Garden Club cultivating new ideas
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Snow this week may have some doubting spring’s arrival — that occurred on March 20 — but there is at least one group busy preparing to green things up.
The Presque Isle Garden Club kicked off the 2013 planting season with a meeting March 19 at Ann Wight’s house, with a program on “Designing Flowers for Our Homes.” Affordable flower arrangements were the focus, with members discussing contents, containers and how best to display creations.
Another meeting is slated for next week.
“On Tuesday, April 16, Donna Keegan — member and owner of Myrtle Tree — will explain to us the new perennial varieties that we will be seeing in the garden centers this spring and how to cultivate them,” said club member Roberta Griffiths, who will be hosting the event at her home on the Fort Road.
While a date has not been confirmed, May’s meeting will be held at the home of Jane Bonenfant.
“Members will help her prepare a garden design for specific areas around her house. Maintenance, exposure and color of foliage and flowers will all be considered in the designs,” she said.
June’s gathering will be a special celebration.
“On Saturday, June 15, the 25th anniversary of Downing Park will be celebrated at the park with a plant sale. Several of the plants in the garden are in need of division and members will be offering plants from their own gardens for sale,” said Griffiths.
Refreshments will be served during the day. The sale will begin at 9 a.m. Downing Park is adjacent to Cook Street, and runs between State and Academy streets.
July and August meetings will involve visits to gardens in the area, with an emphasis placed on identification and culture of plants. The times and locations will be announced at a later date.
A special trip is being planned in September.
“The members will be leaving early in the morning for a day trip to Fredericton on Saturday, Sept. 21, where they will visit the famous Boyce Farmers’ Market and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. We will meet at my home, with time of departure to be announced,” said Griffiths.
The club’s annual meeting will be held at Fran Flewelling’s home on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
“We will discuss the maintenance and cultivation of houseplants, and demonstrate the method of forcing bulbs for beautiful flowers in the early spring,” Griffiths said.
The Presque Isle Garden Club has been meeting for over 75 years and has been involved in many beautification projects within the city. The club currently maintains the flower bed on the corner of Main and State streets.
“We are always very interested in receiving new members. Anyone interested can call me at 768-5608 for more information. Unless otherwise noted, meetings begin at 7 p.m. on the date specified,” said Griffiths.
