District VI - Gonzales Garden Club - Gonzales LA
Deeds & Doings
Seven Sisters Oak, President - Live Oak Society - Photo courtesy of Coleen Perilloux Landry, Chairman - Live Oak
March 2025
Save the Date - Friday - April 11!
Garden Inspiration Flower Show - April 2-4, 2025
The Gonzales Garden Club produced its annual flower show this month. The Garden Inspiration Exhibit at the Gonzales library on April 2nd – 4th was the club’s largest exhibit of floral designs, horticulture specimens and container plants in recent memory. The public was encouraged to vote for their favorite entry in each division of the exhibit.
Club participation was outstanding. Every active club member contributed. Many members submitted multiple entries. Paola DiNatale, Flo Hernandez and Raakhee Malani submitted entries in all three divisions. Marilyn Rice created the most floral designs (three) entries in the show. Flo Hernandez brought three container plants, which was the most in that category. Conchita Richey displayed 13 specimens which was tops in that group.
Ten creative flower arrangements in niches adorned with fabric, figurines and thematic accessories comprised the Floral Design Division. Floral designers used trays, pedestals and a wooden lazy Susan to underscore their colorful arrangements of fresh flowers.
Eighteen entries formed the Container Plants Division. The display of plants was intriguing. The unique variety of the containers added interest to the fascinating plants themselves. In addition to house plants in stylish pots of metal, terra cotta and ceramic, there were a succulent wreath hung from a window frame, an orchid in a wooden crate, a fern in a decoupaged basket and a pothos in a fancifully painted head pot.
The Horticulture Specimen Division boasted 62 flora and foliage samples. Featured blooms were iris, amaryllis, verbena, gerbers, roses, stokes aster, phlox, bridal wreath, African violets, begonia, spiderwort, society garlic, Texas bluebonnets, coral honeysuckle, mock orange, shrimp plant, snapdragons, mandevilla, Savannah holly, sweet olive, ground orchids and foliage from Japanese maple, cannas, ivies, ferns and herbs. Vessels for these cut stems included traditional colorless glass vases and bottles plus colored glass, cut crystal, glazed ceramic, a hand-painted bottle and a grapevine wreath.
Past GGC President Conchita Richey pointed out, “The show was very pretty, and it was also very educational, too.” In light of the club’s objective to share knowledge of gardening, current GGC President Jamie Trisler remarked, “The show was an opportunity for patrons of the library to enjoy a bounty of horticulture specimens, eye-pleasing floral designs and various plants. The club hopes those attending the Gonzales Garden Club’s ‘Garden Inspiration’ leads others to engage in different aspects of gardening and reap the many benefits it brings.”
To complement the Garden Inspiration Exhibit, two presentations were offered at the opening of the flower show on that Wednesday morning. Member Marilyn Rice presented “The Mechanics of Floral Design” by recommending useful items for constructing stable flower arrangements. She discussed wet foam, weighted “frogs”, floral tape, water reservoirs, picks for soft stems, risers and pedestals, Spanish moss lightly coated with hairspray, containers from the thrift store, long twigs from her yard, and a lazy Susan to turn the arrangement as she works. Member Janis Poche’s “Ten Steps to Become a Better Gardener” worked through topics to consider: resource material, soil improvement, the right tools, planning diagrams, knowledge of fertilizers and pesticides, plant requirements, propagation options, merits of pruning, daily perusal, and the joy of the pastime. As lagniappe, Janis spoke of an eleventh step, patience. She advised, “Don’t get angry. Gardening is the work of a lifetime. You’ll never finish.” Janis ended her talk with her personal opinion of her favorite pastime, “Checking my garden is the most peaceful time of the day.”
Incorporated into the club’s visit to the library was the annual presentation of books to the public library system. Five hardback copies of Louisiana Wildflower Guide by Charles M. Allen were gifted tor distribution to each branch. Additionally, two beautifully illustrated coffee table books were personally donated by Associate Member Loretta Speligene: Small and Container Gardening and The Plant Book.
The garden club’s May meeting agenda includes the President’s Report, Installation of Officers, and Garden Inspiration Exhibit People’s Choice Awards.
Club participation was outstanding. Every active club member contributed. Many members submitted multiple entries. Paola DiNatale, Flo Hernandez and Raakhee Malani submitted entries in all three divisions. Marilyn Rice created the most floral designs (three) entries in the show. Flo Hernandez brought three container plants, which was the most in that category. Conchita Richey displayed 13 specimens which was tops in that group.
Ten creative flower arrangements in niches adorned with fabric, figurines and thematic accessories comprised the Floral Design Division. Floral designers used trays, pedestals and a wooden lazy Susan to underscore their colorful arrangements of fresh flowers.
Eighteen entries formed the Container Plants Division. The display of plants was intriguing. The unique variety of the containers added interest to the fascinating plants themselves. In addition to house plants in stylish pots of metal, terra cotta and ceramic, there were a succulent wreath hung from a window frame, an orchid in a wooden crate, a fern in a decoupaged basket and a pothos in a fancifully painted head pot.
