Garden Chat

Mt. Cuba News

2012-01-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

Dear gardening friends -

I'm inviting you to get connected online at Mt. Cuba Center Connect! Today marks the release of our third distance learning class, "Moss Gardening." I'm so excited about this new addition to our program that I'm offering the friends of Mt. Cuba Center a discount on the price of the class. Instead of $25, use the promotion code "bluets" when purchasing the class, and you'll pay just $20.

In the class, you'll find videos featuring two of our most moss-savvy gardeners, Renee Kemmerer and Marcie Weigelt. Renee will show you how to select and prepare your site for growing, how to encourage moss that may already be there, and how to transplant from another site. Marcie wields her flat-blade knife and demonstrates the process of removing moss in preparation for transplanting, as well as how to keep your moss bed clean - a "very Zen-like" experience, according to Marcie! Our guest instructor is Dr. Alice Waegel, who shares her knowledge of the biology of mosses.

This is the one class that I know will always fill up quickly when we offer it onsite at our wonderful moss bank. With the online class, there's unlimited enrollment and you can enjoy it any time you like. Go to www.mtcubacenter.org and click on the Distance Learning button to get started. And whether I see you onsite or online, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.

Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle

Public Programs Manager

Garden Club of Springfield Invitation

2012-01-05T11:34:00.000-05:00

The Garden Club of Springfield invites members from Garden Clubs in District I to their February Meeting, Wednesday, February 22 at 11:00 AM at the Springfield Township Building, 50 Powell Rd., Springfield, PA. The speaker will be Eva Monheim, noted horticulturist, writer, artist, lecturer and certified arborist. Her topic is “Arranging the Spring Harvest” She will demonstrate endless variations of arrangements using fruits, vegetables, foliage and flowers.

Her website is http://www.evamonheim.com/about.html

A nominal fee of $5 will be charged for the lecture. All arrangements will be raffled off after the program

January at Mt. Cuba

2012-01-05T11:31:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! Greetings from Mt. Cuba Center! On behalf of the staff here, I wish you the best that 2012 can bring.

Take a look at the image above - do you see how the bare tree branches have a beauty of their own? Guest speaker Vincent Simeone will take a look at the hidden characteristics of trees and shrubs in Enhance Your Winter Landscape (Saturday, January 14, 1-3PM, $25.) There will be a dessert reception and book signing as well. Gregg Tepper discusses the unique ways in which native plants appeal to each of our senses in the Sensory Appeal of Native Plants class (Saturday, January 21, 1:30-3:00, $20.) He'll share surprising fact, true stories and outstanding photographs of favorite wildflowers.

I hope you've had a chance to look at our distance learning program, Mt. Cuba Center Connect. Our fern and hummingbird classes are ready and waiting for you to enjoy at any time of the day or night. (Don't forget to use the promotion code "lonicera" for a 20% discount on the hummingbird class!) Coming in late January - "Moss Gardening," an always popular topic at Mt. Cuba Center, and the virtual version will never sell-out.

Take a few minutes to visit our website, http://www.mtcubacenter.org/, and see everything that is going on here. Even in the quiet season, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you onsite and online.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Mt Cuba Center Launches Distance Learning Program

2011-11-16T17:10:00.000-05:00

Mt. Cuba Center, the region’s premier native plant garden, has launched Mt. Cuba Center Connect, an online resource for the study of native plants, accessible from a computer or mobile device. Mt. Cuba Center Connect captures a selection of Mt. Cuba Center’s live education programs, informational handouts, and plant videos and makes them available online and on demand. The first class, The Ferns at Mt. Cuba Center is now available for purchase for $40. Go to http://www.mtcubacenter.org/ and click on the Distance Learning button to learn more.

Additional classes will become available in the next few months. Topics include Hummingbirds in Your Garden, Moss Gardening, and The Meadow Plants at Mt. Cuba Center. “These are some of the most popular classes that we offer at Mt. Cuba Center,” says Eileen Boyle, Public Programs Manager at Mt. Cuba Center. “But our facilities and small parking lot limited the number of people who could participate. Online classes have no limitations when it comes to enrollment.”

The former estate of Mr. and Mrs. Lammot du Pont Copeland, Mt. Cuba Center is a non-profit organization set on nearly 600 acres in the rolling hills of northern Delaware. Their mission is to foster an appreciation for plants of the Appalachian Piedmont and the conservation of their environment through garden display, education, and research.

For more information, contact Jeanette Zipf, Communications Coordinator, 302-239-4244, X. 243

November at Mt. Cuba Center

2011-11-16T16:54:00.000-05:00

Chilly weather, brilliant color, and the first snow of the season. What else can it be but November at Mt. Cuba Center!

Coming up this Saturday - your last chance to see the meadow with its fall highlights during Meadow Studies - Late Fall. Take home one last meadow plant too! (November 5, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, $10.) Also, there are a few seats left for the Historic Ramble: Ghosts of the Past (November 5, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM, $25). Hear local historian Nedda Moqtaderi share the rich legacy of family farms and active milling complexes that once dotted the land which is now Mt. Cuba Center. Dress for the weather for this class, as you will be outside for part of the day. Also, we wind up another season of public garden tours this week. I cordially invite you to enjoy one more walk through the fall garden before it goes to bed.
Our November schedule includes classes for artists (Nature Art Cards, Thursday, November 10, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM, $20), bird watchers (Autumn Sunrise at the Bird Blind, Sunday, November 13, 7-9 AM, $25) and plant lovers. (Grow Wildflowers from Seed, Wednesday, November 16, 9:30 AM - 12 Noon, $20). No matter what your interest, when it comes to native plants, you'll find something to learn with us. As always, we want to be prepared for your visit. Visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/ or call 302-239-4244 for reservations.

Finally, don't miss your chance for a free preview of our new distance learning program, Mt. Cuba Center Connect. Check your inbox for a separate message from me with information about registration and enrollment and how this program can make the study of native plants more accessible to you.

As always, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you, onsite and online!

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Holiday Centerpiece Workshop

2011-11-01T19:24:00.000-04:00

Four Season Garden Club of Kennett Square is having a Holiday Centerpiece Workshop - Make your own centerpiece-all materials provided-assorted fresh greens, container and accessories ( ribbon, colored glass balls, pine cones, branch material and much more ). Instruction is provided, no experience required.

$30 per person includes a homemade light lunch provided by members. Event is held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, Route 82, Saturday, December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bring gloves and clippers.

E-mail lsfleur1@hotmail.com for a registration form.

Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan 'Chrismas Country Fair' on Dec. 3

2011-11-01T17:09:00.000-04:00

The Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan will hold it's Christmas Country
Fair on Saturday, December 3rd from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M at the 1756
Uwchlan Meeting House, 5 N. Village Avenue, Lionville, PA. Stop by
for fresh local evergreen wreaths, swags, centerpieces, boxwood trees,
holly and cut greens for decorating. Homemade goodies, attic treasures,
jewelry, and more. The kitchen is open at 11:00 A.M. for homemade soup,
sandwiches, and dessert. Proceeds benefit the historic Uwchlan Meeting House.
For additional information, please call 610-363-6549.

Free On-line Course from Mt. Cuba

2011-11-01T16:52:00.000-04:00

Mt. Cuba Center is proud to announce the launch of our new distance learning program called Mt. Cuba Center Connect. As a valued member of the Mt. Cuba Center visitor community, we invite you to preview our first class, "The Ferns at Mt. Cuba Center" at no charge. All we ask is that you provide us with feedback on this innovative, on-demand look at ferns by filling out the short survey at the end of the course. This offer is good through November 14, 2011 so don't delay!

In the course, you will learn about fern landscape uses, companion plants, culture, biology, spore propagation and 26 native fern fact sheets and video guides. These topics are presented through a media rich, self- paced learning experience. Delve into an in-depth discovery of the charming world of ferns, accessible from your own home or office, at any time. Print out handouts for later and study your ferns!

To register, go to elearning.mtcubacenter.org and follow the directions on the right side of the screen to create your own account. Once logged in, select "Ferns at Mt. Cuba Center." Enter the enrollment key ferntastic when prompted. For information on new distance learning courses coming in December, January and February visit: www.mtcubacenter.org/education/distance-learning.

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

INSPIRATION - EDUCATION - CONSERVATION

October at Mt. Cuba Center

2011-10-14T20:17:00.000-04:00

Crisp fall greetings from Mt. Cuba Center! A Fall Harvest of Color perfectly describes the gardens changing from summer's green to fall's array of red, orange and yellow. It also describes our fall tour - still $5 and still a great way to spend a morning or afternoon with a gathering of friends.

Here's a quick overview of what's coming up this month - click on each class to learn more:

Meadow Studies (Saturday, October 8, 10:30AM-12:30PM, $10) with Dave Korbonits. Take home an 'October Sky' aromatic aster too.

The Dragon's Lair: Creating Dragonfly Habitat (Saturday, October 15, 10AM-12 Noon, $30). Meet Christine Cook, landscape designer from Easton, CT and learn how to create a place in your garden for dragonflies

Energy-Wise Landscape Design (Saturday, October 22, 10:30AM-12:30PM, $20). Discover how to reduce your landscape energy consumption with Sue Reed, award-winning author and registered landscape architect.

Autumnal Native Fruits (Wednesday, October 26, 1-3PM, $10). Join me in learning which native plants produce the most colorful and interesting fruits in your garden.

Planting for Native Bees (Saturday, October 29, 10AM-1PM, $35, including lunch). Sam Droege, wildlife biologist, discusses how to choose plants that attract native Delaware bee species, and you'll take home one of those plants to get started.

Fall Photography Free Stroll (Saturday and Sunday sessions, October 29 and 30.) Staff photographer Chris Starr offers advice and ideas.

As always, reservations are required for classes and tours - we want to be prepared for your visit. At this time of the year especially, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you!

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Watershed Congress

2011-09-21T19:05:00.000-04:00

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is pleased to announce the Call for Presenters for the 2012 Watershed Congress along the Schuylkill. The 2012 Watershed Congress will be held Saturday, March 10th, at the Montgomery County Community College-West Campus in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. 2012 marks the Watershed Congress's 15th anniversary.
With a focus on networking across disciplines and a goal of presenting new information about watershed restoration, the Watershed Congress has become a highly anticipated event for watershed citizens interested in understanding, protecting and restoring their local streams. Every year, a growing and changing group of individuals attends the Congress to gain new knowledge, acquire tools, and practice techniques that will allow them to take active roles in the stewardship of their natural resources.

The Watershed Congress Organizing Committee, which is chaired by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, is now accepting session proposals. For more information about the Call for Presenters, go to: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/Pdf/2012_Call-for-Presenters.pdf. Sessions must include a question and answer component. Hands-on, interactive presentations are encouraged.

Submissions are due October 31st, 2011. Please submit presentation proposals online at: http://tinyurl.com/2012Congress-CallforPresenters.

Help us protect and conserve our natural resources by sharing your expertise with a concerned and active audience. Past participants requested the following topics, but we will consider all suggestions:

Removing Sediment & Nutrients from Stormwater . Primer on Pennsylvania Geology . Techniques for Hands-on Invasive Species Control . Studies of Pollutants in Fracking Wastewater . Building Volunteer Programs . Assessing Costs of Development . Macroinvertebrates Identification . New Best Management Practices for Stormwater . Total Maximum Daily Loads for Restoring Water Quality . Managing Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems . Working on Urban Rivers Restoration . Update on Marcellus Shale . New Fundraising/Funding Possibilities . Habitat Restoration . Expanding Collaboration Beyond Environmental Organizations . Wetland Identification . Groundwater/Well Water Management . Rain Gardens for the Home Owner . Landscaping with Native Plants . Economic Valuation of Clean Water . Monitoring Water Quality Techniques and Tools . Preserving Biodiversity in Ecosystems . Update on Previous Congress Presentations

More information about the Watershed Congress is can be found at: http://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/about/event.aspx?Id=63

Art Classes at Mt. Cuba - FUN!!!

2011-09-15T17:51:00.000-04:00

It's craft time at Mt. Cuba Center! Coming up in the next few weeks are some great opportunities to enjoy a variety of hands-on classes and take home something you've made. Each class draws on native plant material to inspire your creation.

The Leaf Impression Tile Project on Wednesday, September 21 ($40) starts with a walk in the woods to gather leaves from our native plants. Then you'll use them to make impressions for nature print tiles. The artwork will be fired and glazed at the instructor's studio, and returned in shining glory. There are morning and afternoon sessions - sign up for one or both.

Who doesn't love pop-up cards? Learn the basics of pop-up construction and use inspiration from the natural world to decorate fun moving cards in Nature-Inspired Pop-Up Cards (Friday, September 23, 10AM - 3PM, $35.) All materials and supplies will be provided.

I'll be leading the Make a Birdhouse Gourd class on Wednesday, September 28 (1-4PM, $20.) I've grown the gourds in my own garden and look forward to sharing ideas and seeing the creations you make. Please join me for the afternoon!

