newsletter of the sugar land garden club (established 1932 ...newsletter of the sugar land garden...
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Newsletter 1
Newsletter of the Sugar Land Garden Club (Established 1932)
Greenleaf Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2013
From the President…
Once in a while, I feel a breeze that
makes me think Fall is coming – or
maybe that is just happy wishing!!!
I have just returned from a trip to
Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria.
Flowers were everywhere!
Amazingly, most of the flowers
there were the same that we have
here. Of course, they were more of
our cool weather flowers – Petunias,
Calendulas, Begonias and even
some that we think of as our Texas
natives. The world is just becoming
a smaller place.
Getting back to our part of the
world, September is gearing up to be
a busy month for our Garden Club.
The Garden Art and Plant Sale is
our premiere money making event
for our club. If you haven’t found a
way to help with this, I am sure the
committee can find something that
you are able to do!
Terri Hurley, Chairman of the
Garden Art and Plant Sale, and her
committee are spending much effort
to insure that this year will be a
tremendous success.
Our new directories will be
available at the next meeting.
Many thanks to Robin Rettew and
Deborah Birge for once again
compiling our books.
Special thanks also to Cheryl
Swanson for acquiring all of the
ads for the directory. Robin reports
that our directories were mostly
paid for with these ads. If possible,
give the companies in our
directories your business and let
them know where you found them!
Hope to see you at our coming
activities!
Blessings,
Carrie Sample,
Sugar Land Garden Club President
Replica of the castle in Liechtenstein. Do you see any
flowers that look familiar?
Newsletter 2
SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEETING “PLANTS-A-PALOOZA!”
Join us at our Tuesday, September 17 general meeting
where we will be dazzled by the beauty of “Plants-a-
Palooza! A Plethora of Perfect Convert your dull backyard
into your own residential retreat by adding Treesearch
Farms plants. Heidi Sheesley, owner of Treesearch Farms,
will delight us with her latest and greatest offerings. All of
these plants and more will be offered at our 15th Annual
Garden Art and Plant Sale. All of these plants and more will be offered at our 15th Annual Garden Art and Plant Sale. Social time is 9:30 a.m. and great plants we will offer at our sale. Social time is 9:30 a.m. and the meeting
starts at 10:00 a.m. The meeting location will be the
Knights of Columbus Hall on 702 Burney Road in Sugar
Land, next to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
Previews of the unique and original creations that will be
offered for sale by the vendors at our Garden Art and Plant
Sale will also be on display at the general meeting for your
window-shopping enjoyment. Tempting garden-themed
merchandise from locally famous artisans will include:
garden aprons and totes, jellies & jams, ceramics for both
inside & outside, colorful glass creatures, hats and baskets.
Check the side tables for displays from these vendors and
make a wish list!
Heidi Sheesley and nursery assistant Trooper, are busy
growing beautiful plants for our 15th
Annual Garden Art
and Plant Sale. Heidi returns to the Sugar Land
Garden Club on September 17.
GAPS Volunteers Can Pre-Order Plants
This year, our GAPS volunteers can pre-order
plants after the general meeting in September. In
addition to cash, purchases can also be made by
credit card. Pre-ordered plants can be picked up
Friday, September 20th, at the Sugar Lakes
Clubhouse from 11 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Any plants
that are not picked up by 1:00 p.m. will be
donated to the garden club and sold the following
day. If a tax receipt for your donation is
required, please contact Rose Ann Acosta by
phone or email.
LAST CALL FOR GAPS SEEDS
It’s time to turn in seeds that you have collected
from your garden for GAPS if you haven’t
already. It is an easy contribution that many of our
customers look forward to purchasing. Please
clean your seeds before giving them to Sylvia
Alewine. Cleaning means removing most of the
chaff and non-seed parts.
Please bring seeds to our September General
Meeting and give them to Sylvia Alewine.
