Wisconsi n Gardens

Wisconsin Gardens
Wi scons in Gar den Cl ub Feder ati on
In the Presidents Words 2
Horticulture News 4
Go Native - Shrubs
6
Environmental School 10-11
Container Gardening Book 15
Life Members Wanted 16
Scholarship Donations 19
in this issue:

Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Spring 2010 Volume
61, Issue 2


To prevent algae in your bird bath,
drop a few pennys in dated before
1982. The copper prevents algae.
S. Nelson
from wisconsingardenclub.org
Gardening Tips
Sheboygan - a Garden-
ing Mecca? Well, at least for the up-
coming season with four great garden-
ing events! Plan your fieldtrips now.

The long awaited opening of Book-
worm Gardens comes this summer.
Designed as a free garden based on
childrens literature the site will en-
tice visitors to explore nature and
literature. Opening with approxi-
mately 2/3 of the gardens
ready, the
final plan
is for 74
books
repre-
sented
as theme
gardens. Lake Shore
Garden Club do-
nated $5,000 to purchase Plants
That Bite Back and Ivy League Gar-
den Club is purchasing A Kids
Herb Garden for $5,000. Both clubs
are sponsors of the Sheboygan Area
Garden Walk that continues to raise
money for Bookworm Gardens after
purchasing Katie and The Sunflow-
ers for $15,000.

The Wisconsin Master Gardener
Conference, July 23 and 24, provides
a variety of educational programs,
tours and workshops. If you are at-
tending the convention, please stop at
Lake Shore Garden Clubs booth sell-
ing handcrafted garden-related items
and at Ivy Leagues booth selling
Dramm Inc. products. We would love
to chat with you!
The Sheboygan Area Garden Walk is
on July 31 and features one glorious
garden: Christopher Farm and Gar-
den. This private jewel is rarely open
and deserves a garden walk dedicated
to it alone. Of the 450 acres, 50 will
be open to reveal a remarkable array
of flowers, grasses, an orchard and
vineyards, vegetables, Koi ponds, bee-
hives, garden art, Asian Tea House
and railroad. Wet and dry streambeds
and waterfalls
along
with
sweep-
ing
vistas
of prai-
rie and
Lake
Michigan
are all visi-
ble from
the paved
paths. Members of
both Lake Shore and Ivy League Gar-
den Clubs are staffing the garden and
hope you will join them. This would
make an ideal club bus trip: add a box
lunch and a stop at one of our great
garden centers and you have a ready-
made trip with little planning effort!

Our NGCs own Central Region
78th Annual Meeting comes to the
shores of Elkhart Lake, October 4-6,
with local tours and a variety of speak-
ers and workshops. The Osthoff Re-
sort is a wonderful venue in itself and
the meeting promises to culminate a
wonderful growing and learning sea-
son in the Sheboygan District.
Sheboygan District: A Gardening Mecca?
Mary Kulhanek
Charlottes Web Garden - Bookworm Gardens


]w
Notes from your President
Page 2 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
As gardeners,
after months
of snowy
weather and
hours spent
looking at
pictures of
gardens and
garden cata-
logs, we are
anxiously
awaiting the
time when we
can feel the soil between our fingers.
We plan and dream of what our gar-
dens will become this summer. That
time is coming closer. Spring is here!

Thank you for sending your many
garden club yearbooks filled with pro-
jects, programs and plans for the fu-
ture. Your communities are richer
and more beautiful for all of the hard
work of your clubs.

At the recent WGCF Executive Com-
mittee meeting, we recognized the
members who have spent 5, 10, 15 or
20 years in service to our organiza-
tion. We have many dedicated garden
club members in Wisconsin who
have a love for plants, animals and
the earth.

This year, try something new: go with
a friend to Environmental Study or
Landscape Design School, participate
in a Flower Show or travel to Wiscon-
sin Rapids for the WGCF Conven-
tion Tending All Things Beautiful.
Every club can send one delegate to
vote at the Annual Meeting at con-
vention. If the club president cannot
attend as the delegate, an alternate is
appointed. Clubs between 25-49
members have one additional dele-
gate. Clubs with membership of 50-
74 have two additional delegates.
Please be sure you have a delegate at
convention to represent your club at
the Annual Meeting. Read about the
Annual Convention in your new
copy of the Handbook, page 17 in
Standing Rules. If you have not re-
ceived your new WGCF Handbook,
contact your district director.

The Summer WGCF Executive Com-
mittee (EC) Meeting will take place
immediately after the close of Con-
vention. EC members, please write
this on your calendar and plan to
attend. The WGCF website
(wisconsingardenclub.org) lists other
great activities happening in our state.
Check it out.

Our backyard is a gateway to the
world. Let us share with others what
we have learned from our federated
garden clubs and what is special
about the federation.

See you in June at the convention in
Wisconsin Rapids!

Judy Pitcher
WGCF is a non-for-
profit educational
organization
founded in 1928.
WGCF is a mem-
ber of National
Garden Clubs,
Inc., the largest gardening organiza-
tion in the world.

