CROFTON VILLAGE GARDEN CLUB
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • EXECUTIVE BOARD
    • AFFILIATIONS
    • CONTRIBUTIONS
    • AWARDS ARCHIVE >
      • 2023-2024
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018 – 2019
      • 2017 – 2018
      • 2016 – 2017
  • PROGRAMS
  • PROJECTS
    • PAST PROJECTS
  • MEMBERS
    • CALENDAR
    • CVGC BYLAWS
    • BAY-WISE MEMBERS
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
  • CONTACT

To promote and preserve the beauty of our community

WHY AREN'T MY IRISES BLOOMING?

5/14/2025

 
Picture
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.
Picture
Nancy Percivall, CVGC Horticulture Chair

UNSUNG HEROES OF THE LANDSCAPE

5/7/2025

 
Picture
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.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSION • ORNAMENTAL AND NATIVE GRASSES
Picture
Cindy Hare and Tracy Backus
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.
Photo Credit: Dave Demers

CELEBRATING MAY DAY

5/1/2025

 
Picture
On May 1st, we celebrate the arrival of spring with the timeless tradition of May Day. One of the most charming customs associated with this day is the creation of May baskets—small bundles of flowers or treats, often placed on doorsteps to share a bit of seasonal joy and beauty.

Crofton Village Garden Club members embrace this tradition each year by adorning their own homes with festive baskets of fresh flowers and greenery. These cheerful displays celebrate the season of renewal and reflect the club’s love of gardening, beauty, and community spirit. 

Whether hanging from a front door or displayed on a porch, these seasonal baskets add a touch of charm and color to the home. By continuing this tradition, Crofton Village Garden Club members celebrate the simple beauty of spring and honor the joy found in long-standing customs.

We invite members of the community to join us in this cheerful tradition—add a basket to your front door or porch and help spread the beauty of May Day throughout Crofton!
Picture
Picture

THE YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER

4/30/2025

 
Picture
The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker: Feeding Behavior and Tree Management

The Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius), a migratory woodpecker found in the eastern United States and Canada, is known for its unique feeding behavior, which sets it apart from other woodpeckers. Rather than drilling holes to find insects, sapsuckers drill into living trees to access sap and phloem tissues. During early spring, they test various trees to find those with high sugar content, preferring thin-barked species like birch and maple. While a few scattered rows of sap wells typically don’t harm trees, excessive holes—especially if they girdle the tree—can severely damage it. Girdling prevents the tree from transporting fluid through its phloem and xylem, which ultimately affects the tree’s health. Additionally, sap oozing from the holes can attract insects like bees and hornets, as well as wood-decaying fungi, which can further stress or even kill the tree. To manage this damage, several strategies can be employed. One effective method is to protect vulnerable trees by installing tree wraps or netting around the trunks to prevent the sapsuckers from reaching the bark. Visual deterrents, such as shiny objects like aluminum foil or reflective tape, or motion-activated noise devices can also discourage the birds. Applying tree-friendly adhesives or pastes to the trunk can make it harder for sapsuckers to drill holes, though it's important to ensure the substance is safe for the tree. Offering alternative food sources, such as sugar water feeders, can divert the sapsuckers from more vulnerable trees. Maintaining overall tree health through proper care, watering, and fertilization helps trees recover from minor damage. In cases of severe girdling, pruning or applying wound dressings can assist in healing. For extensive damage, consulting an arborist for tailored solutions may be necessary.

CVGC CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

4/22/2025

 
Picture
Cindy Hare, CVGC President Margo Antonelli, Trish Demers, Nancy Percivall, Yumi Adams, Rosa Johnson, Nancy Durose and Laura Austin
Crofton Village Garden Club Celebrates Earth Day with Violet Planting

For this year’s Earth Day celebration, Crofton Village Garden Club members came together in a collaborative effort to naturalize a bed of violets in the space between the Blue Star Memorial Garden and the Native Garden at the Crofton Library. The project was a true club effort, with members donating violets from their own gardens and working side by side to enhance this shared green space.

The new violet bed highlights the club’s ongoing dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly gardening practices. It brings early spring color, strengthens pollinator habitat, and forms a natural, beautiful bridge between two of the club’s most cherished garden areas.

Special thanks go to all CVGC members who contributed their time, plants, and energy to make this Earth Day project a success. Your generosity and teamwork made it possible. With appreciation to CVGC President Margo Antonelli, Blue Star Memorial Garden Project Chair Littany Hollerbach, Native Garden Project Chair Nancy Percivall and her husband George, Laura Austin, Trish Demers, Nancy Durose, Cindy Hare, Rosa Johnson, and Yuki Adams for their meaningful contributions to this effort.
​
Together, club members continue to cultivate beauty, community, and environmental care—one plant at a time.
Picture
Photo Credit: George Percivall
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    CATEGORIES

    All
    Awards
    Bay-Wise
    Birds & Butterflies
    Blue Star Memorial Garden
    Community
    Conservation
    Crofton Cherry Trees
    Crofton Library Gardens
    Design Exhibits
    District II
    DIY
    Events/Workshops
    FGCMD
    Flower Shows
    Fundraising
    Garden Therapy
    Garden Tour
    Giving Flowers
    Gold Star Memorial
    Holiday Decorating
    Honoring Our Troops
    Horticulture
    Invasives
    Memorial Garden
    Native Garden
    Operation Christmas
    Peace Circle Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Pollinator Pathway
    Programs
    Projects
    Swann Park
    Youth Projects

​CROFTON VILLAGE GARDEN CLUB • P.O. BOX 3492 • CROFTON, MD 21114

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • EXECUTIVE BOARD
    • AFFILIATIONS
    • CONTRIBUTIONS
    • AWARDS ARCHIVE >
      • 2023-2024
      • 2019-2020
      • 2018 – 2019
      • 2017 – 2018
      • 2016 – 2017
  • PROGRAMS
  • PROJECTS
    • PAST PROJECTS
  • MEMBERS
    • CALENDAR
    • CVGC BYLAWS
    • BAY-WISE MEMBERS
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
  • CONTACT