Archives
July Happenings
Our July 20th meeting at Lee’s home was well attended and everyone had a chance to admire Lee’s beautiful home and gardens. The gathering was also an opportunity to exchange gardening experiences and, of course, share good food with friends.
Discussions ensued:
Food was enjoyed:
And photo opportunities were smiled for:
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Last spring the Environment & Conservation Committee awarded a $200 mini-grant to the Kingston Conservation Commision to help them with establishing a pollinator garden. This summer the Commission sent Chair Linda V pictures of the beautiful garden they created with the help of our mini-grant. Here’s their letter:
Good morning,
You gave us a mini grant last year for a pollinator garden. I just wanted to show you that the garden is flourishing and acting its part very well. The large patch of milkweed, which was the inspiration for the garden to begin with, is doing exceptionally well. The kids have started a composting program as well.
Thank you again for providing the “seed money” for this project.
Best,
Evelyn Nathan, Chair
Kingston Conservation Commission
ESRLAC
Coverts cooperator
Plant ConservationVolunteer, NEWFS
And here are some pictures of the results:
The pollinators are obviously enjoying this lush garden!
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It’s difficult to believe, but fall will soon be upon us. Our last summer celebration, sponsored by Environment & Conservation, An Appleiciuous Afternoon, will take place on August 17.
EAGC’s first General Meeting of the season will be Thursday, September 21, where our 2017 Mini-Grant winners will be announced.
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If you have a gardening success that you’re especially proud of, share it with other members! Email me a picture and I’ll make it available on the website. Send it to Webmaster at [email protected].
June Happenings
It’s hard to believe June is behind us. But we have so many fun pictures to share…
Of course the highlight of the month was our Annual Plant Auction and Luncheon, held on June 14 at the Portsmouth Country Club. (As you may be able to tell, garden hats were part of the theme.)
Tables overflowed with plants donated by members, including some beautiful house plants. Max did a stellar job of auctioning off everything by lunchtime.
Garden Hats were everywhere. Some made a fashion statement. Some made a different kind of statement (about the size of this year’s mosquitos, perhaps?)
How about these stylish gardeners?
We were even honored by the presence of two “Czarinas”.
More auction action…
These lovely table centerpieces were raffled off to some lucky members. They were created by Betsy A & Donna.
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On June 20th, some members enjoyed a Promise Tree tour of Max’s beautiful & very interesting gardens in Newburyport. Everyone found a least one plant that she wasn’t able to identify in Max’s mix of unusual and old-standby flowers.
As you can tell, it was a gorgeous day in a gorgeous garden.
February Happenings
At the February General Meeting, our club’s ” Artful Arrangers” presented floral interpretations of paintings by well-known artists. Each arrangement was backed by a board displaying the painting and a photograph of the artist. Arrangers gave an introduction to the artist, highlighting his or her life and style of painting, followed by insights on their floral creation and the accessories they chose to interpret their painting.
Membership enjoyed learning more about the artists, the paintings, the time periods, and details concerning choice of flowers, colors, accessories, containers, and the very different styles of arrangements.
The Design Committee thanks Susan Canada for her hospitality and those members who volunteered to be an Artful Arranger this year, including Jill who interpreted Pablo Picasso for the refreshment table.
–Ann and Connie, Design Committee
Claude Monet, 1840-1926, Woman Reading or Springtime, 1872, interpreted by Betsy A.
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), At The Theater (Lydia Cassatt Leaning On Her Arms, Seated In A Loge), 1880, interpreted by Lynne B.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, (1841-1919), Dance at Bougival, 1883, interpreted by Carol C.
Diego Rivera (1886- 1957), Girl With Sunflowers, 1943, interpreted by Carole C
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), The Starry Night,1889, interpreted by Betsy V
Salvadore Dali, (1904-1984), Swans Reflecting Elephants, 1937, interpreted by Ann S
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956), No. 5, 1948, interpreted by Linda V
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HORT MOMENT
Ikebana Lessons for Our Gardens
Even if you do not aspire to make arrangements like the ones that Merle Schlesinger created before our eyes there is much to take away from her program. Whether you draw out a design for your garden or (as is too often the case with me) wander around with pots of new plants in your arms trying to figure out where to put them, your garden will make you happier if you follow some of the ikebana principles. Here are some I jotted down as Merle spoke:
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Place your plants to encourage the eye to travel. This is true whether you are planting a bowl of succulents or an acre.
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Pay attention to negative space. The space between your plants is part of the design.
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Plant in odd numbers and slightly off kilter. Merle demonstrated this by creating a triangle with unequal sides. To use another example, if you are planting a bunch of daylily divisions place them in teardrop shape rather than a perfect circle.
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Place plants with attention to mass, line, color (remember green counts as many colors), shape, and texture.
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Keep in mind that a pleasing design has elements that advance and recede. This effect can be created quite literally or more playfully with color and forced or false perspective.
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With each of her designs Merle was careful to disguise her pin holder. Similarly in the landscape it is usually a good idea to anchor specimen plants with underplantings.
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Merle did not mention this but I noticed that she used repetition.
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Finally, be sure to walk around and look at your garden from lots of angles, preferably with a glass of your favorite beverage.