February 2021 Garden Path by The Garden Club of Houston

A Publication of the Garden Club of Houston, established 1924

February 2021

Along The Path To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. Audrey Hepburn We are one month into 2021, and The Garden Club of Houston has already had a produc ve year! We’ve undecorated Rienzi and had a virtual Advisory Board, General Mee ng and Photography Study Group mee ng. Margaret and her Nomina ng Commi ee announced an amazing new board for 2021-2022 , and our Wild owers had their rst FD and Hor culture Workshops. This month brings a virtual February General Mee ng featuring a local urban gardener, Daniel Garcia-Prats, founder and director of opera ons of Finca Tres Robles. This will be a live Zoom mee ng on Wednesday, Feb. 10th at 9:30am. We also have a Hor culture Workshop Meg Tapp has carefully thought out on How to Grow Tomatoes, and our second FD Workshop for our Wild owers to prepare for our Gra Flower Show. I hope everyone has a wonderful Valen ne’s Day! Best, Julie

Garden Bouquets Despite Covid, we had several ac vi es in December and January. We have many people to thank! Kim Thomas chaired Rienzi Christmas Decora ng and UnDecora ng. Both events were well organized and fun! We are grateful to Greta Zimmerman and all of our Project Chairs who helped organize our Provisional Tour of Projects. Sheila May eld, Carol Price and Pa y Porter put on a wonderful joint Hor culture/Conserva on movie night outside at Sheila’s home. Adele Bentsen and Mimi Kerr put together a great photography workshop – a fun and instruc onal evening! Many thanks to Gay Estes, Liz Wozencra , and Sara Ledbe er for a wonderful and informa ve Floral Design Workshop. Thanks, everyone – I really appreciate all the me and e ort that all of you generously gave to provide our membership with a great two months of ac vi es.

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Daniel Garcia-Prats, founder and director of operations of Finca Tres Robles will be the speaker at our virtual February General Meeting. Please join via ZOOM on February 10th at 9:30 am. Daniel Garcia-Prats is one of the founders of Small Places, a social impact venture that seeks to build a culture of health in communities across Houston through urban agriculture. Daniel came to the farm with a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University. He has three years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer in a Medical Device Startup in Silicon Valley and with a local oil and gas manufacturing rm. These have given Dan the hands-on training in production and manufacturing necessary to help develop the farm infrastructure both physical and operational, using his time developing and tweaking farm processes and documentation to create replicable and scalable systems that help the farm run smoother while collecting data and communicating responsibilities. In 2014, alongside two of his brothers, Dan launched Finca Tres Robles, a 1.5-acre urban farm just east of downtown in the Secord Ward. Through their farm, the brothers have worked to provide much needed resources for the Second Ward and neighboring Magnolia Park communities that will improve the health of area residents, increase the quality of life, and build a stronger, more resilient community by selling fresh organic produce, providing educational activities through eld trips and classes, hosting regular cultural and arts events, offering employment opportunities, and building partnerships with like-minded organizations. They are working to challenge the food system of the neighborhood and improve health outcomes of its residents to build community and keep money in the immediate local economy. In the presentation, Daniel will be discussing how their organization and farm got started, their response to the COVID pandemic, and how they envision urban farming can impact Houston.

Floral Design Workshop II On Thursday, February 25th from 10-12 we will have our Floral Design Workshop II. It will be held at Grif n Partners Inc. located at 4888 Loop Central Drive Houston, TX 77081 in Suite 500. We will go over the Graf ti ower show schedule in detail as well as show some examples of designs by some of our talented FD judges and prospectives in the GCA judging program! We will be socially distanced in the conference room. This is mandatory for provisionals but open to all. Please let Liz know if you plan to attend so she can make sure to keep the numbers at an appropriate level. Lizwoz@att.net

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The Gardens at Rienzi are in Fine Form! It is the perfect me to visit and see a garden at rest in its quiet winter nery. And although we will not have Azalea Trail this year, the gardens are being tended to as if the Trail is on so that we do not miss a beat for next year. We have been so impressed with the MFAH sta and their passion for the house and gardens at Rienzi. It is such a special place and they so appreciate all that we do to keep the gardens looking beau ful and adhering to the Mastersons’ vision. Our proposed projects for Spring 2021 are: 1. Mrs. Parker’s Fountain Garden Renova on 2. Folly Garden Pergola Project 3. Anne Kelsey Water Oak and Camelia Plan ng

