincinnati – River Center“The Beauty of Nature: Protect, Preserve, Enjoy.”

Come join us for all or part of the South Atlantic Region and The Garden Club of Kentucky Annual Con-ventions. A highlight will be a guided tour of the Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum with over 733 acres offering picturesque landscapes, champion trees and world-class gardens. It is the 4th largest cemetery in the United States dating back to 1844. Join herbal expert Rita Heikenfeld and ‘yardening’ expert Ron Wilson “From The Garden To The Kitchen” for this very informal open formatted session to kick off the Spring 2018 ‘Yardening Season! They’ll take a look at new plants and gardening products, what’s hot and what’s not, timely topics and tips, and who knows what else they’ll have up their sleeves! Bring your gardening questions…they’re here to answer your questions as well! Meet Scott Beuerlein for a program on “How To Become a Better Gardener Faster”. Scott is a horticulturist at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Scott is involved with the Zoo’s plant trials, educational and community outreach. A wonderful and exciting time is planned for all!

SAR/NGC

Cincinnati Riverfront

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National Garden Clubs, Inc. 89th Annual ConventionMay 20-24, 2018

Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania“Love Blooms in Philadelphia”

Kent Russell “Candy in the Garden,” KEYNOTE SPEAKER and noted celebrity gardener, storyteller and specialist on perennials, will present “Candy in the Garden,” a live plant demonstration. Wed. May 23—Luncheon

Kirk Brown brings John Bartrum, early American botanist and explorer, to life in “John Bartram, The King’s Gardener” with details about the horticultural history of America, from its origins in Philadelphia and Penn’s Woods, to the international world of plant discovery and identification. Dubbed “what Hal Holbrook is to Mark Twain so is Kirk Brown to John Bartram,” on Great Garden Speakers.com, Brown infuses humor and a passion for horticulture into his entertaining performances. Tues. May 22—NGC Life Member Banquet

Jane Godshalk, author of “Flower Arranging Secrets—Natural Designs for Everyday Living,” Jane Godshalk is a designer of innovative floral creations who de-mystifies the art of floral design and enhances her presentations through her use of music from movies and pop culture in “Philadelphia Style–Love It”. Thurs. May 24—Design Banquet

Sam Lemheney and Matt Rader represent the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and share insights into what it takes to produce the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the largest indoor flower show in the United States, which attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year. The dynamic duo will explain how to become engaged in and support the work of PHS, which uses horticulture to beautify the city, transform neglected spaces, and create stronger, sustainable communities. “PHS and the Philadelphia Flower Show: Engaging Gardeners and Transforming Communities.” Thurs. May 24-Luncheon

Independence Hall, Liberty Bell


Cardinals (along with several other bird species) sometimes cover themselves in crushed or living ants, smearing them over their feathers, or allowing living ants to crawl on them. While scientists still aren’t sure what the purpose of “anting” is, some believe the birds use the formic acid secreted during their ant bath to help get rid of lice and other parasites.

A house wren can feed 500 spiders and caterpillars to its nestlings during a single summer afternoon.

A barn owl can swallow a large rat whole. After digesting its meal, the owl coughs up a pellet containing the rat’s bones and fur.

A Baltimore oriole can eat as many as 17 hairy caterpillars in a minute.

Hummingbirds are incredibly light-weight. The average hummingbird is around 4 grams (one gram less than a nickel), while the smallest, the bee hummingbird, is closer to 1.6 grams, less than the weight of a penny. The largest member of the hummingbird family, meanwhile, is the aptly named giant hummingbird, which can get up to 24 grams—enormous for a hummingbird, but only equivalent to about a handful of loose change.

Birds

The South Carolina Gardener is the official publication of the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., published quarterly and funded in part by membership dues. The South Carolina Gardener has made every effort to insure listings and information are accurate and assumes no liability for errors or omissions.

For advertising information and editorial inquiries to:

[email protected]

© 2017. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reprinted without the express, written consent of the publisher.

Submission Deadlines:Spring 2018 .............. January 15Summer 2018 ........... April 15Fall 2018 .................. July 15Winter 2018 .............. October 15

Send materials for publication to:[email protected]

Photos should be a high resolution and sent as a separate jpeg, tiff or related file.

Printed by:Midlands Printing, Inc.

Camden, SC

The Official Publication of The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.

The South CarolinaGARDENER

GCSC | WINTER 2017 | VOL. 95 NO. 4

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GCSC | WINTER ISSUE 2017 VOL. 95 NO. 4 · The West Piedmont District of the Garden Clubs of South Carolina is very fortunate . to be located in the Upstate of South Carolina. We have