Durham Council of Garden Clubs

Edith Edelman to speak at Duke Gardens

2012-02-10T15:14:00.001-05:00

CLICK on image to enlarge so you can read. Drag to desktop so you can print

Worst Winter Weeds: Hairy Bittercress

2012-02-10T15:08:00.001-05:00

By Toni Leland (tonileland) January 29, 2012
Spring is in the air, little green things are popping up all over, and we all heave a sigh of relief that the blanket of white stuff is finally gone. But beneath the snow that stopped everything in its tracks lurks a hardy, robust little puff of tiny green leaves that virtually grows before your eyes.

(This article was originally published on March 29, 2010. Your comments are welcome but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to respond to your questions or comments.)
Call it what you will - hairy bittercress, winter bittercress, hairy cress, popping cress - Cardamine hirsuta - is a weed that tries the most forgiving gardener's patience. Growing worldwide (except in the Antarctic, this genus of the Brassicaceae family numbers more than 150 species, both annual and perennial. The plant is self-pollinating and in bloom throughout the year. It loves moist soil and grows aggressively under those conditions.
As the snow melts, tiny white, pink, or lavender flowers begin to appear. Yes, flowers. This tenacious weed is short-lived, which is good, you say. A life cycle of 6 weeks doesn't seem like such a big deal. Think again - how many 6-week cycles are there in a year?  One of the biggest problems with bittercress is that, by the time you discover you have a problem, it's almost too late to do anything about it. The first flowers appear in late February or early March, quickly form seed pods, and mature. If you touch those trigger-happy seed pods, it's all over - the pods explode, distributing seeds over an area up to 36 inches around each plant. Those seeds will germinate and begin sprouting with a few days and the cycle begins again, only over a larger area. Small to medium size plants produce about 600 seeds, and larger plants can yield up to 1,000 seeds.  Hairy bittercress is not invasive enough to warrant using herbicides. As soon as new plants appear in February or March, begin pulling them; these are the offspring of the previous fall's seed crop. Through the season, always pull the seedlings when you see them; they have shallow roots and come away quite easily; however, bits of root left behind are capable of re-rooting under optimum conditions. The key is to get the plants before they set seed, which happens quickly after blooming. Eradicating this weed from large areas is almost impossible, unless you can hoe and remove. Keeping bittercress out of the flower beds is a little easier, but requires diligent hand-weeding to stay ahead of the seed formation. The leaves release a pungent aroma when bruised.  Hairy bittercress is a problem in greenhouses and nurseries, so be sure to clear off the top 2 to 3 inches of soil before planting anything you purchase. Scoop the soil into a plastic bag and discard. Keep a close watch on newly planted containers, especially those that are positioned near flower beds. The propulsion factor of bittercress seeds can sneak new plants into your containers while you aren't looking. Hairy bittercress is a real problem near flagstone patios or walks, brick work, or any hard-scaping that has space between the pieces. This weed does not need much to set down roots - even a small amount of sand between two bricks is plenty.  As mentioned before, at least the seedlings are easy to pull.

Are you into Seed Trading?

2012-02-10T15:04:00.001-05:00

Dave's Garden has a forum. If you have seeds to share or are looking
for something that costs only the price of a SASE, check this out.
People post their seeds of interest, you might find that perfect variety
not available here in town. If you participate please also share
a photo of your plants and also we could have our own seed swap. Anyone
interesting in starting this?

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/trading/all/

Plant and Seed Trading
http://davesgarden.com/community/trading/
Trading seeds and plants was the first feature of Dave's Garden and continues to be an huge activity among our members. Expand your garden by trading with other gardeners from around the country! Currently there are 52,194 different plants listed by 14,089 different members.

Educate Yourself!

2012-02-02T06:26:00.004-05:00

Educate Yourself!
Join us for
classes and workshops at our
Durham and Charlotte locations.
All classes begin at 10am.
Call and sign up now!
1-800-643-0315

Feb. 4 & Mar. 3
"How to Plant a Premium Rose Garden."
Interested in learning how Witherspoon plants a rose? Join us for a detailed demonstration of what it takes to plant a bareroot rose.
Feb. 18 & 25
"Prune Your Roses Right!" Pruning your roses is one of the most important, but intimidating tasks that is part of proper rose care. It takes a steady hand and the right procedure to ensure the best possible growth for your rose bush. Let Witherspoon demonstrate the best way to prune your roses.
Mar. 17
"Fertilizing: a Jumpstart for Your Roses."
Fertilizer is the fuel roses need to produce those blooms all season long!
Mar. 31
"Spice Up Your Life with Herbs: An Herbal Workshop!"
Learn the basics of starting your own herb garden. $20 fee includes creating your own dish garden with organic herbs.

Sustainable Landscapes

2012-02-02T06:24:00.001-05:00

Click to enlarge the flyer. Looks like a grat event.

The Uncommon Garden

2012-02-01T08:12:00.003-05:00

The Uncommon Garden is a sculptural landscape
defying words while challenging traditional ideas of
“the garden.” Discover the sheer magnitude of rock
assemblages, water features, dragons and snakes;
the magnificent detail in mosaics and iron works;
with many other surprises on its winding foot paths.

visit the link below for much more information and tickets
www.uncommongardentour.com

Daytime Tours
9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am
$30 per ticket - 70 tickets per tour
Live Music and artists painting Plein Air

The Garden Gala
7:00pm - 10:00pm
$75 for 1 ticket, or $125 for 2 tickets
80 tickets available for the Gala
Experience The Uncommon Garden in a way never before seen
by the public. This evening event will enchant guests with lights
dancing off the water and a magical mist in the air…
all set against the backdrop of
Live Music and Performance,
Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres,
Bar (ticket with 2 drink coupons, and cash bar after that) and
Silent Auction of local Artists’ works

Tickets also at www.ArtsCenterLive.org and the Box Office
(919) 929-2787

Garden Club Members Only! Special Preview Sale- Baubles Bling & Blooms

2012-01-30T14:39:00.001-05:00

Ardith's Jottings

Garden Club Members Only!

Special Preview Sale- Baubles Bling & Blooms

Feb. 10, 2012 2-4pm

19 East Camden

Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, NC

Remember that great estate sale I told you about that had an outstanding amount of quality floral books, containers, supplies, all new, unopened and unused at Super Prices plus lots of other fabulous stuff? Well, Phase Two of the Estate Sale will be held Feb. 11, 2012 from 8-4 and Feb. 12, 2012 from 12-4. A Special Preview Sale for garden club members and their guests only will be on Friday, February 10th from 2-4 pm. The contents of the second home has been combined with newly discovered treasures at 19 East Camden. The owner had inherited her late sister's jewelry collection. The sister was as fixated on jewelry as was our lady about flowers, flower arranging, Ikebana and gardening. The jewelry will be included in this Sale. This is why I told you to save your Christmas and/or mad money.

It is necessary that 40 garden club members (or their guests) attend the Friday Preview to make it worthwhile to hire the workers and security. RSVP to cmlhampton@nc.rr.com
if you plan to attend the preview and how many, if any, guests you are bringing.

If you are unable to attend the Special Preview Sale, do attend the Sale Feb. 11 and 12. This is an eagerly anticipated Event so get there early. Excellent quality items throughout.

Daylily donates to Watts St. Baptist Church

2012-01-26T09:59:00.002-05:00

Daylily GC donated $250 to the Watts Street Baptist Church Stanley Mission Center for the purpose of placing two evergreen planters at the entrance to the house. The house is used by the Host Homes Program to provide a home-like housing situation for patients and their families who are receiving long-term treatments at Duke University Medical Center. The house has recently undergone extensive renovations and Daylily GC was glad to give the home an extra welcoming touch!

HOME GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES

2012-01-26T08:13:00.000-05:00

News from the North Carolina Botanical Garden

From the beginning, the North Carolina Botanical Garden has offered learning opportunities to gardeners. In 2012 NCBG staff and other local experts will be instructing in a super line-up of offerings for our “Home Gardening Series.” Generally 2 hours long on a Saturday or Sunday, these workshops provide participants with new tools and ideas. Starting with Weeds 101 on February 11, “Queen Weeder” Sally Heiney shows you how to identify weeds and suggests strategies for managing them. On February 18 gardener Bob Peoples offers Get Ready for Spring: A Vegetable Gardening Workshop. These are followed by Native Plant Seed Propagation, The Dos and some Don’ts of Pruning, Identifying & Controlling Invasive Plants, and Native Plant Propagation (cuttings). Don’t miss these, and more (Photography … All About Grains … Medicinal Herbs). Visit our recently updated website for details and how to register: http://ncbg.unc.edu/classes-workshops/

From the EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER DURHAM COUNTY NEWSLETTER

2012-01-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Rick Fisher’s Photography was able to donate $24,000 to charity this past year. His goal is to make $30,000 to donate to charity. Rick is also teaching a course in digital photography at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and will be leading a 3-day trip to view wildflowers and waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway for the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in May.

Leanna Murphy Dono and Marsha Booker-Hibbs are serving on the steering committee of South Durham Green Neighbors. Leanna is one of the co-founders and is currently serving as chair. South Durham Green Neighbors (SDGN) is an all-volunteer community group to inspire individuals in south Durham County to take responsibility for the Earth via small group dialogue and discussion
groups. For more information please contact either Leanna or Marsha or go to www.sdgn.net.

Extension Gardener Seminars at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
These seminars are free but pre-registration is necessary.
Please call Sara Smith at (919) 668-5309 to register.

Sunday, February 26, 2:00-4:00 PM: “Native Plants in Our Gardens,” Michelle Wallace, Durham County Extension Horticultural Agent.

Sunday, March 18, 2:00-4:00 PM: “Container Gardening.”
Extension Gardener Seminars at South Regional Library, 4505 South Alston Ave, Durham, free to register call (919) 560-7409

Sunday, February 19, 2012: 2:30-3:30 PM. “Durham Gardening 101- Getting Ready to Grow!” Sustainable Garden Workshop at Durham Center for NC Cooperative Extension, 721 Foster St.,
($25 fee, includes lunch and materials) to register call (919) 560-0525 or e-mail prjones@durhamcountync.gov

Monday, February 27, 2012: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Soil management, smart watering, rain garden, vegetable gardening, critter management.
Plants, Pests and Pathogens
These sessions are eligible for Continuing Education Credit. See:
www.ces.ncsu.edu?depts/hort/garden/PlantsPestsPathogen/1012.html for more information.
• Tuesday, February 28, 2012
• Tuesday, April 24, 2012
• Tuesday, June 26, 2012
• Tuesday, August 28, 2012
• Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Ardith's Jottings

2012-01-23T19:12:00.002-05:00

336-622-4566

Garrett's Flower Shop's new owners arecelebrating their expanded and remodeled premises. They will notonly be offering great floral designs for all occasions but works by localpotters, locally made soy candles, Debbie Roos' greeting cards and lots ofother items to tickle your fancy. Refreshments, door prizes, discountswill be offered. It is rumored each lady attending will receivea free rose!

Jim and Robert, the new owners, also operate Carol'sGood Earth Farm. They have a great array of interesting and unusualblooms during the season. The vase life of their flowers is far beyondexpected. Lilies would frequently last 2-3 weeks. I met them when I purchased their flowers at the Chatham Mill Farmer'sMarket in Pittsboro,NC. Jim has a good eye for color and design. Hewill help you select what is right for the occasion and the exact spot you wantto place your flowers. Robert is usually in the fields working with theflowers. Together they will meet your floral needs.
( I admit I ambiased. They spoiled me with their flowers at Chatham Mill Farmer'sMarket. )

If you want to do something different, see somethingnew, attend the OPEN HOUSE, Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Winterfest, BlowingRock, NC

Looking for an out of town getaway? Blowing Rockis holding its annual Winterfest. Something for everyone isavailable--Chili Challenge,Great Shopping, Wine Auction and Tasting, IceCarving Competition, Winter Paws dog show, etc. Check the website. As gardeners we value each season for what it gives us, Celebrate Winter at theBlowing Rock, NC Winterfest!

CHOCOLATE

The Carolina Chocolate Festival is being held February4-5, 2012 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City. Chocolate specialists from NC and outside the state will be there to seduce ourtastebuds, to lure us into temptation. Chocolate in all its shapes andforms will be available. Cakes, tortes, ice cream and chocolate bars willbe there for our delectation. A Chocolate Challenge open to profession andamateur bakers.

This event benefits Cateret County non-profitgroups. So come out, experience the anti-oxidants benefits of this tastytree and have fun while benefitting some deserving charities. Remembermedical science now approves of the daily intake of chocolate.

We garden clubbers are a creative group. Ourcreativity is not just limited to our gardens or flower arranging. Manyof us are also interested in the Needle Arts So I thought I would tell you thata Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza isbeing held this weekend, January 27th and 28th in Statesville, NC at theStatesville Civic Center. So if you are looking for fabric, new ideas, anew art form or just something to get you looking at those incompleteprojects scattered about your home with new eyes, check out this event.

http://quiltersgallery.net/quilting-and-needle-art-extravaganza-in-statesville-nc/

Reynolda House Exhibit Feb 18-Aug 2

2012-01-23T18:51:00.001-05:00

"A Genius For Place - American Landscapes of the County Place Era"
Reynolda House Museum will unveil a new exhibition this spring showcasing some of the finest examples of American landscape design in the early twentieth century. The exhibition reflects numerous influences, including Beau Arts, Arts and Crafts, and even Asian principles.
There will be brochures at the Feb meeting if you and a few friends wish to take a great day trip.
Reynolda House is in Winston-Salem Call 336-758-5150 for details or e-mail reynolda@reynoldahouse.org. Their website is reynoldahouse.org.

