GCCC NewsBud - February 2022
In this month's NewsBud:
- Monthly Meeting and Program: Tuesday, February 8th at the Village Hall
- "How to Submit a Floral Design Arrangement for a Flower Show" plus a floral design demonstration with Ami Wilber, Hillwood Estate head floral designer
- New Member Nomination: Kathy Campanella
- Amaryllis and Paperwhite Care
- Winter Project: Tea Cup Succulents
- GCA News: NAL Conference goes virtual, Founders Fund, and call for photographs
- NCAGC Spring Snippets newsletter
- Climate Change Conversations
- Zoom Event: History of the National Arboretum
- The Great Backyard Bird Count
- Native Plant of the Month: Big Bluestem Grass
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February Business Meeting and Program
- When: Tuesday, February 8th: 9am business meeting,10am program
- Where: Village Hall (masks required)
- Note: We are planning to hold the meeting in person at the Village Hall with masks.
A very special welcome to Kyra Detmer, who was voted in as a member at last month's meeting.
This month, we will consider another new member, Kathy Campanella. Please read the letters of proposal from Margaret Griffin and Lotta Kramer before we vote at Tuesday's meeting.
Margaret's letter of proposal for Kathy Campanella
Lotta's letter of proposal for Kathy Campanella
Please read the January Meeting Minutes here in advance of February's business meeting.
Program:
"How to Create and Submit a Flower Show Entry"
special guest, Hillwood floral designer Ami Wilber
In anticipation of our April 26th Flower Show, the Floral Design Committee will teach members how to prepare a floral design for entry. Experienced GCCC members, Mimi McBride and Twinkle Thompson, will explain the requirements for entries, the role of passers and scribes, and give us insight into what judges look for when evaluating floral designs.
Watch for an email later this week with the updated Flower Show schedule and printouts for the program.
We are also thrilled to welcome Ami Wilber, head floral and event décor designer for Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, who will create a floral design for us, using one of the design classes from our 2021 Flower Show as a guide. Ami will teach us how to choose the best container and plant material given the parameters of a sample class, and demonstrate the mechanics of creating a winning entry. One lucky member will get to take home the arrangement that Ami creates.
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Amaryllis and Paperwhite Care
If you're lucky, your miniature Graffiti Amaryllis bulbs may still be blooming like these. Proper winter care of your Amaryllis bulbs is a great way to ensure holiday blooms for years to come. Paperwhites are not worth saving, unless you have a Zones 8-10 garden.
Click here to download a winter care sheet for both.
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Tea Cup Succulents
 Back in November, I got the cleaning bug. I had uncovered boxes of beautiful tea cups my grandmother had sent me years ago when she downsized.
I decided they'd make a great holiday present for friends - but with a new use.
I had become intrigued with miniature arrangements at Mimi McBride's workshop last spring, but flowers would eventually die, and my
friends would be stuck with a mismatched tea cup. That's when I stumbled on the idea of miniature succulents.
It was so easy. I didn't have a lot of time to be running around to nurseries. So I bought the succulents from two sources: I ordered these succulents off Amazon! They were individually wrapped, and in fantastic condition. They looked just like the pictures - hearty and healthy. But I realized I needed several other smaller wispy or flowery succulents in a variety of textures, sizes and colors. I found extras at Home Depot - where I could pick and choose easily divided succulents.
I put a teaspoon of pumice in the bottom of the tea cup, and filled the rest with succulent potting soil. This video was very helpful. It was such a fun project, and all my girlfriends have sent me pictures of the teacups sitting on their desks. I feel like it's a special way to repurpose the antiques but keep my grandmother's spirit alive.
Michelle Dolge
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GCA News
National Affairs & Legislation Conference
Now Online, Open to All
The GCA's NAL Conference has moved online. Historically, we could only send delegates to the event, but since the conference is now virtual, it is open to all members!
Learn how to become an advocate for the environment at a 90 minute Advocacy Training Workshop on Thursday, February 17th, 1pm - 2:30pm.
The NAL Conference will be held Tuesday, March 1st and Wednesday, March 2nd. Sign up to attend one workshop or all. It is always fascinating to hear what the major issues are on the Hill for gardens clubs nationwide.
For more information on the NAL Conference and the Advocacy Workshop, please click here.
Founders Fund
The GCA Founders Fund was founded in 1934 to offer grants to Club projects that make significant contributions to our communities. The first Founders Fund grant was for just $700, but through the generosity of gifts, the winning grant is now awarded $30,000, with the two runners up receiving $10,000 each. The past 2 years have made it difficult for Clubs to rally new projects, and so this year, there is only one project on the ballot. The Civics Improvement Committee presents the Bee Successful: The 4-G Honey Bee Team. Please read about them here in advance of our vote at next Tuesday's meeting.
Looking for Spring Photographs, Tree Lovers
Do you have any fabulous spring pictures in your camera library to share with the GCA for their March eNews? Click here for a link to our last email with instructions on sharing photographs for publication. Deadline is February 10th.
For the 2022 Summer Bulletin, the GCA is looking for help in identifying club members who are making a difference in their communities or clubs on matters related to trees. Some examples might include planting native trees, fighting tree pests and diseases, preserving forested land, identifying large or historic trees, or otherwise advocating for trees. They are especially interested in current or recently completed hands-on projects. Please email Julie if you have any information to share. Thanks!
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Continuing the Conversation about Climate Change
Last month's program was a presentation by Kathleen Biggins from C-Change Conversations about the real threat that climate change poses to our health, our families and our world.
If you missed it, here is a link to the presentation.
If you're interested in continuing the conversation, here's how you can join C-Changes newsletter.
Here, too, is a link to a short film from PBS about the dire situation our planet finds herself: Earth Emergency. Thank you to Ann Thompson, who brought it to our attention.
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National Arboretum
Join Perennial Garden Club for an evening Zoom on Tuesday, February 8th to learn about the role of GCA members in the founding of the U.S. National Arboretum nearly 100 years ago.
Barbara Shea, a long-time member of GCA, will lead a visual history with fabulous historic photos. Barbara is a Vice President of GCA, and a member of the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA), the primary private non-profit partner of USNA. Barbara has been on FONA's board since 2002, holding various leadership roles, including four years as the Chair, and two stints as Executive Director.
Details: History of the role of GCA Members in the Founding of the U.S. National Arboretum
- Tuesday, February 8th
- 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Zoom Presentation by Barbara Shea and Q&A
- Click here to join the Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82839341001?pwd=OGYxaHMzdXppTmk4RGJ6MHFMTDhNUT09
You will be able to join a few minutes before 6:00pm. You’ll be in a waiting room and then let in at 6:00pm when the Perennial business meeting ends. There is no password required.
- Any questions or problems getting in, text/call Cathy Kerkam 202.333.9419.
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The Great Backyard Bird Count
Are you a bird lover? Join in on the Great Backyard Bird Count, February 18th through 21st.
This annual event brings together birders from across the country, who act as citizen scientists and contribute to the data about the bird population across their area. It just takes 15 minutes at your bird feeder.
For more information or to participate, click here for the Great Backyard Bird Count.
You can email the Little Falls Watershed Alliance and they'll post your results on their website.
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Native Plant of the Month
Big Bluestem Grass
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Andropogon gerardii is a beautiful native grass that is large in stature, has blue green foliage and interesting flower heads that bloom in September. It is deer resistant and attracts birds and butterflies. It provides nesting sites and cover for over 24 varieties of songbirds. Extremely easy to maintain, plant in well drained, full sun. Water if it gets too dry.
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