As always, reservations are required - we want to be sure that there are enough materials for all the classes. Call 302-239-4244 or visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/. I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

ENTRIES STILL OPEN FOR LONGWOOD FLOWER SHOW

2011-09-15T17:42:00.000-04:00

Kennett Square, PA –“Floral Notes”, a Standard Flower Show by five National Garden Club member clubs is to be held under the auspices of the Visitor Education Department of Longwood Gardens on September 24 and 25 at Longwood Gardens. Two design entries are available: Waltz, a Pedestal class and Rock and Roll, a niche class. Interested persons should contact Peggy Hartwick, Longwood Flower Show Chairman, at 610.363.7545 as soon as possible.
Clubs planning the flower show include Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square, Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square, The Garden Class of the Woman’s Community Club of Uwchlan, The Country Gardeners and the Wayne Woods Garden Club. A bi-annual event, this show has been held 12 times over the past 21 years.

All gardeners and flower arrangers are invited to exhibit. It is not necessary to be a member of a garden club. All entries should follow the rules in “The Handbook For Flower Shows”. Judges from New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania will follow National Garden Clubs Standards for judging entries.

Staging a flower show for the public helps support the purpose of garden clubs everywhere – to stimulate interest and knowledge of gardening, flower arranging and conservation. These days with a renewed interest in gardening as a way of beautifying, feeding and saving our planet, visitors to the Longwood Flower Show will be thrilled, impressed and educated by the efforts and results of gardeners in our community.

For information about this release contact: (not for publication)

Laurie Reynolds Taylor, Publicity Chair, Longwood Flower Show

107 Violet Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348

610.925.1886; cell: 302.750.2388

laurietaylor107@earthlink.net

September at Mt. Cuba

2011-09-09T22:29:00.000-04:00

Dear gardening friends,
September - a time to get back to learning while savoring the cooler weather. You can combine both at Mt. Cuba Center when you enjoy classes and tours in our native plant gardens.

The fall season begins with Peter Loewer, a well-known and honored botanical illustrator from Asheville, North Carolina. Peter has written over thirty books on gardening and natural history, including the award-winning The Wild Gardener and Thoreau's Garden. Hear his presentation, Art in the Garden: History of Botanical Art on Saturday, September 10 (1PM-3PM, $30). Other classes to inspire the artist in you include the Leaf Impression Tile Project (Wednesday, September 21, choose morning or afternoon session, $40 per session), Nature-Inspired Pop-up Cards (Friday, September 23, 10AM-3PM, $35), and Make a Birdhouse Gourd (Wednesday, September 28, 1-4PM, $20).

Classes that take you outside include Great Native Plants for the Perennial Border, (Wednesday, September 14, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, $20), and Meadow Studies (Saturday, September 17, 10:30AM-12:30PM, $10). Both classes include a plant giveaway and expert advice on maintaining them in picture-perfect style. If you just can't resist more plants, join Gregg and Julia for The Native Plant Buying Trip, a day-long visit to locations in the Garden State of New Jersey (Thursday, September 22, 8AM-5PM, $70.) For details on this trip and other classes, visit www.mtcubacenter.org or call 302-239-4244.

It's always an exciting time when tours begin again - this year it's on Thursday, September 15 and the fee is still just $5. You'll be able to visit the new "Art in Nature" exhibition in our gallery, featuring works by local photographers and artists, inspired by the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center.

As always, I look forward to sharing that beauty with you.

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Chester County Town Tours and Village Walks

2011-08-08T17:24:00.000-04:00

Though there are only three left for this year, these tours are worth the trip. Next year you might want to sign up for all of them.

August 11

Phoenixville Historic District

August 18

Hopewell Furnace, National Historic Site

August 25

Hibernia Mansion and Ironmaster Plantation

Check out the website,http://www.chesco.org/ccparks/cwp/view.asp?a=1551&q=622016, for all the information.

Definitely worth it and FREE!!!

August News from Mt. Cuba

2011-08-08T17:18:00.000-04:00

Dear Gardening Friends,

Hot August days are here and the gardens at Mt. Cuba Center are resting. Our public tours will resume on September 15, starting with the Autumnal Wildflower Garden Tour. Just imagine the cooler weather and fall color to come!

Don't stay away, however, as there are still classes going on all month. Come see the progress that Vic Piatt has made on the Mt. Cuba Center Scree Garden (Wednesday, August 10, 10AM-12Noon, $20.) Learn about rock plants of interest in the summer through fall, and take home a rock garden plant. During the next session of Meadow Studies (Saturday, August 13, 10AM-12Noon, $10), meet the lady and gentleman of the meadow, black-eyed Susan and Joe-Pye weed, along with all their friends. One of them may be coming home with you! If butterflies fascinate you, discover the most common types during Butterflies in Your Garden (Saturday, August 20, 1-3PM, $20). Eileen Boyle and Dave Korbonits will show you how to attract these beauties to your garden, and send you home with a native plant that butterflies love. All of these classes include a visit to areas in the garden.

Finally, look for the Fall-Winter Program Guide which will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Favorite classes, a buying trip, and new opportunities are all on the schedule. Plus, you'll learn more about Mt. Cuba Center Connect, our distance learning program that launches this fall.

For more information, visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/, or call 302-239-4244. I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you soon.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

July at Mt. Cuba Center

2011-07-14T20:24:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the sultry summer month of July! As the heat begins to build, the warm-season plants at Mt. Cuba Center begin to shine. Lilium canadense, hydrangea quercifolia, and lobelia cardinalis make a colorful show all month long. See these beauties in the evening cool of our Summer Twilight Tour - Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM

The ever-changing meadow takes center stage in July. Our popular Meadow Studies class will be held on Saturday, July 9, from 10AM-12 Noon ($10). Dave Korbonits will walk you through the area that he has tended for over 20 years. If you prefer plant studies, investigate The Wonders of Milkweed (Friday, July 15, 9-11AM, $20.) You'll take home a milkweed plant to grow on your own. Great Native Plants for the Perennial Border (Wednesday, July 20, 10AM-12 Noon, $20) focuses on plants that love the sun, maintenance tips, and design strategies that will enhance your perennial garden. Take home a perennial for your border.

Out in the natural lands area, Limnology Lessons: Pond Study lets you see life beneath our 2 1/2 acre man-made pond. This late afternoon class involves a wade in the water, so wear wading shoes and shorts. (Saturday, July 16, 4-6 PM, $20.) This class will meet at the Mt. Cuba Center stables, 2936 Barley Mill Road.

Registration for the 2011 Native Orchid Conference at Mt. Cuba Center is still open. This four-day event - July 30, 31, August 1 and 2 - includes two days of lectures and two days of field trips. Full conference information and a registration form can be found on the Native Orchid Conference page of the Mt. Cuba Center website, http://www.mtcubacenter.org/. You can sign up for all events and tours there as well.

As always, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

National, Regional and District Officers, 2011-13

2011-06-12T20:57:00.000-04:00

National, Regional and District Officers

for 2011-13

GCFP President ( Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania)

Theme: 'Growing Stronger Through Seeds of Service'

Gail S. Corle, President

gscorle@verizon.net
website: http://www.pagardenclubs.org/

CAR Director ( Central Atlantic Region)

Theme: 'Gardening with Pride, Honoring Home, Community and Country'

Jeanne Nelson, Director

jtnelson@optonline.net
website: http://www.gardencentral.org/car

NGC President (National Garden Clubs, Inc.)

Theme: 'Proudly Serving Our Members and Communities'

Shirley Nicolai, President

shirleynicolai@verizon.net
website: http://www.gardenclub.org/

District I Director

Theme: 'Weaving together garden clubs-district-community-one member at a time'

Linda Southerling, Director

lsfleur1@hotmail.com

blog: http://www.gardenchatpa.org/

GCFP headquarters

Lee Ann Stine

1525 Cedar Cliff Drive, STE 103

Camp Hill, PA 17011-7707

717-737-8219

gcfp2@aol.com

Keystone Gardener Editor

Marcy Cunkelman

kgeditor@dishmail.net

Mt. Cuba Center in June

2011-06-06T11:45:00.000-04:00

The Delightful Diversity of the Heath Family - what a delightful way to start your June garden education! From azaleas to blueberries, the heath family (Ericaceae) has a broad appeal. Join our director, Rick Lewandowski, for talking and walking, Wednesday, June 8, 1-3 PM, $20, and take home a plant from the heath family.

The following Wednesday, June 15, learn about ferns with Marcie Weigelt, the Pond Garden horticulturist, as she leads the Fern Walk, (10-11:30 AM, $20.) Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy these feathery delights.

As always, the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center can inspire the inner artist in you. For two Saturdays in June, enjoy Painting by the Pond in Summer, led by Sarah Yeoman, watercolor artist and teacher (June 11 & 18, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM, $60). All media are welcome. Check the full class description on our website.

The Native Orchid Conference at Mt. Cuba Center will be held on July 30, 31, August 1, and 2. This is the first time this conference has been held in Delaware - join your fellow orchid lovers in sharing knowledge of and interest in these elegant beauties.

Summer twilight tours continue until the end of July - consider getting together a group of friends after work - relax and refresh in the cool of late afternoon.

As always, you can register for classes and tours at www.mtcubacenter.org, or by calling 302-239-4244. Finally, help spread the word - forward this message to a friend!

I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with everyone.

Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

2011-05-31T20:36:00.000-04:00

See the gardens in a different light!

Summer Twilight Tours

Mt. Cuba Center

Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM through July 28

$5 per person

Make your reservations at http://www.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=827&pid=148428&pvt=mcc

May at Mt. Cuba

2011-05-08T20:26:00.000-04:00

First of all, thank you to everyone who visited us on Sunday, May 1. Nearly 3,000 guests came to see our gardens in all of their spring glory. I hope you were one of them.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 4, (7 PM-9 PM) please join me in welcoming Eric Toensmeier, co-author of Edible Forest Gardens, to talk about Gardening Like the Forest. This course introduces the vision of forest gardening with some scientific background, a few living examples, and a sampling of some useful perennial edibles you can use in your own garden. You'll take home a plant as well. Cost of the class, including refreshments, is $25.

Other classes coming up this month include Backyard Invasive Plants, (Saturday, May 7, 10 AM-1 PM, $25), with Jim Subach, our natural lands manager. You'll see over 30 live specimens of alien/invasive plants. Seating is limited for this class. Jeanne Frett continues her study of native spring wildflowers on Tuesday, May 10 & 11 (An Introduction to Native Spring Wildflowers, 1-3 PM, $40). Also on May 11, Vic Piatt highlights scree garden plants for spring and summer and how to use them in a garden setting. (10 AM-12 Noon, $20). For artists, sign up for Botanical Illustration: Native Azaleas on May 12 &19, (2 sessions, $55, 1-3 PM for both days.) Finally, on Saturday, May 14, join Dr. David L. Wagner from the University of Connecticut as he explores the secret world of caterpillars in The Myriad Defenses of Caterpillars (1-3 pm, $25.)

Finally, our daytime public garden tours will continue through May 27. For a different look and feel, the Summer Twilight Tour begins on Thursday, May 19. For a complete list of events, click here or call 302-239-4244

It's spring at Mt. Cuba Center and there's no better time to come and visit. I look forward to sharing the beauty of this place with you soon!

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center on May 1, 2011

2011-04-26T21:42:00.000-04:00

Experience the wonders of naturalistic gardening at the region’s finest woodland wildflower garden during the Seventh Annual Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center, scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2011 from 10AM to 4PM. This celebration of spring offers visitors the once-a-year opportunity to stroll the grounds at their leisure while enjoying learning stations, live music, family activities and much more. As always, there is no admission fee for the day.

New this year, especially for families with children, is “The Journey from Caterpillar to Butterfly.” Starting at the entrance to the gardens, guests will receive a folder introducing the journey and what to expect. As families move from station to station, they’ll learn about caterpillars, what they eat, who eats them, and finally, which butterfly they’ve become. It will be fun for everyone.

Returning for a second year is the “Wildflower Challenge.” Learn four different wildflowers while strolling the gardens, then take the Challenge and win a 2-for-1 coupon for a Mt. Cuba Center garden tour. Also returning are the learning stations, highlighting native azaleas, meadow plants and plants that will attract butterflies.

Parking for the event will be at Red Clay Reservation on Old Wilmington Road, just east of Brackenville Rd. Shuttle buses or a foot path will take you to Mt. Cuba Center. The gardens are not wheelchair or stroller accessible and pets are not permitted. The parking area closes at 3:30 PM.

For more information about the Seventh Annual Wildflower Celebration, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244.
For further information and photos, contact Jeanette Zipf, Communications Coordinator at Mt. Cuba Center, 302-239-4244 X243, or jzipf@mtcubacenter.org.
Jeanette P. Zipf
Communications Coordinator
Mt. Cuba Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 3570
Greenville, DE 19807-0570
Telephone: 302-239-4244 ext. 243
FAX: 302-239-5366
http://www.mtcubacenter.org/

Mt. Cuba in April

2011-04-01T18:01:00.000-04:00

Dear gardening friends,

How would you choose to greet spring? Many of us would choose a garden where there are classes, tours, an art show, and more to welcome this favorite time of the year. On April 6, Vic Piatt begins the Mt. Cuba Center Scree Garden Study (10AM-12 Noon, $20). This session reviews the scree garden construction at Mt. Cuba Center, plus you'll take home a rock garden plant. On April 12 & 13, the Introduction to Native Spring Wildflowers series begins (1-3PM, $40). The class will cover the identification and cultivation of 36 outstanding species. Additional classes are scheduled for April 26 and May 10. If you'd like to focus on just one type of spring plant, choose from Designing with Native Mosses on April 16, (10:30AM - 12:30PM, $20) or Trilliums to Know and Grow on April 20 (10:30AM-12:30PM, $20.) A sure sign of spring at Mt. Cuba Center is - guests in the garden! The Spring Wildflower Tours begin on Thursday, April 14 and the price remains $5 for the two-hour walk with one of our trained docents.

