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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

JUNE FLOWERPOT PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

"If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with angels that visit us on every sunbeam and sit with fairies who wait on every flower."

Samuel Smiles

Do you "sit with the fairies" in your garden? Perhaps the best way to welcome the fey (fairies and elves) is to make your garden attractive to birds and butterflies. Provide birdbaths and birdhouses, add fragrant herbs and flowers and a small wind chime, making it a beautiful, restful place. I can't guarantee that fairies will visit your garden, but you can experience the loveliness that can be found in nature.

People of long ago believed the best time to see the fairies was on Midsummer Day, the time of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, generally around June 21. With its origins in pagan times, it is still celebrated in Scandinavia and some areas of Britain and Europe. To the ancients it was a time of mystery and magic--a time when fairies may be glimpsed.

Ferns are one of the most symbolic plants associated with Midsummer, a favorite plant of fairies. They are lovely to grow in shade areas and useful in fresh floral arrangements. Other plants associated with fairies are foxglove, thyme, primrose, poppies, and their favorite--roses. Victorian ladies even baked tiny cakes and left them in the garden near thyme for the fairies. Long before this era, Shakespeare had written of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream when Puck spoke of "we fairies, that do run, from the presence of the sun, following darkness like a dream." Today, there is an increased interest in fairy gardens and most nurseries are showcasing fairy plants and fairy furniture for the garden.

Learn a bit more about the magic of Midsummer Day at our June 9th installation luncheon and enjoy a short presentation by Dustin Stroebel of Sloats. Flowers and fairies are the feature of the day and I have been busily making favors for all attending. In addition, there will be numerous plant door prizes! This (free!) catered event is limited to 90 members--you must be reserved with Sharon Williams.

If you are not able to attend the luncheon, perhaps you can enjoy one of the summer President's Potpourri events. The first is June 21. Midsummer Punch, a walk in the park and fairy cakes! Look for the PPP article in the newsletters.

I do hope to see many of you at the June luncheon and at some of the PPP events as I will be traveling a lot in the autumn and unfortunately will miss both the September and October general meetings. I will however be hosting PPP events in those months so note them in coming newsletters. It has been a great pleasure to serve as President of DAGC this year and I look forward to another such year---this club has such great enthusiasm and creativity. The board members have done a wonderful job in their roles!

"What is so rare as a day in June? Then if ever, come perfect days."

Many years ago while walking through woods near our country home in Illinois, my mother quoted that line by James Lowell as we picked wild roses. I have never forgotten that quote or that special day in June. In California, June woodlands have usually turned "golden", very unlike the green lushness that I enjoyed in the Midwest. But here, I can grow things year-round! And my June garden is filled with lavenders and many wonderful herbs: mints, sages, thymes, the highly fragrant lemon verbena and the scented geraniums,

and lilies, roses and sweet peas---there must be fairies in my garden!

"Fairies are invisible and inaudible like angels. But their magic sparkles in nature." Lynn Holland

Happy Summer! Rebecca

www.dagc.us Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club June 2016

The Flower Pot Volume XLII Issue 10

Inside this Issue:

Page 1 President’s Message Page 2 Program, Tours, President’s Potpourri, Page 3 Bookworms, Social, June Luncheon, Birthdays, New Season Lunch Bunch Page 4 Community Outreach, Product Produce, Ruth Bancroft Garden Page 5 Horticulture, Master Gardeners, Editor’s note. Page 6 Next Years Officers Page 7 Calendar Page 8 Sponsors

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PROGRAM

Dustin Stroebel, our friend from Sloat’s Nursery will give a short talk on Summer Flowers

before the New Board is welcomed and Lunch

Patty Dobbin—Program Chair

SUMMER PRESIDENT'S POTPOURRI EVENTS

As I did last year, I will offer monthly special activities--President's Potpourri. These extra club activities vary--some are garden/craft/cooking workshops at my home, some are tours to friends' gardens, or other nature-related events. sometimes they are limited due to the nature of the event, such as a workshop at my home, others are open to all. It does give you the opportunity to socialize and get acquainted with fellow club members. A number of people participated last year and it was fun for me to get to know more club members.

JUNE PPP

The first event of the new club year will be June 21 Midsummer Day+1! (Subject to change) We will meet at the gazebo at Hap Magee Park, walk the labyrinth (are you familiar with this ancient custom?), stroll through the park, checking out the Bounty Garden, then drive up to my house (just 2 minutes away) for some Midsummer Punch and fairy cakes! I can't promise any fairies will be in attendance, but you never know-

JULY PPP

I'm repeating the lavender wand workshop this summer as I did two last year and still could not accommodate everyone due to busy schedules. If you came last year, you are welcome to come again--please do! I will have some ribbon available but it would be helpful, especially if you like a certain color, to bring your own ribbon--two yards of 1/4 or 1/2 inch satin ribbon. As last year, I will serve some lavender lemonade and refreshments.

