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Member of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Newsletter September 2019
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting September 10th @ 7 PM at Nolini Barretto's, 59 Westminster RoadThis meeting is open to all members. Please RSVP and let Nolini know if there is anything you would like to add to the board meeting agenda, [email protected].
Horticulture and Botanical Arts MeetingSeptember 17th @ 7 PM at Cindy Lannon’s, 66 Ocean Drive East This meeting is open to all members.
Barbara Deysson will offer suggestions for organic gardening and tips for exhibiting horticulture specimens and will also discuss how to show dahlias and upcoming club projects.
Dianna Dwyer will provide inspiration and demo examples for our September parallel design theme, 1950s “Autumn Leaves”.
We will not have a botanical artistic craft project for September. Thanks to Cindy for hosting. Please visit the club website for monthly schedules and entry forms.
http://shippanpointgardenclub.org/members-only/ If anyone is available to serve as co-host with Cindy and/or interested in serving as a co-
hostess for future meetings, please contact Sally Russell at [email protected].
September Flower Design
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Design Theme: 1950s “Autumn Leaves”Type: ParallelSize: 36” high, 24” wide, and 24” deepPlant Material: Fresh and/or dried plant materialStaging: Background and underlay optional
September 2019
Membership Meeting September 26th @ 12 PM-2PM at Stamford Yacht Club, 97 Ocean Drive West Submission of Exhibits — 8:30 AM – 9:45 AM (no late entries accepted)Membership Meeting and Luncheon — 12 Noon at Stamford Yacht Club. Please call the club at 203-323-3161 for luncheon reservations. Guest presentation by Rick Brook at 1 PM.
Backyard Beekeeping – Facts, Fiction, and Fun
Rick Brook – Shippan Point resident and Bee Man will talk about beekeeping. Rick will discuss honeybees and will share information and debunk misinformation about the plight of our pollinators, especially the ubiquitous European Honeybee. Rick will also focus on bees in the hive, bees in your garden, bees as big business, and bees in the larger world. The interactive presentation will include hands-on learning about hive set up, honey and mead tasting, and what it takes to be a backyard beekeeper.
Rick is a Shippan Point resident and an advertising executive that spends his days in New York City and evenings and weekends studying and managing honeybees. Rick is a backyard beekeeper with a dozen hives located in Shippan and Darien. He is studying honeybees with the University of Montana’s Master Beekeeping program and is learning new things about these wonderful creatures every day.
Thanks to Meg Kelley and Joann Benson for serving as clerks.
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September 2019
If others are available to serve as clerks/substitutes at this and/or future meetings, please contact Anne Cheng at [email protected]. If anyone would like to host or help with the table arrangements for upcoming meetings, please contact Sally Russell at [email protected].
Other News
MembershipWe welcomed Ruth Chiles as new member at the July membership meeting. We hope you’ll offer Ruth a warm welcome when you meet her at upcoming meetings!
The Membership Committee will be meeting on September 25th to begin the process of reviewing and developing an expanded volunteer recruitment action plan for SPGC. We will use the base information gleaned from our recent surveys to expand/enhance our club efforts in the areas of recruitment, membership roles and responsibilities, and membership development. The Committee will submit their plan to the Board for review and approval.
Civic PlantingMembers of the Civic Planting Committee have been hard at work tackling the weeds in each of our public gardens. Thanks to the members who have been investing sweat equity to help keep our gardens beautiful and well maintained!
Our Civic Planting Co-chairs, Kim Dickinson and Donna Wiberg have weeded the Gateway Garden at least twice, including on August 25th.
Kim Dickinson and Donna Wiberg
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September 2019
Donna enjoying the sedum Kim getting down to businessPhotos courtesy of Donna Wiberg
Katrina MygattWith thanks to Maureen Carson for organizing a morning at Katrina Mygatt on August 10th. Andrew Sverdlove, Kathleen Mathews, and Maureen for doing some aggressive weeding. We’d also like to extend our thanks to Maureen, Kathleen, and Diane White who have been filling the tree gators for the new cherry trees at Katrina. If others are available to help, please reach out to Maureen at [email protected].
Andrew Sverdlove and Maureen Carson
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September 2019
Monarch flying over Katrina Pluchea odorata
Photos courtesy of Maureen Carson
Pictured above is Pluchea odorata, common name is marsh fleabane. It is a little native plant in the aster family that showed up last year at Katrina and we let it seed. It is making a little colony in the area that the city piles the snow at the bottom of the Katrina driveway and though no standing water year round, it found a salty soil to make a home in! Plants are amazing!
Circle GardensSally Russell and Ginny Fox doing some maintenance on August 15th at the Circle Gardens. They scored one bag of weeds and two EMPTY bottles of vodka, which were promptly disposed of at the recycling center. Boxwood disease is spreading. Some landscapers have offered us advice about a design to replace box wood.
Sally Russell and Ginny Fox Photo courtesy of Ginny Fox
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September 2019
Castle GardenThe Civic Planting Committee needs a Team Leader for the Castle Garden. Meg Kelley, who until recently led the volunteer effort for Castle, no longer lives in the neighborhood. She is, however, more than happy to assist anyone who would like to volunteer to lead the Castle team.
