Story Book Gardens: 2010 Flower Show

It was a night for fairy tales, magicians, beautiful floral designs and horticulture. Cinderella (Gracelyn Coldwell , Mike and Susanne Coldwell’s 4 year old granddaughter) made a special appearance. Over 150 attended the show and voted for their favorite design.

Margaret Rodwell won the People’s Choice Award with her functional capsule table for one floral design interpreting the wicked Queen’s one poison apple for Snow White. Jan Griffin won the Table Artistry Award for her buffet table design “The Royal Ball” and the Petite Award for her 5 inch design titled “Glass Slipper”. The Designer’s Choice Award was won by Darcy Stottlemyer for her interpretation of Cinderella’s rise from “Rags to Riches”.

The horticulture completion merited several award winners. Five “Award of Merit” winners were presented: Wynona James; Cassandra Banning; Jan Griffin (2) and Lev Stone. The Collection Showcase Award went to Lev Stone.

There were two new awards this year from National Garden Clubs, Inc., they are Grower’s Choice Award for non-blooming plants which went to Sandra Lodato; the Grower’s Choice Award for blooming plants was also won by Sandra Lodato. Liz Miller won the Arboreal Award. The Horticulture Excellence Award was won by Lev Stone for his Bromeliaceae Acanthostachys Strobilacea.

Flowers Arrangements for Meals on Wheels Clients

Members of the plant City Garden Club gathered on November 3rd at Darcy Stottlemyer's Florist Shop All a Bloom to make bud vase arrangements in a fall theme for recipients of Meals on Wheels. The Garden Club meets quarterly at the florist shop to arrange the flowers and have them ready for the Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver. We will use bud vases and have gone through our supply of vases, however in efforts to be more "green" we are now recycling 20 ounce water bottles to make the arrangements. Anyone who would like to donate bud vases or empty 20 ounce water bottles can do so by dropping them off at All A Bloom Florist at 1803 James Redman Pky, Pant City.

Garden Club Receives Good EGG

During the February Chamber of Commerce Contact Breakfast Club meeting, President Cassandra Banning and other members were surprised when The Plant City Garden Club was presented with the Good Egg Award for February during the Chamber of Commerce Contact Breakfast. Chairman of the Board for the Chamber, Ed Verner stated during the presentation that the Plant City Garden Club was selected for not only helping the Parks & Recreation Dept plant 40 trees but also for their other contributions to the community. The Club's donation of scholarships, hosting the horticulture show at the Strawberry Festival, awarding beautification awards to local residents, education of members and public on gardening, floral design, conservation and the environment, civic projects such as the landscaping the new police station, the 1914 building and the veteran's memorial park all added to the criteria for the selection of Good Egg Award. Mr. Verner also stated that this was the first time a club has been selected; this award normally goes to an individual or business who commits to outstanding civic work in the community.

Sandra & Sal Lodato receive 2009 Garden of the Year

Members of the Plant City Garden Club along with President Cassandra Banning and Florida Federation of Garden Club District Director Jan Griffin surprised Sandra Lodato when they arrived with flowers and the Garden of the Year Award for 2008. Thinking only that Cassandra was coming to show off Sandra's gardens to a friend, they were able to pull off the surprise unfortunately Sal was not at home.

The beautiful gardens started over three years ago when Sandra & Sal first moved to Plant City from Tampa. "I brought home 110 plants, started planting them and quickly realized a plan was needed," stated Sandra. We decided garden paths would not only lead us out to the pond but would divide the front area into manageable and distinctive gardens. There are three main paths that take you from the house to the pond where Sandra planted red knock out roses, ligustrum and bottlebrush trees with the little boy fishing statue and birdbath adding to the picturesque setting. The gazebo looks over the pond and is a focal point for Sandra's Christmas decorations, anytime of the year though it will draw you out there to see what is happening. Pots of Peace Lilies grace the entrances to the paths and start you off enjoying the beauty of impatiens, bromeliads, azaleas, and ferns with large spilt leaf philodendrons providing the back drop. Pots of begonias, petunias, lovely garden art and statues will surprise you as you wonder along the paths. Smaller paths will take you in different directions often leading to a quiet place to sit or to a charming statue or garden art. There is lots of shade under the very large live oaks but Sal has maintained sunny areas as well, perfect for picnic lunches or entertaining friends. They have not stopped after winning the April Garden of the Month Award; they have added fish tail palms, more pots of begonias, weeping willows, Yesterday Today and Tomorrow bushes, ixoras, and Australia tree Fern. Begonias planted and in hanging baskets around the decorative light pole set the tone for color in the gardens. Along the walkway devils backbone, lavender and bird of paradise keeps your eye moving. Yes, Sandra & Sal have a plan, one they keeping working on and letting it evolve and as it evolves it grows more and more beautiful.

This award is open to all homeowners in the Plant City Area. "We are always looking for gardens to receive the garden of the month and possibly the garden of the year award. We welcome recommendations from the community. We look for outstanding gardens that have color, texture, balance, space and follow the current water restrictions," stated Club President Cassandra Banning. Please call Margaret Rodwell at 659-3351 or Cassandra Banning at 759-1638.