The Horticulture Specimen Division boasted 62 flora and foliage samples. Featured blooms were iris, amaryllis, verbena, gerbers, roses, stokes aster, phlox, bridal wreath, African violets, begonia, spiderwort, society garlic, Texas bluebonnets, coral honeysuckle, mock orange, shrimp plant, snapdragons, mandevilla, Savannah holly, sweet olive, ground orchids and foliage from Japanese maple, cannas, ivies, ferns and herbs. Vessels for these cut stems included traditional colorless glass vases and bottles plus colored glass, cut crystal, glazed ceramic, a hand-painted bottle and a grapevine wreath.
Past GGC President Conchita Richey pointed out, “The show was very pretty, and it was also very educational, too.” In light of the club’s objective to share knowledge of gardening, current GGC President Jamie Trisler remarked, “The show was an opportunity for patrons of the library to enjoy a bounty of horticulture specimens, eye-pleasing floral designs and various plants. The club hopes those attending the Gonzales Garden Club’s ‘Garden Inspiration’ leads others to engage in different aspects of gardening and reap the many benefits it brings.”
To complement the Garden Inspiration Exhibit, two presentations were offered at the opening of the flower show on that Wednesday morning. Member Marilyn Rice presented “The Mechanics of Floral Design” by recommending useful items for constructing stable flower arrangements. She discussed wet foam, weighted “frogs”, floral tape, water reservoirs, picks for soft stems, risers and pedestals, Spanish moss lightly coated with hairspray, containers from the thrift store, long twigs from her yard, and a lazy Susan to turn the arrangement as she works. Member Janis Poche’s “Ten Steps to Become a Better Gardener” worked through topics to consider: resource material, soil improvement, the right tools, planning diagrams, knowledge of fertilizers and pesticides, plant requirements, propagation options, merits of pruning, daily perusal, and the joy of the pastime. As lagniappe, Janis spoke of an eleventh step, patience. She advised, “Don’t get angry. Gardening is the work of a lifetime. You’ll never finish.” Janis ended her talk with her personal opinion of her favorite pastime, “Checking my garden is the most peaceful time of the day.”
Incorporated into the club’s visit to the library was the annual presentation of books to the public library system. Five hardback copies of Louisiana Wildflower Guide by Charles M. Allen were gifted tor distribution to each branch. Additionally, two beautifully illustrated coffee table books were personally donated by Associate Member Loretta Speligene: Small and Container Gardening and The Plant Book.
The garden club’s May meeting agenda includes the President’s Report, Installation of Officers, and Garden Inspiration Exhibit People’s Choice Awards.
March 5, 2025 Meeting
Dr. Allen Owings, guest speaker for the March 5 meeting, gave a look at the 2025 LSU Super Plants listed on the right. |
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Bedding Super Plants -- Dr. Allen Owings is a renowned authority in the world of Louisiana Horticulture. He graciously agrees to speak at Gonzales Garden Club functions and did so on the first Wednesday in March. The club met in the gym of the First Methodist Church in Gonzales to hear him speak on one of his favorite topics, Super Plants.
Dr. Owings, Professor Emeritus at LSU AgCenter, opened his presentation with a rundown of the Super Plant selections for 2025, which are gaura, Vermillionaire cuphea, southern indica azalea and dusty miller. Gaura is a native perennial that likes full sun. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The plant is also called whirling butterfly. Cuphea is sometimes called cigar plant or firecracker bush. It can grow two feet tall and two feet wide; it can be pruned back and will rebloom. Bees like it. Southern indica azaleas include three varieties. These evergreen shrubs grow six to eight feet tall. Plant Formosa azaleas more than three feet apart. They bloom for about two weeks. Dusty miller is best grown from September through May. It blooms with pansies and violas.
Dr. Owings expounded on previous selections of tried-and-true cool and warm season bedding plants. He said not to buy vinca now, “Wait until summer when it’s hot enough.” Petunias are fall/winter plants. Plant the prolific bubble gum petunias three feet apart. If you want to keep Supertunias blooming through the summer, put them in a container so you can move them into the shade and use light fertilizer. Dianthus is a cool season bedding plant that will last until June. Amazon and Jolts varieties have taller spikes. Coreopsis is a perennial pollinator plant that blooms spring through fall. Frost will not hurt it. Cut it back, and it will come back stronger. It can be divided now or early fall. Marigolds need to be deadheaded every seven to 10 days. Dr. Owings attested, “It’s not true that marigolds repel bad insects. That’s hogwash.” Dragon’s Breath Celosia is a “fantastic thriller” in a container. It grows beautiful crimson plumes. Lemon sedum could be a spiller plant or a ground cover. He recommends buying a 4” pot since “it will grow fast.” Beacon impatiens is an improved variety for disease resistance. Cut it back in mid to late summer. Note that they will get tall if you plant them too close together.
