Garden Marvels: Tovah Martin's Terrariums, Eco-Friendly Designs, and Holiday Delights
On October 3, the Garden Club of Woodbridge hosted the Garden Club of Orange. Members of both clubs were excited to meet guest speaker, Tovah Martin. Tovah’s presentation, “Terrariums and You,” showcased terrariums in creative glass vessels, e.g., teacups and furniture pieces. She generated several terrariums for the audience using her favorite components: Coast of Maine organic and natural potting soil, Hoffman horticultural charcoal, and Pearl Stone Soil Cover pearl-size stones. She specified that all terrariums must have glass covers (plastic wrap may be used) to produce the humidity plants need to flourish. A raffle took place for Tovah’s extraordinary terrariums.
The November 8 meeting revolved around an artistic design workshop: “The Magic of Foraged Materials.” Novel designs were conceived by members with materials they obtained from their backyards, fields and roadsides. Members were given alternatives to using oasis as a floral arrangement anchor, by being introduced to more environmentally-friendly options.
The Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby had its annual holiday tour from November 24 to December 16. Every year several garden clubs participate in decorating the Homestead’s many rooms for the tour based on a theme. The Garden Club of Woodbridge decorated the library to reflect the Osborne family’s visits to Washington, DC and the theme, “Holiday in the City.”
A December 5 holiday party took place at a member’s beautiful home. After a scrumptious luncheon, members were introduced to “sea creature” pins created with plant material by club members.
The January 2 meeting spotlighted “Connecticut Gardens: A Celebration of the State’s Historic, Public and Private Gardens.” Caryn B. Davis, an award-winning photographer, journalist and best-selling author, who specializes in architectural, garden and travel photography, presented stills of the numerous gardens she has photographed.
