LONE STAR Gardener - Texas Garden Clubs, Inc.€¦ · Lone Star Gardener Vol. 36, No. 2 The Lone...

OCTOBERNOVEMBERDECEMBER2005

The LONE STARGardener

A quarterly publication of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc.77 years • 1928-2005

www.texasgardenclubs.org

“Professor Einstein”

District X • Spring Bulbs

� Lone Star Gardener

Vol. 36, No. 2 The Lone Star Gardener October, November, December 2005Official Publication of Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. Published Quarterly: Jan. Apr. July Oct.www.texasgardenclubs.org

437 Clubs: 12,761 Members, 22 Councils, 55 AffiliatesMember of National Garden Clubs, Inc., 4401 Magnolia Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110National President: Kitty Larkin, W161 N5711 Bette Drive, Menomonee, WI 53051-5647South Central Region Director: Judi Davis, 44 Paradise Point, Quitman, AR 72131-8666

TEXAS GARDEN CLUBS, INC.Carol Russell, President

9914 RidgehavenDallas, Texas 75238-2623

214-348-2500 FAX: 214-348-2500E-mail: [email protected]

THE LONE STAR GARDENERMANAGING EDITOR

Brooke K. Lively6125 Merrymount Road

Fort Worth, Texas 76107-3572 817-732-5559 FAX: 817-763-5678

Email: [email protected] EDITOR

Linda Strassburger6662 St. Andrews RoadFort Worth, Texas 76132

817-294-7812 FAX: 817-294-7945E-mail: [email protected] ADVERTISING EDITOR

Peggy Moreland7719 Gran Quivira

El Paso, Texas 79904915-755-7647 FAX: 915-755-7649

E-mail: [email protected] EDITOR

Mary Ann Moreland528 Tripp Road

Sunnyvale, Texas 75182972-226-2787 FAX: 972-226-5962

E-mail: [email protected]

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE IS NOVEMBER 1, 2005

STATE HEADQUARTERS OFFICEJanice Croarkin, Office Manager

3111 Old Garden RoadFort Worth, Texas 76107-3498

(817) 332-6602 • Fax (817) 332-3802e-mail: [email protected]

HoursM - F 8:30-4:00

Closed Saturdays, & HolidaysClosed Mondays June, July, August

New Year’s Day, July 4, 1st Mon. in September, 4th Thursday & Friday in November, December 24, 25. The week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

The LONE STAR

GardenerCover: ABBOTT-IPCO, Dallas, TX

TABLE OF CONTENTSPresident’s Message ................................... 3NGC & SCR ............................................... 4About this Issue........................................... 5Garden Club Member of the Year .......... 6-7Celebrating District X ................................. 8Little Trees for Little Folks ........................ 9Forney GC ................................................. 10Community Involvement ............................11Daffodils................................................ 12-15Sunnyvale GC ............................................ 16Dallas Flower Show Judges ..................... 17Allen on the Web ...................................... 18Francis Arnold Ellis .................................. 19Susan Combs ............................................. 20What’s Coming Up ................................... 21From Headquarters ............................... 22-23

Subscription Rates- $3.00 per year Single Copy $1.00 +.50

October - November - December 2005 �

The President’s Message

President’s Travel Schedule

Dear Garden Club Members,Let’s talk Projects!In the Summer issue of The Lone Star Gardener new NGC projects

were introduced which have been adopted by Texas Garden Clubs. Matching grants in the funding of “Let Freedom Ring” projects offer garden clubs an opportunity to receive financial benefit in planning and executing community projects. The time is short to get these projects planned and submitted. Remember what qualifies for a Community Development project under the “Let Freedom Ring” program may also be submitted for an award under the SCR and TGC Civic Development. (See TGC Awards Brochure and SCR Communicator).

Want a suggestion? Consider Pocket Parks in your community; bits of land smaller than a city lot can be converted to a green space in the heart of your town. Sometimes generous landowners make a contribution for such a project to enhance the neighborhood. What

an opportunity to plant a memorial grove of trees to honor the patriotism of those who have served our country! Investigate Blue Star Memorial Markers to include in this small park, or add several benches, a trickling water feature, or just trees to provide a cool place to rest in the shade.

Remember Penny Pines for Texas Trees. Garden club contributions submitted to NGC are returned to the states with a matching contribution from the National Forest Service. The Texas funds will be designated for reforestation, protection from invasive species and any other threats to National Forests in this state. Consult the Non-competitive Awards in the TGC Awards Bulletin for further details. Kris Brown is National Project chairman and can assist you with information and required forms to be submitted with your $68.00 contribution. Be sure to list the honoree of your choice and also TEXAS as the state to benefit.

Garden clubs have begun meetings with the change of seasons. It is hoped membership recruitment is part of every agenda. Have a “Bring a Friend” meeting: drag out those wonderful scrapbooks; show off your fabulous horticulture achievement; dazzle those guests with a stunning floral design on the refreshment table. Welcome them to an organization that is committed to performance and progress.

Kathy Cox, Membership Chairman is developing material which will assist clubs in presenting information on what garden clubs have to offer new members; it will be available at the Fall Convention in Tyler, Texas, October 19-20. Convention Call and Registration information is found on page 22-23, The Lone Star Gardener, July/Aug/Sept issue.

You will have an exciting time at the Fall Convention with a trip to Camp Tyler to view first hand this worthy TGC project. At this Fall Convention garden clubs honor their outstanding member for the year 2005. It is an event you will not want to miss. It could be you!

See you in Tyler,

Carol

Oct. 19-21 Fall Convention, Tyler TXNov. 3 District X Convention, FriscoNov. 8 District II Convention, Ft. Worth

2006:Feb. 7 Lakewood Botanical Soc., Dallas

MEMBERSHIP

Clubs – Members – Affiliates


NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS, INC.

South Central Region - Regional Director Greetings to Texas Gardeners!As members of South Central Region, we are “Weaving a Gardening Tapestry to Beautify Our World”. I encourage you to participate in projects that relate to you and your community. As you plan your year, remember there are cash awards available for the work you are doing. Our Unified Project gives us 3 choices or ways to participate:(1) Plant patriotic trees to honor our military, police or firemen

(2) Support “Penny Pines” by your donation of $68.00 to help your state plant trees(3) Donate to Heifer International, either to purchase an animal or seedlingsI look forward to seeing many of you in Tyler March 31-April 1, 2006 for our South Central Region Convention, “Denim and Roses”. If there is any way I can help you or your club, please let me know as I am here to serve you. Happy gardening! Judi

National Garden Clubs, Inc. - 2nd Vice President Renee Blaschke of Smithville, Texas, serves as 2nd Vice-President of National Garden Clubs 2005-2007 - Finance Chairman. She has been a member of Texas Garden Clubs for almost 50 years and served as its President from 1991-1993. She has Master ratings in Flower Show School, Landscape Design School, and Gardening Study. She is a Master Design Consultant, having given design programs across the United States, and holds a Master Certificate from O’Hara School of Ikebana. Renee has a vast collection of Madonnas and gives design programs with Madonnas as her theme. Very active in civic matters in Smithville for 34 years, both

elected and appointed, Renee was the first woman elected to City Council as well as the first woman elected as Mayor, also having served as Tax Assessor-Collector. She is Chairman of Central Texas Recycling Association and Vice Chairman of Colorado River Floodplain Coalition. Renee installed the 2005-2007 TGC Officers at the TGC Spring Convention with a beautiful, inspirational program.

October - November - December 2005 5

You probably are wondering why we would feature a daffodil on the cover of the fall issue-it’s not Spring! But it is time to force bulbs for Christmas and to plant bulbs outside for spring show. Originally the thought was to write about bulbs in general but after much research that proved to require more space (like a whole magazine) than we could afford; the Narcissus triumphed.