As Valen ne’s Day approaches and love springs eternal, we hope you will make a meaningful gi to the Rienzi Garden Endowment Fund in honor or memory of a loved one. Your support is more important now than ever, and will ensure that the gardens are preserved as a place of sanctuary and refuge for genera ons to come. Contribu ons will be acknowledged with a beau ful, handaddressed Valen ne’s card mailed to your chosen recipients in me for Valen ne’s Day. Thank you for considering this opportunity to honor those special to you and support an excep onal green space for the Houston community. Your gi s are fully tax deduc ble. Should you like to make a gi , please visit www.mfah.org/giverienzigardens or send a check to: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston PO Box 25026 Houston, Texas 77265-5026 If you have any ques ons, or if you need to request Valen nes, please contact Mayra Mares at mmares@mfah.org or 713.639.7538

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More from Rienziâ&#x20AC;Ś

A Huge Thank You to all the hardworking members and their guests who helped decorate and undecorate RIENZI for Christmas! The weather was simply gorgeous both days and we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have asked for a more enthusiastic turn out! Kim Thomas - kjst1221@hotmail.com Photos: Adele Bentsen

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“Wild owers” Provisional Update by Greta Zimmerman Provisional February Workshops

“Color, Form, Pattern, Balance and Contrast”; just a few of the concepts discussed in Gay Estes’s engaging lesson on the Principals and Elements of Design given to our captivated Wild owers. Liz Wozencraft nished the teaching with a show and tell demonstrating many of the necessities needed for a useful ower arranging toolkit. What an EYE opening workshop— encouraging our new designers to think outside the box and to be inspired by texture and space. The seeds of creativity have been planted in this Wild ower garden.

Thank you to Sara Ledbetter also for making this workshop Virtual Friendly.

The Provisionals also met at Meg Tapp’s home for further guidance on How to Enter Horticulture in a Flower Show. Watch out Gra ti, these girls are getting ready!

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The Garden Club of Houston Leadership 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President-Elect Meg Tapp grew up in Houston and became an GCH Active member in 2008. Meg is excited to serve as GCH President next year and looks forward to “working alongside our many members who make our club as special as it is”. As a GCH member, Meg is pleased to have learned about Floral Design, Botanical Arts, Photography, and Horticulture, and appreciates that through the many volunteer opportunities she has had within GCH, “I’ve been given the gift of re ning skills that I use in my everyday life: organizational, computer, interpersonal, public speaking, time management…. so many!” Meg values the many friends she has made through GCH. Previously, Meg worked as a travel agent and in Admissions at St. John’s School and currently works as an investment manager. Hobbies include gardening and entering ower shows – Meg is a Prospective Horticulture Judge in the GCA Judging Program. Meg is married to Filson Tapp and they have one adult daughter, Addie. Meg’s mother is GCH’s Gay Estes and her sister, Adrienne Bullard, is a former GCH member, and now is a member of Founders Garden Club of Dallas, where she currently serves as President. A Houston native, Nancy Kelley will serve as 1st Vice-President in 2021-2022 and follow Meg as President in 2022-2023. She was sponsored for membership by Lester Grundy and became a GCH Active member in 2011. She states she is “humbled and honored to be chosen!” She looks forward to heading up the CCC and to being able to attend the many great GCH activities “in person”. Her favorite GCH position has been as 2nd VP - Provisional “Mom” to the Busy Bees. She has enjoyed serving on Admissions, Nominating and the Community Contributions Committees. Nancy has worked as a CPA, a nursery school teacher, and volunteered for many nonpro ts, but views being a wife and mother her two most important jobs. Hobbies include golf, travel, reading, mah jongg, and spending time at her home in Hunt, Texas. Nancy is married to Jay and they have two adult children, Jay Jr. and Katherine, both of whom are married. Sally Giammalva will serve as 2nd Vice President in 2021-2022. She is a native Houstonian. Her lead sponsor was Liz Rotan and she became a GCH Active in 2013. She has no GCH relatives. Sally loved her Provisional year and felt it was very broadening, and so is very excited to work with next year’s incoming Provisionals. Previous jobs in GCH have focused on Sally’s nancial, technology, and communications expertise, so she is looking forward to this very different club position. Sally comments: “The most important aspects of the club are the friendships with women whom I may have never met and learning so much about conservation and horticulture. I have always loved oral design but knew very little about other aspects of the club.” Sally is a CPA and currently spends time playing golf and learning about natural health. She is married to Vincent, and they have two adult sons, Andrew and Jack.

