Floral artistry! Horticulture know-how! Tradition of teaching! Twin Valleys Garden Club brought these qualities together again this year at their recent In-House Flower Show “The World of Beatrix Potter.”
A beautifully restored barn in Phoenixville was transformed into a floral showcase as members presented their artistic interpretations of “Peter Rabbit Squeezes under the Gate into Mr. MacGregor’s Garden” and “It’s a Birthday Party! Beatrix is 150 Years Old!”
Susie Zook of Glenmoore captured the Club’s Sweepstakes award with her “Jemima Puddle Duck Visits the Pond” and other eye-popping exhibits. Carol Heilner, also of Glenmoore, nurtured the club’s 2016 Challenge Plant, a Saintpaulia ionantha, along with other winning exhibits, such as a potted succulent, herbs for tea, and fungi to win Horticulture Best in Show. Debbie Kuhn of Malvern took the Artistic Best in Show for her creative arrangements that included a large basket of fresh, homegrown vegetables and herbs.
Competition is definitely part of this show, but members are also eager to teach and learn from each other. Newer member Gerallyn Duke of West Chester discovered from Jean Hogan of Malvern a new way to water a small arrangement: use a turkey baster! Pat Howse of Phoenixville, a second generation TVGC member since 1978, shared tips for making fresh arrangements last longer, such as hiding pipe cleaners in large, hollow flower stems to strengthen them and to help them absorb water.
Club members, all local gardeners, hold monthly programs and workshops on topics as diverse as increasing hydrangea blooms and growing Japanese maples and grafted conifers. Upcoming speakers this year will include a NGC flower show judge, and a master gardener who will guide attendees on an armchair tour of recent International Horticultural Expos in Germany.
For more information on TVGC, its programs, tours and community service projects, please see www.twinvalleysgardenclub.wordpress.com or email twinvalleys@aol.com.