Thank you to Mary Ann Moreland for her major contribution to the “Dazzling Daffodil” article (pg. 12). Hope you find something of interest while gaining

a little knowledge about this favorite flower. Bulb wholesaler, ABBOTT-IPCO, from Dallas was kind enough to provide the picture for our cover. Sondra Plunk

will gladly sell bulbs at wholesale to any garden club. Unfortunately individuals may not order, so pool your resources and call Sondra (800-525-1379). Garden Club Member of the Year nominees from each district are featured on pages 6 and 7, it is an exceptional group of garden club ladies. Plan to be in Tyler for Fall Convention where the winner will be announced. District X is the focus of this issue. Roseann Reece and Mary Ann Moreland started the ball rolling, prompting District X member clubs to send us lots of articles. What a diverse and active group of Garden Clubs! Take a cue from some of their activities and projects to motivate your club. Read about the wonderful Christmas Trees that the Plano GC creates each year (pg. 9) and the accomplishments of the Forney GC, winner of the NGC, Inc. Kellog Achievement Award and Principal Financial Group Grant (pg. 10). Sunnyvale tells you how they continually shine (pg. 16) and the Allen GC shares websites (pg. 18). The brief portrait of the individual districts (pg. 8) was written by Peggy Consolver for a program she gave at TGC Spring Convention in Addison. We incorrectly credited last month’s synopsis to Jackie LaTaste. Thank you, Peggy for all your hard work. TGC, Inc. is the recipient of an extraordinary gift from District III member Francis Ellis. Learn about this remarkable lady and her many achievements on page 19. We are truly thankful to Mrs. Ellis for her generosity.On a final note - as a result of the devastation in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the NGC, Inc. Patriotic Tree Planting Project, “Let Freedom Ring” and “Penny Pines” seem even more appropriate. Consider supporting these projects, not by planting trees in your own districts, but rather plant trees in the hurricane ravaged areas. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to honor the police, firefighters and armed forces that have sacrificed so much here on our own soil for our own citizens and simultaneously reforest the blighted areas? Don’t forget the NGC, Inc. Natural Disaster Fund that contributes to disaster projects both in the United States and abroad. You may send contributions directly to NGC, Inc. in St. Louis for this worthy cause.

Wishing you a Joyous Holiday and Dazzling New Year!!!

**** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - AWARD ENTRIES ****Please send all award entries to

PAT GRABER, 2618 Talina Way, Houston, TX 77080

About this Issue

FROM HEADQUARTERS - ADDRESS ADDITIONS AND CHANGESEleanor Floeck HQ Trustee & Nom. Com. Dist. V [email protected] Haley Blue Star Memorial [email protected] Clark Plant Societies [email protected] Embrey Chaplin 5055 W. Panther Creek Dr., #6223, The Woodlands, TX 77381 phone: 281-465-4888Vicki Roebuck Ways and Means [email protected] Wamerdam Wildflower Preservation 76007-5716

Please note:The Awards brochure is $5.00 not $3.00 as stated in the summer edition of the LSG


2005 NOMINEES FOR GARDEN CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR

DISTRICT III: Dottie SivessDottie became active in TGC, Inc. and NGC after joining a Texas garden club in 1972. Her service to garden clubs began, however, in the late 1950’s while living in Germany during her husband’s military service. She currently serves as District III chairman for the Headquarters Endowment Fund and the Resolutions and Courtesies Committee and is District III Trustee. She is on the TGC, Inc. Nominating Committee and is chairman of South Central Region Convention 2005-2007 and serves on the NGC Strategic Planning Committee. Dottie is a life member of District III, TGC, Inc., South Central Region, and NGC and is one of TGC, Inc.’s Crown Jewels. She is one of the three “Four Star” members in NGC,

meaning that she is a Nationally Accredited Life Flower Show Judge, NGC Environmental Consultant, NGC Garden Consultant and NGC Landscape Design Consultant. Dottie has held offices at every level of the organization. A few of these offices were: President of her garden clubs including Tyler Area and Texas Judges Councils; District Director; convention chairman for South Central Region and TGC Inc.; chairman of the NGC Environmental Schools and Landscape Design Schools. She is active in her community serving, for instance, as Vice President and Extension Officer of her chapter of Beta Sigma Phi; in addition, she volunteers at the local Hospice Thrift Store and Food Pantry.

DISTRICT IV: Mary PoythressMary’s enthusiasm spilled over into garden clubs when she joined her first club in Laurel, Mississippi at age 20. She became a Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge at age 21 in the 1950’s and has judged international shows over the years. She has been president of several garden clubs in District IV, two of which she helped organize and served as officer of the Greater Houston Chrysanthemum Society, Mum & More Society of Houston. She is a member of the Designer’s Guild of America, a charter member of the American Flower Arrangers Guild and serves on the board of Creative Designers of America and the Garden Center Advisory Board for Herman Park. In 2004, Mary represented NGC in the Chelsea Flower Show,

where she was awarded the Silver Medal for her design. She was invited to participate in the 2005 Chelsea Flower Show by the Vice President of the Royal Horticulture Society. Mary received the NGC Award of Excellence in 1997 and the 2004 SCR Member Award of Honor, All Around Excellence. Some of her offices at TGC Inc. include chairing state conventions, World Gardening, Gold & Silver Books, Historic Trails and Youth Projects. She helps fund the Woodsy Owl/Smokey Bear Youth Poster contests. She was chairman for the NGC President’s reception at the 1988 and 1995 National Conventions. Currently, Mary represents Houston Council on the Houston Garden Center Advisory Board.

DISTRICT VI: Maureen Duncan NickolausMaureen joined the Mission Garden Club in 1946 and helped organize the American Poinsettia Society in 1953. She became a Nationally Accredited Master Flower Show Judge in the 1950’s and now maintains her Emeritus status. She spent 25 plus years as a Flower Specialist for the Poinsettia Chapter. She authored the handbook and scale of points for judging poinsettias in 1967. She is one of our TGC, Inc. Crown Jewels and is a life member of TGC, Inc. and NGC. She served as president of the Mission Garden Club and the American Poinsettia Society, District Director and chaired the district flower show schools and publicity. Maureen staged product and costume shows at three TGC, Inc. conventions and was a speaker at one of the

conventions. Her artwork graced four issues of the Lone Star Gardener, the latest featuring poinsettias in October, 2002. She also served as Flower Show Chairman for District VI and held educational workshops, symposiums and seminars at the state level. The State of Texas cited Maureen for her outstanding service and dedication at the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration in 1986 and acknowledged, in 2004, her efforts to Keep America Beautiful. Maureen is still actively involved in her McAllen – Mission Garden Club where she teaches design during the monthly meetings.


DISTRICT VII: Andrea StoryAndrea is currently President of Corpus Christi and Portland Garden Clubs and Corpus Christi and Texas Judges Councils. She represents District VII as a TGC, Inc. Trustee and as an alternate on the TGC, Inc. Nominating Committee. In addition, she serves as a TGC, Inc. chairman for both Credentials and Flower Show Schools and Symposiums. Andrea is a Nationally Accredited Master Flower Show Judge, Master Design Consultant and Master Landscape Design Consultant and holds life memberships in NGC, Inc., SCR, TGC, Inc. and District VII. Since joining a garden club in 1984, Andrea has held numerous offices at the local and state level, chaired flower show symposiums, schools and the 2004 TGC, Inc. Spring

Convention. She has served the community through garden club activities, focusing on youth through the Bokenkamp Children’s Home –planting a vegetable garden and establishing a butterfly habitat. Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau recognized her efforts in 2003 for bringing meetings to the city.

DISTRICT IX: Kathy CoxKathy was Vice President for Scholarship for TGC, Inc. for the term 2003 – 2005. While in office, she saw the need to computerize the scholarship application process. In addition, she formed and chaired a committee to develop and support the TCG, Inc official website. A garden club member since 1994, Kathy has chaired various committees in her four garden clubs and served as President of three. She is a Nationally Accredited Life Flower Show Judge and is a member of the Southwest Judges’ Study Club, a group of judges from Texas District IX and New Mexico District IV. Besides holding every Vice-Director position, she has served as District Director, where she increased meeting attendance three-fold. She

co-chaired the TGC, Inc. Fall Convention in 2001 and is currently on the TGC, Inc. Board of Directors, serving as Vice President, Membership. Kathy’s community service includes such projects as the Historic MacGoffin House gardens and the Keystone Botanical Gardens. As a teacher, she held numerous offices and volunteered her creative talents to design programs and costumes.

DISTRICT X: Joyce CochranJoyce has chaired the Texas Design Seminar for the past eleven years, is a Nationally Accredited Master Flower Show Judge and a Master Design Consultant. She has chaired or co-chaired TGC, Inc. Garden Club Woman of the Year five times since 1992, been on the TGC, Inc. Board of Directors/Executive Committee since 1992 and chaired the TGC, Inc. 2005 Spring Convention. She currently serves as TGC, Inc. Parliamentarian. Joyce is a member of Brookhaven Garden Club, TNT Judges Study Club and Dallas Flower Show Judges, Founders Group. In addition to holding various other offices and chairmanships, Joyce served as president of Dallas Council of Garden Clubs for two terms, Dallas North Garden Forum and

Brookhaven Garden Club. She was District Director from 1993-1995. For the past four years Joyce has represented garden clubs on the Texas Discovery Gardens Board of Directors and been a Conservatory Guide for the past eight years. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden utilizes her as a garden guide, a docent and a “guard” for the Christmas Nativity Scene. She is a member of the Dallas Parliamentarians and is Administrative Council secretary for her church. Joyce is a charter life member of District X and holds life membership in TGC, Inc., SCR, and NGC Inc. She was the 2004 recipient of the NGC Award of Honor and was recognized as a Crown Jewel in 2003.

