******FALL 2014******

President’s Message

Garden Club members are three season gardeners.  We love the pastels of spring flowers, the riotous colors of summer, and equally, the browns, blues and golden colors of fall.  My favorite are the little blue asters that seem to appear when everything else is gone.  Perhaps some of us attempt a winter garden, with evergreens, berries and hardscape that makes our gardens beautiful in the snow. 

Jayne 

July Meeting - Succulents 

Our July meeting was held on July 15^th at Munger Cottage.  Master Gardener Barbara Wexler-Hall gave a presentation titled “Succulents and the Savvy Gardener.”  Barbara explained that there are three basic types of succulents that are differentiated by how they store water – in their stems, leaves or roots. 

 

 

She pointed out that succulents are very tolerant of neglect, and overwatering is a major cause of death.  Members brought small containers to the meeting, and all were given the opportunity to plant echeveria (hen and chicks) in their containers. 

Floral exhibits were on white fluted pedestals and demonstrated the need for height when creating such 
designs. 

 Our knowledge of the plant world expanded with horticultural talks and exhibits on poinsettias, Echinacea “Summer Fireworks,” garlic and red maples. 

 

August Meting - Ideas for Floral Arrangers

“Inspiring Table Designs” was the title of our August 21^st program presented by noted flower show instructor Jeanne Nelson. 

The meeting was held at the Storm King Engine Company.  Jeanne wowed us with her innovative designs, all done with supermarket purchased plant material.  It was especially interesting to see her demonstrations of what “just didn’t work” when it came to color, size and balance. 

 

Our design exhibits for the month were titled “Up, Up and Away” and were floor designs.  Our members' creations were most impressive. 

 

In addition to a large contingent of members and guests, District X Director Jane Madis attended the meeting, and we welcomed new member Denise Nichols to the club. 

September Meeting - Backyard Environmental Stewardship 

We held our September meeting on Sept. 18^th at the Cornwall Public Library.  Master Gardeners Lisa Ritweger and Irene “Renee” Stover spoke on “Backyard Stewardship.”  They highlighted the ways each of us can contribute to the health of our environment through our gardening.  The importance of biodiversity and in using native plants in our landscaping was stressed.  They noted that “The right plant in the right place” is often the key to a thriving garden. 

Marge Krupa’s horticultural talk about Monarch butterflies was in keeping with the afternoon’s theme.  Marge explained how preserving milkweed plants can aid the Monarchs in finding nourishment.  Margaret Vatter demonstrated an innovative way to grow lettuce and other veggies using a potting soil garden. 

Our design exhibits were titled "Name the Occasion" and were a "functional table designed for two on a card table."  As ever, our members demonstrated their creative talents.  

The horticultural exhibits included “Autumn Joy” sedum, poke weed and “Plum Pudding” heuchera and rounded out an afternoon chock full of gardening know-how. 

Moriches Bay Garden Club Update

Ann Bloom recently received a progress report and photographs from Maureen Pollack of the Moriches Bay Garden Club.  We gave this club a much needed $1,000 grant to assist with their hurricane restoration project at the Masury Estate Remembrance Garden. 

 

Maureen wrote, “We added five hedge roses in the spring and also purchased two flats of alyssum.  This week we planted sixteen mums. 

We’ll replace two rhodys along the side of the mansion when we get the two for one price.  We have ordered a baby blue spruce tree to replace the cedars that were destroyed in the hurricane. 

We also bought topsoil, mulch, rose fertilizer and deer repellent.  The deer repellent really paid off, because last year they ate all the sedums and day lilies.  The sedum is just starting to turn pink.  The garden is mostly sedum and lavender because that’s what does well in the full sun and salt spray.  The roses stood up to the salt spray really well.  We originally planted Rozanne geraniums where the roses are but they did not do well. 

So that’s what’s happening in the garden.  Thanks again for the grant that made it all happen. 

Happy gardening!”

 

It’s great to see our donation helping to bring a devastated garden back to life. 

Garden Tours

Visiting public and private gardens is always great fun for garden lovers.  Now might be good time to start making plans for travel next spring.  Cornwall Garden Club member Linda DeGroat went to the North Carolina Azalea Festival last spring and recommends it to all. 

“I just wanted to share with everyone my trip to the North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington this past spring.  The festival is a four-day event with a garden tour, garden tea, parades and concerts.  I loved the Belles – a group of local girls from area high schools.  

They wear beautiful southern dresses, complete with hats, that are all made by local women.  At each home we toured there were at least three costumed Belles.  The Wilmington Garden Club, the sponsor this event, is made up of 400 members.  The festival was fantastic; and, if you get a chance to go, it is worth it.  I am going to make this a yearly trip. 

