If you're dreaming for Spring . . . thanks to Betty Lenderman the Quail Valley Garden Club had a wonderful "taste" of spring.
And we have a new member. Sally Richter has moved to Quail Valley Cottages from Sugar Land. Jo Ann has sent out the updated information, so you can get to know Sally who loves gardening and has a special interest in native plants. Sally is pictured below so seek her out at our upcoming meeting.
Be sure you say hi to Linn Wells (standing), Nancy Lindsay and Velma Herrick as well . . . and join in the laughter.
Janice Scanlan called the meeting to order and welcomed Sally Richter. Mary Frances Ashmore led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and has a perfect inspirational piece for the new year of 7 things we could do to make it a wonderful year. . . they were all free and including wearing a smile. Mary Frances and Diane Peyton are pictured below taking Mary's advice of a smile.
Janice thanked hostesses Suzy Walters, Cindy Calender, Pat Hardman, Velma Herrick, Jerre Anne Wagner and Janice Scanlan. She also recognized the Snowfest committee, Christmas lighting judges and thanked Judy Belt for her lovely home at our Christmas party. Sorry the picture below is a little blurry, but it shows (l-r) Juanita Ayres, Shirley Renfrow, Judy Belt, Jo Altenbern and Rose Ann Acosta, who joined last summer, but due to an accident and travel, this was Rose Ann's first meeting. Make sure you get to know Rose Ann as well, who is owner of one of our gardens for this year's Back Yard Tour, April 30. And you see Joan Fox and Sally Richter in the background.
Penny Johnson introduced our speaker, Betty Lenderman, of Enchanted Forest and Enchanted Gardens. Betty's presentation on bulbs, cromes and tubers was enchanting and inspirational. Her knowledge of bulbs and her love of Amarylis in particular . . . made a captivating program.
And did we have fun buying plants and bulbs. I'm going to hit a few high points, but since Betty used the late John Teas' bulb list with ones she has added, we had a encyclopedic overview of the subject. Her tip on how to always have an Amaryllis bulb in the frig . . . that you can force and always have the perfect gift blooming and ready to give in six weeks! Put your bulbs inside the frig in a paper bag with a paper towel inside outside of the Hydrator . . . and never use plastic bags. Plant them 6 weeks before you plan to give them. And you see the results! Betty used pretty ribbons and stakes to store keep those heavy flowers standing.
Some other highlights . . .Don't plant bulbs deep in Houston . . .The OT or Oriental Trumpet Lily is a summer beauty that thrives in Houston that is spectacular like the Stargazer. . .Orange and yellow daylilies are best for Houston. Spot fungus seems to get the pinks and purples . . .Plant Gladiolas Feb 15 for summer glory. Best to stake them and plant protected from the wind . . .Crinum lilies (Ditch Lilies) for summer (Sharon Wright had beautiful Crinums in her garden last July--see Yard of the Month). . . March Mart at Mercer Arboretum is a great place to buy bulbs -- this spring March 25-26 . . .Gingers, the Heidekians are fragrant and flood the beds. . . Oxblood lillies, Lycoris, Blood Lillies and Ground Orchids are profuse in Houston area . . .After many more tips, Betty said something very interesting . . . that this is the Century of Biology . . . and what we're learning about our natural earth.
We elected new officers: President, Penny Johnson; 1st VP Programs, Barbara Thompson; 2nd VP Membership, Jo Ann Mayhall; Recording Secretary, Bette Kraus; Corresponding Secretary, Karen Meier; Treasurer, Judy Belt; Parliamentarian, Janice Scanlan.
Marilyn Ellis and Arbor Day Chair Ann Caraway. We approved planting 3 trees: one in Roane Park (Turtle Creek coming in Eastside into several Quail Valley Neighborhoods and two in MacNaughton Park (Old Executive 9). The tree for Roane will be planted this spring. The MacNaughton trees will be planted in October or November to escape earth moving in the park.
We saved the best for last . . . a wonderful horticulture sharing led by Joyce Smith who is pictured to the right below of Jo Ann Mayhall.
And much wonderful fellowship!
Cindy Calender, Ruth Anderson, Betty Vickroy.
Mary Chan, Marilyn Ellis, Suzy Walters.
Barbara Thompson and Nancy Lindsay.
Virginia Moore.
In February we have Orchids for Your Valentines with John Stubbings, Past President of Houston Orchid Society . . .another inspiring and beautiful program that plants will be availabe for sale!
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