Popular Flower Types
When it comes to choosing the perfect flowers for a bouquet or floral arrangement, there are some flowers that always look great. They’re easy to grow and come in a variety of colors.
They’re also a great option for gardens and container gardens, where they offer a pop of color without the need to spend much time weeding or watering.
Haley Lena
hlena@coloradocommunitymedia.com
From maintaining flower planters to learning how to facilitate better horticultural practices in gardens, the Douglas County Garden Club provides a place for people to come together to nurture beauty in the community by protecting its natural resources.
When Jean Spahr moved to Castle Rock from the Chicago area, she quickly found gardening in Douglas County was completely different than the Midwest.
“I was a little discouraged,” said Spahr.
After talking to a friend who had joined a garden club in their own community, Spahr found the Douglas County Garden Club in 2018.
In 1985, eight members of the community started the Douglas County Garden Club. Now, there are nearly 57 members.
Upcoming vice president, Jeanne Ricci moved to Douglas County from California. Not knowing much about the soil situation in the Colorado climate, Ricci joined the garden club after being invited to a meeting by a neighbor.
“I was just really interested in learning more about what kinds of plants you could plant and how that might work for me in my little gardening endeavors,” said Ricci.
On the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. members gather for a meeting to socialize and learn about gardening techniques.
Typically, the meetings take place at the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock, but on occasion, the club will meet in an open space.
The meetings start with snacks and refreshments while members catch up with one another. They will then have a guest speaker and learn about different gardening topics. Previously, guest speakers have been natural resource specialists from local parks and recreation programs, an ambassador from Tagawa Gardens and a lead volunteer from Hudson Gardens.
Speakers also include the club’s own members. The members of the club range from no knowledge of gardening to master gardeners through the Colorado State University Extension program.
“I learned about amending our Colorado soil,” said Spahr. “Our soil here, some is sandy, some is clay.”
According to the Colorado State University Extension program, due to the state’s high elevation, low humidity and fluctuating temperatures, gardening can be challenging. Compared to low temperatures, alkaline clay soils and the dry wind often restrict plant growth across the state.
Through guest speakers and outings, members learn how to combat environmental challenges to grow a successful garden, whether it is plants, succulents or vegetables.
A previous speaker spoke about Colorado “plant selects”, meaning even if they are not native to the state, they have been selected for doing well. Some examples include Hot Wings Maple, Blue Flax and Cheyenne Mock Orange.
The club has also integrated what they call Garden Gossip to the end of their meetings.
“We just have so many experienced gardeners that they can almost always find an answer with Garden Gossip,” said Co-President Debbie Trujillo.
When the members are not learning about techniques, they are out designing, planting and maintaining flower planters at the Philip Miller Library, the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum and outside of the Help and Hope Center.
“Some volunteers beautified the community garden flower bed at Clovers Park,” said Spahr.
Members also volunteer with their community partner, Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation and participate in taking care of Fort Logan National Cemetery.
The club itself is a member of the National Garden Club, Inc., the Rocky Mountain Region Garden Club and the Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc..
In addition to donating money to state programs, the club also gives scholarships to those interested in pursuing an education in agriculture or horticulture.
The group also presents an annual Heart Warmer Award.
“That’s for somebody that gives a lot of themselves for just the garden club,” said Trujillo. “Does a lot of special projects and just gives a lot of time and energy to the club.”
Source: parkerchronicle.net