EK Powe Elementary School received a grant thanks to Town and Country GC

2012-01-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

First grade teacher Lynette Damon applied for, and received, a $1,000.00 Windows of Opportunity grant from North Carolina Beautiful made possible by a donation from Town & Country Garden Club.

EK Powe Elementary School formed a Garden Planning Team in 2008 (teachers and parents) focusing on enhancing school-wide outdoor learning opportunities. The North Carolina Beautiful grant they just won is intended to revitalize a space at the school known as the Peace Garden and make it a permanent part of the grounds. It's a 1,000 foot area, and includes a 200 square food ground level garden plot (the site of that great picture), as well as a composting station and a rainwater cistern. The monies will support construction of the infrastructure for The Peace Garden and create a permanent outdoor classroom for children, teachers and families for many years to come. I'll also forward a picture of the front of the school, with raised beds they already have in play.

Upcoming workshops and tours at the JCC Arboretum

2012-01-23T12:17:00.000-05:00

The JCC Arboretum has numerous events planned for February and March. Reservations are necessary. Please call Lin Frye (919) 209-2052 or Minda Daughtry (919) 209-2184 to reserve a space.

Gardening for the New to NC
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $15.
This workshop is especially designed for those new to North Carolina or new to gardening and will cover the important plant information needed for you to have a garden of your dreams.

Vegetable Gardening in Square Foot and Container Gardens
Monday, Feb. 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $15.
This hands-on class covers the various ways to grow vegetables in small spaces. The class will cover the best varieties to grow locally, when to plant, thin, and harvest. Participants will go home with several vegetables varieties to begin their own food gardens.

Birds and Feeders for Children 5-12 years
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 4:30 - 6 p.m. in the Arboretum Brick Building. Registration is $15.
This hands-on workshop for children focuses on attracting birds to your backyard. Participants will create handmade bird feeders and a birdhouse to take home. They will also learn about some of the plants that can attract these feathered friends.

Sustainable Gardening and the Bees
Tuesday, March 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $15.
Learn good management strategies and practices that will enhance your plants while sustaining the environment. This class will focus on honeybees and ways to attract and keep them healthy. Participants will also have an opportunity to sample local honey.

Pruning Crape Myrtles and Azaleas
Wednesday, March 7, 10 a.m. - noon at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $10.
This hands-on workshop teaches how to correctly prune crape myrtles and azaleas so that they look their best while remaining healthy. This class is held in the classroom and outdoors so dress appropriately.

Fruit and Berry Pruning and Maintenance Workshop
Tuesday, March 13, 2 - 5 p.m. at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $15.
This class will demonstrate the proper way of pruning various fruit trees and berries and also include information on proper maintenance of these important plants.

Sustainable Food Systems with Tony Kleese
Tuesday, March 20, 6 - 9 p.m. at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $15.
Tony will use his two decades of work experience to create a sustainable food system in North Carolina to help explain a sustainable food system and how to create one for your family and community.

Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Tour in Goldsboro
Tuesday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Meet at the Arboretum Mobile Unit. Registration is $20. Lunch is on your own.
This tour concentrates on the farm unit as it relates to sustainable agricultural activities, local farms, and produce and sustainability. Learn how to help reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the environment as these relate to food.

Winter Pruning of Trees, A Timely Task

2012-01-23T12:12:00.000-05:00

Most folks are putting away their gardening tools in late fall but don’t be so quick to retire inside for the winter. Did you know that winter is the perfect time to prune most deciduous trees?

Why winter?
There are several good reasons to prune trees in winter:
    •    The foliage is gone and the structure of the branches is clearly visible.
    •    The tree is dormant, this will eliminate the bleeding of sap from the fresh cuts.

    •    In the case of oak trees they should only be pruned during the winter. This is due to the fact that freshly cut oaks emit an odor which attracts the beetle that causes oak wilt. This is a serious disease that often times will kill the tree. The beetles are hibernating during the winter.
    •    There are several other varieties of tress that are less likely to contract diseases when pruned during the winter months. Prune locust to prevent stem canker. Prune apple, crab apple, mountain ash, and hawthorn to avoid fire blight.
Exceptions to winter pruning
As with any rule there are exceptions to winter pruning.
Trees and shrubs that prune in early spring should be pruned immediately after their blooms fade. Some examples of these are chokeberry (Aronia), flowering plum or cherry (Prunus), juneberry (Amelanchier), lilac (Syringa) and deciduous flowering magnolias.

Pruning Guidelines

There is a pruning guideline called the “5 D’s” that describes situations where pruning may be done at any time: these 5 D's are dead, dying, diseased, damaged, or deformed branches.

The rest of the article can be found at Dave's Garden
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/317/

REMINDERS of Deadlines this week

2012-01-23T12:05:00.001-05:00

CLIPPINGS…..NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

2012-01-16T11:26:00.001-05:00

The holidays are overand I finally took the antlers and red nose off of my car. Now I can’t find it in the parkinglot!! I hope all of you had apleasant Christmas and New Year. Now to put away ALL the decorations! It’s time to gear up for 2012 .

Iwill be sending out my Call Letter for the April 27-May 1 GCNC Annual Meeting inearly February, so put it on your calendar now. Asheville is planning a wonderful event. More information will follow in theletter and in the March Newsletter.

Website

Lynneneeds more information for our new website. When you have a flower show, Blue Star dedication, specialChristmas decorating event (Emma Harris GC take note), poinsettias at the VAhospital (Heritage GC take note) I SENT IN ON DEC 8th also events from Hope Valley, Homestead Heights and Garden Makers) etc., please send in a picture or pictures forthe site. You do not have to putclub members names if you do not wish to. But you need to include club name, district, town, date of activity andwhat kind of activity it was.

Forthe calendar----When your club has an event, like a flower show, please send inthe information to Lynn so she can put it on the calendar. We want to make our website as helpfuland full of information as we can. I sent this to Lynn too

The First GardenClub of North Carolina Ornament

I am pleased to announce that GCNC now has aspecial ornament for sale that was made expressly for us. It is beautiful. I have a sample copy and I amthrilled with how good it looks.

The2012 issue will be the first of a series. It is a Baldwin brass round ornament with dogwoods around the side and ared cardinal that is in relief. Onthe reverse side it says “Made especially for GCNC” with the date of 2012.

The cost will be $20and they will be available at the Annual Meeting in April in Asheville.

Darene Honeycutt, ourWays and Means Chairman, is in charge of this project and will be takingpreorders for delivery at the Annual Meeting. Shipping prices have not been fully determined at this timefor those who would like it mailed to them. There will be a limited number of these ornamentsproduced and no reorders will be made.

Mail your preorders toDarene Honeycutt, Hudsontown Rd., Dunn, 28334. For information: Phone-910-567-6283.Email-darenehoneycutt@yahoo.com for information

Engagement CalendarPhotos

Photosfor the 2013 GCNC Engagement Calendar are due by January 31 to Ann Payne, 150Southwood Park Rd., Mooresville, 28117. I know 2012 has just started but we have to go to press in a timelymanner in order to have the calendars for April.

Important Dates for2012

January25 Club Annual reports due toDistrict Directors.

January31 Calendar photos due to Ann Payne.

March1 Youth Awards, dues and rating sheets due to State YouthChairman, Ginny Parker.

March6 Davidson Horticultural Symposium

March16 Arbor Day

March25-27 SAR Annual Meeting, The Greenbrier in West Virginia. Registration forms are on the SAR andGCNC Websites.

March31 Dues due to GCNC office in Raleigh.

April29-May 1 GCNC Annual Meeting, Asheville. Registration form will be in the Call Letter mailed inFebruary and on the GCNC Website. Form is not available at this time.

May17-20 National Garden Clubs AnnualConvention in Buffalo, NY. Registration form available on the NGC Website.

Sept.23 GCNC Annual Fall Board Meeting inDurham. Registration form not available at thistime.

Thereis further information and dates on the GCNC website about some of theabove. The Davidson HorticulturalSymposium has a link on the website.

2012District Meetings Listed by date not district

Oct.3 District 2, Morganton

Oct.4 District 1, Tryon

Oct.5 District 3, Charlotte

Oct.9 District 10, Raleigh

Oct.10 District 12, Wilson

Oct.11 District 11, Jacksonville

Oct.12 District 8, Lumberton

Oct.16 District 9, Henderson

Oct.17 District 5, Greensboro

Oct.18 District 4, Winston-Salem

If any locations areincorrect the District Director should contact me immediately.

New Treasurer

Someof you may be unaware that Dorothy Chin of Charlotte was elected as theTreasurer of GCNC at the Fall Board Meeting. Welcome Dorothy.

Philadelphia Flower Show

2012-01-16T11:17:00.001-05:00

Dear North Carolina Garden Club Members,

You are invited to take part in a trip to see the Philadelphia Flower Show. See attachment for details about the trip. Cost is very reasonable. The Fred Heutte Center is in Norfolk, VA. is where the trip originates and returns. The dates are Sunday, March 4 & Monday, March 5. North Carolina residents would probably need to plan to spend the night in a Norfolk hotel on Saturday, March 3, and Monday, March 5, because of the times the bus leaves and returns. My understanding is that there will only be one bus taken this year so make your reservations early!

Bill Smoot is the President of Landscape Design Consultants in VA and organizes the LDC schools there. He has organized this trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show for years. He is a great guy!

The only conflict for GCNC members is the Davidson Horticultural Symposium is on Tuesday, March 6. It is always an educational and enjoyable day!

I hope you will consider attending one or the other of these events!

Lynne Mabry
Website Chairman, GCNC

The 2012

Philadelphia

Flower Show!

Join Us on AnOvernight Bus Tour visiting Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, and

The PhiladelphiaFlower Show!

4 –5 March, 2012

The Fred Heutte Center is sponsoring a bus tour to The PhiladelphiaFlower Show. This is the largestflower show in the USA! Wehave a great tour package that can’t be beat! In addition to the Philadelphia Flower Show, we will also bevisiting Longwood Gardens www.longwoodgardens.org/ and shopping in historic Kennett Square, PA.

Join other gardeners at the The Philadelphia FlowerShow! www.philaflowershow.com/home/index.html This year’s theme is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha!”. The2012 Flower Show pays tribute to the talents of the Hawaiian people in theHawaiian Village, which will offer demonstrations, crafts and merchandise inthe Grand Hall. You will be completely immersed in this authentically Hawaiian,once-in-a-lifetime presentation. And feel like you are walking across thebeaches, jungles and mountains of the Hawaiian Islands.” Enter beneath dynamic projections ofcrashing waves and one of the largest and most exciting displays of whiteorchids ever assembled. Towering palms, bamboo, green walls, and a tropicalplant canopy will immerse visitors in the Hawaiian rainforest. A 25-foot-highwaterfall will splash down into Pele’s Garden, an island of exotic flowers andplants where performers will conjure volcanic flames and the Fire Goddess. Theislands will be celebrated in showcase gardens that highlight their culturethrough flowers and landscapes, performances and art. Other major exhibits willinclude floral volcanoes, cut-bamboo designs, surf shacks, Hawaiian vistas, anda tribute to the memorial garden at Pearl Harbor. Shop in the over 300 vendormarket for any and everything pertaining to gardening – plants, books, tools,decorative items, etc. Attendlectures and demonstrations from internationally known horticulture experts.

Tour includes deluxe motorcoach transportation,Continental Breakfast on trip up, overnight lodging with luggage handling atthe Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square, PA, Welcome Reception, and full hot breakfast:Dinner at Brandywine Prime; tickets to Longwood Gardens, and The PhiladelphiaFlower Show!

Cost is $325.00 per person- based on double room occupancy! Single room supplement is $55.00 extra! Mail reservations to Fred HeutteCenter, 1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk, VA Include Full payment along with your name, address,telephone number, and e-mail address! Call 441-2513 for additional info. Only one bus will be going – when it’sfilled that’s it! Send in yourreservation/payment promptly so you won’t miss out on this fantastic tour!

ITENIARY: All times approximate! Updated and further information posted at www.fredheutte.org

Sunday- 4 March, 2012

6:00am Busleaves Fred Heutte Center –

Brief driver rest stop enroute. Continental Breakfast (included)

11:30am ArriveLongwood Gardens – lunch on your own.

3:00pm Optionalshopping at Kennett Square, PA

5:30pm Arrive at the Hilton Garden Inn KennettSquare, PA – Welcome Reception & Check-In

7:00 pm Busleaves for Dinner at Brandywine Prime

Monday- 5 March, 2012

7:30 – 8:30am FullHot Breakfast Buffet (included) at hotel

9:00am Busleaves for Philadelphia Flower Show

10:00am ArriveOpening time of The Philadelphia Flower Show – Shop Till You Drop!

Lunchon your own.

5:00pm DepartPhiladelphia Flower Show for Home

BriefBus Driver rest stop Dinner/snack (on your own)

11:30pm Arriveat The Fred Heutte Center

Ardith's Jottings

2012-01-11T13:43:00.002-05:00

Awards

Remember the time is nearing to get your club award applications in for a well-deserved award. I know your club has been busy. So send in your award forms soon and your club may be be the happy recipient of the new and improved $50 award!

Changes, Changes,.....Something old is new!

During December, it seemed that I needed to do so many arrangements for so different organizations. I soon became frustrated by the variety and quality of floral material available at my usual places. I visited a place I had not visited in a long time, A Southern Season. The floral department has changed! The variety has expanded. The quality has improved and they now carry some distinctive containers and accessories.

Below are some photos to show the "new" floral department .

The pearlescent pierced ginkgo leaf vase is 19" tall and looks stunning alone. Imagine how this would look in your entryway or on your hearth. Bare branches would gain a whole new look.

This long piece of driftwood shown here dotted with airplants, would certainly add distinction to your arrangement-East or West. It could be used horizontally as shown, vertically or angled. It is a stimulus for the creative designer. Smaller pieces of weathered driftwood are also available.

