A PLEA from the editor:
1. If you wish to submit anything for the Hortensia, please identify yourself, your club, and district.
2. Please do not send anything by text! I will forget by the time I am preparing the next issue. I get tons of texts from family and friends. Email: gcahortensia@gmail.com
3. Please check your spelling and grammar and make sure all the relevant information is included. I find many, many grammar and spelling mistakes!
4. Checks for ads or memorials go to our State Treasurer. We trust that no one will try to cheat, otherwise, I have to then send them off myself. Send checks to: Barbara Anthony P.O. Box 2674, Phenix City, AL 36868
5. Please send text in a
document format, not a PDF
as I cannot easily edit a PDF. I am more than willing to add a design if your text is in document format. Please remember our format is 4.25” wide by 5.5” high.
7. Please send pictures from your computer in jpeg format. I received a number of photos for this issue which were too blurry to use. If you have an I-Phone please send them in large or actual format. The best way is to down-load as a jpeg onto your computer and then send them via email.
Joey Skaff
Thank you to our Patrons
Blossomwood Garden Club, Huntsville, District I Members who we have Passed
Julie DeBardeleden, Gulf Shores Garden Club
Fran Harry, Orange Beach Garden Club
Mel Cothran, Greensboro Garden Club
Malinda Sutton, 104 years old, Coker and Tuscaloosa/ Northport Clubs
circulation@gardenclubofalabama.net If your club has a sick member, notify us by email with the member’s contact information and we will send out a card from the state.
Linda Tucker 251-747-5767 lwhippersnapper@aol.com
gcahortensia@gmail.com
https://gardenclubofalabama.org/ Password for members only section: Montgomery1932 The cover photo is a design by Debi Harrington, the National Garden Club’s Designer of the month.
Dear Garden Club of Alabama Members,
I hope all of you have enjoyed your summer. Since we last met, I have had the privilege of representing you at the National Garden Club Convention in Denver, Colorado. Denver was beautiful in June and the weather was great. From the hotel we had a breath-taking view of the Rocky Mountains. I met lots of great gardeners and loral designers from all over the United States and Latin America. It was a very informative convention. Thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity to represent you.
I would like to challenge each garden club to enter at least one poster in the Smokey Bear and Woodsey Owl Poster Contest. To do this you just need to have a child in grades 1st through 5th grade color a poster and send it to our Smokey Bear Chairperson, Diane Clark. I know some clubs are having a hard time getting into the public schools to get the opportunity to work with children. But remember there are private schools, church groups, boy/ girls scout troops and even just your grandchildren. The entry just needs to be sponsored by a garden club. Please look at the information in this Hortensia and go to the Garden Club of Alabama website to ind a link to the National Garden Club Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Contest rules. https://gardenclub.org/smokey-bear-woodsy-owl-youth-poster-contest
I also challenge each club to apply for at least one award this year. All the Clubs across the state are doing such great projects and other things, you need to apply for the awards that we offer. We want to give you the recognition that you all deserve. Make this the year that your club applies for an award!
As the clubs start up again in the fall remember to invite people to come visit to see what you are doing. People love to learn about plants and lowers. I look forward to seeing all of you at your District Meetings in October. District Meeting are a great time to invite a friend to come with you too, the host clubs do such awesome programs for these meetings. Please remember to “Plant America”. I am looking forward to cooler days in October.
Kathy Sudduth
This ac vity is not restricted to schools. It can be an a er school ac vity, a group of neighborhood children, a scout group, a church group, etc.