2005 TGC, INC. GARDEN CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR

TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE FALL BOARD MEETING IN TYLERTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20TH DURING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

EACH NOMINEE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND SHOULD ASK THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND


Celebrating District XWhich District was launched in 1987 by the release of hundreds of balloons at its first Fall

Convention, is the home of Big Tex. the Texas State Fair, the Cowboys, the Mavericks, the Stars, the alma mater of First Lady Laura Bush and is the proud home of TGC, Inc. State President Carol Russell?

One of the smallest districts in land size, District X encompasses Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall counties in the Blacklands area of North Texas. In 1987 these eight counties, originally part of District II, withdrew to form District X. Comprised of 62 Clubs, 3 Forums, 1 Council and 5 Affiliates, District X members are actively involved at the State, Regional and National level.

Little known facts about District X: it is the home of Marian Scruggs the first president of TGC, Inc. and the third president of NCSGC., now NGC, Inc.; the best fruitcake in the world can be found in Corsicana; Ennis is the home of over 40 miles of mapped “Official Texas Bluebonnet Trails”; the top TGC, Inc. gold club winner several years running is in Sunnyvale; Plano GC is one of the fastest growing clubs in TGC, Inc.; District X was the 2004 winner of the Mary Louise Michie Membership Extension Award.

The colorful District banners displayed at all TGC, Inc. conventions were the idea of Lucy Hendy. Nell Denman and Betty Lou Woods stitched together the first banner for the convention in 1987 to launch District X. The other districts were duly impressed and voted to design and make a banner for their own district to be displayed at all State conventions. Peggy Consolver

Carol Russell, TGC PresidentBorn in Waxahachie and raised in the Houston area, Carol moved to Dallas

from the East Coast with her husband and their three children. As a busy mother, Carol quickly became a windowsill gardener. Stubborn soils and lack of gardening time failed to deter her love of growing plants from seed. There were small apple, orange, grapefruit, papaya and avocado trees over the kitchen sink…..some failed to thrive when moved outside, but one avocado plant became a tree (almost).

Supplementing plant life in the kitchen window was an interest in the activity at the outside birdfeeder. With a camcorder handy, films were made

of the feathered visitors providing ample material for “My Birds”, a program Carol has presented to family, friends and a local garden forum. Carol, who became involved in garden club activities in 1980, is a Master Flower Show Judge and Design Consultant. She is a Life Member of NGC, Inc., SCR, District X and TGC, Inc. Carol has chaired many state committees and served on the NGC, Inc. and SCR Board as co-chairman of the 1995 National Convention.

Roseann Reece, District X DirectorBorn and raised in New York City, Roseann met and married a native Texan

and moved to Houston where she, as a young bride, started garden clubbing in the early ‘50’s. A new business venture at the Dallas Trade Mart required the move to Dallas where flower show schools were completed and she finally realized her goal: Master Flower Show Judge.

Active in her husband’s business, she also stayed very involved in garden club work, serving in many offices and chairmanships including President of Dallas Flower Show Judges and White Rock Garden Forum. Her husband’s sudden illness kept her tied down for several years but she is back to her love of

garden club work and many friends. Being District X Director is a great privilege for her. Roseann has one son and two grandchildren. Her theme “Meet Goals with Positive Actions” defines her attitude and she looks forward to a very productive two years with a terrific District.


In 1947 nine civic-minded, industrious ladies formed the Plano Garden Club with the express purpose of beautifying the city of Plano. The club’s first project was landscaping Haggard Park, which is now a showplace in the center of downtown Plano. They continue this tradition today with a P.E.T.A.L.S. grant in 1994 from Shell Oil Company to plant wildflowers and one in 1999 to landscape the Samaritan Inn, Colin County’s homeless shelter, in McKinney, Texas. When the Samaritan Inn moved in 2004, The Plano Garden Club again volunteered their time and expertise to landscape the new facility.

Their first flower show was held in 1948 and over the years flower shows have been an integral part of the club’s efforts to educate the public and stimulate interest in horticulture. They provide an outlet for creative expression and for sharing the objectives of NGC. Those efforts have been recognized recently by receiving the prestigious NGC Flower Show Achievement Award in 1991 and 2001. The Club hosted Garden Tours in 2002 and 2004, both fantastic successes, making new gardening friends and earning over $13,000.00 for college scholarships.

The Plano Garden Club does not limit its volunteer work to gardening related activities. The club has contributed teddy bears and pajamas to the Children’s Advocacy Center each year since 1985 and miniature holiday trees at Christmas to the oncology patients at Children’s Medical Center since 1998. In a recently submitted article Ann Hawkins wrote:

“The highlight of the Christmas season for many Plano Garden Club members is creating small Christmas trees for young cancer patients at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. This tradition celebrates the life of Alexandra Loncar, granddaughter of Charolette Loncar. In the mid-1990’s, Club members prayed for Alexandra and her family through the many stages of the cancer that ultimately took the beautiful child’s life. The Christmas tree project was initiated to honor this brave little girl. Over the past seven years, more than 400 trees have been provided through the project.

The children are not the only ones to benefit from the tree project. Plano Garden Club members have found that besides being a way to do something special for the children, the project has also been a way to enhance their personal holiday season by sharing in this tradition with other Club members.

Little Trees for Little FolksAs a result, lasting friendships have formed as Club members enjoy a feeling of shared purpose. Every year they are inspired by the joy and courage of the young patients at the Dallas Children’s Medical Center.

Originally, many people thought it would be a wonderful idea to decorate trees and deliver them to the hospital, but the project really got its start when Marilyn Winter invited the members to use her garage as a craft room. This worked out beautifully because we had room for all our workers and storage space for the supplies and trees.

Presently, the project kicks off in November when, for five days, Charolette Loncar transforms her home into a workroom for the many Plano Garden Club members and friends who come to decorate trees. Every year the number of contributors increases. The workroom is full of garlands and all types of trimmings - ribbon, tinsel, stars, silver beads, ornaments, brightly colored balls - cover the enormous dining room table. The designers transform the trees into beautiful creations. Each tree is unique and a tree is prepared for each child. The Club members perfect each detail and look forward to delivering the trees to the excited recipients.

Finally, the trees and their decorations arrive at the hospital; this is the day that everyone has been anticipating. The boys and girls become involved in the event by choosing their own special tree…one with cool cars, frilly lace, or glitter accents. The smiles on their faces are a very special “thank you”. The nurses and staff tell us that they look forward to our visit every year because of the joy and excitement it brings to their patients. They say it is one of the highlights of their Christmas season.

Since the first season, the number of trees has grown from 18 to 70 annually. The project has also expanded to provide trees for Plano Garden Club members who are ill.

Although many enjoy receiving the trees from the Christmas Tree Project, the people who benefit most are the Plano Garden Club members and their friends who participate by donating the tree trimmings and spending hours using their creative talents to make others happy. Ultimately through this work for others, they more fully appreciate the real Spirit of Christmas themselves.

The members of the Plano Garden Club hope this project will encourage and inspire other garden clubs to increase their community outreach during holiday periods and throughout the year.

10 Lone Star Gardener

Gardening is a Way of Showing You Believe in TomorrowForney Garden Club

Xeric gardens have long existed in drought plagued areas, but only recently have they gained in popularity. There are seven principles of xeric gardening: planning and design; soil analysis and improvements; choosing the right plants; practical lawn care; efficient irrigation; use of mulches; and maintenance. A Xeric landscape, with its drought-resistant plants and grasses such as buffalo grass, can reduce water use and maintenance by as much as 50 percent. Forney Garden Club’s concern over water conservation prompted members to choose these principals of gardening for their project.

The garden was started in 2001 when Kaufman County Commissioner Ken Leonard presented his vision of a garden on the grounds of the Forney Sub-courthouse to the members of the garden club. The Forney Garden Club wanted to create an attractive public garden demonstrating recycling, composting, water-efficient landscaping, minimal chemical use, the use of native and adapted plants, as well as recycled materials. They have accomplished their goal and won awards for their efforts. They have won not only the Texas Garden Club’s Civic Achievement Award, but the National Garden Club’s Kellogg Civic Achievement Award and The Principal Financial Group’s Waterwise Award of $500.

Landscape architect Michael Parkey, formerly with the Dallas Arboretum, designed the 5000 square-foot-garden. The Club members needed to raise the level of the garden by three feet so they recycled soil from the new high school stadium construction project to reduce costs. They then installed a pathway, arbor, fencing and a pavilion made of recycled material and planted the selected plants and grasses with the help of their “free” labor, the Kaufman County Jail Trustees. An information center provides visitors with brochures on composting, recycling, the use of native plants, and additional gardening tips.