Please look out for an email blast with dates for these events.

There will not be any PPP in August as I will have houseguests and also be travelling but will resume in September. So hope to see you there as I will be unable to attend the general meeting that month.

Hope to see you this summer---Rebecca Byrom, President

TOURS

DAGC Ladies!

We are rounding off a great year of tours with our trip to Petaluma on June 2nd.

I've enjoyed organizing our outings and hope this last one is also lots of fun for everyone.

The bus is full. All of those who are signed up and paid for will receive an email from me explaining all the particulars. In the meantime, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Just email me, Charlotte Graham Tour Chair

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Lunch Bunch June Haiku Warm days, meadow blues Giddy in the greenery- Flakes of fallen sky. ~Audrey Deal

Lunch Bunch at Bridges was enjoyed by all who attended in May. This lovely tradition will continue next year.

We already have requests for restaurants, so watch the newsletter for details.

Incontro in downtown Danville will be the restaurant of choice for October. I am looking forward to the autumnal enters served there, especially Butternut Squash Soup!

Happy Summer! Joyce Michalczyk

FROM THE SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Many thanks to all the committee members who arrived in plenty of time to set up and stayed to clear up after the May meeting. You are all so efficient - everything seems to be done in record time! Thanks to the members who came with yummy treats for us to share - always appreciated. Please contact Linda if you would like to be on the Social committee for next year, beginning in September. We do have to arrive earlier on meeting days but the advantages are getting a great parking space and choosing a good seat!

Linda Scotting and Ellen Frost Social Co-chairs.

JUNE INSTALLATION LUNCHEON REMINDER

THURSDAY, JUNE 9TH

9:30 AM

Any questions, please email Sharon Williams

BOOKWORMS The Book Worms finished up the year reading The Natural World of Winnie-The-Pooh by

Kathryn Aalto.

This book brought forth many fond memories of reading the Winnie-the-Pooh books and also

reading them to our children and grandchildren. Discussion centered on the author’s advocacy for more opportunities for children to engage in imaginary play and experience the joys of

nature.

Book Worms usually meets September, November, January, March, and May, however this year, we decided to also meet July 20th to read

Amanda Coplin’s debut novel, The Orchardist. We will meet from

10:00 AM until 12:00 noon at the home of Jan Andersen.

Do sign up at the June Installation Luncheon or email Darlene

Guzman. For those of you who may want something to read at the beach this summer, our September selection will be The Memory Garden by Mary Rickert.

Birthday Girls

We only have 6 lovely Ladies to send our

best wishes to in this month of June…….

Have a wonderful

birthday Ladies and

make it last all summer.

Our best Wishes go to :-

Angie Anastasion,

Charlotte Arton, Grace

Ayers, Karen Larkin,

Linda Scotting and

Ann Smith.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH Recap of Tao House Gardening on Wednesday, April 27

We had a quick hour and half of Speed Gardening at Tao House on

April 27. The mist started as we drove up the hill and turned into

real rain about an hour into our task. We weeded several beds,

including the old koi pond. Then we planted 2 flats of Dymondia

in the koi pond. Ranger Keith Park said we were awesome to

complete our 2 tasks in spite of the wet weather. He is looking

forward to having us try this again next year. Thank you to the

hearty volunteers that participated.

Project Produce: 27 pounds of produce and dry goods were collected for the Contra Costa Food bank at the May meeting and delivered by Nancy Norland. The bag of very ripe bananas gave my car that "newly baked banana bread" fragrance.... :-)

Many thanks, Nancy.

RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN

There are a number of workshops being held at the RBG this June and through the summer.

On Saturday June 11th 10:30am-11:30am there will be a demonstration on making Hanging Vertical Gardens Workshop Cost $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Pre-registration required 944-9352. A vertical garden with succulents will be built by staff to pair up different plant to maximize color and add textural contrasts. Materials available for purchase to build your own.

Also on June 11th from 1pm-3pm, there will be Hands-On workshop. Cost $140 for members and $165 for non-members. Once again pre-registration is required, 944-9352.

Further details available at ruthbancroftgarden.org.

ALSO FROM THE RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN

Opening Night Sunset Social, Friday, June 17, 5-8pm

This Opening night, kicks off a month of Sculpture in the garden with the chance to meet artists and discover all the wonderful pieces on show this year while wandering in the garden. Live music, Derek Smith, Steel Drum Duo, United Bites Food Truck, admission $20 members, $25 non-members, advance tickets necessary (944-9352).