Dr. Owings is a self-proclaimed “salvia fan”. He has had 45 different varieties. He recommends planting Roman red, white flame, and black and blue in a pattern. They will get three feet tall in full sun. He advised, “If they get too big, cut them back half way for a better growth habit. You will get lateral branching and even more blooms.” Senorita Rosalita Cleome is another Owings favorite. It’s a tall plant full of flowers that does not need deadheading. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Owings proclaimed, “Ruby Red is the best penta for pollinators, no doubt about it. It has more nectar.” He also likes porterweed for hummingbirds. It comes in blue, purple, coral and red in different heights.
After his talk, GGC members asked many questions to get expert advice from the senior horticulturist. He provided guidance for managing post-freeze plant material and insight into preparing gardens for spring. For a complete list of Louisiana Super Plants, visit LSUAgCenter.com/SuperPlants. Owings promised, “With 70 Super Plants to choose from, you’ll have an award-winning landscape.”
Curt and Marilyn Rice, Dale Bowman, Janis D’Benedetto, Paola DiNatale, Kathy Guidry, Cynthia Stafford and Katherine Stagg served a meal of gumbo with rice, potato salad, vegetarian pasta, spice cake, lemon ice box pie and bread pudding. They were proud to feed Dr. Owings before he headed out to his next gig in Hammond.
The horticulture hint is to plant fruit trees and shrubs as soon as possible. April 2 will be the opening of the club’s Garden Inspiration Exhibit at the Gonzales Library. A two-part program will begin at 9:00am. The flower show will be on display through the evening of April 4. The public is invited to vote for the People’s Choice Awards. April 11 will be the club’s Plant/Bake Sale from 9:00 til noon at Gonzales City Hall. Please support the club’s only annual fundraiser.
Dr. Owings, Professor Emeritus at LSU AgCenter, opened his presentation with a rundown of the Super Plant selections for 2025, which are gaura, Vermillionaire cuphea, southern indica azalea and dusty miller. Gaura is a native perennial that likes full sun. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The plant is also called whirling butterfly. Cuphea is sometimes called cigar plant or firecracker bush. It can grow two feet tall and two feet wide; it can be pruned back and will rebloom. Bees like it. Southern indica azaleas include three varieties. These evergreen shrubs grow six to eight feet tall. Plant Formosa azaleas more than three feet apart. They bloom for about two weeks. Dusty miller is best grown from September through May. It blooms with pansies and violas.
Dr. Owings expounded on previous selections of tried-and-true cool and warm season bedding plants. He said not to buy vinca now, “Wait until summer when it’s hot enough.” Petunias are fall/winter plants. Plant the prolific bubble gum petunias three feet apart. If you want to keep Supertunias blooming through the summer, put them in a container so you can move them into the shade and use light fertilizer. Dianthus is a cool season bedding plant that will last until June. Amazon and Jolts varieties have taller spikes. Coreopsis is a perennial pollinator plant that blooms spring through fall. Frost will not hurt it. Cut it back, and it will come back stronger. It can be divided now or early fall. Marigolds need to be deadheaded every seven to 10 days. Dr. Owings attested, “It’s not true that marigolds repel bad insects. That’s hogwash.” Dragon’s Breath Celosia is a “fantastic thriller” in a container. It grows beautiful crimson plumes. Lemon sedum could be a spiller plant or a ground cover. He recommends buying a 4” pot since “it will grow fast.” Beacon impatiens is an improved variety for disease resistance. Cut it back in mid to late summer. Note that they will get tall if you plant them too close together.
Dr. Owings is a self-proclaimed “salvia fan”. He has had 45 different varieties. He recommends planting Roman red, white flame, and black and blue in a pattern. They will get three feet tall in full sun. He advised, “If they get too big, cut them back half way for a better growth habit. You will get lateral branching and even more blooms.” Senorita Rosalita Cleome is another Owings favorite. It’s a tall plant full of flowers that does not need deadheading. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it. Owings proclaimed, “Ruby Red is the best penta for pollinators, no doubt about it. It has more nectar.” He also likes porterweed for hummingbirds. It comes in blue, purple, coral and red in different heights.
After his talk, GGC members asked many questions to get expert advice from the senior horticulturist. He provided guidance for managing post-freeze plant material and insight into preparing gardens for spring. For a complete list of Louisiana Super Plants, visit LSUAgCenter.com/SuperPlants. Owings promised, “With 70 Super Plants to choose from, you’ll have an award-winning landscape.”
Curt and Marilyn Rice, Dale Bowman, Janis D’Benedetto, Paola DiNatale, Kathy Guidry, Cynthia Stafford and Katherine Stagg served a meal of gumbo with rice, potato salad, vegetarian pasta, spice cake, lemon ice box pie and bread pudding. They were proud to feed Dr. Owings before he headed out to his next gig in Hammond.
The horticulture hint is to plant fruit trees and shrubs as soon as possible. April 2 will be the opening of the club’s Garden Inspiration Exhibit at the Gonzales Library. A two-part program will begin at 9:00am. The flower show will be on display through the evening of April 4. The public is invited to vote for the People’s Choice Awards. April 11 will be the club’s Plant/Bake Sale from 9:00 til noon at Gonzales City Hall. Please support the club’s only annual fundraiser.
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