Visit A Southern Season's floral department soon. In fact stop by a shop which used to be an old favorite but you haven't visited in a while, they may have experienced some changes.

Trash and Treasure-Grove Park Garden Club first to contribute!

Remember our Council is responsible for the State Board Meeting, September 23,24,2012. One of the features we will be offering is a Trash and Treasure table. Contributions are needed. Grove Park Garden Club's president, Jennifer Corser, made the first donation to the cause. She generously contributed 2 distinctive Christmas ornaments. Thank you, Jennifer.

Remember the event as you are clearing out your closets. Contact me at apugh21419@gmail.com if you have any contributions.
Items with resale value at or above $25 will be offered at a Silent Auction. We are looking for not only items but for gift certificates for a Spa Day, Mani-Pedi, Landscape Consultation, Interior Design Consultation,etc. A good rule of thumb is , if you would happily buy the item, so would someone else.

We want to make this a memorable event. We want the ladies to go home from the meeting talking about the great job we did. So step up to plate and contribute.

Late Bulbs

Do you have some bulbs languishing in your refrigerator? Get them out and into the ground. The longer you keep them in your refrigerator, the later they will bloom and the less likely they are to have a full size bloom. So give the bul;bs a chance. Get them into your garden so they can grow, grow, grow.

News from Duke Gardens - Docents needed

2012-01-11T13:39:00.003-05:00

the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden will become a reality this year. Construction is well underway. This new garden will expand program opportunities for all ages. In addition to trained program guides, this garden will also utilize volunteers as greeters (Ambassadors) to assist daily visitors. We are excited to discover interested volunteers who are currently in the program as well as expand the volunteer corps to meet these needs. Dates are set for the 2012 Docent Training. Veteran docents will note a format change in the training schedule this year. The dates are as follows:

February 21; 9-12 (History of Duke Gardens. This session is required for all docents)

February 23; 9-12 (Children’s docents only)

February 28; 9-12 (Adult docent session, Children’s docents are encouraged to attend)

March 1; 9-12 (Children’s docents only)

Following this experiential formal training, there will be additional dates scheduled with each curator to tour/train in their specific area of Duke Gardens

Contact Chuck

Director of Volunteer Services
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Phone 919-668-1705
www.gardens.duke.edu

Free Garden Programs at the Library

2012-01-11T13:13:00.001-05:00

These three programs are free to the public and are at the East Durham Library. This new library is very easy to find. From even the farthest part of Durham, the southwest, you can be there in about 10-15 minutes by taking 15-501 North to 85 nNorth to 70 East to 98 East (also called Holloway St. or Wake Forest Highway). The library is on 98, just a few minutes on your right--you'll see a brick building with lit up windows in which you can see rows of bookcases--no sign necessary. Pull in just past the library and the building entrance is on your right, behind the building. The cozy auditorium is on the right as you enter. There will be refreshments provided by the library, I'll be giving away free copies of some of the magazines I write for (first come, first served) and for most of the programs there will be door prizes from local garden centers (thanks for Stone Bros. and Byrd Garden Center for last months free bags of organic fertilizer.

Thursday, January 12-- Attracting Birds and BUTTERFLIES to Your Garden
What could be better than a garden where some of the flowers can actually take flight and liven things up? Discover which earthbound flowers attract the flying flowers--birds and butterflies--to your garden. And learn why some of the flashy "New!New!New!" flowers touted in catalogs and magazines may not be the best choice.

Thursday, January 26 Gardening Tips that Save Time, Save Money, Save Your Back and Save the Earth Too

Would it be easier to enjoy your garden if you didn't feel enslaved by it? You can learn how to have great gardens while spending less time working in them. And more time relaxing in them. Save some money and the planet while you're at it.

Thursday, February 9th Growing Herbs in the Kitchen Garden

Fresh herbs thrown into the dinner pot are reason enough to have them growing in your garden. But they're also evergreen, fragrant, drought hardy and the deer don't like them. Herbs are good for the garden even if you eat out every night. Learn how best to grow them, both in the ground and in pots.

Heritage GC Pizza Party

2012-01-03T11:32:00.001-05:00

Heritage Gaarden Club gave a special surprise and became Santa's Elves with some of the founding members of our Jr. Garden Club "Walking Roots"

ENTER YOUR PHOTOS for the State Calendar

2012-01-03T11:27:00.002-05:00

DEADLINE JAN 31.2012

DECORATING HINT and FEED THE BIRDS TOO

2012-01-03T11:03:00.002-05:00

This is an outdoor hint which many of you already know but many have forgotten. You can do this with your grandchildren. They will enjoy it and it will remind them that our feathered friends need our care, especially in winter.

Take day old bagels, split. Place on cookie sheets, dry in 350 degree oven for approximately 2-3 minutes. Spread with ordinary smooth peanut butter, then dip in wild bird seed. Loop red yarn, or raffia or twine around them to tie on the branches of a tree or evergreen in your yard. It will bring color to your yard not only by the colorful red yarn but by the birds flocking to your yard.

This is the seeds and peanut butter with suet in muffin cups.

History of Holly

2012-01-03T10:56:00.002-05:00

From a symbol of carnal passion to a mystical source of protection, holly has served many different purposes for cultures throughout the world. Early Christians stole holly as a decoration from the ancient Romans, who used the plant in their winter festival of Saturnalia. However, while holly was an expression of the lascivious side of the Roman festival, it played a much more restrained role in the Christian Yuletide: its sharp leaves, red berries and white flowers were a representation of the crown of thorns, blood and innocence of Jesus Christ. This versatile plant was also a staple in many pagan protection rituals. Holly, a masculine plant, gave good luck to any man who carried it.
For the same effect, women had to carry holly’s more feminine equivalent, ivy. This flexible plant winds itself around holly bushes, demonstrating the double meaning behind the Christmas song, “The Holly and the Ivy.” Families would hang holly on the wall to prevent lightning from striking their homes, or they would keep a sprig of the plant by their beds for pleasant dreams. Holly was even thought to ward off malevolent spirits when planted around the home. This unique plant gives color to a muted winter landscape, and will continue to be a part of our winter stories for generations to come.

Read more: http://www.herbcompanion.com/herb-profiles/history-of-holly-zm0z11djzsie.aspx#ixzz1h5AH11It

West Point on Eno - Homestead Heights

2011-12-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

Homestead Heights has beendecorating the McCown-Mangum House for many years. All decorations are inthe 1800’s style. The crocheted snow crystals were made by a member, aswell as the tree skirt. Many of the other decorations are ones made withour children many years ago and donated to the house. This year due tosickness, etc., there was just a skeleton group to do the set up. Theydid well. The open house ran Fri. and Sat. for two weekends.

Group pix: l-r, standing:Judy, Esther, Doris, Audrey, Diane, Fran, Denise, Mina, Carolyn

l-r, sitting: Bernice, Mary Ruth,Helen, Cathy, Phonetta, Margaret

Of course, Laurie was taking thepictures.

Heads Up, Garage Sale Aficionados!

2011-12-20T15:31:00.002-05:00

In November a fantastic garage sale was held in the home of a flower arranging devotee. This woman had not just 1 container of a type, she had 3 or 4. She had multiple copies of flower and garden books, in excellent condition.
There was a preview sale for garden club members only. Another sale will be held in the same location mid January. This lady had so much stuff much still in the original boxes, unopened. The contents of her retirement condo will be combined with the unsold items from her home. She was a compulsive shopper-good for us bargain hunters. The sale is being conducted by Whitehall Antiques of Chapel Hill. I will let you know the date of the sale. But save your Christmas money, this is a super opportunity.

Ardith's Jottings.

2011-12-20T15:24:00.003-05:00

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!

The Durham Council of Garden Clubs is responsible for the September 23-24, 2012 State Board Meeting. One of the events will be a White Elephant/Trash to Treasure table staffed by our wonderful, willing District 9 Garden Club volunteers and laden with goodies donated by our Clubs. To that end, I am asking that you donate any unwanted gifts you may receive during the Holidays or any items you may wish to clear out to make room for the great gifts you received. We are looking for things in good condition or new, things that you would be willing to buy yourself or not be embarrassed to have your friends know that this was your donation! The funds raised will help offset the expenses of the Meeting. Our treasury is looking a tad anemic after our support of the Briggs Avenue project, so we need your assistance. Look around your house for items you no longer need and remember our White Elephant table. Arrangers-this is a great opportunity to get rid of old containers or accessories you no longer use. This is a chance to give yourself space for those new containers you desire. Gardeners-divest yourself of those too cute garden things some well meaning people have given you. Remember one man's trash is another man's treasure. Email me at apugh21419@gmail.com if you have any questions or if you have items to donate.

WATER.

Just because it is cool does not mean we can forget about the new plantings we put in this Fall. They still need moisture. We need to supply what Mother Nature doesn't. So keep checking for watering needs.

'Twas the crabgrass before Christmas

2011-12-20T15:20:00.002-05:00

'Twas the crabgrass beforeChristmas

When all through your lawn

Those seed pods lay waitingfor an early Spring dawn;

To rise up and take-overcontrol of your fescue

In hopes that you'llknow-not how to come to the rescue;

But gather-round dearfriends

This won't cause adisturbance

We'll teach you to dealwith it prior to emergence;

Just click on to ourwebsite

And heed what you've heard;

Buy Prodiamine 65

From Stone Brothers &Byrd.

- Byrdie C. Moore of STONE BROS. and BYRD

Have you decorated for your community, church, neighborhood?

2011-12-20T14:00:00.000-05:00

Have you helped your neighborhood, church or community get festive for the Christmas season?

Even if not part of your clubs activities we would love to have you share.

Here are a few photos Ardith has of the Gathering Place in Fearrington Village. "The onlything I did not do was the garland with ribbon across the front--door, basketon bench, corner containers all mine."

Send you photos and blurbs to gmama4@gmail.com

Hope Valley Night of Lights

2011-12-19T10:26:00.005-05:00

Hope Valley Night of Lights

In the past year Hope Valley Garden Club (HVGC)wanted to increase neighborhood beautification and general good will. Thediscussion came about to create a luminary program.

HVGC quickly realized that with a neighborhood ofover 900 homes help was needed to execute the program. HVGC approachedthe Hope Valley Neighborhood Association to help create awareness about theevent and help facilitate the sale of the luminary kits. In aneffort for the event to truly be a community event we also enlisted thehelp of Town & Country Garden Club, another neighborhood garden club. Hope Valley Garden Club (HVGC) initiated, created and executed the event withthe help of these other organizations.

HVGC created a flyer that was used in anneighborhood association email as well as a mailing that sold over 7,780luminaries! The event took place on December 11, 2011. Allwho participated lit their luminaries at 5 pm that evening in an effort ofcommunity good will. Neighbors walked the neighborhood streets andenjoyed the scenery and their community.

All of the Hope Valley Garden Club membersparticipated in the event by purchasing, packing and distributing theluminaries. Proceeds from the Night of Lights went to Habitat forHumanity.

Twas the Season of Christmas - Garden Makers

2011-12-19T10:22:00.002-05:00

Please drag to desktop and enlarge to read. Great!!

The Flowers of the Season

2011-12-19T10:16:00.001-05:00

Dave's Garden website

By Mitch Fitzgerald (MitchF)
December 17, 2011

Each year at this time of year we use plants and flowers to decorate our homes and declare the season. Ever wonder about the plants and flower we use? Ever wonder where they came from and just a hint at their meaning?

(Editor'sNote: This article was originally published on December 6, 2007. Your commentsare welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articlesmay not be able to promptly respond to new questions or comments. We hope youenjoy it as we count down to Christmas.)

Amaryllis - Hippeastrum - This is a muchloved plant to brighten up windows during the holiday season. The attraction isthat these plants bloom in the dead of winter with minimal care. They come inthe holiday colors of red, green, and white. Amaryllis can be grown in theground up to zone 8 year round without difficulty.

Christmas Rose - Helleborus niger – Thisflower is said to have sprouted from the tears of a little child at theNativity who did not have a gift to give the Christ child. It was also used bymany, including the druids, to ward off evil spirits which were believed tothrive in the dead cold months of winter. The snow white flowers are stunningand a welcome surprise in any garden at any time of year.

Holiday Cactus - Schlumbergera x buckleyi- A wonderful flower on a very hardy plant that will stand the test oftime. I have seen stunning specimens blooming in the same dirty pots for 20years and more. If the temperature is lower than 55- 60 F, plants set flowerbuds regardless of the length of the day or night. The story goes that a youngMayan convert was the first to bring these into the altar of the church andmany churches in Latin America would not be without them on such a wonderfulday, even though their popularity is waning with the rise of the ever popularNoche Buena – Poinsettia.

Holly - Ilex opaca - The single mostimportant plant as a Christian symbol of Christmas. Christians have foundmeaning in the colors of the plant and in the leaves pointing to the crown ofthorns. Scandinavians gave branches of holly and other green plants in winterto bring good luck. A simple plant to grow and branches can be cut and willkeep for a rather long time. The fruits are very helpful to local wildlife inthe cold harsh times of winter.

Mistletoe - In the dead time of winter many atraveler has seen the mistletoe in the tops of the trees. Green, despite allthe elements around it, it became a symbol of hope and new life. The story wastold to me as a boy growing up in Oklahoma that at Native American funeralmistletoe was often placed with the body in the ground to ward off evil spiritsand as a symbol of life starting again. Image thanks to kennedyh.

Poinsettia - Euphorbia pulcherrima – Thisflower was the Aztec symbol of love and purity and it can be seen in the wildin many of the mountainous areas around Mexico City. The Christmas connectioncame with a poor child bringing green flowers to Mass for the Christ Child andthey turned the red color at the church. They are the favored flower and plantfor all Christmas celebrations everywhere.