Also in the month of April - "Beauty in Detail," an exhibition of work created by students in our art and photography classes. The gallery will be open on Saturdays from 10AM to 3 PM during tour season.

Finally, just a save-the-date reminder - the Seventh Annual Wildflower Celebration will be on Sunday, May 1 from 10AM to 4 PM. You'll get more detailed information as the date gets closer. Please visit www.mtcubacenter.org to see the entire list of spring and summer events.

This is such an exciting season at Mt. Cuba Center - I look forward to sharing it with you soon!
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Plant Sale in Kennett Square

2011-04-01T17:10:00.000-04:00

The 45th. Annual Kennett Square Beautification Spring Plant Sale

at Genesis Walkway in the heart of Kennett Square

Sat. April 30, 2011 from 8am to 1pm

There will be a variety of plants – annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, herbs, native plants, bedding plants, vegetable plants, grasses, plants grown and dug by garden club members and members of the community and a raffle for a container of herbs. All proceeds benefit Kennett Square Beautification with trees and container plantings.

Programs at the Upper Merion Township Building

2011-03-28T17:07:00.000-04:00

Heirloom Vegetable Gardening

Saturday, April 2 at 12 noon

with William Woys Weaver

at the Upper Merion Township Building in Freedom Hall

Dr. Weaver is a food historian, culinary author, editor and educator. He will speak on the rising popularity of heirloom food plants and how they are making a comeback AND they taste better and are better for you!. He is an expert on the origins of American cookery and the traditional kitchen garden. He lectures at the Smithsonian, Monticello, and more; offers hands on workshops at his historic home in Devon, and is launching the Keystone Center for the Study of Regional Foods. Whether you like to grow your own vegetable, or just like to eat good food that’s good for you, don’t miss this captivating presentation.

Container Herb Gardening

with Master Gardener Peggy Rastiello

Saturday, April 16 at 1pm

A container herb garden can be more than functional. It can be beautiful! Celebrate Earth Day by growing herbs for your kitchen year round on your windowsill, porch or deck. This event is being held in conjunction with Upper Merion's Earth Day events at the township building. The class will move indoors in case of inclement weather.

Contact:

Marianne Hooper, Program Coordinator

Upper Merion Township Library

175 W. Valley Forge Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

610-265-4805

Ruth Bittman Receives Award

2011-03-27T20:27:00.002-04:00

"Ruth Bittmann (left) was recently awarded a certificate by Donna

Anderson, Chairman of the Garden Class of the Woman’s Community Club of

Uwchlan, for fifty (50) continuous years of membership. Golden daffodils

have been planted in her honor at the historic Uwchlan Meeting House, 5

North Village Avenue, Lionville, PA."

Congratulations Ruth!

Chrysanthemum Society National Convention and Show at Longwood

2011-03-23T19:42:00.000-04:00

"Symphony of Mums" has been chosen as the theme for the 2011 National Convention

and Show. The dates are Thursday, October 27th through Sunday October 30, 2011.

The theme fits into the overall theme of "Sounds" that Longwood Gardens has chosen for 2011.

Galen L. Goss, the general chair, is looking for participants from local garden clubs to enter

specimens and designs for the horticulture and design sections. The Ballroom can be used for bloom

preparations from 8:00am until 5:00pm on Friday October 28th and and from 7:00am to 8:00am

on Saturday. Access to the Fern Floor Exhibition Hall for bloom entries will start at 10:00am on Friday

but must end by 5:00 pm that day.

If you are interested in participating in this event, the show schedule can be viewed at http://www.mums.org/.

The schedule will not be complete until April 15, (dimensions still have to be added) but can be

partially viewed now. This is a standard flower show. Anyone can enter

There are 40 chapters in the USA but none locally, so they need the garden clubs to drum up local

support.

Kennett Symphony Orchestra Benefit - SymphonyScape

2011-03-23T19:31:00.000-04:00

A Day to Inspire & Savor...

10:30 am - Gourmet Coffee, Teas and Mozart Mimosas

The Garden Path

Shopping open all day

Consultation by Master Gardeners, Horticulturalists & Arborists

Tempting Raffle Baskets

11:15 am - Morning Presentation

Drew Becher

12:00 noon - The Garden Path

Shopping, Conversation, Cash Bar

12:30 pm - Spring Luncheon Buffet

Cash Bar

1:15 pm - Afternoon Presentation

Greg Lawrence

The Garden Path

Vendors will stay open until 3:00 pm

for your shopping pleasure

A selection of music for the day provided by the Copeland String Quartet

Participating SymphonyScape Vendors: Waldor Orchids, Garden Accents, Willowdale Country Store, The Kitchen Sink, Brandywine River Museum, The Organic Mechanics Soil Company, LCC, Tastefully Simple and Sara’s Country Chocolates.

Sponsored in part by Horizon Services, Inc.

Tickets - $85 - Reservations limited

Reserved tables of 10 are available

For tickets,

call 610-444-6363

or e-mail info@kennettsymphony.org

Spade and Trowel Garden Club enter the PHS Flower Show

2011-03-21T19:33:00.000-04:00

SPADE AND TROWEL GARDEN CLUB

ANNUAL PARTICIPANT IN

PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW

Last week many in our area enjoyed ‘Springtime in Paris’ at the 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show. Several Spade and Trowel Garden Club members played an active organizational role in the world’s largest indoor flower show. Alice Bucher and Tala Graham of Kennett Square were chair and assistant respectively of ‘Judges and Awards’; Beverly Schmitt of Thornton was vice-chair of ‘Store Windows’; Diane Mateson of Chadds Ford chaired ‘Documents’; and Kris Qualls of Wilmington, DE chaired ‘Front Porches’. Courtney Peterson of Lincoln University was on the show’s executive board and was a vendor at the show.

Several members entered individual competitions. Alice Bucher took home an Honorable Mention for her streptocarpus, a challenge plant in a horticulture division, and she entered a miniature in a design class. Kris Qualls’ miniature ‘Bric-a-Brac’ took a Blue Ribbon while Tala Graham’s design won an Honorable Mention in the same division. In the jewelry category first time entrant Caryn Hetherston teamed up with her daughter Tyler Ruth to win an Honorable Mention by producing a brooch and earrings made from plant material. Beverly Schmitt’s ‘Champagne’ entry in small niches won an Honorable Mention.

For the flower show to run smoothly, volunteers are needed on many levels. Besides the members who volunteer year-round on the organizational level, last week Jackie Blake worked the Horticulture Court and Margaret Hennes and Stefi Jackson were Judges’ Clerks.

"Getting Down and Dirty - Gardening from the Ground Up"

2011-03-21T19:15:00.000-04:00

"Getting Down and Dirty - Gardening from the Ground Up"

15th Annual Home Gardeners' School

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Saturday, April 9.

The event is presented by Penn State Master Gardeners, Delaware County, with outstanding Delaware Valley Speakers. The location is the Conference Center - Penn State Great Valley Campus, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355. Registration forms can be printed at http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/MG/MG_events.html

Home Gardeners' School Program Highlights:
- My what great bone structure your garden has! Rick Lewandowski, Director of Mt. Cuba Center explores how the thoughtful choice and placement of native plants and shrubs in key areas can greatly enhance the quality and charactor of your garden throughout the year.

- 10 Tips for a More Bountiful Garden. When and how to amend the soil, judicious watering and best practices for keeping accurate garden records are just a few of the topics Penn State Senior Extension Educator Scott D. Guiser covers in his presentation of useful tactics that both novice and experienced gardeners can employ to improve the quantity and qualify of veggies from their home gardens.

- Sustainable Landscaping: What is it? How do I do it? For most homeowners, lawn is the default landscaping option. But there are so many other attractive and earth-friendly alternatives. Discover how to let site conditions guide your landscape choices while promoting biodiversity and creating a wildlife-friendly habitat from Susan Barton, PhD, a faculty member in the Dept. of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Delaware.

- Peonies, the unabashed "Queens of the Garden". Eleanor Tickner, owner of A Peony Garden, and a Master Gardener, gives you a glimpse of her newest passion, early blooning peonies, both species and hybrids.

- Lasagna Gardening. Forget digging and tilling! Master Gardener and science instructor Leslie Trimble describes how to prepare a new garden or enlarge an existing one by layering organic materials, then allowing Mother Nature to do the rest. This earth-friendly, back-saving technique produces rich, hospitable garden soil, saves time and money plus yields terrific crops.

Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to browse and buy in the ever-popular Master Gardener Marketplace, featuring a variety of affordable plants, herbs, perennials, peonies and small shrubs; hypertufa container butterfly gardens; nature-inspired jewelry, and a unique blend of eco-inspired garden artwork and crafts that are truly one-of-a-kind.

The $50 registration fee includes conference materials, continental breakfast and box lunch. Register before March 25 and save $5 per person, paying just $45 for this information- packed program and fun-filled gardening gathering. Better yet, bring a friend – two registrations together, $80 by 3/25. Send checks, payable to DCCE, to: The Master Gardeners, Penn State Cooperative Extension Delaware County, Smedley Park, 20 Paper Mill Road, Springfield, PA 19064-2705.

For more information and /or to register, contact Master Gardeners at 610-690-7669, and visit our website: http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/

Thank you for your help in sharing the agenda for this fun and exciting event!
Brenda Smyth

HGS 2011 Publicity & Outreach team

Wildflower Workshop at Bowman't Hill Wildflower Preserve

2011-03-08T21:17:00.000-05:00

Sponsored by the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania

Wildflower Workshop at

Bowman't Hill Wildflower Preserve

1635 River Road

New Hope, PA 18938

http://www.bhwp.org/

April 20, 2011

Cost $6.00

Spring Spectacular: Native Treasures of Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

Amy Hoffmann

Registration deadline is April 6, 2011

Agenda

Registration is 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. Welcome and Announcements

2:00-2:15 Break

2:15-3:15 Guided Tour

Registrar: Kay Wilson

412-731-8205

kwwilson63@yahoo.com

Look on GCFP website: http://www.pagardenclubs.org/ under Calendar, April 20 for registration form.

March at Mt. Cuba

2011-03-08T21:03:00.000-05:00

After another long winter, we're finally able to see the light - the days are getting longer and maybe you've been able to see the first buds of spring in your yard. Here at Mt. Cuba Center, we've been thinking "Spring" for quite a while! Check your mailbox this week for our newest Program Guide, full of classes and events to inspire and educate.

Coming up this Saturday is the Going Native Mini-Symposium," (10am-2pm, $75) a sneak peak at plant research and nursery trends. Steve Castorani, president of North Creek Nurseries in Landenberg, PA, plus Peggy Anne Montgomery and Donna Wiley of Mt. Cuba Center's staff will educate you on numerous native plant research developments. The fee includes morning refreshments, lunch and a sampler box of six hot native plants for you to try in your garden.
Looking ahead, save the date - May 1, from 10AM to 4 PM. It's the Seventh Annual Wildflower Celebration - our fun, festive and FREE day - the whole family is invited. This year, learning stations will highlight native azaleas, meadow plants, and plants that will attract butterflies. The popular Wildflower Challenge is back, and we've added a special family activity, "The Journey from Caterpillar to Butterfly," an interactive, fun experience especially for kids from 4 to 11 years old. Parking is also free, and still at Red Clay Reservation, off Old Wilmington Rd.

Finally, Mt. Cuba Center is pleased to partner with the Native Orchid Conference by hosting the 2011 annual gathering on July 30 and 31. Orchid lovers and experts will be gathering from all parts of the United States and Canada to learn about hardy orchids and observe them in their native habitat. Find out more on the Native Orchid Conference page of the Mt. Cuba Center website. Look for the button marked "Native Orchid Conference."

There's so much going on in the next few months and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Looking for New Programs for Your Club?

2011-03-06T20:31:00.000-05:00

If your looking for exciting programs for your club, why not look to GCFP District I affiliates.

Check out Tyler Arboretum, Longwood Gardens, and Scott Arboretum for speakers. The affiliates always have programs and classes with great speakers, so check them out. Most are local and willing to bring their program to your club.

Also, Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware has a program guide with many interesting programs that your members can signup for or maybe the speaker will come to you. Check out http://www.mtcubacenter.org/ for more information.

