We are excited to be making our move to Bnai Keshet at 99 South Fullerton Avenue on Monday for our upcoming program meetings and competitions ... and the doors will open at 12:30 instead of our recent times. It's a full calendar: Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts Divisions will be exhibited, and award-winning design expert Jan Johnsen will share creative and practical ways you can use natural stone in the garden; from rock gardens to dry streams, and as benches, paths, and more.

This demonstration workshop is the first of a two-part series focusing on the elements and principles of design. Topics for discussion and demonstration include: color, form, texture, balance, proportion, and scale as they apply to floral art and design. Join Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges. Open to all levels. RSVP to Celia Radek. October 13, 60 S. Fullerton Avenue, 10 am - noon.

Wendy Stahl stands proudly next to our new composter at Avis. Many, many thanks to the Northeast Earth Coalition whose generous gift is going to provide our beautiful garden with health and happiness for many years to come. Thank you, Wendy, for making this happen!

Students from the Montclair Cooperative School visited ACG today and learned about dahlias, the Fibonacci Sequence, and the wonders of composting. Dahlias are apparently the best example of Fibonacci-ness in the plant world. Always learning!

As summer draws to its end, the Avis stalwarts gathered together on September 21 to start cleaning up the beds and lift a glass to another beautiful year as the last blooms of Avis Campbell Gardens seduce the bees and butterflies for one last feast. See photos, below, of a late summer evening in the garden and our celebration of another year of richness and plenty.

At the first program meeting of the season, Members flooded Union Congregational Church with well over 160 horticulture entries in 26 classes divided between six different sections. Three of our annual awards are pictured here with their new ribbons, and below. Deborah Hirsch was awarded the Barbara Meyer Rose Award for her delicate and fragrant "Desdemona" roses. The judges couldn't help but give these beauties "Best in Show." Celia Radek won not one but two awards: the Amy Hatrack Herb Award for her collection of five herbs, and the Estelle Liebrecht Horticulture Award for her perfect, perky, pink zinnia, grown from seed distributed this spring. See also the winners of firsts in all the classes below and, below those, a selection of photos showing the wide variety of beautiful plants and flowers exhibited with such pride and enthusiasm by our Members. SECTION A: Flowering Annuals Class 1: Dahlia - Celia Radek Class 2: Salvia-Sue Straten Class 3: Tagetes (Marigold) - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Class 4: Zinnia elegans 'Pumila Bordeaux'- *Eligible for the Estelle Liebrecht Horticulture Award - Celia Radek Class 5: Any other worthy named specimen - Sarah Olson: Ageratum; Sarah Olson: Ping-Pong Purple; Celia Radek: Cleome; Sue Straten: Impatient Daisy; Michele Trevenen: Lantana SECTION B: Annuals Grown for Foliage Class 6: Caladium - Terry Breen; Michele Trevenen-Miss Muffet Class 7: Plectranthus scutellarioides (Coleus) -Karen Whitehaus, Terri Breen Class 8: Strobilanthes (Persian Shield) N/A Class 9: Any other worthy named specimen - Michele Trevenen - Elephant Ear SECTION C: Flowering Perennial Class 10: Aster - Debbie Moran Class 11: Rosa - *Eligible for the Barbara Meyer Rose Award -Deb Hirsch-David Austin Rose "Desdemona" Class12: Sedum - Debbie Moran-Sedum cauticom; Sue Straten- Stonecrop Class 13: Any other worthy named specimen - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken- Turtlehead, Rose of Sharon and Hydrangea; Sarah Olson - I, Jacoba Coes - Goldenrod and Veronica. Cheryl Sutzsky - SECTION D: Perennials Grown for Foliage Class 14: Fern - Debbie Moran Class 15: Heuchera - Debbie Moran Class 16: Hosta - Maria Matesanz Class 17: Any other worthy named specimen - Asparagus Fern, Sarah Olson SECTION E: Herbs. Eligible for the Amy Hatrack Herb Award* Class 18: Ocimum (basil) N/A Class 19: Rosemarinus (rosemary) Debbie Moran Class 20: Salvia (sage) Kathy Bachman Class 21: Thymus (thyme) Debbie Moran Class 22: Collection of 5 herbs,- Kathy Bachman Amy Hatrack Herb Award- Celia Radek SECTION F: Vegetables Class 23: Capsicum (pepper) - Sarah Olson; Celia Radek Class 24: Cucurbita (squash) - N/A Class 25: Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) - Kathy Bachman Class 26: Any other worthy named specimen: Genie Temmler - carrot

