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Seeing yellow

The Miami Valley/Dayton, Ohio area is well known for many things. Think: Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Charles F. Kettering, the Wright Brothers, Mike Sells Potato Chips, Marion’s Pizza and so much more. We are also known as the Birthplace of Aviation much to the consternation of North Carolinians….. Those of us who weren’t smart enough to leave the area also know it as Sinus Valley.

This is pollen - not a fancy paint job.

This is pollen on my poor Toro – not a fancy new paint job.

The photo above is what my mower looked like after mowing only the HALF of my .4 of an acre here in Washington Township. I felt like Charlie Brown’s friend Pig Pen going around the yard. I’m not sure if my White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is going into overdrive in pollen production what with the imminent Emerald Ash Borer invasion and all. Maybe it is mad that I planted a 6′ Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipfera) at its feet in anticipation of its removal when it gets the dreaded disease….

The business end of the Ash tree flowers.

The business end of the Ash tree flowers.

My only salvation will be a constant supply of sinus meds for the time being. For a change, I’m crossing my fingers for rain.

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Sales Alerts

KNOLLWOOD GARDEN CENTER: April 25-28, 20th annual Impatiens and Begonia sale. $12.99/flat.

GRANDMA’S GARDEN CENTER: Now through April 28, Spring Perennial Party, all quart-size and larger pots 25% off. Fri-Sun: Impatiens and begonia flats are $11.99.

MIAMI VALLEY HOSTA SOCIETY ANNUAL PLANT AUCTION: Tuesday, May 14, Polen Farm (5099 Bigger Road, Kettering OH 45440. Preview starts at 6 pm.

Be sure to check the EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES tab at the top for other area activities.

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The push for a BIG PULL

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) – you may be related to my beloved brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower – but I LIKE YOU NOT! You are just as hated as the obnoxious Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) which I successfully eradicated from my yard last year. So there! You just think you can wander into our lands and choke out and out-compete our native plants and wildflowers with your aggressive growing manners. Well some of us have had it and we’re not going to take it any more. In fact, YOU are now on the hit list.

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Honeysuckle invasion

Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm and Five Rivers MetroParks are working together to remove garlic mustard at Aullwood Garden MetroPark, the fomer home of Marie Aull. Marie was known as the Dayton (OH) area’s beloved naturalist and conservationist. In 1956 the gift of her land to the Audubon Society resulted in the creation of the Midwest’s first nature center, Aullwood Center and Farm. In 1977 her home and gardens were given to what is now known as Five Rivers MetroParks. She passed away in 2002 at the age of 105.

As in other areas of our state, invasives plants are overtaking the land. Garlic Mustard and Lesser Celandine (formerly Ranunculas ficaria now known as Ficaria verna) are running rampant. Ohio’s Former First Lady Hope Taft is asking for help.

Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine

On Tuesday, May 21, volunteers are needed for a BIG PULL. Learn how you can help research the best methods to remove garlic mustard, lesser celandine and other non-native invasives. There will be two work shifts. The first shift runs 9:30 am to noon, the second shift runs from 1-3:00 pm. Pack a lunch. Bonus: volunteers will get a special tour of Marie Aull’s home! Cookies and water will be provided.

The group is also looking for about 20 people to ‘adopt a plot’ and monitor (look at it and take a photo of it and describe what you see) what happens in it about 3 times over the growing season.

Marie Aull's home

Marie Aull’s home

For more information or to register for The BIG Pull, please contact Hope Taft, ohiohoper@yahoo.com, (937) 848-2993 with your name, address, email and phone number and garden club. Last day to register is May 14.

Mrs. Taft is also available to give a short presentation on this topic and the value of removing invasive species for a club meeting.

Be sure to visit the EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES tab at the top of the page.

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Heads Up

I don’t know what it is, but lately I seem to have an interest in watching the sky. No matter that I’m going 65 mph (or a little over) on the freeway or standing in a parking lot – I whip out my camera and take a picture. There is no time to stage or drive to a better spot – just get the image on the camera. Last week we had a spectacular showing in the evening sky. Just look at the first photo below. The photo doesn’t do it justice. Here are some other sky scenes from this past year.

Be sure to check the EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES tab at the top of the page.

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What is that smell?

Brugmansia blooms – the business end.

I have a perfume factory in my family room. The fragrance? Brugmansia. LOTS and LOTS of Brugmansia. It is also known as Angel’s Trumpet. This 7-foot tree like plant was one of the last plants I brought in from outside for the winter. It proceeded to thank me for saving its tender tropical life by dropping its leaves. Five to ten a day. You can hear them: plop, plop, plop.

Just when the plant looked its worst, it started to bloom. Five blooms opened Sunday night – ten more opened last night. Five more are expected tonight. Twenty glorious flowers – and they are spectacular – over a foot long, including the scape. Brugmansias are in the Solanacea plant family as are the potatoes and nightshades. Native to tropical South America regions it relies on pollinating moths who are allured by its overpowering scent which kicks into high gear in the early evening. I can even smell them upstairs! Thank goodness it is a pleasant scent.