Chionanthus virginicus
Chionanthus virginicus is a charming small native tree (15-30 feet) which grows in all of Alabama. It has many common names including Fringe Tree, Snowflower Tree, and Grancy Graybeard. It can be trained to be multi-stemed or a single trunk. It is slow growing. There is also a Chinese variety, Chionanthus retusus. Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardener describes it: It's tougher than dogwood, more dependable than saucer magnolia, longer-lived than cherry, and smells be er than a Bradford.
https://www.southernliving.com/ garden/grumpy-gardener/fringe-treethe-best-native-nobody-grows
White vs. Black Pots for Plant Growth
Researchers have found that containers in darker colors, especially black, heat the soil more. For instance, in one study researchers grew bush beans in black, white, and silver containers. Soil temperatures on the sun-facing sides of the containers were highest in the black pots and lowest in the white pots. The plants grown in black containers had significantly lower root mass than those grown in the white. The researchers found that the effect was less pronounced in plants that tolerate heat well. Choosing white or light-colored containers is most important for heat sensitive plants.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/container-colorand-plants.htm
Page 9
Changes to the Fall 2023 Directory
Protocol Chair: DeLaine Spencer, P. O. Box 137, Midland City, AL 36350; 706-570-5853, delspen@aol.com.
Page 28 Award #7/8 Wanda Dake zip code 35180
Pages 13, 30 Dorma Green New cell 659-213-9126 District Director, Award #22
District Director Posi ons
Distrct III
District V: Cynthia Saca and Kim Ransom District V Co-Vice Directors
District VI Judy Manning, Vice Director jbm36033@yahoo.com
Rose Winkler, Corresponding Secretary rmwinkler45@yahoo.com
Marilyn Ammons, Recording Secretary
Flower Show Judges Council Presidents
Council VII Mary Charles Ackridge, ackridge.mary.charles@gmail.com 251-236-0906
Council VII Barbara Ann Wilson, barbaraw400@comcast.net, 256-702-9055
Council VIII Deborah Harris, hsamdeb@bellsouth.net, 205-285-1480
District I
Blossomwood Jayne Venters venters4@hiwaay.net 256-783-8881
Cultura Cheri McCain cheri.mccain2012@gmail.com 256-710-4821
Florence Dee Hubbert deehubbert22@gmail.com 256-760-4603
Radiance Bankhead Bell bankheadbell@gmail.com 713-825-4544
Rivermont Leta Mathew math4774@bellsouth.net 256- 381-5612
Rural Acres Elizabeth Daniel edaniel12345@charter.net 256-740-7972
Town & Country Mary Beth Davis mdavisphoto2@icloud.com 615-429-6886
Trowelers M M Gamble mmgamble6@gmail.com 256-318-3116
Wayside Brenda Walker jelleac@gmail.com 256-778-8707
District II
Guntersville Koley Peterson koleypeterson@gmail.com n/a Jacksonville Mary Andrews queenmary37@icloud.com 256.365.1479
Pell City Shelley Hart shelleyhart24@gmail.com 636-439-8188
Rhododendron Rhea Pirch rheadrp@gmail.com 256-634-0108
Sco sboro Janet Sage janetbsage@yahoo.com 256-575-9366
District III
Blue Star Libby Stephens terryandlibby@bellsouth.net 205-514-4810
Crea ve Study Claudia Harris ciharrisal@yahoo.com 205-914-6424
Garden Dale Alice West alicewest1943@yahoo.com 205-901-4141
Lazy Daisy Salita Evere evere s@bellsouth.net 205- 285-7396
Pink color = new email
Li le Allison Manley
allison.manley@gmail.com
Plain Dirt Regenia Thomas ladybugregenia@bellsouth.net
205-999-1687
Red Mountain Sue Watkins scwatkins@telecom-transport.com
Roebuck Springs Amy Floyd aefloyd@bellsouth.net
205-833-3915
District V
Wedowee Stephanie Yates yatesclan@hotmail.com 678-621-3526
District VI
Canterbury Claude e Wilson 334-271-3627
Sca ered Seeds Elsa Wallace mamimausew@gmail.com
334-224-0156
Southern Charm Chris Shoup cshoup@charter.net
334-202-1842
Yaupon Barbara Eischens beischens@gmail.com 334-399-8956
District VII
Camellia – Eufaula Zoe Powell zoempowell@gmail.com 334-695-2975 The Chunnenugge Garden Club Cathy Ellis cellis9070@aol.com 501-454-0627
Tulip - Phenix City Catherine Marshall colonelsally@aol.com 334-468-9446
District VIII
Magnolia Springs Monica Massey massey5862@gmail.com 601-507-5204
Spanish Fort Kathy Sudduth kathymsudduth@gmail.com
251-978-0661
The below awards were left out of the Spring Hortensia
In Loving Memory of Brenda Ewing Myers
March 11, 1954 – March 30, 2024
We will miss you!