The District 2 Fall meeting will be at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum Nov 18th at 1.30pm where participants will be instructed and create a Williamsburg centerpiece. Cost $50 (please see flyer). All are welcome. The Frelinghuysen needs the number of participants to order the materials. Please RSVP Sarah J. Olson by Sept 21 — next Thursday! We can put together carpools once we know who's going. Hope to see you there!

In preparation for the Program Meeting and Horticulture Exhibition on Monday, September 18th, please register your horticulture specimen entries for Monday’s Exhibition. Email Karen Whitehaus by 4pm on Sunday, September 17. Let her know you are going to bring hort specimens and the approximate quantity. She will provide you with an entry number. Please refer to the Horticulture Schedule page on the website or the Yearbook, pages 32 and 33 for the Schedule. Please let us also know if you will be entering specimens into: Section A, Class 4 (Zinnia elegans ‘Pumila Bordeaux’…) Eligible for the Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award Section C, Class 11 (Rosa: 1 cut stem…) Eligible for the Barbara Meyer Rose Award Section E, Class 22 (Collection of 5 herbs…) Eligible for the Amy Hatrak Herb Award Please bring your entries to Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair, between 8 and 9 am on Monday morning. You will find us on the Assembly Room porch, just a bit left of the Church, preparing specimens for entry! Michele Trevenen and Karen Whitehaus Horticulture Committee Chair and Vice Chair

Marilyn and Peter Zaret's Open Garden Address This Sunday and Monday, Aug. 20 and 21, 6-9 pm Four years ago this week, our friend and gifted landscape designer Chuck Baum stood at this spot and envisioned an arch to connect the remains of a beloved tree with an addition of another, this one chosen for its strength, and embedded in cement. The arch is composed of 40-foot-long bamboo stalks (donated by Susan Yu) that bend gracefully over a steel support beam. Although this was designed to hang a swing, it has become a cherished framework for stargazing. Let us cheat the summer heat. Come for the golden hour and/or stay until the witching hour. Friends and families are welcome. Marilyn Zaret.

Click here to see notes from the workshop (members only). From Allyn Young, one of our new provisionals attending her first workshop: On Tuesday, September 12, at 5pm, Members of the garden club (of all experience levels!) got together for a wonderful workshop led by NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judge, Heidi Muschick. We discussed everything from planning ahead (and planting ahead), how and when to condition and harvest your star bloom, tricks and tools, the best display techniques and supplies (many of which are provided by the club), and so much more! Heidi was so generous with her knowledge and explained everything down to the smallest detail. You could feel everyone's excitement to be gathering together again for healthy competition (and as a beginner I felt very welcome and not as intimidated as I thought I would!)

Don't miss Cynthia Corhan-Aitken's beautiful Open Garden TODAY, from 5:00 until 9:00 in the evening! See yesterday's post for full details.

Open Garden of Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Twig & Vine Design Address Saturday, September 2, 2023 5:00 to 9:00 This former designer of couture bridal gowns left the city for the suburbs where she found her real passion while planting 2,000 tulip bulbs on an autumn day. After being certified at the New York Botanic School of Horticulture, Cynthia started her own landscape company, Twig & Vine Design. One of her amazing transformations was featured this past June at the Open Garden of Karen Fricke. The nearly two acre property surrounding Cynthia’s 1883 home was overgrown with crumbing brick walls and invasive vines that took her twelve years to clear, replant and restore to the beautiful botanical gem that you will see this Saturday. Her work studio, in the home’s ultra modern addition, will also be open. Friends and families are welcome. (Contact Marilyn if you want to host an Open Garden. All styles are welcome) Cynthia's garden before and after she replaced deer salad with deer-resistant plants. And the view from her kitchen window, before and after ...

