LIVE OAKS GARDEN CLUB

December 2014

THE LOG

Notes from the President:

Wow we did it again! Another wonderful Poinsettia Sale due to our outstanding

poinsettia team chaired by Lynda Sterrett and Christina Allen, all those who sold

plants, and those who worked so very long and hard on delivery day. Great job

everyone!

We all have many plans over the holiday season: parties to attend or give,

shopping, baking, greeting cards to send, and maybe traveling to see friends and

family. There will be no December formal meeting. However, I do hope that you

will attend the Live Oaks Garden Club High Tea on Monday afternoon December

15th

at 3:30 pm. Please note the time change.

The information about our fabulous trip to The Jacksonville Botanical Gardens is

also in this Newsletter. This will be a great outing for everyone.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New

Year.

Sandra Johanek

Live Oaks Garden Club’s April 27, 2015, Field Trip

On Monday, April 27, 2015 Live Oaks Garden Club meeting will be an enjoyable

field trip by bus to Jacksonville Zoo’s Botanical Gardens and Earthworks Garden

Center.

• A guided 90 minute tour of the Botanical Gardens will be followed by lunch.

Each attendee will have a wrap or sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie or brownie and

beverage.

• After lunch, we will go to Earthworks Garden Center for a brief workshop, have

time to explore it and be able to make purchases.

There is space for 50 attendees. You may invite friends and family, including

husbands, to this delightful event! Complete a reservation form for each person

attending. The cost of the entire day is $75. That includes the cost of the

Botanical Garden tour, entrance fees, lunch, Garden Center workshop, bus ride,

taxes and tips.

We will meet April 27 at the Winn-Dixie parking lot (near Sweet Mama’s) at 8:50

a.m. and depart by bus promptly at 9 a.m. We will arrive back at Winn-Dixie

parking lot around 5:30 p.m.

If you need a wheelchair or motorized scooter for the Botanical Gardens’ tour,

contact Jan Lemasters so one can be arranged. Charges for renting a chair or

scooter can be found on the jacksonvillezoo.org website.

For more information about the Botanical Gardens, see jacksonvillezoo.org and

for Earthworks Garden Center, see earthworksgardencenter.com .

———————————————————————————————————————

I will be attending the field trip to the Jacksonville Zoo’s Botanical Gardens and Earthworks Garden Center. Reservation forms and checks must be submitted by Monday, March 23, 2015 to Jan Lemasters, 938 Champney, Saint Simons Island, Georgia 31522. Checks are to be $75 per person and made out to Live Oaks Garden Club Name_____________________________________ Cell phone__________________ Contact in case of emergency: Name_____________________________________Cell phone___________________ Food or bee allergies____________________________________________________

Christina Allen and I would very much like to thank the members of

our committee for the exceptional job they have done. We would also

like to thank the club members who worked so very hard to make this

year's sale a success. Thank you all so very much.

Christina Allen and Lynda Sterrett

Hospitality

We would like to thank Ann Lee, June Sortwell, Mary McCaughey and

Connie Shelnutt for the delicious food brought for the November

meeting. Thanks also to Sherry Snyder for the beautiful bowl of fruit.

The hospitality committee looks forward to serving you at the

December High Tea.

Kathy Pennington and Sherry Snyder

Live Oaks Welcomes New Members

Judy Crawford and Ann B. Lee were welcomed as new members at

our November 24th meeting! Total attendance for November was

thirty-one including two guests and our two new members.

You are urged to invite a friend to attend the January 26th

membership meeting with you!

Deanna Clark and Mary Rutherford

Judy Crawford and Deanna Clark Mary Lynch and Ann Lee

Website

The website liveoaksgardenclubinc.com has been updated and our

newsletter “The Log” has been archived. Please be sure to check it

out.

Pull and save a Tab for Ronald McDonald House.

Members are asked to save tabs from soft drink cans, soup cans and other

products. We will be collecting your tabs at our November Meeting. Look for our

Tab Bag.

Island Beautification:

Butterfly Garden

Thanks so much to Betty Lou Applegate, Rosalyn Thomas and Sandra

Johanek for helping Helga Terranova and me get the Butterfly Garden

ready for winter. As promised we worked for less than an hour

trimming and bagging dieback and making everything look neat.

Thanks again ladies.