According to Meg, “The Castle garden does not require a large amount of time. When I lived near to the garden I’d prune the stray branches on the shrubs and pull weeds (there never were many). Once a year Maureen Carson would have her men deliver mulch and help us spread it. Maureen, as usual, was there to help as well! We purchased 3 or 4 Hydrangeas in 2018. It is a small garden and easy to care for.”
Thank you to Meg for having cared for the garden these past years and for offering to assist the new garden leader.
If you have a young family or grandchildren, adopting the Castle Garden may be something you would like to consider. Caring for the garden would make a fun family learning experience for all. If this is something that would interest you please contact Kim Dickinson or Donna Wiberg at [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.
Stamford Neighborhood GrantImplementation of our project funded by our $4,000 Neighborhood Grant has almost been completed. To date, we have:
Purchased and planted 3 cherry trees for the Katrina Mygatt garden in late May; Purchased and planted 20 roses for the Welcome Garden and Gateway Garden in June; Paid Jamie and his landscaping staff to plant and weed; Opened the water source in the Welcome Garden; Bought a drip hose which we will install next year; and Bought crocuses for the Welcome Garden.
We still need to do the following: Repaint the Welcome Garden sign (estimated fee is $800); and Purchase daffodil bulbs.
New Knock-out Roses Roses in the Ground
6Photos courtesy of Janet McCabe
September 2019
Civic Tree PlantingRegarding Civic Tree Planting in Shippan, the club has funds to plant trees within the easements in the neighborhood. If anyone would like a tree, or if you know of anyone who would like a tree, please contact Nancy Saiers at [email protected]. At present there are no plans for planting this fall. There is one tree planted this spring that will be replaced. Our supplier for many years, Site One Nursery (formerly named Shemins), has recently dropped its policy of guaranteeing trees for one year, so we will need to purchase the replacement tree.
Magee ProjectThe plans for the Magee Avenue project have been finalized, and now the last hurdle to leap is the green light from the City. The trees for removal, diseased, and misplaced ones, were tagged in mid-August, and if there are no objections filed with the City within 30 days, then the plans will continue on track. (N.B. City policy does not require dead trees to be tagged prior to removal.) The City will remove the trees and prepare the soil for landscaping in the alcoves in the spring after the cherry trees bloom. The ground breaking for the trees will begin on Arbor Day, the last Friday in April 2020.
We have received commitments of enough funding to complete the project through donations from our garden club, the Shippan Point Association, city beautification grants, Miller Motors, Hank Mays Goodyear, and the Stamford Ford dealership on Magee. David Watkins has promised to make up for any shortfall due to unforeseen expenses. We are most grateful for all who have agreed to sponsor our endeavor.
Community ServiceVolunteers are needed to maintain growing resident participation in flower and vegetable garden at St. Camillus Health Care facility. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Cathy Bertasso and Noel Kondub at [email protected] and [email protected].
Blue Star Plaque in Veteran’s ParkSPGC will be installing a Blue Star plaque to be displayed on a memorial marker at Veteran’s Park on Atlantic Street. The ribbon cutting event is scheduled for November 3rd and celebrating Veteran’s Day ceremony will be on November 7th. All are invited to attend. Please contact Jane Waugh at [email protected] for additional information.
Highlights from July Membership Meeting
Thanks again to Diane Deegan for hosting our July membership meeting at her beautiful home! It was a lovely evening among friends and thanks to Sally Russell and all members who contributed to the delicious dinner. Following are a few select photos from the many beautiful specimens exhibited in July.
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September 2019
Calla Lily Daylily ‘Wineberry’ Daylily
Heliopsis Hosta ‘Golden Tiera’ Hosta ‘Patriot’
Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ Monarda ‘Balmy Pink’ Torenia (Wishbone Flower)
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September 2019
Solenostemon ‘Alligator Tears’ Solenostemon ‘Wizard Coral Sunrise’
Verbena L. Superbena Royale ‘Peechy Keen’
Zinnias Artistic Craft - Purse Ipomoea (Potato Vine)
Photos courtesy of Birlie Lau
Federated Garden Clubs of CT (FGCCT) News
The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. (FGCCT) has many activities in the coming months. Registration information for all FGCCT events noted below and additional information is online at www.ctgardens.org.
Gardening School – Course IISeptember 3rd – 4th @ 8 AM – 4:15 PM at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Jones Auditorium, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CTThe topics include Growing Vegetables, Irrigation and Water, Growing Fruit, Lawn Alternatives and Growing Grass, Plant Diseases and Garden Pests, and Invasive Plants. The enrollment fee is $110. For course curriculum information, please click here. To register, please click here.