The September issue of Potpourri, edited by the talented Terri Breen, is out! CLICK HERE to read about our renewed focus on the environment, challenging plans for the fall including the new Botanical Arts Division, summer struggles with Montclair wildlife, the student we are helping to sponsor during her exciting new college career, and much, much more, You can also catch up any any back issues of Potpourri you may have missed by CLICKING HERE. Note: You need to be logged in to the website in order to link to Potpourri issues from this page. As usual, all Club members will receive Potpourri as a PDF linked from the weekly email.

The 2023-24 Yearbook is here, thanks to a marvelous team effort from the Yearbook Committee and our dedicated Chairs and Vice Chairs. You should be receiving the latest edition by mail or hand delivered to you on or before Labor Day weekend. Highlights include: Our gorgeous Cover Photo featuring the Eastern Black Swallowtail (pollinator) and Garden Phlox (native perennial) in support of the Club’s Environmental Mission. We have Claire Stepleton to thank for her outstanding photography. A simplified Calendar focused on events and featuring program and workshop descriptions. Check out the terrific Program speakers Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and Karen Fricke secured, and the talented workshop instructors Celia Radek arranged. A dedicated section for Competition Schedules and rules for Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts. Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Michele Trevenen, Karen Whitehaus, Florence Leyssène, and Debbie Moran have a fabulous set of challenges for all our horticulturists and designers. Streamlined Committee Reports that hit all the high points of last year’s accomplishments, including an impressive summary of 2022’s Arts & Flowers: A Design Standard Flower Show by Barbara Baletti. Up to date Membership Directory and Provisional List, current as of 8/1/23. Many thanks to Cheryl Slutzky, Sue Young, and Fran Wong for their efforts. As always, the website will have any additions or changes in real time. In addition, Sue Young has ensured the website is fully up to date with all of the information in the 2023-24 Yearbook. The online Calendar is current and reflects the most recent changes to our Club year. Producing the Yearbook is a labor of love over the summertime, so please congratulate our truly dedicated team: Fran Ackerly, Janice Benton, Karen DeLuca, Florence Leyssène, Sheila Oakes, Sara H. Olson, Ragna Sloane, Nancy Stroud, Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong, and Sue Young. —Floss O’Sullivan, Editor

Open Garden of Patty Sullivan Sunday & Monday, July 16 & 17 6:00 to 9:00pm Address Our friend Patty welcomes you to her evening stage. Full lights go on at 8:20. Chuck Baum, her partner in design, will co-host.

We have a short window for you to check your listing in this year's Yearbook. By Friday, July 21 — THIS WEEK! — please look up your entry on the website by clicking here. You can enter any part of your information in the "Search" box to bring it up. Provisionals should check by clicking here. If you have a change, and only if you have a change, please email Sue Young with the correct information.

See below the first in the upcoming list of past GCM event photos: our May 24 luncheon and awards ceremony. Photos are mostly — as so often — by Susan Yu.

