District V Annual Meeting March 2019

On Thursday, March 14th, District V held its Annual Meeting at Holly Hills Country Club with Director Jennifer Evans presiding–her last meeting.

The table theme was Pastel Palooza, and as usual, here are some of the floral designs clubs put together. Sale of these arrangements serves as a fund raiser for the District. Our President, Brenda, didn’t even make it to the Carroll Garden Club table before someone waylaid her to purchase her arrangement in a floral chintz teapot!

After the District V committee reports came those of specific clubs; Brenda made her last oral report which she is heartily glad of!

This being the second Annual Meeting of this term, it was time for a change of officers. Federated Gardens Clubs of Maryland President, Diana Bonner, did the honors of the swearing in. Once again, Carroll Garden Club is on the executive board with Marjorie Schiebel serving as the new District V Director for 2019-2021, Gayle Mathues who moved from Recording Secretary to Corresponding Secretary and Sue Christensen who repeats as Treasurer because it is not a popular position to vie for! Tina Swanson of Mount Airy is the Assistant Director and Betty Jacobs, Recording Secretary for the new term.

Lunch was very good, thanks to outgoing Asst Director Mikki Stratmeyer who chose the menu.
Spring Salad
Chicken Bruschetta or Crab Cakes
Roast Potatoes and Vegetable Medley
The Lemon-Raspberry Torte for dessert was wonderfully delicious.

Our speaker for the meeting was Richard Koogle of Lilypons who gave a talk and slideshow all about the different water plants and water garden styles.

My take-aways from his talk:

Hardy water lilies are suitable for zones 3-10 and depending on the variety, are in bloom from late spring to early fall. They come in warm tones (red, pink, peach, yellows,”changeables” and white). The bloom basically sits on the level of the water surface.

Tropical water lilies bloom well above the water surface, often with several blooms at once, have brilliant colors (also blues and purples) and have often fragrance. They have serrated leaves as a marker. They are have both day and night bloomers, stay open later and bloom later in the season than the hardies.  They are primarily only hardy in zones 9-11, so either are treated as annuals or one must winter them indoors here.

Hardy lotus can be grown in zones 4-11. They are distinguished from water lilies in that *both* their leaves and their flowers are emergent-that is, they rise above the water rather than float. There are varieties that can grow 6 feet tall with flowers a foot across. These lotus have a shorter period of bloom-mid to late summer and possibly into early autumn.

Growing these aquatic plants shade the water to reduce algae growth, absorb excess nutrients. give frogs a place to sit and provide some protection to fish. They don’t like moving water so plant them away from waterfalls or runs.

Koi do not make good companions for these plants as they grow huge and will start to eat the plants. Goldfish are somewhat more manageable.

There are many companion plants that are great for pond and rock edging. Some are suitable for planting in the earth by the pond and others can take a certain amount of submerging, dependant on the species. We are familir with Japanese or Louisiana Iris,Arrowhead, Blue Lobelia and Cardinal Flower, rushes and cattails. Even Obendient Plant,Swamp Milkweed and Hibiscus moscheutos (Swamp Rose Mallow) are pond plants. The biggest issue he sees with planting is overcrowding.

All kinds of water gardens are possible from small tubs on the deck or patio, medium preformed ponds, dug out and lined ponds that are free form to large naturalized ponds suited to the local area.