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The South Carolina Gardener | Fall 2014 | 1

GCSC | FALL ISSUE 2014 | VOL. 92 NO. 5

Cherokee Trail Tree ~ Early 1800’s

The South Carolina

The Official Publication of The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.

GARDENER

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Dear Members and Friends of The Garden Club of South Carolina,

What do we love best about Autumn in South Carolina…other than football? Bright Blue October skies? Thanking venerable shade trees for still producing leaves to rake? Pumpkins

plumping on the vine, making us smile at future jack-o’lanterns and pies? Putting up the last of the summer’s produce and enjoy-

ing the fall bounty? Loving the cooler, less humid days and evenings?

With fall’s delightful promise, we also enjoy beginning afresh with garden club meetings and activities. Attend your district’s Fall Gathering and meet other club members, while discovering district and GCSC enjoyable opportunities! Visit our new GCSC Website, mark your calendar for special events, read Minnie Mayberry’s new book review in The Book Nook you don’t want to miss her new review and line up your award possibilities. Register early for 2015’s NGC/SAR Convention at Hilton Head Island, March 22-24 and for the GCSC Convention in Charleston, April 23-25.

Want to have some fun and have a membership drive? Have a Tree Party! Invite prospective members to join your club members in our Historic Trees for Historic Places project. Our state is blessed with trees and camellias that have meaning for each of us, whether sited in an historic spot, or in your backyard, with the swing that prompts memory of the exhilarating freedom of childhood.

Your work enables GCSC to make a difference in each community across the state, by creating public awareness of the immense environmental and economic value of our trees and timber industry in South Carolina. Don’t miss the deadline to be a part of the process: please document and submit trees in your garden, park, schoolyard, church and around your town. Need help? Go to the Website or contact Chairman Jane Riddle Pearman.

Congratulations to all of our NGC Award winners! GCSC won First Place awards for The South Carolina Gardener and for The Gallivanting Gardener! Thanks to the exceptional work of Kathy Hall, Editor of The South Carolina Gardener and her staff of writers who provide meaningful, research-based information, and Peggy Little, Editor of The Gallivanting Gardener, and her editorial writers who present garden-related, informative articles in a whimsical, fun-loving framework! I encourage you to go to the GCSC Website and applaud the amazing work of all of the remarkable NGC Award winners!

Grab your sweater and leaf rake! Then, relax with some mulled cider on the porch swing and revel in changing scene in your garden.

With my best regards,

Judith Dill

President’s Letter

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence


Contents

2 PRESIDENT’S LETTER Judith Dill

4 A New Era of Flower Arranging Cornelia McNamara

7 GREEN GARDENING & SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Fire – Hazard and Benefit Gail Jeter

8 75th Anniversary, Dogwood Garden Club

9 HERBS ARE SUPERB Cinnamomun sp Cinnamon Eleanor Hickman Durgee

12 Direct Sowing Annuals in the Garden Erik Healy

14 66th Anniversary, Azalea Garden Club of Greer

16 65th Anniversary, Shamrock Garden Club

15 GCSC 2015 CONVENTION – MARK YOUR CALENDARS

16 HISTORIC TREES FOR HISTORIC PLACES WEST PIEDMONT DISTRICT Betty W. Thacker

Eden Hall Mariska Young

The Amazing Cherokee Trail Trees Edna Melamed

The Historic Hopkins Family Farm Shelia H. Miller

22 Creating A Habitat for Birds in Your Landscape Jan Burch

24 HORTICULTURE PATH Pinus palustris, Longleaf Pine, Part III Jerry W. Weise

25 Blue Star Memorial Council of Garden Clubs of Sumpter

26 National Garden Week Activities Anderson Council of Garden Clubs Yaupon Garden Club Garden Club Council of Abbeville

28 ROOTS Hugo, Hurricane Hugo Helen Goforth

30 INSPIRATION & MEDITATION Fall Joan Danforth

31 EDITOR’S NOTE Kathy Hall

FALL 2014 | VOLUME 92 | NO. 5

Cover Photograph by Eugene Melamed

4 | If your knees aren’t green by day’s end, re-examine your life. ~ Bill Watterson

A New Era of Flower Arranging

By Cornelia McNamara

The art of flower arranging has entered a new era on a global scale right now - the gates of stodgy design and dogmatic rules have been trampled by ecstatic and talented new blood, and a golden age has arrived. In the U.S., where most stars in the field were men, there has been a dramatic feminine takeover, and the look that is in vogue is itself quite feminine, unfettered and natural. Women are designing large-scale events, authoring books and farming their own flowers with great success, as are some brilliant men also still in the field. In the past, the gate keepers of the art form had everyone hoodwinked that flower arranging was a rarefied craft with mystic and un-crackable codes known only to them, but now professionals and novices alike are making and breaking rules right and left with electrifying results. Sometimes it seems the only real rule is not to follow any at all.

When I got my start in the business in New York in the 1990’s, the industry was very much dominated by men. The popular style was very controlled; the look was flowers on flowers without using any greens. The rule was that every arrangement needed to be per-fectly mounded in a dome shape; greenery was frowned upon as cost cutting filler. It was fresh, exciting and extravagant to see 100 roses massed together in a single, low glass bowl.

This seemed to be a reaction to the wildness of the 80’s. Don Kelley a friend and employer had worked at the iconic 80’s flower shop, Madderlake, told me that they were so obsessed with maintaining the natural look that before they sent an arrangement of lilies out, they would wrap the pollen on every single bloom with tissue for delivery, then unwrap the pollen so it was intact it once the arrangement was on site.

I longed to make wild, greenery-based displays that looked like a baby fox or a fawn had curled up and napped in the center of it. Thankfully, this sort of wildness is now back in vogue after a 20-year hiatus - but with some twists to make it fresh of course.

The use of wild- uncultivated materials, “foraging” is a strong trend now, which adds dimension to the current fashion of natural

looking flowers. In urban/suburban areas this can be called “night-pruning”, or “civic pruning, or even “theft” if you don’t ask permission. Generally, I have friends with


gardens who I will offer money to in exchange for the opportunity to prune their crab- apple in the spring or their liquid amber maple in the fall. Open and abandoned lots yield wonderful hemlock and chicory in Chicago in the summer, and trimmings from even just one Mock Orange tree can freshen up an entire wedding in the spring. Wilder elements mixed with farmed flowers make for much more striking arrangements. I have also found that trees which I pruned for foraging one year come back much larger and healthier the next, so one can fall into a rhythm of seasonal availability.

Another trend is to minimize the carbon miles racked up by your flowers, source locally grown flowers or to grow them yourself. It is actually a movement known as “Slow Flowers” after the “Slow Food” movement founded by Carol Petrini. Much like our food, about 85% of flowers sold in the U.S. are grown thousands of miles away, mainly in South America and Africa. Pesticides, which are illegal in the states, are used in largely unreg-ulated methods and child labor is still common. “Cold chains”—refrigerated warehouses and trucks at every point along the way, multiply the carbon

miles used in transport, as does the elaborate packaging used to ensure that flowers remain pristine. Locally grown flowers are a much more beautiful, heart - happy solution. Your local farmer’s market is an ideal and actually old-fashioned source for florists. This year we joined the “Slow Flower” movement and started our own flower farm called Five Row Farm. This year so far we have been lucky with lots and lots of rain, and our cosmos were knee-high by the 4th of July.