Ivy - Hedera helix – It is ivy and notevergreen that used to deck the halls and walls during Christmas time. The ivyis a long standing symbol of the holiday season for many European cultures. Itis the symbol of everlasting life and was used by most cultures in Europeduring nearly every time period.

Christmas Tree and branches – Many – Germanictribes are the first to have used trees in winter with decorations on them togive a hope for the spring ahead. Some scholars tend to believe it was notuntil the eighth century that the tree was used with Christmas celebrations.Can you guess what the most common decorations during the early years were?They were bread and apples to represent the tree of life and the tree of goodand evil.

Oranges - Citrus sinensis – These wonderfulfruits were the center piece on many a Christmas table for years. From beforethe colonial era to the Victorian times, the Christmas table would have a bowlof oranges built up like a pyramid. The meaning was a clear one to the guestsat the table. Oranges were rare and valuable fruit so only the wealthy coulduse them in this manor. Thus, the taller the pile, the more wealthy the patronof the table.

More Classes and Seminars from Durham Extension Office

2011-12-19T10:05:00.001-05:00

EXTENSION GARDENER SEMINARS - Winter-Spring 2012
NC Cooperative Extension in partnership with Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Free classes; registration requested- 919-668-1707

Time: Sunday afternoons 2 - 4 pm
Location: Doris Duke Center
Fee: Free (registration required)
Sunday, January 22 -2-4 p.m_ "Gardening ‘With Herbs" Presented by Durham Extension
Master Gardeners-
Sunday, February 26 - 2-4 p.m. "Native Plants for Our Gardens" - Preserlted by Durham
County Extension Horticultural Agent - Michelle Wallace
Sunday, April 29, - 2-4 p.m. "Container Gardening" Presented by Durharn Extension Master
Gardeners.
EXTENSION GARDENER SEMINARS:

EXTENSION GARDENER SEMINARS:
Durham County Center for NC Cooperative Extension
Sustainable Landscapes
721 Foster, Durham NC 27701
($25 Fee, includes lunch and materials) to register call (919) 560-0525 e-mail
gjones@durhamcounggc-gov
February 27, 2012, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Soil Management, Smart Watering, Rain Garden, Vegetable Gardening, Critter
Management

Outreach Plant Information Booths
Durham Farmers Market
Located across from Measurement, Inc. on Morris Street
The market is open every Saturday from April through November, 8 a_m_ to noon- Master
Gardeners attend the third Saturday of the month_

Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Located in the Historic Terrace Garden next to the restroom (weather depending)
Spring (March _ May) first and third Wednesday of the month
Sunmer (June _ August) third Wemesday of the month
Farr (September _October first and third Wemesday of the month

Some Christmas and Holiday Videos to share

2011-12-19T09:32:00.000-05:00

This past week my husband received these videos and I thought they were all good and hope you will enjoy them too.

CHRISTMAS CAN CAN

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1909243034?bctid=53156488001

With Christmas just a little less than a week away,and the Festival of Lights celebrating Chanukah on December 20^th, Ithink this would be a very appropriate time to listen to a song for our Christian and Jewish members. Click on the linkbelow, or copy and paste the address into the keyword, and give a listen

http://ecard.ashland.edu/index.php?ecardYear=2004adm

http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/769318/jewish/Oh-Chanukah-Oh-Chanukah.htm

Merry Christmas to you all and may our New Year find our gardens bloom with our love.

2011-12-15T16:33:00.001-05:00

The Scrap Exchange Holiday Party
and Iron Crafter Competition
Friday, December 16 from 6 to 9 p.m.

at The Scrap Exchange
923 Franklin Street, Bay 1
Durham, NC 27701

Food! Drink! Live Music! Cake Walk! Competitive Crafting!

You are invited to the 2011 Scrap Exchange Holiday Party and Third Annual Iron Crafter Competition, this Friday, December 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Scrap Exchange, featuring...

Holiday food favorites
Live music from the Resurrection Blues Band
Holiday Greeting Card and Craft-Making Stations
Iron Crafter 3: Secret Ingredients, Sewing Machines, Glue Guns, Celebrity Judges, Trophies, and more
Cake Walk ~ Pick a number, win a cake!

For more information about Iron Crafter 3, including how to participate as a contestant, please visit the Scrap Exchange blog or Iron Crafter Facebook page.

See you Friday!

Lectures of Interest from Johnson Co Arboretum

2011-12-15T16:31:00.001-05:00

Start your new year right - and join us for our January events:

1/11 - Landscaping with Herbs with Tim Elliot
Arboretum Mobile Unit - 6:30-8:30 pm - $15.

Horticulturally, herbs are ancient plants. Yet herbs have reached a new wave
of popularity as improved varieties, especially those that tolerate Southern summers, are being introduced. The era of relegating herbs to a square garden in the back corner of the
property has passed. Today herbs are being incorporated into our sweeping borders
of flowers and shrubs, taking full advantage of square foot gardening on properties
which seem to get smaller with the influx of suburbia! Why plant Liriope, when you
may plant chives instead? This lecture will share a plethora of ideas for incorporating
useful herbs throughout the landscape.

1/17 - Cooking with Herbs with Lin Frye
Arboretum Brick Building - 6:30-8:30 pm - $25.

Herbs are fun and easy to grow - but sometimes folks are not quite sure how best to preserve and
use them. Join Lin as she shares ways to cook with various herbs - from appetizers, to main meals to desserts. Participants will have a chance to sample all recipes.

Classes fill quickly! Please call Lin Frye (919) 209-2052 or Minda Daughtry (919) 209-2184 to reserve your spot today!

From the Extension Office newsletter

2011-12-15T16:28:00.002-05:00

THE DURHAM GARDEN FORUM
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 "A Garden of Moss" with David Spain of Moss and Stone Gardens.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012: "Great Perennials for the Garden Bed," with Edith Edelman, Garden designer

Tuesday, March 20, 2012: "Herb Gardening," with Lisa Treadaway from the Little Herb House.

The entrance to the Briggs Ave Community Gardens

Photo taken by Amy Etheridge

As we prepare for the Christmas photos you might enjoy how a woman made herself beautiful in Elizabethan England

2011-12-15T16:09:00.000-05:00

How Gray-Hairs are dyed Black

These beauty tips come from a 17th Century book of magic.With advice on everything from removing pimples to making fake tan, whatfollows are some of the more intriguing suggestions, demonstrating that womenin 17th Century London were just as preoccupied with grey hairs and wrinkles astheir modern-day counterparts.

How to correct the ill sent of the Arm-pits. The stink ofthe Arm-holes makes some women very hateful, especially those that are fat andfleshy. Use liquid Allome with Myrrh to anoynt the Arm-pits, or strew the placewith dry Leaves of Myrtles in powder. The Roots of Artichokes smeared on dothnot only cure the ill sent of the Arm-pits but of the whole body.

It is the singular care of Women to adorn their Hair, andnext their Faces, for Women hold the Hair to be the greatest Ornament ofthe Body, that if it be taken away, all the Beauty is gone, and they think itthe more beautiful the more yellow, shining, and radiant it is.

To make Hair yellow, put Barley-Straw into an earthen potwith a great mouth, Feny-Graec [fenugreek] and wild Cummin. Mingle between themQuick-lime and Tobacco made into a Powder, then put them upon the Straw. Putone under the other [making layers as it were] until the whole Vessel be full.Pour on cold water and let them stand a whole day. Then open a hole at thebottom and let it run forth. With Sope use it for your Hair.

The most famous way to make the Hair yellow is to draw Oylefrom Honey by the Art of Distillation. First there will come forth a clearWater, then a Saffron-colour, then a Gold-colour. Use this to anoint the Hairwith a Spunge, but let it not touch the Skin, for it will dye it Saffron-colourand it is not easily washed off. This tincture will last many days and it willdye Gray-Hairs which few others will.

How Gray Hairs are dyed Black: Anonynt your Hair in the Sunwith Leeches that have lain to corrupt in the blackest Wine for sixty days. Forlong black Hair, take a green Lizard, and cutting off the Head and Tail, boylit in common Oyle and anoint your Head with it.

Curl'd Hair seems to be no small Grace and Ornament to theHead, and women do all they can to curl the Hair. If you will know how, boylMaidenhair with Smallage-seed in Wine, adding a good quantity of Oyle, thiswill make the Hair curl'd and thick. Moreover if you put the Roots of Daffidilsinto Wine and pour this often on the Head, it will make the Hair curl more.

To dye the Eye-brows. Bitume or Sea-Cole being burnt it is avery fine black, or else the Marrow of an Ox-bone taken out of the Right-Legand beaten with Soot

Before any thing be used to make the Face beautiful, it mustbe made very clean and fit to receive it, for oft-times women have excellentWaters and Remedies. This is the best: Bind Barley-meal-Bran in a Linen clothand let it down into a Pot full of water, and let it boyl till a third part beremaining, and press out the juice. With this decoction wash your face and letit dry. Then bruise Myrhh and mingle it with the white of an Egg, and burn iton hot Fire-sticks or red hot Tiles, and receive the fume by a tunnel. Coverthe head with a Napkin, that the smoke flie not away, and when you havereceived sufficient smoke, rub your Face with a Linen cloth.

To make the Face very soft boyl two Calfs Feet in water, putin Rice one pound, and boyl it well. Let crumbs of Bread steep in Asses orGoats Milk with ten whites of Eggs bruised with their Shells. Distill all at agentle fire, add to the water with a little Camphire and Borax. Put into avessel two yong naked Pigeons, with their guts taken forth, and put in as muchMilk as will cover them. Add one ounce of Borax, Turpentine three ounces,Camphire one ounce, five whites of Eggs. Put on the cover and distill them.

To colour the body, boyl Nettles in water and wash your Bodywith it. If you distill Straw-berries and wash your self with the water youshall make your Face red as a Rose.

How to make a Sun-burnt Face white. When women travel in theopen Air, and take journeys in Summer, the Sun in one day will burn them black.To remove this, beat about ten whites of Eggs, put them in a glazed Vesseladding once ounce of Sugar-Candy, and when you go to bed anoynt your Face, andin the morning wash it off with Fountain water. If the Face be smeered with thewhite of an Egg, it will not be sun-burn. Women that have to do in the Sundefend their Faces from the heat of it with the white of an Egg beaten with alittle Starch and mingled, and when the Voyage is done, they wash off thiscovering with Barley-Water. Some rub their foul Skin with Melon-Rindes, and sothey easily rub off Sun-burnings and all other sports on the skin.

For a wrinkled face. When Eggs are boiled hard in water, cutthem in the middle. Fill the holes where the yokes were with Powder of Myrrh,then over one with the other binder them with a thread. Then take a glazedvessel and lay sticks across it that the Eggs may lie upon them hanging neerethe bottom. Put the vessel into a Well and let it hang one foot from the water.By the moysture thereof the Myrrh will dissolve into Oyle of water. Anonyntyour face with it. The juice of the green Cones of the Pine tree, being appliedto the Face with a Linnen-cloth wet therein will take away all wrinkles fromthe Face excellently well.

Yule Log

2011-12-05T08:44:00.001-05:00

The custom of the yule log has been a part of Christmas ritual for centuries. Today, even though you may not have a hearth in which to build a blazing holiday fire, you can still enjoy a “virtual” burning yule log on your television or computer, or sample a delicious edible “buche de noel”.

The History of Yule
Some sources claim that the word “yule” derives from the Old Norse word for“wheel,” a reference to the cycle of the year. Language scholars think it morelikely that yule derives from the Old English word “geol” or “geola,” from theOld Norse “jol,” which passed into English after Scandinavians invaded Englandand Scotland in the 9th and 10th centuries. As the customs of this pagan winterfestival became folded into Christian beliefs, Yule and Yuletide became synonymouswith Christmas and Christmastide by the 12th century. (The weeks surroundingthe celebration of Christmas were called Christmas “tide,” in its originalsense of “time.”)

Yule was widely celebrated throughout Europe around the time of the wintersolstice. It is possible that the first yule festivals were held to takeadvantage of excess meat and drink, since at this time of year animals thatcould not be fed through the winter were slaughtered, and beverages set byearlier in the season were now fermented.

The Yule Log
The tradition of burning a large block of wood on the hearth at Christmas wasfirst mentioned in writing in Germany in 1184, and subsequently in latermedieval accounts. Seventeenth-century poet Robert Herrick provided the firstmention of the custom of procuring a yule log in England, where in some partsthe log might also be called the yule clog or yule block. The ceremoniouslighting of the log was accompanied by feasting, singing and merriment. Thelast portion of the log was commonly saved, since it was believed to protectthe home and its occupants until the following year, when it served as kindlingfor another year’s yule log.

Yule Log Customs and Superstitions
A Yule log was a powerful symbol to ancient Europeans, who credited it with theability to bring good fortune and prosperity to their families and to protecttheir homes from evil spirits. Numerous customs and superstitions came tosurround the gathering and burning of the log, and subsequent use of the ashes.

Beliefs and ceremonies varied from region to region. In Dalmatia, the log wasadorned with leaves and flowers as it was conveyed to the home, where it wasthen sprinkled with wine or grain. In England, a person must have clean handsbefore he could successfully light the yule log. In Germany, a charred logtaken from the hearth on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, called theChristbrand, was placed back on the fire when a storm threatened. Even the yulelog’s ashes were credited with magical powers. People might sprinkle them underfruit trees to ensure fertility, place them in a well to sweeten water, or usethem as a sort of charm to protect domestic animals from vermin.

