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2C-THE SEA COAST iSCHO—THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1989
Choose plants that can withstand sumn
By Dr. Milo Burnham Horticulturist Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service While the summer of 1988 was hard on all plants, it provided an opportunity to observe how different plants withstood the stresses of heat and drought.
Summaries of observations from two gardens recently appeared in the January 1989 issues of Greenhouse Manager, a monthly magazine directed at the commercial greenhouse industry and plant growers.
The two gardens were in Athens, Ga. and the Dallas Arboretum in Dallas. Observers at both
gardens evaluated more than 200 annual bedding plants developed by several major seed companies, and made not of superior performance. Plants were evaluated for appearance, flower color and size, as well as heat and drought tolerance.
Since Mississippi lies between Georgia and Texas, it is highly possible that plants that performed well in either or both locations would also do well in Mississippi.
The plants noted for superior performance in Athens were Melampodium paludosium ‘Medallion’ from Sluis and Groot Seed Co.; Capsicum annuum Treasurer Red’ from Sakata Seed
America; Catharanthus roseus (vinca) ‘Grape Cooler’ from Denholm Seeds; and Zinnia elegans ‘Dreamland Scarlet’ from American Takii.
The plants that did well in Dallas were Catharanthus roseum ‘Little’ vinca series from Sakata; ‘Janie’ marigold series from Goldsmith Seeds; ‘Carpet’ petunia series from Pan American Seed Company; ‘Hotline’ salvia series from Park Seeds; ‘Century’ celosia series from Sakata Seeds; and Malampodium paludosium ‘Medallion.’
Most of the seed companies responsible for the development of these outstanding flowering plants do not sell seeds directly to gardeners. Only Park Seeds has a retail mail order catalog.
Some of these plants may be available in the bedding plant trade this spring, but I know there are gardeners who want to be able to find seeds or plants without searching the industry.
Several popular mail order seed catalogs list one or more of these plants. Otis Twilley Seeds in Trevose, Pa., offers seeds of four of the plants, while Park Seed Co. in Greenwood, S.C., offers seeds of all but the ‘Carpet’ petunia series and the Grape Cooler’ periwinkle.
Melampodium paludosium ‘Medallion’ is not well known bedding plant. It forms a mound-like plant about 18 inches across that is covered with 1-1/2 inch, golden-yellow, star-like flowers.
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GARDEN OF THE MONTH—The yard of Bay-Waveland Garden Club as Bay St. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cresson at 242 St. Louis’ garden of the month for March. Charles Street has been selected by the (Echo staff photo by D.C. Harvill)
GARDEN OF THE MONTH—The yard of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Klotz at 328 Hillcrest has been selected by the Bay-Waveland
Garden Club as Waveland’s garden of the month for March. (Echo staff photo by D.C. Harvill)
Blue Jeans Garden Club
The March 16 meeting of the Blue Jeans Garden Club was held at the home of Margaret Heitzmann, Bay St. Louis, with 23 members and two guests in attendance.
Co-hostesses for the afternoon were Esa Brechtel and Lucille Witter who opened the meeting with a prayer for peace and the reading of an inspirational poem ‘The Words We Speak,’ author unknown.
President Dot Feaheny introduced two guests to the members, Alice Brechtel and Mayola Rotterham who were enthu-siatically welcomed by the ladies.
Among the many topics of discussion during the busy afternoon was $ie Blue Jeans attending in a group the Spring Pilgrimage April 6. The ladies were 100 percent in favor.
It was decided, after a unanimous vote, the Blue Jeans would sponsor two athletes in the Special Olympics this year.
Jennie Ortis, Alice Brechtel and Mary Danna will also sponsor one athlete with Beverly Coogan and Virginia Thomas sponsoring another for a total of four athletes from the Blue Jeans.
To further support the Special Olympics, a large number of the members and their guests will attend the Special Olympics luncheon May 12 in a group.
President Feaheny read a letter of appreciation from the Food Bank for the club’s support in their endeavors.
The lengthy business meeting was finally concluded with judging of plants and arrangements submitted by members.
Winning points in the March competition among members were Gloria Norton, dried; Lucille Witter, potted; Irene Graff, miniature; Joyce Hicks, horticulture and Virginia Thomas, cultivated.
Annabelle Cox won the door prize, a lovely potted plant, and Beulah Peterson won the 50/50. Next meeting will be April 20.
LOCAL BRIEF
CARVER REUNION
The Carver family reunion is planned for April 16 at Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, picnic shelter #3. Friends and relatives are invited to attend and are asked to bring a covered dish.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly
PASS CHRISTIAN
Tops 213 Pass Christian met March 28. Top loser for the week was Carol King.
Barbara Davis earned a charm for staying at or below goal for six weeks in a row. Monthly best loser was Geri Lock.
The club invites anyone interested in weight control to visit. The meeting is every Tuesday at the Pass Christian Library on Hiern Avenue between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Weigh-ins are between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
For more information, please call Gayle Arnold at 467-7198 or Jeannie Livings at 452-9706.
Pass Christian Garden Club
Mrs. W. W. Dreher, National Council of Garden Clubs Inc., landscape design critic and president of Gulf Coast Council of Graden Clubs Inc. will be the guest speaker when the Pass Christian Garden Club meets April 6 at 11 a.m. in the Hancock Bank Civic Center.
Mrs. Dreher will speak on ‘Landscaping with Low Maintenance.’
Mrs. Anthony Heibel, flower show chairman, will give final plans for the annual flower show to be held April 27, 2-5 p.m. in the Hancock Bank Civic Center.
Refreshments will be served immediately following meeting by the hostesses of the day.
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