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Jenny has worked as a secondary math teacher and as an art associate. She is currently working on a BFA in Design. She and husband Jay have three children – adults Jack and Robert, and Mary, who is in college. Linda Burdine, Corresponding Secretary for 2021-2022, hails from Laurel, Mississippi. She became an Active GCH member in 2016 and her lead sponsor was Margaret Pierce. As Corresponding Secretary, Linda looks forward to learning about the inner workings of GCH, and notifying new members of their election – she remembers that as “such a happy moment!” She states: “I've loved every job I've had with GCH - my favorite was probably Conservation Co-Chair, but Bulb Mart Co-Chair was a super fun job, too - mostly because of the wonderful team of GCH members that make BPM so successful year after year.” Favorite things about GCH include learning about conservation and horticulture, meeting new people, making new friends, and the fabulous destinations that we visit on our trips. Linda is a retired attorney and hobbies include cooking and reading, and “forcing myself to exercise”. Linda is married to Scott and they have three adult children - Brian, Katie and Laura. Ruthie Kelly was BOI (Galveston!) and became an Active member of GCH in 2004. In 2021-2022, she will serve as Treasurer – the second year of a two-year term. She has served as BPM Chair, Horticulture Chair, Event Photographer, Meeting Arrangements, and Records Chair. Her favorite position has been as 2nd VP – Provisional Chair. Areas of interest include Horticulture and Photography. She is also an avid runner. Ruthie is a CPA and has worked in public accounting and banking. Ruthie and her husband Doug have two adult sons, Mills (married) and Bowden. Ruthie’s mother, Ellen Parkey, and her sister-in-law, Dana Parkey, are GCH members.

Julie Grif n will serve on the board as Immediate Past President. She grew up in Dallas and her lead sponsor was Sara Ledbetter. She became an Active in 2009. In 2021-2022, she will lead Nominating Committee – she states: “Working with a smaller group and thinking about the ladies we hope to lead our club in the coming years is exciting!” Her year as president during the pandemic has resulted in her appreciation of nding ways to communicate with our members: “In this year of Covid, I understand how important the virtual world has been in keeping our members informed and connected. I have so enjoyed working with our Garden Path Editors as well as our website team, my President’s Assistants, and our Meetings/Arrangements Chairs. Together we have conquered Zoom and shared fun and interesting information.” Previously, Julie was a high school English and French teacher, and has sold the Etcetera line of clothes and created a sports-related email publication (now on hold). Her hobbies include golf and bridge as well as gardening. Julie and her husband Edward have two adult sons – Jack and Ben. Julie’s mother-in-law, Betsy Grif n, and her aunt-in-law, Linda Grif n, are GCH members.

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Jenny Kempner will serve as Recording Secretary in 2021-2022. Jenny grew up in Darien, Connecticut. Jenny became Active in 2010. Jenny’s GCH relatives include her mother-in-law Sherry Kempner, and sister-in-law Karen Devlin. Jenny appreciates working side by side with old and new friends to “beautify and better our community”. She looks forward to serving on the board “to learn more about the way our club contributes to our community”. Jenny has served as Hospice Chair for the past three years and is a Floral Design Prospective in the GCA Judging Program.

ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE Catherine Randall will serve as the GCH Admissions Committee Chair for 2021-2022 and looks forward to working with her committee as they consider future members. She grew up in Austin and became an Active GCH member in 2014. Her lead sponsor was Betty Davis. Catherine thoroughly enjoyed chairing Bulb and Plant Mart along with Harriet Alexander and Elisabeth Millard “because we were from the same provisional class and were fortunate to have incredibly dedicated members chairing the booths and committees. It was a labor of love made possible by everyone.” Catherine appreciates “the generous way our members share the knowledge they have” and the mark GCH makes in our community. Catherine enjoys “spending time with my family, our community, and the greatest dog ever, Roscoe.” Relatives of Catherine’s who are GCH members include her sisters-in-law, Alice Randall and Hally Carver, and her mother-in-law, Fairfax Randall. Winifred Riser, who will serve on the 2021-2022 Admissions Committee, is a native Houstonian and has been an Active member of GCH since 2015. Her lead sponsor was Claire Caudill. Winifred is an artist and painter and runs an afterschool art school out of her garage. Previously, she served as development director and executive director for green groups around Texas. When asked what her favorite things about her GCH involvement are she replied: “If I had a list of my favorite ve things about the garden club, the top four slots would simply say ‘the women’. What a gift to be a member of a group of unique, creative, curious, diverse minds who are all passionate about the same things I am: gardens, nature and plants.” Favorite activities with GCH have included involvement with Urban Harvest/Gregory Lincoln and club projects such as Bulb Mart and Florescence. Winifred’s mother, Wendy Kelsey is a GCH member as are Ann Kelsey (Aunt), Laura Kelsey (wife of cousin), Jan Wallace (spouse of her grandfather), and Mary Wallace and Margaret Grif th (cousins).

Kate Gibson will serve on the Admissions Committee for 2021-2022. She grew up in Houston and her lead sponsor was Lester Grundy. She became an Active member in 2016. Kate has enjoyed Cashiering at BPM for many years and served on CCC recently. She co-chaired the most recent Florescence Luncheon and currently serves as the HMNS Cockrell Butter y Chairman. Kate states “I love the many ranges and ages of the GCH ladies and getting to know many different groups. I also love the education side and the lectures at the meetings.” Kate is a Farm and Ranch Broker with Republic Ranches and also shows and trains hunters and jumpers based out of her farm in Magnolia, Texas. Kate’s sister-in-law is GCH member Janet Hobby. Kate and husband Steve have three adult children - Caroline, Carson, and Wheeler.

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Ellie Camberg will also serve on Admissions Committee. She is a native Houstonian and states “[We] natives love our melting pot of a city”. Her lead sponsor for GCH was Cedar Baldridge and she became an Active in 2013. She is excited to serve on the Admissions Committee. Regarding GCH – “This intelligent, talented and hard-working group is pretty amazing. Everyone brings something to the table, and in our club, there is much to choose from. Whether you are a master gardener, a oral arranger at heart, a conservationist, a photographer or simply a social butter y, you will nd a home within our club. I am proud to be a part of GCH!” Prior to raising her family, Ellie worked as a political fundraiser and now is involved in Houston’s non-pro t sector – she commends its support for our parks, our medical community, our arts, and education. Ellie and her husband Roy have three adult children – Bradley, Adelaide, and Will, and three grandchildren. GCH relatives include sister-in-law Francey Pengra, and step-sister-in-law Isabel Lummis. Hailey Bechtol will also serve on Admissions. She was born in Houston and spent her childhood years in several other places before moving back to Houston. She was sponsored for GCH membership by Lester Grundy and became an Active in 2015. Hailey is excited to serve on Admissions because it will allow her to get to know other committee members. She states: “The most important thing to me about GCH is meeting new friends from all different age groups and perspectives. I love learning new things, and I have really enjoyed all of the enriching experiences I have had with the garden club.” Hailey has enjoyed serving as Junior Garden Clair and on the Urban Harvest/GLEC team. Haley is a teacher, and enjoys reading, watching movies, water skiing, traveling, and friends. She and husband Brent have three children – adult son Pete, and teens Mac and Cal. Jane Curtis grew up in Denver, Colorado. She has been an Active member of GCH since 2008 and she was sponsored for membership by Molly Pettigrew. She has served GCH in several Horticulture related positions – as BPM Plant Buyer and as Horticulture Chair. She is a Landscape Architect by training and in the recent past served as Director of Horticulture at the McGovern Centennial Gardens in Hermann Park. In her “retirement” she is pursuing related hobbies – she has planted an experimental cutting garden and is making Kokedama and Kusamono creations. Jane is excited to be on the Admissions Committee so that she can get to know a new class of Provisionals and their sponsors and looks forward to “continuing to make friends and build relationships through this group of garden-loving women” who make up GCH. Jane writes: “I am always amazed and inspired by the activities that seem to bring out everyone's creative energy in different ways - there is a lot of creative talent in the troops and watching others have the courage to step out and try new things for Flower Shows, etc., can be a great motivator.” Jane and her husband Bill have three children – Hannah (adult), Lucy (in college), and Pete (in high school).