The Modern Yule Log
You might think the yule log a thing of the past for urban families not inpossession of a fireplace. But a mid-20th century television programmingnovelty based on a short film of a crackling fire provided the roots for amodern holiday tradition beloved by many. The station manager of New YorkCity’s WPIX had the idea of presenting a commercial-free three-hour programcalled “The Yule Log,” consisting of a closeup shot on a log burning in ahearth and accompanied by Christmas music. The program debuted on December 24,1966, and became an instant hit. The original 16mm film, shot at the New Yorkmayor’s Gracie Mansion, was only 17 seconds long and ran in a continuous loop.Within a few years the film the station refilmed “The Yule Log” as a six-minuteloop on 35mm film. This broadcast tradition continues today, appearing onChristmas Eve or Christmas morning on many television stations as well as atthe website theyulelog.com.

The Edible Yule Log -- Buche de Noel
Eventually the yule log became a part of Christmas food traditions. In an oldCatalonian custom reminiscent of a birthday celebration pinata, blindfoldedchildren who struck at a hollow burlap-covered log were rewarded with candies.By the late 19th century, an enterprising French pastry chef introduced alog-shaped cake called “buche de noel” or Christmas log. Such cakes weretraditionally created by filling and rolling a genoise, or sponge cake. Somebakers go to great lengths to transform their buche de noel into arealistic-looking chocolate log. Many recipes instruct you to cut the rolledcake at both ends on the diagonal, much as you might when cutting a real log.One of the end pieces is then placed atop the log. After the cake is iced, theextra piece looks like a “bump” on a log. Once you finish frosting the cake, youcan simulate the look of tree bark by running the tines of a fork through thebuttercream frosting. Decorating with separate spirals on the cut ends of thelog gives the appearance of tree rings. Sifting a bit of powdered sugar overthe cake and serving plate makes your buche de noel look as if it were freshlydusted in snow.

Garnish for the buche de noel cantake many forms. Fanciful meringue mushrooms, lightly browned at the edges anddusted with cocoa add to the realism of your “log”. If you want to add morecolor to your cake, you can adorn it with ivy by piping on some green-tintedbuttercream from a pastry bag. Or you can fashion green leaves and red hollyberries from marzipan. While a yellow or chocolate cake filled and frosted withchocolate buttercream makes the most realistic-looking log, you needn’t confineyourself flavor-wise. A less traditional but equally delicious buche de noelcan be had with yellow sponge cake rolled up with a delicate orange- orlemon-flavored mousse, then dusted with powdered sugar and adorned withstrawberries or raspberries.

Buche de Noel Recipes
A search for buche de noel recipes provides inspiration for all kinds of logcakes, from simple to complex. To get you started, here are links to a fewrelatively simple recipes:

• Buche de Noel recipe fromBetty Crocker
a simple yellow cake with whipped cream filling and chocolate buttercreamfrosting

• Mocha Buche de Noel fromGood Housekeeping
a mocha cake with coffee cream filling and chocolate glaze

• Kris Kringle Buche deNoel from Nestle Kitchens
a cocoa cake with a light chocolate cream

• Orange Spice Buche deNoel from Bon Appetit
a different take on the traditional form, with orange cream cheese frosting

Heritage Poinsettia Project

2011-12-05T08:39:00.001-05:00

Thank you for thinking of the veterans this year.

The staff and patients of the VA Hospital thank you for your
thoughts in remembering those who have served our great county.

Heritage Garden Club is just the agent to help
give the VA Hospital Chapel a warm and
loving appearance.

Muriel Roberts has passed away

2011-11-30T14:09:00.001-05:00

Muriel Dorothy Roberts - Obituary
June 26,1921- November 28, 2011
Cary
Muriel Dorothy Roberts passed away Monday, November 28th after a year of declining health. Muriel was born on June 26, 1921 to Philip and Sarah Mowrey in Newark, N.J. After graduation from Montclair State College, she taught in Cape May where she met her husband Martin Roberts. They were married on December 10th, 1944. After his service in the Navy, they settled on Long Island before beginning a lifetime of travel with Martin's career.
In every city, Muriel became involved in charity organizations, always involving children; The American Women's Club in London and homes for disabled children in Montreal and Houston. Her great love was flowers and how, in so many ways, they can bring joy into people's lives. Her floral passion was Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, and was driven by the spirit behind the art. In 1984, she attained the title of Usu-Ban, master and teacher of Ikebana from the Ikenobo School of Floral Art in Tokyo, Japan.
On moving to Cary in 1986, Muriel immediately shared her passion and talents with the local community. As Director of District 9 of the Garden Clubs of North Carolina and of the Heritage Garden Club in Durham, Muriel initiated one of her most loved projects. Working with the chaplain of the VA hospital in Durham, she began a program whereby the area garden clubs supply floral arrangements to the hospital chapel every week. This program continues today. More recently, Muriel was pleased to have initiated the founding of a chapter of Ikebana International in the Triangle. Through this organization, and her teaching, this beautiful art form is flourishing in our community.
In spite of all of these interests, Muriel's first love was her family. Martin and Muriel raised three children, Phyllis Anne Macdonald of France, Bonnie Joan Dodwell of Bermuda and Cary, and Steven Edward Roberts of Raleigh. Her greatest love was watching them become adults and have families of their own. Her grandchildren, Stephanie, James, Penny, Ben, Claire, Dominic, Katie, Joseph, Thomas, Peter, Louise and Margaret Macdonald, and David, Brian, Jennifer and Christina Dodwell and two special girls, Liann and Claire Leidy, brought her immeasurable joy, and 14 great-grandchildren; Xavier, Laurie, Santiago, Pablo, Baudelaire, William, Henry, Ian, Annie, Alexander, Connor, Sebastian, Tassilo and Anna.
Muriel will be forever remembered for her adventurous spirit, delightful humor, generosity and amazing ability to bring joy to the lives of those who knew her. Family and friends are invited to attend her Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011 follow by a reception at the Archangel Center. Funeral arrangements by Browne-Wynne Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald Mcdonald House Charities.
Published in The News & Observer on December 1, 2011

Daylily is working with Toys for Tots HELP!

2011-11-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

Brenda P (Daylily member) has gotten Daylily set up as an official Toys for Tots location, as well as a pick up point for the Give to the Troops program. We will have representatives at our December 13 meeting for picking up the items. One of our member's son is a Marine officer and we hope he's the one coming for the toys. One of the two main distribution points for the Give to the Troops program is in Wilmington, and one of the volunteers will be joining us for lunch and taking the items to Wilmington in time for the Christmas shipment.
If you have questiions contact Trish at (suntrish@aol.com) or any Daylily member can take delivery of items prior to December 13.
they ask for unwrapped toys, any age but 4-6 is the biggest need. Gifts should be kept to $20 max so that some don't have ultra expensive gifts.

For Give to the Troops, the holiday requests are as follows:

Holiday Snacks (store-bought only): Popcorn balls, caramelized popcorn, peanuts, holiday crackers, Life Saver Story Boxes, any holiday related candy. Peanut Brittle, Ribbon Candy, Peppermint Bark, Chocolate Hanukkah Coins, etc.
Holiday Music CDs (used or new)
DVD Movies (used or new) with holiday, romantic & comedy preferred, also Disney and cartoon (No war/violent themes!)
Decorations: 1’-3’ Christmas trees; Plastic, paper or resin ornaments and decorations; small Hanukkah Menorahs and Dreidels.
Holiday cards written to the troops
Stocking Stuffers: Stockings will also be filled with small size food and toiletry items (no hotel sizes)
Most requested items are beef jerky, powder drink mixes, razors and blades, wet wipes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, feminine products.
Warmth: Help Troops stay warm with handwarmers, thermal underwear, boot socks

2011-11-25T09:25:00.001-05:00

Ardith's Jottings:

Quote for Chilly Days:

Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy marshmallows, which are kinda the same thing.

Activities:

I just heard of a B&B in Blowing Rock, NC called Gideon Ridge Inn. The views shown on the website look fabulous! The Inn sits on property that belonged to Moses H. Cone, a North Carolina textile magnate. Cone married Bertha Lindau, who transferred the property to her sisters. A nephew in Boston built the house with rock quarried from Grandfather Mountain. He used it as his summer residence. The parents of the current owners bought the property in 1984. The food is tasty. Other eateries are available in downtown Blowing Rock. Visit Cone's original manor house and browse the offerings by local artisans. This is a quiet, tranquil get away spot.

Closer to home is the annual Open House at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines. The event which runs from November 30th to December 3rd is entering its 3rd decade. All 23 rooms of the Georgian style mansion will be decorated for Christmas by area garden clubs and designers. The house built by renown architect, Aymar Embury II, in 1922 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The funds raised by this event are used to support the house. A wide range of activities are offered. Ticket prices range from $60 per person for a Gala Preview Party to $10 prepurchased house tour tickets December 1-3, 2011. Information is available at 910-692-6261 or by emailing weymouthcenter@pinehurst.net.
Several of us are going on Friday Dec 2. We are meeting at Sears parkinglot at Northgate Mall.
Thought we would pack into a couple of cars and go as a group. Eat lunch in Southern Pines.
Call Marcia in Heritage GC for details.

Ardith's Jottings for November

2011-11-21T08:23:00.001-05:00

ATaste for Holiday Gift Giving

Want to have fun and a tasty day outwhile doing your Holiday Shopping? Get a group of your garden club friendstogether and head to Southern Supreme Gourmet Specialities in nearbyBear Creek. Not only do they make a moist, chewy and nutty fruitcake(they offer a reduced sugar version), you can get chocolates, relish,jellies, pickles, gourmet mustards and pecan pralines! Open a jar of thepecan pralines and you will not close it - it will be empty before youknow it! I received some as a gift last year which lead to my discoveryof Southern Supreme. Many of you are familiar with them fromA Southern Season store at Christmas time but go, visit where theproducts are created and have a tasty time. You can browse the store infront of their kitchens and sample treats. Call ahead to 336-581-3141 or 877-815-0922 to schedule a tour of thekitchen, take your out of town holiday visitors or just take yourself for asweet time.

Re-use that Pumpkin!

Think out of the box for your festivedecorations. Don't toss that pumpkin- cut the top off, scrap out theseeds( see Marcia's earlier tip for pumpkin seed snacks) and use it as acontainer. Put a pot of mums in it or take a small plasticfood dish, insert some oasis in it and put in the top of the pumpkin. Snip some of your flowers, greenery, leaves before the cold gets them. Even use some windfall acorns or twigs to add interest to thearrangement. Put it on your porch or front steps. Bring it indoors foryour dining table, kitchen table or sunroom. Place the flower bedecked pumpkin on some colorful Fall leavesfor extra oomph.

Another use for a pumpkin is to simplyplace it atop an urn and put pyracanthra, Chinese lanterns, or miniatureears of corn around the bottom.

I even use that pumpkin for Christmasdecoration! I get a lot of mileage out of my pumpkin. For ChristmasI spray paint the pumpkin white paint my initial on it with red paint and placeit in the same urn with evergreens tucked beneath it. Sometimes when Ihave a number of miniature pumpkins, I spray them white and paint theletters J O Y on them and line them up on my window sill with greenery tuckedunder. If you have enough miniature pumpkins, you canalso paint P E A C E. You can skip painting thelarge pumpkin white and simply paint your initial on it and then place it inthe urn or on the porch or steps with other fall foliage andembellishments. Re use what you have; use what is at hand. Youdon't have to rush out and buy new stuff.

I just remembered adecoration I frequently saw in Williamsburg and other Colonial spots--Osage Oranges or Bois d'Orange as we called them. Stack them on aplate, tuck small pieces of evergreen, holly or other berries around the baseand throughout the pyramid. If you want to splurge, you can use redminature carnations or partially opened small mums scattered throughout thepyramid. It was natural and Christmasy.

The Scary Herbs of Halloween

2011-11-21T08:13:00.001-05:00

I went on vacation and forgot to add this bit of trivia. Save for the grand children for next year or use for conversation at the Thanksgiving table.

It’s a dark night in autumn. Daysare becoming shorter and colder. Harvest time is ending, and pantries are beingstocked with fruits and nuts for winter. Inside, beside a warm fire, an olduncle tells ghost stories. Firelight gleams on a bowl of red apples, ready forfortune telling and games. Spiced cider flows, and young people, some wearingodd costumes, dance under the flickering light of turnip lanterns.

Turnip Lanterns?

Many customs of the holiday we callHalloween date to traditions across prehistoric Europe. But turnip lanterns, atleast in the United States, have been replaced by easier-to-carve pumpkins,with—let’s face it—more impressive, large, orange shapes. A glowing turnip orpumpkin, however, has the same purpose: to drive away the darkness, scare awaythe spooks, and light the way to the next party.

Centuries ago, when rooms wereilluminated by fire, Europe’s inhabitants were farmers or herders whose livesdepended on knowing the rhythms of the year. Halloween (or Samhain, as it oncewas called) falls on the midpoint between the fall equinox and the wintersolstice. According to the Celtic calendar, which began its holidays on the evebefore, Halloween was the start of the new year.

“To understand the significance ofthese seasonal festivals, we need to step back in time for a moment, closer tothe food production cycle than most of us are today,” says Bettina Arnold,co-director of the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Celtic Studies. Certainfood plants had important ties to the holiday’s meaning.

First the Apple

Native to eastern Turkey andsouthwestern Russia, apples have a long relationship with civilization and itsmyths and symbols. As members of the rose family, apples and their flowers haveassociations with Venus, goddess of love and fertility.

Poised on the threshold of the newyear, Halloween was viewed as a time when it was possible to see into thefuture, and fortune telling often involved love and marriage predictions. Anapple peel thrown over the shoulder, for instance, could predict the firstletter of a true love’s name. Peeling an apple in front of a mirror bycandlelight might reveal an image of a lover. And the first person to bite anapple floating in a dish of water would be the first to wed (not to mentionthat apple bobbing might provide quite an opportunity for real-time flirting).

