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Place a plant or flower arrangementat a public facility, along with one ofthe beautiful National Garden Weekposters. Sara HemphillChairman, National Garden WeekSaraElisabeth@gmail.comDownload the NGC NationalGarden Week materials for use inpublicizing your National GardenWeek project!gardenclub.org/nationalgarden-weekNational Garden Clubs, Inc.NATIONAL GARDEN WEEKPROCLAMATIONWhereas, Gardeners have a passion for nurturing the beauty andresources of the earth through the planting of seeds, the care of allplants and the riches of their efforts; andWhereas, Gardeners seek to add beauty, splendor, fragrance andnutrition to our lives through the growing of herbs, vegetables, foliageand flowers; andWhereas, Gardeners work to preserve our country's traditional spirit ofindependence and initiative through innovation and hard work; andWhereas, Gardeners advocate the importance of all creatures, large andsmall, that share our world and their roles in a balanced and productiveecology; andWhereas, Gardening furnishes a challenging and productive activity forour citizens, for those just learning as well as those having years ofexperience; andWhereas, Gardening promotes a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime,helps reduce stress from other areas of our life, teaches that rewards cancome from diligent efforts; andWhereas, Gardening enables members of Garden Clubs across thenation and the world to make a world of difference in the communitieswhere they reside and work;Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that in an effort to acknowledge theimportance of Gardening and the numerous contributions of Gardeners,National Garden Clubs, Inc. designates the week of June 6-12 asNational Garden Week.Mary Warshauer,2021-2023 President, NGC, Inc.8 The National Gardener

bloomingon the grandAstroll along the Grand River indowntown Grand Rapids, Michigan,can be a delightful experience in nearlyany season. However, the view is evenmore breathtaking in spring, courtesy ofa riot of color from the bounty of bloomsbursting from the Kwanzan cherry trees,which line the river’s banks.A Dream Takes RootThe planting of the cherry trees is anambitious community beautificationproject by members of Kent Garden Clubin Grand Rapids. The project, “GrandRapids in Bloom,” was launched in 2016and spearheaded by Adele Krhovsky,then Kent Garden Club president, whosevision was to plant Kwanzan cherry treesalong the banks of the river to mimicthe area that graces the renowned TidalPhoto by BarbHoogeboomBasin in Washington D.C.In spring 2016, members of thegarden club coordinated local efforts toplant nine Kwanzan cherry trees on thegrounds and along the walkways of theGrand Rapids Public Museum, situatedon the western bank of the Grand River.The cherry trees were donated bymembers of Kent Garden Club, themajority of which were planted inmemory of members of their families.The trees, which feature an attractive,upright symmetrical canopy, can growup to 25 feet tall and do not producefruit. The trees quickly became beloveddowntown icons due to their ease of careand pleasing aesthetics.In summer 2018, Kent Garden Clubmembers organized a successful gardenwalk to raise funds for the planting ofSpring 2021 9

Photos by ShannonSpragueto providethe ongoingupkeep andmaintenanceof plantings onthe groundsof the GrandRapids PublicMuseum.In 2020,membersplanted 45flats of begonias. The club creates aschedule during the growing season,which elicits help from members to weedadditional trees. That fall, three moregarden areas two days each month frommemorial cherry trees were plantedApril through October.on the grounds of theVolunteer hours duringmuseum, resulting in athis time may totaltotal of 12 cherry treesIn 2020,130 hours or more. Inplanted on the property.members planted addition, members tend aKent Garden Club KnockGardening on the45 flats ofOut Rose anniversaryGrandbegonias.garden, which featuresGardening on the Granda prominent markeris a project initiated bythat recognizes theSue Jabin, a local Masterclub’s 100th anniversary.Gardener and patron of the arts in GrandFuture plans include the installationRapids, who provided years of leadershipof a butterfly and pollinator area. Kentto Kent Garden Club members. JabinGarden Club member Barb Hoogeboomenlisted help from members of the club“”10 The National Gardener

