DONNA BELIECH, left, was guest speaker on ‘Garden Plants’ at the February 5 meeting of Chautauqua Garden Club at The Dr. Jerry and Ann Gulledge Welcome Center in Chautauqua Park in Crystal Springs. Beliech was presented a birdhouse in appreciation for her program by garden club February program chairman Angie Greer, right.
Gary R. Bachman, Extension/Research Specialist Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service Specialist and host of Southern Gardening program, will be the guest speaker at the Thursday, March 19 meeting of Chautauqua Garden Club. The public is cordially invited to attend the meeting to be held at noon in the Recreational Outreach Center (ROC) of First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs. Hostesses Nancy Belknap, Becky Dionne, Kathy Lee, Louise Hughes, and Geri McLendon served a delicious lunch to 16 Chautauqua Garden Club members and guests, Donna Beliech, Jenifer Turner, and Andy Wright at their Feb. 5 meeting held at the Dr. Jerry and Ann Gulledge Welcome Center in Chautauqua Park in Crystal Springs. Luncheon tables were decorated in a Valentine’s theme of yellow daffodils and red hearts. Extension Area Horticulture Agent Donna Beliech from the Rankin County office presented the garden club program on “Garden Plants of Yesteryear (that we still use today)”. She said gardeners of the Victorian era used dramatic foliage plants: potted plants, decorative urns and hanging plants to create a dynamic porch and garden setting. Some of the flowers and trees included in the southern gardens are used today in landscaping: hollyhock, dahlias, day lilies, phlox, irises, cedar, crape myrtle, and southern magnolia. Betty Cline provided a segment of the garden club program on tips for “Beautifying Roadsides–Wildflowers”. She said a mixture of seeds is commonly called a cocktail. Plains Coreopsis, black-eyed Susans, partridge peas, and purple cornflowers are nature designed perfectly for Mississippi summers. Betty Barrentine, also provided tips for gardeners on “How to Prune Trees and Plants”. She said pruning helps keeps plants healthy and encourages fresh and new growth. Pruning at the wrong time is rarely fatal; however, off cycle pruning may result in fewer flowers or fruit.