Rose Applegate

Trees

Our trees still look neat after their clean up. We are waiting on

promised mulch from the county to really make them look completed.

Continue to check on your tree. Remember Santa is checking his list.

Rose Applegate

Monthly Drawing:

If you have an item to donate for the January monthly drawing please

contact Martha Mooney or Nan Marie O’Hara.

Caring

Sandy Storino is our caring person. If you know of a member who needs a cheery

note or card please let Sandy know. Please be sure to share your happy news as

well!

Gardening Tips:

Attached at the end of the newsletter is the handout that Mary Lynch

mentioned at her presentation at the November Meeting. Mary also

wanted to add a book to the handout. Leaf Manipulation - A Beginners

Guide to Working with Leaves in a Contemporary Way by Gail

Emmons.

Our Speaker Mary Lynch

In a nutshell

December 15, 2014 Live Oaks Christmas Tea

January 26, 2015 Pruning Shrubs

February 20, 2015 Arbor Day in Georgia, State Wide

February 23, 2015 Ferns

March 23, 2015 Herb Growing and Uses

March 26, 2015 South Georgia Native Plant Symposium, Tifton

April 15-17, 2015 Garden Club of Georgia Convention, Jekyll Island

April 19-15, 2015 Garden Week in Georgia, State Wide

April 25, 2015 Cassina Garden Club Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk

Saint Simons Island

April 25, 2015 Hamilton Plantation Garden Club Plant Sale

April 27, 2015 Field Trip to Jacksonville Botanical Garden

Photographs from Poinsettia Delivery Day

2014 Poinsettia Workers ready to roll.

Kathy Pennington and Christina Allen unwrapping the carts.

Unloading the truck - Dennis Snyder and Guenter

Jaensch with help from driver.

Lynda Sterrett

Bob McCaughey pushing a cart

Vic Hayes loading a van

HANDOUTS

Live Oak Garden Club

Demystifying Flower Arranging

November 20, 2014

Mary Lynch

Long Lasting Flowers

How to Make cut Flowers Last Longer

Longer Lasting Arrangements

Recommendations for Foliage for Your Garden

Foliage Plants for Arrangements

Websites - Books - Secrets

Burping Roses from Mary McCaughey

LONG LASTING FLOWERS If you're looking to give the gift of flowers or simply want to buy some for yourself, consider these long-lasting varieties:

Zinnia: According to Amateur Gardening, seed firm Johnsons of Suffolk evaluated multiple popular

flower species to determine how long they stayed fresh after cutting. Zinnia came out as No. 1, with flowers lasting a whopping 24 days with the water changed every two days. In fact, the company said that the blossoms were "as good as the day they were picked"

17 days into the study.

Orchid:

These exotic flowers don't just boast an elegant appearance, they also have an impressive life

span. While all varieties of orchid are long-lasting (up to three weeks in a vase), cymbidiums are especially robust as they aren't as fragile as other kinds, so petals are

less prone to damage. Just make sure to change their water every one to two days and trim the stems. Whenever you spot any faded flowers, pluck them off to rejuvenate the stem's energy.

Carnation:

There's a reason carnations are such a popular choice. There are hundreds of colors to choose from, they are a budget-friendly bloom, and they can last between two to three weeks. Remember to remove any petals or leaves that hit water level or below to keep your carnations

healthy in a vase.

Delphiniums:

These flowers come in stunning shades of purple and blue, and they'll stay vibrant for up to

14 days as long as you care for them properly. However, ethylene gas can be harmful to these delicate blossoms, so be sure to keep them away from any fresh produce.

Chrysanthemums:

It's hard to beat these flowers when it comes to a long vase life. Chrysanthemums, which come in almost any color you can think of, can last up to 25 to 30 days. Still, these blooms demand

clean water every day. To get the most out of your bouquet, you might also want to trim their stems on a daily basis, too. Since you'll be trimming them so often, it's wise to go for chrysanthemums with long stems.

Alstroemeria:

Whether pink, orange, white or purple, these breathtaking blossoms are relatively hardy. In fact, they will last up to two weeks, and English-grown alstroemeria may last three weeks.

Gladiolus: These funnel-shaped flowers will brighten up your home for up to 10 days or more. However, they are a thirsty variety, so you need to keep an eye on the water level to make sure

they are sufficiently hydrated.