I taught a flower arranging class just yesterday, and what struck me most was the love the participants in the studio have for flowers. Their emotional connection with the materials was reflected in their arrangements, which looked like they were growing and alive. Arranging flowers brings us close to the perfection of nature, the divine, and this is why the fearfulness and rule-making that comes up for so many of us is so un-useful. Have you ever noticed how brilliant children are at flower arranging?

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work at a legendary shop in Soho called Spring Street garden. They required their designers to process flowers and sweep floors for a year before they approached the design table. The first and only true rule of floral arranging that I adopted is the importance of understanding and flowing through with processing flowers perfectly. To me , it doesn’t matter how skillfully a bunch of roses is arranged, if the buds are tight and bruised, no one is going to want to look at it. Floral design is 80% grunt work, and 20% design, but channeling your love of flowers into the processing is what yields the loveliest blooms. There simply isn’t any way to look at the face of a flower and doubt that some brilliant and benevolent force is at work in its design.

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Recently I had the pleasure of speaking to the Charleston Garden Club at their annual meeting, and the remarkable Lucile MacLennan gave this invocation at the beginning of the meeting:

“I would like to begin by quoting an old Chinese proverb, “If you would be happy all your life, plant a garden.”

Psalm 8:3 When I consider the heavens, the work of God’s fingers, the moon and the stars which God has set in place, what is man that Thou art mindful of him?

For God has showed His name in the heavens, in burning stars, but on earth he has showed His name in tender flowers. In the heaven now, in early morning at 6:00 am we can see the brilliant morning star, the planet Venus. Likewise, in late afternoon, we see the huge evening star, the planet Jupiter. Just last week astronomers announced the discovery of a dwarf planet, and a set of ring around a distant asteroid. The same infinite God who established stars in the heavens, created a tiny yellow blossom in Spanish moss, as well as the giant Angel Oak. Let us never lose our sense of awe.”

Ultimately, I believe good design comes down to having a genuine love for flowers, and with this you cannot fail. My grandmother, Cornelia, had a classic flower arranging room filled with antique vases of every description as well as extensive gardens including a Shake-spearean herb garden. She was fond of saying the best way to arrange flowers is to simply choose the most beautiful flowers you can get your hands on, and just mix them up in the vase with your eyes closed.

About the AuthorMs. McNamara was taught to love flowers by her mother who opened and managed Green, Inc., a legendary plant and flower store in Chicago. In 2009, Cornelia was interviewed for the position of White House Chief Floral Designer. She holds a degree in fine art from the Art Institute of Chicago. She has a love for all things native and fine.

The Amen of nature is always a flower. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

MARK YOUR CALENDAR2015 GCSC CONVENTION

APRIL 23-25, 2015


Green Gardening & Sustainable Solutions

Fire – Hazard and BenefitBy Gail Jeter

According to the fundamental Greek theory of matter, there are four basic elements. Over the past year, we have looked at water, land, and air with a bit of trees for Judith and a bit of brown-fields for me. This quarter we will address fire, the fourth element.

Fire is a chemical process. It is the rapid oxidation of a substance during a process called combustion that releases heat, light, and various other by-products. The flame is the visible part of the fire with its color and intensity dependent on the substance burning, the impurities of that substance, and the environment of the fire.

There is much controversy as to when controlled use of fire began by the human species with some estimates dating back 1.4 to 1.5 million years ago in South Africa and Kenya. However, the most conservative paleontologists require evidence of a hearth or burned stones to prove the use of controlled fire. At Terra Amata, an ancient beach location on the French Riviera, stone hearths are found at the center of what may have been huts satisfying the ultraconservatives. This location is dated between 230,000 to 300,000 years ago. Man’s controlled use of fire provided huge life improvements, such as a means of staying warm, having light, signaling, and cooking. Fire was also used as a weapon. “Greek Fire” is believed to have saved Byzan-tium from destruction time and time again. The Greeks added a substance, probably a resin, to the composition of crude oil, bitumen, naphtha, and sulphur to make it a sticky liquid flame. They added heads of animals to their ships to make it appear that flames were coming out of the mouths of the animals when they used “Greek Fire” in

naval battles. The effect caused as much fear as danger to their opponents.

Today, while we recognize the importance of fire, we fear it more often. Wildfire, usually begun by lightning, unextinguished campfires, cigarettes, arson, and even the hot sun, burn everything in its path. Four out of five wildfires are started by people. Wildfires can move at a speed of up to 14 miles per hour and clear about 4 to 5 million acres of land a year in the United States. Our western states, including Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and California experience some of the worst wildfires. Already this year, we have had significant wildfires in California and Arizona, and as I write this article, the worst of the summer heat is yet to come. Beside the hazard to life and property that fire causes, the burning itself contributes to air pollution. The land clearing effect causes soil erosion and potential landslides. The soil runoff can then contribute to water contamination.

However, all is not bad with wildfire. Naturally occurring wildfires play a fundamental role in the health of our forests. The burning of dead or decaying matter returns

SC Forestry Commission

8 | A weed, a plant whose virtues have never been discovered. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

About the Author

Gail Rawls Jeter is an active member of the Columbia Garden club. She serves as chair of the GCSC Committee for Conservation and Environmental Education. She has more than 30 year experience working professionally in the environmental field.

nutrients to the soil to feed our trees. Wildfire acts as a natural pesticide and insecticide by killing diseased plants and harmful insects. When fire thins the tree canopies and destroys the undergrowth, sunlight is able to reach the forest floor, thus allowing new growth to occur. Remember survival of the fittest - the healthy strong trees flourish. Naturally occurring wildfire maintains the forest ecosystem.

References:

http://neobyzantium.com/greek-fire-the-byzantine-secret-weapon/http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/wildfires/

www.state.sc.us/forest/fire.htm

Dogwood Garden Club of Orangeburg Celebrates 75 Years

T he Dogwood Garden Club (DGC) of Orangeburg, SC celebrated 75 years of gardening and service to the community on May 7, 2014. An afternoon tea was held at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center. Honored guests were Judith Dill, President of The Garden Club

of South Carolina (GCSC), former GCSC Presidents Maida Dantzler and Sarah Ann Parler, and GCSC 2nd Vice President and former West LowCountry Director, Donna Donnelly. Orangeburg Mayor, Michael Butler and former mayor Paul Miller, whose mother was a member of DGC, were also in attendance. About sixty members and guests, representing eight area garden clubs, attended the celebration.The celebration was dedicated in honor of Mrs. Ella “Freddie” Williamson, longtime member of the club, who passed away at the age of 99 on

June 18, 2014. Freddie was very active in DGC, especially making arrangements for National Garden Club Week and winning awards for her club Publicity Books.“This area has and will continue to benefit from the vision and wonderful work being done by DGC”, Judith Dill, president of GCSC, told the members. “We are indebted to you for your heritage and your commitment to each other and to your community.” Mayor Michael Butler presented Ann Dominick, Dogwood President, with a proclamation making May 7th “Dogwood Garden Club Day”, in recognition of the club’s many accomplishments and contributions to the community.A history of the club was read with seven former presidents reading the highlights of each decade. “You can learn a lot about the history of the world around us from the activities of the club, from making bandages during World War II, to conservation and the environment in the late 1900’s, to landscaping Habitat for Humanity Houses in the 2000’s,” Dominick said. “We are a microcosm of the world in which we live.”

