Evergreen Garden Club meets in April

VW independent/submitted information

The Evergreen Garden Club held its April 6 meeting in the Historical Museum Annex with 29 members in attendance.

Member Arlene Gamble presented a “virtual garden tour”. She and her daughter, Kelli, formerly of Van Wert, now of Chelsea, Michigan, toured private gardens near Detroit. Some of the estate gardens were in Grosse Pointe (located on the shores of the Detroit River), Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, and Birmingham, Michigan. Arlene Gamble met Debra Silvers at her garden. Silvers, who owns Detroit Garden works in Pontiac, Michigan, included many of her impressive manufactured urns in her gardens.

Diane Ryan called the business meeting to order. Committee reports were as follows: The annual perennial plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 7, at Fountain Park, with plants available to the public beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Members need to dig their perennials 1½ to 2 weeks before the sale. Identify the plants and color, if possible, and write the information on the mini-blinds provided, but do not price the plants. Each member is responsible for bringing at least five plants or a $25 donation. In addition to plants, garden tools, books, gloves, clay pots or decorative pots — garden-type items that members no longer use may be taken to the sale.

Rachel Hoverman sent her report for summer plantings in Fountain Park. The hanging baskets have been planted. “State Fair” zinnias will be planted around the flagpole, while the roses and annuals near the Main Street garden will be redone. Cleanup at the park will be on April 29 at 9:30 a.m. The Historical Museum herb garden is still in the planning stages.

The Jubilee Flower Show will be held June 4 and 5 at Wassenberg Art Center. Plans are underway for this annual event. The local garden clubs express their appreciation to the Van Wert County Foundation for making this show possible.

An expression of thanks was given to Linda Stanley for the many hours she spent re-working the show books and taking them to the printers.

Members were encouraged to make plans to attend the Regional 2 meeting on April 26 in Findlay, with registration at 9 a.m. At the meeting, a silent auction will be held and Marcia Smith will donate a cement leaf for this auction.

On June 1, the club will be traveling to Elmor and Waterville for the day and will visit the Schedel Arboretum and Carruth Studio.

The October Fall 2016 Regional meeting will be held in Van Wert, with Wren and Evergreen garden clubs hosting the day.

Hostesses for the April meeting were Stanley, Kate DeVogel, and Sandra Brady. Their refreshment table was cleverly decorated with an “April showers will bring May flowers” theme.

The next meeting will be held on May 5 at Wassenberg Art Center.