It is time to take a deep breath and enjoy the fruits of our labors! Of course, I am enjoying the heat and humidity lounging by our lake house in Maine. LOL! I put all my garden plans in place this spring and my husband, Jim, weeds and brings me buckets of blooms and vegetables when he comes on weekends. Could it be any better?! He loves his vegetable garden and doesn’t want the critters to enjoy too much. He reported 11 gallons of blueberries, 3 gallons of red raspberries, 2 gallons of golden raspberries and bags of black raspberries! I suspect he gave some away and the remaining are in the freezer waiting for me to make pies, jellies, and jams. We were so blessed with plenty of moisture and warmth this spring. I do hope your gardens have flourished as ours have this year.
As I look back on my June and July calendar, it is hard to believe just how many visits I have had the pleasure of making. I even double-booked Danbury and North Haven and tried to attend both. Thank goodness Nan and Kelle were ready to step in and willing to help out. Thames River, North Haven, and Mystic Garden Clubs had such lovely anniversary celebrations and officer installations. They were a joy to attend.
As a surprise at the NGC convention in Denver, I was called on to accept the “Best of the Best” $500 award from Espoma for the Green’s Farm Garden Club. I had the opportunity to visit their gardens and see firsthand their generous project. Then our own Bronze Medal winner, Channing Harris, received the NGC Award of Excellence at the same convention (see article in this CFNews). What an amazing presentation.
Historically, we have had “Presidents’ Day” in September. Since our Regional Roundtable events have been so successful, giving club presidents an opportunity to network with one another and with FGCCT board members, we are suspending Presidents' Day for this year in favor of continuing our Roundtables. One is scheduled in Simsbury in September and another will be held in the Litchfield area (see article in this CFNews). In addition, we will have two Treasurers Zooms and an Awards Zoom as well as a Social Media Zoom. All three were suggestions generated at the previous Roundtables. This gives clubs an opportunity to focus on topics in which they are most interested.
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Please continue to let us know when we may visit your clubs to speak about the benefits of belonging to FGCCT or just an opportunity to get to know you.
In friendship,
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Hello Gardeners!
"Penny Pines" is now "Plant -A-Tree"
Thank you for your continued support for our President’s Project. The National Garden Club has exciting news about the Penny Pines program. The US Forest Service has implemented a name change from "Penny Pines" to "Plant A Tree" and will continue to partner with NGC. For now, only the name has changed, so continue to use the existing form with each $68 donation. When the changes are in place, I will provide the details so that we can continue with this program.
The following clubs have sent in their donations to NGC.
- The Garden Club of Brookfield
- Wallingford Garden Club
Of special note, the Thames River Garden Club was challenged by Club President Karen Neilan to raise $500. The club has met and surpassed the challenge with $544 and 8 certificates from NGC to their credit. These certificates were displayed at the club’s annual luncheon. Well done!
I would like to especially thank the Leete’s Island Garden Club. In recognition of the second part of our President’s project, "Grace Your Home with Houseplants," they gave away 25 Jade plants propagated by members at their annual plant sale. The Leete’s Island Garden Club has now completed both Care for Our Air and Plant a Tree.
The Shippan Point Garden Club of Stamford has begun work on their Legacy Project Euonymus and Trees to celebrate their club’s 100th anniversary in 2025. They have planted over 55 trees and shrubs, including Glabra Gem Box, London Plane trees, Eastern Redbuds and 30 Euonymus. What a wonderful start to your 100th year!
— Carmelina Villani, FGCCT President's Project Chair
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Upcoming Events — Mark Your Calendars! |
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2024 FGCCT Awards Luncheon is October 16!
Think fall! Crisp days. New England at its best. Autumn colors. Cool nights. Never mind that’s it’s 100 degrees and your garden is wilting in the heat! Focus instead on the Federation’s fall Awards Luncheon at the Aqua Turf on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Awards Chair Vonice Carr moves the program along quickly and you will get many ideas for programs your club can adopt. It’s a great day to meet new friends and visit with people you haven’t seen in a while. The luncheon will also feature more than a 18 vendors including our most popular ones and a selection of new ones. Be sure to arrive between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to allow enough time for visiting, browsing and checking out the raffle before the program begins at 10 a.m. The luncheon is a great time to start your holiday shopping or to reward yourself for the hard work you put in outside all summer.