Brenda had a sense of humor that brightened the day for everyone. She brought joy and laughter to our club.
Ashville Garden Club, District II.
Flower Power Holiday Sales
The 2023 Flower Power Holiday bulb sale ne ed an easy $1000 for GCA.
The 2024 Flower Power Holiday Sales kick off on Oct. 18. Insert your club’s name at checkout where it states: as this is sales contest for our clubs. The numbers will be tallied, based on percentages of members to sales.
$100 First Place $50 Second Place
We will also have an photography contest where you can submit a photo of your Flower Power flower in bloom.
$100 First $50 Second $25 Third
More informa on will sent to your club president or you can contact: Leigh Cassady leighcassady@gmail.com
The Every Light a Prayer for Peace event will be held Friday December 6.
The Club Members Tea at the governor’s mansion is a treat for members to view the wonderful Christmas decor on the mansion’s first floor 2:30 to 4 PM. The mansion asks that no children under 10 attend.
Our chair, Suzy Shepherd needs a list of all attending at least two weeks prior to the event (in alphabetical order with the last name first.) One must be on the list to attend.
The Army Band will perform on the Capitol steps at 5PM and the tree lighting ceremony will run from 5:30 to 6 PM. If your club would like to create an ornament for the state tree please contact Suzy. Suzy Shepherd 334-376-2326
suzysgardenclub@yahoo.com
NGC Standard Flower Show Oct. 4-8
NGC Hor culture Specialty Flower Show Oct. 9-14 Presented by Southern Charm Garden Club and Yaupon Garden Club
GENERAL CHAIR June Cyrus 334-313 -0068
www.alna onalfair.org
Club Presidents and Award Chairs
Most Awards are due November 15 (unless otherwise noted)
Awards, their descriptions, their state chairs, and general information on how to apply for an award are in the Fall 2023 Directory, Pages 24- 46.
Also view suggestions by Barbara Wilson on page 16 of this issue.
Like and Follow us on FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/GardenClubAL
AWARD SUGGESTIONS
The below suggestions are by Barbara Wilson who is an awards chair. Some editing was done to keep it to one page.
GOAL: Your goal is to apply for awards. Do you have an award chairman or a committee to do this? That is the place to start. If you don't enter you can't win.
AWARD: What award are you applying for: Junior gardeners, garden therapy at nursing home, yearbook??? Find the number of that award and read what it takes to apply.
APPLICATION: All GCA awards have the same application form. You can download it from gardenclubofalabama.org. Just click on forms and then find the one for awards and print out as many as you need. You will need three for each award.
CLUB SIZE: Most awards are divided by the size of club. Small, medium or large clubs; depending on number of members in the club. Be sure you put it on the application form. Forms can be filled out online and then printed.
BUDGET: Do you have a budget? Is it $1 for each child in Jr. Garden Club or is $100 for the year? Is it $75 for garden therapy? Make a budget and keep your receipts.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION: This needs to have all the relevant information about the purpose, planning, participants, location, and the completion, otherwise, who, what, when, where. YOU NEED TO BE clear, concise, accurate, and brief as possible. Chairmen have a lot to judge. If space allows, then other details can be added.
DOCUMENTATION: You will need pictures of the beginning, middle, and end. Example: Pictures of clients with supplies before they begin, some taken while they are doing project and of the last finished project; probably a group picture. You can make a collage of pictures of individuals. Add text to explain the photos.
COMPLETION: Gather all the material together. Budget, receipts, pictures, description. You have three one-sided pages which includes the application form.
AWARD YEAR: January 1 to December 31 annually. All awards must be in BY NOVEMBER 15 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. If possible complete it before the deadline and be sure to send it to the correct chair. You can ask for a confirmation email from the chair.
SUGGESTIONS and POSSIBLE MISTAKES: Let other club members review your application, perhaps, one who has worked on the project and one who has not. Missing the deadline, a messy application, misspelled words, or a form filled out incorrectly can ruin your chances.
