An array of agricultural and literary achievements and manufacturing innovations is on display this holiday season at the Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby.

Nine garden clubs have decorated the former home of businesswoman and philanthropist Frances Eliza Osborne Kellogg for the holidays, as they have for more than two decades. The Olde Ripton Garden Club Decorating Committee is shown here receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for “their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity in decorating” at the museum on Wednesday, December 2nd where a special reception was held to thank volunteers.

Mayor Mark Lauretti is shown above with Club Vice President, Renee Protomastro at the Native Oak Tree Planting Site.  On Sunday, Sept. 19, 2015 the Olde Ripton Garden Club donated a tree to the Shelton Land Conservation Trust.  The Pin Oak was planted by Club Members and Conservation Commission volunteers in the southern field of the Lane Street Property.

for a link to more photos of the Oak Tree Planting in the Lane Street Meadow:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskhgN5Dh

The Olde Ripton Garden Club tested their plant skills by identifying fruits and nuts, flowers and foliage plants and ornamental plants including woody plants, vines, ground covers and ornamental grasses at their meeting with a “Fall Bounty Harvest” theme on September 14.

This fun event was very hands-on and enjoyable for gardeners one and all.  A “Plant Mystery” segment helped identify plants that even seasoned gardeners were baffled by.

Also featured at this meeting was a Plant Swap. Tired, old or unwanted plants were swapped out for something new and fresh.  Also, a great time to thin out the beds and share the bounty of your perennials and plants with other gardeners.

On July 6th the Club hosted speaker Karla A. Dalley, who presented a program on Native Pollinators that included samples of plants at their peak – natives, perennials, even tropical plants that could be over-wintered. Her lecture provided information about bees, birds, butterflies and insects and a presentation on native pollinators and spring flowers.

Ms. Dalley is a well-known TV & Radio gardening expert who is also a garden designer and water gardening expert. She writes for many local and regional publications.

Club members also displayed artistic Fourth of July red, white and blue arrangements as well as horticultural displays of fragrant flowers and herbs or any flower mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings. 

Wednesday, June 10th

The Club visited Shakespeare’s Garden Nursery in Brookfield, CT on June 10.  A tour of the greenhouses and grounds was provided as well as a visit to the nursery gift shop along the way.  Shakespeare’s Garden is a unique garden center and barn shop specializing in arrangements, annuals, perennials, landscape design, installation and property management.  Their display gardens offer inspiration and show an uncommon passion for creating and caring for the simplest to the most ornate garden setting.  The trip was a relaxing and inspirational experience.

Lunch followed immediately after at McGuires Ale House on Route 6 in Bethel.

APRIL 6 MEETING – FOOLPROOF HYDRANGEAS

Master Gardener Lorraine Ballato of Brookfield presented a program on Hydrangeas that covered the many different types of Hydrangeas, their care and planting suggestions.

Afterwards, the Club continued their study of native pollinators with a review by Linda Hooper of the Bald Faced Hornet and Polyester Bees.  Spring & Easter flowers were also on display.