2022 - 2023 Meeting Schedule
September 15, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. - COMPLETED
Program: Kathy Schlosser, From Prairie to Plate: The influence of Native Americans on our gardens, gardening, and cooking.
October 20, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. COMPLETED
Program: Shelle Rizeman, Edibles from the Herb Garden
November 17, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. COMPLETED
Program: Christine Moore, Curator, The National Herb Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington DC
December 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Program: Holiday Brunch with Culinary, Craft & Herb Study Groups (members only)
January 19, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Program: Rosemary Circle Members, Greeting the New Year with Old Memories
February 16, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Program: Anna Weston, Wild Herbs
March 16, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Program: Ciener Garden in the Spring
April 20, 2023 HERB SALE Greensboro Farmer's Market on Yanceyville Street
May 18, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
Program: Annual Meeting & Picnic
You are welome to attend one of our meetings. Please use our CONTACT FORM and we will send details. There is no charge to attend, but if you would like to order a lunch, you may do so for $14.00 payable in advance.
Autumn in full bloom at the Greensboro History Museum. Museum page HERE.
|
|
|
From our members gardens:
|
Left: from the garden of Sue H. Pokeweed or Pokeberry, Phytolacca americana, is the Herb Society of America Notable Native™ Herbal Shrub-2023. Clicking this LINK will open a Fact Sheet giving information on the plant which is in it's full beauty at the moment (late August - mid September). Sue reports that the one shown here is often full of birds plucking off the fruits (not edible for us!) as soon as they ripen. It received Notable Native Herbal Shrub status for its beauty (if you can tolerate a little weediness), and as a nutritious food for a large number of birds. In addition, the plant had many medicinal uses, some of which are now being studied for various possible uses. Until the results are in, we urge you to read the serious cautions outlined on the Fact Sheet, as all parts of the plant are TOXIC. The very young shoots of the plants (perennials which die back to the ground in winter) have been consumed as a vegetable, and still are, particularly in southern states. Multiple changes of water are required for safety, as the selected shoots and very young leaves (with a taste somewhat like baby spinach), which are reported to be safe and tasty, are officially considered toxic and The Herb Society of America agrees until such time as confirmed studies by approprite agencies are completed. A completely safe recipe for Pokeweed ink is also found on the Fact Sheet. It is easy to make--but hurry, as the fruits will soon be gone--and fun to use for drawing or writing. The ink will eventually fade from it's bright magenta color to a pale brown. Some claims have been made that Pokeberry ink was used to write the U.S. Constitution. That is questionable, as it is unlikely we would still be able to read the document which is on display at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. Still, it is fun to experiment and enjoy the results while they last. Left: Conoclinium coelestinum, Blue mist. Sometimes mistaken for Ageratum houstonianum (Ageratum), but this native perennial grows to 3' tall, far outperforming the Ageratum at 6" - 12" tall. Blue mist is blooming now (mid-Sept.) in Sue H.'s garden, and we thank her for the photo. This plant does well in her sunny garden and isn't intimidated by surrounding plants. As a matter of fact, it can spread widely via rhizomes, so give it plenty of room. There are no known edible uses. There are traditional medicinal uses (primaily for skin infections or to stop bleeding --with leaves), but so far, none that have been documented with scientific studies. Lovely to have in the Fall when there is a looming shortage of flowering plants. Most useful as a food source for pollinators. |
PLANTS WITH A HISTORY:
|
|
|
Sue has been a member for many years and recently shared photos from her garden of plants that have special meaning to her.
On the left is a Peony, with a Japanese painted fern at its' feet, that she brought from her mothers' house long ago.
In the center is a begonia that was given to her mother by her brother. Sue and her sister have each kept a cutting going since the 1970s - they named it for their brother.
On the right is an azalea, also brought from her mothers' home, still blooming cheerfully. These plants all have a history and bring pleasant memories for Sue when they bloom.
On the left is a Peony, with a Japanese painted fern at its' feet, that she brought from her mothers' house long ago.
In the center is a begonia that was given to her mother by her brother. Sue and her sister have each kept a cutting going since the 1970s - they named it for their brother.
On the right is an azalea, also brought from her mothers' home, still blooming cheerfully. These plants all have a history and bring pleasant memories for Sue when they bloom.
|
|