BOUNTIFUL BLOOMSJapanese cherry treeswere introduced to theUnited States in 1903,and many varieties areplanted throughout thenation. In 1912, the mayorof Tokyo, Japan, presentedJapanese cherry trees tothe city of WashingtonD.C., as a cultural symbolof hope, renewal andfriendship.The trees were plantedaround the iconic 107acre Tidal Basin, whichis part of West PotomacPark. Built in the 1800s,the man-made, 10-footdeep reservoir was builtto harness the power oftides from the nearbyPotomac River. Adjacentto the Tidal Basin areimportant nationalmonuments, includingthe Jefferson Memorial,the Martin Luther KingJr. Memorial and theFranklin Delano RooseveltMemorial.Named after amountain in Japan andnative to that country, aswell as China and Korea,the dazzling, showyflowering Kwanzan cherrytree is believed to be thehardiest of all species ofcherry trees. Each springin our nation’s capital,Kwanzan cherry treesprovide a stunning floraldisplay of large clustersof deep pink doubleblooms. The blossomsare on full display at theNational Cherry BlossomFestival, an annual eventthat attracts peoplefrom across the U.S. andvisitors around the globe,where they marvel at andphotograph the Kwanzanand other species ofJapanese cherry treessituated along the banksof the iconic Tidal Basin.Visit nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom andnps.gov/articles/dctidalbasinPhotos courtesy of the U.S. National Park Serviceis the chairman who leads the volunteerefforts.Extending the VisionIn an outreach to and collaborationwith city and community leaders andmembers of the City of Grand RapidsParks and Recreation Department, KentGarden Club members proposed theplanting of Kwanzan cherry trees on thePhoto byEd DownsPhotographyeastern side of the Grand River to mirrorplanting efforts at the museum groundsto the west. These efforts included: In fall 2017, five cherry trees wereplanted at nearby Sixth Street BridgePark, which offers easy access to ahistoric bridge and Riverwalk. Theproject was funded by Kent GardenClub. In 2018, a noted, local philanthropistSpring 2021 11

Members of Kent Garden Club regularly tend to their installation of a specialgarden – which features a stunning display of Knock Out roses – on thegrounds of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The garden honors the club’s100th anniversary. Photos by Kathy Wolverton.to the beautification ofthe city’s parks and GrandRiver corridor. In addition,due to the relatively short15-to-25-year lifespanof the trees, membersof the garden club arecommitted to plan andplant additional cherrytrees, when needed, topreserve the city’s iconictree canopy and beautifuljoined the project’sefforts. By year’send, 17 additionalcherry trees had beenplanted. In fall 2019, 16 morecherry trees wereadded.In only four years,a total of 50 Kwanzancherry trees havebeen planted aspart of the GrandRapids in Bloomproject. Membersof Kent GardenClub forged civicrelationshipsand successfullyled communityefforts to supportRIGHT: Future plans include theinstallation of a butterfly andthe goal of thepollinator garden on the groundsmayor of Grandof the Grand Rapids PublicMuseum. An overgrown areaRapids – to(right), was cleared by Kent GardenClub members (above) and will beexpand theready for a variety of pollinatordowntown greenfriendly plantings in spring. Photosby Barb Hoogeboom.canopy and add12 The National Gardenerblooms along the river.Founded in 1913, KentGarden Club has nearly100 members and is amember of MichiganGarden Clubs Inc. Formore information, visitkentgardenclub.org Kathy WolvertonPresidentKent Garden ClubAkw47@comcast.net

PLANT AMERICAcommunityproject grantsCongratulations to the 51 garden clubs across the nation that have been awardeda 2021 Plant America Community Project Grant from National Garden Clubs Inc.NGC takes great pride in the vision and commitment by the members of these clubsto green communities across the nation.Members of the NGC Plant America Community Grant Committee marveled at thescope of the diverse and unique projects undertaken by club members. Listed beloware the NGC garden clubs that were awarded up to 1000 in support of their localefforts.Start planning your next gardening project, and take advantage of the 2022 NGCPlant America Community Project Grant application, which will be posted on the NGCwebsite at gardenclub.org David RobsonChairmanPlant America Community Project Grantsdrobson@illinois.edu Fayette Garden Club The GardenClub of Alabama Inc. Livermore-Amador Valley GardenClub, California Garden Clubs Inc. MGM Garden ClubArizona Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Wilton Garden ClubThe Federated Garden Clubs ofConnecticut Inc. Gold Canyon Garden ClubArizona Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Garden Club By the SeaFlorida Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Descanso Garden ClubCalifornia Garden Clubs Inc. Pacifica Garden ClubCalifornia Garden Clubs Inc.Oleander Garden Club of the PalmBeaches Inc.Florida Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Potter Valley Garden ClubCalifornia Garden Clubs Inc. Coral Pines Garden ClubFlorida Federation of Garden ClubsInc.Spring 2021 13

