Upcoming Events Mar 15th Healthy Backs by RDC Fitness Staff How to Prepare Your Body for the Rigours of Gardening Kerry Wood Nature Centre - 7:30 p.m. March 2007 www.rdgc.ca ANNOUNCEMENTS March 15th – would those members whose last names begin with the letters A to C kindly bring snacks for the meeting. April – Please keep in mind that there is no regular meeting in April, however on Saturday, April 21st is the Pot-up Workshop at Coal Trail Greenhouse where you will plant a container (your own that you bring) with annuals and with the help and advice from staff at the nursery. April 30th (Monday) – Our Spring Speaker Sara Williams with “The Prairie Xeriscape”. Tickets $15. Membership Renewal Reminder – for anyone who wishes to renew their membership or for new Garden Club members, this is your reminder – membership fees are $15.00, whether you are an individual or a family. You really don’t want to miss out on our speakers, workshops and tours, so renew or join ASAP. Raffle Winners – January’s winner was Lynda Jensen – the raffle raised $42 for the club. February’s winner was Wendy Riis – that raffle raised $35.50. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE It's March, that month of the year when winter just won't let go, even though the sun is warmer and days are discernibly longer. March 20 is the Vernal Equinox this year - a day we commonly note as the first day of spring. For us in the northern hemisphere the hours of daylight and darkness that day are equal, the sun being directly over the equator. As we impatiently wait for warmer days, many of us continue to browse the gardening catalogues enticed by new plants and color combinations. Or by observing those seed trays we've planted for signs of the "first sprout"! However we spend our remaining winter hours, enjoy them and the anticipation of the arrival of that first crocus, tulip, or robin. To help us prepare for gardening season we are pleased to welcome staff from RDC Fitness Department for our March meeting. Come and join us as we learn how to keep our backs healthy and our joints and muscles ready for the physical rigors of another gardening season. Sheila Roberts NOTE: We are excited to announce the return of Sara Williams, well known author and horticulturist. She will be presenting "The Prairie Xeriscape" April 30th at Red Deer College 7 p.m. Tickets available at the March meeting or from Sheila (403)347- xxxx or Clarice (403)347- xxxx. PLANT PROFILE: Dogwood (Cornus) Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a shrub that is found in the wild in many parts of Canada including Alberta, often growing in roadside ditches, along streams and rivers, and at the edges of woodland. This native plant is attractive in all seasons, but is perhaps most dramatic in winter, when the red stems glow in contrast to the white of snow, green of conifers and the muted grays and browns of other plant branches and tree trunks. In spring, bright green foliage appears and the clusters of small creamy white flowers are followed in summer by white or blue berry-like fruits. In fall, the leaves turn a glorious deep red. This is a tolerant plant that does well in all types of soils and will, in fact, flourish in wet and heavy soils, yet it can also handle drought. While full sun brings out the best colours and densest foliage, it will perform quite well in partial shade. Red osier dogwood is now known as Cornus sericea but was previously known as Cornus stolonifera. Until recently it had been believed that the plant propagated through stolons – stems that extend along the ground and root at the tip, forming a new plant – hence the scientific name Cornus stolonifera. However, now the belief is that what were thought to be stolons are actually just branches that form roots where the branch comes into contact with the ground (self layering). This dogwood is an upright, medium to large shrub (5 to 10 ft. in height) with dense foliage. It lends itself well to any garden setting, provided there is enough space for it. It can serve as a screening plant, windbreak or hedge. It is also a perfect plant for specialty gardens such as a native plant garden or a wildlife garden, where it will provide habitat and berries for birds. While not actually providing food for butterflies, this dogwood does serve a function in a butterfly garden. The tender new leaves on young growth provide food for caterpillars – caterpillars that are often the larval stage of many beautiful butterflies and moths. It is important not to use pesticides (no, not even Bacillus thuringiensis) if trying to attract wildlife or beneficial insects to your garden. Dogwoods are generally fairly problem-free, easy to grow