News

  From Susan Bergen . . . . I saw several of these American Copper butterflies in the Irwin Meadow yesterday when I planted Jane’s milkweed. They are common in CT, thought to have been introduced from Europe during Colonial times. The host plant for their caterpillars is curly dock (Rumex crispus) – no shortage of that at Irwin! The butterflies are quite small – with a 1 1/8″ wingspan. They were getting nectar from the white flowers of wild strawberries. These little beauties are active from late April through October in 3 flights (generations), and overwinter in chrysalis form.     

A Very Special NCGC Trip to Holland ~ April 2018   The NCGC Visiting Gardens Committee is delighted to offer this special 7 day trip to Holland April 16-22, 2018. It will be led by Marie-Elizabeth Offierski, who specializes in creating custom garden tours. See www.toursbymarie.com and Architectural Digest, Dec.10, 2016 which contains an article about a trip she led for her step-mother Page Dickey and Bunny Williams. Marie has led multiple European trips for Sasqua Garden Club, to their unanimous delight.   Marie says that the choice of this particular week should be very floriferous. Note that Easter next year falls on April 1, 2018. Having the opportunity to have access to so many private notable gardens makes this trip unique. It will be open to a maximum of 15 members. Please take the time to look through the enticing itinerary and get back to me ASAP if you would like to be a part of this fun week!   If you have any questions please let me know and I will contact Marie before our information meeting on Thursday, March 30 at 10:00 at my house. Lydee Hummel, NCGC Visiting Gardens Chair.     

Join us for a FREE adults-only discussion by Jen Cipriano of Copia to help us maintain our landscape during the drought.  It affects us all . . . Tuesday, April 25 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the New Canaan Nature Center. Nibbles and beverages provided by Baldanza Natural Market and Cafe, Speakeasy Confections. Event sponsored by New Cannan Nature Center, New Canaan Garden Club and Copia.   To register, please call (203) 966-9577 X10     

The Hort committee hosted another chat last week, this time discussing the best ways to maintain and sharpen pruners and other tools. Discussion was led by Will Molyneux from C & M Landscaping. Click here for details.     

A few intredpid members braved the snowy weather last Friday to attend the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden. The show celebrated its 15th year at the NYBG with an homage to the wealth of orchids and rich cultural history of Thailand.  Members can still enjoy this show through April 9th. Click here for more information and tickets.         

Entries to January’s Floral Design class “You are invited to the White House” were beautifully displayed and all impressive.           

Shortly before the holidays, twenty intrepid NCGC members caravaned to the New York Botanical Gardens to see the famed annual Holiday Train Show and to be delighted by the whimsical interpretations of New York landmarks created out of botanical materials. Bark, acorns, twigs and berries were skillfully and artfully transformed into Grand Central Terminal, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and dozens more captivating structures. After the train show, members were treated to a guided tour of Bunny Mellon’s Botanical Art, masterworks from the Oak Spring Foundation, featuring eighty important works ranging from Warhol to Redoute.     

The New Canaan Garden Club is pleased to announce a financial contribution of $1000 to the New Canaan Land Trust for future stewardship of of the Silvermine Fowler Preserve. Following the purchase, The New Canaan Land Trust will begin additional work on the Fowler property to improve public access in an appropriate way and ensure that the property remain public open space in perpetuity.   According to Garden Club President Jane Gamber, “The Garden Club of America has a commitment to promoting respect for natural resources and responsibility for environmental stewardship. It encourages all member clubs to carry out conservation work locally.” The New Canaan Garden Club has been a member of the Garden Club of America since 1920.   Donations from organizations and individuals for ongoing stewardship of the Silvermine Fowler Preserve can be sent to the New Canaan Land Trust, PO Box 425, New Canaan, CT. 06840.      From Left: Mike Johnson, New Canaan Land Trust Executive Director; Jane Gamber, New Canaan Garden Club President, Lisa Dunn, New Canaan Garden Club Conservation Co-Chair; Walker Holmes, The Trust for Public Land Acting Connecticut State Director; Art Berry, New Canaan Land Trust President