If you have any questions, please contact your
GAPS Seed Coordinator Sylvia Alewine at
Many thanks to those who have already
contributed seeds!!
Newsletter 3
PLANT SWAPS TO RESUME at September Meeting!!! The Plant Swap Girls are so excited to get back to work on our first swap in September. Here is your perfect opportunity to clear out your flower beds and make room for new GAPS plants. There will be plenty of space for all the wonderful plants you bring to share. The swaps are fun and a great way to try interesting plants in your garden. Keep in mind our three basic rules:
1. Any plants that you bring should be labeled with the plant name
2. Take home any plants you bring that do not get adopted
3. Remove plants from the table only when the swap begins
Please be courteous to others as you select one or two plants then let others have a turn. You can go back again for more plants if they are still available. Get digging! Your Plant Swap Committee Donnetta Parrish, Charline Russell, and Shirley Reese
Diane Schomburg’s front gardens.
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS
October 22, 2013 - Mercer Arboretum, Spring, TX November 26, 2013 - Brazos Bend State Park *January 28, 2014 - Painted Churches Tour – Schulenburg *This will be a bus trip. We will
begin registering for this trip at ou r
October Meetings
October Workshop: "Lighted
Glass Block" by Lynette McQueen
Create a fall leaf scape on a glass block that will be light-lending a sparkling touch
to a fall decoration. Cost: $15 Register: September general meeting Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m. Location: Imperial Park Recreational Center at 234 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Limit: 18 people
1
Newsletter 4
Master Gardener’s Report By Deborah Birge
Monthly Program: Fall/Winter Vegetable Gardening This event is on September 19 2013.
Take advantage of the usually mild Southeast Texas
winter climate to extend your vegetable growing season.
Our Master Gardener Vegetable Specialist will provide
helpful and timely information on growing methods and
proven crops for Fort Bend County.
Time: Social 6:30 p.m.; Presentation 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Bud O’Shieles Community Center, 1330
Band Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Master Gardening Training Class Deadline This Friday This event is on September 15, 2013.
Do you enjoy gardening? Are you interested in learning
more about plants? Are you new to gardening or new to the
Texas Gulf Coast area? The Master Gardener training class
might be just what you are looking for. The fall 2013
training class will start in October. The deadline for applying is Sept. 20, 2013.
Saturday in the Gardens with the Master Gardeners This event is on October 5, 2013.
Garden Talk Topic “Butterfly Gardening in the
Butterfly Habitat at 10:00 a.m.″ Join the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners in their 4 acres
of demonstration gardens on Saturday, October 5th and talk
to the MG volunteers who design and maintain them. It is a
great way to learn about gardening and plants well suited for
Fort Bend County.
Park in front of the Agriculture Center located at 1402 Band
Road, Rosenberg, 77471. Take one of the sidewalks back to
the area behind the building where you’ll find the gardens
and Master Gardeners at work.
Gardens will be open from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on October
5. Attend an informal garden talk on Butterfly Gardening
which starts at 10:00 a.m. in the Butterfly Habitat.Monthly Program: ABC’s of Winter Season Tree & Shrub Care (continued next column)
Flowers at Farmer’s Market in Bern, Switzerland
Learn how to care for your valuable trees and shrubs during
the cool fall and winter months. Our guest speaker is Paul
Wierzbicki, Horticulturist, Missouri City Parks &
Recreation Department.
Time: Social 6:30 p.m.; Presentation 7:00 p.m. – 8:00
p.m.
Location: Bud O’Shieles Community Center, 1330 Band Road, Rosenberg, TX 77471
Saturday in the Gardens with the Master Gardeners This event is on November 2, 2013.
Garden Talk Topic “Fall Vegetable Gardening in the
Vegetable Garden at 10:00 Join the Fort Bend County Master Gardeners in their 4 acres
of demonstration gardens on Saturday, November 2nd and
talk to the MG volunteers who design and maintain them. It
is a great way to learn about gardening and plants well
suited for Fort Bend County.