Dogwood Garden Club Anniversary

Freddie Williamson


Herbs are Superb

By Eleanor Hickman Durgee GCSC Herb Chairman

CINNAMON, Cinnamomum sp.

“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.”

Proverbs 7:17 (KJV)

“Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,”… Exodus 30: 22-23 (KJV)

Herbs are mentioned hundreds of times in the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible and were used as an important part of daily life for clothing, remedies, religion and adding flavor to food. They were also an important item of trade and of wealth.

Today, cinnamon not only spices up our lives during Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season, but continues to give its just desserts throughout the year in captivating dishes of roasted duck, pork, vegetables, nuts, baked breads, cookies and more.

For this issue’s herb column featuring cinnamon, let’s have fun, be adventurous and travel to a distant land for an up close herb learning experience. Where are we going? What will we find? Our exotic trek takes us to sensational Southeast Asia on the South China Sea, where we discover a cinnamon-farming village in the beautiful lush and tropical countryside region of the verdant central highlands of Vietnam. The word for cinnamon in Vietnamese is que (pronounced “kway”).

What about Cinnamon?

There are several different species of the genus Cinnamomum each giving off different tastes. Cinnamon is a yellowish brown spice actually gotten from the inner bark of the tree. The stunning reddish bark, bright green leaves, dark berries, and the small usually yellow, sometimes white, flowers of the cinnamon tree emit their unforgettable fragrance that is uniquely cinnamon. Its fragrant, peculiar scent and sweetish aromatic qualities come from a volatile oil, oil of cinnamon that can be extracted by distillation. It is no wonder then that cinnamon is mentioned several times in the Old Testament of the Bible as an ingredient in anointing oils, healing and embalming.

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Growing A Cinnamon Tree

A cinnamon tree will put ancient history in your own yard or in a large pot outdoors in your favorite entertaining spot. The cinnamon tree is a tropical tree and will survive best in tropical conditions. However, if it is sheltered from long periods of cool weather and light frosts, it can survive a southern climate in the United States. Cinnamomums in order to do their best prefer a soil that is deep, moist, and well-drained with full to partial sun. This tropical evergreen tree grows best in a low to central highlands altitude.

A cinnamon tree can be grown from seed but oftentimes is cultivated from seedlings. In cultivation, some species of the tree are trained to produce four or five stems or suckers. When the stems turn brown they are ready to be harvested. At harvest time the stems can be 2 inches in diameter at the largest part and up to eight feet in length. New stems are then trained to take its place.

Harvesting Cinnamon

Now for more than a dozen years, Vietnam has been able to resume export of cinnamon. Before that time the production was disrupted due to the effects of the Vietnam War. We in the United States can now get Saigon cinnamon exported directly to us from Vietnam.

Indigenous to southeast Asia, Vietnamese cinnamon, also referred to as Saigon cinnamon, C. loureiroi, comes from large mature trees that are grown on small farms. The tree is cut down during harvesting and new seedlings are grown. It is much desired with its stronger taste. Trees that are usually between 15 to 25 years of age produce the most sought after bark. It is easy to see then why only a small amount of this highly desirable bark is harvested each year.

The bark is then cut along its entire length with a knife and loosened gradually until it can be removed. The meticulous workers are sculpting artists with their small knives quickly and expertly cutting the bark into strips about three feet in length. The strips are laid out in the sun to dry for several days, being allowed to curl up naturally into tube-like sections known as quills. The sections are then cut into smaller pieces and stacked inside one another in telescope style. Lastly, they are tied up into bundles and taken to the magnificent Vietnamese land and floating markets along the waterways.

The sensational scent! The tantalizing taste…a little bit of heaven!

Did You Know?

Cinnamon was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for kings. It was too expensive to be commonly used on funeral pyres in Rome, but the Emperor Nero is said to have burned a year’s worth of the city’s supply at the funeral for his wife Poppaea Sabina in AD 65.1

Several studies have tested chemicals extracted from cinnamon for various possible medicinal effects. One study found that eugenol, a compound found in

Despite the gardener’s best intentions, nature will improvise. ~ Michael Garofalo


About the Author

This issue’s photo of the author was taken a year and a half ago on the Mekong River in Vietnam with the Captain of the Tonle Pandaw Boat who let her steer the boat momentarily. Eleanor has traveled to over 50 different countries around the world and in all 50 states. She has a passion for gardening and is a member of The Garden Club of Charleston.

cinnamon essential oils, among other plants, inhibited the replication of the virus causing herpes in vitro.2 A 2011 study isolated a substance (CEppt) in the cinnamon plant that inhibits development of Alzheimer’s in mice.3 CEppt, an extract of cinnamon bark, seems to treat a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.4

We board our French Colonial style boat of teak and brass on the Mekong River, our hands chockfull of bodacious bundles of cinnamon as we begin our departure from fascinating Vietnam, keeping the heartfelt experiences as a new part of our being.

References:1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cinnamon#cite_note-12

Toussaint-Samat 2009, p.437f2Benencia, F.: Courreges. M.C. (2000). “In vitro and in vivo activity of eugenol on human herpesvirus.” Phytotherapy Research 14 (7); 495-500. Doi:10.1002/1099-1573(200011)14:7<495::AID-PTR650.PMID 11054837.

3Even, Dan. “Cinnamonum – Cinnamon.” Retrieved 2011-06-09. (Wikipedia).4Frydman-Marom, Anat; Levin, Aviad; Farfara, Dorit; Benromano, Tali; Scherzer-Attali, Roni; Peled, Sivan; Vassar, Robert; Segal, Daniel et al. (2011). Dawson, Ted. Ed. “Orally Administrated Cinnamon Extract Reduces b-Amyloid Oligomerization and Corrects Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease Animal Models”. PLoSONE6(1):e16564.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016564. PMC 3030596. PID 21305046.

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. PreslImage processed by Thomas Schoepke

www.plant-pictures.de

Image used withpermission of

Thomas Schoepke.

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Direct Sowing Annuals in the Garden

By Erik Healy

When the summer comes to an end there is a flutter of activity in the garden. This means fall has finally come. Annual plantings are being changed out, leaves are being raked, and preparations for winter and even the coming spring are well underway. One of my favorite activities in the garden this time of year is direct sowing seeds for spring annual displays.Direct sowing is the method of growing plants from seed sown right in the garden. This eliminates the need for transplanting and is one of the most economical ways to fill your garden with plants. However, this method is not meant for all plants and is better suited for plants that have a short or quick growing season.How To SectionFor best results sow seed when soil is moist i.e. after a rain event. The seed doesn’t necessarily need to be covered with soil, but it does need to be pressed down slightly to ensure good contact with the soil. If mulch is used in the bed pull it back and scratch the surface of the soil with a hard rake to loosen the soil. Make sure the soil is raked level.For a border that has lots of plantings and a filler is desired sow the seeds by hand. In larger areas where a swath of bishop’s flower is desired using a hand held spreader is best to ensure even coverage.Pre-emergent herbicides and direct-sowing annuals in beds will not work together. Make sure pre-emerge has not been applied for at least 6 months. Also, if seeds have been sowed near turf and pre-emerge is applied to the turf in winter months it can drift and have an effect on the seedlings.Most plants that are great for direct sowing prefer full to partial sun and soils that are moist but do not hold water, however, I would recommend researching each plant just to be sure. Most of the supplier’s websites have great cultural information listed for each plant.Great CombinationsPlants such as black seeded simpson lettuce and spurred snapdragon are great fillers for annual plantings. A great annual planting should have an on going sequence of interests. For example, cool wave pansies, wasabina mustard, gigantic star daffodil, and purple moon iris with black seeded simpson lettuce and spurred snapdragon mixed through out is a border that will provide interest from early winter on into spring. Another great combination for the spring is stratosphere daffodil, a late blooming tulip mix (menton, big smile, and esther) and ribbon snap dragons with rocket larkspur sown middle to back of the border and black seeded simpson lettuce mixed throughout the bulb foliage at the front of the border. This border will provide color all the way through May.Saving SeedTo keep from buying the same seeds every year gather and save seed of the plants that were sown at the end of the season.