At the annual Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, the Awards Committee handed out recognition to our deserving members in a ceremony that has been repeated probably since the founding of the club in 1926, Many of the awards have been donated to the club by grateful members over the years, and all the winners going back to 1980 can be seen at any time on the website. Earlier awards are in our archives. The event took place this year at the Montclair Golf Club on May 24, 2023. Louise D. Mann Award: Deborah Hirsch A silver tray perpetual trophy, given in her memory by her family, to be awarded to a member of The Garden Club of Montclair when merited, in recognition of her vision and significant accomplishments in a field that advances Garden Club objectives. The winner is chosen by the Awards Committee. Till Beatty Allis Award: Fran Ackerly A silver bowl perpetual trophy, given in her honor by her family, may be awarded by the Awards Committee to a member who has made an outstanding contribution in the area of Flower Design and Flower Design education. Bauer Horticulture Award: Maureen Sprong A silver bowl perpetual trophy given by the late Mrs. John Bauer may be awarded each year at the Annual Meeting for major achievement in Horticulture. The winner is chosen by decision of the Awards Committee. Amy Hatrak Herb Award: Denise Silverman A silver tray perpetual trophy, given in her honor by her family, in recognition of her accomplishments in the field of herbs. To be given to the Garden Club member who, during the September or October Competition, best exemplifies and demonstrates the growing of herbs, for use and for delight, including aromatic, culinary, medicinal herbs, and scented geraniums. To be judged by a panel composed of the President, the Awards Chair, and three others appointed by the President. Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl: Debbie Moran This perpetual trophy silver bowl may be awarded at a Standard Flower Show or Small Standard Flower Show for any decorative use of plant material having distinctive beauty. Only members of the Garden Club of Montclair are eligible for this trophy, which shall remain in the Garden Club Room. A special panel of judges shall be invited to make the award. A small version of the award shall be presented to the winner. Names of the winners are inscribed on a wall plaque in the Garden Club Room. Barbara Meyer Rose Award: Denise Silverman A perpetual trophy recognizing excellence in rose culture may be awarded to the member of the Garden Club of Montclair whose single rose specimen, grown by the exhibitor, received the highest-scoring blue ribbon in a Club Horticulture Competition, Horticulture Specialty, Standard Flower or Small Standard Flower Show. Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award: Fran Ackerly A silver vase perpetual trophy, given in her memory by her family, awarded to the Garden Club member who, during the October Competition, best perpetuates the love and use of roses in artistic design. The winner will be chosen by a panel of five members composed of the President, the Awards Chair, and three others appointed by the President. The Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award: Tova Narrett A silver bowl perpetual trophy, given in her memory by her family, to be awarded at a standard Flower Show or Small Standard Flower Show to the member of The Garden Club of Montclair who wins the Designer's Choice Awards. President’s Trophy for Flower Design, Intermediate: Sarah Olson A silver bowl perpetual trophy awarded to the member of Intermediate Level who, during the year, achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon. The Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award: Debbie Moran A silver bowl perpetual trophy awarded by the Horticulture Committee to the member who receives the blue ribbon for the Club project, to be judged at a fall or spring horticultural show, a Standard Flower Show, or a Small Standard Flower Show. Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced: Barbara Baletti A silver plate awarded to the member of Advanced Level who received the highest number of points in a year, including two blue ribbons. President’s Award for Horticulture: Sarah Olson A silver plate perpetual trophy awarded to the member who, during the year, achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon in the Club's Horticultural Competitions. The Botanical Arts Award: Floss O’Sullivan A silver bowl perpetual trophy is awarded to the Garden Club member who, during the year, achieved the highest total score for participation in Botanical Arts competitions of any type, including the winning of one blue ribbon. The four types include Botanical Arts Horticulture, Botanical Arts Design, Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts, and Photography. Special Tributes: Susan Benner (center) Marilyn & Peter Zaret (not pictured) Gift of Appreciation: Barbara Baletti & Cynthia Corhan-Aitken For their sterling work coordinating the very successful Flower Show The President’s Special Recognition Award: Sue Young Honors our webmaster for her renovation and development of our interactive, outstanding Website that connects our membership with our projects, events and each other, as well as with the communities we serve. Celebrating 35 Years of Membership: Brigitte Padberg All photos by Floss O'Sullivan

When will it end? When will the umbrellas close? Since the rain date has been rained out, the Mad Hatter tea party has been moved to this Thursday, June 29, same time: 3:30 to 6. We hope your hats, clippers, scones and jam tarts are still at hand, in a very dry place. See you then!

Sadly, tomorrow's Mad Hatter (Clip, Sip N’Dip) Tea Party has been postponed until Wednesday, June 28, 4:00 until 6:30. Rain is good for gardens and bad for parties.