Greetings!
June has been a busy and fruitful month! Our thanks to Nina Mustard, Cary Darracott, and the Lily Committee for organizing a beautiful Lilies in Bloom. Catherine Madden and the Horticulture Committee delighted us with gardens that inspired and enriched us with their beauty. And Kent-Valentine House gave a perfect homecoming for our new (and year-old) presidents on Presidents Day. KVH also welcomed our Historic Garden Week Club Chairmen at Boot Camp VI. So many activities, so much fun.
As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s birthday, I can’t help but think of all the people who volunteer their time and talents to make this country strong. And that leads me to our members who travel across the commonwealth and devote countless hours to fulfill the mission of Garden Club of Virginia. Together, we work to enhance and preserve the beauty of our treasure, Virginia. And I think, “How lucky are we?”
Happy 4th!
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Sandy Geiger
The Garden Club of Gloucester
Monarch Butterfly
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Wednesday, July 4
Independence Day
Monday, July 9
Horticulture Committee, KVH 10:30 am
Development Committee, KVH 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 12
Restoration Fellowship Committee, KVH 10:30
Fri - Sun, July 13 - 15
Board of Directors, Charlottesville
Thursday, July 19
Journal Editorial Board, KVH 10:30 am
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I think there are few things more patriotic than taking the time to make your country a better place.
~M. Moore
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Restoration Committee News
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The Restoration Committee met in Lynchburg June 20-21 to visit Poplar Forest and Point of Honor. Work will begin this summer on a previously approved garden behind the home at Point of Honor. New funding for the following projects was approved.
- Continuation of work at Poplar Forest on a restoration of the carriage circle at the front of the house and addition of three oval beds based on Jefferson plans
- Replacement of two diseased Hewes Crab Apple trees at Belle Grove Plantation
- Plantings of trees and flowering shrubs in the parking area of Historic Christ Church in Lancaster
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On June 13 members of the William & Mary community and the Garden Club of Virginia gathered on campus to announce a new partnership between the two organizations. Funds have been raised to establish a campus beautification project in honor of outgoing president Taylor Reveley and his wife, Helen. The Reveley Garden will be located between Ewell Hall and Jefferson Hall. The university states that this one-acre garden is one of the most ambitious campus beautification projects in the university’s history.
The garden is inspired by a 1926 Charles Gillette plan created to connect the “new” women’s campus to the main campus. The plan was never implemented due to lack of funding. William D. Rieley, landscape architect for the Garden Club of Virginia, adapted the Gillette plan to fit the current space and needs of the university. In its newest restoration, the Garden Club of Virginia will create the pathways, beds and plantings of the new Reveley Garden.
Edited from Anne Baldwin
GCV Restoration Committee Chairman
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Historic Garden Week Boot Camp
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Historic Garden Week's Boot Camp VI was attended by 74 incoming tour chairmen and co-chairmen, and for the first time, all tours were represented! The energy and enthusiasm were palpable as we moved through presentations, discussions, break out sessions and the cocktail party where we revealed the 2019 HGW poster. The tour chairmen and co-chairmen are ready to create not only successful tours, but wonderful experiences for our visitors, as well as our members. Next year's Boot Camp will be on June 25 and 26.
Edited from Stephie Broadwater
GCV Historic Garden Week Chairman
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Purchase bulbs for fall bloom: Lycoris, Colchicum (autumn crocus) and Sternbergia are just a few good choices!
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Check for spider mites! Hold a white piece of paper under plant branch and tap. If you see crawling red dots, you have spider mites. Use one of the following organic sprays once a week:
- Cayenne Pepper Mix: 1 tsp. cayenne pepper mixed in 1 cup of water
- Garlic Spray: Two mashed garlic cloves in 1 liter of water
Roses
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Prune the leggy stems from your roses and fertilize after pruning.
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Prevent black spot!
- Water roses in the morning.
- Plant roses with plenty of space between the plants to allow air circulation.
- Plant roses in areas with plenty of sun.
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Organic sprays for black spot
- Baking soda and oil: Mix 1 gallon of water with 3 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp canola oil
- Neem oil: In garden centers
- Milk and water: Mix 1 part milk with 2 parts water.