MISSION: WGCF PROVIDES EDUCATION,
RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS
MEMBERS TO PROMOTE AND SHARE THE
LOVE OF GARDENING, FLORAL DESIGN, CIVIC
AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WGCF 2009 - 2011 OFFICERS:
PRESIDENT: JUDY PITCHER
1931 Rollingwood Road Rt. 6
Mosinee, WI 54455-8435
715-359-0291 judypitcher@charter.net

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: MARION BOOKS
W8490 County Trunk MM
Hortonville, WI 54944-9801
920-779-6656 gemabooks@att.net

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: SYLVIA LOWELL
3435 Hwy 78 North
Mount Horeb, WI 53572-1341
608-437-8764 svlowell@mhtc.net

RECORDING SECRETARY: MARCIA TOPEL
1509 RAE LANE
MADISON, WI 53711-3337
608-274-0195 MARCIA.TOPEL@GMAIL.COM

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: TAMELA RAITEN
945 JEREMY STREET
TOMAH, WI 54660-3257
608-567-0231 TAMRAITEN@HOTMAIL.COM

WGCF TREASURER: JOAN GOEBEL
4318 S. WERMTER ROAD
SOUTH RANGE, WI 54874
715-398-0400 RETIREDPASTORS@CENTURYTEL.NET

NGC PRESIDENT: RENEE BLASCHKE
1412 NE 7
TH
STREET
SMITHVILLE, TX 78957-1202
(512)360-2738 RENEE.BLASCHKE@SBCGLOBAL.NET

CENT. REG. DIR: JOAN HOOD
1504 Avenue A
Webster Groves, MO 63119
314-962-9421 ngccentralregion.org

NGC HEADQUARTERS:
4401 Magnolia Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110 gardenclub.org
ADVERTISING RATES
Size WGCF Other
Full page $150 $200
Half page $75 $100
Quarter $37.50 $50
Bus. Card $20 $20


Page 3 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
Herbicide Effectiveness on Invasive Plants in Wisconsin
New publication from UW Extension: Based
on research and field observations, it highlights
the effectiveness of 32 herbicides on 32 different
invasive plants commonly found in fields
enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP) in Wisconsin, all in a sturdy foldout
poster form for easy reference
Vern Lowell
Gardening Tips
YA'LL COME! Two months and counting to the Convention and time to have
your registration submitted and hotel rooms booked at the Mead Inn and Convention Center in
Wisconsin Rapids. Convention Co-chairs, Joan Milka, and Margie Schenk, as well as Wisconsin
Valley District Director, Marge Hass, and all Wisconsin Valley District members have been work-
ing hard organizing the exciting events on the agenda. For details on all events and registration,
please refer back to the winter issue of Wisconsin Gardens. (If you misplaced your copy, you can
download the information from the WGCF website. Just click on WGCF Magazine Winter
2010 Volume 61, Issue 1.

A variety of workshops and speakers will pique your interest and inform you about new grasses,
perennials, orchids and living frames. You will see designs for special occasion dining and hear
about the wonderful World Association of Floral Arrangers (WAFA) Chicago flower show. In addition, you will hear about
birds (wildlife rehab) and butterflies and have the opportunity to become personally acquainted with both. As a final
touch, you will learn about ways to alleviate gardening discomfort, enjoy less stressful gardening and relax with Reiki.

Don't forget to wear your most spectacular hat for the Garden Party, dancing shoes for some line dancing and walking
shoes for tours. There will be a variety of vendors, Ways and Means and a Tisket-a-Tasket fundraiser for those who love to
shop. Come, renew friendships and meet new friends. Joan Hood, Central Region Director, will greet you and join in the
fun. It promises to be an exciting and educational time as well as time to conduct the annual WGCF business. So get those
registrations sent in for convention on June 2 4, book your hotel rooms by May 16, 2010 at the Hotel Mead and Conven-
tion Center and prepare for a GREAT time. SEE YOU THERE!
Countdown to Convention 2010
Marion Books
Doesnt everyone know when Wisconsin
celebrates Arbor Day? I recently learned that is not the
case. I was volunteering at Saint Mary Springs High Inter-
est Day on February 2, 2010. I was trying to teach students
(3rd 7th grade) about gardening, when snow was falling
and the temperatures were in the 20 degrees. I focused on
the benefits of growing organic. A few students knew
organic. We talked about compost bins, what to add to
them and how important it is to replenish the soil in the
garden each year. I finished my talk with the question,
who can tell me when Wisconsin celebrates Arbor Day?
Not one student knew the answer, not even the teacher.
Therefore, I said, maybe I should come back and teach
about Arbor Day this spring. (It is the last Friday
of April.)

This tells me not all schools
are teaching about Arbor Day.
I ask all WGCF
members to accept the
challenge of teaching
the youth of their com-
munities about Arbor
Day and its value in our
lives. Where would we be
without trees?