Strelitzia: Also commonly known as "birds of paradise," this tropical and eccentric flower has oddly-shaped petals and thick, tall stems - but that's not the only unusual thing about them. They can

also stay fresh in a vase for up to two weeks.

Freesia: One of the best traits of these flowers is their unparalleled fragrance. They'll look as wonderful as they smell for seven to 10 days, provided they are watered and tended to regularly.

Limonium: These flowers, also known as statice, are a popular choice as a filler in floral arrangements. Why? Not only are these tiny flowers, which are available in a variety of colors, rather striking,

but they have a vase life of up to two weeks. This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell and published by Teleflora.

FLOWERS THAT HOLD THEIR OWN OUT OF WATER Need a 1 hour drink each day Calla lillies

Carnations Orchids

Antherium

“Flowers last longer in flower preservative then they do in floral foam.”

How to make cut flowers last longer Nothing can brighten up a room quite like a bouquet of flowers - and nothing is more disappointing than when they begin to wilt. Of course, it's inevitable for your blossoms to

eventually lose their luster, but there are ways to extend their vase life. All it takes is the right tools and tactics to keep your blooms looking and smelling fresh. Use these tips and your arrangement is bound to bring you joy for far longer:

◦ Be sure to cut garden flowers early in the day, when there's the advantage of cooler

temperatures and morning dew. Blossoms that are cut on a hot afternoon won't last as long because the heat is dehydrating to the petals.

◦ ◦ ◦ If you're cutting flowers with multiple buds, such as gladioli, Alstroemeria or

snapdragons, at least one of them should be opening and showing color. On the other hand, blooms that grow on separate stems, such as chrysanthemums, dahlias,

zinnias and Gerbera daisies, are best cut when fully open. ◦ ◦

◦ Always clean the vase thoroughly before placing your bouquet in it to eliminate any bacteria that could kill your flowers.

◦ ◦ ◦ Gently graze the stems with a vegetable brush to clean them of any debris or

bacteria. ◦

◦ ◦ To prepare the stems properly, cut 1/2 inch off the end at a slanted 45 degree angle

with sharp scissors. This will prevent you from crushing the stem and also ensure that

the stems can absorb water quickly and effectively. ◦

◦ ◦ Splitting the stems 1/2 inch from the bottom with a knife can also aid them in taking

up water. ◦

◦ ◦ When placing the stems into a vase, remember to remove all leaves that will be

submerged under water, which will only rot.

◦ ◦

◦ It's important to put the stems into water as quickly after cutting them as possible to prevent the ends from sealing up. Ideally, the water will be lukewarm to cool and hit halfway up the stems.

◦ ◦

◦ The best temperature range to keep flowers fresh is around 45 to 55 degrees, so consider storing them in a cooler room in your house. You can even place them in the fridge overnight to help preserve them.

◦ ◦

◦ Don't place flowers in direct sunlight, which can be too harsh for most blossoms. Additionally, keep them away from heating vents and fans, which can cause them wilt

much faster. Many kinds of flowers are sensitive to ethylene gas, so it's best to keep them away from fruit, which releases it.

◦

◦ ◦ Different flower varieties require various levels of attention, but as a general rule, you

should change the water every two days. ◦ ◦

◦ Varieties that have hollow stems, such as delphiniums, may dry up more quickly, so it can help to fill the stems with water and plug them with a cotton ball before

placing them in water. ◦ ◦

◦ Sugar can help your blooms to last longer by nourishing the stems. So consider dissolving 3 tablespoons of sugar into 2 tablespoons of white or apple cider

vinegar and adding it to the vase water. Just remember to add more vinegar and sugar when you change the water every couple days. About 1/4 cup of soda like Sprite or 7-Up can also help to boost your blossoms' longevity.

◦ To avoid cloudy water, add a few drops of bleach to the vase water. ◦

◦ ◦ Hairspray doesn't just lock your hairstyle into place, it also preserves flowers. Standing 10

to 12 inches away from your arrangement, spritz a light mist of hairspray on the

undersides of the petals. ◦

◦ ◦ If you drop a penny into the vase, the copper can act as an acidifier to hinder bacteria

growth.

This article is brought to you by Michelle Farrell and published by Teleflora.

LONGER LASTING ARRANGEMENTS

Whether you use flowers from your garden or from the florist, follow these tips

for keeping flowers looking fresher longer.