The Garden Club of the HalifaxCountryFlorida Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Franklin-Simpson Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Kentucky Inc. Attleboro Garden ClubThe Garden Club Federation ofMassachusetts Inc. Spalding Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc. Dogwood Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc.Chula Vista Garden ClubMichigan Garden Clubs Inc. Avondale Estates Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc.Michiana Landscape Study ClubMichigan Garden Clubs Inc. St. Mary’s Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc.Magnolia Garden ClubThe Garden Clubs of Mississippi Inc. Ladies’ Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc.Park Place Garden ClubThe Garden Clubs of Mississippi Inc. Douglas Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Georgia Inc.Water Valley Town & CountryGarden ClubThe Garden Clubs of Mississippi Inc. Valley Garden ClubGarden Club of Idaho Inc. Merry Tillers Garden ClubGarden Club of Idaho Inc.Missoula Garden ClubMontana Federation of GardenClubs Inc. Rainbow Garden ClubMontana Federation of GardenClubs Inc. Dominion Valley Garden ClubNational Capital Area Garden ClubsInc. Epping Garden ClubNew Hampshire Federation ofGarden Clubs Inc. Old Homestead Garden ClubNew Hampshire Federation ofGarden Clubs Inc. Garden Club of HackensackThe Garden Club of New Jersey Inc. Modern Gardeners Garden ClubThe Garden Club of North CarolinaInc. Madison County Garden ClubThe Garden Club of North CarolinaInc. Enter the Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Indiana Inc. Iris Elm Garden ClubThe Garden Club of Indiana Inc. Little Sioux Federated Garden ClubFederated Garden Clubs of Iowa Inc.Plant AmericaCommunityProject Grantapplication will beposted on the NGCwebsite at:gardenclub.org14 The National Gardener

GROW YOURPROJECT! Cary Garden ClubThe Garden Club of North CarolinaInc. Fox Chapel Garden ClubThe Garden Club Federation ofPennsylvania Presque Isle Garden ClubThe Garden Club Federation ofPennsylvania Palmetto Garden Club of SouthCarolinaThe Garden Club of South CarolinaInc. The Beaufort Garden ClubThe Garden Club of South CarolinaInc. Poinsett-Bland Garden ClubThe Garden Club of South CarolinaInc. Chapin Garden ClubThe Garden Club of South CarolinaInc. Franklin County Garden ClubTennessee Federation of GardenClubs Inc. Gardeners’ Club of Parker CountyTexas Garden Clubs Inc. Pine Lake Garden ClubWashington State Federation ofGarden Clubs Olde Berkeley Garden ClubWest Virginia Garden Club Inc. Judy’s Garden ClubWest Virginia Garden Club Inc. Lake Wissota Garden ClubWisconsin Garden Club FederationNational GardenClubs Inc.offers items to help your gardenclub create awareness of yourPLANT AMERICAcommunity :Pack of 10: 15PlantAmerica5”x5”Car Magnet 5 eachShop online today atNGC Member Services:shopgardenclub.org/shop/Call 1-800-550-6007E-mail: headquarters@gardenclub.orgSpring 2021 15

‘show me state’ garden clubGOES FULL STEAM AHEAD ONPLANT AMERICA COMMUNITY PROJECTMembers of Clayton Garden Clubin Clayton, Missouri, are workingwith local children and families to createa new gardening initiative with funds theclub received from an NGC 2020 PlantAmerica Community Project Grant.Partnering with the Urban Leagueof Metropolitan Saint Louis Head StartProgram, club members will launchefforts in spring to create raised gardenbeds at a local Head Start facility.According to club members, the gardenbeds will help to instill in children andteachers a love of gardening, as wellas introduce plant science to youngchildren, helping to prepare them forfuture STEAM (science, technology,engineering, arts and math) learning.Funds for the project providedmaterials for two raised beds for eachclassroom, including soil, seeds andchild-sized gardening tools. Children willbe able to activate all five senses whilethey learn, explore and grow vegetablesand herbs for their classroom. Theproject also was planned in a joint effortwith PNC Bank’s Full STEAM AheadProgram, which provides STEAM coachesfor plant science teacher training at HeadStart.The project is slated for completion inJune 2021, culminating in an “Eat WhatYou Grow” celebration. Officials at theMt. Zion Head Start plan to continue touse the raised beds as hands-on learning16 The National Gardenertools in whichto implementSTEAM learning.Clayton GardenClub is one ofthe longestcontinuousgarden clubs inthe United States,marking over80 years in theSt. Louis area. Itis a member ofThe FederatedGarden Clubs ofMissouriInc. Judy KingPublicity ChairmanClayton Garden Clubjudycxking41@gmail.comABOUT HEAD STARTHead Start is a national program thatprovides early childhood educationand child development services tolow-income children and families, witha focus on school readiness in literaryand math skills and job skills trainingfor teens and adults. Serving the St.Louis community for 102 years, theorganization offers multiple locationsthroughout the region.

