Rich with history, symbolism, and aesthetic beauty, the wreath is a favorite decoration year-round. The beginning of December welcomes boughs of fir, spruce, and holly to the wreath form — since ancient times, evergreens have served as symbols of life and strength against the bitter cold, snow, and ice. Continue reading
For our November meeting we welcomed Jeffrey Eleveld, “Jeff the Plant Guy” who entertained us with the Power Point presentation ” ‘Holiday Hat Trick’ – Poinsettia, Holiday Cactus and Amaryllis.”
Jeff shared with us the history of the Poinsettia, from a small farm stand Paul Ecke turned his Poinsettias into a world wide business.
We learned the difference between the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Cacti, each of the three different holiday cacti have differently shaped stems. Thanksgiving cactus stem segments have two to four sharp points on each side, giving the stem a jagged-appearing edge. The stem segments on a Christmas and Easter Cacti have more rounded teardrop indentations.
We learned in order to have your Amaryllis bloom next year, store the dormant bulb in a cool, dark and dry place for a minimum of eight weeks; longer is fine. Then, about six to eight weeks before you want the amaryllis to flower again, repot the bulb in fresh potting soil and place it in bright, indirect light. Resume watering — sparingly at first. Once you see new growth, increase watering.
At the close of the presentation each member was given a curly spider plant from Jeff. The Curly Spider Plant has the traditional green with white stripe variegation of the ‘Vittatum’ but with uniquely attractive leaves that curl and swirl. It is characterized by its rounded and compact plant habit. Flowering stalks are yellow and plantlets are as curly or curlier than the parent.
Join us in November for a presentation by Jeffrey Eleveld, CHT, “Jeff the Plant Guy.” Jeff is a therapeutic horticulturist who has over 45 years of experience in horticulture. He will present “Holiday Hat Trick” – Poinsettia, Holiday Cactus and Amaryllis. Jeff along with his wife and daughter are owners of the Li’l Plant Shop in Downtown Plainville.
Founded in 1976, the Olde Ripton Garden Club (ORGC) of Shelton, Connecticut is a community of garden enthusiasts committed to sharing the love of gardening and conservation. We provide education in horticulture and assist in beautifying the grounds around public buildings.
Meetings are held March through December (no meetings in January and February.) They are on the first Monday of the month (except for holidays) and generally start at 10 a.m.
Dues are $35 per year, guests are welcome to attend, there is a $5 Visitor Fee for non-members.
For our October meeting we welcomed Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery.
Adam shared with us a Power Point presentation of “Fire Engine Red, Russet and Bronze: A Look at Trees and Shrubs for Fall Color.” We learned why trees change color in the fall season.
There are three types of pigments that are involved in Autumn color, they are Carotenoids which produce yellows, oranges and browns, Anthocyanin which produce reds, purples and blues, and Chlorophyll which gives leaves their basic green color.
During the growing season, chlorophyll is continually being produced and broken down and leaves appear green. As night length increases in the autumn, chlorophyll production slows down and then stops and eventually all the chlorophyll is destroyed. The carotenoids and anthocyanin that are present in the leaf are then unmasked and show their colors.
For our October meeting we welcome Adam Wheeler of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden.
We will learn about the hallmark colors of the New England Landscape, why they develop as they do and how they can be promoted. He will showcase a diverse selection of landscape trees and shrubs for brightening your home gardens.
Founded in 1976, the Olde Ripton Garden Club (ORGC) of Shelton, Connecticut is a community of garden enthusiasts committed to sharing the love of gardening and conservation. We provide education in horticulture and assist in beautifying the grounds around public buildings.
Meetings are held March through December (no meetings in January and February.) They are on the first Monday of the month (except for holidays) and generally start at 10 a.m.
Dues are $35 per year, guests are welcome to attend, there is a $5 Visitor Fee for non-members.
On Saturday, September 16th, Olde Ripton Garden Club had a field trip to Hilltop Blooms.
Pictured from L to R: Debbie Garrow, Teya Bell, Lydia Loche, Joan Mauri, Janet Spann, Zofia Ramos and Judy Pavone
The field trip was arranged by club member Teya Bell and Club Vice President Ruth
Pesavento.
The owner of Hilltop Blooms, Allison, conducted a lesson on the correct way to forage for fresh flowers and greens from her flower gardens. Continue reading
Even though the male Hummingbirds have already started home, please remember to keep feeding these little pollinators as the females and juveniles are still around plumping up for their long migration back home. Even if you don’t see much activity, Hummingbirds migrating from further north will be passing south through Connecticut during October and will be looking for food along the way.
