Established in 1952 as a volunteer, non-profit organization, the DGC maintains the Abbot Public Library gardens and provides educational opportunities in gardening and support of our environment.
Please enjoy the Winter Wonderland décor created by five local garden clubs at Marblehead Arts Association’s King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead. The Open House is Thursday evening 12/1 from 5-7 PM, and the mansion is open to the public during Christmas Walk hours on Saturday 12/3 and Sunday12/4 from noon till 5 PM.
Driftwood Garden Club elves installed the design created by members Ginny von Rueden and Laurie Boggis.
Please mark your calendars to visit Marblehead Arts Association’s “Winter Wonderland” at the King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, MA. Enjoy the festive holiday décor provided by Marblehead local garden clubs.
Open House is Thursday evening, December 1st from 5-7 PM. The Artisans Holiday Marketplace and Winter Members Exhibition in the mansion will be open during the Marblehead Christmas Walk, Saturday and Sunday, December 3 & 4th from 12-5 PM.
And now … here’s a sneak peak of Driftwood Garden Club members working on the stunning design created by longtime-members Ginny von Rueden and Laurie Boggis.
Stay tuned for pictures of the final results installed in the King Hooper Mansion!
Members of the Driftwood Garden Club of Marblehead gathered recently for The Magic of a Winter Garden presentation by Joan Butler and Jan Milbocker of Enchanted Gardens.
According to master gardener Joan Butler, “The garden can be a magical place – even in winter! Stripped of summer foliage and flowers, the success of a winter garden lies in its structure, basic design and choice of plant material.” Their lecture provided inspiration and tips on designing our gardens for winter interest, choosing the best trees, shrubs and perennials, and grouping them to create arresting vignettes.
According to DGC Past President Kathy Bradford, Principal of Bradford Design Associates, “Ornamental grasses, sedums, and winterberry provide excellent winter interest. And don’t cut back until spring!”
Enjoy!
Garden photos credit by Kathy Bradford.
Members of the Driftwood Garden Club of Marblehead gathered together on a crisp October morning to bid farewell to the Secret Garden at the Abbot Public Library. The Library at 235 Pleasant Street has moved to an interim location at the former Eveleth School while the building and grounds undergo extensive renovations. Renovations are scheduled to begin in December, with a projected completion in spring of 2024.
Abbot Library’s Secret Garden, named after the classic English novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, has been lovingly upgraded and maintained by the Driftwood Garden Club for many years.
DGC Past-President Mary Stewart coordinated the design and installation of this granite key set in the Secret Garden’s brick patio back in the early 1990s. The key, a prominent symbol in the novel, unlocks the hidden garden where the children enjoy the wonders of nature and the healing of their spirits. Pictured is the original cover of The Secret Garden novel published in the U.S. in 1911. (source Houghton Library, Harvard University)
We look froward to the completion of the Abbot Library renovation with new garden space, and we look forward to our new civic projects in Marblehead.
Even though most Driftwood Garden Club members are still hard at work in their own yards as well as tending the grounds of the Abbot Public Library, a few DGC gardeners also donate their time and talent to create luscious floral arrangements for the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion at 161 Washington Street in Marblehead. Hats off to our own Ginny von Rueden, Laurie Boggis, Susan McMullen, and Jo Ann Augeri Silva for treating us, and Lee Mansion visitors from around the globe, to this floral eye candy! Feast your eyes!
The Driftwood Garden Club of Marblehead proudly celebrates the 70th anniversary of its founding in 1952. Please take a few minutes to watch our current president Ginny von Rueden’s interview with James Maroney, Marblehead Community Media & Access, Inc. marbleheadtv.org.
The story will air on this week’s Marblehead TV Headline News beginning Friday, June 24. Don’t miss it!
Here’s the link, enjoy!
After a busy year of educational programs, a successful Plant Sale, maintaining the gardens at the Abbot Public Library, and working in our own gardens, members of the Driftwood Garden Club relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company at our Annual Luncheon in June. The weather was delightful and our hostess’s garden was picture perfect.
Our outgoing President recapped the year and welcomed the new Officers and Board of Director Members.
Our incoming President and Club Historian highlighted the 70Th Anniversary of the Driftwood Garden Club’s founding in 1952. Happy Birthday to the Driftwood Garden Club of Marblehead!
Next year will be a year of transition as the library is renovated. The DGC is flexible and committed to another civic project, whatever that may be. Each member received a sentimental hosta plant, divided from hostas planted at the library many years ago.
Many thanks to all our fellow gardeners, friends, families, and neighbors who bought plants at the Driftwood Garden Club Plant Sale on 5/7/22. We loved seeing your smiling faces as you carefully chose plants for your own gardens or to give as gifts. Thanks so much for your support.
The selection of specialty plants, including double bloodroot and trillium, sold out quickly. Hanging baskets, annuals, herbs, and succulents were popular. Gardeners marveled at the variety of healthy ground covers, sun and shade perennials, as well as orchids and hand-crafted baskets for Mother’s Day gifts.
And it’s a Wrap! DGC members enjoying lunch at The Landing after the sale!
Hope to see you next year!
From our gardens to yours, we hope your Driftwood Garden Club plants continue to thrive!
In preparation for our annual Plant Sale on May 7, 2022, members of the Driftwood Garden Club of Marblehead grab their tools and head out to their gardens. We have several local ‘host’ gardens where members carefully divide various varieties of perennials. We dig them, split into smaller sections, and then repot each plant in fresh potting soil. Members clean up the host garden bed and replenish the soil. Then each member takes several plants home to water and nurture until the sale.
Please join us on Saturday, May 7th from 8:30 to 11:30 AM at the Masonic Hall, 62 Pleasant Street, Marblehead. Come meet the DGC members and learn about the plants you purchase. Also for sale are orchids, annuals, and other flowering plants perfect for Mother’s Day gifts!
The Driftwood Garden Club’s April ’22 meeting was well attended at Abbot Public Library as well as on Zoom. Featured presenter was long-time DGC Civic Committee Chair Lisa Biggio, a Master Gardener and Horticultural Therapist. Lisa provided educational handouts, tools, and plenty of Sansevieria (now in genus Dracaena) plants for us to divide and replant in this hands-on meeting.
Lisa’s Tips to Divide & Conquer…
Divide perennials to make healthier plants in our garden:
These are a few of our favorite things!
Yes, Lisa has a favorite potting soil by Pro-Mix. Look for a high-quality soil mix containing peatmoss and perlite for moisture retention.
Here are Lisa’s favorite tools, which she cleans and disinfects with a mild bleach solution or “green” citrus cleaner after each use.
Opening a can of worms…
We continue to educate ourselves on invasive Asian jumping worms which have been identified here in Massachusetts. Jumping worms deplete the topsoil of nutrients and moisture. Lisa’s handout had good information and listed resources for additional material. The garden club will have a Master Gardener on hand at the plant sale to answer questions.
Next week starts Driftwood Garden Club’s big effort to dig and divide in host gardens around Marblehead as a source of plants for the plant sale. We are getting ready for the Plant Sale! See you on Saturday, May 7 from 8:30-11:30 AM at the Masonic Hall, 62 Pleasant Street, Marblehead!
Driftwood Garden Club 