Our tablescapes will focus on the season, as will our menu:
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Autumn Chicken — Chicken breast lightly breaded and topped with a combination of roasted butternut squash and dried cranberries. Served with cranberry molasses demi-glace.
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Pork Loin Pinwheel — Roasted pork loin filled with a sauté of baby spinach and prosciutto, rolled, sliced, and served as a pinwheel. Topped with red wine and rosemary demi-glace. GF
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Pan Seared Salmon — A fillet seared with a whole grain mustard, honey-ginger glaze. GF
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Vegetarian Eggplant Parmigiana — Thinly sliced eggplant batter dipped and layered with a zesty marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. GF.
Reservations are online only. They open on Sept. 1 and close at 5 pm sharp on Oct. 8.
The fall luncheon is usually sold out, so don’t delay!
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2024 Plant Science Day is August 7 |
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REMINDER: Lovely Garden Award Deadline!
The Penny Jarvis Lovely Garden Award — Nomination Deadline is August 15!
The Penny Jarvis Lovely Garden Award Committee will be accepting award nominations until August 15. In the spirit of its benefactor, the award is presented to someone who has a love of gardening.
Shelley Hedberg, Chair of the Lovely Garden Award Committee, encourages you to nominate your own lovely garden or, perhaps, another FGCCT club member’s garden! The nominated garden is visited within two weeks and is critiqued by members of the committee. The committee tallies the votes and reports its decision to the FGCCT Awards Chair. The FGCCT Gardening Council will donate money to a charitable organization of the award recipient’s choice and the Award winner will receive a Certificate of Recognition at the October meeting, with mention made of their choice of charity.
Remember, nominations for the Lovely Garden Award end August 15, so click here to get your digital photos and application in!
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FGCCT Gardening School Course I, Series 9
FGCCT Gardening School Course I, Series 9, will be held on September 11-12, 2024, via Zoom.
We have a fabulous lineup of instructors:
- Soils with Soil Scientist Kip Kolesinskas
- Basic Botany with Professor Barbara Schaedler
- Plant Propagation with Plantsman Adam Wheeler
- Techniques for Growing Flowers with Horticulturist Renee Marsh
- Restoring the American Chestnut with Jack Swatt, President, CT Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation
— Cheryl Cappiali, Gardening Council Chair
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Environmental School 2024 — Course 3, Series 4
Please join us and begin your journey to be a Consultant. Course 3 , Series 4 “ The Living Earth, Air and Related issues” will be offered virtually this September 19-20, 2024.
Course 3 focuses on air quality in the comfort of your own home via Zoom. Registration is open and now available on the FGCCT website, as is the brochure with time schedule.
Why is the Environmental School important ?
Were you cringing watching the Amazon wildfires? Would you like to learn ways to initiate school programs ? As you have seen photographs showing the differences in air quality, do you want to learn more about the ecology of air quality? What makes up your household carbon footprint? Rainforests provide a great deal of oxygen for our consumption, but what is occurring worldwide that is changing those regions? Is there a group in your area that is working toward a healthier world? Chat with fellow garden club members from Connecticut and the country as you delve into the Course 3 modules and its objectives on the NGC website under Environmental School. Environmental School is open to the members of the public as well as garden club members. All four courses may be taken in any order.
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FGCCT Flower Show School - Course 2 of 4
FGCCT Flower Show School Course 2 will be held on October 5 (on Zoom), and October 9-11, 2024, in person.
The courses may be taken in any order and are structured to meet the following goals and purpose:
- To teach and accredit prospective flower show judges and to provide opportunities for Accredited Judges to expand their knowledge and remain in good standing.
- To create increased interest and knowledge in horticulture and design for all garden club members whether or not they are seeking to become NGC Accredited Flower Show Judges
- To provide greater understanding of standards of exhibiting and judging of a Standard Flower Show as clarified in the Handbook for Flower Shows, Revised 2017.
- To promote flower shows of highest quality and educational value
Horticulture subjects will be cacti, succulents and evergreen branches. The design subject is tables and petites.
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Regional Roundtables are happening — Register soon! |
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Club Boards of Directors and Committee Chairs: Have you ever wanted to speak to your counterparts in nearby Clubs? You’re in luck! The Federation is holding five Regional Roundtables in 2024. So far the events held in Waterford, Westport and Wethersfield have been a tremendous success!
Comments from attendees:
“This was great! Really liked connecting with other local Clubs.”
“Thank you! So many good ideas! I learned a lot!”