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Conversation about Conservation Sadly, there was no in-person gathering and cocktails were optional, but a group of us gathered by Zoom to hear a very interesting and optimistic talk about reducing plastic waste. Maia Corbett of Texans for Clean Water discussed proposed legislation and plans to reduce the amount of plastic trash in Texas waterways â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and all over. The trash in our waterways drains into the Port of Houston, and what we can see is the oating trash â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not all the other trash that sinks. Texans for Clean Water is proposing a unique, free market solution that involves encouraging all Texans to reduce and recycle plastic waste. The solution would involve deposits, rebates, education and building the infrastructure to implement the plan. For more information, see the website at https:// www.texansforcleanwater.org/ and watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCE8VZXE3xGIYk7xBu3FvnLg Co/Hort Movie Night Thanks to wonderful hosts Sheila and Tad May eld for hosting the Co/Hort movie night in their beautiful back yard! The trees were strung with lights to create a festive outdoor room, and the screen was anchored to the trees. Camp chairs for all were set up at covid-appropriate intervals, each with a blanket and footstool. Sheila and Tad had tables set up with drinks, wine and fresh popcorn. The movie was This Beautiful Fantasic, a charming love story about gardens and people. About 20 people, including members and some husbands, braved a very chilly night to see the movie and more importantly to see each other in person. It was a very fun event and well worth sitting in the cold.

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What to do in your Garden in February By Your Horticulture chairs, Carol and Heather

Water all plants if a hard freeze is expected. Dry roots are more susceptible to damages from a freeze. Fertilize trees and shrubs, (except for camellias and azaleas), with a complete organic-based product. A lot of root growth happens in the winter! Spray shrubs and fruit trees with horticultural oil to kill miscellaneous eggs, scale, etc. Plant bulbs, corms and tubers that ower in late spring or in summer – these include gladioli, cannas, daylilies and amaryllis. Plant herbs such as oregano, rosemary, sage, lemon balm, dill, fennel, mint, thyme, and cilantro. Plant trees! Here’s how: https://www.arborday.org/trees/ Also plant fruit trees and shrubs. Prepare lawns for spring by broadcasting corn gluten meal (20 lbs./100 sq. feet) in early spring. This acts as a natural weed and feed agent and can prevent grass burrs, crabgrass and annual weeds. Prune back damaged branches of shrubs and trees towards the end of the month, when no more freezes are likely. Average last frost day is February 10th. Prune modern/grafted/hybrid roses to remove leggy or unproductive growth. Repeat-blooming climbers can be pruned now, as they will bloom on new growth, but only light trimming is needed for old garden roses. And, do not prune once-a-year bloomers until after they have bloomed. Pull winter growing weeds growing in your beds and then add a layer of mulch. Cut Back ornamental grasses before the new growth starts to ush – but leave a ‘hedgehog’ at the base so as not to allow too much water into the base. Separate and re-plant crowded perennials, including daylilies, canna, ornamental grasses, chrysanthemums, irises, agapanthus, monarda, Echinacea, yarrow, and black-eyed Susans. Sow seeds of alyssum, bluebonnet, cleome, coreopsis, cosmos, daisies, dianthus, hollyhock, Indian blanket, larkspur, marigold, nasturtium, penstemon, phlox, salvias, sweet pea. Sow veggie seeds such as arugula, lettuce, chard, radishes, and greens, and set out transplants for broccoli, cabbage, kale, onions, and cauli ower. Plant tomatoes late in the month.

