During the business meeting at the GLC’s annual January Pot Luck Meeting, one of the topics for discussion, was the GLC’s web site. I posed the question to the membership “How many of you are interested in, or care about the GLC’s web site”? Of the 30 some in attendance, 4 hands were raised, mine was not one of those in the affirmative.
The future of the GLC’s website was one of two main topics discussed, at the recent meeting of the Board held via Zoom earlier this week ( once again my apologies to Lisa, for my omitting her from the notice )! The first item on the agenda was discussion and approval of the GLC’s acceptance of Joyce Fingerut’s request to handle the distribution of the NARGS Seed Ex.’s Surplus Seed Round, for the years of 2028 & 2029.
This web site is to continue as is, for the time being, while other possible options are explored. The request for more submittals to this blog was made to the membership, so once more I will be putting together material for this Blog, and I hope more of the GLC membership will make the effort to do so as well.
Since last we connected…
One area of gardening-interest which has occupied my time, has been volunteering at the Hidden Lakes Botanical Gardens ( in Tipton MI ) working with a small but dedicated group, working in the Conifer Collection for the past 3 + years.
In addition to pruning, the Wednesday Workgroup’s duties also include weeding, re-edging and mulching the beds.
Pruning out crossing branches, dead, damaged, and diseased wood, in addition opening up space within the tree canopies, to allow for better air circulation and sunlight to the trees interiors.
In short we strive to make each specimen as healthy and presentable as we can.
Twice annually, the HLG staff is joined by a dedicated and knowledgeable group of volunteers ( many traveling from great distances ) who serve as an advisory board for the Collection. Together this diverse group tour the entire Harper Collection.
Bed by bed, every conifer is evaluated to determine if it remains worthy to maintain its place within the collection, in addition to nominate new cultivars worthy on adding to the collection.
I’ve found my participation with the Wednesday Workgroup to be educational and satisfying. Not only has understanding of how, and where to prune increased tremendously, so too has my confidence to make those choices in pruning.
On occasion, surprises do arise. such as this witches broom found on a Norway Spruce.
Actually there have been a number of these witches brooms, that have been found growing at Hidden Lake Gardens, three of which have made their way into the Nursery trade.One growing on Abies Concolor near the Hosta Collection ( A. c. ‘Hosta La Vista ), another even tighter growing broom found years later, growing on the original ‘Hosta La Vista’ ( A. c. ‘Hosta
This large broom, noticed by Gary Gee who named it T. d. ‘Gee Whiz, ( along with the 2 previously mention Abies concolor broom’s ) are all on trees, not growing within the Harper Collection.
Almost a year ago in late march, our group set to removing as much built up debris as we could from the interior of this broom.
We had also removed several branches growing above the broom in order to allow more sunlight to reach the broom.
This work was in preparation of the installation of a supporting prop that would be installed beneath the broom, to prevent it being broken off by excessive ice or snow loadings, a common fate of large witches broom’s.
A month ago ( in late January ) Pat Karl & I joined Jon Genereau to install the long awaited support. But first several smaller branches from the broom had to be removed in order to make room for yoke at the top of the support to rest firmly beneath the main branch that the broom is growing from.
Here is a view of the support in place. We were all very happy to have this job done, especially with such cold and snowy conditions.