I am a proud member of The National Arbor Day Founda-
tion (NADF) since 2003. I have twin great nephews that
love trees and being outside in the garden with their par-
ents. I gave them the book What Tree Is That? written by
the Arbor Day Foundation. They love looking through the
book and learning new trees. For their birthday, I gave
each of them a membership in The National Arbor Day
Foundation. I know they will love getting mail and will
learn more about trees and have fun in spring planting
their trees they get from the NADF.
Arbor Day - Plant an Idea
Sandra Smet
One of the most popu-
lar and fun activities at convention is
looking at all the lovely baskets pre-
pared by WGCF clubs and deciding
which to try to win. Individuals, clubs
and districts are encouraged to assemble
a basket and bring it to the convention. Baskets can follow
any theme and do not have to be gardening related. Ideas
include food and beverages, beauty and spa products, thea-
ter or event tickets, decorative items, gift certificates, Wis-
consin goodies, and, of course, gardening items. There is
no set size, price or quantity of items. A card listing the
items inside the basket is very helpful for shoppers.

This year, we ask people to bring RETURN ADDRESS
LABELS to attach to their raffle tickets. This speeds up the
distribution of these gorgeous baskets at the closing lunch-
eon. The proceeds from this very successful event support
WGCF projects. A tisket, a tasket, maybe YOU will be the
one to WIN a basket!
It is Tisket-Tasket Basket Time!
Nancy Mancusi


Grasses provide color,
texture, sound and rhythmic move-
ment in the landscape. Have you ever
sat in your gardens and watched your
plants waving in the wind? Grasses
waltz, polka, two-step and twirl like a
ballerina depending on the speed of
the wind. Grasses are scintillating and
fascinating. Grasses grow short and
tall; narrow and wide; in sun or
shade; in tufts and hairy-like sprays;
in tiny bejeweled seed heads or large plumes and in a vari-
ety of colors. Both natives and hybrids plants grow easily
in zones three and four.

Some blue grasses to consider include: Helictotrichon sem-
pervirens Saphisprudel stays an electric blue all summer
and grows 1-3. Festuca ovina glauca Elijah blue stays true
blue all summer at 8-10. Elymus arenarius Blue dune is a
metallic blue at 1-2. Koleria glauca Coolio is a blue
mounding hair grass with 12-18 narrow stems.

Grasses with a rosy, red, pink and wine color are: Pennise-
tum orientale Karley rose is 3 tall with rose-purple flower
panicicles. Panicum virgatum is a Shenandoah Red Switch
Grass growing 3-4. The dark red leaves in summer turn to
burgundy in fall. Calamagrostis acutiflora Overdam is a
feather reed grass dressed in pink, white and green at 3-4
and stays upright all summer. Andropogon gerardi (Big Blue-
stem) at 5-8 turns red-bronze at first frost and is the most
widely distributed prairie plant according to Neil Diboll,
president of Prairie Nursery in Westfield. For a tall purple-
mauve, try Panicum virgatum Dallas Blues - a native switch
grass at 6-8. Molina littorialis Skyracer is a tall purple
moor grass growing up 8-9.

Grass blades in greens, yellow and creams brighten any
garden. Carex hachijoesis Evergold is green-yellow, 12-18
and grows in sun or shade. Deschampsia latifolium
Northern lights is a tufted hairgrass with variegated
cream foliage at 12-18. Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foer-
ster is green with feathery plumes growing 3-4. Sesiera
autumnalis Autumn Moon grass is a bright yellow at 20.
Sedge Carex eburnea grows 4-11 in dense clumps with fine
green hairs. It thrives in dry, rocky soil and is very drought
tolerant. Hakonechloa macra aureola is a yellow variegated
forest grass at 6. Spartina spectinata Aureomaraginata is a
magnificent cord grass that reaches 4-6 and loves full sun.
Who can go without the kitten-soft Sporobolus hetrerolepsis
(Prairie Drop Seed) with its 20 golden glow come fall.

Some ornamental grasses grow in shaded woodlands or
shaded edges of wooded stands. They mix with wildflowers
at their feet. Here are four: Elymus villosus (Silky Wild Rye)
takes light shade and reaches 4-6 and grows in sand, loam
or clay. Chasmanthium latifolium (Northern Sea Oats) at 3-
4 needs some protection and has showy flower heads. Hys-
trix patula (Bottlebrush Grass) - 2-5 has seed heads really
looking like a bottlebrush. Elymus virginicus (Virginia Wild
Rye) - 4-5, likes medium to moist soil and grows in sand,
loam or clay.
Page 4 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
In the Garden - Horticulture News
Nancy Gotham
Calamagrostis acutiflora
Karl Foerster
Dancing in the Wind

All ornamental grasses provide abundant winter interest as
well as shelter and food for birds and small animals. Birds
tug on them to line their nests. Butterflies and bees drink
from them in summer. They are lovely in fresh and dried
floral designs.

Grasses are either running or clumping in growing
habit. Clumping varieties stay put and do not take a big
walk in the garden as do running grasses. Determine the
plants type prior to purchasing. Many of the Miscanthus
grass varieties are running grasses and invade large areas in
one or two growing seasons. They are beautiful, but be-
ware, as they are very difficult to eradicate. Deer do not eat
most cultivated grasses! Karl Foerster, German nurseryman
and landscaper said, Grasses are the hair of the earth.

2010 WISCONSIN MASTER GARDENER
ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

July 23, 24 2010

Come Garden with Us in Sheboygan County

=Preconference tour of private display
gardens at Christopher Farm & Gardens
=Prestigious garden speakers: keynote Ray
Rogers, garden expert and author
=Wonderful collection of crafters, artisans
and gardening experts to share their
products and expertise








Information and registration:
2010wimastergardenerconference.com
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A
MASTER GARDENER TO ATTEND!