Plant Sale on May 7 in Lionville

2011-03-03T09:33:00.000-05:00

Garden Class of the Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan

Plant Sale
Saturday, May 7th

8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

1756 Uwchlan Meeting
House, Routes 100 and 113, Lionville, PA
Come early for the best selection of member grown perennials, shrubs and
trees. We're also offering local herbs, vegetables, geraniums, hanging
baskets, annuals, and more.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the historic Uwchlan Meeting House.
For further information, contact Mary Jo Schlomann, 610-269-8450, or
Darlene Snyder, 610-873-2376.

Ikebana Program

2011-03-02T15:12:00.000-05:00

Would your club like to learn more about Sogetsu which is one of the schools of Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging? Sumie Nishikawa is an accomplished designer and teacher who will present a program at your meeting. She can be contacted at sumiesn@comcast.net for more details.

Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia

2011-03-02T14:53:00.000-05:00

Japanese music, art, food and fun

Check out the website for all the events at the festival. Go to www.jasgp.org/cherryblossomfestival/ for all the details of the events which start on Friday, March 5 and end on Friday, April 15, 2011.

2011 GCFP 81st Annual Convention

2011-02-11T21:21:00.001-05:00

'The Best Antiques are Old Friends'

Skytop Lodge, Poconos

April 10-12, 2011

Come join other clubs and members at the convention in the beautiful Poconos. Check the Keystone Gardener, Winter 2010-11 issue for all the information on programs and workshops. Information is also available on the GCFP website, www.pagardenclubs.org.

Native Garden in Media

2011-02-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

Clubs looking for a local trip to a native garden will be rewarded when they stop by Martina Martin's garden in Media, PA. She welcomes clubs to view her beautiful and sustainable landscape. She can be contacted by e-mailing martinam4@verizon.net. Villanova Garden Club had a field trip to her yard and highly recommend it.

Mt. Cuba February Programs

2011-02-11T20:51:00.002-05:00

"Rain mixed with sleet - low 30s in morning."
A weather forecast from this week? No, an entry from the journal of a Mt. Cuba Center gardener, made on Monday, April 3, 1978. Through the careful documentation of the gardens' progress, we can look back and see just what was happening during a certain day, week or season. If you'd like to document the progress of your favorite plantings, join plant recorder Amy Highland on Saturday, February 19 (1-3PM) for the Garden Journaling Workshop. Bring your own journal and Amy will help you get started on filling it with many years of gardening memories. The class is $20 and includes lunch.
Other classes at Mt. Cuba Center during February include Shake Up Your Foundation, (Wednesday, February 9, 1- 2:30PM, $25), taught by Renee Kemmerer, our Dogwood Path horticulturist. Renee was recently featured in an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on attractive alternatives to tried-and-true foundation plantings. Join her in imagining a new look for your yard and learning how how to get it.
Finally, "the richest soil amendment known to gardening." Those are the words of Mark Highland, vermi-composting expert, and he's talking about...worms. Learn more in Worm Composting Made Easy on Wednesday, February 16 (5:30-7:30PM, $50). You'll take home a bin, complete with hard-working creatures and "the real poop on worms and their castings."
Even in the coldest winter, there are things going on in the garden. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244. As always, I look forward to sharing the (frozen) beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Head Start students learn the importance of giving

2011-01-19T20:13:00.000-05:00

Kennett Square, PA – Students at the Kennett Square Head Start Center have been anxiously awaiting Santa. However, on the Monday before his arrival, they shifted their attention to another important part of the holiday season with the help of the Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square.

Members visited the Head Start Center on Monday to spread holiday cheer and help students create their holiday centerpieces for their families.

“Our main goal was to help children learn the importance of the gift of giving,” said Ginny Schofield of the garden club. “The excited looks on the children’s faces as they put the centerpieces together were priceless. Who knows, maybe this will trigger an interest in gardening for some of them as well.”

According to Cindy Schofield, Child Development Specialist and Family Service Worker for Head Start and Ginny Schofield’s daughter-in-law, the club donated all of the supplies used for the holiday activity in four Head Start classrooms.

“This is a great opportunity for students to work with others in the community and to engage in a hands-on activity with natural materials,” said Cindy Schofield. “The students get to enjoy the process of creating their own centerpieces and then experience the joy of sharing it with their families.”

Head Start is a federally- and community-funded program that provides economically disadvantaged children the opportunity to begin school with the same experiences and learned skills as other children. The Chester County Head Start program provides comprehensive services to children aged three- to five-years old and their families. Services include: preschool, special education, mental health services, medical treatment, nutritional services, parenting education, and more.

The Chester County Head Start program is operated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit. For more information on the Head Start program, please click here.

Pictured Above: Students at the Kennett Square Head Start Center have been anxiously awaiting Santa. However, on the Monday before his arrival, students shifted their attention to another important part of the holiday season with the help of the Spade and Trowel Garden Club of Kennett Square. Pictured (standing from left to right) is: Ginny Schofield, Laurie Taylor, Randy Schofield, Denise Klein, and Marge Riley – members of the garden club; Adrienne Harris, Child Development Specialist, and Lucia Castro, Child Development Assistant for Head Start; and students in one of the center’s four Head Start classrooms displaying their holiday centerpieces.

January at Mt. Cuba

2011-01-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

While your garden is resting this month, you can be planning ahead. Mt. Cuba Center offers classes that will help you prepare for the warmer months to come. On January 12, Mark Highland, the "Organic Mechanic," shares his expertise in Backyard Composting, (5:30-7:30pm, $20). You've heard about it, you know you should do it, so come and learn how simple it is to make black gold from your garbage. If feathered folk interest you, hear Don Freiday talk about Owls and How to Find Them, (January 26, 6:30-8:30pm, $20). After an indoor presentation, you'll take a walk outside so dress for the weather. Finally, Enhance your Winter Landscape (January 29, 1-3pm, $25) by observing interesting characteristics in the garden that can only be seen at this time of year. We welcome Vincent Simeone, Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park on Long Island, New York for a presentation, a dessert reception and book signing.

Here at Mt. Cuba Center, we're also preparing for spring and summer 2011 with an exciting schedule of classes, programs and events. Most exciting? Your pathway to native plants - our distance learning program that's just a couple of months from being launched. Through this online link, you'll be able to enjoy garden classes at your leisure. Buy, download, then watch when it's convenient. You'll hear more about it as the spring wildflowers bloom.
As always, visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/, or call 302-239-4244 to register for classes. I hope to see you soon.
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

Check the Hardy Plant Website for Upcoming Events

2010-12-28T22:02:00.002-05:00

The Hardy Plant Society website is

www.hardyplant.org

Many 2011 events of horticultural interest!

New Goosebump Plants for 2011

2010-12-28T21:51:00.002-05:00

Join Chris Hansen for a fast-paced look at the most exciting new shrubs, perennials and groundcovers for 2011.

Sunday, January 23, 2011, 2:00 p.m.

Scott Arboretum, Science Auditorium

Swarthmore College

Free and open to the public. Reception follows the lecture.

Chris guarantees you'll experience a variety of 'thrills and chills' as you enjoy a sneak preview of over 100 tantalizing new plants for 2011. This fast-paced lecture will have you on the edge of your seat with Chris' spectacular photography of the newest plants to hit garden centers near you.

William Woys Weaver at Tredyffrin Public Library

2010-11-22T21:21:00.003-05:00

Food historian William Woys Weaver visits the Tredyffrin Public

Library on Thursday, December 9, 2010, 7:30 p.m. International food historian and author of 14 books comes to discuss his latest book

'Culinary Ephemera: An Illustrated History.'

Mt. Cuba Center November Schedule

2010-11-05T06:15:00.000-04:00

The fall season is fully here and at Mt. Cuba Center, the view is spectacular. The woodlands, the ponds and the meadow are vibrant and full of color. Don't miss this last week of public garden tours - if you haven't used your 2 for 1 tour coupon from Wildflower Celebration yet - this is the time to do it! Call 302-239-4244 to make a reservation.

Classes have proven to be especially popular this month but there are still opportunities to enjoy our education programs. The last of the Meadow Studies classes takes place on Saturday, November 13 (10:30AM - 12:30 PM, $10) -have one more look at this iconic open space at Mt. Cuba Center, and take home a meadow plant as well. Also scheduled on Saturday, November 13 is a second session of Rock with Piedmont Geology (1-4PM, $20.) Join our natural lands manager, Jim Subach, and "Sandy" Schenck from the University of Delaware and the Delaware Geological Survey for a presentation and walk through Mt. Cuba Center's pristine woodlands. You'll discover and understand Delaware geology though the eyes of two local experts.

Although our tour season is ending, our classes continue throughout the year. You can see the full schedule and sign up for all you like at www.mtcubacenter.org. As always, I look forward to sharing the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center with you.
Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Public Programs Manager

'Holiday Tea in Hunt Country' by Spade and Trowel Club

2010-10-27T17:08:00.002-04:00

You are Cordially Invited to Experience a

Holiday Tea in Hunt Country

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Presented by
The Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square

At the newly-opened
Yellow House of Willowdale
113 E. Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
www.yellowhouseofwillowdale.com

Be among the first to visit and experience the historic
Yellow House of Willowdale on the grounds of the Willowdale Steeplechase property. The Holiday Tea in Hunt Country will feature sweet and savory treats served as a traditional English-style tea by the talented Spade and Trowel Club
in support of its community projects.

Always a sell-out, early response will assure seating at
either the morning tea from 11:30 to 1:00 pm
or the afternoon tea from 2:00 to 3:30.

RSVP to Denise Klein 610.368.9350 or kleinds@live.com
to reserve your Holiday Tea in Hunt Country seating.

Follow up by mailing a check in the amount of $25.00 per person payable to
“Spade and Trowel Club” to
Mrs. Denise Klein, 594 East Hillendale Road, Kennett Square PA. 19348.

Please include your names(s) and phone number and specify
your choice of seating time.

The Spade and Trowel Club will also be presenting a collection of boutiques and specialty shops for your early
holiday gift shopping.

Holiday Tea attire. Don’t forget your lovely hat!

Holiday Centerpiece Workshop

2010-10-20T19:35:00.003-04:00

Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square will hold a centerpiece workshop on December 11 at the Church of the Advent on Rt. 82 in Kennett Square. It begins at 10:00 a.m.

All participants will receive assorted fresh greens, container and accessories to create a unique holiday centerpiece. Demonstrations will be given.

There will also be centerpieces for sale.

A light lunch will be served to all participants.

Participants can make additional centerpieces for $15 each.

Assorted containers are available.

Accessories available include pine cones, twigs, ribbons, fresh flowers, glass balls, fresh fruit and more.

Cost is $30.

To register, please call 610-793-2573.

Annual Greens Sale at Tyler Arboretum

2010-10-19T19:43:00.002-04:00

The Country Gardeners of Lima will be holding their annual Greens Sale on Saturday December 4th, at the Tyler Arboretum maintenance building from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

They will be selling fresh seasonal decorations as well as a good selection of handmade holiday items.

Come early to get the best choice, as many items sell out regularly!

Annual Christmas Fair - Holiday Greens and lots more

2010-10-19T19:27:00.002-04:00

The Garden Class of the Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan is holding its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 4th from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.at the 1756 Uwchlan Meeting House, Routes 100 and 113, Lionville, PA.

Stop by for all your fresh local evergreens and holly, table arrangements, hand-made wreaths, kissing balls, boxwood trees, home-made goodies, attic treasures, and more.

The kitchen is open at 11:00 a.m.for soup, sandwiches and dessert.Proceeds benefit the historic Uwchlan Meeting House.

For additional information, contact Connie Happersett (610-363-6549)or Darlene Snyder (610-873-23776).

Blue Star Marker at Rose Tree Park

2010-10-05T20:02:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to District I on the dedication of the latest Blue Star Memorial Marker on Route 252 in Rose Tree Park, Media!

Left to right:

Linda Southerling, District # 1 Director, GCFP (Garden Club Federation of Pa)
Walter R. Omlar Jr. (see below)
Angela Raitano (see below)
Ed Cashman (see below)
Sandy Manthorpe ( see below)

Left to right:
Barry Dozor, Del. Co. Common Pleas Judge
John J. Whelan, Chairman, Del. Co. Council
Mario J. Civera, Jr. Del. Co. Council, Air Force Veteran
Sandy Manthorpe, Eastern Pa & District # 1 Blue Star, Chair
Angela Raitano, GCFP President
Marianne Grace, Executive Director, Del. Co. Council
Walter R. Omlar, Jr. Upper Providence Constable,
Director, Delaware Co. Community Corrections
and also Recipient of District # 1 non-member Special Recognition Award
Ed Cashman, Upper Providence Township Manager 22 year Navy veteran, Merchant Marines

October at Mt. Cuba

2010-10-05T19:44:00.000-04:00

Fall has truly arrived - the trees are beginning to show their autumnal colors - and at Mt. Cuba Center, events are in full swing. Here are some highlights for this coming month - there are spaces left just for you.