The European Paper Wasp
European Paper Wasps, which were accidentally introduced in the US in the 1970’s, are strongly patterned in black and yellow and are often mistaken for yellowjackets. Their antennae are predominately orange. They nest a bit earlier than native paper wasps and their eggs and larvae develop faster than native paper wasps. They are considered “invasive” and have replaced native species in some areas. While they are pollinators and contribute to pest management, multiple studies have found they negatively impact monarch caterpillar populations .
https://extension.psu.edu/european-paper-wasp
https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2212
Native Paper Wasp
The Radish
European Paper Wasp
Radishes have a power punch of health benefits.
They have an oxidants, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, potassium, calcium, the an fungal protein RsAFP2, niacin, thiamine, B6, folate and more. Their leaves are also edible and rich in nutrients. Except for some of the fancier varie es, radishes have a short growing period of ranging from 22– 40 days. They can be grown in pots once the weather cools. They can be spaced one to two inches apart. They do need consistent soil moisture for be er taste. Radishes are used around the world to prevent kidney stones, gall stones, and urinary tract issues.
Try roas ng some: h ps://therealfooddie ans.com/garlic-roasted-radishes/
Red Bay Garden Club, District I, we celebrated Arbor Day by honoring their oldest member Azilee Page who is 96. Our Arbor Day program was in honor of her. The big event was held at city hall. The club planted a 25 gallon Japanese maple at the Hoyt Keeton Walking Trail in her honor. A thoughtful member made her a scrap book of all her memories and of the Arbor Day program. This
Oregon
LaMar and Karen Merrill visited the beautiful International test Rose Garden in Portland,
We ask Director’s to send them after each Board meeting to:
gcahortensia@gmail.com
District VIII District Director’s August Report
District VIII has five very active clubs. We have a total of 264 members, Gulf Shores has, 101 Magnolia Springs 55, Fairhope 29 and Spanish Fort 29.
Our newest club Magnolia Springs is working on some very big projects. They are renovating the Arboretum that is the entranceway to the springs that give them their name. They have a big wine and cheese fundraiser coming up to help support that and their community is donating half of the cost to renovate, they are also working to place a Blue Star memorial on the property. I’m totally impressed by the participation in getting all of this off the ground they have been a wonderful addition to GCA and our district
Orange Beach Garden Club takes the summer off after a busy year. The last thing they do is work at the cemetery placing flags for memorial day on all the veterans’ graves after they clean it all up. They give a scholarship away to local student every year as well. After their busy year, they deserve a summer break club President Cathy Oakes shared!
Fairhope Garden Club also takes the summer off and their club president keeps very busy because she is also a Master Garden. Charlotte Croft their president will be taking my place as Director after next year‘s convention and she is going to be a wonderful addition to our board club has grown and does fantastic things for their community.
Spanish Fort Garden Club has been very busy and have a dedication ceremony at the USS Alabama Battleship for their Blue Star Memorial which they bought during Covid. They’ve had meetings on amaryllis and possums and had a plant swap. Kathy Sudduth is acting president for them currently..
Gulf Shores Garden Club has been busy passing out money for scholarships. Two students received $2000 each. The club sponsored 10 sea turtle nest for Share The Beach and donated $500 for a pathway brick for the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. A contribution was made to the Gulf State Park for their pollinator garden. The Sustainability Academy at Gulf Shores High School also received $500. We want everyone to know we have a fantastic celebrity speaker, Scot Wedgeworth for our Annual Floral Seminar that has 400 folks in attendance every year! We have secured a fantastic room rate of $89 which includes breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express few blocks from venue and hope many of you will attend! Check the GCA website for more information!
As in past years our Board is sponsoring the Fall District meeting so our clubs can just enjoy and share!
Thank you, Kim Edgerton, District VIII Director
14July 30th)
Zoom Call - GCA Board Meeting – July 30, 2024
Dorma Green - District IV Director
The Goldenrod club planted vincas in the planter at the old Jasper Memorial Cemetery in May and maintained the planter by pulling weeds, and removing ant beds from the planter.
