Safety Harbor Garden Club
Membership Meeting
November 18, 2020
Holiday Social (annual holiday luncheon/party: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNUAL EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR, DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS.
Plant Sale: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DECEMBER PLANT SALE AT FOLLY FARM HAS BEEN CANCELLED, DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS.
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 am and was held via Zoom. Approximately twenty members attended.
Leslie provided a live virtual tour of Mullet Creek Park, located north of Safety Harbor Spa. There is a lot of artwork as well as beautiful palms at the entrance. Our first stop was to view the newly planted Norfolk Island Pine tree which Dr. John Withers graciously donated along with $1,500. The tree has travelled with “Dr. John” through many States, including Alaska.
The next stop was at the Logan’s Love Pollinator Garden which was planted in August this year. Chris Dotson created the butterfly art in the center of the garden. Ellen Renshaw, co-founder of the Logan’s Love Foundation, explained that her daughter, Logan, passed away in 2018 and that she loved bees and butterflies. Ellen stated that life is continuous and always blooming. The Foundation strives to “be the light” in bringing communities together. The Garden is laid out in a pinwheel of colors, divided in sections according to colors. The red section includes many plants that were propagated at Folly Farm, including Pentas and others. The yellow section includes Black Eyed Susans, Cuban Buttercup, and others. The pink section features Vincas, Pink Pentas and Pink Tropical Sage. The blue section features Mist Flowers, Purple Porter, Jamaican Bush, Blue Porterweed and Shooting Star Shrubs. The Blue Porterweed and Cuban Buttercup were donated by Chris Dotson. Benches for relaxation and observing butterfly activity surround the perimeter of the garden. The Garden will be expanded outside of the perimeter, toward Dr. John’s tree, and large Pentas will be planted toward the hedges.
Leslie showed us a highly successful propagation kit, to be given away at the end of the meeting. She described and demonstrated how to assembler the propagation kit. A large container with screen on the bottom (to prevent leakage through the holes in the bottom) was filled with wet Vermiculite. A smaller pot with a cork in the bottom (for wicking) was placed in the middle of the Vermiculite. Cuttings are planted in the Vermiculite surrounding the small pot. The Vermiculite is kept wet by putting water in the smaller pot. The cuttings root within about 3-4 weeks. Then the cuttings should be transferred to 4” pots. When the roots come out of the bottom of the pots, they should then be transferred to one-gallon pots.
Next on the tour were the 9-Square demonstration gardens. These gardens were updated in the Spring. These squares are popular and there has been a lot of positive feedback from the community. Different Club members take care of specific squares. One square is still “up for grabs.” The Club will help with advice, plants, etc. All squares are works in progress.
Gary and Celeste are tending one square. They have cleaned up the trellis and planted Dutchman’s Pipe Vine at the bottom of three legs of the trellis. They have also planted Beauty Berry. The next square contains Passion Vine on the trellis surrounded by Blue Porterweed. Another square features veggies and plant identification rocks made by Jennifer. The next square, tended by Chris Dotson, includes Milkweed and many pollinators. Gisela’s square features large Pentas which were propagated in sand at Folly Farm.
Moving on, Leslie pointed out mosaic glasswork by Heather Richardson and a Pineapple plants garden, which needs weeded but is healthy and impressive. Gary stated that there is plenty of space waiting to be planted and plenty of need for weeding throughout the Park.
Holiday Social (annual holiday luncheon/party: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNUAL EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED THIS YEAR, DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS.
Linda Howard reported that the “Follow the Garden Train” event is still planned for December 30th and includes three stops. Members will drive separately and meet at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden in Spring Hill by 11:00 am. It is an easy one hour drive straight up US19. The Spring Hill Garden Club will lead us on a socially distanced tour of the garden which features many gardens including impressive bromeliads and camelias, among others. The holiday décor display will still be up. At Noon free box lunches from Panera Bread will be provided by the Spring Hill Garden Club. (Members will receive information on menu choices via e-mail before the day of the event.)
The second stop on the “Follow the Garden Train” event will be held at an outdoor train garden which is an exact historical replica of the former town of Centralia. This garden features an impressive array of native plants, including a notable section of succulents.
The third stop will be held at Everlast Orchids and will include a tour of the front nursery, store and a special “back lot” tour of the greenhouses.
All stops on this trip will be easy to find and will be in a “circle” that will bring you back to US19, headed home. Gary will send detailed info in an e-mail to all members. This is an RSVP event. Any member attending must RSVP in advance.
Plant Sale: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DECEMBER PLANT SALE AT FOLLY FARM HAS BEEN CANCELLED, DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS.
Leslie reported that all plants being prepared for the December plant sale will be cared for until the April Plant Sale. All of the plants will be even more healthy and impressive by then. All plants will be kept at Sandy’s and/or members can keep their donations at home to care for them until closer to the April Plant Sale.
Gary reported that, because of our partnership between Folly Farm and City of Safety Harbor, the City has donated to the Club a large shed with a garage door. Also, there are plans forming to open the other house at Folly Farm and include a room large enough for our Club meetings and events.
30th Anniversary: A new logo is being created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Safety Harbor Garden Club. Three versions of the logo have been offered and members will vote on the final logo. Gary will send the information via e-mail to all members. Gary stated there is a possibility/probability of T-shirts and coffee cups with the new logo. The City of Safety Harbor will be making Club signs with the new logo.
As the meeting was drawing to a close, the propagation kit was awarded, by random drawing, the Paula Harvey.
Gary reminded us that all members are invited to come together every Monday morning at Folly Farm for volunteering, work, fun and fellowship.
**** No organized gardening this Monday, November 23****
The meeting adjourned at 10:30am.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Isak