2009 WGC Meeting Notes:
December 10, Watertown Garden Club Annual Holiday Luncheon, held at the Watertown County Club.
November 12, An Adventure through the Perennial
Gardens of Continental Europe
by: Robert Herman
Richard Hansen brilliantly meshed his Concept of Garden Design by Habitat with slides depicting continental perennial gardens. The concept uses a "German ecological approach to combining perennials based on universal plant habitats." His talk included reasons to consider habitat-based planting, guidelines to follow and his three "Design Premises." Interesting, informative and engrossing!
Club dues were collected for 2010. If you have not paid, please send your check to Shelley.
UCONN Cooperative Extention Service publication entitled "Rain Gardens, a Design Guide for Homeowners in Connecticut"
October 8, Pot Luck Luncheon
Yum. The Watertown Garden Club Pot Luck Luncheon was a treat. Good food,
good company - what's not to like? A nice addition to this year's event
was a trip down memory lane evoked by a stream of photos taken during
the past couple of years featuring Club members.
September 10, Fall Planting - Bulbs and Fall
Blooming Flowers
Laura Rock's presentation was exceptional. She shared tips of the trade;
demonstrated the creation of a potted, layered-bulb planting; and showed
slides of numerous bulbs and fall blooming flowers. Laura interjected
growing instructions, planting suggestions and ideas garnered over years
of experience. She offered to tend the layered-bulb planting this winter
for a Garden Club raffle next spring. You don't want to miss that raffle!
July 9, Garden Luncheon
Members who attended this year's Garden Luncheon were treated to a scrumptious
lunch prepared by Barbara and her family and served in the midst of their
beautiful gardens. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and hospitality.
Click here to view photos
June 11, Regular Meeting
The Annual Plant Sale and the Botanical Garden trip brought approximately
$3,000 to the club's treasury. A "thank you" was extended to
event organizers for their work in making these events so successful and
to residents, club members and local businesses for donations which in
the current economy were generous.
The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. acknowledged
the Club's donation to the Children's Garden Project.
Members were asked to RSVP one week before the July 9th
Luncheon.
June 10, Bus Trip to New York Botanical Garden
This event took place on a cloudy but dry day - perfect
for walking, enjoying and capturing on film the beautiful
grounds and gardens. The Perennial and
Rose Gardens were in full bloom, as were the Dogwood trees.
The Club thanks the many local businesses and citizens
who contributed to make the trip such a success.
Click here to view photos
Click here to view contributor list
New York
Botanical Garden Website
May 30, Community Service
The Town Hall, U. S. Post Office, and Oakville flower planters were refreshed
with summer annuals. Hostas were also added around the Veterans Park gazebo.
Click here to view
photos
May 21, Perennials - Old Favorites and New Introductions
Basic Care & Question and Answer Session
by: Susan Ryalls
Our first evening meeting of 2009 was well attended.
The program provided by Susan Ryalls was entralling and
of great interest, with spring planting on the top of
avid gardeners' lists. New and old favorite perennials
were studied. Pruning and other gardening tips were shared.
Click here to view photos
May 14, 2009, "Butterflies, Caterpillars and the Plants
That Feed Them"
by: Andy Brand, Broken Arrow Nursery
Prior to Andy Brand's fantastic presentation, and following
another great assortment of luncheon goodies, the Club's
monthly meeting was held. Reports were made, the scholarship
recipient announced, a summer planting date of May 30th
was set and the watering schedule was distributed. Details
of the upcoming Annual Plant Sale on May 23rd, May 21st
evening meeting and the June 10th Botanical Garden trip
were discussed. The June 10th trip will replace the Club's
regularly scheduled June meeting (unless members are notified
otherwise).
The presentation was centered around the basic requirements of Butterflies.
The two basic requirements being nectar sources and suitable plants for
egg laying. Plants that satisfy each requirement were depicted and discussed,
as were the butterflies associated with each specific plant. Many of the
plants preferred by butterflies and caterpillars are, in fact, weeds -
so be careful what you remove from your yard if you want to surround youself
with the beauty of butterflies.
April 9, The Art of Bonsai
by: David Silver of Bantam Bonsai
At the Club's April meeting the Vice-President announced
that our long-time and respected member, Ann Bowden, was
accepted by the The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut,
Inc. as a " Life-Member."
Discussions were held concerning the Club's upcoming
Trip to the New York Botanical Gardens on June 10th and
the 2009 Annual Plant Sale scheduled for May 23rd. Members
reported on activities associated with their respective committees.
After the regular meeting, David Silver instructed the
members on the care of bonsai.
March 12, Succulents for Connecticut Gardens
by: John Spain
John enthralled us with his knowledge and pictures of
succulents grown at his Woodbury residence.