The Greensboro club has been busy maintaining their landscaping projects at the Hale County Court House and Magnolia Grove. The members also had a “High Tea” fund raiser.
The Tuscaloosa/Northport club celebrated National Garden Week (June 2-8) by cleaning up their garden at the Historic Northport Train Depot which they planted in 2021 in Knock Out roses, drift roses and daylilies. Several members’ grandchildren participated in the cleanup. The club president obtained 5 gal buckets, gloves, trash bags and even car litter bags from “Keep Alabama Beautiful” to encourage members to get out in their communities and pick up trash and also to keep their automobiles clean of trash.
The Fayette club has an “Adopt a Park Project” in which they adopted the Guthrie Smith Park from the Fayette Master Gardeners (which no longer exists). They cleaned out the beds and now maintain all six flower beds filled with native plants. Fayette planted sun ferns in pots and placed them throughout their town for their town beautification project. They are also placing an emphasis on youth projects such as teaching 4-H Club children about their environment by reading books like Network with Nature, doing arts and crafts activities, along with learning how to plant seeds/plants.
The Tuscaloosa/Northport and Ceres clubs also work with school children and are planning to start a school youth garden club this fall. Some clubs honored our Veteran’s on Memorial Day by placing flags on veterans’ graves. Tuscaloosa/ Northport cleaned the planters and decorated them with American flags at the Veterans’ Memorial Hospital. They also put a red, white and blue floral wreath with small flags at the Welcome Sign at the corner of Main Ave and McFarland Blvd intersection.
To copy a full size version of this form go to the website:
https://gardenclubofalabama.org/forms-and-resources-2/
Garden Club of Alabama Timeline
Due Dates-for Club President
January 5-Club President Reports Due to District Directors for mid January Board meeting
January 7– Deadline for Spring Hortensia
February 1-Annual Club President Reports sent to Directors, GCA President Club of Distinction Reports due to chairperson
March 1-15 is usually time frame for GCA Convention Registration to be sent in if attending-check Hortensia for specific information
April-GCA Annual Convention
April after Convention Rosters emailed to clubs for updates
April 30 deadline for Spring Hortensia ads/articles
May 1-July 1 updated club rosters due to Circulation ChairpersonDonna Olsen emailed to circulation@gardenclubofalabama.net with any additions, deletions or changes listed at bottom after you verify spreadsheet for accuracy.
May 1-July 15 mail $6 per club member to GCA Treasurer, Barbara Anthony-she will need to know total numbers you are paying for and it should match rosters sent in via email to Donna Olsen. Please send her a copy of the roster also.
August 15 deadline for Fall Hortensia ads/information
August 15 Club updates sent to District Directors for Summer Board meeting
October 1 Reports due to District Directors for Fall Meetings held last two weeks of October usually
November 15 most Awards need to be postmarked
December 31-final count of club members on roster to use for Club
President Reports due January 5.
Due: February 1, 2025
The below is an order form for a highly recommended Floral Design book published by the Florida Flower Show Judges Council.
“What’s Your Type?”
Florida
Name:
Flower Show Judges, Inc. Order Form
Email address:
Mailing address:
Cell phone #:
2022 page inserts @ $20 X =
2023 page inserts @ $20. X _______ =
2024 page inserts @ $20. X =
Binder sold separately @ $12. X ________ = _______
Total (shipping costs below) # ________ $
We use USPS for shipping. Shipping cost for a single edition without the binder is $4.
There are 2 options for shipping the binders: a flat rate medium priority box for $19 or a tyvek priority envelope whose rate is based on weight and distance. The tyvek envelope’s cost is based on zip code to which it is sent and seems to range from $12.50 to $16 for one binder with or without 3 inserts. The medium priority box, accommodating up to 4 binders, is very economical for multiple shipments of inserts as well as binders. Contact us for custom shipping pricing of multiple items: annecollins@cox.net. Checks are made payable to FFSJ (Florida Flower Show Judges) and mailed along with shipping address to Anne Collins, 8 Chickamauga Lane, Destin, Florida 32541.
