Just like fashion in clothing, architecture, and interior decor, plants come in and go out of style. Some of this is due to new plant introductions which are hybridized for specific characteristics.
Some examples of this would be ENCORE azaleas. They are hybridize to bloom more than once annually. They have all but eliminated the demand for certain azalea cultivars. KNOCK OUT and DRIFT roses are another example. The demand for hybrid tea and floribundas roses has been drastically reduced. The newer hybrids are much more disease and insect resistant and they bloom much more.
Some plants simply just go out of “style” for a while and then come back into popularity. A good example for this right now is Emerald Arborvitae. Forty years ago it was a popular landscape plant, dropped out of sight for a while and now is more popular than ever!
The moral of the story is, never give up on the plants that were in your grandmother’s yard. Next year they might be HOT!!
Beneath the Bark delivered two beautiful custom benches to the Montgomery Botanical Gardens on Thursday. These benches were made from the 150 foot oak tree that fell down in a storm last spring. Both of these benches have been donated in memory of a loved one.
Another bench is in production. We have a limited amount of benches we can make. If you are interested in sponsoring a bench, click here.
Past President, Ethel Boykin enjoying the double gliders that are reminders of the double swings she rode on when she was young and playing in Oak Park
Heather Coleman Davis, President of the Board of Directors for The Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park (MBG) welcomed the attendees and thanked the Montgomery Rotary Club for their donation of 5 trees (2 large magnolias, 1 crepe myrtle, 1 willow oak, 1 Chinese Pistache).
Rotary District Tree Planting Chair, Skip Dotherow explained Rotary International President Ian Riseley challenged for every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of the Rotary year on 1 July and Earth Day on 22 April 2018. Trees remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, which slows global warming.
“It is my hope that the result of that effort will be far greater than the environmental benefit that those 1.2 million new trees will bring,” Riseley said. “I believe the greater result will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but to the planet itself.”
Trees were planted around the world yesterday as a part of this effort. There are five Rotary Clubs in Montgomery and all of them are participating in tree donations across the City. The Montgomery Rotary Club donated these particular trees.
Ms. Davis thanked the City for their support and called on Councilman Richard Bollinger to say a few words. Councilman Bollinger, also a past Rotary District Governor, reiterated his and the city’s support in turning MBG into a botanical garden for the community.
During the event trees were planted in the Southern Garden of the Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park by members of the Interact Club, a high school club affiliated with Rotary. Incoming Rotary District Governor Sam Adams thanked the Students from St. James School’s Interact Club for coming and helping plant the trees.
Ms. Davis announced that there are still plants and trees available for donation to the Gardens and there are several more planting dates set this Spring.
Beneath the Bark delivered the beautifully handmade benches made from the fallen oak tree, one designed to look like an oak leaf and the other with legs shaped like acorns. Two iron gliders were also delivered to Garden. These gliders are replicas of the wooden double gliders that were in the park for decades. The benches and gliders are available for sponsorships and purchase.
MBG is planting over 1000 plants from 30 different species of Southern trees, shrubs and plants in this Southern Garden. A full list of plants needed to complete the gardens can be found at https://www.montgomerybotanicalgardens.com.
We are so honored to have an active membership. Not only do you make financial donations at needed times but also freely give of your time as well. We would like to recognize you at a reception hosted by River Bank & Trust.
When: Thursday, May 10, 2018, 5:30-7:00pm
Where: River Bank & Trust, 7075 Halcyon Park Drive