“One of our goals is to help educate school children on the principles. We also want to provide a place for residents, especially the many “newcomers” to Forney, to see this garden and – perhaps realizing that high water and fertilizer use are not necessary for a beautiful garden – convert their own garden to more environmentally friendly plants and gardening practices,” the state award application reads.

For the past two years, children have been able to visit Santa in the pavilion after his arrival by horse drawn carriage during Forney’s Hometown Christmas Celebration. Several weddings have been held in the garden with donations for the use of the garden allocated for care and maintenance. Classes are offered to all Forney 1st grade students in gardening and conservation. The garden has made this site more user friendly, safer and a center of community enjoyment.

Forney Garden Club was founded in 1984 with 13 charter members. They now boast 50 members, 16% of whom are Master Gardeners. They continue to maintain the garden with the help of other local organizations and volunteers. The completion of the garden has been a long time coming. But now that it is done, they are seeing more rewards than they ever thought possible. Those rewards just seem to multiply each day, as more and more people visit the garden. Their Book of Evidence for the Civic Achievement Award expresses the feelings of every member of Forney Garden Club about this project. “…every day, we are becoming more aware of what an asset this garden is to our community, whether it’s seeing a boy and his dad ride up on their bikes so the child can show dad the funny “Bat-Faced” plant and the Lamb’s Ears he saw on his school field trip – or a sweet, elderly lady, full of kind words, who stops at the garden each day on her walk – or a busy, working man who drives up to the garden just to sit and look, while eating lunch. It has been a long, sometimes difficult process, but all of us feel it was truly worth it!”


COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THRIVES IN DISTRICT X

Brookhaven Garden Club Promotes Garden TherapyBrookhaven Garden Club, founded in 1959 and federated with the Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. in 1960, has 29 members. They were the first runner up for TGC, Inc. Bronze Club of the Year in 2004. The club meets from September through May at the Brookhaven Country Club, Farmers Branch. For their new project, Club members presented a Garden Therapy program to a group of residents at the Village Oaks at Farmers Branch Assisted Living Home – an Emeritus Certified Community- on March 17, 2005. The program, headed by Club President Barbara Roberts and

Project Chairman Kathy Ames, consisted of helping residence members pot a flowering plant, a discussion of state flowers followed by reading the book, “The Legend of the Bluebonnet”, by Tomie Depaola, and a discussion of mockingbirds, our state bird. The afternoon ended with a sing-along of flower related songs and each lady was presented with a bookmark made by a Brookhaven Garden Club member. Binion Amerson, President

They signed the dotted line…..

The First Men’s Garden Club of Dallas and Mrs. Nancy Wilten recently signed a commitment to give $100,000 to the Dallas Arboretum for a new one acre plant collection. What a terrific undertaking!!

L to R - John Hunt, Johnette Roundtree Taylor, Dave Forehand, Nancy Wilten, Tom Wilten, Charles Thompson, President and Jimmy Turner

Country Gardeners - 2005 Volunteer of the YearCountry Gardeners of Crandall, Texas, was recently recognized as the 2005 Volunteer of the Year by the city of Crandall. The club became a member of TGC, Inc. in January 2003 and immediately adopted the “Mary’s Garden” gazebo as their civic development project. Maribeth Brown served as liaison to the city and Debra Middleton coordinated the workers and plantings. Country Gardeners utilized “Mary’s Garden” for their Arbor Day celebration on April 29 by selling plants grown by their

members and raffling off a wildflower basket and a bluebird house. In addition to maintaining the “Mary’s Garden” gazebo, the club participated in the Kaufman County Cotton festival in September 2004 and is planning for the upcoming event this September. Their 25 members, who meet in the evening year round, adopted as their flower the cotton boll, which represents the industry in that area.


Dazzling DaffodilsWhat is it about daffodils that grabs our attention? Perhaps they remind

us of our childhood; maybe we know that spring has arrived when their yellow heads dance in the breeze; or could it be the lack of maintenance they require, popping from the ground year after year. Daffodils are one of the easiest, most rewarding bulbs to grow successfully and are one of the most reliable for naturalizing. Native to Europe and the Mediterranean, the daffodil can be found around the world and comes in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes. The Tazetta Narcissi (Paperwhites) are found throughout Asia, into China and Japan. As one of the most popular

flowers known, the daffodil thrives in most parts of the US including Texas. You may hear them referred to as jonquils, but joquillas are only one division of daffodils.

The first classified list of daffodils was published in 1908 by the Royal Horticulture Society. Determined chiefly by measurement, seven divisions were adopted at that time, but have been revised twice and now includes thirteen divisions. There are over 25 species of daffodils and 20,000 cultivars. Daffodils are not just yellow; their cup or corona can be pink, orange or red with petals - perianth - that are yellow, cream, white or orange.

A daffodil is a spring bulb which is a complete miniature of a plant encased in fleshy, modified leaves. The leaves and flower bud are anchored by a plate at the bottom called a basal plate, which also holds the roots. When you purchase a bulb in the fall, it contains all the food needed to flower and thrive.

Buying top quality bulbs for fall planting is important to the bulb success. Look at the size of the bulbs and number of offshoots on each bulb. Bulbs are sold by size, as measured by their circumference in centimeters. The size of the bulb often determines the number of blooms it produces. Daffodils have “noses” - or growth points - that look like separate bulbs. A #1 double-nose bulb means there are three noses or offsets on the bulb, and you should get three or more blooms; a #2 double-nose features two or more blooms, #3 double-nose bulbs usually have one nose and one or more blooms. The larger the bulb, the larger the bloom. Select good, healthy bulbs that are firm to the touch and free of blemishes and scars. Make sure the basal plate is attached to the bulb and there are no holes.

The best time to plant is about six weeks before the ground begins to freeze at night. Check the hardness zone for your area and plant when the soil temperatures are no higher than 54˚F. Daffodils require good, full sun and protection from wind.

Plant in clumps of odd numbers - 5 to 7. By planting the same color in a triangular or “H” pattern, you will achieve a nice burst of color when they bloom. Be sure to loosen the soil below the depth the bulb is to be planted. If amending the soil, spade at least 12 inches deep to facilitate root penetration. If the bulb is planted six inches deep, the roots will go down another six inches. Add compost and mix fertilizer with the soil as determined by a soil test. Mix about a tablespoon of low nitrogen fertilizer that contains no more that 5 percent nitrogen as excessive use of nitrogen encourages basal rot. Manure should also be avoided. Cover with a layer of soil or tiny gravel to prevent the bulb from coming in contact with fertilizer. A special note about fertilizer: the fertilizer you put in the ground this year is for next year’s growth. Set the bulb with the pointed end up in the planting hole and cover with amended soil. Plant 6” deep and 6” wide for large bulbs, 4” to 5” for medium bulbs and 2” to 3” for miniatures. If the soil is dry, add water and allow it to soak in before adding more soil. Bulbs that sit in soil that is wet will rot. Daffodils like plenty of water while they are putting out roots. Finally, cover with mulch. Mulch minimizes weed growth, lowers soil temperature in the summer and warms it in the winter, retards moisture evaporation and reduces soil spots on the flowers during watering and heavy rains. Allow foliage to die naturally - do not remove the foliage, lift or divide the bulbs until the foliage turns yellow. The bulbs need the leaves to help produce food for the coming year.

Jimmy Turner from the Dallas Arboretum Plant Trails and ABBOTT-IPCO gave us a list of their favorite daffodils that do well in Texas: Geranium and Ice Follies for southern gardens; the early bloomer, Fortissimo - a trumpet daffodil; Avalance and Erlicheer for naturalizing; and Lemon Beauty, a split corona. Also mentioned were Barrett Browning, Suzy, Trevithian, Jetfire and Tete-A-Tete.