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By Anne Frischkorn and Doris Heard

American Bird Conservancy

Terrell Sword

Would you enjoy being a landlord to some wonderful neighbors who are very social, entertaining and helpful in controlling insects while doing aerial acrobatics around your yard in the evenings? By installing a Purple Martin house in your yard, you will not only be inviting these delightful migratory native song birds to nest in your yard, but you will be helping to support a bird species that is in serious decline. These birds are in the swallow family and are communal cavity nesters. For hundreds of years, they have learned that being near humans helps to protect their nest, so they have come to rely on humans to provide nest boxes. They have site delity, so if you provide proper housing in an open area, these adults will take up residence, breed and return year after year to raise their young. When their babies (sub-adults) return the following Spring, they will be looking for new nesting sites. It is easy to be a landlord, and you might end up enjoying numerous houses in your yard. The video below was taken by Anne who started with one house and eight Purple Martins nesting. She is now planning to install another house to welcome back more than fty martins to her yard this spring. Watch this video to see what delightful entertainment her family enjoys in the early evening hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQQaUDWuo4&feature=emb_title.

Purple Martins migrate 5,000 to 7,000 miles from South America each spring and the male scouts begin arriving in the Houston area early in February. They lay 3 - 5 eggs that hatch in 14 days. These nestlings will be ready to edge in around 30 days practicing ight skills, catching insects and socializing. It won’t be long before you notice that the martins will be gone during the daytime and only return home in the evenings. They are going to “staging areas” where they gather with other martins during the daytime. From July to September, Houston’s Purple Martins form large ocks and roost together in preparation for migration to South America. They spend their day feeding on insects and around sunset they gather for a spectacular show before settling into trees for the night. Houston Audubon has regular viewing events at a pre-migratory roost located at the Fountains Shopping Center in Stafford. It is a fun event for the entire family as thousands of birds gather overhead at sunset. For more information: https://houstonaudubon.org/programs/all-age-groups/purple-martins.html

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ATTRACTING PURPLE MARTINS TO YOUR YARD

If you decide to install a house in your yard, below are some tips to help you be a successful landlord: • The pole you purchase should be 10 to 20 feet tall, anchored in concrete and at least 30 feet away from tall trees providing a clear ight path to the house. Being near a water source such as a swimming pool, lake, or pond works well. You need to be able to raise and lower your house on the pole to check on the nests and to catch problems early. You can preload some dry pine needles in the compartments. You will need predator protection on the pole to keep out raccoons and snakes. The protection can be a canister, netting or even Vaseline applied to the pole. The birds seem to know that human and even dog activity below their house provides additional protection from predators. • Houses can be purchased online, but you need to be aware that many are not assembled. The house you select should have the special crescent shaped entrance holes that help prevent European Starlings from entering the compartments.

Photo Wendy Reistle

You should be able to open each compartment to clean and check it. The martin nests are at and need to stay dry – a raised oor, good drainage, and supply of pine needles will help. If sparrows start building in one of the cavities, immediately remove their nesting material. It is easy to recognize a sparrow’s nest, because they build messy nests that ll up the entire compartment. Be aware. Sparrows do not give up easily, but this is important because if not stopped, they will eventually take up all the compartments and run off the martins. From September to the end of January, lower the house on the pole, clean the compartments, and close up each entrance. You can leave the house low on the pole for the winter. Gourds, plastic or home grown, can also be used as nesting sites. Make sure they are at least 8” in diameter and have drainage holes in the bottom. If needed, recordings of Purple Martins are available online that can be played near your new house to attract the martins.

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For more information and houses for sale this is an excellent resource: https://www.purplemartin.org This is a link to a Zoom presentation about martins with Mary Anne Weber, Houston Audubon Director of Education and Matt Fendley of University of Houston Clear Lake: https://www.facebook.com/houstonaudubon/videos/645614052824059. It is an hour long but it is worth watching, if you plan to install a house.