The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies. ~ Gertrude Jekyll


Once the plant has flowered seed will form. Allow the seed heads to begin drying on the plant before collecting to ensure it is ready. At this stage the plant will have begun browning and may even appear dead. Next harvest the seed and clean by removing any parts of the seed head or any chaff and lay on a counter top to dry for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to put a label with the seed. After drying it is recommended to store the seed in an airtight container in a refrigerator with the temperature between 36 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit however a cool, dark, dry, cabinet works as well.Another option is to simply let the seed dry on the plant, fall to the ground, and let nature take its course.The money saved by gathering and storing annual seeds can be used to add new plants to your garden the following season.SummaryThe method of direct-sowing is a fun and inexpensive way to experiment with adding bursts of color to your garden. The list below is comprised of plants that I have tried and had great success with at Moore Farms Botanical Garden in Lake City, SC. I encourage all gardeners to reach beyond the list and see what works in your garden!

Plants for direct sowing

Plant When to Sow Time of Interest

Zinnia May Summer – Fall(Zinnia sp.)

Cosmos May Summer – Fall(Cosmos bipinnatus)

Plains Coreopsis October or April Spring – Fall(Coreopsis tinctoria)

Bishop’s Flower October May(Ammi majus)

Black Seeded Simpson October Winter – Lettuce Spring(Lactuca sativa)

California Poppy October April – May(Eschscholzia californica)

Mizuna October or February Fall – Spring(Brassica rapa (Japonica group)

Rocket Larkspur October May(Delphinium ajacis)

Showy Primrose October Spring(Oenothera speciosa)

Love-in-a-mist October or March Spring - Summer(Nigella damascena)

Red Corn Poppy October Spring(Papaver rhoeas)

Spurred Snapdragon Ocotber February – April(Linaria maroccana)

Red Giant Mustard October Fall – Spring(Brassica juncea)

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Sources:

1. Wildseed Farms .......................(800) 848 0078www.wildseedfarms.com

2. Swallowtail Garden Seeds ......(877) 489 7333www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com

3. Territorial Seed Company .......(800) 626 0866www.territorialseed.com

4. Johnny’s Selected Seeds ..........(207) 861 3900www.johnnyseeds.com

5. Terra Ceia Farms (Bulbs) ........(800) 858 2852www.terraceiafarms.com

About the Author

A Florence, SC native, Erik developed a passion for plants at a young age through his grandfather and various landscape jobs. This passion grew during his time at Clemson University where he received a B.S. in Horticulture. Erik Healy is currently the Horticulture Supervisor at Moore Farms Botanical Garden in Lake City, SC. For more information visit www.moorefarmsbg.org.

Azalea Garden Club of Greer Celebrates 66 Years as a Federated Garden ClubAzalea Garden Club of Greer (WP District) held their first meeting on April 15, 1948, with 21 charter members. We were federated by the Garden Club of South Carolina in 1949. During the ensuing 66 years the mem-bers of the club have partici-pated in and funded many civic improvement projects including a Reading & Meditation Garden and a Children’s Amphitheater at the Greer branch of the Greenville County Library and in 1998 a Butterfly Garden at Greer Community Ministries which is still an ongoing project.

We have held Flower Shows, landscaped Habitat homes, planted Arbor Day trees, partic-ipated in garden therapy projects at local nursing homes, established a garden as part of the Carolina Fence Garden project and participated in projects of the Greer Council of Garden Clubs along with other garden clubs in Greer.

Birds have always been an avid interest of our Club members. On June 11, 1955 The Greer City Council adopted an ordinance that made Greer A Bird Sanctuary at the urging of Azalea Garden Club. In 2000 the club built 36 bluebird boxes and established a five box bluebird trail which received the 1st place (Nanine C Wallace Silver Trophy) from National Council of Garden Clubs for “the best work done for the protection of birds”.

The 23 current club members continue to learn and implement new gardening practices and ways to help our community and world to be a more sustainable and beautiful place.

Azalea Garden Club Anniversary

God made rainy days so gardeners could get housework done. ~ Unknown


The Garden Club of South CarolinaCordially invites you to Charleston for the

2015 ConventionCelebrating

“85 Years of Branching”

April 23rd, 24th, & 25th, 2015The Marriott Charleston is located on the Ashley River.

170 Lockwood BoulevardCharleston, South Carolina 29403

Discover beautiful Charleston, SC at our waterfront hotel.The Marriott Charleston is convenient to downtown Charleston.

Come see and hear top keynote speakers. Explore Charleston and its history. Experience the opportunities that are being planned to show off the creative and extraordinary talents of our fellow garden club members.

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Historic Trees For Historic Places

West Piedmont DistrictDistrict Overview

By Betty W. Thacker West Piedmont District Director

The West Piedmont District (WPD) is located in the beautiful upstate region of South Carolina. Within this area of forests, lakes and mountains, the work of garden clubs is evident everywhere. Many Blue Star Markers, schoolyard gardens, landscaped areas at nursing homes and community parks, water conservation efforts, education programs for the public, award winning flower shows and more prove that garden clubs are active and working hard in the WPD.

If you are a member of a WPD garden club, you can take advantage of any one of three more sessions of Flower Show School before the end of 2015, the next being offered September 15-17, 2014. The school is co-chaired by Meta Armstrong and Marguerite Warren. For more information contact the Kilgore Lewis House at 864-232-3020.

The WPD makes every effort to support state and national objectives, including the His-toric Trees for Historic Places initiative of GCSC and district scholarship. Our member-ship actively serves in leadership at the local, state, regional and national level. We have fun; support each other and take great pride in the achievements of our sister clubs. Please accept my personal invitation to come and visit the WPD and attend one of our dis-trict meetings. WPD, a great place to live and a great place to be involved in a garden club.

About the AuthorBetty W. Thacker has been involved in garden club activities for many years. She has served in several positions including the following: President of Simpsonville Garden Club and President of the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs. She is a member of Simpsonville Garden Club and Clarice Wilson Garden Club. Traveling, gardening and cooking are among Betty’s favorite activities.

Shamrock Garden Club Celebrates 65th Anniversary

The Shamrock Garden Club (SGC) celebrated its 65th anniversary by hosting a luncheon at the Mac Center in Iva. Melissa Neese, SGC Presi-dent, led the event with Dee Lemay, Anderson Council of Garden Clubs

President, as the special guest. A collec-tion of garden club memorabilia was on display and members, both current and past, enjoyed an afternoon of reminiscing. Dot Terry, the former president, served the club for 19 consecutive years and had many memories to share. The SGC was started in 1949 and federated in 1952. The club currently has nine members and stays busy in supporting the community.