Narcissus (nar-ciss’us)Botanical name: NarcissusCommon Name: Daffodil, Narcissus, JonquilFamily: Amaryllidaceae, amaryllisHardiness: zone 4-8Soil: well drainedLight: sun, tolerates partial shadeBloom time: late winter/early spring

October - November - December 2005 1�

Division 1 – Trumpet Daffodils One flower to a stem; corona (trumpet or cup) as long or longer than the perianth segments (petals)

Division 2 – Large-cupped Daffodils One flower to a stem, corona more than one third but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments

Division 3 – Small-cupped Daffodils One flower to a stem; corona not more than one-third the length of the perianth segments

Division 4 – Double Daffodils One or more flowers to a stem, with doubling of the perianth segments or the corona or both

Division 5 – Triandrus Daffodils Usually two or more pendent, head drooping, flowers to a stem; perianth often reflexed and of silky texture

Division 6 – Cyclamineus Daffodils Usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments reflexed; corona straight and narrow at an acute angle to the stem with a very short pedicel (neck)

Division 7 – Jonquilla and Apodanthus Daffodils Usually one to three flowers to a rounded stem; leaves are narrow, dark green; perianth segments spreading not reflexed; fragrant flowers

Division 8 – Tazetta Daffodils Usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem; broad leaves; perianth segments spreading not reflexed, segments rounded and often crinkled; fragrant flowers

Division 9 – Poeticus Daffodils Usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments pure white sometimes stained with a corona color at the base; corona usually disc shaped, with a green or yellow cener and a red rim; fragrant flowers

Division 10 – Bulbocodium Daffodils Usually one flower to a stem; perianth segments insignificant compared with the dominant corona; anthers dorsifixed (attached moe or less centrally to the filament); filament and style usually curved

Division 11 – Split Corona Daffodils Corona split rather than lobed for more than one-third of its length

Division 12 – Miscellaneous Daffodils All daffodils not falling into any one of the previous Divisions

Division 13 – Daffodils distinguished solely by botanical name

I wander’d lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o’er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

DaffodilsWilliam Wordsworth

(1770-1850)Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the Milky Way,They stretch’d in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

What’s in a NameThe Roman poet Ovid tells the story of Narcissus in ancient Greek mythology. The

handsome youth, Narcissus, fell in love with his own reflection while bending over a pool of water. So much in love was he, that Narcissus was unable to move, grew roots, died in the “springtime of his life” and was changed by the gods into the spring flower, Narcissus.


Daffodil Lover’s Paradise!!Mrs. Lee’s Garden south of Gladewater is a daffodil lover’s paradise.The garden is a 700-acre working cattle ranch/nature reserve. Mrs. Lee planted more

than 1 million daffodils in the early 1960’s. She purchased an entire boxcar load of daffodil bulbs from Holland and then helped her workers plant them. The bulbs have since multiplied to produce about 20 acres of blooms each year. When Mrs. Lee died in 1984, she endowed a foundation to care for the estate. This organization maintains the gardens, paths and ponds. The gardens are viewed by car as you drive along a four-mile dirt and gravel road. The views are spectacular!

The garden is free and open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from mid-February to mid-March.

Phone in advance for flower conditions and directions: 903-845-5780

Sherri Watts, Smith County Master Gardener Texas Cooperative Extension

Texas Daffodil Society

Even though they call it “yellow fever,” these club members are not physically ill, but their fever is contagious. They are crazy about daffodils. The Texas Daffodil Society, headquartered in District X, was founded in 1957 and today boasts close to

40 members. While most of them live in the Dallas metroplex, there are members who drive from Mount Pleasant, Odessa and even Oklahoma to learn more about this bulb. If you think the only daffodils grown are yellow, visit their annual show on March 11 and 12 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society. You will find all sizes, forms and colors. You might even find “Dottie’s Dream,” a bulb named for president Dottie Sable by a Holland grower. The catalogues describe it as “an extremely refined daffodil with sparkle and charm like its namesake; soft yellow petals with a salmon pink cup.And, don’t be shy with the questions. The Texas Daffodil Society has two American Daffodil Society Instructors and seven ADS judges, some of whom are also Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges. Two of their members are second generation daffodil growers.

A delicious, easy recipe that guests love!Complements of Asst. Editor, Linda Strassbuger

“Daffodil Dip”

Lemon yogurt mixed ½ & ½ with Cool Whip.Serve with strawberries and other favorite fruits.


Forcing Bulbs for the Holidays

The anticipation of Christmas at our house has come to include the sweet scent of paperwhites. For years my cousin and his wife have graciously delivered bowls of these fragrant, snowy white blooms to their entire extended family. What a treat for us.

Narcissus, or paperwhite, is a perfect bulb to force indoors - and so easy. All you need is a bowl, pebbles, bulbs and water to enjoy a burst of spring during the winter months. Use a shallow container about 3 – 4 inches deep without drainage holes. Place the pebbles or marbles in the bottom of your container, place the bulbs – an odd number, 3 to 5 - gently on the washed pebbles/marbles. Add pebbles/marbles around the base of the bulbs to hold them in place. Fill the container with water just to the bottom of the bulbs insuring that the basal plate is not sitting in water. Keep at least an inch of water in your container during the growing and bloom time. Place the bulbs in dim light until they have taken root; when the roots are well established and the shoots are 3 – 4 inches long, move the container to a brighter location out of direct sunlight. Begin forcing paperwhite bulbs in early to mid-November for blooms throughout Christmas and January. They take 4 – 6 weeks to bloom. As the narcissus grows taller, you may need to tie them together or stake them to keep the shoots and blooms upright.

Hyacinths are also an easy bulb to force in a bulb glass or in soil. Another excellent choice is the amaryllis planted in potting medium. Both of these bulbs take 6 to 8 weeks or longer to bloom.

Select plump, firm amaryllis bulbs for planting. Choose a clean pot or container that is about one inch larger than the bulb. Place gravel in the bottom of the pot for drainage. After soaking overnight in lukewarm water, plant the bulb in potting medium, leaving the top half of the bulb just above the soil line. Fill in with equal parts damp sand, peat moss and soil. You may add 1 teaspoon of slow-acting 5-10-5 fertilizer per quart of planting medium. Water moderately until growth begins then water more freely keeping the soil damp but not waterlogged. Place the pot in a warm spot out of direct sunlight until the buds appear. Once the bulb begins to show top growth, move it to brighter light, turning daily to maintain a straight flower scape. Amaryllis can be found in a wide range of colors not just the traditional red. Enjoy these spectacular, exotic blooms throughout Christmas and January. You may plant your bulb in its pot in the garden after the last frost.

Inventive Schedule for Planting BulbsIt is easy to forget when to plant bulbs for spring bloom. Sally McQueen Squire came up with a clever solution. She recommends planting on holidays. Now that’s creative and something we can all remember. Veterans’ Day – start forcing “paperwhites” for Christmas gift giving and your own

enjoyment. Plant additional bowls every 2 weeks for a longer blooming season. Start amaryllis bulbs in a low light area to be in bloom for Christmas.

Thanksgiving – plant daffodils and hyacinths outside. New Year’s Eve – plant tulips now through February 13 - because…….. Valentine’s Day is the traditional day to prune roses. Easter – time to plant caladiums – caladium bulbs will rot if planted in cold soil.


A RAY OF SUNSHINE IN SUNNYVALE!!!!“Welcome From Sunnyvale Garden

Club”--that is the greeting on the sign to the Township of Sunnyvale, and it embraces what Sunnyvale Garden Club is all about--being the heart and soul of the community. The Club is the oldest and largest in Sunnyvale, growing with the community since its first labor pain (the town was incorporated in 1954, the Club was federated in 1960). The Sunnyvale Garden Club helped with the establishment of the Public Library in Sunnyvale, landscapes its parks—and the median with the Welcome

sign, supports the Volunteer Fire Department with tuition funds for training and with the purchase of a mobile defibrillator unit for the ambulance, tirelessly works with the Sunnyvale Public School and joins with other civic minded groups such as the Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, and Sunnyvale Education Foundation to build a better community.

The Club also likes to have fun--and to share this fun with their community of friends. There is always the booth at the annual Sunnyfest (Sunnyvale’s “community fair”), the annual Sunnyvale Garden Club’s Christmas Tour of Homes (this fundraiser has become a community tradition), annual flower shows open to the public, teas and luncheon(s) on the lawn, and, of course, the FAMOUS Summer Symposiums. These are held on summer evenings and are a time of fun, friends, and food and open to everyone. And, there are cool things to “make and take,” like garden stepping stones, birdfeeders from tea cups/saucers or Mason jars, homemade candles, miniature flower arrangements, stained glass suncatchers, or chair seat planters.

The youth of Sunnyvale are especially dear to the Club. There is always a section or two in the flower shows for them, and lots of work is done with the school. There is only one school in town, K-8th grade. The National Garden Club’s Youth Contests have been incorporated into the school curriculum. Last year there were over 800 entries from a school with enrollment of only 400, which included a National winner. Some SGC members teach garden-related classes and do hands-on demonstrations for the kids. The Club has established educational gardens for the students and worked with youth to establish a blue bird trail. In addition, the club gives out scholarships to Sunnyvale students majoring in garden club related areas.