This Saturday, October 9, join us for Live Woven Willow Structures for the Garden, a demonstration and lecture led by Bonnie Gale (1-3PM, $50). The willow structures are made with large living willow rods that are pushed into the ground and woven into forms such as domes, arches, arbors, tunnels, fences, and hedges. Take home live willow cuttings to try on your own. On Wednesday, October 13, join director Rick Lewandowski for wine and cheese and a look at the use of layers that define the forest and create a continuum of color, texture, and forms throughout the year. (Enrich Your Garden Experience with Layers, 5:30-7:30PM, $20.) More than ever, meadows are growing in popularity as an alternative to labor-intensive lawn care. In The Meadow Project, Catherine Zimmerman, author of Urban & Suburban Meadows: Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces, discusses the challenges of designing, establishing, and maintaining your meadow. Take a walk through the meadow at Mt. Cuba Center as well. (Saturday, October 23, 1-4 PM, $30.) Finally, the Fall Harvest of Color tour continues throughout the month. Reservations are required for our events - visit www.mtcubacenter.org, or call 302-239-4244 to sign up.

It's a beautiful time at Mt. Cuba Center - come and let us share it with you! Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle

Valley Forge Audubon Society and John James Audubon Center at MIll Grove

2010-02-12T10:13:00.004-05:00

Visit the website at www.pa.audubon.org for activites, such as bird walks, hikes and programs

Speakers are available for club programs.

Valley Forge Audubon Society is a Chapter of the National Audubon Society, serving members in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

They are located at 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA.

Information is available in their newsletter, Wingbeat.

Spring Festival at Scott Arboretum

2010-02-05T17:36:00.002-05:00

Spring Festival

Sunday, March 14, 4 p.m.

for the presentation of the

2010 Scott Garden and Horticulture Medal and $12, 000 Award

William A. McNamara

at the Lang Performing Arts Center, Swarthmore College

The Spring Festival is free and open to the public. Please register to attend by March 2 to 610-328-8025 and indicate all the names in your party. You can also register online at www.scottarboretum.org. Go to the March calendar of events to learn more and rsvp.

2010-02-05T16:47:00.002-05:00

District I General Board Meeting

Swarthmore College - Wister Education Center

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The program is 'Gardens of New Zealand', presented by Andrew Bunting.

Andrew Bunting has been Curator at the Arboretum since 1993. Prior to working at the Arboretum he was Curator at the Chanticleer Foundation in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Other work experiences include the Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Tintinhull House in England and Titoki Point in New Zealand. Andrew is a graduate of Joliet Junior College and Southern Illinois University.

9:30 a.m. Refreshments and registration
10:00 a.m. Program
11:00 a.m. Board Meeting
12:00 a.m. Lunch

Garden club members and guests are invited.

2010 GCFP Convention in Gettysburg, PA

2010-02-02T14:57:00.002-05:00

A Celebration in Gettysburg
of Gardening
&
Garden Clubs!

April 18-21, 2010
At the Wyndham Hotel
Gettysburg,Pennsylvania

We'll not only celebrate the best things about being a gardener, but also the 80th birthday of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania!

There will be speakers and workshops for both the "dirt gardeners" and the flower arrangers among us. We'll revel in the friendships we've made through all of the educational avenues available to us through gardening: Gardening Study...Landscape Design...Flower Show School...Environmental Studies...not to mention all the Civic Developement, Habitat for Humanity, Youth Gardening, related Wildlife Studies, and Scholarship work!

We're a vital, brilliant, exciting part of the Pennsylvania culture, and Gettysburg is the perfect place to Celebrate.

Mark it on your calendar!

Details and reservation forms are in the Keystone Gardener and at www.pagardenclubs.org!

Mt. Cuba February Schedule

2010-02-02T14:54:00.002-05:00

Dear Friend,
Now that snow is on the ground and chilly winds are blowing, it is time to dream about your garden. Classes at Mt. Cuba Center will energize your planting ideas! This Friday, February 5, Gregg Tepper presents fun facts during Native Plants We Love - An In-Depth Look, (10-11:30 AM). For $20, with refreshments included, learn cultivation tricks, transplanting techniques, and more.

Discover the seasonal character of plants with Mt. Cuba Center director, Rick Lewandowski, when he leads Celebrate the Bones of Your Winter Garden ($15) on Wednesday, February 24 (1-3 PM). Rick will discuss opportunities to add spice to your winter garden.

Looking ahead, on Saturday, March 6 from 1-3 PM, author and "farmdener" Lee Reich discusses "Native Fruits." Pawpaw, persimmon, lowbush blueberry, juneberry, elderberry and more were enjoyed by Native Americans - learn how to plant and grow them today. The fee is $30 and you'll get to take home a young native fruit plant for your own backyard.

As always, for further information and registration, visit http://www.mtcubacenter.org/, or call 302-239-4244. I look forward to seeing you soon - Spring is on its way!

Sincerely,
Eileen Boyle
Education Coordinator

Beautify Blight - Love is Cultivating a Community Garden

2010-01-20T20:04:00.003-05:00

'Beautify Blight' has received a monetary contribution for Award to be given to the individual Regions. The idea is to promote community 'vegetable' gardens. There are 2 categories.

Category 1: A three-member tean composed of a garden club, sponsored organiation and a sponsored organized youth group establishing a community vegetable garden on an unsightly piece of land. The objective is to supply a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

Book of Evidence: a before and after set of photos, one or two page description of the project and those involved; a statement about it being a one or two year endeavor.

Award: a 1st place award of $50 will be given our region (Central Atlantic Region), if warranted.

Deadline for Category 1 is January 20, 2011.

Category 2: Existing 'Community Vegetable Gardens'...The purpose of which has been to supply and provide a homeless shelter and soup/church kitchen. This project has to have been in place for a minimum of the last three years.

Book of Evidence: Garden Clubs will provide photos of the progress of project: a two page description of how, when, where ,who is involved and purpose of initiating the garden.

Award: a 1st place award of $35 will be given in our region (Central Atlantic Region), if warranted.

If you are interested in applying for the award for a category 2 garden, contact Jeanne Nelson at jtnelson@optonline.net asap for deadline date.

District I is providing an incentive for any club applying for a category 1 garden. If your club is interested in starting this project and supplying a book of evidence, the district will donate $50 to your club. You must complete the project according to the guidelines and supply a book of evidence.

If you have any questions, please direct them to the district director at lsfleur1@hotmail.com.

Please consider taking on this worthwhile NGC project.

Order and Chaos - Color an Perspective: The Quilts of Nancy Cosmos

2010-01-20T19:26:00.004-05:00

At the Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens

http://www.jenkinsarboretum.org/ for additional information on this event and educational prograns and events for Winter/Spring 2010

Opening Reception: Friday January 29, 7pm -9 pm

Exhibit: January 29 - February 21, 2010

These are not your traditional quilt designs. Originally from Minnesota, Nancy started quilting with her mother in the seventh grade. She has progressed from traditional designs and color themes to art quilts that explore the integration of order and chaos, color and perspective. The exhibition will include a quilt made by Nancy and her mother when Nancy was in the seventh grade, various traditional designs, and current custom and art quilts.

Scott Arboretum 2010 Lunchtime Lectures

2009-12-27T21:14:00.003-05:00

Lectures are from noon to 1 p.m. at the Lang Performing Arts Center Cinema, Swarthmore College. Use the Dupont parking lot.

Bring a bag lunch and join staff and guests of the Scott Arboretum for a visual tour of their travels to beautiful places. Free and open to the public, lunchtime lectures are an informal way to share what has been seen and discovered in various gardens and natural landscapes both in the US and abroad.

Check the website's calendar for dates and topics - www.scottarboretum.org.

Winter Classes at Mt. Cuba Center

2009-12-27T20:35:00.001-05:00

Dear Friend,

While the gardens slowly move into their winter respite, Mt. Cuba Center remains open year-round for education classes. It's not too early to sign up for 2010 classes, including Installing a Native Plant Meadow (January 23, 10-11:30am, $20). Start planning your garden adventures, even in the coldest weather!

Looking forward to Spring, we have an exciting opportunity for those with a passion for Native Spring Wildflowers. This 6-week Certificate of Merit course begins on April 13, 2010 and will be taught by Jeanne Frett and Rick Lewandowski, Mt. Cuba Center staff. The program is co-offered with Longwood Gardens and will provide opportunities to see wildflowers at both gardens. For more information, including how to register, click here.

As 2009 draws to a close, I want to thank everyone who visited Mt. Cuba Center this year. Our classes and tours were filled with delighted visitors, many of whom were seeing our wonderful gardens for the very first time. We reached a record level of attendance, thanks in part to a beautiful day for the 5th Annual Wildflower Celebration. (By the way, mark April 25, 2010 on your calendar - that's the day for this fun and free family event.) Share the beauty of Mt. Cuba Center and bring a friend the next time you visit. As always, information about classes and tours is available at our website, www.mtcubacenter.org, or by calling 302-239-4244. Have a wonderful holiday season, and I hope to see you soon. Sincerely,

Eileen Boyle
Education Coordinator

Youth Activites

2009-11-01T20:17:00.003-05:00

Club Presidents Alert!!! Check the GCFP website (www.pagardenclubs.org) to find out about poetry and poster contests for children. Poetry K-9: Special Ed - K-9. Essay contest for high school students.

Now is your opportunity to work with youth. Brainstorm with a child/children on the subject,
'Our Beautiful World' and the creative energy will flow.

We now have 41% of our district garden clubs working with youth - Bala Cynwyd, Four Seasons, Spade and Trowel, Springfield and Wayne Woods. Will we reach our goal of 100% soon?
(7 clubs to go!!!!)

Please call me if you have questions as to how you can help the youth programs in the district grow.

Helen Reed
610-388-1996

Raffle Donations at GCFP District I Annual Luncheon

2009-09-16T17:52:00.003-04:00

Many thanks to the following businesses for their generous donations to the GCFP District I Annual Luncheon raffle-

Home and Garden Culture of Kennett Square
Waterloo Gardens
Garden Thyme
Mostardi Nursery
Hilton Garden Inn of Kennett Square
Courtney Designs
Brandywine River Nursery
Simon Pearce
Talbots
Baggu Bags
Meridith's Bistro, Berwyn, PA
Mimi's Berwyn Hair Design

GCFP 2010 Convention

2009-09-11T20:39:00.004-04:00

It's the 80th birthday of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. Join other garden club members April 18-21, 2010 at Wyndham, Gettysburg. http://pagardenclubs.org/2010gcfpconventi.html

Hosted by GCFP, District IV.

Check the Keystone Gardener, Winter 2010 issue.

Free Lecture and Plant Sale

2009-09-02T15:55:00.002-04:00

Upcoming Gardening Lecture:

Event: Free Lecture & Plant Sale

“Creating a Colorful Habitat in Your Yard: Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Beneficial Insects to Your Garden."
Speakers: Doug Tallamy, Ph.D., University of Delaware,
Amy Hoffmann, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve Education Coordinator
Laura Brandt, Lower Makefield Township Environmental Advisory Council

Date/Time: Saturday Oct 3rd, 10am-12:30pm (doors open at 9:30am for raffle, refreshments, etc.)

Location: Lower Makefield Township building, 1100 Edgewood Road, Yardley, PA 19067

Please check event details on the EAC website: http://www.lmt.org/environcouncil.htm

or contact Laura Brandt for more info: lbrandt@lmt.org

Event is free, refreshments provided.

Raffle, book signing (bring your copy or buy one at the event: Bringing Nature Home, by Doug Tallamy, Ph.D.)

Plant Sale: Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve will be selling native plants in the parking lot of the Lower Makefield Twp bldg

Guardians of the Brandywine Event

2009-09-02T15:49:00.001-04:00

Victory Patrons

Join Victory Brewing Company on
Sunday, October 4, 1 to 4 pm for

Victory Sunday Matinee
with
The Guardians of the Brandywine

Serving… Lunch and a Movie

Enjoy a choice of Lemon Chicken,
Baked Tilapia or Stuffed Portobello
Mushroom over wild rice, beer
and then watch:

THE UNFORESEEN
An official selection of the 2007
Sundance Film Festival and
Winner of the 2008 Independent Spirit Award
“Truer than Fiction” Prize.

How do we balance the needs of the
development community with preservation of our natural resources?

THE UNFORESEEN presents an eloquent,
balanced answer. Watch the trailer at
http://theunforeseenfilm.com/blog/trailer/
and you will want to watch this movie in its entirety.

Tickets $50.00 Reservations Requested
online www.victorybeer.com or
phone 610.942.7966

Event benefits The Guardians of the Brandywine, a 501(3)(c) non- profit, learn more about us at www.watchourwaters.

Beautify Blight..Love is.. Cultivating a Community Garden

2009-09-02T08:17:00.004-04:00

Beautify Blight is an endeavor to create teams within a town, city, or region to develop a vegetable garden on a formerly unsightly piece of property chosen by the group. It is one of our National President's most important 'New Projects.'

As National Garden Club members let's show our communities that we care!

Our objective for this project is to involve all garden clubs, no matter their size, to be involved in their individual communities. The project calls for garden clubs to find a community group interested in promoting the same concerns, such as Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Lions' Clubs, churches, or a government agency in the finding of an unsightly piece of property that can be used by the group to develop and cultivate a community vegetable garden.

