Greetings!
Bright sunshine and warmer temperatures have blurred the harsh realities of winter. My spirits are lifted for sure, but I think it is because I’m seeing so many accomplishments after months of hard work by members, committees, clubs and staff.
The final draft of the
Historic Garden Week Guidebook
has been sent to the printer,
Centennial
planning continues with a broad view of 2020 activities and
Virginia State Parks
2018 grant recipients will be announced within days.
February Flower Arranging Workshops
are filled and excitement continues to build for
Daffodil Day.
Scroll down to learn about more activities, add this to the similar activities within your club and the accomplishments are astounding.
Please join me in congratulating the proposed 2018-2020 slate of Officers and Directors at Large who will lead us through the next two years as we continue our good work.
My best,
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Ellen Sinclair
The Virginia Beach Garden Club
"Chicory and Lace" oil on board
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"Probably more pests can be controlled in an armchair in front of a February fire with a garden notebook and a seed catalog that can ever be knocked out in hand-to-hand combat in the garden."
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~Neely Turner, entomologist (1901-1989)
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Tuesday, January 30
Development Committee KVH 11:00 am
Thursday, February 1
Massie Medal Award Committee, KVH 10:30 am
Tuesday, February 6 (Sold Out)
Beginning Flower Arranging, KVH 10:00 am
Wednesday, February 7 (Sold Out)
Advanced Flower Arranging, KVH 10:00 am
Thursday, February 8 (Sold Out)
Botanical Arts, KVH 10:00 am
Sunday, February 11
Rivanna Garden Club Hometown Habitat
Tuesday, February 13
Albemarle Garden Club Design Forum
Tuesday, February 20
Strategic Planning, KVH 10:00 am
Thursday, February 22
HGW Committee, KVH 10:00 am
Thursday, March 1
Award Deadlines
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March 1 Awards Deadline
These awards recognize the good work of GCV members, and funding provided by the Common Wealth Award makes a tremendous difference in communities statewide. Submit proposals to Ann Heller at 12 East Franklin Street, Richmond, 23219 or
communications@gcvirginia.org.
The Common Wealth Award
provides annual grants to community projects of Garden Club of Virginia's member clubs.
The de Lacy Gray Conservation Medal
recognizes an individual member or a member club of the GCV for outstanding effort to further the knowledge of our natural resources and to encourage their wise use.
Horticulture Award of Merit
recognizes i
ndividual members of the Garden Club of Virginia who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in the community at large.
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Alexandria
Craige Cioletti
Madeline Foresman
Dolley Madison
Anne Cantrell
Elizabeth River
Nancy Perkins
Sandra Wilson
Gloucester
Eleanor Gardner
Betsy Poulsen
Bambi Thompson
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James River
Catherine Bugg
Lief Catlett
Austin Hancock
Susan Rhodes
Laura Whisnand
Nansemond River
Sue Sanders
Princess Anne
Kathy Katsias
Sally Shook
Williamsburg
Ann Beard
Carol Beers
Alice Borrelli
Kate Helwig
Nancy Knewstep
Kent Harrell
Kendall Kirby
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The Nominations Committee of the Garden Club of Virginia presented the following names to the Board of Directors at its January 16 meeting.
- President Jean Gilpin, Winchester-Clarke Garden Club
- First Vice President Missy Buckingham, Boxwood Garden Club
- Second Vice President Catherine Madden, Lynchburg Garden Club
- Corresponding Secretary Janet Rosser, Ashland Garden Club
- Recording Secretary Kris Carbone, Garden Club of Danville
- Treasurer Vicky Alexander, Hunting Creek Garden Club
- Director at Large District 1 Bettie Guthrie, Petersburg Garden Club
- Director at Large District 3 Anne Harrison Harris, Hampton Roads Garden Club
- Director at Large District 4 Debbie Lewis, Garden Study Club
The names will be presented to voting members for approval at the 2018 Annual Meeting.
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Restoration Research Fellowships
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Sherwood Forest Plantation
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The 2018
Rudy J. Favretti
Fellow will research and document
Sherwood Forest Plantation.
The Sherwood Forest property was first recorded as a land grant in 1616 and originally known as Smith’s Hundred. In 1842, after several generations of owners, 10th President John Tyler purchased the 1660 acres called “Walnut Grove,” and renamed it Sherwood Forest.