“ I didn’t know there were so many resources from The Federation.”
“Sharing membership challenges was helpful.”
The next Regional Roundtable will be on September 25, from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Simsbury Farms Apple Barn, 60 Old Farms Road, West Simsbury, CT. FGCCT Board Members will moderate your exchange of information and ideas on topics, including:
Membership • Fundraising • Finances & Insurance • Programs & Events
Social Media & Promotion • FGCCT Resources • and more
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An Introduction to Creative Floral Design Workshop
“Verdure”
Sponsored by FGCCT, Inc.’s Judges Council
Friday, October 25, 2024 — 10 am to 12 noon
Jones Auditorium, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station,
123 Huntington Street, New Haven
Creative floral design includes specific design types, as well as designs from one’s imagination. This workshop will feature a creative Multi Rhythmic Line Mass Design. The “Verdure” design will feature an Emphasis on Foliage! Leaves, Spathes, and Branches will be used to shift the design focus away from more typical flowers. Foliage Manipulation techniques will be explored.
You’ll be introduced to the principles and elements of floral design, as well as various techniques for care and design mechanics.
Margaret Colby, a NGC Accredited Flower Show Judge, will be the instructor. She has presented Design workshops for the Beginnings sessions, and her club, Leete’s Island Garden Club. She has continually exhibited and judged at the Connecticut Flower Show in Hartford. Her designs have been featured in NGC’s annual Vision of Beauty Calendar.
The cost of the workshop is $45 for FGCCT Garden Club members, and $50 for others. Most materials will be provided, including a container. Details, including registration information, are available on the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. website. Registration is due by October 1, 2024. To those registering, a list of tools, etc., will be sent.
When you complete the form, there is a drop-down menu to identify your garden club…it says “Avon GC” – just scroll down to find your club. Don’t forget to hit the "submit" button. Note the registration deadline of October 1. If you have any questions, contact Trish Manfredi.
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Bronze Medal Winner Channing Harris Honored with NGC Award of Excellence |
Channing Harris, the 2023 recipient of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut's Bronze Medal, was recently awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence by National Garden Clubs, Inc., the highest honor that can be given to a non-NGC member. The NGC Award of Excellence "honors an individual, organization or institution that has made a significant contribution toward the advancement of goals and purposes of National Garden Clubs, Inc."
For over 40 years Harris, a member of Professional Landscape Architects (PLA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), designed with nature to implement memorable places for people. He worked with architects and institutions to improve urban and pastoral campuses, health care facilities and community centers.
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Left to right: NGC President Brenda Moore; Channing Harris;
NGC Award of Excellence Chair Gerianne Holzman; and
FGCCT President Karin Pyskaty
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Tips for Smooth Transitions of Treasurers
Have you become your club's new treasurer? Do you have what you need?
Congratulations on your new position. Knowing what you need or what to ask for if you are new can be challenging. A smooth transition takes the guesswork out of your new role and that is why we offer our member clubs our Treasurer Transition Checklist. This checklist includes general information on your club's deadlines, numbers, setup, etc. Be sure to have the user ids, passwords and locations of your records. Storing your key documents and financial records in electronic cloud storage is an effective way to keep this important information and creates a smooth transition.
Best to you on your new role as treasurer. The FGCCT financial committee is here for you if you need anything.
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Interested in the Financial Management of Your Club?
October ZOOM Treasurer Workshop registrations are coming to your inbox soon.
Join John Davis, Treasurer and MaryAnn Lynn, Assistant Treasurer in an informative workshop that will give your garden club logical comfort and direction on the duties and roles of club treasurers. Our workshops define the roles of nonprofit club treasurer duties and take a lot of the intimidation factor out of your role. Workshops include a question and answer session. Workshop size is limited. For your convenience, you may select one of two workshops. These workshops are for Club Treasurers, Club Presidents, and other Club Committee Chairs interested in reporting financial information.
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
—MaryAnn Lynn, Assistant Treasurer
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Posters, poetry and recycled materials sculptures are all part of the NGC 2025 Youth Contests offered this year. Descriptions and rules are found on the FGCCT website.
invites children from first through fifth grade to participate in the 2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. poster contest by creating original posters of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl along with each icon’s message of “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” for Smokey Bear or “Lend A Hand-Care For The Land” for Woodsy Owl.
