Sunday, July 26, 2009

July/August newsletter

The July/August newsletter in .pdf format is available online here:

http://www.acnargs.org/newsletter/200907.pdf

Sunday, July 19, 2009

May Plant Sale Report

From David Mitchell and BZ Marranca, plant sale coordinators:

The final total for the plant sale was $2,108.75. This includes new and renewing members dues. We have six new members and eight renewals ($70.00). The new members are Susan Barnett, Lynn Bonnivier, Donna Gibson, Graham Kerslick, Susan Lipinoga and Flora Marranca. Thank you to all who donated quality plants, bought plants and pitched in to help run the sale. Also welcome new and renewing members!

Wurster Garden 'Weed Fest' thanks!

Thanks to all who helped weed, deadhead and perform other maintenance in the rain at the Wurster Garden 'Weed Fest' June 18. It's that kind of dedication that makes Wurster sparkle, as in this picture snapped by David Mitchell earlier in the season.

Bluegrass Lane Open Houses July 25 and 26

Come visit the flower research and demonstration area at the Cornell Department of Horticulture’s Bluegrass Lane Research facility, featuring more than 1,000 varieties of perennial and annual flowers — many new or just coming onto the market.

Everyone is welcome from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 25 and 26. Bluegrass Lane is located off Warren Rd. near the Robert Trent Jones golf course northeast of campus. (See map.)

For more information, contact Melissa Kitchen: mjb239@cornell.edu

For a preview, visit the Bluegrass Lane Annual Flower Trials website.

Irma Markert's garden

From Carol Eichler:

On our June trip to White Pine Camp, we (11 of us) had a very nice visit with Irma Markert at her well-established, well-tended gardens in Ogdensburg. Her property is along the St. Lawrence River providing ideal conditions for wet-loving candelabra primroses. What a show as they were in full bloom! Her rock garden was exquisite too, built along the stone paths leading from the house down to the river's edge. One of Irma and Harold amongst the primroses:

Members' garden tour pictures

ACNARGS member Lynn Yenkey posted some pictures from our May 31 members' garden tours on her blog. And she promises more. Meantime, enjoy exploring her blog for more great garden pictures.

Plan ahead for native plant art exhibition

From Rosemarie Parker:

Artists with an affinity for plants take note: A juried art exhibition is currently being planned by the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society. The show will highlight the beauty and diversity of our region's native plants and fungi and will welcome a wide variety of media.

It will be hosted at the Tompkins County Public Library from January through March 2010, and its opening will coincide with Ithaca's 6th annual Light in Winter festival. Jurors include Camille Doucet, painting and botanical illustration; Eric Serritella, ceramic art; and David Watkins, photography.

Now is the time to begin planning your submissions. For more information, visit www.flnps.org/artshow

August 15 Annual Picnic and Member-Only Plant Sale

From Donna Kraft, vice-chair/program:

Plans are set for this year’s member picnic and plant sale to be held on Saturday, August 15th at Kenneth Post Lab, Cornell University, Ithaca. ACNARGS will provide a light lunch for those who RSVP by August 7 to Donna Kraft at 315 696-8626 or dkraft@twcny.rr.com.

The schedule:
  • 10:00 a.m. Arrive promptly, get your plant sale number, help with sale set-up & pricing.
  • 11:00 a.m. Plant sale begins. Buy, buy, and buy some more.
  • 12:00 noon-ish Picnic lunch on the Knoll at Cornell Plantations if weather is good or stay at KPL if conditions dictate.
  • 1:30-ish p.m. Enjoy Cornell Plantations.
As in past years, we'll very democratically allow those who arrive first to get "first dibs" at purchases. So it pays to arrive early. For the treasured and special plants, we will have a silent auction table. Note: this is our one members-only sale and we should have some real horticultural gems. Please label your plant contributions in advance to speed things up.

Not yet a member? We welcome you to join for 2009 at this meeting for $10 ($15 for families). It's still a great value since we have half of our program year ahead of us.

As soon as we finish the plant sale, respondents will enjoy sandwiches, wraps, salads, and dessert provided by our chapter! Socialize and then enjoy Cornell Plantations.

Don't forget to RSVP by August 7.