Grown from seed, apples tend torevert to wild species with small, sour fruit. Gradually, over many thousandsof years, improved selections were preserved by grafting. Carried by traders, invadersand Romans into Europe, apples were brought to the New World by the firstcolonists in the 1600s, and the first orchard was said to be planted nearBoston in 1625.

Today, 2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States, including100 in commercial production. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are the twomost popular varieties, but one attraction of growing apples in a home orchardis to experience the rare, more historic types. The Lady or Api apple is one ofthe oldest, dating to 15th-century France. It’s aromatic and sweet, butsusceptible to apple scab (a fungal disease) where springs are wet.

The Journey to theOtherworld

The Celts believed that the souls of people who had died that year journeyedto the spirit world during Halloween/Samhain. The holiday’s bonfires andglowing turnips helped the dead on their journey while protecting the living,according to Jack Santino, a professor of popular culture at Bowling GreenState University who studies celebrations and their cultural meaning.
The living might have found protection by carrying a piece of asafetida intheir pockets. Asafetida is an herbalresidue so vile smelling it was alsocalled “devil’s dung.” A resin obtained from the root of Ferula assa-foetida (fennel-likeplants native to the Middle East), asafetida once was used widely in medicineand in cooking. (Its flavor reportedly improves greatly when diluted in hotoil.)
German immigrants brought the practice of carrying asafetida for protectionto this country, and you still can find this unusual herb for sale in LancasterCounty, Pennsylvania, where much of the German culture survives, herbalistJesse Tobin says. Tobin is a founder of The Three Sisters Center near Kutztown,Pennsylvania, which offers an herbal guild, workshops and demonstrations ofPennsylvania German healing and spiritual traditions.
But perhaps the plant with the strongest ties to Halloween was theelderberry, Sambucus nigra. A small, bushy tree with white flowers and almostblack berries, the elderberry was associated with the Germanic goddess Holle(or sometimes Hulda) and was named Hollerbeier for her. Guardian of the dead,the goddess survives today in caricature as a Halloween witch. But as FrauHolle, she was a caring grandmother and wise crone. She helped souls cross overand took messages to them—perhaps written in elderberry juice ink.
In North America, European immigrants found their elderberry’s closerelative, S. canadensis, and continued their traditions. People carried piecesof its wood for protection, tied prayers to its branches and left applesbeneath it as offerings. “When you think of the magical plants of thePennsylvania Dutch, the elderberry is number one,” Tobin says.
The elderberry also has been revered for its health benefits since the timeof Hippocrates. A tea from its flowers treats cold and flu symptoms,substantiated by the German Commission E (that country’s equivalent of the U.S.Food and Drug Administration), and its berries are rich in antioxidants andvitamin C. “Elderberry was so important in Europe, and in almost all cases, ithas the same associations,” Tobin

Joanna Poncavage is aPennsylvania journalist and author who frequently writes about gardens, plantsand the Pennsylvania Germans.

Frost and How It Forms

2011-11-21T07:59:00.001-05:00

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3456/

By Gwen Bruno (gwen21)
November 21, 2011

After months of warm weather throughsummer and early fall, both daytime and nighttime temperatures begin todecline. Finally one morning we wake to find the first frost of the seasonglistening on our gardens, lawns, automobiles and other objects left outdoorsovernight. At its most basic, frost is simply water vapor, an invisible gasformed from evaporated water that is always present in the air.

How Frost Is Formed
Whenever the air cools, the water vapor condenses, transforming back intodroplets of water. Depending on weather conditions, these droplets may thenbecome mist, fog, rain or snow. The water that condenses close to the groundbecomes droplets of dew.

Water vapor condenses into dew when the plant leaves or grass blades becomecolder than the air around them. The temperature at which this occurs, calledthe dew point, is variable, depending on the air’s humidity. Once the dew pointdips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water vapor near the ground will become frostrather than dew.

Just like snow, frost is made up of tiny, often microscopic, ice crystals.Frost crystals are usually six-sided and frequently take on needle-like shapesjust as snow crystals do. The difference between the two is that snow crystalsform in the clouds, while frost crystals form on solid surfaces near theground.

WeatherConditions And Frost
When conditions are right, frost forms overnight because once the suns goesdown, the air temperature quickly drops. A cold, clear and windless nightprovides ideal conditions for frost formation. In contrast, a night skycontaining low clouds essentially creates a blanket over the earth. This keepswarm air on the surface, and thus makes frost formation less likely.

Frost in Folklore
The personification of frost formation is a mischievous elf-like creature namedJack Frost, who visits on crisp, cold nights, leaving behind fanciful designson window panes and a coating of white on the ground. He's also sometimesdepicted with a paintbrush, giving leaves their rich autumn colors. This charactermay have originated in Norse folklore as Jokul (icicle) Frosti(frost). Russian fairy tales attribute cold and frosty weather to an old mannamed Father Frost. In German folklore, frost is caused by an old woman whoshakes white feathers from her bed.

Winter Storage of Geraniums (Pelargonium)

2011-11-21T07:45:00.001-05:00

By Lee Anne Stark (threegardeners)

November 18, 2011

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/891/

Grampaalways had geraniums in his gardens. Pelargonium x hortorum,the common geranium. Sold in garden centreseverywhere, usually for as little as $0.99 cents each. When I say geranium I amspeaking of the Pelargonium. There are over 200 varieties of this common gardenplant.

They are grown for both their beautyand for their tolerance of full sun conditions. If kept deadheaded they willbloom continuously. They like to be moist when it's hot and dry when it's cool.Too much fertilizer will cause too much foliage and not enough flowers. Veryeasy to grow and available almost everywhere. This is the reason I believe theyare treated as a throw away garden plant. Stop throwing them away!!

I am saddened every fall when I seepiles of these wonderful plants at the dump. My grandfather would be too. It isso easy to keep them over the winter. Zonal, scented and ivy geraniums are thebest suited to winter storing. The regals ('Martha Washington', etc.) needspecial care and cool temperatures to bloom. Regals are best if kept in theirpots in a cool room for the winter.

To store garden geraniums over thewinter you need to dig them up before the first frost. Shake all of the soilaway from the roots. Now you have a couple of choices. First choice is to cut the stems down to about 3inches. Place them upside down in a paper bag and hang from the ceilingsomewhere cool and dry and dark. Second choice is to hang the entire plantsomewhere cool and dry and dark. Ideally in the 45 to mid 50'sF range.

Check them once a month to make surethe stems are not getting too shriveled. If they seem to be, then take them outof their bags and soak the roots in warmish water for 1 hour. In March, removeall of the dead branches from the ones you hung up whole and pot them up. Theones you pre-trimmed should be showing signs of growth.

My Grandfather always hung theentire plant and I still do to this day. Right about now they are starting togrow new shoots. Those of you living in newer homes with heated basements mighthave a problem here. If you're lucky enough to have a root cellar that willwork too. Crawlspace maybe? As long as the temperature is right.

I know people who plant 30 or 40geraniums every year. Every fall they throw them all away. Such a waste. Withthis method of storing them through the winter you could have them for years.This fall, before a frost hits, dig up your geraniums and give it a try. It isso easy and so rewarding. Grandfathers always know best.

Thank you to Happenstance, Kell, kniphofia,mystic and philomel for their wonderful photo additions in Plant Files.

(Editor's Note: This article was originallypublished on August 8, 2007. Your comments are welcome, but please be awarethat authors of previously published articles may not be able to promptlyrespond to new questions or comments.)

The Briggs Ave Community Garden Gift

2011-11-03T16:01:00.001-04:00

The Briggs Ave Community Garden is located onSouth Briggs Ave in Durham. It is a program developed by the NC CooperativeExtension Service - Durham County on land donated to NC State Universitythrough the NC Agricultural Foundation. The Community Garden is currently aquarter acre in size and there are plans to double its size over the next year.The community garden is a part of the first phase in the Briggs Ave GardenMaster Plan. The total property encompasses 45 acres, with future plans forwalking trails, a home demonstration garden, children's garden, and an outdooreducation center.

The Durham Council of Garden Clubs has donated$2000 to the Briggs Ave project.

Several of the garden clubs within the councilare also working to support the community gardens.

Daylily Garden Club donated $600.

Hope ValleyGC & Town and Country GC $6000.

Heritage Garden Club $1000 and labor.

Grove Park maintenance and sweat equity.

Forest Hills - plants, mulch and labor.

Several other clubs have talks, gifts or workdays planned for this year.

Ardith's Jottings:

2011-11-03T14:35:00.001-04:00

Marcia Loudon Recognized

Marcia Loudon, who contributes so much to the Durham Council of Garden Clubs, the Heritage Garden Club and our State and National Garden Club, was recognized for her outstanding contribution at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 1st. A Life Membership in the National Garden Club was given to her by a grateful and appreciative Council. Marcia does not know how to say "No" and we all benefit from her inability. She is a gifted computer whiz with graphics and design. Her work is reflected is so many things we see-the Council Yearbook, all printed material for the two Heritage Flower Shows, the recent Judges Symposium, name tags for various functions, etc. Currently, Marcia is working with the Durham Library to computerize our old Council Garden Club material to preserve it and to make it more accessible. She puts this blog online, making the site user friendly. Design and computer help needed, she is Our Go-To Girl!

She is a tireless worker on many projects, heading up the Pointsetta Project at the VA Chapel, helping others with genealogy questions, participating in the local          Chapter of the DAR,and serving on the State Finance Committee. Marcia is not just a chief, she is also an indian.No task is too small for her.

Marcia's interest in history lead her to head the kitchen garden project at Stagville. During the course of her work on the garden, she discovered original varieties of plants that were used in the garden. She updated the garden plant book used there. Pictures of the plants, their use and location in the garden invigorated the work, making it more accessible and user-friendly.   Marcia also developed a skit explaining how herbs were used to houseclean in 1800. Her wide-ranging interests benefit our garden club community.

Thank you, Marcia!

A W A R D S

I am head of Council Achievement Awards and I would like to remind you that (a) the First Place Award has been increased to $50.00 so (b) please get your application to me by March 31st. I know the Club year runs from June 15th to June 15th but you have planned your activities and projects a year in advance, you know your Club capabilities, so you can do it! Submit that application. My empty mailbox is waiting your application. The First Place Award is bigger than every. A First Place Award is there for the highest scoring small, medium and large club. Get that Award.

Things to Do:

The 9th District Board Meeting was held recently in revitalized Mebane. If you did not attend the meeting but heard all the accolades about it and the town, now is your chance to see what they were talking about. The Mebane Historical Society is offering Harvest Home Tour, Sunday, November 13th. Historically significant homes from pre-Civil War to Greek Revival, to the first home in Mebane to have running water are opening their doors for you.    Whether you are a history buff, thinking about restoring an old home or just looking for an entertaining family dayout, check out the tour and the "new" Mebane. There is lot on offer. Garden Clubbers will especially enjoy the delightful plantings at the library and throughout downtown Mebane. Call 919-563-5054 for ticket information.

Food Related Events:

The heavy duty cooking season is fast approaching. Molly Stevens author of All about Roasting: a New Approach to a Classic Art will be at MacIntyre's Books Saturday, November 19 at 11 am. Rumor has it that not only will she be discussing her new book but she is bringing something roasted to sample.

December 10th at 11am brings Lynn Rossetto Kasper of public radio's The Splendid Table to McIntyre's. Her new book focuses on weekend cooking(or when we just want to cook for the sensory experience ) . The Splendid Table's How to Eat Weekends offers not only 100 new recipes, a chapter devoted to international menus plus a trove of stories. Come hear this member of Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America and host of your favorite public radio food program.

A Family Event:

Out of town visitors, especially young family members, coming to visit in December? Bring them to The Barn at Fearrington to hear nationally known Outer Banks story teller, Donald Davis Saturday, December 17th at 11 am and Sunday, December 18th at 2pm. Davis stimulates and wraps his spell around you as he weaves his tales. He encourages you to tell your own tales and preserve them. The last time he came to Fearrington the response was overwhelming so the event has been moved to The Barn and is now 2 days. No tickets are required for this Free Event but admission is on a first come, first in the door basis. Call Pete at 919-542-3030 for further information.

After you hear Donald Davis, stroll into the bookstore to see the room especially designed for children through young adults. The range of books and gift items from the stuffed animals hanging from the tree in the middle of the room to the monster size, brightly colored chenille pipe cleaners for making animals to assorted gift items will solve your gift problems for those children on your list. This room is a kid "freak-out"! Everyone will enjoy seeing the Belted Galloway cows and the fainting pygmy goats. It's a great day out in the country, no matter what your age or interest.

Table Decoration Idea:

Place a runner or piece of unusual fabric in the center of your table. Alternate apples or pears with votive candles down the middle of the fabric. Be certain to include red fruit.   Tuck in pieces of seeded eucalyptus. You can also use evergreens and strew mixed nuts still in their shell around and about the fruit and greenery.

Gardener's Treasure Discovered!

2011-10-31T16:49:00.002-04:00

Recently we visited Kiefer Landscaping and Nursery on 2450 South Alston Rd, Durham.   You should discover this hidden jewel before it closes for the winter. It will close November 21st and reopen in March.   It is a delightful place for an outing.   Something for everyone is here, especially children and it is the children we must interest in our Green and Growing World. Container grown perennials, trees and shrubs are available, no annuals. The plants are available from Granville.

This is an environmentally conscious business. It is the type of enterprise we gardeners like to see thrive and grow. It offers healthy plant stock at reasonable prices. They recycle pots. Organic fertilizers and pest control are used   Their own irrigation pond and wells located on the property are used to water their plants They have water plants, koi in the fish house and everything necessary to create your own water feature or they will do it for you. You can enjoy the different gardens as you get ideas for your home. Stroll the observation deck, let the children enjoy feeding the koi as you get ideas for your own water feature or just enjoy the tranquil spot. Identification plaques take the mystery out of deciding what you what as you amble through the various sections.   A Deer Resistant garden demonstrates plantings which are not high on the "munchy list" of our four footed friends showing different options other than the usual. A Bird and Butterfly garden demonstrates plants to bring color and motion to our garden by attracting birds and butterflies. I found a different array of shade plants in the Shade House. They were not the standard ones I found everywhere. They were healthy, good size plants, reasonably priced.