plants. Aphids are, however, sometimes attracted to them. Mulching will help to control them by providing a good environment for ladybugs. Mulch and leaf litter will also provide overwintering sites for some butterfly species. Propagation: -layering – this is the easiest way to propagate the plant -stem cuttings – collect in spring before buds open, then root -seed – seeds mature in late summer to fall and may be immediately sown or, may be separated from the fruit and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator. The stored seeds should be moist-chilled for 12 weeks before sowing in spring. They may be sown indoors at room temperature or directly outdoors. Dogwood shrub cultivars offer gardeners quite a variety of choices. There are compact forms for smaller areas; stem colours from purple or red to yellow or bright green; and foliage colours of green, yellow or variegated with yellow or silver (white) tones. These are particularly stunning when combined with other shrubs of contrasting foliage colours. Cornus alba, aka Tatarian dogwood, is native to eastern Asia from Siberia to North Korea. It is the source of many of the aforementioned showy varieties. Cornus alba is a small, globular shrub while Cornus sericea has considerably more height and spread. Some cultivars to look for are: C. alba ‘Sibirica’ (Siberian coral dogwood) – bright red stems, soft green foliage, blue fruit clusters. C. alba ‘Argenteo-marginata’ aka ‘Elegantissima’ – red stems, variegated white on green foliage. C. alba ‘Ivory Halo’ – a compact white and green variegated, red-stemmed form. C. alba ‘Gouchaultii’ – red stems with variegated leaves of green, yellow and some rose pink. C. alba ‘Kesselringi’ – deep purple stems, dark bronzy green leaves, blue-white berries. C. sericea ‘Cardinal’ – cherry red stems, green foliage. C. sericea ‘White Gold’ – bright gold stems, white on green variegated leaves. C. sericea ‘Flaviramea’ – golden stems, green leaves (may tip kill on occasion). C. sericea ‘Isanti’ - red shoots, green leaves, compact form. To maintain strong stem colour on dogwoods, prune back in spring by one third to very hard. This will generate strong, well-coloured winter stems and encourage a larger leaf in variegated cultivars. Keep in mind that hard pruning will eliminate flowers and therefore fruits. As with any woody plant, make sure to place dogwood in the appropriate location for its size at maturity. With so many interesting choices, the most difficult decision will be: “Which one?” RDGC FLOWER SHOW It's the time of year to be thinking about ordering special seeds, perennials and tubers for our gardens and flower beds. Maybe order just a few Gladiolus so we could exhibit them in the Canadian National Glad Show in conjunction with the Flower and Garden Show on August 15th and 16th. We will be having a beginners section along with many other categories. There are different cultivars that are excellent for showing in the Glad show or even to have as cut flowers. Some catalogues request that orders be in before the end of March. With all the effort and pride that the exhibitors take in their work, we have always been able to recognize their efforts by giving them a prize. I’m sure that the exhibitors are not entering to win a prize but I think it's nice to let them know that we appreciate their entries. The entries are increasing over the years too! We try to encourage the general public to enter by not charging an entry fee or admission fees to the show, which means the whole Flower Show is based on donations. As RDGC members, we would really like your support, as participants, volunteers and sponsors. We have listed the sponsors from last year in our show book. There are 28 adult section prizes and 9 junior section prizes. Local businesses as well as private individuals have been very generous over the years and any contributions are very much appreciated. It's fun to be an exhibitor - try it see for yourself Flower Show Committee member Bev Swanson *NOTE* - Please ensure you have renewed your RDGC membership for 2007 in order to keep receiving this newsletter. It will only be sent to paid up members. Executive Members: Sheila Roberts 347- xxxx Brenda Gulka 346- xxxx Vivian Delude 346- xxxx Dorothy Adams 346- xxxx Bev Swanson 314- xxxx Olga Weinlein 342- xxxx (President & Program) (Treasurer) (Program Coordinator) (Program Coordinator) (Flower Show Co-Chair) (Newsletter Co-Editor) Claris Schulz Paula Jorgensen Gillian Wickes Mary Ellen Moore Sonia Burrows Lill Kent 341- xxxx 340- xxxx 340- xxxx 340- xxxx 341- xxxx 886- xxxx (Vice President) (Secretary/Advertising) (Secretary/Advertising) (Flower Show Co-Chair) (Webmaster) (Newsletter Co-Editor)