Park in front of the Agriculture Center located at 1402 Band
Road, Rosenberg, 77471. Take one of the sidewalks back to
the area behind the building where you’ll find the gardens
and Master Gardeners at work.
Gardens will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on
November 2. . Attend an informal garden talk on Fall Vegetable Gardening which starts at 10:00 a.m. in the
Vegetable Garden
We are on the Web at
http://sugarlandgardenclub.
org
Also, join us on Facebook!
Newsletter 5
15TH
ANNUAL
GARDEN ART &
PLANT SALE!
PLANTS-A-
PALOOZA! A
Plethora of Perfect
Plants SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER
21, 2013
8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Sugar Lakes Clubhouse
930 Sugar Lakes Dr.
“PLANTS-A-PALOOZA! A Plethora of Perfect Plants” is
the exciting theme of this year’s Garden Art and Plant Sale.
Once again, our annual plant sale will tempt you with
exquisite plants and a dizzying array of beautiful garden art.
Face it….your backyard retreat needs sprucing it up with
fresh plantings and accents and our sale is the answer to your prayers.
Our plants are from Treesearch Farms, a premier provider of
unique and well-adapted plants for the Gulf Coast area.
The plants available at our sale have been hand-selected by
the SLGC plant selection committee along with the
recommendations of Heidi Sheesley, owner of Treesearch
Farms. Only those perennials, flowering shrubs, annuals
and vines which have a proven history of doing well in our
area, based on the past experience of the SLGC members,
will be offered. As a special treat to customers, a few new
and exciting varieties will be mixed in. We also have seeds collected from member’s gardens.
The plant list for the upcoming sale totals over 160 varieties
including: melochia tea bush, Snow Storm beautyberry,
Grape Sensation gaillardia, Lufkin Red and Lufkin White
hibiscus, ‘Little Boy Blue’ salvia and lots and lots of
gingers! One, two and three gallon plants are offered at
very competitive prices. In a few days, you can check out
the complete plant list on our website at
www.sugarlandgardenclub.org.
CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED! As an added benefit to our
customers, the SLGC now accept credit cards. Now you
can charge your purchase to your VISA, Mastercard or
American Express credit card and buy twice the plants!
Sixteen vendors will offer their enticing art items at the sale
both inside and outside the clubhouse. See the vendor
article for more information on our talented artisans. This
year, each vendor graciously donated one of their items to
our raffle. Be sure to get your raffle tickets!
Children are welcome as we find that most children at our sales are ‘budding’ gardeners, and they really enjoy helping
to pick out plants and pulling
the plant wagon for their
shopping parents! Free
lemonade and cookies are
offered by garden club
members to customers as they browse among the plants and
garden art items.
This delightful combination of butterfly and hummingbird
attracting plants below is a colorful addition to one SLGC
member’s garden. Hamelia patens, Gold Star esperanza and
blue barleria will all be sold at our sale.
The variegated jatropha will pop in your garden. Get
it at our sale
(continued next column)
Newsletter 6
CHANGE OF TWO BY-LAWS
PROPOSED
At the June Board Meeting, two by-laws
pertaining to membership were proposed. They
will be read at the September General Meeting
and voted on at the October Meeting. Basically,
both of these changes are pushing the dates back
one month. They have been recommended by the
Vice-Presidents of Membership and Nominating
Committees.
ARTICLE III – Membership
…Membership dues for the following year shall
be $30 payable from March 1 through April 30.
(March instead of February)
ARTICLE V - Officers
Section 2 – Nominating Committee
b. The nominating Committee shall present the
names of the prospective officers for the ensuing
year at the February meeting. (Instead of the
Janary meeting.)
c. Elections
The officers shall be elected at the February
meeting and shall be installed in office in May.
