winter 2014 - Zilker Botanical Garden

WINTER 2014
IN THIS ISSUE...
FEATURES
 50th Anniversary of the
Austin Garden Center
Celebration
 Swedish Cabin Rededication
 History of the Western Trails
Garden Club
 The Texas Bamboo Society
 Time to Prune
CLUB NEWS AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Blue Santa Visits the Austin
Pond Society
 Winter Plant Shows and Sales
 Travis County Master
Gardeners Winter
Presentations
Be sure to visit the Christmas Trees on display
in the Greene Room through January 2nd.
ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN
 Events at a Glance
 The Chrysalis Gift Shop at
FEATURES
Zilker Botanical Garden
 The Walk of Friends
 City of Austin Newsletters
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUSTIN AREA GARDEN CENTER CELEBRATION
by Francis (Frank) Allcorn, Austin Pond Society
KLRU's "Central Texas
Gardener"
 Yelp Reviews
 Project Site Home
Keith Taniguchi speaking at the Austin Area Garden Center 50th Anniversary Celebration
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On October 19, 2014, I had the pleasure of attending the Austin Area
Garden Center's 50th Anniversary Celebration. It was held at the
Zilker Botanical Garden which is operated by the City of Austin and
the Austin Area Garden Council.
The Austin Area Garden Center began with an idea in the early 1960's
with only six garden clubs. Their efforts, foresight and fundraising 50
years ago led to constructing the current building that houses the
meeting rooms and the Chrysalis Gift Shop.
Today, there are 31 member clubs that comprise the Austin Area
Garden Council with all their ties to nature and things that grow.
50th Anniversary
Plaque
The weather was very nice and was warm but not hot by Texas standards and even though I
did a lot of walking around taking many pictures, it was not unpleasant.
While the Violet Crown Garden Club was holding a
flower show in the main meeting room, many different
clubs had information booths located all over the
garden.
The Austin Pond Society was very prominently
represented with a table at the entrance to the Garden
Center. Our thanks to those worthy people for giving
up their time.
Austin Pond Society booth
50th Anniversary Plant Sale
Halfway down the hill in the Oak Grove area (not far from the Travis County Master
Gardeners' sheds), the 50th Anniversary Plant Sale was being held with a collection of booths
where several garden clubs were selling their wares. The Texas Bamboo Society was selling
bamboo. The First African Violets Society sold a variety of African Violets. There were
daylilies, irises, herbs, begonias , bamboo and other garden plants. The couple of times that
I visited, they seemed to be doing a roaring trade.
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At 1:00 pm, Marion Alsup, President of AAGC introduced a
host of different speakers at the microphone to tell stories to
the attending visitors of their memories and connections to
the Botanical Gardens.
Marion Alsup, AAGC President
The Taniguchi Japanese Garden
The Taniguchi Japanese Garden was one of the featured
topics by the speakers. The legendary Japanese
gardener, Isamu Taniguchi, began work on the Japanese
gardens when he was 70 years old. Working without a
salary, Taniguchi spent 18 months transforming 3 acres
of rugged caliche hillside into a peaceful Japanese
garden—his gift to the City of Austin.
He had a vision of what the garden should look like and
was willing to do the work to make it a reality. As one of
his grandsons jokingly remarked, there was a fear that
he would die before the garden was completed so
eventually he had some help to complete it.
His story was very much in the forefront with his work
building the Japanese Garden He was fondly
remembered with stories of his personal efforts with his
pick and shovel and trusty wheelbarrow.
Isamu Taniguchi
Other Memories
Others spoke of their many memories of times gone past and the joy they have received over
the years in supporting all the wonderful gardens that comprise Zilker Botanical Garden.
Edie Musgrove
Evan Taniguchi
Keith Taniguchi
Joan Huntley
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After the ceremonies,
Judy Arnold performed
a rousing set of 60's
songs.
Ed Parken and Marion Alsup with
50th Anniversary plaque.