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Above, 2024 National Grand Prize Winner,
4th Grade, Wisconsin
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Deadline for Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster submission is January 20, 2025. For submission information, contact youth@ctgardenclubs.org
Youth Poetry Contest: The 2024-2025 theme is “My Garden Has Vegetables to Spare That I Can Share – Fight Hunger by Sharing Vegetables from Our Garden.” The Poetry Contest is open to students from kindergarten through ninth grade with the goal to enable youth to explore and embrace their creativity through the art of writing.
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Deadline for the Youth Poetry Contest is January 15, 2025. All entries must be submitted electronically to youth@ctgardenclubs.org
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Youth Sculpture Contest: The theme is “Encouraging Youth to Keep our Planet Green.” The Youth Sculpture Contest is open to students from the fourth through eighth grade and encourages students to keep our planet green and to get involved with saving the environment. Students create a sculpture of recyclable, reused and/or reduced materials with a width of no more than 8 ½” x 11” with height proportional to width.
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Deadline for Youth Sculpture Contest is January 15, 2025. Submit two photographs of each sculpture entry to youth@ctgardenclubs.org
— Kandra Houston, FGCCT Youth Activities Chair
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Recent National First Place winner’s sculpture.
(Grade and state not provided.)
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"Signs of Spring" - Start Planning for the 2025 Connecticut Flower Show! |
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SIGNS OF SPRING, the 2025 Connecticut Flower Show is February 20-23 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. There is a ‘Draft Schedule Outline’ o n the Federation’s website that provides Section and Class information so you can plan your entries. All registration information is expected to be online at the Federation website beginning in September. Please note the two novice design classes for those garden club members who have not won a blue ribbon in design at The Connecticut Flower Show.
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"Timekeepers" — It's Time! Photography for the 2025 Connecticut Flower Show
The Flower Show Committee has already begun planning for our 2025 State Standard Flower show “Signs of Spring.” The show will be open to the public from February 20-23, 2025, and is at the Connecticut Convention Center. Exhibitors, old and new, are encouraged to enter any or all of the four divisions.
That means it’s time to start thinking about which of your photographs are show worthy.
This year our Photography Section theme is “Timekeepers” and is Section B of Division IV-Botanical Arts. The eight thought-provoking classes will lead you from the “Golden Hour” through the Winter Solstice. Take a virtual stroll through the seasons in your photographs and see which of the 96 entries yours will be. Entries may be black and white or color and may have a vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape) orientation. You can enter as many as five classes, but remember, only one entry per class.
Exhibits may not have been previously entered in a NGC sponsored Flower Show or contest and must be sized 8"x10" and mounted on black foam core cut to the exact size of the image with no over matting. Matting, framing, and glass are not permitted. Please ensure photographs are securely attached to the foam core.
With the long, hot summer that we’re having, it’s a great time to begin planning your entries. Pre-registration online will be available in September.
— Patricia Dray, Co-Chair, Judges Council
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New England Garden Clubs 2024 Photo Contest
• A juried photography show • Entries close August 31, 2024 •
Finalists' images will be displayed at the New England Garden Club Annual Meeting,
October 23-24, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, RI
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Upcoming Tours —
Get on the Interest List!
Tour status and details about our Travel Program are found on the FGCCT website under the "Tours" heading in the "Events" tab.
You will find a wealth of information there, including tour brochures and registration information.
Tours in the planning stage for 2025 include:
Pacific Northwest including San Juan Islands July
New Hampshire Foraging and Fall Fun Fall
Greece Land and Sea October
Preplanning for 2026 includes:
Galapagos and Ecuador January
Join the Interest List for a specific tour that is in the planning stages and be among the first to get the brochure by emailing tours@ctgardenclubs.org. There is no obligation, but please name the tour you are interested in. If a tour is sold out, please do not hesitate to join the wait list!