(Instead of the January meeting)
Available at GAPS
Melochia tea bush makes an excellent border plant in areas
that do not receive very much water. It is a great choice for
rock gardens and wildscapes. With its lovely blooms that are ever present until the first frost, unusual and full foliage and
compact size, melochia is a great plant to use in the
landscape. Hard to find!
VENDORS AT GAPS
The picture below shows the item that each of our
vendors have donated for our GAPS Raffle. The
Raffle tickets are $1 for one or $5 for six
Back Row: Susie Curry, Lynette McQueen, Rose Allen,
Melissa Bailey, Mary Bullock, Elizabeth Barrow and her
daughter Abby. Front Row: Nancy Adams, Anne Ondrusek,
Diana Miller, Jaemie Herndon, Gretchen Cockerill Not
shown - Michelle Eigler
We are so excited about all the talented artisans that will be
selling their wares during the annual Garden Art and Plant
Sale on September 21.
10 new vendors will provide a variety of unusual and
different items just in time for your holiday shopping. These include:
Ecofab Arts – Beautiful glass flowers made from rescued,
repurposed & remarkable glass
The Tin Armadillo - Lanterns, planters, windchimes &
whimsical critters created from tin cans
Simply Charming – Wind Spinners
Possum Kingdom Candles – Hand poured soy candles,
soaps, etched glass and garden plaques
Susie Curry/Lisa Bonin – Mosaic Artists
Unique Items by Lynette – Garden totems and Bird Baths
Diana Miller – Hand made seasonal wreaths, decorated birdhouses
Papershell Gallery – Succulent based items
Barbara Willy – Outdoor wreaths and garden items
Mary Bullock – Hand painted china boxes
Returning favorites from last year:
Honey’s Homemade Jams & Jellies
Connie Williams – Sew Special Wearhouse – fabric totes,
hats, lunch bags etc.
Nature’s Nests – Cedar houses for birds, bats and butterflies
Janet Green – Wire wrapped garden art
Gretchen Cockerill – jewelry
Quotentials/Sheryl Lambert – beautiful fused glass items
Newsletter 7
Caterpillar or Caterpillar By Don Johnson For thirty-one years there was a large field behind the
houses across the street from our house. This summer a
developer’s Caterpillar bulldozer has changed that. There
will be forty-five patio homes constructed on the lot in the
coming months. There is nothing illegal about what is being
done or what the previous owner did in selling the property.
There will be people who want to buy the homes. But this is
another example of habitat loss. In his book, “Bringing Nature Home,” Doug Tallamy states, “The wild creatures
we enjoy and would like to have in our lives will not be here
in the future if we take away their food and the places they
live.” Dr. Karen Oberhauser, Director of Monarchs in the
Classroom and Associate Professor at the University of
Minnesota stated, “I am becoming more and more concerned
with the impacts that humans have on monarchs and other
organisms, and with the precarious balance between human
needs and the needs of the species with which we share the
planet.”
The giant swallowtail is feeding on the duranta.
As gardeners, we can all help replace lost habitat by creating
habitat for wildlife in our yards. When our neighbors are
hiring companies to spray their yard to kill insects, we can
put plants into our yard that will attract insects. That
becomes a good time to educate our neighbors. Attracting
insects attracts birds and other wildlife. Planting nectar and
host plants in our yards attracts butterflies. Including dill
and fennel brings in black swallowtails.
Gardeners plant milkweed to attract the beautiful monarchs. The milkweed also attracts aphids, which provide food for
lady beetles. We have added bird feeders and water for
drinking and bathing. This is the time of year when the
hummingbirds are migrating through and will come to our
yards if we have the right nectar plants. Many of the same
plants attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. As an
added benefit, the habitat also attracts children and
grandchildren. It’s great for language development and
encourages curiosity for children of all ages.
The picture at the top of the next column shows the passion vine that is the host plant for the gulf fritillary. She is
about to lay an egg on the plant.
. This article includes photos of some of the plants available
at this year’s sale which we have enjoyed in our garden.