Supporting the garden club organization is important to the Sunnyvale Garden Club. They actively participate in the White Rock Forum meetings and flower shows and serve as officers and chairman in Dallas Council, Dallas Flower Show Judges Council, District X and Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. They contribute to TGC, Inc. and NGC projects, such as Penny Pines, state headquarters maintenance funds, and Camp Tyler. They helped with monetary needs to educate four nationally accredited and two student flower show judges, two Landscape Design Consultants and two Environmental Consultants. No wonder they were Bronze Club of the Year three times and TGC Garden Club of the Year twice. And they do all of this and have fun doing it!

L-R: Dorothy Fluckiger, Rita Lewis, Marilyn Fitzner, Jackie Seabourn, Cookie White and Janet Nevil.

Happy 75th Anniversary

GrahamGarden Club

1930 - 2005

FLOWER NOTE CARDSVariety & Texas Wildflowers

Great as Gifts$10 & under

www.Julia-Studio.comSecure online shopping


Dallas Flower Show Judges Sixty and SoaringOn May 21, 1945, the first Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges was formed by judges

from Dallas and surrounding communities. They were recognized during the 1953 National Convention as the first organized council for flower show judges and subsequently changed their name to Dallas Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges, Founders Group, then to Dallas Flower Show Judges Founders Group. Members are planning a “soaring” year in 2005-2006 that will include flower show workshops, flower show schools, preparatory judges workshops and their annual Mary Musick Program/Luncheon.

Today, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. boasts eleven judges councils, forums and study groups; National Garden Clubs, Inc. number in the hundreds. A solid foundation that has lasted sixty years and is continuing to grow.

Dallas Flower Show Judges Founders Group Executive Board: Top L-R: Ann Hawkins, Ginnie Salter, Jackie LaTaste, Wilma Smith, President Peggy Consolver, Ann Dyer (with hat), Dana Serafine, Liz Tunnel, Janet Nevil, Joyce Cochran, Shirley Hyde, Mary Ann Moreland. Seated L-R: Lucy Hendy, Paula Haynes, Kay Warmerdam, TGC, Inc. President Carol Russell, District X Director Roseann Reece, Betty Lou Wood. Not pictured : Nell Hollingsworth, Jessica Heft, Mary Margaret Roberson, Bonnie Richardson.

Dallas Council of Garden Clubs - Building a Legacy

District X, composed of 62 garden clubs and 5 affiliates, is unique in that it includes 3 Forums and 1 Council, each meeting monthly. District X is well-informed on all aspects of State, Regional and National happenings. The Forums are located in different areas of the District; clubs in each area belong to that Forum. Because of distance some clubs in the District are not affiliated with a Forum but many are members of the Dallas Council of Garden Clubs. The DCGC, 1st place winner of TGC, Inc. 2004 Council/Forum of the Year award, meets at the Trammell Crow Visitor Education Pavilion at the Dallas Arboretum. This council dates back to 1939 when it was organized by Mrs. Gross R. Scruggs with 13 member clubs. Now,

with 43 clubs, DCGC provides current information on all aspects of TGC, Inc., Regional and National activities, presents a timely program each month and is open to members and visitors.DCGC was instrumental in raising funds to build the Dallas Garden Center in Fair Park in 1941. Interrupted by WWII, the center was not completed until after the war. The Dallas Park Department promised the Council a free place to hold meetings if they would take part in an annual Spring Flower Show. The Dallas Garden Center changed names over the years and finally in 2000 it was renamed the Texas Discovery Gardens. A planned renovation of the Discovery Gardens necessitated a move to the Arboretum for its monthly meetings.Congratulations to DCGC for educating and stimulating garden club work for over 64 years.

Roseann Reece

Save the Date!May 5, 6 and 7, 2006

The 59th Annual Pilgrimage and Spring Festival In Historic Jefferson, TexasSponsored by the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club

For information contact: (800) 490-7270 or (903) 665-2513Email: [email protected]

www.theexcelsiorhouse.com


“Allen on the Web”The Allen Garden Club, founded in 1998, has a terrific website. It lists not only their club history, but membership information, meeting schedules, upcoming community projects and special events. However, their most informative section is a series of web links sorted by subject. For example, under Texas and Regional Gardening Sites you can find links to The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and three sections of the Aggie Horticulture site. If you are interested in their Children’s links, you can try the Junior Master Gardener’s site or Kids Gardening. Other sections include: Plants; Garden Club Related (TGC, Inc. and NGC); Environmental, Educational and Kids; National Plant Societies; and General Gardening Interests. Check them out at www.allengardenclub.org. Happy surfing!

Gardening on the WebHere are some of our favorite web picks

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center www.wildflower.orgTexas A & M http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/Junior Master Gardeners www.jmgkids.comKids Gardening www.kidsgardening.comGarden Guide www.gardenguides.comUS Netherlands Flower Bulb Info Center www.bulb.comAmerican Orchid Society www.orchidweb.orgThe Antique Rose Emporium www.antiqueroseemporium.comBird Watcher’s Digest www.birdwatchersdigest.comNational Garden Clubs www.gardenclub.org

order online www.seedsource.com

NATIVE AMERICAN SEEDWildflowers Native grasses Texas harvest

FREE catalog 800-728-4043order online www.seedsource.com

In Loving Memoryof

Mary Helen MyrickCharter Member

Mabank Garden Club

12th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes

Sponsored By Sunnyvale Garden Club

Saturday, December 10, 20054 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Proceeds Benefit the Sunnyvale Volunteer Fire Department Educational Fund

Tickets $10For tickets & information, contact:

Sunnyvale Library972-226-4491

In memory of

Margaret Stapper

Friend, mentor and fellow gardener

Terrell Heights Garden Club


Texas Garden Club, Inc. received a generous gift this year from Francis Arnold Ellis. She made a bequest in her will donating $25,000 to the TGC Scholarship Fund. We wanted to highlight this charitable gift not only because of its size, but because the woman who gave the money was only following through on her lifelong practices. She gave generously of her time, self and money to people and causes in which she believed. A few years ago, she was honored in Paris, her hometown, by the Paris Education Foundation for her charitable actions and we have reprinted much of what was written at that time. Brooke Lively

Francis Arnold Ellis

With an unwavering vision of a better quality of life for all of us, Frances Arnold Ellis pursued with vigor and tenacity the dominant themes of her life…conservation, preservation, education

and beauty. An outstanding professional career of 21 years as a home economist was followed by 42 years of remarkably effective volunteer civic leadership. Realizing early in her career the importance of communication, she acquired the journalism skills which enabled her, working from her home office, to have an impact on attitudes and behaviors across America via newsprint, radio and pictorial presentations.

The State Fair of Texas and Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. honored Mrs. Ellis as the Garden Club Woman of the Year in 1976, recognizing her contributions to beautification and conservation at the local, regional, state and national levels. Through organizations such as the Tejas Garden Club, Paris Council of Garden Clubs, Crepe Myrtle Committee and the Paris-Lamar County Beautification Committee,

she was a driving force for over 40 years in every major beautification and cleanup campaign in the Paris area, including the landscaping of the downtown plaza, Bywaters Park, Paris Junior College, the highway entrances to Paris and dozens of other public buildings. Her promotion of garden club projects via the Paris News was prodigious. As Slide Program Chairman and Govenor of District III, Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. she developed and maintained eight slide programs which were used for education across Texas and the United States. At the state level, she edited the official TGC, Inc. publication, The Lone Star Gardener, which reached 28,000 club members. In 1981, she served

as chairman of Litter, Reclamation and Recycling for the National Council of State Garden Clubs, editing a newsletter which reached 600 state and national leaders. Her public relations work in raising $40,000 for the purchase of Tridens Prairie for the Texas Nature Conservancy earned her two prestigious awards, the Conservation/Club Woman Award given on Texas Wildflower Day at Texas Women’s University in 1984, and the National Clarion Award presented by Women in Communication in 1978.

Under her leadership, Mrs. Ellis brought the Maxey House under the auspices of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In 1976 she was co-chairman of the very successful Bicentennial project to restore Culbertson Fountain. She worked actively to secure the Main Street Project for Paris. Numerous State Historical Marker applications for Paris buildings were prepared by her, including placement of First United Methodist Church on the National Register of Historic Places. She wrote a history of District III for The Texas Garden Club, Inc. from 1939 to 1989.

Conservation of human resources is best demonstrated by Mrs. Ellis’ attention to the needs of senior citizens. Her leadership at the local, state and national level was instrumental in bringing to Lamar County many of the programs which older Parisians participate in today. Appointed by Governor Preston Smith in 1970, she was a member of the Governor’s Committee on Aging for nine years, and was a Texas delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1971.

Mrs. Ellis shared not only her life with the community but her resources as well. A generous financial supporter of many civic endeavors, she also dedicated two parks/recreation areas: one to the city of Paris in memory of her late husband’s family and one to the city of Greenville in memory of her Arnold family.