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Landscape Design Council and its partners…
The Tri-Council (Gardening, Environmental, and Landscape Councils) toured two areas recently. In May we toured Marsh Botanical Garden in New Haven, and Wickham Park in Manchester. Soon after we arrived at Marsh Botanical Garden the skies opened up with torrential rain, leaving us relegated to the two fascinating greenhouses. Our guide, Kim Kunso’s, enthusiasm was contagious! We will go back and explore on a day when the weather plays nicer. Wickham Park is centrally located and well worth everyone’s time! They have pavilions and buildings for weddings and other gatherings. We toured this large park on a perfect summer day. It has a large variety of landscapes/gardens: Oriental, Scottish, English, Irish, Italian, Sensory, Wetland, etc. Here are some photos from our adventures:
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— Susan Laursen, FGCCT Landscape Design Council Chair |
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Upping Your Game (Vines)
By Renee Marsh, FGCCT Horticulture Chair
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I have to admit that vines never occupied much space in my gardening brain for many years. Most of the vines I encountered were either invasive, thuggish, poisonous or just plain annoying. I was really not interested in getting to know any more of them so I skipped over those articles in Fine Gardening. But over time, vines have twined their way into my gardening heart simply because any vertical surface is now a plant acquisition opportunity. No room on the ground? Go up. And if you are looking for more justification, well, here goes ... beautiful foliage, flowers for our pollinator friends, berries for birds, shade and privacy for you. That should do it.
Now before skipping off to buy a vine, you need to know how it climbs. Here are the ways:
- Tendrils: Thin, flexible structures coil around supports (grapevines)
- Twining Stems: Flexible stems spiral around supports (morning glories)
- Adhesive Pads/Discs: Sticky pads adhere to surfaces (English ivy)
- Clinging Rootlets: Root-like structures grip rough surfaces (poison ivy)
- Twiners: Entire stems wrap around supports (wisteria, bittersweet)
Make the vine happy by matching it to the correct support structure. Make your mate happy by ensuring your vine does not do bad things to the siding, brick or fence.
Fences and walls provide solid vertical surfaces for vines with adhesive pads or clinging rootlets. Of course, if you want a vine that uses tendrils or twining stems, you can always attach a trellis. Then there are arbors and pergolas that are a great hangout for heavier vines, especially the big twiners. And lastly, if you just want to add a bit of height to your perennial border, there are free-standing tuteurs and obelisks. Yep ... ten dollar vine, hundreds to thousands of dollars for support. Fear not though, for the more budget oriented gardener there are vines happy to climb trees and large shrubs.
Now some options, and I am sticking to natives. I will start with my favorite, Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). I grow ‘MajorWheeler’ and it is glorious every year with its red tubular flowers that bloom for a long time. I find it is also a favored hangout for the small birds. It’s not fussy in the least though aphids do like to set up shop. I just leave them for the other insects. It climbs with twining stems so give it something to wrap around. I put up a trellis on my barn and am sorry I did not give it another twenty feet to go up. Another notable cultivar is 'John Clayton', which has yellow flowers. Here it is in full glory on an arbor in Margaret Roach’s garden in Copake Falls NY. (An amazing garden to tour!) Watch out for non-native honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.), most of which are invasive.
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Renee’sTrumpet Honeysuckle'Major Wheeler' |
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Trumpet Honeysuckle 'John Clayton' |
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Many folks are surprised to hear that there is a native wisteria, Wisteria frutescens, commonly called American wisteria. It blooms later in the season than Asian species and the flowers appear after the plant has leafed out. The clusters of fragrant, blue-purple to lavender flowers are smaller and more compact than the Asian species as well. 'Amethyst Falls' is a popular cultivar known for its prolific flowering and more compact growth habit. (Available at Broken Arrow Nursery.) It typically grows in wooded areas and along stream banks so prefers moist, well-drained soils and may require regular watering, especially during dry periods. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Heads up: both Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda) and Chinese wisteria (W. sinensis) are being listed as invasive and prohibited from sale in Connecticut as of October 2024.
Virginia clematis, Clematis virginiana, is renowned for its profusion of small, fragrant white flowers that bloom in late summer/early fall. It has twining stems that reach heights of 10-20 feet with ease. This clematis thrives in a variety of soil types and light conditions but prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. After flowering, Virginia clematis produces fluffy, silvery seed heads that persist into the winter. Do not confuse this with Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora or Clematis paniculata) which are aggressive non-natives that are listed invasive in many states, though not ours yet.
Carolina Jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens, is a semi-evergreen Southeast native that is starting to move north now with ‘Margarita’, a cultivar with better cold hardiness (Zone 6) and larger flowers. The bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom profusely in early spring and have a sweet fragrance. The flower contrasts sharply against glossy, dark green foliage. It is a twiner, reaching 10-20 feet and likes full sun to part shade.
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At left, another rather unknown native is American groundnut or hopniss, Apios Americana (at left). Its spinnate foliage gives it a delicate, feathery appearance and in late summer, clusters of fragrant pea-like flowers bloom in shades of pink to maroon. Underground, it produces tubers which were historically a vital food source for Native Americans.