Page 5 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
Milwaukee district
members have again collaborated
with Milwaukee County UW-
Extension Horticulture Agent Sharon
Morrisey and the Master Gardeners.
A seminar for Habitat for Humanity
homeowners was on March 6, 2010
at Havenwoods Environmental Cen-
ter. The homeowners learned the ba-
sics for planning, planting and caring
for their gardens during the session.

Another part of the event focused on
educating the homeowners children
about nature and plants. Havenwoods
naturalists were available to teach the
children. Thanks to Milwaukee Dis-
trict members assistance, groups were
small to maintain age level appropri-
ate material.

Judy Newman is organizing a Garden
Mentor opportunity. Habitat home-
owners will pair up with mentors to
learn from their expertise. Home-
owner and mentor will determine
time and location. More information:
contact Judy: newman9641@aol.com.
Habitat Happenings
Barbara Wesley
On May 22, 2010, Milwaukee Habitat
homeowners will select plants from
those donated by Milwaukee District
members from 9:00 to noon. Districts
not having their own Habitat projects
may also donate plants or money. To
contribute, send a check made out to
Habitat for Humanity of Milwaukee.
Send to Milwaukee District Treasurer
Lani Becker at W214N10385 Oak
Lane Colgate, WI 53017. The plant
share is a most popular project and
participation has increased dramati-
cally since it began. In 2009, mem-
bers distributed three thousand daffo-
dil bulbs to bloom this spring.

National Garden Clubs will sponsor a
Habitat walk at the Atlanta Conven-
tion. There is a contest among the
regions to see who is able to collect
the most money. Funds collected stay
in the participants district. Walkers
are responsible for sending the money
they collect to the Habitat office in
their district.

Encourage the clubs in your district
to sponsor an event. You will be sur-
prised to see how many donors are
excited about contributing to this
worthy cause. To recognize your club
or district for its contributions, please
send me a report on any Habitat ac-
tivities in your area. Send to barband-
wes@earthlink.net. Your successes
will be included in the report sent to
the National Habitat Chairman.
ALL THI NGS GROW
ALL THI NGS GROW

WI TH LOVE
WI TH LOVE


A Standard Flower Show A Standard Flower Show

presented by presented by

Elm Grove Garden Club Elm Grove Garden Club










June 19: 12 June 19: 12 - - 5 5
June 20: 11 June 20: 11 - - 4 4

City of Brookfield Senior Center City of Brookfield Senior Center
2000 N. Calhoun Road 2000 N. Calhoun Road
Brookfield, WI Brookfield, WI





TENDING ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL
JUNE 2-4, 2010
Save at the WGCF Annual Convention!

Bring this coupon for
$1 OFF Purchase ($20 min.) at Ways & Means
One coupon per person, please


Page 6 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
Shrubs can provide
the under-story for
trees or stand on their
own. Native shrubs
are a wonderful addi-
tion to any landscape.
Some shrubs like the shade while oth-
ers need full sun and good air circula-
tion. Shrubs come in all sizes, shapes
and soil requirements. Berries on
shrubs are generally devoured by
birds either when they ripen or in the
winter. This year, I watched as a tur-
key ate apples in a crab-apple tree.
Another turkey was underneath gob-
bling up fallen apples.

When deciding to add a shrub, the
best time of year to look at your land-
scape is in winter with snow on the
ground. At this time of year, you are
more aware of the spacing between
existing shrubs. Measure the area to
make sure the desired shrub will fit
the selected space. Sometimes damag-
ing winter snows or summer winds
work for us - giving an excuse to take
out the shrub that grew out of its
boundaries or is just undesired.
Shrub removal allows the planting of
something with real character, beauti-
ful foliage, lovely flowers and/ or ber-
ries. Native shrubs, like any other
plant, have certain planting require-
ments. A few examples:

Wet areas: Red or Black Choke berry
(Aronia arbutifolia, A. melanocarpa) or
Redosier Dogwood (Cornus amomum)

Dry area: American Smoketree
(Cotinus obovatus), Leadplant
(Amorpha canescens), New Jersey Tea
(Ceanothus americanus) or American
Bittersweet (Celastrus scanens)

Shade: American or Red-berried
Elder (Samubucus canadensis, S. Pubens)

Flowers: Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Service berry (Amelanchier sp.), Elder-
berry (Sambucus canadenis), Winter-
berry Holly (Ilex verticillata), Pagoda
Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), Button-
bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Send me a photo of new native
shrubs planted by club members in
private or public landscapes. I will
forward to Central Region and Na-
tional to show the WGCFs pride of
its native Wisconsin shrubs.
Go Native
Diane Powelka
The Central Region Unified Project Helping
Others Learn to Grow focuses on individual member clubs
and State Federations working together on special projects -
especially those sponsored by NGC. Plantings, landscaping or
revitalizing areas around schools, nursing homes, churches,
Blue Star memorials, etc. meet the criteria of a Unified Project
- especially those concerning youth and senior citizens.

