February President's Letter

Dear Garden Club Members,

Once again we had an excellent monthly program; our February speaker, Clive Lodge, gave an engaging talk about the joys - and sorrows - of boxwood. Boxwood adds form, structure and an inviting sense of serenity to the garden. Unfortunately, boxwood blight has hit Connecticut and, as Clive warned, we must be vigilant in watching our shrubs for evidence of this disease. To learn more about boxwood light, click on this link to an article in the Hartford Courant: http://articles.courant.com/2011-12-12/news/hc-killer-boxwood-fungus-1213-20111212_1_fungus-boxwoods-plants. The delights of boxwood, however, are so many- not the least is the fact that deer are not interested in them- that it’s doubtful that we will ever eliminate these lovely shrubs from our gardens entirely.

The other highlight of our February program was Millie Legenhausen’s talk on “How to Begin Composting”. Millie’s power point presentation stimulated a lively discussion – and I’m happy to say we have quite a few composters in our club! If you missed the discussion but would like to learn more, contact Millie and she’ll be glad to email you her very knowledgeable and encouraging presentation.

As I think I’ve mentioned to you before, the Garden Club of America has been slowly unfolding their new website. The new site has a plethora of information which is helpful for all club members but particularly for committee chairs and committee members. Late in the summer, Rosita Murphy and I sent you information on how to log onto the new site; please let either of us know if you would like us to resend you that info. It would be wonderful if all members of our club were to log on and update their contact information on the new GCA website by the end of the spring.

And speaking of spring…….I’m sure many of us have been making lists and pouring through garden catalogs, dreaming of what to plant, transplant and change in the upcoming growing season. In thumbing through the latest Brent and Becky’s bulb catalog, I was excited to see the species lily “canadense” https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/summer/productview/?sku=84-149 . Nory Babbitt and I came across a gorgeous stand of these charming yellow lilies with maroon spots by a stream in Brimfield several years ago and I have been searching for them ever since. Also, in The New York Times on Thursday, February 6, there was a wonderful article by Anne Raver about our honorary member Dick Jaynes and his marvelous nursery in Hamden, Broken Arrow. (If you don’t have access to the Times online and would like to read the article, just let me know and I’ll get you a copy.) This reminded me that I must have witch hazel and its lovely intense fragrance in my garden. Broken Arrow has a terrific selection – close to 40 kinds! And if you’re longing for spring right this very minute, remember this an excellent time to force flowering trees and shrubs such as forsythia indoors. Rosita shared this very helpful link - http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ho-23.pdf - on how best to do this.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our March meeting where we will learn about “Gardening with Moss” with speaker, Christine Cook. And be sure to come to the Ag Station early (10:45 a.m.) and join in our Floral Design Group Challenge. No judging- just fun!

Warmest regards,

Susan

PS Don’t forget to contact Jeanne Bjorkman or Debbie Edwards to sign up for our March 14 excursion to the Recovery Authority Trash Museum. You’ll find further details here on the blog.