Before you cut any flowers, prepare the containers and water. Start with clean,

sterilized containers or vases. Use a bleach-and-water solution to ensure containers are clean.

Sterilize clippers and scissors with a 10:1 solution of water and bleach.

Dissolve a floral preservative in water, following directions on the packet.

Cut flowers in early morning or in the evening when the stems are fully hydrated.

When cutting flowers from the garden, keep stems as long as possible; you can

always cut them shorter but you can't make them longer!

Cut flowers when they are half open or in bud but showing color to provide a

variety of flower textures and to extend the lifespan of your arrangement. Some

flower buds, including roses, tulips, irises, and daffodils, will not open if you cut them when they're too immature.

Pull the stamens off lilies so the colored pollen doesn't stain the flower or anything it brushes against; use your fingers. Removing the stamens also helps

the flower last longer.

After the initial cutting, condition your flowers for at least an hour before

arranging them. Recut stems underwater or immediately plunge them into water

containing floral preservative.

Strip the leaves away from any stems that will be submerged in water. Leaves

left under water will rot, releasing bacteria that cause flowers to deteriorate faster.

Place finished bouquets in a shaded, cool area for the longest life.

From: Better Home and Gardens: Flower Arrangements from the Garden

Recommendations for Foliage for Your Garden

From: The Judith Blacklock Encyclopedia of FLOWER DESIGN

Agave americana (century plant) Arachniodes adiantiformis (leather fern) Asparagus densiflorus “Myersli” (foxtail fern) Asparagus setaceus (asparagus fern) - different variety found locally Aspidistra elatior (aspidistra) Buxus sempervirens (box) Camellia japonica (camellia) Chamaedorea elegans (parlour palm) Chamaerops humilis (European fan palm) Codiaeum (croton) Codyline fruticosa (ti tree) Cornus (dogwood) Corylus avllana ‘Contorta’ (contorted hazel, corkscrew hazel) Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’ (smoke bush) Cupressus (cypress) Cycas revoluts - palm Cyperus involucratus (umbrella grass) - papyrus Dracaena glauca ‘Massangeana’ Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo) Dypsis lutescens (yellow cane palm) Equisetum hyemale (snakegrass) (horsetail) Eucalyptus - metions 5 varieties Fatsia japonica (aralia) - solid and varigated Gardenia (gardenia) Hedera helix - (ivy) many varieties, includes variegated Hosta (funkia) Hypericum (St. John’s wort) Liriope gigantea (lily grass) Monstera deliciosa (cheese plant) Myrtus communis (common myrtle)

Nephrolepis exaltata (sword fern) Philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) Phorium tenax (New Zealand flax) Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ (frazer photinia) Pittosporum - several varieties Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) Viburnum - several varieties Grasses - many varieties LYNCH ADDITIONS Azalea - Red and green Citrus Corkscrew rush East Indian Holly Fern Gilt edge silverberry - several varieties Ginger - variegated Ginger - pine cone Holly Fern Holly - several varieties Iris Loropetalum - red leaf Pieris japonica (purity pieris) Foliage Plants for Flower Arrangements Foliage plays a role in a flower arrangement that is as important as the flowers themselves. Your choice of foliage plants helps create the shape of the arrangement, such as using spiky foliage for linear arrangements, large, rounded foliage for mass arrangements, or using a combination of the two to create linear-mass arrangements. Green foliage provides a dark background to highlight the bright colors of flowers. Foliage is typically more affordable than flowers, so using foliage as filler creates a full arrangement without a huge expense. You can find a wide array of foliage for arrangements throughout your home garden.