Dahlias
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For stronger, fuller dahlias continue to pinch terminal buds through July.
Edited from Wendy Walker
GCV Horticulture Chairman
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Do you love
floral design
, but don’t have confidence in your ability? Do you get lost in
beautiful garden designs
and long to improve your landscape? What about
sustainability
in your garden? Are you interested in
Virginia's important historic landscapes
? What about winning a ribbon for your horticulture specimen, your most beautiful arrangement or your most stunning photograph? Or would you simply like to
relax, shop and dine
with friends?
The GCV Fall Symposium is for you!
Join us September 25 and 26 at the Science Museum of Virginia.
www.gcvSymposium.org
.
Registration is now open.
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The topic of “single use plastics” was in discussed at our GCV 2017 Fall Symposium when Christina Trapani and Katie Register presented facts, figures and videos illustrating the enormous detrimental impact these plastics have on marine life. Here’s how one club is getting involved.
Punt the Plastic Straw!
The Garden Club of Alexandria is taking on a cause that is simple but could affect substantial change. It is reducing the demand for plastic straws one eating establishment at a time by refusing to use the plastic version and requesting that the restaurant substitute paper straws instead. Plastic straws are “single use plastics” which typically refers to plastic straws, stirrers, utensils, and cups that are quickly discarded. It’s not that they can’t be recycled, it’s that the protocols and systems of many recycling facilities lack the ability to sufficiently process them. They are often too small or awkward, sometimes clogging the machines. Straws, particularly egregious, are one of the top ten items picked up on beach clean ups worldwide.
According to ecocycle.org, the US alone uses 500 million disposable straws daily - a number that would fill about 125 school buses. In a year, the straws would fill Yankee Stadium nine times, and the bus count would soar to 46,400!”
Those are some astounding numbers!
The club conservation chair was spurred on after visiting a busy restaurant in Miami, the Rusty Pelican. Her drink came with a paper straw! She asked the manager about the use of the paper straw versus plastic, and the response was “we want to do the right thing – we banned plastic.” Aha, she thought. It really is catching on! Why not Alexandria?
Over the summer, the conservation committee is asking all of its members to send back plastic straws when frequenting their go-to dining spots in Alexandria. The members will make note of the dining establishments that use paper - a thank you note to the manager will be a positive reinforcement. Most likely it’s just a simple fix of switching their supplier order!
The committee also plans to propose a city ordinance which would require that plastic straws be provided only when requested, and that offering paper straws would become the norm.
Edited from Lisa Mountcastle
Garden Club of Alexandria Conservation Chairman
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Sky Meadows State Park 2017 and 2018 Grant Recipient
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2018 Goals
Bring the Blue Ridge trail system into sustainable standards. Accommodate and attract novice hikers. Create the next level of continued self-directed exploration begun in the Phase 1 Children’s Discovery Area.
2018 Project Activities
Contract professional trail builders for relocation. Create trail features (benches, overlooks, fence crossings, and signage) using volunteer resources.
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2018 Expected Outcome or Impact
Provide quality experiences for users wishing to access high country vistas of the pastoral landscapes. Growing understanding, appreciation and user advocacy for wise land use. Provide quality experiences that develop appreciation and life-long healthy lifestyle habits.
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Sky Meadows Grant Application was sponsored by Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club.
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Alexandria
Ruth Brightbill
Barbara Warder
Augusta
Sherry Bourgeouis
Danville
Jan Lester
Franklin
Karen Cobb
Eva Howad
Mary Hunting
Susan Jones
Hillside
Cornelia Christian
Jill Fees
Amanda Smithson
Eleanor Webb
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Lynchburg
Nancy Cook
Ingrid McCrary
Nora Moore
Betsy Rhodes
Lisa Richards
Merrill Watts
Margaret Young
Martinsville
Gael Chaney
Jennifer Ingram
Diana Pacifico
Sarah Roberson
Northern Neck
Courtney Andrews
Evie Cox
Becky Latane
Molly Shafferman
Gail Sigler
Jo Wentzel
Princess Anne
Harriet Baker
Stephanie McSweeney
Susan Mulligan
Mary Smith
Chris Weiss
Aileen Whitaker
Spotswood
Cannie Campbell
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