Many WGCF clubs have qualifying projects that might come
under other headings such as civic beautification or community gardens. These
projects can be on government and/or non-government properties. The projects
can be large or small. Groups working together are encouraged. Projects that
qualify on a club, district or state level are eligible. The project can be brand new
or continuing. However, old endeavors must involve new plantings rather than
just maintenance.

Spring is here. Garden club members, look over your programs and plans and
participate in the Central Region Unified Project. The only requirement is a
brief summary of the project, participation of volunteers, two or three pictures
and a copy of any publicity received. As project chair, I will create one book of
evidence containing all Wisconsin projects. If you have, any questions e-mail me
at hfs446@yahoo.com. Deadline for submission is November 15, 2010. In the
past, I have received two reports from Buds n Sprouts projects for this award.
These are great but let us add a few more in 2010. We can do it!
Got Projects?
Helen Surridge
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SaturdayJuly31(94)
ChristopherFarm&Gardens
GartonRoadonLakeMichigan

Moreinfo:Barb9204574243
RoseMarie9204523064

Page 7 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
Tri-Council in Rapids Update
Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Time: 9-2:30 p.m.
Meet: 9 a.m. at Hotel Mead
Carpool to: Tours & Lunch
Cost: $20

Tours include Pink Ribbon Garden,
Buds & Sprouts Project at Zoo, Edgewater Haven Therapy
Garden, State Fire Memorial Garden, private homes.
Lunch and meeting after tours at the Lake Aire Restaurant.
Tour and lunch open to all attending the convention.

WGCF Tri-Council Tour & Lunch, June 2, 2010
Send completed form and fee payable to Tri-Council to:

Gretchen Vest, Tri-Council Treasurer,
704 Spring Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Gretchens phone: 262-338-6645

Deadline: May 21, 2010


Name

Address

Zip Telephone

E-Mail

Amount enclosed $

(This form may be photocopied.)
Lucy Valitchka
WANTED: Members to serve in WGCF leadership positions! Do you want a new
challenge and a new commitment? Are you ready for the next big step in WGCF? In the next elec-
tion cycle, WGCF needs a recording secretary, membership secretary, treasurer and second vice-
president (ways and means chair). These two- year terms serve during 2011-2013. Installation is at
the annual convention in 2011.

The WGCF Handbook, in Standing Rules, pages 4-6, lists the duties of each office. Simplified,
officers must attend four WGCF board meetings per year. The secretaries need to be detail ori-
ented and possess office and computer skills. Officers can send electronic reports to the board
members. The treasurer must have experience keeping financial records. The second vice-president must have moneymak-
ing ideas, be an enthusiastic seller and able to transport merchandise to various meetings.

District Directors have copies of the complete duties of each elected officer and a form outlining prospective candidates
experience, educational and work backgrounds. Do not wait for a call. Read the duties, ask the current officers for informa-
tion and VOLUNTEER for a rewarding position.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Helen Surridge


Page 8 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield Marshfield
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SATURDAY 9:30-3:30
CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
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HOURS:
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CLOSED SUNDAY & MONDAY
Hotel Mead & Conference Center

Welcomes

Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Tending All Things Beautiful
June 2-4, 2010



Hotel Mead
715-423-1500
451 East Grand Av Wisconsin Rapids


Cele-
brate National
Public Garden
Day on Friday,
May 7, 2010 at
the Robert W.
Monk Garden. Join other gardeners
to help plant the Wildflower Woods
and Memorial Garden. You can par-
ticipate in a number of ways. You can
come and get dirty helping with plant-
ing; you can donate extra plants from
your own garden or you can purchase
plants from your local nursery and
donate those. Labeled stakes will
mark the planting plan with many
volunteers available to give assistance.
Rain date for planting is Saturday,
May 8, 2010. If you plan to join the
festivities, please contact Darla Zas-
trow: darla.zastrow@uwc.edu or 715-
261-6282. Desired plants, trees and
shrubs include:
= Bottle Gentian/Closed Gentian/
Prairie Gentian
= Yellow Gentian
= Fringed Gentian
= Harebell/Bluebell
= Indian Paintbrush/Painted Cup
= Dutchman's Breeches
= Spotted Coralroot
= Purple Fringed orchid
= Bloodroot
= Pink Lady's Slipper/Moccasin
Flower
= Nodding Trillium
= Large-flowered Trillium/White-
flowered Trillium
= Smooth Solomon's Seal/True
Solomon's Seal
= False Solomon's Seal
= Twinflower
= Wood Violet
= Common Blue Violet
= Bird's Foot Violet
= Canada Violet
= Downy Yellow Violet
= Virgin's Bowyer/Old Man's Beard
= Columbine
= Wild Bergamot/Horsemint/Bee
Balm
= Black-eyed Susan/Brown-eyed
Susan
= Coneflower/Gray-headed/Yellow
headed
= Coneflower thin leaved
= Liatris/Gayfeather/Blazing Star