Photo courtesy of Eric Wehger
For our September meeting we welcomed Robin L. Avant who introduced us to “Indoor Gardening and Hydroponics.”
Robin is currently employed at Housatonic Community College as the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs. Her teaching capabilities include: Forensic Science, Introduction to Biology, Introduction to Biotechnology, Genetics and Bio-Molecular Science.
Robin’s presentation included indoor gardening of vegetables and the steps needed to grow vegetables using Hydroponics. Continue reading
This month we will welcome Robin L. Avant, who will present a Power Point Presentation exploring “Indoor Gardening and Hydroponics”- options to maximize seasonal growth all year long.
Robin is dedicated to student academic development and student success through course work, mentoring and various enrichment programs.
In April 2020, Mrs. Avant became a published author of the book titled, “The Spirit of Gardening- Gardening for New Bees” and recently launched new programming in urban agriculture, gardening, and hydroponics under her company Robin Springs, LLC.
Meetings are held March through December (no meetings in January and February.) They are on the first Monday of the month (except for holidays) and generally start at 10 a.m.
Dues are $35 per year, guests are welcome to attend, there is a $5 Visitor Fee for non-members.
Pollinators play a critical role in natural and agricultural ecosystems, both for
the reproduction of native plants and for crop production.
A Honeybee on an allium in our Shelton History Center Herb Garden
Many kinds of animals are pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and wasps as well as bees. Bees are the most important pollinators of many crops and a broad range of other flowering plants.
Almost 80% of the 1,400 crop plants grown around the world that produce all of our food and plant-based industrial products require pollination by animals.
In return for a delicious meal, these animals help the plants reproduce by moving pollen between the male (anther) and female (stigma) parts of a flower. This act of pollination is the first step in generating seeds, which create new plants.
Check the “Gallery” tab to see our Summer Civic Gardens.
The Olde Ripton Garden Club Civic Gardens Committee Co-Chairs are Lisa DiNardo and Pat Robik.
Huntington Center Green
To see more of the gardens that the Olde Ripton Garden Club members maintain check out the “Gallery” tab.
The gardens designed and maintained by Olde Ripton Garden Club are the Huntington Green, the Shelton Community Center, the Huntington branch of the Shelton Post Office, the Shelton Historical Society’s herb garden, the Shelton High School’s sign, the Plumb Memorial Library and new this year are the Shelton City Hall, the Shelton Police Department and the Huntington Fire Department.
Founded in 1976, the Olde Ripton Garden Club (ORGC) of Shelton, Connecticut is a community of garden enthusiasts committed to sharing the love of gardening and conservation. We provide education in horticulture and assist in beautifying the grounds around public buildings.
Meetings are held March through December (no meetings in January and February.) They are on the first Monday of the month (except for holidays) and generally start at 10 a.m.
Dues are $35 per year, guests are welcome to attend, there is a $5 Visitor Fee for non-members.
For Horticulture this month, Linda Hooper introduced the 2023 Perennial of the Year – the American Goldrush Blackeyed Susan – Rudbeckia.
In 2016 The Orange Coneflower – Rudbeckia Fulgida was named the City Flower of Shelton.
The American Goldrush is a hybrid between several species of Rudbeckia, it is an easy grower, has a compact habit, healthy foliage, and a long late summer bloom.
American Goldrush Blackeyed Susan prefers full sun to partial shade and average soil, it tolerates dry periods and can grow to two feet tall.
Leave the seed heads in the fall as food for birds, cutting back in late winter.
For our August meeting we welcomed Peggy Townsend who introduced us to “Underwater Floral Design.”
Peggy is an NGC Accredited Flower Show Judge, a member of the FGCCT Board of Directors, and Chairman of the CT Flower Show School. She demonstrates flower arranging techniques and conducts workshops and programs for garden clubs in Connecticut. She judges flower shows throughout Connecticut and New York State. She is an active member of the Town & Country Garden Club, The Garden Club of Newtown and Creative Arrangers of Connecticut.
Peggy guided us through all the steps for creating simple, quick and easy designs to the larger more dramatic award-winning designs seen in flower shows.
Underwater floral designs are dramatic because the containers and water magnify the design and deepen the colors of the plants and flowers. Continue reading