"Entertaining From The Garden"

The Macon Federation of Garden Clubs hosted a Fund Raiser which featured James Farmer, noted Middle Georgia Author, Decorator and Speaker as well as a Columnist for "Southern Living" Magazine.

The Fund Raiser was also a Luncheon which had a sold out crowd of eight at each of 35 tables.  The tables were decorated by Garden Club Members as well as several local Decorators.

This table was decorated by this Blog Author's Bride.  She focused on a Fall Theme.  

The following three pictures feature the Author of this Blog's Table.

 He presented a table which featured vegetables and focused on the theme "Entertaining From The Garden.  The China had roses so the theme was complete. 

 Each guest at this table received a gift bag with a book mark that featured a picture of  a bloom or a garden scene.  The book marks featured appropriate "Gardening Quotes."  Each gift bag had unique contents.  After the Luncheon each guest at this table was able to select items from the centerpiece decor to also place in their gift bag.  I chose a color scheme that worked well with the fresh vegetables.

At the time I volunteered to decorate a table I was informed that the best three table decorations would receive a James Farmer Wreath.  Each Wreath was unique and I challenged all the Garden Club Ladies that I would win a Wreath.

Here is a picture of the wreath that I received.  I did have one of the three selected as the best decorated tables.  I understand that a unbiased panel of evaluators selected the top three decorated tables. There was no announcement as regards which one was the best.

In addition to this event being a "Fund Raiser" it was also a "Fun Raiser."

October Beauty

West Bibb County Georgia

 The two previous pictures are of "Angel Trumpet" blooms.

 A Confederate Rose Bloom

This Blog's Author with a plethora of Angel Trumpet Blooms

Late September Beauty

Middle Georgia

Tea Olive

Peace Lilly

Camellia

We all often hear the saying "Take Time To Smell The Roses!"  Today I will focus on some of the late September Beauty and Fragrance that we have the opportunity to enjoy every Fall.

Every Morning as I walk past the garage to collect the morning newspaper I must walk past the Tea Olive Shrubs.  At this time of the year they are in bloom and the fragrance is beautiful. 

 This is a close up of the Tea Olive Blooms. 

 These shrubs are seven feet tall and I keep them pruned to this height so that they do not provide dampness to the wood trim on the North side of the garage.  While their appearance is not exciting, the small blooms and the fragrance make they a very pleasant plant to have in the landscape.

 In addition to the Peace Lillies we have in the house to keep the air healthy we have several in planters in the Garden on the North side of our home.  This is a close up of one of the flowers.  I enjoy capturing the pictures of the blooms.

I also noted that the "Yuletide" Camellia is setting buds for flowering very soon.  I have enjoyed these blooms for about thirteen years.  The "Yuletide" is the first Camellia that blooms in our Garden every Fall.

Beauty surrounds us all in our daily lives.  I would encourage everyone to take the time to appreciate the results of their labors in the Gardens.

Planning Landscape Plantings

I am aware that most everyone desires lovely plants in the landscape.  Thus they plant shrubs and plants that they have seen in other places or that they think will add beauty to the scene.  No problem.  That is everyone's goal.  While this post may sound a bit basic for many I desire to stress the importance of knowing what you purchase when you are acquiring plants.  If you have a landscape contractor you may also want to share this infomation with them when you are planning a landscape project.

No matter your situation I would encourage everyone to know the growth habits of any plants that they are considering.  

 I am sure that you will agree that this is a lovely looking Crepe Myrtle displaying beautiful color. 

 Here is a closer look at the structure of this Crepe Myrtle.  For several years it received an annual pruning to keep it low and pleasant to the eye for those who passed by.  I have heard some refer to this process of pruning as "Crepe Murder."

This is a close up of the structure of the same Crepe Myrtle plant.  This view clearly shows that the new growth in 2012 was able to sprout from the previous joints that had been severely pruned.  This year the new branches were allowed to grow and display their beauty as you observed in the first photograph in this Blog Post.

My point today is to know the growth habit and acquire plants that will fit the needs and desires of your landscape scheme.  The plant that is the subject of this Blog Post is in the middle of the entrance and exit lanes of the development where I live.  It can grow as high as it is supposed to grow with out hampering the view or the building it would be in front of if you planted it in your landscape as a planting near your home.

I understand that some Crepe Myrtle shrubs can actually become trees.  I have read the descriptions on some that indicate that they can grow to as high as 60 feet. 

Thus the title of this post.  Plan ahead and know the growth habit of the plants you acquire for your respective projects. Proper Planning will always reduce the maintenance required for you to continue to have a lovely looking landscape at your home and/or business.

2012 Hydrangea Blooms

These Blooms were photographed on May 23, 2012

These are pictures of Hydrangeas that are currently in bloom in West Bibb County, Georgia.

Angel Trumpet Blooms

Bloom Sequence Times

I do not recall that the Angel Trumpet Plant has ever bloomed as early as this year.  Today I post the dates and times with pictures of the stages of bloom for my Angel Trumpet Plant.

May 23, 2012 at 7:22 A.M.



May 23, 2012 at 7:23 P.M.

May 23, 2012 at 7:23 P.M.



May 24, 2012 at 7:05 A.M.

I have cared for this plant, or should I say rootstock for well over ten years.  This plant is kept in a fourteen inch pot and I winter it over each year in the garage.

I have given cuttings from this plant to many gardners.  I also have plants in the soil in my own gardens which come back each Spring.  They are pruned back each fall prior to a frost and covered with plenty of leaves and pine straw.  

Blue Star Memorial Marker Dedication

Thomaston, Georgia

at the

Greatest Generation Park

The Green Thumb Garden Club of Thomaston, Georgia dedicated this Blue Star Memorial Marker on Friday,  May 18, 2012.  The weekend of May 19th and 20th is Armed Forces Weekend in the United States of America so this date was selected as part of a fitting Memorial Ceremony to honor our Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America.  It is certainly a fitting tribute to the Men and Women who have Served to have this Memorial Marker placed in the "Greatest Generation Park" in Thomaston.

This series of fourteen pictures give you an overview of the dignity of this event.