Some are nectar plants that attract butterflies and
hummingbirds; some are host plants for the butterflies. It is
important to have nectar plants that bloom at different times
of the year.
In the past, gardeners wishing to create habitat have become
frustrated by HOA regulations. The most recent Texas
legislative session saw the governor sign a bill (Senate Bill 198) that restricts HOA’s from preventing land owners from
installing native and other water conserving landscapes in
their yards. By creating a habitat garden in our yards we
help do our part to ensure that the next generation will also
enjoy the same wildlife that we have enjoyed.
The hummingbird loves the salvia greggii and the hamelia.
The cassia is a host plant for the sulphur butterfly. The caterpillar is eating the plant.
Newsletter 8
The white mist flower is popular with butterflies as a nectar plant.
Some plants attract both the hummingbird and butterflies. The pentas, Mexican flame vine and the orange flame justicia are plants that are in our yard that butterflies and hummers go to.
GARDEN CLUB MOMENTS By Margaret Penrod
Margaret in her grandparent's home, the G. W. and Nettie Canter Pounds House near Daisetta, Texas. The house is currently owned by the Historical Society of East Liberty County.
I joined the Sugar Land Garden Club
around 1988. I came to hear the program
presented by Bill Adams and found a
group of lovely, genteel ladies who were
friendly and welcoming. They quickly
asked me to be a member of the Telephone
Committee. My job was to call the
members who were listed on one page of
our yearbook. Usually they would politely
answer their phone, chat a while if they
chose, and let me know if they would be
attending the meeting. I listened when
they told me what they liked and disliked
about the club, opening communications
between me and the established members.
This was one cushy job. My garden club
nirvana was short lived when I was pressed
into service as Treasurer. You learn a lot
about the inner workings of the club as
Treasurer. I continued on the Board of
Directors while serving as Corresponding (continued next page)
Newsletter 9
Secretary, Photographer, and Horticulture
Chair. Our club sponsored me to
complete the Garden Study and Landscape
Design Courses. A faithful few enjoyed
the programs at Houston Council. A small
group of our members attended birding and
nature oriented meetings. Later, many of
us became Master Gardeners. I paid
careful attention to the qualities, which, in
my opinion, made a good speaker.
I was asked to be First Vice President for
the 1993-1994 garden club year. This was
a difficult position to fill. The bylaws were
not crystal clear, but the First V. P. was
expected to provide all the programs at the
meetings, arrange the Christmas and May
parties, and organize the pilgrimages and
possibly workshops, and to assume the
duties of the President in her absence. We
had previously two people share this
position, but had not made one person
responsible for each duty. I thought this
had to change. I said I would be delighted
to provide the programs for the meetings,
but I was sure we could find members
much more suitable for the parties and
pilgrimages, which is what we did.
Club Historian, Virginia White, wrote
“Margaret has been totally responsible for
up-grading our speakers”. This would not
have been possible without the backing of
our Board of Directors. Our club was in
the habit of paying our monthly speakers
as little as possible. While many very
knowledgeable experts speak for the joy of
increasing gardening expertise, many
expected compensation. I presented the
idea of increasing our speaker
compensation to the board. In a totally (continued next page)
unprecedented move, the board allowed
me to schedule each month’s program,
total the cost, come back to them and plug
that amount into the budget. This was
trust. They trusted me to use my good
judgment and speedily report to them. I
trusted them to back my decisions. It
worked and we were able to plan budgets
for the future. In March 1995, Heidi
Sheesley’s program was a plant-lover’s
delight. Heidi became and remains a
beloved friend of our club. I held the
position of Program Chair for three years.
I was elected to serve as our President for
the 1996-97 year, which was the first of
five years I took the cover photograph for
our yearbook. That year my First V. P.’s
refused to serve unless I gave them a list of
each month’s speakers. I did. For this,
and my following year of 1997-98, I had a
wonderful Board of Directors. I carefully
listened to their likes and dislikes and past
experiences so they would have a
volunteer opportunity they truly enjoyed. I
paired members who I thought would
enjoy working together. Many times they
chose to carry their duties much farther
than I expected.