Kiefer 's design expertise is shown in the outdoor living space complete with fireplace, cooking and entertaining area. It gives you a sample of how they can enhance your homescape regardless of size, how you can more effectively use your outdoor space. Their knowledge of soils, plants, construction techniques and landscaping materials is evident not just here but throughout.   Your garden club may want to schedule a field trip and hold its meeting here in this outdoor room while learning from Trish who offers different programs. Make arrangements to do just this by contacting her at 919.596.7313. Check their website for more information and the end of season specials.

Garden Makers have fun

2011-10-30T14:02:00.000-04:00

Garden Makers have fun replanting four large pots at the Carolina Theatre

l to r. Joan, Lil, Stacy, Judy and Ruth.
10-01-11

Johnston County Cooperative Events Nov-Dec

2011-10-28T09:59:00.001-04:00

11/8 - Orchard Planting

Arboretum Grounds - 11:00-4:00 pm - FREE

We'll assemble on the Great Lawn of theArboretum from 11:00 to 12:00 for the ceremonial planting of the orchard. (In case of rain, we'll meet in the auditorium lobby.)

Volunteers will plant the remainder of 43trees between noon and 3:00 in the orchard. The day will end with a publicworkshop on planting trees. Workshop starts at 3:00.

The ceremony is a great opportunity tocelebrate our tremendous efforts toward winning an orchard. Additionally,it will give you the chance to help spread the word about our wonderfulArboretum and the other good work done by the College in our community.

11/9 - Fruits and Berries with Shawn Banks, JohnstonCounty Cooperative

Extension Service

Arboretum Mobile Unit - 6:30-8:30 pm - $15.From apples and

pears to grapes and blackberries, join Shawnas we learn about the

various species of fruits and berries that wecan easily grow on our

own property. Shawn will also cover insect anddisease issues for

fruit species covered.

11/30 - Soap Crafting 101 with Lin Frye

Arboretum Brick Building - 6:00-8:00 pm - $35.Back by popular

demand, this 'hands-on', class will discussvarious soap making

methods, focusing on glycerin 'melt and pour'as participants create

their own soaps. Each guest will finish withtwo pounds of delightfully

fragranced, moisture-rich, unique soaps.Classes fill quickly.

12/7 - Wreath Making with Natural Materials

Arboretum Brick Building - 2:00-4:00 pm - $20.North Carolina

gardens, backyards and roadsides can be avirtual 'paradise' of

plant materials all suitable to create yourown unique, interesting

and fragrant wreath. This 'hands-on' workshopwill cover the most

suitable materials for wreath making, how toweave these materials

into attractive wreaths. Each participant willleave with a beautiful,

creative, and festive wreath ready fordoor-hanging.

Remember, reservations for each workshop arenecessary. Please contact Lin Frye (919) 209-2052 or Minda Daughtry (919)209-2184 to reserve your spot today!

Lin Frye, Director

The Arboretum at JCC

(919 - 209-2052)

District 9 Flower Show

2011-10-28T09:54:00.001-04:00

Sorry it is blurry I have more to learn. Saved small so would work on blog and lost the clearity

Poinsettia Project Order Form

2011-10-28T09:26:00.003-04:00


Just drag and drop to desktop and then print All club presidents have a copy if you need more

The Durham Garden Forum - Events

2011-10-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

UPCOMING MEETING TOPICS:

Tuesday, January17, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

A Garden of Moss

with David Spain of Moss and Stone Gardens

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

GreatPerennials for the Garden Bed

with EdithEdelmann, an accomplished garden designer.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Herb Gardening

with Lisa Treadawayfrom The Little Herb House.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Vegetables asOrnament

with Wendy Moses ofFearrington Gardens.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

AnIntroduction to Plant Propagation

with Jason Holmes,Curator at Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Tuesday, June 19, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Creating NewPlants

with Denny Werner,Professor of Horticulture, NCSU

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Garden AdviseFair

with expert gardeners to answer questions, provide adviceand demonstrations.

These are held at the Sarh P. Duke Gardens

REMEMBER Council Meeting is Tuesday Nov 1

2011-10-21T09:09:00.002-04:00

The next Council meeting is Tuesday, Nov 1 at 10 am at the Hill House. Come a bit early for some social time and a cup of coffee or tea.

See you there!!

"Giving a helping hand to Briggs Avenue Community"

2011-10-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

Like many of the Durham area garden clubs, theGrove Park Garden Club has also designated its 2011-2012 charity the BriggsAvenue Community Garden. Club members are both rolling up their sleeves to workin the Garden, and also raising proceeds from their Grove Park car tag sale todonate.

Pictured:

Garden Club members Sara and PresidentJennifer use team work to stake up the thornless blackberry bushes.

Secretary Suzie takes a moment from her own yard toilsto proudly show off her new Grove Park car tag.

Ardith's Jottings:

2011-10-21T08:47:00.003-04:00

While most of us are reading gardening catalogs, putting our gardens to bed for the winter, let me give you something tolook forward to before they erupt with new life in the Spring andrequire our attention.

The Philadelphia Flower Show presents Hawaii in"Islands of Aloha" March 4 -March 11, 2012. It focuses on thespirit, the dramatic landscapes and the fiery volcanoes of the Alohastate. Everyone should see this show once in their life. Checkthe Pennsylvania Horticulture Society website for additional information.Note: Rosemary Harris, the mystery writing Master Gardener, whose recent book Slugfest I reviewed earlier, has volunteered for the past 11years at this show.

Another great show is the Boston Flower Showpresented by Massachusetts Horticulture Society March 14-18,2012. Thetheme this year is "First Impressions". Carrying out that themewill be the host of HGTV' Curb Appeal. Cooking demonstrations, flowerdemonstrations and gardening workshops will be presented. So if youare headed for New England, plan to visit this show.

Locally, well, its really in the extended local area,is the Maymont Foundation Flower and Garden Show February 9-12, 2012 atthe Richmond Convention Center. The ticket is a 2 for 1 special. Not only will you see this Flower and Garden Show with outstanding landscapeexhibits, the latest in horticulture and gardens, plus seminars and a GardenMarketplace that will make you want to buy everything you see, admission to theRichmond Home Show is included! The Marketplace has flowers, plants,books, jewelry, tools, containers and wearables goodies for working in thegarden and for going out to lunch with the ladies. The Home Showwill entice you and stimulate you with ideas to perk up your home for Springand Summer. A visit to this show is a great ladies day out event.

I am always looking for new containers- floral designis a passion. So I am delighted to discover 3places that have some unusual items. While not necessarily floral containers,these are good sources for the different and the creative. Check outChiasso at www.chiassso.comand for gimmicky containers go to www.uncommongoods.com look at Country House Floral www.countryhousefloral.com for bases, mechanics, tools, accessories, sculptures and flower holders. Remember Ikea and garage and estate sales.

If you do flowers for your church, you may beinterested in the Flower Arranging Seminar for Holy Spaces presented bythe Altar Guild of the Washington National Cathedral. This is a 5 dayseminar which includes room in the Cathedral College on the Cathedral grounds, board,instruction, workshop materials, flower clippers and flowers. Registration islimited to 24 participants. They hope to have students from across thecountry. The website is www.nationalcathedral.org.

Do you have trouble with wilting blooms?  Do yourflowers need perking up?  Well, according to the January 2000 issue of HarvardMen's Health Watch,a team at the University of Bristol and David Domoney,speaker at the 2009 Chelsea Flower Show, who said " It is anexpensive way to stiffen blooms -but it really works", a helpful tip forflower arranging competionion entrants.  The same chemical, nitirc oxide,which stimulates the free flow of blood through the body, helps water be betterabsorbed and retained by plants.  It can double the life of cut flowers,keeping them fresh for a week longer than normal.  This is the same nitricoxide that increases the shelf life of strawberries, broccoli, legumes andother perishables.  According to researchers, it only takes 1mg of Viagrato keep 2 vases of flowers perky.  Isn't science wonderful? 

Weather-ology: Why the Leaves Change Color

2011-10-21T08:30:00.001-04:00

JaimeMcLeod of Farmers Almanac

Long before modern science began tounderstand the processes that create our weather, people made up their ownexplanations. Many of these accounts were fantastic in nature, with evil orbenevolent gods, monsters, and spirits controlling the elements. In thisseries, we’ll explore some of these ancient myths and share the science behindthem. Weather + mythology = weather-ology!

Among the Algonquin tribes who onceinhabited much of North America, from New England all the way to Wyoming, therewas a legend that explained why the leaves changed color in the fall. The storygoes that there was once a great bear who roamed around terrorizing people. Heate the food they’d gathered, destroyed the homes they built, chased away theirgame, and even mauled women and children.

The bear was far too powerful forany one person to kill, so the bravest and strongest warriors from severaltribes banded together to hunt it. When the bear saw the hunters coming forhim, he did what any sensible bear would do; he took off running. The warriorschased the bear for many months, over all the earth, over mountains and acrossseas, all the while firing their arrows at him. Though they could never catchhim, they did get close enough, once, for their arrows to reach him. One arrowpieced the bear’s side, not deeply enough to kill, but enough to draw blood. Inhis pain and rage, the bear reared up and took to the sky, running from hispursuers through the heavens. To this day, says the legend, those warriorscontinue to chase the bear in circles around and under the earth. In the fall,when he is rising above the horizon, the bear’s blood drips down onto the treesbelow, turning the leaves scarlet.

The bear is said to be the pan ofthe Big Dipper, coincidentally part of the constellation Ursa Major, or theGreat Bear. The handle of the Dipper, known as the bear’s tail to the ancientGreeks, is said to be that band of warriors, still diligently chasing the bearafter so many years.

Of course, we know today that thered of autumn leaves isn’t really the blood of a great bear, but then, why doleaves change colors in the fall? Actually, fall colors – the reds, oranges,and yellows – come from sugars produced by the tree. Each type of sugar has itsown color: carotenoids are yellow or orange, while anthocyanins are red. Thereason we don’t see these colors during the rest of the year is because theyare masked by the green chlorophyll, which converts light from the sun intofood for the tree.

As the days grow shorter and darker,less light from the sun is available, so the tree stops producing chlorophyll.This allows the brilliant colors of autumn to shine through. Eventually, thesechlorophyll-stripped leaves cost the tree more to keep than they give back toit in energy, so it protects itself by producing a substance to seal off theleaves from the rest of the tree. Eventually, the nutrient-starved leaves falloff and die.

Without knowing about the complexchemical processes going on inside each intricate leaf, however, the earlyAmericans were left to come up with their own explanation of how and why theleaves change colors every autumn.

A Fall Favorite: Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

2011-10-21T07:48:00.001-04:00

by Justine Patton

It’s hard to believe it, but Octoberis well underway, and with it comes searching for the perfect Halloweencostume, scaring others with tales of ghosts and ghouls, and—my personalfavorite—pumpkin carving!

After you scoop out all of yourpumpkin’s insides, it’s time to ask yourself, “What should I do with all thisslimy, orange goop?”

Before busting out a trash bag andkicking your seeds to the curb, consider this: The pumpkin seed is one of themost nutritious edible seeds you can eat. These off-white seeds are full ofiron, protein and fiber. They also contain vitamins E and B.

So, instead of throwing them out,turn your pumpkin seeds into a healthy snack.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

This recipe takes your typicalroasted pumpkin seed recipe and kicks it up a notch, adding a few of ourfavorite spices, cumin, cinnamon and ginger, which add their own benefitsto this already healthful recipe. MAKES 1 CUP SEEDS

• 1 medium pumpkin
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• A pinch of cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil

1. Heat oven to 250 degrees.

2. Line a baking sheet withparchment paper. Cut pumpkin open from the bottom, removing seeds with along-handled spoon. Separate flesh from seeds, and reserve the flesh foranother use. Spread seeds on parchment in an even layer. Bake until dry,stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let cool.

3. In a medium bowl combine 3tablespoons sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger and cayennepepper. Heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Addpumpkin seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook until sugar meltsand the pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45 to 60 seconds.

4. Transfer to bowl withspices, and stir well to coat. Let cool. These may be stored in an airtightfor up to one week.

The District 9 meeting is Monday Oct 18 in Mebane.

2011-10-13T09:12:00.000-04:00

The District 9 meeting is Monday Oct 18 in Mebane.
Heritage will be putting on a small Standard Flower Show. You can still enter your horticulture.
The plant material must be there at 8 am and you will need to know both the common and botanical names of the material. Judging begins at 9 am and the District meeting begins at 10. You can have coffee and shop while waiting for the judges to do their work.

GENERAL RULES

1. Any amateur gardener may enter this show.

2. Exhibits must be entered between 8-9 AM Tuesday October18 and designs registered before October 1. Tags for horticulture have been posted on this blog. Look in archives

3. No plant material on the State Conservation list may beexhibited unless it is grown by

the exhibitorand so stated on the entry card.

4. Entry cards must be completed before entries arepresented to Classification.

Dictionary ofPlant Names will not be available.

5. Exhibits must be removed between 3-4 PM. All members willdismantle the show.

6. No artifical plant material in any division.

7. Plant material may not be altered with products for shineetc.

8. Decision of thejudges is final. Awards may be withheld if not merited

9. The GeneralChairman and Judges Chairman will be present for judging.

Awards and Judging

1. No NationalAwards will be offered.

2. In eachclass or subclass, only one blue ribbon will be awarded to an exhibit scoring

90 or morepoints; only one red ribbon to an exhibit scoring 85 or more points; only

one yellowribbon to an exhibit scoring 80 or more points; and more than one white

ribbon to an exhibit scoring 75 or morepoints, if merited. Exhibits scoring 90 or more

points that arenot blue ribbon winners will be so marked.

