National Garden Clubs Inc.

Avondale Estates Garden Club participated in the annual Avondale Estates 4th of July Parade with an entry promoting the city’s (City of Avondale Estates) status as a “Bee City” and the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. The golf cart bee hive and busy bees made quite an impression on the crowd as they buzzed down the parade route. Club members as well as the “Bee Squad” (parents of the bees) gave out candy (Bit-O-Honey, of course) and waved their hands off. The goal was to highlight the Bee City status as well as the upcoming pollinator census-mission accomplished!

Youth gardening is such a rewarding activity for both the children and the adults who guide them.
Did you know that National Garden Club offers Grants for Youth Gardening? See our website at gardenclub.org.

Today, we showcase the creativity and horticultural knowledge of NGC, Inc. International Affiliate members from Region II, Central America and the Caribbean. Our sincere thanks to Becky Lemus and Leana Zetina for generously sharing these inspiring images with us. These images reflect the constant dedication that defines our garden club international members.

Do you grow Bronze fennel?? It is an ornamental fennel that grows well in the high desert and other areas. It also is a host plant for Swallowtails to lay their eggs on.

Bronze Fennel is hardy from Zone 5 and is easily grown as an annual in lower zones. Plant as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Full sun and well drained soil are better for producing rich oils and seeds. Cut back to the ground at the end of the season after seeds have formed. Fennel has a long tap root which should not be disturbed after planting.

And the dried seed heads are great to paint and use in a floral arrangement, too!

“Go big or go home” Jersey! Look at these show stoppers.

Save your seeds!

Got Leafcutter bees?

Who in the world goes hiking with a paper punch? 🤷‍♀️

Those aren’t paper punches, they’re the telltale signs of Leafcutter Bees! There are over 40 species of them in eastern North America. After a female Leafcutter Bee cuts out a leaf section, she carries it back to her burrow. This could be underground, in a rock crevice, or within a dead tree. She then curls the leaf sections into a long tubular nest containing several separate chambers in a row. Each chamber contains a single egg, some pollen, and a bit of nectar for the developing bee larva. An adult will emerge from each chamber the following year.

Leafcutters Bees harvest leaves from several plants, including the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) shown here. This damage to the tree is insignificant so there’s no need to worry if you find them on trees in your yard. Remember, caterpillars, Leafcutter Bees, and other native organism’s feeding on your trees is part of a normal, healthy ecosystem.

George Washington was here! At Mt. Vernon, George’s gardeners take their obligations seriously and plant red, white and blue! You can also Plant America. 🇺🇸