Pine Ridge Garden Club news

HELEN NICOLAOU Special to The Standard

There have been many references to specific conditions needed in order for plants to perform.

Such is the case for wisteria genus. I often compare the wisteria, when blooming, to the movie with Dennis the Menace, where Mr. Wilson hosts the Garden club to view a rare bloom opening, known as the Corpse Flower. Upon researching the fictional event, I found out it is a real plant, and the scent is compared to a combination of the most offensive smell of rotting meat and stinky socks. On the other hand, wisteria species which are a woody twining vine, from the pea family, native to Asia and North America, produces clusters of the most delicate scented blooms, in colours of blue, lavender, rose and white.

Upon first planning a flower garden, I fell in love with wisteria on a garden tour, years ago, and just had to add it to my landscape. The Japanese consider the wisteria a symbol of good fortune, success and longevity, it also symbolizes love and transformation. Its serene beauty promotes a sense of peace and calm. In Canada wisteria does best in poor soil and does not bloom every spring. If you fertilize the plant, thinking you will promote blooms, you would be in for extra work, as the shoots and suckers grow with a vengeance. I will say, the wisteria vine has taught me patience over the years. I have only witnessed blooms four times, since it has been planted, over 30 years ago. I often want to remove it, but then miraculously I watch the balls of buds unfurl into the most gorgeous clusters of pea shaped, heavenly scented blooms, a sight well worth the wait. I have taken many pictures this spring to enjoy, as I know it will be at least another seven years for this miracle to happen again. I will add a note of caution, although extremely beautiful, wisteria, with its fast-growing habit, can escape from its intended area and become considered an invasive species.

The Tuesday, May 7th meeting was well attended. Members enjoyed the lighthearted presentation from Mary-Jane, as she spoke on “Successful Vegetable Gardening”. Mary-Jane shared great advice on planning and planting, reminding us to keep it simple. Sharing, not to get over enthusiastic so you won't become overwhelmed by creating more work than we could handle. Thank-you Mary-Jane for a fun and motivating evening.

The first Flower Show filled the Nestleton Hall with scents of Tulips, Narcissus, Hyacinths and blooming Shrubs. Thank-you, to all members, for your lovely entries. The Annual Plant, Bake and Yard Sale Fundraiser was very successful, and we thank all our members for their donations of plants, their talented baking skills and yard sale items. Congratulations, to our winners of the lovely hanging flower baskets, donated by Food Basics, Century Home and Garden, Foodland and Vos Independant. We also would like to thank the Blackstock United Church for their kind donations of plants. Thank-you to the board members and volunteers, who worked hard in the planning, setup and cleanup for the event.

Coming to next months meeting. We look forward to Sherry Dobson, from the Durham Master Gardeners, on Tuesday, June 4th, at 7:30 p.m., who will speak on “Herbs in our Gardens.” It was great to see new exhibitors enter in the May flower show, and we look forward to seeing more members participate in the June Iris Show.

Please refer to your yearbook on how to condition and groom your entries. Entries must be placed between 6 and 6:45 p.m., at the latest. Enjoy the goodies and refreshments. See Shelley for door prize tickets, and be kind to the environment. Don’t forget to Lug-a-mug. Guests are always welcome. See you there.

To become a member visit us, at PineRidgeGardenClub.com

Pine Ridge Garden Garden Club – Where Gardeners Come to Bloom