September Meeting

​Oak Grove Garden Club OGGC held the first meeting of the season in First Baptist gym so that we could be more socially distant. We went over our handbook to see what events are in store for us this year. Refreshments and decorations were provided by Annie Maxwell, Sandy Waters, and Vivian White Martin pictured below

Garden Design Contest - Julia Gilmore District Director

Summer of SunPatiens -- And our Winner Is... The last 2 weeks have been such a joy for me to dive into the deep end of the pool and analyze summer plantings. What has typically been an entirely crispy time at the Farm, has now opened with opportunity for colorful and abundant vignettes, whether around the front of my house, in containers, stacked on my porches, lining paths, or integrated with other plantings in textured installations.

As I reflect on the variety of SunPatiens implementations over the years at Moss Mountain Farm, I am inspired to do even more. And, with the longlasting nature of these beauties in my zone, I am considering ways to maximize their display across two seasons: Summer and Fall -- now that is flower power. I have also been inspired by all of you! I want to send a hearty *Thank You* to everyone who contributed to our online garden community with insights and designs for our ‘Summer of SunPatiens’ contest. You have heard the phrase ‘sharing is caring,” and I believe this to be the case with our friends here--thank you for your images, insights, and questions! I am convinced that SunPatiens have an important role to play in the garden; for us here in Central Arkansas, this translates to color, vigor, and volume right up to the first fall frost.

****Our Summer of SunPatiens Designer Winner Is**** Yesterday was a very exciting day, my garden judges and I poured through a healthy cache of submissions featuring your creative installation of SunPatiens. Everyone is to be commended for their work! I want to highlight the submissions of Julia and Gerald Gilmore. Their creative use of SunPatiens in the Garden, particularly with tasteful color matching and pairing with similarly colored plants in their border garden caught our eye. Julia and Gerald will receive several goodies shortly from Moss Mountain Farm and SunPatiens! Now, I also have a bonus! There are two additional gardeners that we selected from random to receive goodies, as well! Please congratulate Kate McGlaughlin and Bettina Abernathy Blalock. They, too, shall receive goodies from SunPatiens and Moss Mountain! Several of you have had very specific questions about SunPatiens and I have been pleased to see such a high interest level!

​Please see the official SunPatiens website (https://sunpatiens.com/) for additional detail on this plant and also for purchasing information. There are other, somewhat similar, plants in the marketplace; however, please be sure to confirm that you are purchasing actual Sakata SunPatiens (check the logo on the label). I have tried many plants in my day, but have not found alternatives with as good a result in the garden. P. Allen Smith