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September 2019
Beyond Beginnings Design: Designing with WoodSeptember 6th @ 10 AM – 12:30 PM at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Jones Auditorium, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CTCreative Designs often use interesting found objects, such as driftwood, branches covered with lichen, bamboo, etc. to establish the line and create the basic structure that holds the plant material. In this workshop, you will be given a piece of wood or bark (or perhaps you have something at home that you would love to work with). You will be shown the mechanics to stabilize the wood and how to attach plant material to it to make an interesting, Creative Design. Included is a lecture, followed by a hands-on workshop, and critique. Critiques are done in small groups by the instructor and other accredited judges to aid participants in improving their design skills. The cost per session of $40 covers all materials. For additional information, please click here.
Beyond Beginnings Design: Table DesignsSeptember 26th @ 11 AM – 1:30 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Road, Old Saybrook, CT One of the Sections in a Flower Show that the public likes the best is Table Designs. Everyone can relate to a table that is perfectly coordinated, pleasing to look at, and has a lovely floral design on it. In this workshop, you will learn the tips and techniques that make blue ribbon-winning exhibits. During the hands-on section of the workshop, you will learn to make a beautiful centerpiece that might help you win the blue at the next CT State Flower Show! Included is a lecture, followed by a hands-on workshop, and critique. Critiques are done in small groups by the instructor and other accredited judges to aid participants in improving their design skills. You do not have to bring dishes with you. The enrollment fee for the session of $40 covers all materials. For additional information, please click here.
Beyond Beginnings Design: Advanced European DesignOctober 4th @ 10 AM – 12:30 PM at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Jones Auditorium, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CTThis workshop will feature a design that has been popularized in Europe, especially by the German designer Gregor Lersch. The containers will be constructed of wooden bases and test tubes (not part of the workshop). The finished design will be unique, organic, useful for a centerpiece or on a buffet table. Included is a lecture, followed by a hands-on workshop and critique. Critiques are done in small groups by the instructor and other accredited judges to aid participants in improving their design skills. The cost per session of $40 covers all materials. For additional information, please click here.
Flower Show School, Course IV October 16-18th @ 11 AM – 1:30 PM at The Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT Flower show school registration is now open. The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc. (FGCCT) is pleased to offer the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Flower Show School. The curriculum is divided into a series of four individual courses, and is open to any Garden Club member.
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Do you ever wonder “Why did that design or horticulture specimen win the Blue Ribbon?” Are you interested in learning about “growing and showing” horticulture or the elements and principles of floral design? If so, Flower Show School will be the answer!
The courses, which may be taken in any order after completing Course I, are structured to meet the following goals and purpose:
To teach and accredit prospective flower show judges and to provide opportunities for Accredited Judges to expand their knowledge and remain in good standing.
To create increased interest and knowledge in horticulture and design for all garden club members whether or not they are seeking to become NGC Accredited Flower Show Judges
To provide greater understanding of standards of exhibiting and judging of a Standard Flower Show as clarified in the Handbook for Flower Shows.
To promote flower shows of highest quality and educational value
The course schedule is available here. There is an optional exam on October 18th. Registrants are encouraged to take the exam. Questions are based on any required reading, lectures, and study materials. Deadline for registration is October 1st. To register online, please click here. To register by mail, please download the registration form here.
Beyond Beginnings Design: Duo DesignNovember 1st @ 10 AM – 12:30 PM at The CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), Jones Auditorium, 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, CTAmaze your holiday guests with a centerpiece that is a different design on each side, a Duo Design. Using some shared foliage components and the layering technique of placement, learn how to create two designs in one container. The design pictured below is an example of what will be demonstrated. Included is a lecture, followed by a hands-on workshop, and critique. Critiques are done in small groups by the instructor and other accredited judges to aid participants in improving their design skills. The cost per session of $40.00 covers all materials. For additional information, please click here.
Letters from Afar
From time to time, we receive news from non-resident members who live further afield. It’s nice to know that they’re keeping up with SPGC and would like to share news about their ongoing gardening adventures!
Following is an excerpt from a letter sent by Janet Vance Andrew, St. Petersburg, FL.
For the last 3 ½ years I have lived in a 55+ community called Patriot Square. This is a condo community of 35 buildings and about 16 acres all under landscaping cultivation. We have professional management and landscaping maintenance services, but the landscapers are
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supervised by the grounds committee of which I have always been a member. Scattered within the community are 8 large courtyards with many mature and specimen trees. As you know, maintaining gardens in this horticultural zone requires constantly reeducating the residents, about 50% whom leave for the north in April for six months. Las year the Committee, with the help and collaboration of the Pinellas County Extension Service, adopted the new project of “Florida Friendly Landscaping” based on the nine principles of plant selection, cultivation and conservation, as well as garden design. Florida communities have taken on these principles mainly due to the rapidly diminishing aquafer and the need to pay attention to this fact of life here before it’s too late. My community has embraced this enthusiastically. We have held lectures and visited local nurseries which specialize in native varieties. Irrigation here is with reclaimed water but not all varieties do well with this non-potable water. It’s been lots of fun and a serious learning curve for Florida gardeners. My best wishes to all and keep up the excellent work.
Respectfully submitted by SPGC Corresponding Secretary, Birlie Lau
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