3. Judging will be between 9-10 and will be inconformance with rules set forth in 2007

Handbook forFlower Shows.

Horticulture Scale of Points

PlantIdentification 5

CulturalPerfection 60

Conditioning/Grooming/Staging 25

Distinction 10

Total 100

DIVISION I HORTICULTURE

HORTICULTURE RULES

1. Allspecimens must have been grown by the exhibitor and in their possession for atleast 90 days.

2. Container-grownplants must have been grown by the exhibitor for three months and will be staged ona flat surface. No hanging facilities available.

3. All entriesmust be labeled with correct botanical and common name.

4. Cutspecimens may not exceed 24 inches from cut end to tip

5. More thanone entry may be made in a class if entries differ in species, type, or color. Theclassification committee will subdivide the classes using these parameters.

6. Containerswill be supplied by Heritage Garden Club andexhibitor will be instructed on how to stage withclear plastic wrap.

7. No doublepotting

8. Cut specimensshould not have foliage below the water line.

Section A. Perennials/Annuals

(Specimen-1 stem unless indicated)

Class1. Chrysanthemums

Class2. Asters

Class3. Sunflowers

Class4. Salvia

Class5. Any other blooming or non

bloomingnot listed

Section B. Trees andShrubs

evergreen ordeciduous (each not

to exceed 30”)

Class6. Maples, other trees in color

Class7. Encore Azaleas

Class8. Butterfly bush

Class9. Knock out Roses

Class10. Any other blooming or non

blooming not listed

Section C. OrnamentalGrasses

Class11. Pampas Grass

Class12. Sedge

Class13. Imperata cylindrica

Class14. Molina eaerulea variegata

Class15. Any other blooming or non

blooming notlisted

Section D. ContainerGrown

Plant-Flowering

(Containerlimited to 10” in diameter)

Class16. Saintpaulia, african violet

Class17. Spathiphyllium. peace lily

Class18. Begoniaceae, begonia

Class19. Geraniaceae, geranium

Class20. Any other blooming or non

blooming notlisted

Section E. Cactus andSucculents

Class21. Individual

Class22. Combination

Class23. Any other blooming or non blooming not listed

Heritage made the newspaper over Briggs Ave gift

2011-10-13T09:07:00.003-04:00

The work schedule is as follows for anyone interested in helping or bringing some snacks for the workers.

Here are the dates for working on the pergola:
10/28 9 to 12 set the post in concrete
10/31 9 to 2 work on pergola
11/2 9 to 12 complete the pergola & set the pavers.

Bonnie McK of T&C is a proud grandma

2011-10-13T08:58:00.006-04:00

Bonnie's grandson Reece from Wilmington won the National Garden Club award for the kindergarten age group in the poetry contest.

Here isthe poem! I hope you enjoy it.

Fields of Daffodils

Dancing

Yellow cups

Waving buttery petals

Grow in a field

Daffodils

Two new Book Reviews

2011-10-13T08:54:00.002-04:00

Attracting Native Pollinators Protecting NorthAmerica's Bees and Butterflies,

a Xeres Society Guide

We are caretakers of the Earth for those that followbehind us. This book is a guide to assist us-gardeners, farmers, publicland managers, etc. to help the pollinators so that our harvest arefruitful,our plant communities healthy, to provide food for wildlifeand support the flowers that enhance ourlandscapes. The book is divided into 4 sections, easily readand with numerous colorful and useful illustrations. The illustrations enhanceand add to the text. They are an integral part of the text not just anafterthought.

Plans for action in different types of land use from home gardens to utility easements, to industrial sites to urbangreenspaces are spelled out in Part 2. Various types of Bees arediscussed in Section 3 with illustrations to help identify them. Bees arenot just bees, as I formerly thought. Even the different genders havedifferent functions and body structures! Sample gardens, recommended hostplants help stimulate your gardener's imagination in Section 4.

The best part to me is the Ideas for Educators andParents because it shows how we can involve the next generation and sharewith them the joy, knowledge and responsibility of our Green World. The suggested activities will create a memorable experience for our youth whileexpanding our horizons. These activites are not very involved nor do theyrequire a large cash outlay; they merely ask that we observe and interact withthe world around us.

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh is a debut novel whichis optioned for a movie! It is an easy read, available from the locallibrary. It would be great for a book club.

As gardeners and caretakers, we are nurturers, nurturingnot only our gardens, our family, our friends, and most importantlyourselves. This book speaks to that aspect of our life. It shows the impact of neglect upon the world.

Victoria Jones has spent her life in the foster-care system. The system has left its mark on her. She finds herself at 18 emancipatedfrom the system and sleeping in a public park. The book opens atthis event. In this park is a neglected garden plot which she makes herown. She nutures the plot, through it expressing herself in a way thatshe is unable to do otherwise. She approaches a local florist and gets ajob off the books. Soon her ability with flowers comes forth. Shediscovers a Victorian book about the silent messages different types of flowersconvey. She uses this vocabulary to develop a successful wedding flowerbusiness. She uses her interpretation of the bride for the bridalflowers. Her business flourishes as does Victoria in a fashion butthe part of her that was blighted by her lack of nurturing still needscare.

Victoria, as an adult, reconnects with a fostermother who had wanted to adopt her but this positive action was sabotaged byVictoria's acting out.. However, Elizabeth is still willing toinclude theadult Victoria in her world as much as Victoria will accept,even taking care of the child Victoria has by Elizabeth's nephew,Grant. When Grant becomes aware he has a child by Victoria hewillinglycares for his child, as much as he is permitted. Victoria thoughmust continues to struggle with the residual effects of the treatment sheexperienced in foster care. She must first emotionally grow. Thebook focuses on development and growth through ofVictoria's knowledge and awareness of flowers and response of the world toplants and to her. She learns to give herself what she did notreceive.

A Dictionary of Flowers is included so the reader hasknows what is guiding Victoria in her flower world.

The Persimmon Lady Strikes Again!

2011-09-27T14:48:00.001-04:00

The Persimmon Lady Strikes Again!

by Farmers' Almanac Staff | Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

One of the most bits of weather lore our readers most frequently ask about is how to predict the severity of the coming winter using persimmon seeds. There’s a long-standing belief that if you cut open a seed and see see knife-shape, it means the coming winter will be cold and icy – so cold that it cuts like a knife – while a spoon-shape indicates you’ll be doing a lot of shoveling. A fork shape means winter will be mild.
For the last few years, Johnsonville, N.C., resident Melissa Bunker – affectionately known as the Persimmon Lady around here – has been reporting her persimmon seed findings. This year, Melissa cut open 10 persimmon seeds and found 10 spoons.
Do you believe that persimmon seeds can predict the weather? Is there some other indicator you use, such as acorns or woolly bear caterpillars? Or do you think the whole thing is a hogwash?

2011-09-27T11:08:00.002-04:00

It’s Leaf Peeping Season!

by Peter Geiger | Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

The US is on the brink of breaking out into bold color. The fall foliage season is different all over the country. What it looks like depends on where you live, but there is nothing more splendid than driving around on a clear day in September and October (or even November, if you live in a late peak state) checking out the vibrant colors of autumn. There are a number of websites that give you a blow by blow description of where peak is but if you are thinking about where you might go and when, the Farmers’ Almanac has a good guide, too.
Here is a link to our projected peaks times for leap peeping by state.

Witherspoon's Autumn Fest and Sale

2011-09-27T10:10:00.003-04:00

Autumn Fest!

This Saturday, October 1st from 9am to 4pm

Enjoy a beautiful day outside amongst the roses.
Introducing... our new 2012 Rose Catalog.

All Potted Roses $10.00
All Potted Tree Roses $19.99

Absolutely Everything is on Sale!

"How to: Enhance Your Patio with Container Roses"
Take part in our workshop from 10am to 12pm
$10 for supplies, supplies include soil and mulch
Limit 15, Sign up today at
Gardenshop@witherspoonrose.com or call 1-800-643-0315

3312 Watkins Rd, Durham
4401 Shopton Rd, Charlotte
1-800-643-0315

Hope to See You There...

Our Mission Statement
To enhance the lives of others through the outstanding care of one of
God's finest creations, the rose.

NEW website at State Garden Club

2011-09-26T20:45:00.000-04:00

The Garden Clubs of NC has a total new site. Most of what was in the Gardener is now online.
If you don't have your password, your president can get them at the District Meetings. You will need the password to get into the MEMBERS ONLY area where all the important information is located..

The link is over to the left in "Links of Interest" Give it a click and surf the site.

If you need the password before you get it from your president, you can contact me and I have
it for you. Marcia L at Heritage GC is where you will find my phone or e-mail (in Council yearbook)

Look the site over, I think you will find it exciting and of great value to us all. We will be able to
post our club events etc to the District 9 pages. There are rules on doing this and it will be addressed at the District 9 meeting in Mebane Oct 18.

Heritage will have a small standard flower show and if you are interested in participating contact
Ardith at Heritage GC or Marcia also at Heritage. There are a few spots still open in the design
areas and we would love to have you show off your garden with some samples of your horticulture.
We can send you a schedule and answer any questions you might have. Come and join us in
the fun.

Drying Osage Oranges

2011-09-26T20:16:00.001-04:00

Instructions

1. Whole

• 1

Cut thestem of the Osage orange to harvest it from the tree before it is fully ripe.Rip fruits often fall from the hedge and have bruised spots.

• 2

Wrap twinearound the circumference of the hedge apple. Turn the fruit and wrap a secondline of twine around a circumference perpendicular to the first. Tie a knot inthe twine where the two circles of twine meet.

• 3

Hang thetwine-wrapped orange from the rafters or ceiling of an attic or other warmroom. In about 30 days, the Osage orange will dry completely while retainingits green color.

2. Sliced

• 1

Cut thestem of the Osage orange to harvest it from the tree before it is fully ripe.Preheat the oven to 150 F.

• 2

Slice theOsage orange into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in a single layeron a pizza screen or other perforated bakingsheet. Slide the sheet onto the center rack of the preheated oven.

• 3

Turn on theconvection fan if the oven has one. Crack the oven door slightly during thedrying process to increase the ventilation, if the oven has no internal fan.Remove the slices to wire cooling racks when they are lightly browned andcrisp.

You will find the knife to get very sticky. It will stay FOREVER if you don't clean

often with rubbing alcohol. I use an electric knife but clean after each cut.

Durham Council of Garden Clubs

Edith Edelman to speak at Duke Gardens

Worst Winter Weeds: Hairy Bittercress

Are you into Seed Trading?

Educate Yourself!

Sustainable Landscapes

The Uncommon Garden

Garden Club Members Only! Special Preview Sale- Baubles Bling & Blooms

Daylily donates to Watts St. Baptist Church

HOME GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES

From the EXTENSION MASTER GARDENER DURHAM COUNTY NEWSLETTER

Ardith's Jottings

Reynolda House Exhibit Feb 18-Aug 2

EK Powe Elementary School received a grant thanks to Town and Country GC

Upcoming workshops and tours at the JCC Arboretum

Winter Pruning of Trees, A Timely Task

REMINDERS of Deadlines this week

CLIPPINGS…..NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Philadelphia Flower Show

Sunday- 4 March, 2012

Monday- 5 March, 2012

Ardith's Jottings

News from Duke Gardens - Docents needed

Free Garden Programs at the Library

Heritage GC Pizza Party

ENTER YOUR PHOTOS for the State Calendar

DECORATING HINT and FEED THE BIRDS TOO

History of Holly

West Point on Eno - Homestead Heights

Heads Up, Garage Sale Aficionados!

Ardith's Jottings.

'Twas the crabgrass before Christmas

Have you decorated for your community, church, neighborhood?

Hope Valley Night of Lights

Twas the Season of Christmas - Garden Makers

The Flowers of the Season

More Classes and Seminars from Durham Extension Office

Some Christmas and Holiday Videos to share

Lectures of Interest from Johnson Co Arboretum

From the Extension Office newsletter

As we prepare for the Christmas photos you might enjoy how a woman made herself beautiful in Elizabethan England

Yule Log

Heritage Poinsettia Project

Muriel Roberts has passed away

Daylily is working with Toys for Tots HELP!

Ardith's Jottings for November

The Scary Herbs of Halloween

The Journey to theOtherworld

RELATED CONTENT

Pumpkins and Spice

Elderberry Recipes: Elderberry-PlumSauce

Elderberry Recipes: ElderberrySoup with Semolina Dumplings

Pumpkins and Spice: SpicedPumpkin Seeds

Pumpkins and Spice: CreamyPumpkin Nog

Pumpkins Light theWay

Frost and How It Forms

Winter Storage of Geraniums (Pelargonium)

The Briggs Ave Community Garden Gift

Ardith's Jottings:

Gardener's Treasure Discovered!

Garden Makers have fun

Johnston County Cooperative Events Nov-Dec

District 9 Flower Show

Poinsettia Project Order Form

The Durham Garden Forum - Events

REMEMBER Council Meeting is Tuesday Nov 1

"Giving a helping hand to Briggs Avenue Community"

Ardith's Jottings:

Weather-ology: Why the Leaves Change Color

A Fall Favorite: Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

The District 9 meeting is Monday Oct 18 in Mebane.

Heritage made the newspaper over Briggs Ave gift

Bonnie McK of T&C is a proud grandma

Two new Book Reviews

The Persimmon Lady Strikes Again!

The Persimmon Lady Strikes Again!

It’s Leaf Peeping Season!

Witherspoon's Autumn Fest and Sale

NEW website at State Garden Club

Drying Osage Oranges