Sculpture in the Garden: Saturday June 18 - Sunday July 17.

Father's Day, June 19th, Sculpture in the Garden continued, music 11-2pm, normal admission.

Walk In Tour-every Fri. and Sat. at 11am. Jenny Offringa

Ruth Bancroft Garden Representative

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HORTICULTURE

For the most part, the drought is over in Northern California. EBMUD is keeping the increased rate of 25% until the end of June since it is still showing a shortfall of $5 million dollars as a result of purchasing water from outside its district last year.

I thought it would be a good idea to talk a little about overhead irrigation since you can now do so again. We are expected to have a hot summer this year, and you will want to be sure that you have the best functioning system.

The best irrigation is of course the rain, but since we don’t have rain for nearly 6 months a year we need to rely on plastic pipes to bring water to our plants. Although there are people who believe that drip is best, I personally believe that overhead watering remains the best system because they wet the leaves which play a role in the overall well-being of the plant. Furthermore you can walk around your garden after a watering to see the coverage, and have a lesser chance of losing plants due to lack of water.

When overhead sprinkler systems are designed, they are usually designed without the plants in mind. So in the interest of efficiency and cost savings contractors put heads 15 feet apart, and each head throws water 15 feet. I recommend that you put risers every eight feet with 10 foot heads. This means the heads throw water off 10 feet. By doing this you don’t need to let the station water nearly as long since you are getting more water on the space. It also allows for better coverage.

The aesthetically more desirable pop ups are much more expensive than regular risers, they also need added pressure to get the head to pop up, which means you can put fewer heads on a station, and can ultimately cost you more to put in the system. Besides if you have pop ups along the driveway, and your friends are getting older, there is a very strong possibility they will drive over the head breaking it, and you often don’t see the problem until the plants start wilting.

One thing you should do at least once per month during the dry season. You need to go out and turn on each station of your system to be sure that you have good pressure, and that no heads are gushing water or are clogged. This is true of overhead or drip. Although maintenance of irrigation is a pain, we need to remind ourselves that it is still better than walking around with a hose for hours.

Kristin Yanker-Hansen —Horticultural Chair

Master Gardener Hotline 9 am – 12 noon M-Th Telephone: 925-646-6586 Email: ccmg@ucanr.edu Website:http://ccmg.ucanr.edu Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoCoMasterGardeners Contra Costa Master Gardeners University of California Cooperative Extension 75 Santa Barbara Rd., Second Floor Pleasant Hill, CA 94532-4215

NURSERY CLASSES

A few classes from various nurseries are shown

on the Calendar, but many more are available

throughout the summer. Please check on the

websites from Sloat Gardens, Armstrong Garden

Center, Orchard Nursery, The Markham

Arboretum and the Ruth Bancroft Garden for

more information.

Check out the new Calscape.com site from the California Native Plant Society 344 native plants suitable for the garden, nicely categorized and with horticultural information

Note from Editor…..

As I read Kristen’s article, my mind

wandered on to novel ways of watering.

Of course the internet is a fabulous tool

when it comes to wandering minds, and I

found this chap!

How wonderful to have a few of his sort

in my garden helping to water…..then I

read the price tag. This little fellow sits

on top of a 5ft bronze sculpture made by

Englishman David Goode, and will set

you back about $15,000!

Now I can see what he’s laughing about!

Have a great Summer Ladies,

All the best, Sharon

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YOUR NEW OFFICERS FOR 2016-2017

Executive Board

President Rebecca Byrom

Program Vice President Patty Dobbin

Membership Vice President Lynn Hoaglin & Page Krause

Social Vice President Linda Scotting

Recording Secretary Louise Wiggins

Corresponding Secretary Sheila Truschke

Treasurer Penny Adams

Appointed Positions

Club Advisor Sharon Williams

Parliamentarian Jan Hamby

Elected Positions

Historian Caroline Bonny

Horticulture Kristin Yanker-Hansen

Newsletter Sharon Townsend

Sponsor Reps Jenny Offringa, Joanne Nelson & Joan Hines

Tours Susan Polk, Rhonda Raphel, Cynthia Todd

Web Site Admin. Nancy Norland

Workshops Judy Lauper, Sandi Stamates & Holly Sauer

Appointed Club Support Positions

Artistic Arranger Rose Towery

E-Mail coordinator Roseann Krane

Inspiration Ellen Frost

Penny Pines Tena Gallagher

Plant Exchange Angie Anastasion & Jan Anderson

Community Outreach Charlotte Graham

Lunch Bunch and New Member Rep Joyce Michalczyk

Bookworms Jan Anderson & Darlene Guzman

Special Committee Chairs

Audit Committee Grace Ayers

Directory Sharon Townsend

Winter Event Susan Polk

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Dates & Times Events Details

June 2, Thursday BUS LEAVES 9AM

June Tour to PETALUMA! HAVE FUN !!!!