================

President's Project
Claire Aziz
At the recent executive board meeting Vickie Richmond-Hawkins, Treasurer of
the Monk Gardens received a check for $1,000 from the Presidents Project.
(Pictured L-R: Judy Pitcher, Vickie Richmond-Hawkins and Claire Aziz) Recent
donors include the Paper Valley Garden Club, Wisconsin River Garden Club,
Indianhead District, Botany Belles and Beaus Garden Club, Coulee Region Gar-
den Club, Wausau Y.W.C.A Garden Club, Leora Mitchell and Carol Potter.
Thank you all for your continued support of this project. Please send donations
to State Treasurer, Joan Goebel. (Photo courtesy of Ginger Wierman.)
Page 9 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2


















The Enjoyment Place

950 W. Grand Av
Some clubs are already working on program planning and yearbook production for
the coming year. There are significant yearbook judging changes that the program planners need to
know. The new WGCF handbook dated 2008, has a change in scoring for the yearbooks for the
2010-2011 year. The Awards section of the WGCF handbook, pages 17 18, details the scale of
points. One hundred points are possible with 50 points assigned to the Club Meetings portion.
The total is the same as in the past, but the points credited each of the six areas judged is now distrib-
uted differently.

Another major change is under Club Projects. New and continuing projects now receive equal points: 12 total points in
each area. This year I observed that nearly three quarters of the clubs had no new projects. Some clubs have so many con-
tinuing projects; it seemed unfair for them to undertake anything more. The "New Project" column can list a continuing
project with a significant change. Examples are changing the perennials in a city garden or adding a trellis or some other
item to a garden you are already tending. I encourage you to evaluate your clubs projects and determine if you will be do-
ing some of these changes this year. I interpret from the scoring change that NGC is encouraging a critical look at what
clubs are doing and see where things can change up so as not to become stagnant. (Judging for 2010 followed the old
rules of a lesser number of points deducted for no new projects. Next year the new guidelines are in effect.)

Another big deficit in many club yearbooks was the failure to note where subjects of meetings pertained to project work.
This is 10 points that is very easy to achieve. Yearbook editors just need to note the CP or NP along with the project
number on the meeting page. Check out the Guidelines for Preparing Club Yearbooks on pages 12 16 of the Awards
section, it contains much good information to help make yearbooks a useful tool for members.

Most program/yearbook chairs do not have a copy of the new handbook. Each club president has a copy. In order to pro-
vide more information and better access to the handbook guidelines, my goal is to add a yearbook page to the WGCF web
site in April. One of the first things I intend to post is the score sheet used in Wisconsin for judging. Another goal is to
email occasional yearbook information to club presidents and district yearbook chairs; however, fourteen club presidents
have no email listed in the directory. Please send club email contact info to me at dnkman@wctc.net.

Please do not forget to view the display of this years yearbooks at the WGCF convention in June. There is so much variety,
so many beautiful books to browse through and get ideas to incorporate in any yearbook.
Calling all Yearbook Editors
Nancy Mancusi
Page 10 Wi sconsi n Gar dens






Page 13 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
Fox Point Garden Clubs
May Market
Perennials Wildflowers e Bakery
May 8, 2010 (9-1) Longacre Pavilion -
Fox Point

COME TO THE WGCF CONVENTI ON
JUNE 2nd, 3r d & 4t h
I N WI SCONSI N RAPI DS
WE' LL BE LOOKI NG FOR YOU!
Yar d and Gar den Cl ub
` tour gardens
` hear informative speakers
` attend workshops
` shop at the vendors
` have a GREAT TIME


10% off
& More
Purses
Page 14 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
Riverview Hospital Gift Shop
Come and Be Surprised







Bring in this ad to receive 10% off any regular priced item
Riverview Hospital
410 Dewey Street, Wisconsin Rapids
Monday - Friday 9:30-4:30
Garden
Art
Pots
Jewelry
Mark your calendar for
May 7 and 8 and plan to attend The
Living Earth, an Environmental Studies
School Course III, Series IV. Offered by
the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Milwaukee District at Havenwoods
Environmental Awareness Center, the
course focuses on Air.
Dr. Dale R. Olen will return to discuss Environmental
Ethics and Earth Stewardship. Paula Zamiatowski, a Certi-
fied Master Naturalist, will teach about the Rain Forest as
part of a Field Trip to the Mitchell Park Horticulture Con-
servatory (The Domes), in Milwaukee. A backstage tour of
The Domes under Paulas guidance includes additional
instruction on the growing of orchids in the arid dome.
Brenton Burger, from the big island down under and a
guest lecturer at Marquette University, will share his
knowledge on pollution. Howard Aprill, Naturalist at
Wehr Nature Center, Milwaukee County, will discuss
How to start a conservancy. Judy Klippel, Superinten-
dent at Havenwoods, will talk about endangered plants
and wildlife and Judy Newman, NGC ESS Chairman, will
wrap-up the two days of activities.