Shamrock Garden Club Anniversary

Shamrock members and guests, Dot Terry 3rd from right.

Melissa Neese and Dee Lemay.

The earth laughs in flowers. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


HTHP ~ Eden Hall

Eden HallMcCormick County, South Carolina

By Mariska Young

Eden Hall, located on Rt. 221 in McCormick County, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since the 1980’s and is thought to have been completed about 1854. It is an eclectic blend of architectural styles including Greek revival with Egyptian influences.

The home was designed for Dr. John Wardlaw Hearst by Henry Jones, an Atlanta architect. Mr. Hearst was descended from the Long Cane Hearsts who obtained ownership of the property in 1766. This is the same family as the Hearst Publishing company.

Anne Chiles Hearst is believed to have named the plantation Eden Hall. She and Doctor Hearst lived in an old cabin on the property for quite some time while the home was being built and the new home must have seemed like the Garden of Eden by comparison.

The garden is symmetrical in design with circular pathways edged with brick. Plantings include English boxwood, lilacs,

crape myrtle, spice wood, purple magnolias, camellia, tea plants and sweet olive. Both house and garden are enclosed in a white picket fence. Two gates, both covered with creeping fig, welcome visitors into the garden - one at the front entrance and another on the east side. Trees include Hickory, Elm, Magnolia, Holly and several varieties of Oak, which are very large and magnificent. They show their considerable age with tree hollows and some bare branches.

Dr. Hearst and his wife secured the services of an itinerant landscape gardener to design the formal garden. Family lore states that the itinerant land-scaper was actually Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect famous for designing Central Park, in NYC, the Biltmore in NC, and the Chicago World Fair of 1893 among others. Could Eden Hall in McCormick County actually have been designed by such a famous man?

After much research, alas, I was not able to verify the story. However, I learned that Mr. Olmsted (1822-1903) was a restless soul and did not reach his full potential until later in life. At age 19 he was accepted

18 | A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. ~ Saint Basil

About the Author

Mariska Young is the President of The McCormick Garden Club.

to Yale but, due to a health issue, never matriculated. He moved to England with his brother, became a seaman, studied surveying, engineering, chemistry and scientific farming (the use of fertilizers, plowing techniques and seed experimentation) and ran a farm in Staten Island for two years. He then took a six month walking tour of Europe and the British Isles and wrote his first book, “Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England.” Shortly after, he began the first of two journeys through the southern USA as a reporter for the New York Times.

This last position had him traveling through the southern states at the time Eden Hall was built. Mr. Olmsted had an interest in scientific farming, as did Mr. Hearst. I found myself asking, would Mr. Hearst be likely to hire an itinerant landscaper to design the gardens of his beautiful Eden Hall, or would he be more likely to hire someone who was well traveled and had the education, interest and experience to take on such a large endeavor? My conclusion is that it is entirely plausible that Frederick Law Olmsted was involved with Eden Hall.

In the fall of 1857 Mr. Olmsted’s literary connections helped him secure the position of superintendent of Central Park in NYC and the following March he and Calvert Vaux won the design competition for the park and worked as architects-in-chief in charge of construction from 1859 to 1861 and the rest is history.

The present owner of Eden Hall, Mr. Emmett Davis of Greenwood, updated the property in the 1990’s. He had purchased some of the Eden Hall property several years earlier and began to re-establish the landscape. Mr. Davis carefully maintains the property and is aware of the needs of the trees. As a result, the grounds are well cared for and a joy to see, especially in the spring.

References:Topographic Survey of Eden Hall, Davis and Floyd, Inc.

“Eden Hall has a Colorful History”, by Martha Patterson, McCormick Garden Club, date unknown.

The Colonial Council Meeting minutes from Charles Town, October 26, 1766

“Gardens and Historic Plantations of the Antebellum South”, by James Cothran

South Carolina Department of Archives and History Website

Index Journal article by Bobby Edmonds of McCormick, SC in 2000, date unknown.

National Association of Olmsted Parks Website

Preservation League of Staten Island Website

Original Oak thought to have been planted by Olmsted.


HTHP ~ Cherokee Trail Trees

The Amazing Cherokee Trail TreesBy Edna Melamed

What a strange looking tree? How did it grow that way? These are a few of the questions that arise when someone comes upon a Cherokee Trail Tree. These trees were purposely disfigured by the Cherokee Indians in the early 1800’s in order to identify a trail leading to camps, water or other locations. The tree actually points the way. Native Americans would take a young sapling, usually a white oak, and make a bend as close to a right angle as possible pointing to the desired location. At this point they would position a crutch like prop from another tree under the bend. This bend was known as the hip. Next, several feet from the prop, they would make another bend upwards and tie a loop around this second bend anchoring it to the ground with a leather thong. This was called the knee. Marks can often be seen at this point on the mature tree where the thong once held it down. Many times they would need to cut into the tree to facilitate the bend and often would “mend” the cut with charcoal from a similar tree forming a nose like structure. These props were left for several years until the “set” was permanent.

Many of these trees have been found in the Keowee Peninsula, but can be found all over the United States. They were usually planted less than 100 yards apart, but obviously many have been cut down as the land was developed. The only positive way to identify the age of these trees is to cut them down for a core sample, however since the Indians were known to occupy this area up to the 1780’s when they signed a treaty with South Caroling ceding all their land to the state, it is safe to say that many of them are over 200 years old.

This simple “construction” technique is a credit to Native Americans.

They have left us markers of their creativity which we need to recognize and preserve. Next time you are hiking or even driving look for these amazing trees and take a moment to reflect on their history.

References:Cherokee Indian Trail Trees in the Keowee Peninsula by Harvey Hallman, 12 Marina Village Way, Salem, SC 29676.

“Mystery of the Trees” by Don and Diane Wells, 2011.

About the Author

Edna Melamed is a member of The Lake and Hills Garden Club. She moved to South Carolina in 1995, from New Jersey and im-mediately became interested in gardening in her new locale. She has three children and two grandchildren and enjoys living in Keowee Key.

20 | If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ~ Cicero

HTHP ~ Hopkins Family Farm

The Historic Hopkins Family FarmBy Sheila H. Miller

As of 2014, the 7th generation Hopkins family resides on this historic site they call “HOME.” That is over 180 years of documented history of the Hopkins family! And the historic

trees here certainly tell a rich history. In 1875, these two rows of pecan trees were planted by the Reedy River and named “Patriot’s Grove.”

This location is thought to be where the Battle of the Great Cane Brake was most likely fought. This is the ONLY Revolutionary War battle that took place in the upcountry/present Greenville County area of SC. In 1775, Col. Richardson dispatched a volunteer force of 1300 infantry/cavalry. Their goal was to capture over 200 British Loyalists who were camped nearby in Indian territory along the banks of the Reedy River

near Fork Shoals. Today, this grove of pecan trees still stands as witness to this part of history. Battle re-enactments occur here each year in the fall. Oh, the stories these trees could tell! Signs document the rich history of this site. The Hopkins Farm has served as an active, working farm since 1834. It was on this farm where many firsts occurred like the planting of Kentucky 31 Fescue in the upstate, the practice of strip cropping, the use terraces to control erosion, the planting of kudzu for erosion control, and initial conservation efforts and wildlife preservation.

