Month: May 2025

Congratulations to Driftwood Garden Club members Pinar Gokce and Susan McMullen for their stunning floral interpretation of Winslow Homer’s ‘The Fog Warning’.

Painted in Maine in 1885, this iconic oil painting depicts a local fisherman battling the elements in the hopes of returning to the safety of the ship far on the horizon. Susan and Pinar were struck by the intense drama and conflict in the painting, as well as the strong diagonals created by the dory and the impending fog.

This is the first time the duo collaborated to design for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts annual Art in Bloom event. They chose their container because of the shape, composition, and color. The shape suggests a boat, the material is rough and elemental, and the color mimics cold ocean water. Then they scoured the New England Flower Exchange to find plant materials that best represented the painting. According to the designers, their creation is meant to express the contrast between the menacing fog bank, the solitude of the fisherman and the glimmer of hope in the pink sky reflected on the fish skin. In the arrangement, the diagonals of the fog and dory are represented by Ti leaves and Fantail Pussy Willows, and Quince branches and Rice Flowers provide a delicate pink shade. Other flowers used were Bush Ivy, Dusty Miller, and Sea Holly.

Art in Bloom, now in its 49^th year, is a beloved event at the Museum of Fine Arts. The popular event showcases the expertise of New England garden clubs, professional designers, and MFA floral volunteers. Driftwood members were guided on a private tour by an MFA Tour Docent who described the art piece along with an MFA Floral Design Volunteer who commented on the accompanying floral design. Everyone agreed that Susan McMullen and Pinar Gokce’s beautiful floral design depicting ‘The Fog Warning’ was professionally executed in every way.

Enjoy these pictures of DGC members enjoying several other works of art with the corresponding Art in Bloom floral designs!

We hope to see you at Art in Bloom again next year!

The wind and rain could not stop the Driftwood Garden Club members from welcoming hundreds of people to their 2025 Plant Sale. Proceeds from the sale help fund the landscaping and maintenance of the Abbot Public Library gardens, as well as our civic gardening projects at Farrell Court in Marblehead.

It takes a coordinated effort of many people to orchestrate this amazing plant sale each year. We are grateful to our hardworking members, especially our Plant Sale Committee, as well as the Marblehead Masonic Hall for hosting the event. A shout out to Louise from Every Little Breeze Catering for providing a delicious luncheon for our members after the sale ended.

We would also like to thank the Marblehead Garden Center for partnering with us each year by providing the colorful annuals, herbs and hanging baskets. Between the tables of carefully tended perennials from our Dig & Divide, to the specialty tables (Dahlias, Woodland Plants, Mother’s Day gift orchids), and the pop of color with the hanging baskets and annuals, there was something for everyone. 

Our members were kept busy answering questions and helping people select plants, while member Ginny VonRueden was at her Window Box display helping people arrange various plants for their own planters at home.

We especially thank our gardening customers, both long-time friends and first-time buyers, who came to our sale. We love seeing everyone’s happy faces as they leave with a box, or two, of plants to transplant into their own gardens. With our plant sale over, the gardening season has officially begun!

Ever wonder how Driftwood Garden Club gets over 1,000 plants to sell at our annual plant sale? 

Starting in early April, members don their waterproof boots, warm jackets and work gloves, and trek into 50 local gardens. We dig perennial plants from our own yards and many donor gardens in Marblehead.

Dividing hardy perennials is a ‘Win-Win’ for us and also for the plant. Dividing plants in early spring encourages vigorous growth, stimulates new growth, and reduces crowding in the garden bed. And we get to sell healthy new plants!

Driftwood members transplant the plants into half-gallon pots, add fresh potting soil, water well, then bring the plants home to care for them. By the time the plant sale arrives on May 10^th, these plants have been in their pots for many weeks and have developed new roots. The plants we sell at the plant sale are happy, healthy, and ready to transplant into your garden!

We hope to see you at Driftwood Garden Club’s annual plant sale on Saturday, May 10th from 8:30-11:30 AM at the Masonic Hall, 62 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA. Come join us!