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Shirley Plantation was settled in 1613 by Sir Thomas West, 3rd Baron De la Warr in what was then known as the West and Sherley Hundred. In 1638, a 450 acre tract was granted to Edward Hill I upon which he established a prosperous tobacco farm. Over time subsequent generations added to this acreage. It now consists of 700 riverfront acres. Hills II and III continued the family business until when in 1723 the last of the Hill progeny, great-granddaughter of the Hill I, Elizabeth Hill, married John Carter, eldest son of Robert “King” Carter. Anne Hill Carter was later born to John and Elizabeth Hill Carter at Shirley Plantation. Anne Hill married “Light Horse Harry” Lee in the mansion’s parlor. This couple later became the parents of the esteemed Robert E. Lee.
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Daffodil Day 2018 will bring "yellow fever" to Richmond in March and promises to provide fun and fellowship for all involved. Preliminary events begin March 27 as GCV offers Part 3 of ADS Judging School at the Kent-Valentine House.
Guest speaker Tony
Avent will join us at the John Marshall that evening for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, sharing exotic highlights of travels in his life long quest for rare specimens around the world.
March 28 begins with horticulture, artistic and photography judging, followed by a Lunch and Learn presentation with Mr. Avent. Exhibits will open after lunch.
Brochures will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Meanwhile, visit
www.gcvdaffodilday.org
and register for limited seating events.
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Albemarle Garden Club members join First Lady Pam Northam at Legislative Day in Richmond.
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A
comprehensive summary of
2018 Legislative Issues
of concern to the Garden Club of Virginia has been compiled by the Conservation and Beautification Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at its January 16 meeting.
Click Here
to read the report which includes bill status updates as of January 16. Please contact your legislators and assigned committee members, asking their support or opposition to bills summarized in this document.
If you would like to track a particular bill of interest,
Click Here
and enter the bill number.
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Forcing Shrub Branches for an Early Spring
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Photo by Colleen Grant, Albemarle Garden Club
Forcing branches project
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If the grey and gloom is getting to you, consider bundling up, heading outside and pruning some of your early blooming shrubs and force an early spring. The profusion of blooms and wonderful scents will brighten any winter day.
Early spring flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in the fall. With a cold period of at least 8 weeks, usually by the beginning of January, branches can be cut and forced to bloom indoors.
The closer to their actual bloom time you cut branches the easier they are to force. Forsythia, witchhazel, amelanchier, dogwood and spirea may only take two weeks to bloom once indoors. While other shrubs will take longer. Deutzia, Red twig dogwood, and beauty bush might take five weeks to force into bloom.
Follow good pruning practices by cutting 1/4 inch above a side bud or branch so you don’t leave a stub.
After bringing the branches indoors make a second diagonal cut just above the original cut.
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You may also want to split the end of the stem or smash it with a hammer to encourage water absorption. If the temperature is below freezing when you cut the branches, submerge them fully in a tub of cool water for at least several hours or overnight. This keeps the buds from bursting too quickly. The soaking step is not necessary if the temperature is above freezing.
Next, put the branches in a vertical container to hold them upright. Add warm water about 3 inches up the stems and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. Then fill the container with more cool water. Keep the branches in a cool place. Change the water regularly and mist the branches frequently.
Once the buds begin to show color move the branches to a warmer, lighted room but don’t put them in direct sunlight. Now these branches can be artistically arranged and you will begin to enjoy a bit of early spring.
Your cuttings may even show rooting which is also exciting. Once the roots are at least 1/4 long remove from the water and cut the branch to 6-8 inches. Pot individually in some rich soil and keep moist. Once spring has arrived outdoors too then you can plant your cutting in the ground but you might want to select a protected place until well established.
Spring will be here before you know it!
Kim Cory, Albemarle Garden Club
Sources:
Catherine Madden, GCV Horticulture Chair
Department of Horticulture, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
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Nansemond River at the Capitol
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Nansemond River Garden Club members were asked to adorn the Capitol with flower arrangements for the 2018 inaugural events in Richmond. Beautiful job ladies!
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Rivanna Garden Club Hosts Hometown Habitat
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Rivanna Garden Club is hosting
Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home
, a film and discussion based on the work of Dr Douglas Tallamay. The event is open to the public at no charge.
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Quick Links to Websites, Publications, Social Media & More
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