Fall into Gardening

with Texas Trees

By Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs

Trees may do more to improve the landscape and provide a sense of well-being than any other type of plant. Old neighborhoods are admired, cityscapes become hospitable, homes rise in value – all because of carefully selected, well-placed trees.

Texas’ great size and diverse growing conditions create the right environment for a huge, varied population of small, medium and large trees. From the majestic live oaks and pecan, the official state tree of Texas, to flowering redbuds and fruit-bearing persimmons, Texas boasts more than 225 species of native trees or between 33 percent and 45 percent of the country’s indigenous tree types. Being native, these trees require less maintenance to thrive. An additional 30 or so naturalized species give Texans an even broader array of choices acclimated to the state’s regional climates and soils.

Container-grown shrubs also help fill out a landscape, hiding corners and linking taller tree heights with ground cover. Texas producers feature a wide range of background shrubs and showy flowering types to lend splashes of color. In this category, too, natives and well-adapted species are recommended for their tendency to fend off disease and insects and their ability for low-maintenance survival under local growing conditions.

While spring has the reputation of being the best planting time, don’t overlook the fall. In fact, fall is an ideal time to plant trees. The weather is becoming cooler, making outdoor gardening a renewed joy, and the autumn soil is better able to

retain moisture than in the summer. Planting in the fall also allows new trees to become established before winter blows in.

Choosing the right tree for the right spot is important. You will want to take into account the amount of sunlight the landscape receives in addition to temperature, soil type and moisture. Well-drained soils are important.

When buying a tree or shrub, choose plants that have a good branching structure and appear healthy. Rich, green plentiful foliage generally indicates good plant health. Be sure you buy from a licensed nursery.

For planting, dig a hole two to three times larger than the root ball of the plant and position the plant so that the soil line is level with the ground. Refill the hole with the soil you removed and gently firm around it to remove air pockets. Follow the care instructions on lighting, pruning and watering.

No matter what type of plant you select, you can rest assured that you’ve made the right choice by picking trees and shrubs produced in the Lone Star State. Simply look for the GO TEXAN logo. GO TEXAN is the Texas Department of Agriculture’s unified marketing initiative to promote and spotlight the incredible array of products grown and processed in Texas.

You can search for GO TEXAN members or GO TEXAN products online at www.gotexan.org. You can also call our toll-free GO TEXAN line at (877) 99GO-TEX for questions about Texas sources of plants and trees. Another helpful resource is our Pick Texas Web site at www.picktexas.com. Designed to showcase Texas produce and horticulture, it includes information on planting tips and Texas Superstars, which are landscape plants specifically designed to thrive in Texas growing conditions.

With another Texas summer behind us, it’s a good time to be thinking about some extra shade for next year. Texas-grown trees have you covered.

In Loving MemoryIda Merle Berry

Charter Memberand

Mary Ruth BusbyThese two members touched our hearts

but left us with joyful memories.

Sunnyvale Garden Club

Experience the MagicKingwood Garden Club’s

Christmas in the ForestHOME TOURFri, Dec. 2: 10 a.m. – 3.p.m.Sat., Dec. 3: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m

Sun, Dec. 4: 12 Noon – 5 p.m.Tickets: $12 thru Dec. 1; $15 Dec. 2-4

Candlelight Tour – Limited TicketsFri. Dec. 2: 6-10 p.m.

For info call 281-358-5844


In Loving Memory

Opaline Banhart1924-2005

A Dedicated Member

Frey Garden ClubHouston, Texas

2005-2006

NATIONAL EVENTSSept. 28 – Oct. 3 Fall Board Meeting— St. Louis May 24 – 27, 2006 Convention – Orlando, FloridaSOUTH CENTRAL REGION EVENTS

Mar. 21-22, 2006 Convention—Oklahoma CitySTATE EVENTS

Oct. 19 - 21 Fall Convention—TylerApr. 23 – 26, 2006 Spring Convention— Fort WorthENVIRONMENTAL STUDY SCHOOL

Course II:Aug. 15-17 Camp TylerCourse III:Febn. 13-15, 2006 Camp Tyler Course IV:Aug. 14-16, 2006 Camp TylerChairman: Linda Whetsell 1114 Queenspark, Tyler 75703

FLOWER SHOW SCHOOLSCourse II:Oct. 25 – 27 HoustonContact: Pat Graber 2618 Talina Way, Houston 77080Course I:Jan. 23 – 25, 2006 TylerContact: Ina Brundrette 7015 Paluxy Dr., Tyler 75703 Course III:Feb. 13 - 15, 2006 Camp TylerMar. 21 – 23, 2006 HoustonContact: Pat Graber 2618 Talina Way, Houston 77080

SYMPOSIUMSSep. 11-13, 2006 Austin

GARDEN STUDY COURSECourse III:Nov. 7 – 9 JeffersonCourse IV: Feb. 13 – 15, 2006 JeffersonChairman: Diane Whitaker 1714 Maux, Houston 77043

TEXAS DESIGN SEMINARSRenewal XV:Aug. 1-3, 2006 TAMU, College Station

Course III, Series VI:Aug. 3-4, 2006 College Station

DISTRICT FALL CONVENTIONSDistrict I:Oct. 25 Fall Board Meeting, LubbockNov. 1 Southern Zone Meeting, OdessaMar. 13-15 Spring ConventionDistrict II: Nov. 8 Fall - Fort Worth, Ridglea CCMar. 7 Spring ConventionDistrict IIINov. 1 Southern Zone – CenterNov. 2 Central Zone – MineolaNov. 3 Northern Zone – TexarkanaDistrict IV:Nov. 2 Fall – BeaumontDistrict VOct. 27 Zone I meeting – Killeen GCNov. 3 Zone II meeting – Crawford Wildflower GCNov. 10 Zone III meeting – Lost Pine GC, Bastrop GC, Smithville GCMar 26, 2006 Spring Convention District VI:Nov. 4 Fall - Brownsville/South Padre IslandApr. 7 Spring ConventionDistrict VIII:Nov. 12 Fall - SnyderMar. 30-31 Spring Convention – ColemanDistrict X:Nov. 3 Fall - Frisco, Stonebriar CC

Calendar Chairman, Virginia Salter, 11040 Creekmere, Dallas, TX 75218Phone: 214-328-1221 E-mail: [email protected]