One notable tree in this area is the historic “Cotton-weighing tree,” which still stands across the road from the Hopkins’ house. An up-close look shows the massive size of this beautiful oak. It is easy to see how it got its name as the “cotton-weighing tree!” Strong limbs to support the weight of the bundles of cotton are its testament. Most farm tools, several of which hang above the mantle in the main house today, were made by the hands of those who lived and worked on the Hopkins Farm. What extraor-dinary time and talent to forge one’s own tools. As a self-sufficient farm, the Hopkins family has carefully maintained the numerous outbuildings that were once critical to the success of the farm. The main house, still a residence, was first constructed of wood in the 1840s. In the 1940s, using fieldstone collected from the farm itself, the house was completely rocked. Today, two large magnolias, over 100 years old,

Patriots Grove


greet the visitors to the grounds. Two pear trees were planted in the orchard after the Civil War, in years after 1865, and continue to share their bounty today. Throughout the grounds one can find dozens of trees that have seen generations of children play and workers tend-ing the fields and gardens. This truly is a testament to the care that has been given to all living things – trees, plants, animals and of course, people. Oak trees were planted throughout the grounds and were strategically placed near

the cotton warehouse and in the pastures to provide shade. Standing tall they have survived the winds of time, the battles of war, and daily life on the grounds. They pay tribute to the history of the farm and continue to greet today’s visitors.

Little did we know when we had the Greenville Council of Garden Club’s Spring 2013 Garden Tour luncheon at the Hopkins Farm what a truly important part of our state’s rich history of trees we stood among. Perhaps if we had known, we may have lingered longer and taken lots more photographs!

Today, the Hopkins family is back in the farming business, raising free-range organic turkeys, chickens and eggs all of which make their way to local restaurants and farmer’s markets. It also offers certain areas of their well-maintained grounds as an event venue for family reunions, parties, meetings and weddings. This newest venture is named Timberock at Hopkins Farm.

Cotton-Weighing Tree

About the Author

Shelia Miller is a retired elementary school teacher who taught second grade in Greenville County for 31 years. She is the President of the Ft. Inn Garden Club, in which she has been a member since 2004. She enjoys volunteering and working with children.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR2015 GCSC CONVENTION

APRIL 23-25, 2015

22 | Butterflies are self propelled flowers. ~ Robert A. Heinlein

Creating a Habitat for Birds in Your Landscape

By Jan Burch

Birds can add color and motion to your landscape all year. If your garden is “squeaky clean” it is not a paradise for birds. The impeccably manicured landscape, one that is constantly raked, mowed, pruned, and sprayed for pests, usually offers little to attract birds. A lush garden that blooms within a wild, natural environment is far more likely to attract birds of myriad species.

Turning your garden into a bird sanctuary depends greatly on its location and the needs of the local birds you hope to attract. Bird species support themselves in almost every imaginable habitat, natural or man-made. Consider both residents and temporary visitors and begin by understanding the four essential resources that a habitat provides: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young.

Birds will visit your garden if there’s plenty of food available, so the first thing to do is get your seed and peanut feeders up and running. Feeding stations for garden birds come in many shapes and sizes. A common variety is the seed-dispersing tube-type feeder. The bird seed is placed on top by removing a cap. A feeding plate attaches to the bottom and this holds the seeds which are gravity fed. As the birds feed, the seeds will filter down and spread over the plate. These are often equipped with small perches, allowing only small birds such as finches and sparrows to feed, but making it difficult for large seed eaters such as doves and pigeons, both of which would otherwise rapidly finish off the bird seed.

Birds rely on plants to provide shelter from the elements as well as cover from predators. Shelter may mean relief from midday sun or a place to roost for the night or it may mean refuge from a soaking rain, biting wind or freezing cold. Almost anything leafy will serve for shade or an overnight stay. It takes a heavier canopy

of foliage to shield against harsher elements. Trees and shrubs will offer natural food and shelter. Planting a variety of canopy tree species in your backyard will help provide a bird sanctuary. Hardwoods recommended for our region include oaks, hickories, maples, wild cherry, tulip poplars, sweetgum, sycamore, and elm.

Many of hardwood trees provide acorns, nuts and fruits for birds. Of course pines will grow anywhere and make a good addition to the landscape. Their cones provide food for many bird species. Pines also provide cover year-round. In South Carolina, the loblolly pine is the most common and often easiest to grow. White, shortleaf, and Virginia pines thrive Bird Canopy


in South Carolina’s piedmont and mountains, while longleaf pine does well in sandy coastal plain soils. Understory species such as dogwood, sourwood, blackgum, holly, sparkleberry, persimmon, mulberry, and redbud provide an abundance of fruits and berries for our bird friends.

Shrubs provide many birds with nesting, escape cover, and food. Possible shrubs to include in your landscape are viburnum, blueberries and, hollies. Not only will species like northern cardinals, gray catbirds, and brown thrashers nest there, these and many other shrub varieties will provide fruits as added benefits.

Vines such as coral honeysuckle, trumpet vine, Virginia creeper and yellow Jessamine can provide a thicket in which many birds love to nest. Blackberries are some of the best plantings to have in your backyard. They provide food, nesting cover and loitering habitats for the Carolina wrens, South Carolina’s state bird.

Most of our landscapes have open ground and grass lawns. Birds aren’t naturally drawn to lawns, since they don’t occur in the wild where they live. Many lawns are treated with chemicals and fertilizers making them particularly inhospitable to birds. Both are deadly to birds. Try to find a way to eliminate a portion of your lawn and dedicate it to the birds. This will save you time, energy, and money. The birds

will love you for it.

Birds need a safe place for raising their young. You can invite birds to build their nests in your yard. You might consider putting nesting materials outside in a small wooden, wire, or plastic container. Box material examples include items such as yarn, thread, little pieces of cloth, and grass. These materials are all excellent for birds to make a nest.

Water is a daily necessity for birds, just as it is for humans. Add a birdbath or a source of running water and you have a perfect bird habitat. Equally important is the availability of shallow water for bathing. If you provide a water source designed for birds that’s situated within quick reach of cover, you will have a powerful garden attraction for a wide assortment of feathered friends.

Attracting birds is also a great way to introduce young people to nature, and it’s something the whole family can share. Indeed, birds’ various forms, behaviors, and vividness, not to mention their distinct personalities and birdsongs, make them them among the most remarkable and beautiful creatures. Have fun attracting and nurturing your bird communities!

American Goldfinch

Landscape for Birds

About the Author

Jan is a member of the Country Gardeners in Trenton and is actively involved in her community and church. She is the founder and president of The Southern Institute of Etiquette and Protocol. She is the GCSC Birds and Butterfly Chairman for 2013-15.

24 |

The Horticulture Path

Longleaf PineThe final of three articles about the Pinus palustris

By Jerry W. Weise, GCSC Horticulture Chairman

There is hope for longleaf pines! Though the mighty stretches of longleaf forest have been reduced to about 3% of the original acreage, conservation and restoration efforts in many southern states will encourage longleaf survival (much to the joy of your great grandchildren who will still be able to find longleaf cones to make that strutting tom turkey). In

South Carolina the USDA Forest Service, DNR and Nature Conservancy with others are working to reintroduce fire as a natural tool for healthy longleaf. Also these and other groups work with individual landowners urging planting of longleaf instead of slash or loblolly pines. In a recent program at NAJCSC (Judges’ Club) the horticulturist for Darla Moore Farm stated they plan to replant with longleaf after harvesting other pines on the property.

