Wildflower Bunch

By Anita Rosen

Speaker Theresa Schrum (2nd from left) surrounded by Wildflower Bunch members, (l-r) Sandra Hintze, Barbara Hill, and Jean Lomax.

Christmas Luncheon

This beautiful handmade holiday quilt will be raffled off at the Christmas Luncheon, December 3.

To kick off the holiday season, the Wildflower Bunch luncheon will feature a delicious meal catered by Liz Donovan-Davis of Gourmet Getaways, the induction of the 2009 Board, and the presentation of the Woodland Award. Adding to the festivities, the exquisite quilt, previewed at the November meeting, will be awarded to the lucky

raffle winner.  The silent auction and prix fixe items will include pottery by Cindy Bonner; a beautiful one-of-a-kind tree skirt, note cards and gift tags by local talent Carole English; table runners with a choice of three motifs; whimsically painted hand-made cedar bird houses in three sizes; and holiday-inspired hot mitts, wreaths, centerpiece, decorator baskets, topiaries and more. Checks or cash, please.

Remembering those in need, Wildflower Bunch will continue its tradition of voluntary donations to Ric Rack in Dawson County and to C.A.R.E.S. (Community Assistance and Resource Emergency Services) in Pickens County. Cash donations will be split between the two unless otherwise specified and checks will go to the organization designated.

November's Flower - Russian Sage
Russian Sage, known also as Perovskia atriplicifolia or Salvia Rusa, is a woody sub-shrub, growing about four feet high, with long slender panicles of lavender flowers that intensify in color as

Russian Sage graces the background of this perennial bed while salvia blooms in the front.

they open and foliage of finely cut gray-green scented leaves. The perfect plant for a sunny spot, Russian Sage can tolerate poor soil, drought and is unattractive to deer and rabbits. A stand of this autumnal beauty looks like a purple haze and will bloom consistently from mid-summer through fall. 

To care for Russian Sage, prune back to about six inches in the spring, before new growth starts. Deadheading may result in a second flush of bloom but you may prefer to leave the flower heads for winter interest.

November's Horticultural Tip
As the weather cools, plants require less water, making November a great time to plant and transplant. In fact, many gardeners have been known to take this time to rearrange an entire garden.  Use November to put in base plantings and evergreens that you can appreciate all winter. They will spend the upcoming colder weather in a dormant state and will be ready to grow in the spring.  This is also the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs and to put in hardscapes such as steps, paths, dry stream beds and walls. Their effect is best appreciated during the barren winter days. 

As with all structural changes, be sure to get approval from the AECD before beginning your projects.