Once a site has been found and plans are being developed to continue the project, a local youth group should be asked to participate as a partner in the group so that the whole community is involved. The purpose is to make garden clubs a viable part in uniting all the participants in the need for community involvement in each others lives. The resulting service to those less fortunate by sharing the produce grown by this group effort is the ultimate goal of this project.
National Garden Clubs play a vital role in our communities and it is important for us to grow through our dedicated service and visual commitment to our towns, cities, states and regions as a national organization.

The final stage will be the sharing of the produce with a local soup kitchen, homeless agency, or church meal programs for those less fortunate.

Sponsoring groups may be allowed, if desired, to have fundraisers or seek underwriting, actual or in-kind, within their communities to support the project.

Participants will be asked to submit a 1 or 2 page summary of project, with before and after pictures. Depending on the scope of the project, and if stated in summary, the project may be a one or two year program.

For additional information, contact Jeanne Nelson, Beautify Blight Chairman.

Golden Days - NGC President's Project

2009-09-02T08:04:00.004-04:00

Can you imagine how beautiful the country will be with daffodils planted across our nation!

NGC President Renee Blashchke's project, Golden Days, is to promote the planting of daffodils.

What a great way to recognize our gardening friends who are no longer in their homes or can no longer plant a flowers. We'll plant daffodils for them!

NGC (National Garden Clubs ) will offer 2 outstanding Golden Days Daffodil collections

Golden Harvest Trumpet Daffodil is an old-timer (almost 100 years old) but still and incredible daffodil that is vigorous and long lasting.

Master Daffodil Blend includes at least 50 tall and mid-sized varieties that will broaden your daffodil horizons.

Your Golden Days Project might include mass plantings at retirement centers or Blue Star Memorial sites. You might choose instead to take a potted plant to a nursing home. Places to plant daffodils are limited only by your imagination.
Document your projects. Apply for the award. With this project, everyone wins!

Forty percent of the purchase price goes to support the projects of NGC.

Go to http://www.gardenclub.org/Shopping/GoldenDaysDaffodils.aspx for complete details and ordering.

For more information, contact Lila Petersen, Golden Days Chairman.

Planting by Spade and Trowel Garden Club

2009-06-10T09:25:00.003-04:00

Debbie Bennitt, a member of Spade & Trowel Garden Club of Kennett Square and Jerry Roden, volunteer for the Food Cupboard of Kennett Square, as they complete the planting of the entrance garden for the Kennett Square Food Cupboard.

Sharing Junior Gardener Activities

2009-06-10T09:00:00.006-04:00

Great news from the Garden Club of Springfield! Bobbi Gallagher reported -

1) Sabold Elementary School is planting native sunflowers in pots which they will exhibit in a flower show on October 2. The school's art teach is helping with the project.

2) Scenic School - May 15. Gym teacher lead planting in ten (10) public parks in Springfield. The borough grounds manager coordinated the soil preparation.

3) Springfield Middle School (grade 6) does a nature study in winter.

Junior Gardeners of Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square have done a worm composting project and cleaned out the Butterfly Garden which earned a PHS Community Greening award in November 2008. Children had a plant sale as part of the Kennett Square Beautification Committee plant sale and contriubuted $130.00 to National Disasters USA, a project of NGC. It was the largest donation to the fund this year. Great job!

Whose good news about Junior Activities will be next?

Helen Reed, Jr. Activities Chair

National, Regional and District Officers

2009-06-10T08:40:00.006-04:00

Here are the officers for 2009-11

GCFP President ( Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania)
Theme: 'Let's Keep Growing'
Project: 'GCFP vs. Litter'
Angela Raitano, President
angie.raitano@comcast.net
website: http://www.pagardenclubs.org/

CAR Director ( Central Atlantic Region)
Theme: 'Because of you and what you do, make our World a better place'
Carmie Devito, Director
carmiedevito@neo.rr.com
website: http://www.gardencentral.org/car

NGC President (National Garden Clubs, Inc.)
Theme: 'Golden Days' (planting of daffodils throughout the United States and 'Beautify Blight'
Renee Blaschke, President
renee.blaschke@sbcglobal.net
website: http://www.gardenclub.org/

District I Director
Theme: 'Weaving together garden clubs-district-community-one member at a time'
Linda Southerling, Director
lsfleur1@hotmail.com
blog: http://www.gardenchatpa.org/

GCFP headquarters
Lee Ann Stine
1525 Cedar Cliff Drive, STE 103
Camp Hill, PA 17011-7707
717-737-8219

District I General Board Meeting and Luncheon, June 16

2009-05-21T07:19:00.002-04:00

Come to a Presidents’ Fête!

District I Invites You to celebrate summer at
Springton Manor Farm

Time: 10am to 1pm
Tuesday, June 16th

Enjoy a wonderful, fresh, seasonal luncheon at the historic home located on 300 picturesque acres in beautiful Chester County. Explore the home and the grounds, complete with a Victorian garden, gazebo, century-old Sugar Maples and the majestic "King and Queen" Penn Oaks. Door Prizes too!

Guest Speaker: Noted local author, Sharon White, discusses her award-winning book, Vanished Gardens, offering a historical look at Philadelphia gardens, gardeners, botanists, and plant collectors.

Springton Manor Farm 860 Springton Road, Glenmoore, PA 19343 Located 5 miles west of Downington off Route 322

No cost to District 1 Presidents

Cost for Club members and guests: $19
The public is invited to attend.

Door Prizes!!

RSVP by June 10th to:

Linda Southerling, District 1 Director
610-793-2573 or lsfleur1@hotmail.com

Club Trip to Susquehanna Park, MD

2009-04-29T16:20:00.003-04:00

Cynthia LaPara offers the following info.....

On April 18th, 8 members of the Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennett Square and their guests visited Susquehanna Park, in Maryland. We saw bald eagles and other water birds, and a bald eagle’s nest, with both parents coming and going, bringing food for the young. Then we walked along the path by the river, where native plants were blooming in their native habitat. The weather was beautiful and the flowers were near their peak. In all, we saw or heard 18 species of birds and identified 29 species of plants, most of them native and most in bloom. The high points of the trip were seeing the activity at the bald eagle’s nest and walking through a field of Virginia bluebells. We ended the trip with a stop at the Spready Oak Country Café on Route 1 for lunch. Great trip!!

May Programs at Mt. Cuba

2009-04-29T16:15:00.001-04:00

Join us on Saturday, May 16 at 1 PM to hear renowned native plant expert Richard Bir share his life's work in this illustrated lecture, Demystifying Native Plants. Learn about wonderful shrubs like azaleas, mountain laurel, hydrangeas, redbuds and more. Dick will also discuss such timely issues as "What is a native plant?", the effect of climate change on native plants, and habitat destruction. He will also touch on the topic of cultivars. Dick has long been a champion of the native plant movement and was a founder of the well-known Cullowhee Native Plant Conference in North Carolina. He is a horticulturist, conservationist, and faculty emeritus from the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University and author of "Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants." If you are a native plant enthusiast, you will love this lecture.

On Thursday, May 21, Phil Oyerly will guide visitors on a magical evening walk through Mt. Cuba Center's gardens to view our outstanding lady's slipper orchid collection with the class In Praise of Cypripedium. Learn which lady's slipper orchids you can grow in your own backyard. Hope to see you there.

For more information and to register for these and other classes, please visit www.mtcubacenter.org or call us at 302-239-4244.

Sincerely, Eileen BoyleEducation Coordinator

Club Program - 'Greening of America--Our Roofs'

2009-04-29T15:58:00.002-04:00

An illustrated lecture by Jeff Jabco
Coordinator of Horticulture, The Scott Arboretum, and
Director of Grounds, Swarthmore College

Jeff is an instructor at Longwood Gardens where he teaches a four-course Botany series in the Certificate in Ornamental Plants program, courses in landscape design and construction, and is an instructor for the two-year Longwood Professional Gardener program.
He has written for Fine Gardening magazine; Green Scene, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s magazine; American Nurseryman; and The Hybrid, the quarterly publication of the Scott Arboretum. He is co-founder and vice-president of the Mid-Atlantic Peony Society.
He lives in Swarthmore, PA, where he tends an ever-changing garden featuring a cottage-style border, a bog, an extensive dry-stone wall and an ever-increasing number of plants to trial.

JEFFREY P. JABCO 610-328-8294
Director of Grounds
SWARTHMORE COLLEGE, SWARTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA 19081(610) 328-8000 FAX (610) 328-8574
Approx. cost $150.00

Recommended by Graham Boose of Garden Class of the Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan

Interested in a garden club?

2009-04-23T20:29:00.002-04:00

Learn more about the garden clubs in District I. Look at the information on each club listed under Labels. If you would like to know more, write a Comment and someone will get back to you.

Mt. Cuba Wildflower Celebration

2009-04-22T20:11:00.001-04:00

Join us this Sunday, April 26, 2009 for the 5th Annual Wildflower Celebration. This event will be held from 10 AM to 4 PM and is free for everyone. As usual, parking will be available at no charge at Red Clay Reservation, off Old Wilmington Rd. Signs will mark the route to the parking area.

Mt. Cuba Center is very pleased to announce a new, permanent addition to the garden. Renowned local artist, André Harvey, has created "Samara Turning with the Wind," a 13-foot tall, 600-pound cast bronze sculpture of a maple seed which has been placed in the Medallion Garden in the Lower Gum Allee. The sculpture is perched on a rock of local origin and turns gently at the slightest breeze. Attendees at Wildflower Celebration will be among the first visitors to view this magnificent creation.

Families and children will have the chance to learn more about ecologically-sound and sustainable gardening practices by visiting special activity centers. This year, topics include: Native Maples and Their Seeds, Tree Care, Glory of the Meadow, Dyeing Fibers with Native Plants, Native Plants for Dry Shade, Dogwoods, The Moss Bank and Natural Lands/Natural History. The first 500 families will receive a free potted wildflower. Enjoy live music as you stroll through the garden.

Enjoy our wildflower gardens at their peak and discover nature's landscapes in your own backyard at one of the region's most beautiful events. For more information call 302-239-4244 or go to our website at www.mtcubacenter.org

Garden Club of Springfield Flower Show

2009-04-15T15:38:00.002-04:00

'Play It Again Sam', a flower show presented The Garden Club of Springfield, Delaware County, will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009, from 1PM to 5PM.

It will be at the Church of the Redeemer, 145 W. Springfield Road, Springfield, Pa. 19064.

Admission is free. For more information, e-mail Peg Woolard (pwool1@verizon.net).

Spring at Mt. Cuba Center

2009-04-12T14:55:00.002-04:00

Spring has sprung at Mt. Cuba Center! Get out into the garden and study Early Spring Wildflowers as they emerge over three weeks on Tuesdays, April 14, 21, and 28. Each class begins at 1PM and you'll get a spring wildflower to take home. Cost is just $10 per session. Please register in advance.

Orchids are in the spotlight all year. Our series, In Praise of Native Orchids, begins on Saturday, April 18. Learn about orchids you can grow in your own backyard! $15. Trilliums are among the highlights of the spring wildflower season at Mt. Cuba Center.

Take a close look with a class taught by Mt. Cuba's own expert Jeanne Frett, Trilliums: Quintessential Spring Wildflowers, on Thursday April 23. Jeanne's class is just $15. Or take a two hour guided garden tour to experience Trilliums and their Companions on scheduled days from April 16 to May 3. There isn't a better buy - the tour is only $5. Don't miss out as our lovely spring ephemerals are here today and gone tomorrow.

SAVE THE DATE! Mt. Cuba's 5th Annual Wildflower Celebration is Sunday, April 26 from 10AM to 4PM!

To register or to find out more about these events, go online to www.mtcubacenter.org or call 302.239.4244. Space is limited so register early.
Hope to see you in April!
Sincerely, Eileen Boyle
Education Coordinator

Tri-State Bird Rescue Looking for Volunteers

2009-04-10T18:24:00.001-04:00

The nonprofit Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is looking for people to help care for injured wild birds throughout the year and will hold a workshop for new volunteers. To participate, prospective volunteers must attend one of Tri-State’s hour-long information sessions held during April 18, 21 & 25. Call or e-mail for specific dates and times.

All sessions will be at:
Tri-State Frink Center for Wildlife,
11 Possum Hollow Road,
Newark, Delaware

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Call (302) 737-9543, x 102, or e-mail jbartley@tristatebird.org.

Flower Shows in the District

2009-04-06T19:12:00.003-04:00

Old Eagle Garden Club - "Shapes of Spring" May 5, '09 show held at Bolingbroke, King of Prussia Road, Radnor, PA Contact Marian Faber 510- 688-5545 Open 1 - 4 p.m.

The Trevose Horticultural Society - Rhapsody in Green, August 21, 4:00pm-9pm & 22, 10:00am-5.00pm Wood River Village HulmevilleRoad and Bensalem Blvd. Open to the public . Open entries.
Contact Ken Helmich, 215-946-8108 or Bo Peters 267-981-5239, show co-chairs.

Flashback and Fast Forward - The Country Gardeners, Four Seasons Garden Club of Kennet Square, Garden Class of the Woman's Community Club of Uwchlan,Spade and Trowel Club of Kennett Square, Wayne Woods Garden Club September 26, '09, 1:00pm-5:00pm &September 27,'09, 10:00am-5:00pm Longwood Gardens,Inc. Kennett Square, PA Contact Peg Hartwick, 610-363-7545 or Kay Leto,610-444-2776 Chair and vice chair. Open entries. Longwood admission required for visiting.

