DESIGN EXHIBIT: Favorite Sport, Hobby, Recreation

​The Design Exhibits for this month's meeting showcased members' favorite sports, hobbies, and recreational activities, creatively expressed through floral artistry. Each design was a personal reflection, blending botanical elements with meaningful inspiration.

Karen Frost presented a traditional design inspired by soccer. She used white chrysanthemums to create a clean, crisp look, and paired them with green floral accents to add depth and interest. Crepe myrtle branches were incorporated for texture, offering a natural, balanced element to the design while capturing the lively, dynamic nature of the sport.

Carol Schoenfeld shared a floral arrangement inspired by her favorite hobby—painting. Her vibrant display, featuring sunflowers, roses, and baby’s breath, reflected an artist’s eye for color and balance. Arranged for a table set for a leisurely afternoon of artistic exploration, the flowers embodied the joy Carol finds in her craft.

Cindy Hare shared a vibrant creative design titled "Fabulous Fun," inspired by her love of pickleball. Using American beech branches, hosta, spotted laurel, and dianthus, she crafted an energetic and playful composition that reflected the lively spirit of the game. Her design brought a sense of motion and enthusiasm to the exhibit, perfectly echoing the fun and camaraderie of her favorite sport.

Sue Callahan presented a heartfelt design titled "Let the Good Times Roll," inspired by cherished memories of her children playing soccer. Her design featured daisies, sunflowers, hosta, yellow roses, and privet, artfully arranged to express joy, nostalgia, and the simple pleasure of watching her children at play.

Together, these designs beautifully illustrated the theme, transforming personal passions into stunning floral interpretations that delighted and inspired all in attendance.

World Bee Day: Protecting Pollinators, Preserving Our Future
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May 20 is World Bee Day, established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators to our environment, food supply, and biodiversity. Bees pollinate more than 75% of the world’s food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants, making them essential not only to our gardens but to global agriculture and natural ecosystems. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining due to threats like habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. On World Bee Day—and every day—we can help by planting native flowers, avoiding harmful chemicals, creating bee-friendly habitats, supporting local beekeepers, and educating others about pollinator conservation. Every flower planted and pesticide avoided brings us one step closer to a healthier planet, full of color, flavor, and life.

Yesterday’s cleanup at Prince of Peace’s Peace Circle Garden was a perfect morning for pulling weeds—cool temperatures, cloud cover, and no rain created ideal working conditions. Littany Hollerbach, Project Chair, brought along morning music that lifted everyone’s spirits as they worked.

Volunteers Nancy Durose, Trish Demers, Littany Hollerbach, Patty More, Nancy Percivall, and TLC volunteer Yuki Adams rolled up their sleeves to tackle persistent grasses and the flourishing Carolina geranium, a winter annual that’s made itself at home in the garden.

As the team worked, they discussed native plant options that could leaf out and provide cover for the spring bloomers that are now fading back. Yuki shared a clever tip for tidying up daffodil foliage—tying the dying leaves with a gentle self-knot—which immediately made the garden look neater and more cared for.

Standing proudly at the heart of the garden, the large Japanese maple remains the centerpiece of this peaceful space.

HORTICULTURE TOPIC: Why Aren't My Irises Blooming?

Irises are known for their beautiful, showy blooms, but if yours aren’t flowering, you’re not alone. At our recent meeting, Horticulture Chair Nancy Percivall discussed common reasons why irises may fail to bloom and how to fix them. The iris, named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow, is celebrated for its striking form and dazzling range of colors. With over 300 recognized species worldwide, irises vary widely in size—from dwarf varieties just 6 inches tall to towering types that can reach up to 5 feet, such as Iris pseudacorus and some Japanese or Louisiana irises. Overcrowding is a common issue, as irises multiply quickly and compete for nutrients and space; Nancy emphasized dividing clumps every three to five years to ensure healthy growth and flowering. Planting depth also matters—if rhizomes are buried too deep, they may not receive enough sunlight. Nancy advised keeping the top of the rhizome exposed or just barely covered for best results. Irises also require at least six hours of direct sun daily; too much shade can result in lush foliage but no flowers, so relocating to a sunnier spot may help. Too much nitrogen can inhibit blooming by promoting leafy growth instead; Nancy recommended using a low-nitrogen fertilizer like 5-10-10 in early spring and after blooming. Improper pruning is another factor—cutting back leaves too soon weakens the plant, so it’s best to let foliage die back naturally to allow energy storage. Finally, newly planted or recently divided irises may take a season to establish before flowering. Patience and proper care are key. As a fun note, Vincent van Gogh, captivated by their bold color and unique shape, famously painted irises during his stay in a psychiatric hospital, seeing in them a symbol of hope and freedom. By following Nancy’s expert tips, you can help your irises thrive and enjoy their spectacular blooms year after year.

PROGRAM: Grasses & Sedges: Unsung Heroes of the Landscape

​Landscaping small residential greenspaces comes with unique challenges—especially when incorporating native grasses, which often defy the neat, manicured look of traditional hybrid plantings. Homeowners, neighbors, and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) frequently prefer a more structured aesthetic, prompting an important question: How can we successfully integrate native grasses into modern yards while still achieving a clean, intentional design?

Mikaela Boley, Principal Agent Associate for Home Horticulture, University of Maryland Extension and Master Gardener Coordinator in Talbot County, addressed this timely topic in an engaging presentation. Drawing from her background as a professional landscaper, Mikaela offered practical solutions for designing with native grasses in smaller spaces.

Her slide presentation explored strategies to harmonize ecological function with visual appeal. Attendees learned how to select the right native grasses for their site conditions, maintain a tidy and purposeful appearance, and navigate the expectations of homeowners and HOAs. The session provided actionable insights for anyone looking to enhance biodiversity while keeping their landscape design both beautiful and compliant.

For more information on the ornamental and native grasses Mikaela discussed, click the button below.

We are delighted to welcome Tracy Backus as the newest member of the Crofton Village Garden Club! Sponsored by Cindy Hare, Tracy is a wonderful addition to our group. We look forward to getting to know her and seeing her contributions blossom in the months ahead.