SUMMER CAMP PLANTS‘mustard seeds’of learningPops of autumn color frame the Ivan Racheff House, the headquarters of Tennessee Federation of Garden ClubsInc. Built in 1902, the original home was later modified for commercial and residential space by Ivan Racheff,president of Knoxville Iron Works. The gardens were established by Racheff in 1947.For more than 18 years, members ofGrowing Good Stewards of the EarthNorwood Garden Club in Knoxville,Mustard Seed Camp providesTennessee, sponsor the one-day Mustardeducational activities for up to 26Seed Camp each summer for children incampers on a first-come, first-servedkindergarten to age 13.basis. The primaryThe camp, highlyobjective is to educateanticipated by areaand encourage youthThe primarychildren and their familiesto be active participantseach year, is held at theobjective is toin the community, theIvan Racheff House, aenvironment and becomeeducate andhistoric home built ingood stewards of the earth.1902 with gardens inencourage youth Through fun hands-onKnoxville. Situated oninstruction and activities,to be activethree acres that featureattendees learn the valueseasonal plantings, theparticipants in the of gardening activities.home plays an integralEnvironmental issues alsocommunity.role as part of Racheffare introduced to campers.Park & Garden, and alsoEach year, the camp’sserves as headquarterstheme pays homageof the Tennessee Federation of Gardento the current president’s project ofClubs Inc., whose members maintain theNational Garden Clubs Inc. and themegardens. The property is listed on theof Tennessee Federation of GardenNational Register of Historic Places.Clubs Inc. In 2020, the camp theme“”Spring 2021 17

incorporated NGC’s “PlantAmerica” and TFGC’s“Using your Senses –Taste, See, Hear, Touchand Smell.”In addition, membersfrom other areagarden clubs, as wellas local businesses andorganizations in Knoxville,support the campeach year. Communityefforts include creatingattendance certificatesor goodie bags, donatingrefreshments, as wellas supplying plants andseeds for campers totake home. Throughthe community’scontributions of tools,materials and financialsupport, Norwood GardenClub is able to offer thecamp free of charge tocampers. Mustard SeedCamp is coordinated eachyear by Kathy Pearson,junior garden clubchairman and memberof Norwood GardenClub. Another membervolunteers as the on-siteregistered nurse for thesafety of the campers.A Day at Mustard SeedCampThe day begins withthe opportunity for eachattendee to choose froma variety of donatedflowers, seeds or bulbsand plant them in thechildren’s garden area.Campers are then dividedinto three age-appropriategroups to participatein the day’s plannedrotation of activities.Professional speakersfrom the surroundingarea are invited to sharetheir knowledge andfield expertise through35-minute presentationson topics such as theenvironment, gardeningand wildlife habitats.Fun hands-on activitiesalso are featured. Atlunchtime, campers learnthe value of recyclingand how to develop goodrecycling habits when theyobserve first-hand howmuch trash is generatedby the sack lunches theybring to camp.Buoyed by the learningexperiences at MustardSeed Camp, participantsoften revisit the gardenthroughout the year toplant additional flowersor plants. Older campersreturn to volunteerin the garden to earncommunity service creditfor their projects or clubsin middle school or highschool. Members fromarea Boy Scout or GirlScout troops also havetaken on projects at thegarden. Maggi BurnsPresidentTennessee Federation of GardenClubs Inc.MaggiTFGC@epbfi.comPhotos courtesyof NorwoodGarden ClubIn 2020, campers listen to CharlieRhodarmer, director of the SequoyahBirthplace Museum, who provided insightsinto the history, language and culture ofthe Eastern Band of Cherokee. Camperscomplied with area COVID-19 guidelines.The museum, theater and interpretivecenter, located in Vonore, Tennessee, wasnamed for Sequoyah, a soldier, silversmith,statesman and the creator of the Cherokeewriting system. The museum is Tennessee’sonly tribally operated historical attraction.18 The National Gardener

digging inGARDEN CLUB MEMBERSTURN INTEREST INTO ACTIONMembers of Dig and Dream GardenClub in Centennial, Colorado,measure the success of their volunteergardening programs by the effectivenessof their efforts and impact on thecommunity.Federated in 1961, the 35-memberclub – whose members vary in age andgender – undertakes several importantprojects in the area, which continueto leave a positive footprint in thecommunity. In 2016, members designedand installed a butterfly garden atCentennial’s Smoky Hill Library, whichis part of the Arapahoe County PublicLibraries system. The following year, thegarden achieved national recognitionas a Certified Butterfly Garden and aCertified Monarch Garden by the NorthAmerican Butterfly Association. Thegarden club is the r

an American Flowers Week focus in a leading national digital magazine; and a gardening piece in a prominent national magazine that has 7.6 million readers. In addition, NGC garnered local and regional media publicity on the installation of new NGC executive officers, the recipients of NGC's prestigious Award of Excellence and programs