MEET AT CREEKSIDE CHURCH, 1350 DANVILLE BLV., ALAMO AT 8:30 AM. THE BUS WILL THEN LOAD AND DEPART AT 9:OO AM Contact Charlotte Graham with any questions

June 4, Saturday 9:00am

Armstrong Nurseries—Class Summer rose care

Enjoy this FREE class at Armstrong Nurseries, 7360 San Ramon Rd, Dublin, 925-551-0231

June 4, Saturday 9.00 am – 1:00pm

Pollinator Plant Sale Markham Arboretum

The Arboretum will also have Master Gardener Steve, available to answer questions and Stan the Iris Man with his award-winning bearded irises.

June 9, Thursday 9:15am

DAGC Installation Luncheon “Mid-summer Day” Alamo Women’s Club

Social time, short talk from Dustin of Sloat Nurseries, 2016-7 Officer Installation and Lunch.

June 11, Saturday

Ruth Bancroft Garden

Demonstration 10:30-11:30am

Hands on Class 1-3pm

Hanging Vertical Gardens. See Article on page 4 for costs and reservation details.

June 16, Thursday 9:30 am

DAGC Board Meeting, New and Old Board Members

Home of Kristin Yanker-Hanson

June 17, Friday 5:00-8:00pm

Ruth Bancroft Garden Opening Night for Sculptures in the Garden

Tickets $20 members, $25 non-members. Reservations required. Music and food available. See page 4. Also see Ruth Bancroft website.

June 18, Saturday 9:00am

Armstrong Nurseries—Class Attracting Pollinators

Enjoy this FREE class at Armstrong Nurseries, 7360 San Ramon Rd, Dublin CA 94568,925-551-0231

June 21, Tuesday (Subject to change)

Presidents Pot Pourri—June Mid-Summers Day

Meet at the gazebo at Hap Magee Park, walk the labyrinth and park, then retire to Rebecca’s home for Midsummer Punch and fairy cakes!

June 25, Saturday 9:00am

Armstrong Nurseries—Class Growing Plumerias

Enjoy this FREE class at Armstrong Nurseries, 7360 San Ramon Rd, Dublin, 925-551-0231.

June 26, Sunday 10:30am

Sloat Design Series— Danville (828 Diablo Rd) Creating a Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden

Create a beautiful garden space using plants that attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies w/Dustin Strobel Seminars are free for Rewards Members. Call ahead to reserve a place 925-743-0288.

Date to be announced Watch for Email Blast

Presidents Pot Pourri—July Lavender Wand Workshop

By popular demand, Rebecca will repeat her class for making her beautiful Lavender Wands. See page 2. Look out for an email with time and date details.

July 16, Saturday 10:00am—noon

Markham Arboretum Easy Cactus and Succulent Propagation—Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, Galen Schauer will show you how to make your own succulents and plant them. You will go home with plant and planting material. Cost $20. See markhamarboretum.org to register.

July 20, Wednesday 10am—noon

DAGC Bookworms Home of Jan Andersen. See Page 3.

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The Flower Pot

Sharon Townsend ~ Editor Danville–Alamo Garden Club P.O. Box 920 Danville, CA 94526

Please support our sponsors! Remember, our commercial sponsors donate the

door prizes, and/or offer discounts, and they

support us with speakers for our general meetings.

Please support them!

Janice Fassiotto, Lynn Hoaglin, Jenny Offringa

Sponsor Reps

Our Sponsors

Ace Hardware

3211 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA,94507 (925) 837-2420

Annie’s Annuals & Perennials

740 Market Ave., Richmond, CA 94801

510-215-3301 or 888-266-4370

Armstrong Garden Center

7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin, CA 94568

925-551-0231

Lucky Garden Dublin Hydroponics

7071 Village Pkwy, Dublin, CA 94568

(925) 828-4769

Orchard Nursery

4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd.,

Lafayette, CA 94549

925-284-4474.

Regan Nursery

4268 Decoto Road, Fremont, CA 94555

510-797-3222

Ruth Bancroft Garden

1552 Bancroft Road,

Walnut Creek, CA 94598

925-944-9352

Sloat Garden Center

828 Diablo Road, Danville, CA 94526

925-743-0288

800 Camino Ramon, Danville CA 94526

925-837-9144