Delaware Valley Daffodil Society - April 18, 1:30pm-6:00pm & April 19, 9:00am-6-00pm Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, Open entries, Longwood admission required for visiting. Contact Anne Howe, 610-458-5291 (No design, only daffodils)

The Delaware Valley Iris Society is having an Iris Flower Show on Saturday, May 23rd, at the Jenkins Arboretum. There is a Division for flower arrangements. The only requirement is that your arrangement have an iris flower in it. You do not have to grow the iris yourself. There are no requirements for arrangement theme, size or style. You can even enter more than one arrangement, if you wish. Entries are accepted between 7:30 am and 9:30 am. The show schedule is on the web: http://www.dvis-ais.org/show_schedule.html . Scroll down to Division VII for the arrangement info. Remember that you have to pick up your arrangement after the show.

2009-03-31T17:30:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to Wayne Woods Garden Club for there entry into the PHS flower show. The entry was in the Passerella Fashion Runway Class. Pictured: Doris Petty, Neel Al Sharif (designer), Linda Mason, Cathy Siple. It won an honorable mention. Beautiful design ladies!

Congratulations to Spade and Trowel Garden Club members also. The following members were honored. In horticulture, Sunny Mc George and Alice Bucher received honorable mention for their coleus. Sunny McGeorge received a first for her returning challenge plant, Chririta sinensis 'Hisako'. In design, Tala Graham received a blue for her mini entry, Vesuvius, and Kris Qualls received a red for her mini "Vivace". Bev Schmitt received a 2nd place and a class commendation for her entry Aida. Diane Mateson received a third place for her design.

News From Mt. Cuba

2009-03-17T11:51:00.001-04:00

Our new Spring Continuing Education Brochure is out! This year our program theme is "Discover Nature's Landscapes in your Own Backyard." We are acutely aware that the difficult economy is affecting everyone and have responded with our own "economic stimulus plan." The cost of classes has been reduced in an effort to help your dollars go farther; in addition, many of our classes provide seeds and plants as a "take home" benefit.

Jump into Spring with our March courses. On Friday March 27th at 10:00 am, our Moss Gardening Workshop will demonstrate hands-on techniques for using moss in naturalistic gardening. Learn to groom, transplant and identify several common mosses. Take home a wisk broom for grooming and a pot of moss with Quaker ladies. Dress for the outdoors.

Derek Stoner will lead a class in search of the Wonders of Wood Ducks on Sunday March 29 at 1:00 pm. Learn about wood ducks and where to install their nest boxes. You'll view the wood duck boxes at Mt. Cuba Center so dress to go outside.

To register or to find out more about these courses, go online to www.mtcubacenter.org or call 302.239.4244. Space is limited so register early.

Awards and Scholarhips

2009-03-15T18:39:00.000-04:00

TO ALL DISTRICT I CLUBS

STATE AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Now is the time to determine which State Awards your club should apply for this year. Find your club’s copy of the GCFP Awards Manual (the club president should have this or your club awards chairman), review the awards offered and begin to collect the information needed apply. Each of your clubs does projects worthy of recognition so it behooves you apply for an award. The award will recognize the work you and your members are doing, it will give an extra sense of pride to your members and to the other district clubs, and it may inspire another club to do a similar project.

Some awards are applied for by simply completing a State and a National awards application. This is true of yearbook awards, flower show schedule awards, and newsletter awards. Other awards require a book of evidence which includes a description of the project, cost of the project, a few photos and a little publicity. The Awards Manual describes how to prepare a book of evidence and the number of pages allowed. New 2009 award applications will be available on the State website, www.pagardenclubs.org. in July. This chairman is available to answer questions and assist clubs in applying for awards.

Has your club distributed State and National Scholarship information and applications to your local schools and colleges and submitted information to local newspapers? Applications deadline was February 15 for this year and State scholarships will be awarded at the Annual Convention. However, it is not to early to plan to get the 2009 Scholarship Applications from the website in July and have them ready to distribute to local schools and colleges in the Fall. Your club members may also have family members who would qualify for these awards. The students applying must be planning to major in a horticulture related field. The State scholarships are generally a $1,000.00 and National Scholarships are $3,500.00. Share this information with your club members and
plan to distribute information locally this Fall. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Kay S. Leto, ksleto@verizon.net

District I Awards and Scholarship Chairman

Tyler Arboretum Plant Sale - April 25, 2009

2009-03-15T17:30:00.000-04:00

TYLER’S ARBOR DAY PLANT SALE WILL FEATURE DEER-RESISTANT PLANTS

MEDIA, PA (March 6, 2009) – Tyler Arboretum’s annual Arbor Day Plant Sale jump starts the gardening season with an extensive selection of plants for every gardener from the green-thumbed expert to the not-so-certain novice. The Plant Sale features a dizzying selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and herbs. But don’t be intimidated – friendly, helpful plant experts are on hand to solve your most perplexing planting problems.
This year’s Sale features deer-resistant plants (yes, such things exist!) that will help you halt those headstrong herbivores. Examples include:

o Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora var. serotina), a multi-stemmed shrub native to our area that features showy, white flowers that resemble a bottle brush. Perfect in shady areas, these shrubs often colonize through underground runners to fill a woodland glade.

o Charles Joly Lilac (Syringa vulgaris ‘Charles Joly’), an upright, deciduous shrub that boasts vibrant magenta-colored blooms that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, but not deer.

o Blue Star (Amsonia hubrictii), a perennial that offers multi-seasonal interest. In early spring, blue star sports numerous star-shaped, blue flowers. Its willowy foliage turns a brilliant yellow in the fall.

o Purple Smoke Indigo (Baptisia ‘Purple Smoke’), a native perennial that features showy purple flower spikes up to 15 inches long in late spring.

Arbor Day Plant Sale: Saturday, April 25, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Admission to Tyler is free for this event!
Special Members-Only Preview: Friday, April 24, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

This is a great time to become a member of Tyler Arboretum! You’ll have an early pick at the Plant Sale, receive a 5% discount on your plant purchases, and enjoy the benefits of membership all year long (including free admission, our quarterly newsletter, discounts, and much more). Note: only members will be admitted for this event. To join, contact Tyler at 610-566-9134 or www.tylerarboretum.org.

Tyler Arboretum, one of the oldest arboreta in the northeastern United States, is comprised of 650 acres of unique plant collections, state champion trees, a meadow maze, historic buildings, and 20 miles of marked hiking trails. The Arboretum offers a variety of educational programs and special events throughout the year. Call 610-566-9134 or check our Website at www.tylerarboretum.org for more information. Tyler Arboretum is located at 515 Painter Road in Media, PA.

Gardens and Arboreta Information

2009-03-15T17:16:00.002-04:00

KENNETT SQUARE

LONGWOOD GARDENS (www.longwoodgardens.org)

These gardens are a gift to the public from Pierre DuPont.
The hours are subject to change.
January 12 – March 31, 2009 9am to 5pm
April 1 - May 22, 2009 9am to 6pm
May 23 – September 6, 2009
Mon, Tues, Wed and Sun 9am to 6pm
Thurs, Fri, Sat 9am to 10 pm
September 7 – November 22, 2009 9am to 5pm
November 26, 2009 – January 10, 2010 9am to 9pm
The Gardens Shop is open 9am until 15 minutes after closing every day of the year.

WAYNE

CHANTICLEER (www.chanticleergarden.org)

The gardens, located at 786 Church Road, Wayne 19087, were opened to the public
in 1993. The telephone is 610-687-4163. The gardens will open on April 1. Hours
are Wed – Sun 10am to 5 pm.

SCRANTON

THE ARBORETUM ON THE CAMPUS OF MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY
(www.arboretum@c.s.marywood.edu)

The arboretum, located at 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton 18509, were established in
in 1975 as “The Sister Marie Laurence Maher Arboretum”. There is a self guided
map tour. Admission is free. Open daily sunrise to sunset.

HERSHEY

HERSHEY GARDENS (www.hersheygardens.org)

The gardens, located at 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, 17033, were opened in 1937. The
telephone is 717-534-3492. There is a rose garden, a children’s garden, and a
Japanese garden. The hours vary. Admission is $10.00. Seniors are $9.00.

PITTSBURGH

PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN
(www.phipps.conservatory.org)

The conservatory, located at 700 Frank Curlo Drive, Pittsburgh, 15213, was
established in 1893. There is a butterfly garden. Its Welcome Center is LEED
certified.

MOUNT LEBANON

TEMPLE EMANUEL GARDENS (www.templeemanuelgardens.org)

The gardens, located at 1250 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh 15234, were established in
2004 to honor those who died in the Holocaust. The telephone is 412-279-7600.

WEST MIFFLIN – ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP

KENNEYWOOD GARDENS AND AMUSEMENT PARK

Located at 4800 Kenneywood Blvd., West Mifflin, 15122.
Telephone is 412-461-0500. Hours and admission varies.
Floral gardens are placed around amusements. There is a floral clock.

ERIE

ERIE ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS (www.eriezoo.org)

Plants and vegetables are present everywhere around the wild animals with special
Care to place plants and vegetation which will not be harmful to them.

Phyllis Matthews
Gardens and Arboreta Chairman

Tree Tender Training in Chester County this Spring

2009-03-07T21:25:00.002-05:00

Become a Tree Tender!

Tree Tenders is a training program that empowers
concerned residents to make dramatic strides
towards restoring and caring for their local tree
canopy.

Join us for nine hours of hands-on training that will
cover tree biology, identifi cation, planting, proper
care and working with your community. This
training course was developed by the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society (PHS) in collaboration with
Penn State Cooperative Extension. Since 1993,
PHS’s Tree Tenders program has trained over
2,800 community volunteers from 175 Southeast
Pennsylvania neighborhoods. The course is
designed for all audiences. Become one of the Tree
Tenders, restoring and tending your part of the
forest. Since 2004, the program has been supported
by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources’ TreeVitalize program and continues
in support of the TreeVitalize mission to increase
Pennsylvania’s tree canopy.

TRAINING INCLUDES:
• Tree Biology
• Urban Stresses on Trees
• Tree Identifi cation
• Basic Tree Pruning and Root Care
• Tree Planting
• Community Organizing
The three-part series is FREE and snacks are served.
Registration is required. Given the intensity of the
training and the late hours, the training is not
appropriate for children under 16.

Chester County
West Chester University
Room 113, Boucher Hall, South Church Street
West Chester, PA 19383
Tuesdays - April 7, 14 & 21 – 6-9 pm

To register online, go to
www.pennsylvaniahorticulturesociety.org and choose 'Tree Tenders Training.

Going Green: Environmental Stewardship for Preservation and Profit

2009-03-02T18:17:00.002-05:00

The 20th Annual Cliveden Institute
April 3rd, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm and April 4th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wondering how you can affordably and easily incorporate "green" practices into your everyday life? Join us in our historic Carriage House to hear a variety of perspectives on local "green" issues from renowned scholars and environmental leaders. Topics will include an assortment of subjects including: "green" lawn care, protection of local wildlife, historical environmental issues and the true characteristics of eco-living.

April 3rd - 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

A wine and cheese evening conversation including:

Anne Weber, FAIA, Senior Associate, Farewell Mills Gatsch Architects LLC
· "Less is More: A Low-Tech Approach to Sustainability for Cliveden"

Panel discussion with local museum leaders, engineers and architects
· "Historic Structures, Collections and the Environment."

Special behind-the-scenes architectural tour of the Chew House

Saturday April 4th - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
A full day of scholarly speakers and actvities including:

Mike McGrath, Host, WHYY's You Bet Your Garden radio show · "Get Your Lawn and Landscape off Drugs" - Keynote Speech

Dr. Andrew Isenberg, Chair, Temple University Department of History · "Environment and History: The Historical Context of Environmental Challenges"

Richard Whiteford, Outreach Representative, Defenders of Wildlife · "Climate Change: Things Each of Us Can Do About It"

Seth A. Shapiro, Director of Planning and Urban Design, Barton Partners Architects Planners' · "Is Mixed Use the Real Green?"

Natural History Tour of Cliveden - Phillyist.com Green Scene Columnist Lori Litchman will explore the wildlife at Cliveden.

Eco-Lunch Break - Farmers from Weavers Way will provide eco-friendly appetizers for lunchtime and discuss the economic and health benefits of eating locally and organically.

Yellow Bus Trip - Local field trip to Weavers Way farms at Awbury Arboretum and Martin Luther King High School.

Registration Information: Admission is $30 for both days. Reduced rates available for one-day admissions and members of Cliveden. Includes speakers, demonstrations, eco-friendly appetizers, local bus trip as well as a reusable Cliveden coffee mug and shopping bag.

Further details for event, speakers, admissions and RSVP registration can be found at: www.cliveden.org

Cliveden's Chew House is currently closed for tours due to the construction of a new eco-friendly climate control system. Anticipated reopening date is late Spring.

In the meantime, join us during Museum Week for FREE outdoor and neighborhood tours. Come in any time from 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm between April 27th through May 3rd for a unique tour experience.

