Groton Garden Club

Submitted by Lisa M.

Members of the Garden Club were recently treated to a guided tour of the Centennial Celebration of the Chelsea Flower Show in London, without leaving Groton. Nancy Vargus of Le Garden Blanc led us through the Royal Horticultural Society’s most prestigious show of the year. This show, which first occurred in 1913, is held on the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds.

The gardens in the show are divided into three categories for judging: Show Gardens, Artisan Gardens, and Fresh Gardens. Nancy explained that designers must submit a plan and rendering of their garden, then create the design in an outdoor space at the show.

One winning garden was from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and highlighted Emily Dickinson and a cottage garden with inspired textures. Ours was the first U.S. state to have a garden at the show, and the first state to win a Silver Gilt Award.

Some of the highlights Nancy pointed out about the gardens include using a strong concept to make an impact, using simplicity for a powerful statement, and combining various styles, which results in good visual effect. Gardens should have a color theme to tie the various elements together. Purple was the dominant color in many of the gardens showcased during the presentation. In addition, evergreens may be used to accentuate texture and structure in an area of herbaceous beds.

In the pavilion area each booth showcased plants of a single variety. The colors, shapes, and blooms were spectacular. The retail space had many ingenious and unique tools, decorative pieces, and garden implements not found in the U.S.

This presentation provided members with a great chance to see one of the world’s premiere flower shows, up close and personal.

Note:

This presentation was on the Centennial Celebration, which actually took place in 2013.The particulars of the show are from that year.

For further information on this year’s show: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show

For the Royal Horticulture Society web page: https://www.rhs.org.uk

 

 

 

 

 

In late January I attended the Cape & Islands Orchid Society’s annual show in Hyannis, MA. Winter orchid shows provide a welcome taste of the tropics on a winter day in Massachusetts! There are two other shows coming up in February. This weekend, from Friday, February 9 through Sunday, the New Hampshire Orchid Society will hold their show in Nashua. The Amherst Orchid Society will host their show in Northampton on February 24-25.

 

Orchids come in many colors, shapes, sizes and cultural needs. They are fun to grow, although sometimes challenging to rebloom. It is also fun to simply visit a show and enjoy the beauty of these flowers. I’ve included some pictures and care information for orchids that are quite different from the Phalaenopsis (Phals), or moth orchids that are easily found in supermarkets and other stores. The Phals are lovely, but it’s fun to explore other types of orchids.

There are two main categories of ‘slipper orchids.’ The Paphiopedilums (knowns as Paphs) tend to have waxy flowers that last a long time. Their flowers range from wine-red through bronze-yellow, to green. Most are fairly easy to grow, only requiring the light of an east or west window and the comfortable temperatures of our homes. They want a drop in nighttime temperature, and well-drained, moist potting medium. They don’t like to be soggy, but also don’t like to dry out completely.

 

Another group of exotic slipper orchids are the Phragmipediums (Phrags.) They typically have softer flowers, with pouches that resemble our native lady-slipper (Cypripedium.) The Phrags are more demanding in culture, with many being very sensitive to drying out and to the quality of water used. To grow these successfully, you need to understand the cultural requirements of the individual variety. Some like to almost dry out between watering, others like to sit in a shallow pool of water at all times. They require good light and air movement. If you like a challenge, these can be worth growing – some come in brilliant colors, such as the one pictured to the right. Others have very long petals that reach a few feet in length, and others that spiral and twist.

The Clowesia orchids are reputed to be easier to maintain than the slipper orchids.  They like bright open shade, good humidity and frequent watering, with good air movement, during their period of active growth in summer. They can be grown in a shade house or under a tree. When weather becomes cold in the fall, these plants will enter dormancy and drop their leaves. At this point they should be brought inside,  not be watered or fed and may be kept on a windowsill, or even put into a basement with no light until they form flower spikes.  The plant will start to form new growths (pseudobulbs) in the spring. Once those start to form new roots,  you may resume watering.

(Note that the plant pictured is mislabeled by the grower. The caption has the correct spelling.)

Brassias often have many flowers, growing on alternate sides of a long spike. As the flowers themselves are long, this can make a dramatic display with only one plant. They want to be watered once or twice a week when actively growing during warmer months, and less often when growth slows. They can be grown on an east or west facing window, or a shaded south window. If grown in a north facing window, they are unlikely to bloom. As with most orchids, they benefit from high humidity and good air movement.

If any of these orchids tempt you to try your hand at growing, additional information can be found online. The American Orchid Society website is particularly helpful with care sheets on many kinds of orchids. Orchid shows are also a good place to learn more, to meet people who grow orchids, and to learn about local orchid societies.

Information about the New Hampshire Orchid Society’s show can be found at  https://www.nhorchids.org/page-1802582 and the Amherst Orchid Society gives the location of their show at http://amherstorchidsociety.org/club-events/our-show-sale/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clowesias have a totally different look – they drop all their leaves and enjoy a period of dormancy with little to no water. They then reward the grower with a lovely cascade of flowers. The one pictured here is named after Rebecca Tyson Northen, author. (Note that the name is misspelled on the label – an unfortunately common error in the orchid world.)