Environmental Studies School is open to the public
and all NGC Garden Club Members. This is the
third course in a series of four that will be presented.
Course fee is $35 per day and lunch is available for an ad-
ditional $8.00 per day. See brochure in this issue of Wis-
consin Gardens for more information
The Living Earth
Carole Hopp
American Rose Society
National Miniature
Rose Conference
August 20-22, 2010
Waukesha WI
c FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
INSPIRED DESIGNS
c ROSE COMPETITION
c NATIONAL SPEAKERS
c OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

INFO: DIANESOMMERS@WI.RR.COM


Page 15 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
CONTAINER GARDENING FOR THE MIDWEST
BY ALDRICH, WILLIAMSON, BECK & PETERS
LONE PINE PUBLISHING, 2008
Container gardening is the fastest growing
segment of the American gardening scene and
offers unique challenges. This book introduces
the reader to a world of exciting containers
and many new and colorful plant varieties,
with wide choices to fill a pot, window box or
hanging basket.

Here you will learn if a plant is easy, challeng-
ing or difficult to grow. Is it a thriller - like a
spike, spiller - like a vine or filler - like petu-
nias or coleus? A well- designed container can
look stunning with trailing plants cascading
over the rim and colorful mounds of delicate
flowers and interesting foliage filling the cen-
ter. In spring, it takes an optimistic gardener
to realize that the scrawny new transplants, with a little luck and
consistent watering, will turn into a wonderful garden to enjoy
all summer and into fall.

A Plants at a Glance section at the beginning of the book al-
lows you to familiarize yourself with the different plants fol-
lowed by information that can turn an amateur into a pro. The
book displays one hundred plants, in full color, suitable for
container gardening in the Midwest. It, also, highlights their
features and grow rating. A quick reference chart at the back of
the book summarizes requirements of the plants.

This book is packed with easy solutions and exciting ideas for creating and maintaining containers - from traditional to
cutting edge. It offers opportunities for dazzling combinations and makes container gardening easy and fun. Available at
Barnes and Noble, $19.95. I used this opportunity to check out Amazon .com and received a copy in excellent condition
for under $7.00, including shipping.
From the Bookshelf
Colleen Weiler

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Thank you to the many sponsors of Wisconsin Gardens!


Page 16 Wi sconsi n Gar dens
Celebrate a fellow mem-
bers contributions to garden club with a
new WGCF life membership. New life
members receive special honor at the
WGCF state convention in Wisconsin Rap-
ids. So far, there have been no new life memberships since
the last convention. It would be great to exceed the nine
members welcomed in 2009.

Some suggestions for honorees are outgoing club presi-
dents, members who have made outstanding achievements
in clubs, longstanding members and district directors.
Members can even purchase their own life memberships. If
someone is already a life member, give a tribute - also hon-
ored at convention.

Please contact me if you are not sure if someone has a
WGCF Life Membership. These memberships are impor-
tant assets to build our Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Forms for Life Membership and Memorial Scholarship
Fund are usually in Wisconsin Gardens.
Life Members Wanted
Lucy Valitchka


Directory Updates
Please make the following corrections
to the 2010 WGCF Directory, add:
Gardening Consultants
- Pat Ritchie
- Darlene Kobs
- Joan Schaupp
Landscape Design Consultants
- Joan Schaupp
Flower Show Judges
- Dawn Mozgawa
Page 17 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
WISCONSIN LIFE MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION FORM

Name of Applicant

Address

Member of Garden Club District

Given by

Address


Honor a WGCF Member with a WGCF Life Membership. The $50.00 membership donation will be added
to the WGCF Scholarship Fund. Send completed form and check written to WGCF, designated
Memorial Scholarship Fund to Lucy Valitchka, N2695 Meade St, Appleton, WI 54913
. All life members will be honored during the WGCF Convention.
Still looking for
the following is-
sues of Wisconsin
Gardens. Please
send to Gerianne
Holzman, address
on back page. Thank you in advance
for any back issues to add to the his-
tory of the WGCF. The missing in
action are:
All issues from 1949 - 1951
Nov/Dec 1977
Sept/Oct 1980
Spring 1997
Spring 1999
Missing in Action
Gerianne Holzman
Help! I am looking for garden
clubs that ordered and planted
daffodil bulbs last fall from
National Garden Clubs as part
of the National Presidents project
"Golden Days". Please take after
pictures this spring and send to me
for use in my Civic Development/
Beautification display at the Annual
Meeting in June. Thank you.

RoseMarie Wilke-Hassman
824 St. Clair Avenue
Sheboygan, WI 53081
smokeyrh@charter.net
Did you Daffodil?
RoseMarie Wilke-Hassman
BY LAWS, ARTICLE XII
ANNUAL CONVENTION
(Page 17 of new WGCF Handbook)

Amend Section 1 by adding the fol-
lowing at the end of the first sentence
after the word spring: prior to May
31st, end of the fiscal year.

If adopted would read:
Section 1. The Annual Convention
of WGCF shall be held each spring,
prior to May 31st, end of the fiscal
year. Annual reports shall be received
from officers and all members of the
Board of Directors. Elections shall be
held in the odd-number years.

Rationale: Only one Annual Con-
vention to be held during each fiscal
year. There are many financial ramifi-
cations in our system when more
than one convention is held annually.