Shrubs Almost any shrub in your garden works well as foliage for a flower arrangement, providing that the shape of the foliage complements the shape and size of the flowers used. Euonymous (Euonymus spp.), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.), boxwood (Buxus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) are among the evergreen shrubs that work well to add height to linear arrangements. You can also use them to add balance to soft, round flowers in mass-linear arrangements. Leafy shrub plants such as heavenly bamboo (Nandina spp.), flowering currant (Ribes spp.) and viburnum (Viburnum spp.) work well as background or filler foliage for mass floral arrangements. You can even use herb shrubs, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus spp.) and lavender (Lavendula spp.), which add fragrance as well as textural interest. Many varieties of these shrubs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Perennials Both non-flowering and flowering perennials hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10 have foliage that works well in arrangements, even after the flowers expire. Canna lilies (Canna spp.) have large leaves, often with stripes and variegation that work well in mass arrangements, either to highlight colored or white flowers. Evergreen ferns, such as Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), are among the most popular flower arrangement foliage, commonly used as filler in large, mass arrangements or to accent a single stem arrangement. Artemesia (Artemesia spp.) plants, with tall spikes covered with small leaves, work well in linear arrangements or can be woven in wreaths. Instead of using moss to conceal the frog or foam in your arrangement, you can use ivy plants to add green foliage at the base of the arrangement. Trees Both deciduous and evergreen tree leaves growing in a Mediterranean climate can complement a flower arrangement. Evergreen foliage, such as pine (Pinus spp.), spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.) and holly (Ilex spp.) boughs, as well as glossy magnolia (Magnolia spp.) leaves, can be used any time of year, but they are particularly suitable for winter or holiday arrangements, especially when used along with berries and red or white flowers. Similarly, fall flower arrangements with chrysanthemums, dahlias, sunflowers or gerbera daisies benefit from the gold, orange and red fall colors typical of oak (Quercus spp.), maple (Acer spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), and sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) leaves. Use these leaves fresh or dry them before creating the arrangement. Tree branches with blossoms, such as dogwood (Cornus spp.) and cherry (Prunus spp.), also add spiky interest for spring flower arrangements. Grasses Grasses work well in minimalistic linear arrangements or can be fanned out as a spiky, spray backdrop for mass arrangements. Foxtail grass (Alopecurus pratensis), giant feathergrass (Stipa gigantea) and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) add spiky interest in the early stages, but also feature soft plumes at the tips when in flower that can soften spiky plants in an arrangement. Maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and

Japanese woodrush (Hakonachloa macra) are among the many grasses hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10 with spiky foliage that work well as backdrops for a dramatic floral arrangement. Cattails (Thypha latifolia) feature long grass blades, often with variegated coloring, with the added benefit of a velvety seed head to balance the harshness of the grass.

Websites - Books - Secrets

YouTube.com “Techniques to Become a Top Floral Designer” - Michael Gaffney - 12 long stem roses “Christmas 2012 Gift Bag Arrangement” - Neil Whitaker “Carnation Topiary Floral Design” - The Flowergod “Ron Morgan Thanksgiving Table Flower Arrangement” “Annie Vanderwarker” - fearlessflowers.com Books - gapines.org The Center of Attention - Ron Morgan - Library In the Company of Flowers - RonMorgan - Library Design Star - Michael Gaffney Fundamental Theories of Design - John Haines, Hitomi Gilliam, Kent Chen

The Judith Blacklock Encyclopedia of FLOWER DESIGN – Library

Leaf Manipulation - A Beginners Guide to Working with Leaves in a Contemporary Way by Gail

Emmons.

SECRETS Alum - secret to long lasting hydrangeas - dip stem into; dissolve in water - Michael Gaffney Floralife Crystal Clear Fresh Flower Food Floralife Clear Crowing Glory - spray on finished arrangement to prevent dehydration - Michael Gaffney - the one thing he can't do without Spray artist’s FIXATIVE on cut fruits and vegetables to prevent drying out and pests - Ron Morgan Leaf Shine

BURPING ROSES

Using fresh roses lay a single rose in water sideways and angle bottom of rose up. Tilt stem up

with rose head in water, and cut ½” off from bottom with a sharp knife (never scissors), then

submerge. This procedure will prolong the life of a rose which removes air from the stem thus

called burping. Burping the air will prolong the life of the rose. Use cool to luke warm water

(never cold and never hot). Once the rose burps, you will see the air bubbles release from the

stem, and then remove rose from the water and place in a vase with luke warm water

immediately.

Add Sprite (lemon/lime combination) (no diet soda) use about 3 to 4 ounces. If you have, or

can access commercial preservatives, you may add the preservative also. Change water every

two to three days. Add preservative or 4 more ounces of Sprite to the fresh water. At this time,

cut ½” off stem when changing water. It is not necessary to burp the rose again. This

procedure should extend the life of the rose.

If any of the outer petals start to come apart, or turn brown, try gently peeling the petal off and

proceed around the flower. You will have a new rose extending the arrangement by a few days.

If the rose does not burp, it may be because the rose is not totally dehydrated.

Another option would be to gently blow into the rose which would open the air way.

Mary McCaughey