In conjunction with the American Association of Museum's Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Cliveden will offer FREE natural history tours of our historic 6 acre site as well as neighborhood Battle of Germantown tours. All you need to do is mention "Museum Week" upon arrival. Open to the general public.

20% Off Gift Shop Purchase
During Museum Week , make sure to stop into our gift shop for a variety of historic memorabilia . Simply present this coupon and receive 25% off any purchase of $5 or more.

Not valid on purchases including drinks or food.
Offer Expires: May 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm

Flower Arranging Program Open to District I Clubs

2009-02-25T21:06:00.003-05:00

On April 2, 2009, the Garden Club of Bala Cynwyd and the Villanova Garden Club are hosting Kevin Hills of "Home Influence," in Media, who will give a presentation of "Tabletop Floral Landscapes," a show and tell flower arranging demonstration. His arrangements will be raffled off to help defray the expense! Come, bring your checkbook, and enjoy a new experience!
Program begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Merion Tribute House, 625 Hazelhurst Avenue, Merion, PA. Call (610) 664 1267 with questions. Cost for non-members of the above clubs is $3.00.

Horticulture - Spring Planting Ideas

2009-02-23T19:34:00.004-05:00

Spring is approaching fast, believe it or not. It has been a cold winter and we are all looking forward to getting out in the garden. As garden club members be thinking of what you can plant to use in flower arranging as well as enhancing your gardens. Some my favorites are:

Cornus sericea – Red osier Dogwood, a stoloniferous shrub with dark red stems
Recommended cultivars:
‘Silver and Gold’…. a Mt. Cuba introduction named for its yellow twigs in winter and white-variegated leaves in summer. Plant in full to part sun. Tolerates all soil conditions. Contrasts beautifully with evergreens.
‘Cardinal’………………a good bright cherry red.

Corylopsis pauciflora (Buttercup Winterhazel) is a small spreading shrub with fragrant primrose yellow flowers in mid to late April.

Corylus avelanna ‘Contorta’ – Harry Lauders’ Walkingstick; discovered about 1863 in England and named for Sir Harry Lauder a Scottish music hall star famous for his knobby walking sticks. Plant in partial shade to full sun in spring or fall. Slow growing, sends up multiple stalks of excellent material for flower arranging. Remove straight, uncurly sprouts.

Aucuba – an evergreen, deer resistant shrub that comes in many cultivars that range from all green leaves, narrow and broad, to many variegated varieties. Dirr’s Manual of Woody Plants lists 20 varieties. It is very easy to root in water.
Helen Lightcap
Horticulture Chair Dist. I

2009-02-16T20:47:00.004-05:00

Welcome Tyler Arboretum, Affiliate Member of GCFP!

Linda Southerling, District I Director, presented Betsey Ney of Tyler Arboretum with a certificate of commendation to acknowledge their affiliation with GCFP. Barbara Mercer, the president of Country Gardeners, and Linda met with Betsey to discuss a workshop opportunity for District I club members occuring in fall 2009. Tyler Arboretum offers many educational opportunities, trips and special events to the public. Connect to their website for details on all events with the link under 'Organizations Affiliated with District I.'

Garden Clubs Share Best Programs

2009-02-10T16:29:00.013-05:00

Here is the growing list of programs which were recommended by District I clubs. Hope this is helpful to clubs in scheduling programs for the coming year. For further information, call or e-mail the speaker or the club contact.

Bala Cynwyd Garden Club - contact Sandy Ormerod, slormerod@verizon.net

Speaker - Beverly Fitts on Matrix Gardening: An Ecological Approach, beverlyfitts@verizon.net

Speaker - Pam Coath on Roses, 610-688-2277

Speaker - Jerry Nolte, Master Gardener of Chester County, on Butterflies, nolteofthistle@verizon.net

Spade and Trowel Garden Club - contact Jackie Blake, jcblake100@aol.com

Program - 'Mystery Bag Judging' -(short description) a few club members are given a bag of 5 or so non-floral items of which, some or all, must be used in a floral arrangement of their choice. The arrangements are brought to club the next month and judged.

Speaker - Nancy Bell of Gateway Garden Center on Gardening with Grasses, http://www.gatewaygardens.com/

The Country Gardeners - contact Barbara Mercer, bmercer22@gmail.com

Speaker - Eleanor Tickner, Master Gardener and Mid Altantic Peony Society president, on Peonies, Queen of the Garden, etflowers@hughes.net

Speaker - Tracey Lakates, the Orchid Doctor -She came to our meeting and discussed care of several types of orchids, using live plants as demos. Tracey also showed the proper way to transplant orchids. In addition she gave each person in attendance their own orchid to take home! She also had some other larger (and tiny) orchids for sale as well as pots, fertilizer, etc - all at super prices. Great mix of horticulture, hands-on demos, and shopping! This program is HIGHLY recommended. Her cost is approx. $175 but she brings items which can be raffled. Contact her at 610-293-8180. http://www.orchidsupplies.net/

Speaker - Kevin Hills of 'Home Influences' in Media, on flower arranging. He is expensive and some clubs have had joint meetings to defray expenses. He will be at a joint meeting of Bala Cynwyd and Villanova Garden Clubs on April 2 and it is open to the public. More information will be posted on this site so check again.

Four Seasons Garden Club - contact Dee Allison, frances.d.allison@boeing.com

Speaker - Beth MacMillan on Dahlias - The Beauties in our Gardens, beth.a.macmillan@boeing.com

Speaker - Andy Lemheny, floral arranger - Highly recommended by a club not in District I. He can be contacted at 610-296-8414.

Suburban Garden Club - contact Diane Zullinger, dianezullinger@verizon.net

Speaker - Rob Cardillo, garden photographer - 'Morning Gloreis to Megapixels - Crafting a fine Garden Photograph' - great speaker and beautiful slides

Speaker - Joe Ziccardi, PHS Gold Metal Coordinator - 'Roses'

Speaker - Ann Marshall, ' Plants that Merit Consideration'

Scholarship Winners

2009-02-05T16:43:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Jo Ann Donlick for winning the scholarship to the 2009 GCFP Convention and to Bev Schmitt for winning the flower show school scholarship.

Bottle Cap Recycling

2009-01-19T19:05:00.002-05:00

Bottle Cap Recycling Now Possible!

This is very exciting-another giant step in recycling.
In talking with MANY friends and acquaintances, I have found that many attach caps to bottles put in to be recycled, while others throw the caps in separately. Up until now, we have not had the option of recycling plastic caps. Until now, the caps ended up in the garbage, on the beach or in the landfill.
Did you know? The majority of plastic bottle caps do not get recycled. Often, these plastic caps end up as litter in landfill and on streets and beaches, migrating into waterways. Birds and marine life mistake them for food with tragic results. The magnitude of this pollution problem is devastating.

Bottles we recycle often become trash simply because they still have a cap. During recycling, caps are sorted from the bottles and discarded as garbage. If a cap does not come off a bottle during compression, the bottle is discarded.

What can you do? Collect caps from water bottles, shampoo containers, detergent, etc. Aveda will recycle them into new caps for their products. This is the first company that I am aware of, that is taking this active step to recycle plastic caps. You can collect them through your town, school, church, garden club, library or business. Talk to your municipal recycling coordinator and get a collection barrel at your recycling center.

Visit http://aveda.aveda.com/aboutaveda/caps.asp to see how you can recycle those bottle caps. Click on 'Find a location' to find an Aveda recycling salon in your area. Just plug in your zip code.

Though a cap is small, your collection can make a huge difference.

WORKING TOGETHER, IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO!

Wini Applegate,
NGC Environmental Studies School Chairman

2009 GCFP Annual Convention

2009-01-15T17:53:00.005-05:00

District VI invites all garden club members, family and friends to attend

"Somewhere In Time"

at the beautiful Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, PA,

April 19 to 22, 2009.

You will be transported into another era where elegance abounds.

Read your winter 2008-09 Keystone Gardener for all the details and registration forms.

Check the Bedford Springs Resort website, http://www.bedfordspringsresort.com/ , to view the lodgings.

It's sure to be a special convention at a fabulous venue.

Let's have District I show their support by great attendance!

Membership Contest

2009-01-15T17:43:00.002-05:00

National Garden Clubs, Inc. is sponsoring a Membership Contest beginning June 1, 2008.

Increase your state membership--participate in National Garden Clubs Membership Contest from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. The STATE with the greatest percentage increase in members will win the honor of having a new canna cultivar named for its state.This new canna variety to be named for the winning state being grown by Dr. Jack Roberson of American Daylily & Perennial Co. Inc., is 3-1/2 feet high with a red/red-orange bloom and dark purple/black foliage. It can be grown in all states and will be made available for sale in Fall, 2009 at $14 each from the grower. It will be available to members in the winning state as well as nationwide.The contest runs from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009.

The winner will be announced at the NGC Fall Board Meeting.

This contest will have many beneficial results:
Increase in members
Increase in revenue for Clubs, States and NGC
Increase in pride of membership in garden clubs
Create positive publicity for garden clubs in their communities

Beat the competition!Grow your membership so that your state will be the first to win this prestigious honor!
Click here to download Ideas to Increase Membership.

Submitted by Adrienne Langan, NGC Membership Committee

Club Membership FlyersDownload flyers to help your club's membership drive:
New Garden Club Invitation - WORD or PDF
Love Gardening & Learn Floral Arranging - WORD or PDF

Submitted by Babs McClendon, NGC Membership Committee

Longwood Gardens Partnership Program and GCFP

2009-01-15T17:06:00.001-05:00

This is a great opportunity for club members to experience the excellence of the Continuing Education Courses offered at Longwood Gardens at a reduced rate. Interested clubs should contact Joan McClintock, Continuing Educator Coordinator at jmcclintock@longwoodgardens.org, 1-610-388-1000 x543 for more information. This information is also in the fall 2008 edition of the Keystone Gardener, page 6.

Longwood Gardens is pleased to extend its Continuing Education Partnership Program to the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. This is a great way to add value to your organization.
To launch the partnership with an individual club, please contact Joan and she will send you the information. Your club members can receive a ‘Membership Advantage Coupon’, which entitles them to register for one of Longwood’s outstanding courses at the listed price AND register a friend in the same course for ½ price. There are some exclusions. If you don’t have the 2009 Course catalog, you can view it online at www.longwoodlearning.org. You can also request a catalog be sent to you.
There is much more to this partnership that can benefit your club and members and also attract new members. Contact Joan for the details.

Blue Star Marker Installation Ceremony

2009-01-14T16:45:00.002-05:00

Attention all District # 1 garden clubs
From: Sandy Manthorpe
Blue Star Memorial Chairman

April 30, 2009, 2:30 p.m.

Blue Star Dedication District # 1
Route 30 business and 202
The Penn Dot Park & Ride
Next to the Sheraton Hotel

Reception to follow at the hotel

I am asking EVERY Club President to select someone in your club to look up and contact your local veterans groups, informing them NOW to place April 30, 2009 on their calendars.

This date has been placed on Governor Edward O. Rendells' calendar and hopefully he can attend.

Judy Grunwaldt, a former District #1 Director, has designed the invitation.
Supply Judy with the addresses/names and we will see they get an invitation.
Her email is Weeds_galore@comcast.net or phone her at 610-647-4172

Our wish list (Call Sandy 610-942-4696)

>>>>>A portable Public Address System that works!
>>>>>An honor guard
>>>>>someone to play taps
>>>>>Volunteers to be greeters on April 30th (Call Sandy)

LET'S MAKE THIS A BIG MEDIA EVENT!
*** TIME TO BE DETERMINED

Meet Bernadette

2008-11-11T18:49:00.005-05:00

Meet Bernadette, the lovable topiary entered into the 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show by the Villanova Garden Club. Many months of grooming and TLC went into caring for her but she shows her pedigree and is a winner. She was awarded a third, honorable mention and 2 PHS class commendation blue ribbons. Congratulations Villanova Garden Club!

District Announces Scholarship to GCFP Annual Convention

2008-11-04T21:04:00.003-05:00

District I announces a scholarship to the 2009 GCFP Annual Convention, April 19-22, 2009, Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, PA ( http://www.bedfordspringsresort.com/ ). Any active garden club member who has never attended a GCFP convention is eligible to apply. The scholarship will cover the full cost of the convention and the winner is responsible for the cost of lodging. Convention attendees receive a special room rate at the resort. The cost of the convention includes most meals and workshops. Club presidents will nominate one member by January 31, 2009. The winner will be drawn from all the applicants in February. The schedule of the convention may be viewed at the state website ( http://www.pagardenclubs.org/ ) under 2009 GCFP Convention. Full details will be available in the Winter edition of the Keystone Gardeners.

Wayne Woods Garden Club

2008-09-24T15:09:00.003-04:00

Club meets September through June onthe first Wednesday of the month. Meeting time is 7:30 p.m. at the Roberts Elementary School in Wayne.

Website: www.waynewoodsgardenclub.org

Club of Little Gardens of Malven

2008-09-24T14:59:00.004-04:00

Club meets September through June on the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. at the Malvern Borough Hall.