Longleaf forests are home to many rare/threatened/ endangered species of plants and animals that co-evolved with longleaf, enjoying the benefits of natural fire, nesting/denning sites, food and shelter. The various remaining stands of longleaf from Texas to Florida and north along the east coast to Virginia host an amazing variety of plants and animals. The variety differs from

east to west and coastal to mountain regions. Wiregrass for example carpets the forest floor of many southern stands but is totally missing from many others. In place of the wiregrass other grasses like the muhly, great bluestem, Indian grass species, three-awn grasses, andropogons fill the niche. One of the rarest components of the longleaf forest are bogs, not to be confused with swamps. Bogs host a large variety of meat-eating plants: bright red sundews, thread-leaved sundews, bladderworts and the most splendid digestive tract in the plant kingdom, the leaf of the pitcher plant. The modified leaf traps insects and digests them to provide nutrients for plant growth that is

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus

Longleaf Pine Forest

Blooming Bladderwort


About the Author

Jerry holds two formal degrees, a BA in mathematics and a Master’s degree in teaching. She studies some aspect of plants and gardening almost daily and enjoys sharing her knowledge with other gardeners. She is also an Accredited NGC Flower Show Judge.

missing from the poor soils. To name a few: White topped pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla), hooded (S. minor) , yellow trumpets (S. flava), green pitcher plant (S. alata).

For further study the book Longleaf, As Far As The Eye Can See written by Finch, Young, Johnson and Hall and pub-lished by UNC Press, Chapel Hill is a wealth of information.

Sarracenia leucophylla

Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedicated

T he Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Marker June 4, 2014, during National Garden Week, at Memorial Garden in Sumter. Representatives from the Council, GCSC officers, City Government Officials, members of the Armed Services from Shaw Air Force Base and the American Legion were in attendance. Joseph T. McElveen, Jr., Mayor of Sumter, welcomed guests. The Colors were presented by the Lakewood High School ROTC and the National Anthem preformed by the Lakewood High School Coral Director, Deborah Lee.

26 | Weather means more when you have a garden. ~ Marcelene Cox

GCSC Clubs CelebrateNational Garden Week

National Garden Club, Inc. (NGC) President, Linda G. Nelson, proclaimed June 1-7, 2014, as National Garden Week, in an effort to acknowledge the importance of garden-ing and the numerous contributions of gardeners. This week is set aside to encourage pride in communities and cooperation among groups interested in educating the general public on the importance of general gardening information. The NGC believes the more involved in the community garden clubs can be, the more awareness about the value of gardening and community service will be generated, highlighting the work of NGC.

Many of the member clubs of the Garden Club of South Carolina (GCSC) sponsored events or activities during National Garden Week. The following highlight a few.

Anderson Council of Garden ClubsThe Anderson County Museum opened its Temporary Exhibit Room to partner with the Anderson Council of Garden Clubs for a celebration of gardening in recogni-tion of National Garden Week. The display was open for the month of June and contained artifacts and historical material from each of the eleven federated garden clubs, showing their achievements and contributions to Anderson County.

The public exhibit was kicked off with an open house and refresh-ments. Several dignitaries from Anderson County, the Museum Board of Directors, and other visitors attended the kickoff and were very impressed with the con-tributions made by garden club members.

Brenda Thompson, Tish Cobb, and Dee LeMay, the Garden Council Presidents – Past, Imme-diate Past, and Current – worked together to assemble the exhibit. Posters and story boards were created by Nancy Miskelley, Vice President of the Garden Council. Lynne Hadden, Vice President of Heritage Garden Club was also one of the hostesses for the event. Cookies were

Hostesses for the Open House: Tish Cobb, Brenda Thompson, Dee LeMay, Lynne Hadden, and Nancy Miskelley.

Presidents, Anderson Council of Garden Clubs – Tish Cobb (2011-2013), Dee LeMay (2013-2015) and Brenda Thomp-son (2010-2011).

Linda G. Nelson


provided by Beth Spann (Anderson GC), Joyce Bolton (Golden Hour GC), and Dot Terry (Shamrock GC).

Yaupon Garden ClubYaupon Garden Club recently celebrated National Garden Week with exhibits, displays, programs and tours. First, a beautiful display was constructed inside the entrance to the North Myrtle Beach Museum. Using a design suggested by Jeanette Pritchard, Dorothy Bambach and her husband Jack built and erected a potting shed facade complete with a flower box. They added a brick border surrounding live plants, a tree and a wooden bench. Other members created floral designs which were placed around the area.

The week’s activities included a tour of historic trees, a visit to members’ yards and gardens, and three public presentations at the North Myrtle Beach Library. Jeanette Pritchard discussed ikebana and demonstrated the art of arranging cut flowers in rhythmic, decorative designs. Dorothy Bambach narrated a power point presenta-tion showing the work that was done to create a Japanese garden in her back yard. Jeanette Lyon spoke about historical trees and showed pictures of many of the trees in the area.

Garden Club Council of AbbevilleWhere does your club store their scrapbooks? If the answer is “under the bed of the club historian,” there may be a better place, affirms Susan Milford, Historian for the Garden Club Council of Abbeville. The Garden Clubs of Abbeville donated their collection of scrapbooks and The South Carolina Gardener magazines to the permanent History Resource Department of the Abbeville County Library System. A special presentation, open to the public, was held June 6, 2014 as a part of their

National Garden Week celebration. The collection of primary resources for the library, along with a bouquet of roses, was presented to Mary Elizabeth Land, Director of the Abbeville County Library Sys-tem. Frances Lewis of the Chrysanthemum Garden Club did an artistic floral design appropriate to National Garden Week to decorate the Poliakoff History Room; and a luncheon was enjoyed by the Abbeville Council Garden Club members,

librarians, genealogists, and members of the community following the ceremony.

These colorful, original books detail chronologically the loving contributions of garden club members to the community and reveal the origins and completions of many projects by garden clubs in the community since 1950. While the books are in a safe place for preservation, they are accessible to garden club members and library patrons in the community. The photographs, programs, projects, yearbooks, rosters, newspaper articles and other publicity shed new light on the life and contributions of garden clubs members through the years.

Celebrating our past history helps us create interest in the future through continuing garden club projects and celebrations. National Garden Week was an appropriate time to educate and serve the community while preserving our history.

28 | When the flower blooms, the bees come uninvited. ~ Ramakrishna

Roots

Hugo! Hurricane Hugo!By Helen Goforth, GCSC Historian

T he monster storm lived up to its dire predictions! It was the storm against which all storms are measured. And, it was 25 years ago on September 21, 1989. Will we remember and grieve our loss, or celebrate our fierce tenacity to survive and recover?

