Home   |  Calendar   |  Officers  |  Newsletters  |  Garden Galleries  |   Fall Hosta Forum  |  Links

2007 April Meeting Highlights                                                                                                                                   << back

What are Hellebores?   |  Keynote Speaker Ran Lydell   |  Open Gardens Booklet

Carolyn Schaffner gave a wonderful talk on "Growing Hellebores" What are Hellebores? Perennial Evergreen Shade Tolerant Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Easily Propagated from Seeds Flowers last for 3 months Very long-lived plants The common name is “Lenten Rose” General Care A well drained site is a must High organic content soil Add organic matter and some lime in the hole Do not plant deeper than they were growing originally Allow around 12” or more between plants
Our Keynote Speaker at the April Meeting was Ran Lydell from Eagle Bay Gardens Ran Lydell owns Eagle Bay Gardens in Dunkirk, NY where he hybridizes and sells hosta, specializing in blooms and slug resistant foliage. Many other perennials are also available at his nursery. His topic was "Little Used Shade Perennials." He shared a beautiful digital presentation with outstanding gardening information. Just a few of his plant recommendations included: Arisema Ajuga Asarum Astilbe Bergenia Brunnera Cimicifuga Dicentra Epimedium Helleborus Carex Heuchera Hosta Lamium Lingulaira Polygonatum Tiarella Anemone and many other plants
After a short business meeting, review of the 2007 calendar, and an exciting raffle, members received their personal copy of our "Open Gardens of Western New York" booklet. Some members of the Buffalo Area Dayliy Society and the Western New York Hosta Society have opened their yards and gardens to our members. Each garden is briefly described, accessibility highlighted, and peak viewing times are given. If you weren't at this meeting your copy will be mailed to you. Thank you to the members who opened their gardens this year. We hope our publication will evolve and grow.