PROGRAM: Garden Tour – The Final Touch

Led by garden tour co-chairs Cathy Gallagher and Maria Guyer, members review plans for the upcoming garden tour on Sunday, May 21. The Chair of each garden tour committee will present information to the members. Following the meeting, "garden teams" will meet with garden homeowners to finalize tasks for the garden tour. 

Crofton Village Garden Club welcomes new member Yael Beckman, sponsored by her mother CVGC member Verna Pond.

PROGRAM: Seed Techniques For Easy Sowing

One of the joys of springtime is planting seeds. However, sowing tiny seeds can be a source of frustration for many gardeners.

Member Rosa Johnson shared information on how to make seed balls using four ingredients – natural clay, top soil or compost, seeds, and water.

Member Marcia Richard demonstrated how to make seed tape by using single-ply tissue, seeds, and a water/flour glue mixture.

Member Nancy Percivall demonstrated two methods for seed paper. One with sheets of tissue paper and the other with a tissue paper pulp – a great way to recycle used tissue paper.

Members collected seeds from their gardens to swap with each other so they can choose a technique to try at home.

Members met at the Crofton Country Club for our installation luncheon. Following the business meeting Glenna Kidd, member of the Nominating Committee, presented and installed the new slate of officers for 2023-2025.

President • Pam Ildefonso
First Vice-President • Trish Demers
Second Vice-President • Margo Antonelli
Recording Secretary • Lois Nichols
Corresponding Secretary • Carol Schoenfeld
Treasurer • Sue Callahan
Parliamentarian • Cathy Gallagher

Incoming President Pam Ildefonso was not present and was installed via FaceTime.

Following the installation, attendees enjoyed a delightful luncheon and fellowship. Thank you to today's host/hostesses for the lovely table arrangements – Maria Guyer, Margo Antonelli, Littany Hollerbach, Don and Rena Pogue, and Diane Smith.

To view photos from the luncheon, scroll over the photo below and use the play button or arrow buttons located at the top of the picture.​​​​​​​​​

PROGRAM: Ikebana Floral Design

​Plant material can create bold, strong areas of color, form and texture by manipulating foliage and free space. This style is influenced by different schools of Ikebana – the Japanese art of flower arranging and has evolved into other styles that have broken with tradition and represent a new age in style.

Anna O'Kelly, President of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland and a student of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, guides members through the principles of Ikebana. Members participated in a hands-on workshop creating their own sculptural design.

Scroll over the photo below and use the play button or arrow buttons located at the top of the picture to view photos.​​​​​​​​​

PROGRAM: Sustainable Floral Arranging

In January 2020 the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) announced that floral foam would be banned from all RHS shows from 2021. World-famous horticultural events, including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, no longer allows designers to use floral foam in their displays, prompting floral designers to use alternative eco-friendly techniques or products. This decision made many people aware for the first time that floral foam is not biodegradable and is part of a larger movement in the floral industry to adopt sustainable practices.

Speaker Susie Middleton, member of the Dorchester Garden Club and incoming President of the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland showcased alternative eco-friendly products and demonstrated two different sustainable techniques, creating designs in identical containers.