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Pictured, top to bottom:
Top, American Wisteria 'Amyethst Falls'
Middle: Virginia Clematis
Bottom: Carolina Jessamine
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It is a rather delicate vine with twining stems that can extend up to 10 feet. I know it because I found it twined around my rhododendron. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and tends to perform best in full sun." |
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The “Vigorous” Ones
Vigorous. “Growing well and with strength, often rapidly and healthily.” It is plant speak for “you’ll be sorry” but hey, sometimes you want that. Be prepared to give them the support and constant pruning they demand. Let’s start with Aristolochia macrophylla, commonly known as Dutchman's pipe or pipevine, which is a twiner native to our area. It is a foliage dream with large, heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 12 inches in length. The flowers, which are greenish-yellow with a unique shape like a smoking pipe, are not the point. As the host plant for the larvae of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly, it gets my vote.
Then there are the two Southerners, crossvine and trumpet creeper. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is best known for its striking, multicolored trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the spring. The foliage is also attractive; glossy, dark green leaves that can turn reddish-purple in the fall. It is quite happy scaling just about anything — up to 50 feet — thanks to the adhesive disks on the tips of the tendrils. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is also a real looker with flowers in vibrant shades of orange to red that bloom from midsummer to early fall. It is as aggressive as it is attractive. It climbs — rapidly — using a combination of aerial roots and tendrils. Oh, and it root suckers. Yikes.
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Lastly, let me put in a pitch for Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), pictured at left. I think if it wasn’t native it would get more respect. Why does its kin, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), which is neither native nor ivy by the way, get to go to college? Virginia creeper is very adaptable, thriving in tough soil conditions as well as shade. It has handsome star-shaped leaves that turn vibrant red/orange in the fall. Its small, dark blue berries are a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife. Virginia creeper climbs by means of adhesive discs and yes, it can be pesky. I yank it out when it decides it wants to be a groundcover, which it does very well by the way, but I let it have its space in other areas.
Have a wonderful gardening season and keep pulling out that English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, morning glory, Oriental bittersweet, bindweed, Mile-a-Minute vine, sweet autumn clematis, porcelain berry … sigh.
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Pictured, from top to bottom:
Pipevine Swallowtail, Dutchman's Pipe (Pipevine), Crossvine, Trumpet Creeper, Virginia Creeper
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SPOTLIGHT on our FGCCT Affiliates! |
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Extend a warm welcome to a new Federation affiliate, Blau House & Gardens!
The Blau Gardens were developed over 50 years by advertising executive Barry Blau, who built one of the world’s largest direct marketing firms. Blau, who wrote some of the most memorable ads of the 20th century, understood drama. He developed gardens in response to the house, set below the oaks. He created an intricate and intimate series of interlocking garden rooms, using rhododendrons and a blend of native and exotic plants. The house, known as "Alswang House," was constructed in 1963 and designed by Ralph Alswang, a theatrical designer of nearly 100 Broadway productions. Alswang saw affinities between modern architecture and barns, such as the embrace of minimalism and a rejection of ornament. His design recreates spaces, elements and proportions found in New England barns, and showcases the interior stair with large windows framing dramatic views of the towering oaks outside. Established as a 501(c)3, together the house and gardens are a community resource for educational programming dedicated to horticulture, arts, and culture.
In April 2024, Blau House & Garden was awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum. This designation recognizes Blau House & Garden for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. Blau House & Garden is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
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The garden is open by appointment and welcomes visits by Garden Clubs! More information, including details about their August 18 partnership with the Norwalk Symphony for “Music in the Garden,” is available on their website. RSVP for tickets and bring your own picnic and blanket to enjoy! For ticket information, visit https://www.norwalksymphony.org/buy-online
9 Bayberry Ridge Road , Westport, CT 06880
By Appointment Only
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"Club Corner" is a place for clubs to showcase exceptional or notable club achievements and activities. Has your club done something unique (or uniquely successful?) that you'd like to share? Visit "Club Corner" on the FGCCT website for more news from clubs! (Note that this area is NOT for upcoming events—you can post those on the FGCCT Club Calendar.)
Send high-resolution photos, along with a writeup (200 words or less, please) and photo captions, to CFNewsManager@ctgardenclubs.org to be considered for inclusion. Please ensure that you have appropriate permissions for all photos. We reserve the right to edit copy and select photos for inclusion.