It has been a long time since my
Presidency ended in 1998. Not one year
has passed that someone has told me how
much they appreciated the time and effort I
have put into our club. I think that’s what I
like most about the Sugar Land Garden
Club, we appreciate each other.
Newsletter 10
HORTICULTURAL COLUMN Paula Goodwin
Hurrah for September! We begin our
new garden year with our new
president, and look forward to cooler
weather without too many
mosquitoes to get back outside to
garden. We wonder what perennial
treasures will be offered up to us at
our Garden Art and Plant sale. And
what plant will be on the cover of our
yearbook? There is much to look
forward to. Heidi Sheesley will be the
fabulous speaker and she makes
every plant in our garden sale seem
like it is a plant you cannot live
without. There is always something
new and different that catches my
eye. Then the wow “gotta have it”
side of my brain takes over the
practical “don’t have room in my
yard” brain.
I am not sure that all these beauties
will be offered at the sale, but they
have been previously. Here are a few
of my favorites:
Mexican flame vine: This not a
runaway-type vine that you mutter
expletive words over. It does send out
runners along the ground, so train
them up onto a trellis or put a barrier
around the base to keep it in its
place. Its orangey flowers must be
delicious, because it is a magnate for
all kinds of butterflies in the fall.
Trim off all the foliage almost to the
ground in early spring.
Salvia miniata: Re-landscaping and
irrigation work took all of mine out.
But I want their glossy leaves and
red blooms back in my
butterfly/hummingbird bed. This
salvia politely spreads and will fill
out into a nice clump. Actually any
kind of salvia (the varieties are
endless) will be on my to-buy list.
Well, there was one salvia that must
have had “gigantica” in its name and
had to be wrestled out of its bed.
Newsletter 11
Almond verbena: This is a tree with
highly fragrant white blooms-- like
you can smell- it-a-block-away
fragrant. It grew too tall for its space
up against a garage wall and I
cringed when my husband had to
whack it down. I now know how
much room it needs and have a space
in full sun for a replacement. Just
love this.
Cuphea, Bat-Face: My son calls this
the vampire plant. It makes me
smile every time I walk by it.
Hamelia: This is on my list just in
case anyone out there does not know
about this shrub. You need at least
one. Don and Penny Johnson’s
garden has several planted together
in one large grouping. Wow. I am
sure hundreds of hummingbirds have
this yard mapped out in their little
GPS’s. Our hamelia is planted just
outside our kitchen window and it is
cheap entertainment for us at this
time of year when the hummingbirds
migrate through. I think the bigger
the shrub, the better. I feel good
about providing food for these little
birds that still have a long journey
ahead of them.
Cuban Gold Duranta: A group of
these small shrubs will give a pop of
Newsletter 12
color in your garden especially in the
dusk of the evening. Their neon
foliage will draw your eye at all
hours of the day.
One gardener tip I must try to follow:
Always put your new plants in the
ground the same day you buy them—
it will make you think twice about
bringing more home.
The plants that will be for sale at our
Garden Art and Plant Sale are
diverse and healthy perennials you
will find in one convenient spot. And
fall is the time to plant. I’ll be there
helping people to make choices for
their own gardens along with all of
our other knowledgeable volunteers.
Some people have even been
persuaded to join our club while
standing in the check-out line. So be
forewarned.
Also available at GAPS
Flapjacks kalanchoe is a conversation piece. Appropriately
named because of its paddle shaped leaves, it becomes a
showstopper in a container.
Photo by Joan Pritchard.
Available at GAPS
The variegated jatropha will pop in your garden. Get it at
our sale.
Thanks to each of
you who help
make our
garden
club so
special.
Green Leaf 13