September Newsletter
I know we are all looking forward to our first official gathering of the year, this coming Wednesday at 5 pm at the home of Gail Barnett, co-hosted by Hilary Steinert. Parking for 35 Belknap Street can be a little tight, so consider finding a place on Thoreau or Main Street and walking back if you are able.
The Art of Flower Arranging at the Gardens at Clock Barn
Someone should tell Maureen Reuttgers that her garden’s annual Open Day for the Garden Conservancy is becoming something of an un-official GCC Autumn event! On Saturday the 14th, the Gardens at Clock Barn were not only glorious as ever, but also served at the setting for an exhibition titled The Art of Flower Arranging featuring the work of local floral artists. Six of our own club members made marvelous contributions, and here they are for you to enjoy if you missed it.
Wilhelmina van der Wansem
Prickly Pear, Hosta, Canna, Euphorbia Ascot, Geranium the Widow, Gold Coin Loosestrife, seed pods from Robinia, Siberian Iris, Eucalyptus, and Klapper Tree.
Erika Waltman
Dusty Miller, Podocarpus, Corylus, Snowberry, Carnations, Agapanthus, Tulips, Pieris, Lilies, Pink Garden Roses, Dahlias, Marigolds, Hydrangea, Queen Ann’s Lace, Cattails.
Jeanne Hamilton
Dahlias, Cosmos, Zinnias, Amaranthus, Celosia, Artichokes, Grapes, Radishes, Herbs, Cabbage, Peppers, Mums, Dusty Miller, Sedum
Kate Wharton
Pears, Peaches, Honey Crisp Apples, Fennel, Delicate Squash, Yellow Squash, Chives, Kale, Begonia, Lavender
Pam Nelson
Fennel, Ninebark, Orange Ilex, Lavender Roses, Dahlias, Hellebore, Agapanthus, Raspberry Branches, Ferns, Limonium, Clematis, Anemone, Scented Geranium, Tiny Pears, Crabapples
JoAnn Lovejoy
Sunflower and garden root vegetables
During my late morning visit, I encountered a number of club members, and have heard from two more about their visits when they sent along photos of the arrangements above. Thank you to Holly Salemy and Kate Chartner for helping me fill in the holes. If anyone else has photos of Garden club members (or good selfies) from Saturday, please send them along. Below are a few more snaps from the morning.
Andrea Meyers, Holly Salemy, Hilary Robinson, Julia Farwell-Clay
Seeking NEW Grant Applications
The Garden Club is looking for new recipients for our Grant Program. We are accustomed to hearing from some reliable applicants, but it is the Grant Committee’s sense that there are small and deserving groups out there who don’t know they could benefit from applying! As the deadline of October 16th approaches, keep your ears open for opportunities to direct Concord Community members to our Grant Application page, always visible on the public front page of the website.
Flower Arrangers for Meetings Needed
Please note that we are still needing arrangers for monthly meetings. We are still in need of 5 club members to volunteer to create a floral arrangement for one of our monthly meetings. The arrangements designed by club members are a much-enjoyed part of our monthly meetings. There are really no guidelines or requirements for the floral designs. In the past, our members have been inspired by the meeting topic, flowers growing in their (or a friend’s) garden, things growing in the wild, or flowers they come across at Wilson Farm or Trader Joe’s!
If you would like to volunteer, please enter your name under floral arranging in the Sign Up Genius 24/25 Garden Club of Concord Sign Up. Be sure to note which month you would like to provide the arrangement. Any questions – email Andrea Meyers.
Also: Save Tuna Cans for Cans for Caring!
Two Local Happenings of Interest
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society is holding The New England Fall Flower Show this coming weekend at Elm Bank. Vendors, lectures, food trucks, and more promise to make this a memorable day. Tickets are on sale at this website.
The New England Botanic Garden (aka Tower Hill) has a great exhibit, Flora in Flight, kinetic and aerial art by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. Final date to visit is October 31st.
Bookmark These Links
Hospitality sign-ups for the coming year can be found here
Committee sign-ups can be found here.
And as always, all sign-ups can be found under the Sign Up Genius link found on the front page of member resources. You can bookmark it if you like.
And don’t forget our new Programs Calendar (also included in your printed directory) offering guest lectures on the theme of “Concord’s Historic Landscape: Shoots Heard ‘round the World”. Our first lecture on October 16 will feature Cindy Brockway and her talk Fletcher Steele, Landscape Designer.
Just for Fun
One of my takeaways from touring Maureen Reuttger’s garden last Saturday is that my clivia houseplant is not as healthy as any of the thriving and deep green plants in her greenhouse collection. What am I doing wrong? If you like me find them to be a bit mysterious, add this to your podcast queue: How exactly should one take care of Clivia? Longwood Gardens’ Alan Petravich explains it all.
Another new curiosity to add to my list thanks to Maureen Reuttgers is zinnias. Here’s a quick read on the subject of using them in arrangements from Flower Magazine.
It’s not just Canada Geese! Ever wonder which birds are flying overhead at any point during this migration season? Checkout the BirdCast website.
Want to help the birds out on their travels? Here are some tips directed at Warblers, but generally useful.