I also took some other garden tours this summer and really enjoyed every one.  The one in Goshen is very nice and includes a luncheon.  The Mohonk Mountain House Garden Tour in August was wonderful.  The views were beautiful.  It was a guided tour and you can stay the whole day and use the facilities.”

Several club members visited a wonderful local garden in September.  New Windsor gardener Lyle showed us his fantastic dahlias.  The variety of flower forms was interesting – huge pale yellow balls to one inch pompoms. 

And our club trip to the New York Botanical Garden is on Oct. 16^th.  If you haven’t signed up, there might still be a space left on the bus if you contact Bette Farrow right away.  It should be a trip we garden lovers will remember for a long time. 

Our Trip to the New York Botanical Garden

When we travel to the New York Botanical Garden on Oct. 16^th, we’ll be visiting a National Historic Landmark that is more than 100 years old.  Founded in 1891, the Garden is a 250 acre refuge in the city.  It was Calvert Vaux, co-designer of Central Park, who created much of the Garden’s design in 1895. 

The garden has a three-fold mission:  to research the plant world, to maintain and improve the Garden, and to use the Garden’s facilities to teach about plants and horticulture. 

In addition to its ongoing exhibits, the Garden hosts numerous special events throughout the year.  On our visit, we’ll be treated to “Kiku: The Art of the Japanese Garden.”  Kiku means chrysanthemum in Japanese, and the chrysanthemum is a treasured Japanese flower.  The exhibit will spotlight chrysanthemums trained to grow in a variety of forms.  There will be traditional forms incorporating bonsai and ikebana and more contemporary styles. 

It has taken the horticulturalists at the Botanical Garden 11 months to create the kiku on display.  They start with cuttings that are rooted and then trained to grow on forms.  After a lot of pinching and pruning, the amazing plants we’ll see are ready for their October debuts.

The 19^th century founders of the New York Botanical Garden established a place of enduring beauty and learning.  How fortunate we are to have it close enough to us for a day’s visit. 

(Information and photos from http://www.nybg.org/)

District X News

The District X Fall Meeting and Luncheon will be held at the Eagles Nest in Bloomingburg on Wednesday, Oct. 8.  The event is sponsored by the Community Garden Club of Liberty.  The program will feature Susan Dollard speaking on Woodland Gardening.  The luncheon begins with a social hour at 11:00 a.m.  Cost is $30 per person.  Call Jean Cellini at 845-794-6139 for reservations.  The Eagles Nest in the fall is an amazing place.  What a view! Join us for a delightful afternoon with gardening friends. 

The Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc., is sponsoring a poetry contest for students from preschool through high school.  The topic is “Nature’s Wonders.”  Judging will be based on age and grade categories.  All entries are due by Feb. 15, 2015.  For more information go to:  http://www.fgcnys.com/poetrycontest.pdf. 

Turtlehead

A different and easy to grow perennial for your fall garden is Cheloni lyonii “Hot Lips.”  Cheloni is a native wildflower commonly called turtlehead.  Its shiny dark green foliage and bright pink flowers make it a welcome addition to the fall garden when other plants are beginning to fade. 

Turtleheads prefer moist soil and shade.  They grow to 24” – 36” tall.  The plant will spread, but it is by no means invasive and can easily be controlled.  They bloom in late summer into the fall and also are a nice cut flower. 

And best of all for Cornwall gardeners, Cheloni are deer resistant!  Why not follow the advice of our September speakers and plant native wildflowers such as Cheloni in your perennial garden? 

Mark Your Calendars!

Don’t forget to “save the date” for these upcoming Cornwall Garden Club activities. 

Oct. 9, Wednesday.  District X Fall Meeting and Luncheon at the Eagles Nest in Bloomingburg sponsored by the Community Garden Club of Liberty.  The program will feature Susan Dollard speaking on Woodland Gardening.  The luncheon begins with a social hour at 11:00 a.m.  Cost is $30 per person.  Call Jean Cellini at 845-794-6139 for reservations. 

Oct. 16, Thursday.  For our October meeting we travel to the New York Botanical Garden.  The bus leaves Cornwall Plaza at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.   The bus transportation, admission and guided tour are included.  Cost for Cornwall Garden Club members is $20; $45 for non-members.  Call Bette Farrow at 496-6563 for reservations. 

Nov. 13, Thursday.  We will meet at the Cornwall Presbyterian Church, 222 Hudson Street, Cornwall on Hudson, at 12:30 p.m.  Ann Bloom and Mary Jane Gisselbrecht will share their expertise about “Small Designs Made Simple.” 

Dec. 14, Sunday.  Club members and guests will meet at the Powelton Club in Newburgh for an evening of friendship and holiday goodwill.  The evening’s festivities begin with a social hour at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner.  Contact Ann Bloom or Rachel McKible.  The dress code includes dancing shoes!