WHAT’S COMING UP

�� Lone Star Gardener

FROM YOUR HEADQUARTERSWE GRATEFULLY ACCEPT your contributions received from May 1, 2005 through July 31, 2005.ENDOWMENT FUND: Colleyville GC; Dublin GC; Iowa Park GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Bluebonnet GC, Texarkana; Crape Myrtle GC; Iris GC, Golden; Quitman GC; Rains GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Kingwood GC; Evelyn Smith; Town & Country GC, Bellville; Taylor GC; McGregor GC; Comal GC; Corpus Christi GC; Four Seasons GC, New Braunfels; Abilene GC; Mignonette GC; Ozona GC; Louise Drake GC; Mesquite GCSUE DURRETT ENDOWMENT FUND: Azalea GC, Tyler; Ina Brundrett; Better Gardens ClubSCHOLARSHIP FUND: Avant Gardeners; Carswell GC; Colleyville GC; Dublin GC; Keller GC; Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Bluebonnet GC, Texarkana; Crape Myrtle GC; Quitman GC; Rains GC; Rayburn Bloomers GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Kingwood GC; Lake Houston GC; Lakewood Forest GC; Sugar Land GC; Texas City GC; Town & Country GC, Bellville; Kyle GC; Taylor GC; Highland Lakes GC; Comal GC; Corpus Christi GC; Brenham; Ingram GC; Cactus Thorn GC; Mignonette GC; District IX; El Dedon Verde GC; Les Fleurs GC, Garland; Louise Drake GC; Sunnyvale GC; Terrell GC;in memory of Frances Arnold Ellis by the estate of Frances Ellis; in memory of Tommie Garrett by Blue Bonnet GC, Mineral Wells; in honor of Docia Thompson by Pantego GC HEADQUARTERS GIFTS: Lubbock Council of GC’s; Azalea GC, Tyler; Quitman GC; Rains GC; Garden Clinic GC; Ozona GC; District XLANDSCAPE FUND: Carswell GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Crape Myrtle GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Norchester GC; Weslaco GC; Ozona GC; in honor of Rose Jasick by Dedicated Designers; in honor of Ft. Worth GC by Waverly Park GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; in honor of Adelle Derrington by Community GCHEADQUARTERS BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Carswell GC; Colleyville GC; Graham GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Rains GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Designers Unlimited; McAllen-Mission GC; Weslaco GC; Sinton GC; Andrea Story; Cactus Thorn GC; Mignonette GC; Ozona GC; Better Gardens Club; Terrell GC; in memory of David Richardson by Plano GCHEADQUARTERS RENOVATONS: Garden Club Council of Ft. Worth; Dr. & Mrs. Joe Whetsell; Cathleen Davis; Tri County Diggers; Giddings GC; District IX; Shirley Archer; Kaufman GC; District X; in memory of Dr. W. R. Hubler, Jr., husband of Sherron Hubler, by Andrea Story; in memory of Billy Connally, brother of Linda Whetsell, Larry Flosi, husband of Bev Flosi, and James Edwin Berry, stepson of Rhoda Berry by Andrea Story; in honor of Shirley Hyde, Peggy Consolver; Betty Lou Wood, Rosann Reece, Binion Ammerson, Virginia Salter, Wilma Smith, Gail Wilson, Madalyn Hernandez, Cathy Linder, Ann Parker, Lucy Hendy, Rebecca Biggers, Adeline Cawlfield, Joyce Cochran, Janet Nevil, Nina Worthy, and Emie Stewart by Garden Club Council of Ft. Worth, in honor of Sandra McFarling and Bettinae Schumann by Andrea Story; in honor of Linda Whetsell by District IXBLASCHKE LANDSCAPE FUND: Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Better Gardens Club; in memory of Dianna Williams by Hazel BlaschkeGOLD BOOK: in honor of Marti Behr by Graham GC; in honor of Bettinae Schumann by Andrea StorySILVER BOOK: in honor of Charlene Mizner by Azalea GC, TylerFRIENDSHIP BOOK: Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Weatherford GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham, (100%); in honor of Jean Mills, Mitch Peterson, Louise Lewis, and Carol Parrott by Kay Warmerdam; in honor of Juanita Leach, Betty Peterman, and Imogene Pardue by Kay Warmerdam; in honor of Virginia Finklea by Dahlia GC; in honor of Shirley Morrow by Weslaco GC; in memory of Betty Schoolar’s mother by Kay WarmerdamPRESIDENT’S BOOK:DISTRICT II: Carol Maxwell & Marilyn Carroll by Carswell GC; Juanita Leach by Dedicated Designers; Barbara Bockhorn and Darless Collins by Maggie House GC; Dora Alexander by Iowa Park GC; Louise Parker by Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Jill McClendon by Weatherford GCDISTRICT III: Ann Brown by Azalea GC, Tyler; Helen K. Jackson by Crape Myrtle GC; Lisa Harvey by Quitman GC; Kayron Lee by Village GCDISTRICT IV: Joan Zeiss by Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Jane Davis by Heritage Gardeners; Meda Wogan by Houston Federation of GC’s; Patty Abshire by Kingwood GC; Enell Cooper by Lake Houston GC; Mary Beth McCaughey by Sugar Land GCDISTRICT V: Barbara Sladek by Taylor GC; Gladys Jaeger by Giddings GC; Nelda Tyler by Highland Lakes GCDISTRICT VI: Mary Hammar by District VI; Stella Snider by McAllen-Mission GCDISTRICT VII: Vanda Babich by Comal GC; Corpus Christi GCDISTRICT VIII: Joyce Talley by Abilene GC; Joanna Rose by Cactus Thorn GC; Twila Barnett by Mignonette GC; Agene Ebleen by Senisa/Verdure GCDISTRICT IX: Peggy Feinberg by El Dedon Verde GCDISTRICT X: Billie Sheppard and Sandy Chambers by Better Gardens Club; Rheba Icenhower by Louise Drake GC; Diane Turner by Sunnyvale GCMEMORIAL BOOK: Edna Siegmund by Grace GC; Claire Johnston by Hazel Somerville; in memory of Martha Spikes by Better Gardens Club; in memory of Billie Hunt’s husband by Dallas Council of NAFSJWORLD GARDENING:BROOKWOOD GARDEN THERAPY: Avant Gardeners; Azalea GC, Tyler; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Dig ‘n Design GC; Town & Country GC, Bellville; Abilene GC; in memory of Betty Schoolar’s mother by Nell Denman


CAMP TYLER FOUNDATION: Azalea GC, Tyler; Newton GC; Rayburn Bloomers GC; McAllen-Mission GC; Weslaco GC; Better Gardens Club; Junior Group of Dallas GC; Mesquite GC; Sunnyvale GC;in honor of Dottie Sivess, Sandee Walters, Linda Dyer, Ina Brundrett, Johanna Taylor, and Therese Shoulders by Hemphill GCMARBRIDGE FARMS: Kyle GC; McAllen-Mission GC; Mignonette GC; Junior Group of Dallas GCMARGARET SHARPE MEM. ROSE GARDEN: Azalea GC, Tyler; Bluebonnet GC, BrenhamSEEDS FOR LIFE: Avant Gardeners; Bluebonnet GC, Texarkana; Rayburn Bloomers GC; Virginia Wallace; Houston Federation of GC’s; Lake Houston GC; Driftwood GC; Corpus Christi GC; Four Seasons GC, New Braunfels; Better Gardens Club; Sunnyvale GC; in honor of Idalia Aguilar by Azalea GC, Tyler; in honor of Brent Pemberton by Civic GC; in honor of Margarette Jones by Jean DeBlancUNDESIGNATED: Giddings GCNATIONAL LAND TRUST:ANIMAL REHABILITATION KEEP (ARK): Rayburn Bloomers GC; Giddings GCKEYSTONE HERITAGE PARK: Azalea GC, Tyler; Dig ‘n Design GC; District IX; El Dedon Verde GC; in honor of Debbi Hester, District Director by District IXNATURE CONSERVANCY OF TEXAS: Avant Gardeners; Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Kingwood GC; Town & Country GC, Bellville; Four Seasons GC, New Braunfels; Sinton GC; Farmersville GC; Junior Group of Dallas GCNATURAL DISASTER: Carswell GC; Sinton GC; Junior Group of Dallas GC; Terrell GCPENNY PINES: Newton GC; Sugar Land GCRIVERSIDE NATURE CENTER: Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Ingram GCRIO GRANDE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR: Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Bluebonnet GC, Texarkana; Rayburn Bloomers GC; Kingwood GC; Sugar Land GC; McAllen-Mission GC; Weslaco GC; Corpus Christi GC; Sinton GCSTATE LIBRARY FUND: Avant Gardeners; Carswell GC; Greater Ft. Worth Herb Society; Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Crape Myrtle GC; Newton GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham;in honor of Barbara Baker by Graham GCBIRDSEED FUND: Weatherford GC; Crape Myrtle GC; Newton GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Lake Houston GC; Highland Lakes GC; Sunnyvale GC; Terrell GCSTATE ARBOR DAY FUND: Carswell GC; Colleyville GC; Newcomers Hoe ‘n Grow GC; Azalea GC, Tyler; Crape Myrtle GC; Newton GC; Bluebonnet GC, Brenham; Lake Houston GC; Town & Country GC, Bellville; Highland Lakes GC; Brenham; Ingram GC; Terrell GC; Rose GC, Levelland; Seminole GC; Eagle Mountain GC; Edgecliff GC; Grapevine GC; St. Alice GC; Grapeland GC; Quail Valley GC; Ocean Drive GC; Lakewood GC; Mabank GC; Oak Cliff Garden Forum

TREE FALLS AT HEADQUARTERS

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Officers

Carol R

ussell, President9914 R

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allas, TX 75238

Judy Keillor, Finance

President-Elect3205 B

anyan Cir.

Harlingen, TX

78550

Pat Graber, Aw

ards2618 Talina W

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ouston, TX 77080

Brooke Lively,Lone Star G

ardener6125 M

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orth, TX 76107

Kathy C

ox, Mem

bership817 C

amino de Paz

El Paso, TX 79922

Jacki Simm

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rganization Study5004 Sherw

ood Dr.

Midland, TX

79707

Pat Graber,

Scholarship2618 Talina W

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ouston, TX 77080

Mary Louise M

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onorary Life President3740 B

ellaire Circle

Fort Worth, TX

76109

Sandee Walters,

Youth Activities

23703 FM 2767E

Kilgore, TX

75662

Mary Sue Jones,

Recording Secretary

4513 Oak G

rove Ct.

San Angelo, TX

76904

Sarah McR

eynolds, Treas.1722 H

wy 14N

Groesbeck, TX

76642

Lucy Hendy,

Corresponding Secretary

2904 N B

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Irving, TX 75062

Wilm

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llen, TX 75002

Joyce Cochran, Parl.

4076 Northview

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LONE STAR Gardener - Texas Garden Clubs, Inc.€¦ · Lone Star Gardener Vol. 36, No. 2 The Lone...

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Transcript of LONE STAR Gardener - Texas Garden Clubs, Inc.€¦ · Lone Star Gardener Vol. 36, No. 2 The Lone...