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The gourd houses are popular with the martins. This website has Gourd Racks. https://www.purplemartinproducts.com/GourdRacks_c_185.html

This 8 room house by Coates comes assembled. They also have a smaller 4 and 6 room houses. https://www.purple-martins.com/purple-martinhouses/coates-waters-edge-8-room-martin-house

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Q & A - Your Questions Answered

Jumping into the New Year, here are some gardening ques ons and answers from our membership and friends. Thank you Susan Cravens for sending in the ques ons below! And many thanks to Anne Frischkorn for reaching out to our knowledgeable members/community partners for answers! 1. Ques on: Every November I force my narcissus inside. They always get very leggy and tall and fall over. Yet, the ones I buy don’t seem to do this. How can I keep my narcissus on the shorter side? Answers: From Alice Thomas, past Bulb Mart buyer/expert: Plant bulbs in pebbles and secure. Add water and when green on bulb is about 1-2 inches tall, replace the water with 4% alcohol. You can use any hard liquor. I use vodka. So about 1 part any liquor and 6 parts water. Do not exceed 6% alcohol because it then will become toxic. That should work! From Sherry Kempner, past Bulb Mart buyer/expert: Where one plants the narcissus is especially important. Light. The best thing is to control the light. The more light that is there, the shorter they will be. Plant them outside or in pots outside in the light and then bring them inside. Anne Thomson, past Bulb Mart Da odil booth Chair/expert, agrees with Alice and Sherry. 2. Ques on: Now, that the holidays are over can I plant my poinse a outside so that it will bloom again in the fall? Answer: From our friends at The Brookwood Community (they have one of the largest nurseries for growing poinse as in the area): Plant the poinse as into a large container or in the ground where it will receive watering. In the fall the plant must either be moved to a dark loca on or, if outside, a tarp must be placed over the plant. This is what brings the red out of the plant. 3. Ques on: When is the best me to divide my perennials? Answer: From Lucy Barrow, past Hor culture Chairman and Bulb Mart Perennial booth Chair/expert: The best me to divide clumping perennials is generally in the fall, right around the me of the Bulb and Plant Mart (early to mid-October) . As a ma er of fact, that is how the BPM began-with members dividing up their plants and selling from their gardens! Divide clumps of perennials, such as ground covers, grasses, daylily, iris etc. in the fall every three years or to create less crowded condi ons and be er blooming. Relocate or give away the divisions if possible. These new plants will develop roots over the winter months and then be ready to grow again in the spring. One note of warning- there are some plants that “resent” being divided, such as Farlugium (aka Leopard Plant), so do some research before digging in.

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Bulb and Plant Mart will be returning to St. John the Divine October 14-16, 2021!

FEBRUARY 2021 Mon. 1

Deadline for March Garden Path

Tue. 2

Horticulture Workshop— How to Grow Tomatoes 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Home of Meg Tapp 3736 Tangley Rd., 77005

Tue. 2

Rienzi Garden Subcommittee 9:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 1406 Kirby Dr., 77019

Wed. 3

Advisory Board Meeting 9:30 a.m. Virtual Meeting

Wed. 10

Thurs. 18

Botanical Arts Workshop Joint Event with ROGC Open to all 2:30 p.m. Home of Mundi Elam 3759 Rice Blvd., 77005

Wed. 24

Photography Study Group Topic: Beginners Photoshop Elements Demonstration 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Judy Lee and Christi Harvey Virtual Meeting

Thurs. 25

Floral Design Workshop II Preparation for Flower Show Joint Event with ROGC Mandatory for Provisionals Open to all 10 a.m. - 12 noon Grif n Partners Inc. 4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 500, 77081

General Meeting 9:30 a.m. Virtual Meeting

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY’S REPORT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 2020 SUBMITTED BY SHEILA MAYFIELD Letters of Condolence THE GARDEN CLUB OF HOUSTON EST 1924 4212 San Felipe, PMB 486 Houston, Texas 77027-2902 Member, Garden Club of America www.gchouston.org

Submissions to The Garden Path may be sent to Elisabeth Millard and Melissa Rabalais

To Member Gay Estes on the loss of her husband, our honorary member Carl Estes. To Member Meg Tapp on the loss of her father, our honorary member Carl Estes. Contact Updates

Carrie Pepi’s new address is 5644 Lynbrook Dr. 77056. And delete her home phone.

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SAVE THE DATE