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Featured Club: The Westport Garden Club Marks 100 Years |
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April 11 marked 100 years since Westporters Nevada Hitchcock and Amelia Cutler gathered a small group to form a garden club in Westport. Among the original club members were names that are still familiar around town: Wakeman, Coley, Bradley, and Staples. Sara Crawford, Connecticut’s first female Secretary of State, was an early member as was noted garden writer Helen Van Pelt Wilson. The club’s first project was the installation of a memory garden at Christ & Holy Trinity Church.
The club’s contributions to environmental concerns and beautification around the town and the state since 1924 include the creation of Grace K. Salmon Park in Westport (on Imperial Avenue — site of a former dump), as well as projects at Town Hall, the Westport Library, Earthplace and the Westport Museum (formerly the Historical Society). The club played a leading role in saving Cockenoe Island from becoming a nuclear power plant, yet was not successful in opposing development of Gorham Island. The club sponsored the very first “Clean-up Westport” day in 1962.
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Further afield, the club supported the establishment of the Connecticut College Arboretum, the founding of the Connecticut State Federation of Garden Clubs, and the development of tree and shrub plantings along the Merritt Parkway. Today the club has 60 members and their passion and mission remains the same: to further interest in and knowledge of gardening, horticulture, landscaping, and floral design; participate in civic beautification and promote conservation and environmental education.
These days you may find members at work at the entrance to Compo Beach, or visit the Nevada Hitchcock Garden at the corner of Cross Highway and Weston Road, Grace K. Salmon Park on Imperial Avenue, or Cam’s Garden in Old Hill on Winding Lane to see their efforts.
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Club President Megan Lott with a quilt
made for the 75th Anniversary and
displayed for the 100th.
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The club’s anniversary year has had many special events including a classic tea party for current and former members, an Earth Day and National Poetry Month event at the Westport Library for the winners of the club’s Youth Poetry Contest, the Annual Plant sale with over 1,000 homegrown perennial plants from members’ own gardens, the presentation of a sundial at Grace K. Salmon Park, participation in the town’s Memorial Day Parade, where they were awarded “Most Colorful Float,” and their upcoming 100th Anniversary Flower Show, “Westport’s Town Treasures,” on September 28 at Saugatuck Congregational Church. They hope clubs from around the state will visit and enter the show!
For information about their Anniversary Flower Show, or to learn more about this busy club, visit their website.
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Guilford Garden Club Celebrates 85 Years!
The Guilford Garden Club is celebrating its 85th year. The club, which started with a small group of enthusiastic members, now has 85 members, including 5 master gardeners.
From the start, the club’s main objectives have been conservation, horticulture, artistic design and most importantly, the beautification of Guilford. Witness the plantings at the Post Office, Town Hall, Horse Trough, and the gardens at The Thomas Griswold House and Mary Schmidt on State Street! Club members learn by doing, as we garden and participate in flower arrangement and horticultural competitions. Our signature endeavor is the “Candlelight Walk on Broad Street” featuring hundreds of luminarias and unique wreaths handmade by club members that adorn every door. For the past 40 years, this walk has provided a festive atmosphere after the tree lighting for all ages to enjoy as they begin their holiday traditions. Watch for some added features this year!
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The club has planted hundreds of street trees as part of its long-term investment in the environment, including 100 trees planted along US Route 1. For the town's 375th anniversary, each 4th grader was given a tree to plant from the garden club. From the inception of the Guilford Tree Advisory Board, the Guilford Garden Club has been represented on this board, continuing to fund the planting of hundreds of street trees in downtown Guilford.
Another significant beautification project was the restoration of Rollwood Park, which involved a major cleanup, the planting of trees and bulbs, and the placement of benches. To celebrate the club's 85th anniversary and to honor the United States Armed Forces, present, past and future, a Blue Star Memorial Marker will be placed at Rollwood Park on Stone House Lane this fall.
The club's major fundraiser is its “Holiday Boutique,” held each December. Monies fund club projects, as well as two scholarships awarded to two Guilford High School Seniors majoring in an environmental field of study, and donations to other non-profits that enhance Guilford. Happy Birthday to the Guilford Garden Club!