Gardening author in town

Wegerzyn Auditorium (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton OH) is the place to be this coming Sunday, October 21 from 2-4 pm when  Stephanie Cohen will share, “Native Plants with Bling!”  Join popular garden lecturer and writer Stephanie Cohen for a discussion about selecting and incorporating the best of native plants in your garden to add sparkle and bling.

Native plants are sustainable, good for wildlife and the environment, and some have even become superstars in the perennial plant industry. Unfortunately, some native plants also have a reputation for looking weedy, boring or out of control and not being a good choice for the home garden. Au contraire – gardening with native plants will benefit the native insects and wildlife, save time and money, conserve water AND look great all at the same time.

Stephanie has taught herbaceous plants and perennial design at Temple University for over 20 years. She was the founder and director of the Landscape Arboretum at Temple University. She is a contributing editor for “Fine Gardening” and The HGTV Newsletter and her recent books include Fallscaping: Extending your Garden Season into Autumn and The NonStop Garden.

Call (937) 277-6545 to register. Event is free and all are welcome!

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Second flower show winners

The 2012 Montgomery County Fair Flower Show wrapped up its second and final flower show held during the run of fair in Dayton, Ohio. The Garden Club Federation of Dayton and Vicinity would like to thank all those who helped make it a success – especially considering the difficult drought this summer.

BEST OF SHOW AWARDS

Best of Show – Section 1 (Roses): John Adams

Best of Show – Section 2-6 (All Other Cut Specimens): John Adams

Best of Show – Section 7 (Container-Grown Plants): Dale Rodgers

Best of Show – Section 8 Cacti/Succulents: John Adams

Best of Show – Section 9 (Junior Horticulture): Michelle Keck

Best of Show – Section 12 (Adult Artistic): Joni Duncan

Best of Show – Section 14 (Junior Artistic): Lilly Svisco

OTHER AWARDS

Judge’s Award of Distinction – Adult Horticulture: Jan Vomacka

Green Thumb Award – Adult Horticulture (for Cultural Perfection from Sections 1-6): Jan Vomacka

Container Growers Award – Adult Horticulture (for Cultural Perfection From Sections 7-8): Barbara Warner

Judge’s Award of Distinction – Adult Artistic: Babs Sabick

Green Thumb Award – Junior Horticulture (Horticultural Excellence of a Junior Exhibit): Ben Zink

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And the winners are……

The 160th Montgomery County Fair (Dayton, OH) is now underway running August 29-September 3, 2012. The Garden Club Federation of Dayton and Vicinity (‘like’ us on Facebook) produces two flower shows during the run of the fair. The first flower show was held Wednesday, August 29 and the winners are noted below. Reminder to exhibitors: the first show entries will be released at 5 pm, Friday, August 31.

Anyone who is a Federation member or is a resident of Butler, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble or Warren Counties is eligible to enter these flower shows. Entries for the second show on Saturday, September 1, will be accepted from 6-9 pm, August 31 and 7-9 am, September 1. There are no entry fees and no premiums will be given. You’ll just win beautiful ribbons, maybe some big rosettes and be the envy of your green (and brown) thumbed friends. Check out the complete flower show schedule and exhibitor rules HERE. The second show entries will be released at 5 pm, Monday, September 3. We hope to see you there!

BEST OF SHOW AWARDS

Best of Show – Section 1 (Roses): Ed Marrinan

Best of Show – Sections 2-6 (All Other Cut Specimens): Jean Beecher

Best of Show – Section 7 (Container Grown Plants): Caralynn Appenzeller

Best of Show – Section 8 (cacti/succulents): Nancy Denlinger

Best of Show – Section 9 (Junior Horticulture): Grace Hansford, age 6

Best of Show – Section 10 (Artistic Special Class): Joni Duncan

Best of Show – Section 11 (Adult Artistic): Louise Bennett

Best of Show – Section 13 (Junior Artistic): Rachel Dalyrmple

OTHER AWARDS

Judge’s Award of Distinction – Adult Horticulture: Marcia Heil

Green Thumb Award – Adult Horticulture (for Horticultural Excellence in Sections 1-6): Caralynn Appenzeller

Container Grower Award – Adult Horticulture (for Cultural Perfection in Sections 7-8): John Adams

Judge’s Award of Distinction – Adult Artistic: Babs Sabick

Green Thumb Award – Junior Horticulture (for horticultural excellence from Section 9): Rebekah Hansford, age 13

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The Beauty of Nature

My garden club – the Here & There Garden Club (affiliated with The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc.) – is having a special Open Meeting, 7 pm, Tuesday, August 7. 2012 at Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren (800 E. David Rd., Kettering OH 45429). Our guest speaker is club member Louise Bennett. Her program “The Beauty of Nature” will feature Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) designs of the Ohara school style.

Louise is is an Associate First Degree Master (10th Level) of Ohara School of Ikebana and a member of the North American Ohara Teachers Association. The event is free and open to the public.