Vote to be held at annual convention
in June, 2010.
By Law - Proposed Change
Elaine Seeliger & Kitty Larkin




Page 19 Spr i ng 2010 Vol ume 61, I ssue 2
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April
20-21 Landscape Design School Course III, Madison
May
7-8 Environmental Studies School, Course III, Milwaukee
14-16 NGC Convention, Atlanta, GA
June
2-4 WGCF Convention, Hotel Mead, Wisconsin Rapids
4 WGCF Executive Committee Meeting WI Rapids
3-5 American Iris Society 90th Convention, Madison
6-12 National Garden Week
Sept
23-26 NGC Fall Board Meeting, Great Falls, MT
Oct
4-6 Central Region Fall Meeting, Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake
14 WGCF Executive Committee Meeting
Nov
5-6 Environmental Studies School, Course IV, Milwaukee

2011
April
17-19 WGCF Convention
May
27-30 NGC Convention, Washington DC
20-21 Flower Show School Series VIII, Fox Valley Tech, Appleton
TBA Gardening Studies School Series VII
Aug
19-20 Flower Show Symposium
Memorial Scholarship
Fund Donations
Please make checks payable to
WGCF Scholarship Fund
c/o Community Foundation for
the Fox Valley Region, Inc
P O Box 563 Appleton, WI 54912

The enclosed donation of $ is designated for
the WGCF Scholarship Fund.

CLUB NAME DISTRICT

DONOR NAME PHONE

ADDRESS

INDIVIDUAL/CLUB DONATION - MONEY TO BE SPENT IN CURRENT YEAR

DONATION TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS

DONATI ONS APPLI ED TO PRI NCI PAL

INDIVIDUAL/CLUB DONATION

WISCONSIN LIFE MEMBERSHIP

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

SEND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO:

NAME:

ADDRESS:


Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Membership Changes:
Use this form to add new members or
make changes in current members information.

Date District

Club

City

Name

Address

City
(Zip + 4)
Phone ( )

Email

Check One:

New Member: $10

Same Household member: $3.25

Member - at - large: $14.00

Information change only

SEND ONE COPY EACH TO:
WGCF Membership Secretary
WGCF Treasurer with a check for state dues (above)
District Treasurer with a check for district dues
Dues vary by district, contact District Treasurer for amount.

No fee charged for information changes.


Coming in the Summer 2010 Issue: Judges Councils, Landscape Design
Consultants, Convention Report, Memorials and Tributes, Publicity, Mem-
bership, Floral Design, Web page updates, Book Review, Horticulture and
Highlighting the Madison District
4318 S. Wermter Rd.
South Range, WI 54874
wisconsingardenclub.org
Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Non-Profit Org
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 2783
Madison, WI
Yeah! Spring is here. The birds are singing and preparing their
nests. The tender plant shoots are bravely peeking out of the
ground. March has flown by with almost no snow to cover the
beautiful Hellebores, flowering since early in the month. The
fresh green of spring is in stark contrast to the dry browns of the
desert during our recent trip to Egypt. Our first major vacation to a truly
foreign land was an eye opening experience. The ancient architects of the
Pharaonic temples and tombs could match the skills and knowledge of builders
in the 21st century. To think of the rudimentary tools used in construction is
mind boggling. These structures created a legacy for generations. How will our
time be viewed by people in the next millennia?

The most astounding part of the journey was seeing how many Egyptians live
today. The River Nile is still the lifeline of the country with 90% of the people
living within its fertile area. Many, many families live as their ancient ancestors
did in mud brick homes with thatched roofs. They may have a few chickens, a
donkey and a cow. (The big difference is the satellite dish on the roof.)
Strangely, we did not get the impression of these folks being poor. They truly
seem to be living sustainably off the land and river. It is amazing how little one
can get by with and remain happy. I havent shopped since we came home!
Gerianne
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
Marcel Proust
Sitting on the porch...
Editor: Gerianne Holzman
wisconsingardens@charter.net
113 E. Hudson Mazomanie 53560
608-795-4935

Assistant Editor: Anita Voiles
davoiles@pressenter.com
852 162nd St Hammond 54015
715-796-2786

Circulation: Tamela Raiten
tamraiten@hotmail.com
945 Jeremy Street Tomah 54660
608-567-0231

Advertising: Lynn Laufenberg
mlaufenberg@wi.rr.com
W300 S5647 Windcrest Dr
Waukesha 53189 262-370-9646
Contributors:
Claire Aziz, Marion Books, Nancy
Gotham, Gerianne Holzman, Carole
Hopp, Mary Kulhanek, Kitty Larkin,
Vern Lowell, Nancy Mancusi, Sandy
Nelson, Judy Pitcher, Diane Powelka,
Elaine Seeliger, Sandra Smet, Helen Sur-
ridge, Lucy Valitchka, Colleen Weiler,
Barbara Wesley, Ginger Wierman and
RoseMarie Wilke-Hassman

Published quarterly at Mazomanie,
Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Garden Club
Federation, member of National Gar-
dens Clubs, Inc. Supported by Club
Membership. Subscription price $6.00
per year, single issue copies $2.00.
Distribution: 1560 Editor reserves the right
to edit contributions for size and content.


Printed by Econoprint Verona, WI
Due to the variability of bulk non-profit postage delivery, WGCF and Wisconsin Gardens takes no
responsibility of late delivery of event announcements. Please plan accordingly.
Deadline for Summer Issue: June 1, Submissions Welcome
Publication approximately July 1, delivery by July 15