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North Haven Garden Club Celebrates 70 Years! |
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On Thursday, June 13, members of the North Haven Garden Club gathered at Bellini's Restaurant to celebrate the club's 70th anniversary. In attendance was the club's founding member and first president, Lois Stover, who was accompanied by her son Dwight. Lois just turned 99 years young. Invited guests were First Selectman Mike Freda, Director of Public Works Field Operations Mike Maturo, Assistant Directors of Public Works Field Operations John Laczak and Mike Landino, and Karin Pyskaty, President of the Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc., who presented club President Gerri Giordano with a Certificate of Merit from National Garden Clubs, Inc.
President Giordano presented Lois Stover with a beautiful corsage, and First Selectman Mike Freda presented her with a citation from the Town of North Haven. He also presented the club with a proclamation declaring June 13 as North Haven Garden Club Day.
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The table arrangements were made by North Haven Garden Club members Laurie Falco, Deb Armitage, Fran Notaro and Wini Colleran using fresh flowers from their gardens. Each arrangement was different and unique as well as beautiful. Look on our Facebook page for the video of the presentation.
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A Busy Spring for the Garden Club of Woodbridge!
In early April, the Bethany Garden Club hosted the Garden Club of Woodbridge to hear speaker Karen Bussolini's presentation on "Great Trees and Shrubs for Sustainable Landscapes." Later that month, members of the Garden Club of Woodbridge traveled to the Colorblends House and Spring Garden in Bridgeport. A kaleidoscope of tulips greeted them as a landscape architect provided a tour. The property includes a mansion built in 1903, where various local artists showcase their creativity.
The club's annual luncheon and fundraiser took place in June at the Birchwoods at Oak Lane in Woodbridge. New officers were elected for the coming year, and floral designer Sharon Kohary of Flower Nook in North Haven presented "Flowers with Movement-Trending-Newest Style in How We arrange Flowers," creating three floral arrangements. These were raffled off, along with the table arrangements. Food-filled baskets, gift cards, flower arrangements and a stunning array of hanging baskets were available for the silent auction.
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Donations to FGCCT's Scholarship Fund; Healing, Therapy and Senior Gardening Fund; and World Gardening Fund |
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We thank the following Garden Clubs for their recent donations to the FGCCT Scholarship Fund.* For almost 40 years, the Federation has awarded scholarships to college and university students who major in Agronomy, Botany, City Planning, Conservation, Environmental Studies, Floriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Land Management, Landscape Design, Plant Pathology, or allied subjects. We welcome donations of any size. Our appeal is ongoing to give all of our clubs the opportunity to make a contribution in the amount of their choosing.
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Please send all Scholarship Fund donation checks to the appropriate chair (see below). Make checks out to "FGCCT" with the appropriate Fund listed on the memo line.
*Please note that due to the deadline for articles and information for the CFNews, some donations may not be received and deposited in time to be included in the bi-monthly donation acknowledgement, but will be included in the next issue of our newsletter.
PLEASE MAIL CHECKS TO:
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For World Gardening & Healing, Therapy and Senior Gardening:
The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc.
Attention: Rosemary Bonaguide
PO Box 902
Wallingford, CT 06492
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For FGCCT Scholarship Fund:
The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc.
Attention: Carole Fromer
PO Box 902
Wallingford, CT 06492
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Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
FGCCT is on Facebook and Instagram and we love to post your news and photos! Please send upcoming events, club activities, civic projects, milestones, and hort tips. Include photos and a brief writeup of the news your club would like to share. The best format is text in an email with jpg photos attached. Take active photos showing members at work or showcasing beautiful gardens, flowers, and plants (please name the flower if it is a hort only photo). Let’s follow each other! Send submissions to social@ctgardenclubs.org
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Just a reminder …
Please send all correspondence to the new FGCCT office:
The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc.
P.O. Box 902
Wallingford, CT 06492
Did you recently elect new officers? Email their names and contact information to us at office@ctgardenclubs.org so they will receive Federation correspondence. If you need assistance, please contact FGCCT Office Administrator Joan Lenart at office@ctgardenclubs.org or by phone at 203-488-5528 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 am to 2 pm.
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Deadline to submit articles/photos, ads and calendar events for the October/November 2024 issue of the CFNews is September 10, 2024. Please submit to:
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ARTICLES/PHOTOS
Martha (Marty) Sherman
ADVERTISING
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Reminder from NGC: The National Gardener is ONLINE (and free!)
The official publication of the National Garden Clubs, The National Gardener, appears quarterly, and features articles of interest to environmentalists, gardeners, landscapers, floral designers, educators and photographers. Subscribe here.
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State, Regional &
National Events
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