“In September 1989 South Carolina suffered its worst recorded natural disaster when Hurricane Hugo hit the coast near Charleston and swept through the state into North Carolina. It was necessary to cancel some flower shows and gardeners found themselves faced with massive clean-up efforts as well as the necessity of adopting new horticultural practices when shady gardens were instantly converted to sunny spots.” (Mrs. Lanneau Lide, Historian, History of the Garden Club of South Carolina 1989-1990)

President Dorothy Hunter responded to the catastrophic damage and loss by rallying the stout-hearted members of GCSC. “Project Storm—Healing The Hurts of Hurricane Hugo” was organized in an effort to alleviate some of the devastation of Hurricane Hugo. More than $6,500 was allocated to various clubs or councils for planting trees in specific areas. Dr. Alta Kingman, Extension Horticulturist of Clemson, prepared a list of trees suggested for supplementing or replacing damaged or destroyed trees.” (Mrs. Lanneau Lide, Historian, History of the Garden Club of South Carolina 1989-1990)

NGC President, and native North Carolinian, Martha Myers Smith shared our suffering and offered NGC’s help.

“When Hurricane Hugo slammed into the Carolinas in September 1989, it left widespread destruction, including the loss of many beautiful magnolia trees. NGC saw a need and responded, collecting $12,168 for use in replacing trees and plants lost.” (Fulfilling the Dream, The Story of National Garden Clubs, Inc., 1929-2004)

World-renowned historic garden horticul-turists in SC were assisted in their restoration projects using NGC and GCSC funds. Clubs and Councils encouraged residents in communities to join their replenishment projects—and their pleas fell on attentive souls.

Magnolias, splendidly dressed in glossy-green leaves with plate-sized blossoms, are revered in South Carolina and loved as much as the waves that hug its shores or the mountains that touch the heavens.


Having been transplanted to the North for too long, we were eager to resume living in South Carolina, but we were soon reminded that being Southern, also, meant living through HURRICANES. When the monster passed, leaving a wide swath of destruction in forests and historic sites, our beautiful State issued a clarion call, “South Carolina, plant magnolias!” (Of course, other trees were listed, but I heard Magnolia!) South Carolina and the tree survived and thrived, spreading its branches across a large part of the yard. Today, it is 30 feet tall and surprises us with magnificent blooms and colorful fruit which cause passers-by to slow and gaze at the sight.

The tree was planted in the front of our house in 1989 approx. 70’ from the side of Green River Road, an historic road that enters Cherokee County at Grindal’s Shoals on Pacolet River, and ends at the old Fort Green in North Carolina. The road was used during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War by both the Patriots Continental Army and militia, commanded by Gen. Daniel Morgan, and a detachment of the regular British Army, commanded by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, as they marched toward the Cowpens for battle.

The battle for freedom was fought and won by the Patriots on January 16, 1781. The tree stands as a witness to Revolutionary War re-enactors every January 16, and proudly wears its sparkling green!

About the Author

Helen Goforth is the GCSC Historian. She resides in Gaffney, SC with her husband Jim. They began planting trees early in their married life and continue to do so. The two of them are self proclaimed “history buffs,” which make her role as Historian a perfect fit.

30 | It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. ~ Aesop

About the AuthorJoan Danforth resides in both Columbia, SC and Edisto Island, SC with her husband David. Joan is a Master Gardener and enjoys learning about coastal gardening. She has been an active member of the Columbia Garden Club for 40 plus years and was chairman of the CGC flower show held at the historic Seibels House this year. Joan is a student NGC Flower Show Judge and is a member of Ikebana International Chapter #182.

Inspiration & Meditation

FallBy Joan Danforth

“I’m stuck like a dope with a thing called Hope....”

Nellie Forbush, the cockeyed optimist nurse, sings the words above in the musical South Pacific. Do you remember this from long, long ago? When I hear the song, “I can’t get it out of my head.” The words stick in my brain and say a lot about gardeners. Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow. It is an exercise in faith and hope. Yes, gardeners must have hope. Hope of beauty, success, rewards, produce and a future for their garden is what gardeners are all about!A gardener has faith that bulbs will bloom in the spring and that perennials will reappear the next year. We celebrate the blooms of spring and relish the fullness of our summer gardens, however, do we also recognize the beauty, rewards and promise of the autumn garden?Autumn gardens have so much to offer. The beauty of the subtle colors of fall, contrasted with the brilliant colors of the summer are everywhere as summer flowers decline.The structure of plants, their skeletons, are worthy of your appreciation. There is beau-ty in the dried perennials left where they bloom. Their dark stems and bare twigs are a haven for migratory birds, and a promise of the future. The decline of the garden brings new light patterns as the leaves fall, and when the temperature is more pleasant, the humidity more moderate and the mosquitoes fewer in number, the autumn garden offers the opportunity for more leisurely gardening.The sustenance of autumn is obvious in the colorful berries of the nandina, beauty berry and hollies. These plants provide food for the birds and other creatures. These plants, as well as others, also provide sustenance for the gardener as we appreciate, through faith the value of plants as they move into a resting period of their life cycle. They are reliable, affirming, faithful plants with promise of the future.As gardeners, most of us relax when fall arrives. Some will plant a flat of pansies, have a container or two of mums near the front door and be “done” with fall gardening!As responsible gardeners, we should take into account the contributions plants can make to our garden during each season. A gardener must have faith, faith to plant seedlings, faith that the newly planted one gallon shrub will grow and fill the space allotted for it and faith that the seasonal beauty and sustenance of our gardens will recur.I hope you will join me in being a “cockeyed optimist” and view your autumn garden with hope and faith for the next season.

See the goodness of our FatherIn the autumn season fairFor this wealth of autumn blessings,We lift thankful hearts in prayer.

(from Autumn Blessingby Beverly Anderson)


Editor’s NoteI love moving into fall, cooler nights, and comfortably warm days just perfect for being outside working in the garden or simply enjoying the garden. I hope you will make time to simply take a moment and reflect on the beauty of the season.

In this issue I am delighted to introduce Cornelia McNamara, a talented floral designer from Chicago who has a fresh and delightful take on arranging flowers. She has a fascinating story and what she can do with all nature provides is magical. Another new writer is Erik Healy, from Moore Farms who has some great pointers on direct sowing annuals. I know you will want to share the valuable list he has prepared for you.

The West Piedmont District’s work with the Historic Trees for Historic Places is being featured in this issue. Betty Thacker, District Director along with Mariska Young, Edna Melamed and Shelia Miller have prepared information about their area, its places and trees, that will make you want to take a road trip. In fact, that is a personal goal for me in the next few months.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your Editor. Thank you too, for taking time to write for The South Carolina Gardener. Keep those articles coming. You can contact me at [email protected].

Kathy Hall

Editorial StaffManaging Editor:

Kathy [email protected]

Proof Readers:Sue LawleyJudith Dill

Contributing Writers:Joan DanforthEleanor Hickman DurgeeHelen GoforthGail JeterJerry Weise

The South Carolina Gardener is the official publication of the Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., published quarterly and funded in part by membership dues. The South Carolina Gardener has made every effort to insure listings and information are accurate and assumes no liability for errors or omissions.

For advertising information and editorial inquiries, contact Kathy Hall at [email protected].

© 2014. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reprinted without the express, written consent of the publisher.

Submission Deadlines:Winter 2014 .......... October 15Spring 2015 .......... January 15Summer 2015 ....... April 15Fall 2015 ............... July 15

Send materials for publication to:Kathy Hall, [email protected]

Photos should be at least 300 dpi and sent as a separate jpeg, tiff or related file.

Printed by Midlands Printing, Inc., Camden, SC

The Official Publication of The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.

The South CarolinaGARDENER

GCSC | FALL ISSUE 2014 | VOL. 92 NO. 5

32 | If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes. ~ Charles Lindbergh

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