Judy Arnold
As I took one more stroll around the grounds before departing, I could not help but share
the beauty of these gardens and the innumerable flowers that were still blooming. Be sure to
watch the slide show linked below for more pictures of the garden.
Added to these marvelous
flowers were the reminders
that Halloween is not far
away with the whimsical
scarecrows that provided
directions for getting around
in the garden.
The balloon archway was
sponsored by Bamboo Bistro
who also provided food for
the many volunteers.
Thank you Bamboo Bistro!
by Francis (Frank) Allcorn, Austin Pond Society
Frank's AAGC 50th Anniversary Slide Show
Editor's Note: Frank created a wonderful slide show (with
music) of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, which includes
many, many beautiful shots of Zilker Botanical Garden and
of the plants in bloom. Length: 4-minutes
Click on the image to the right to view Frank's show. -->
50th Anniversary Slide Show
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Fond Remembrances from a Far Away Friend
A note from Charlotte Cranberg, former AAGC Corresponding Secretary
October 17, 2014
When I first came to Austin 45 years
ago I went to Zilker Park and
discovered the Austin Area Garden
Center. I was surprised and overjoyed
to find that dozens of garden clubs
met there and held shows and
operated the center in partnership
with the city of Austin. I found a
gardener's dream….a home for us,
which I think may be unique.
Charlotte Cranberg with Best in Show - Azalea
I've never found anything like this anywhere I've traveled. We should all be grateful to the
garden club members who built this building years ago and formed a partnership with the
city.
Isamu Taniguchi, a small, energetic gentleman, was building the garden in those days,
literally with his own hands, always willing to stop and answer questions. 45 years have
seen many changes, but I hope Austin never loses this treasure. This is one of the
treasures that makes Austin different.
When I came to Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville, Florida, I immediately looked for
garden clubs and gardens. I found many beautiful gardens including a botanical garden,
but no central source for garden club information. With the help of Google, I found 4 clubs:
Bonsai, African Violet, Orchid and a federated club, all meeting in different places.
There is no single home for all the garden clubs and gardeners. This makes a huge
difference in the ability to bring people to the mentally and physically healthy pursuit of
horticulture. Bringing the clubs together to exchange ideas and promote gardening and
love of nature is a feather in the cap of the "Crown Jewel of Austin" Zilker Botanical Garden.
Let's never lose it.
from Charlotte Cranberg, former AAGC Corresponding Secretary
Interested in Learning More About the History of Zilker Park?
"Hidden Zilker"
by Katey Psencik, KVUE
Katey Psencik, a reporter for KVUE, has done a report
on "Hidden Zilker Park" including a lengthy tour of
Zilker Botanical Garden.
She did a wonderful job with it and we thought you
would be interested.
"Hidden Zilker"
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SWEDISH CABIN REDEDICATION
by Margaret Russell, Zilker Botanical Garden Manager (PARD)
Sunday, October 26, 2014 was the
date for the unveiling of the newly
refurbished Swedish Log Cabin
built in 1838 and moved to Zilker
in 1965.
The cabin now sits on a solid
foundation with drainage directed
away from the cabin.
New windows and new chinking
will keep the interior clean and dry.
Barbara Pate speaking at the Swedish Cabin Rededication
The interior of the cabin was displayed with great pride. Many visitors attended the
unveiling, including several members of the Swedish Heritage Society who wore authentic
Swedish fashions.
Our thanks to Barbara Pate and the members of the Swedish Heritage Society for all their
support!
by Margaret Russell, Zilker Botanical Gardens Manager (PARD)
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HISTORY OF THE WESTERN TRAILS GARDEN CLUB
Submitted by Judy Kirksey, Western Trails Garden Club
The Western Trails Garden Club, organized In July l962, was
affiliated with the National Council of State Garden Clubs to
advance gardening, civic beautification, and promotion of
ecology especially in the neighborhood of Western Trails and
Western Trails Estates.
Members sponsored a popular Christmas Lighting contest each year, giving plaques in
categories such as:
• Best Overall House and Yard
• Best House Front
• Best Decorated Door
• Best Religious Door
• Best Religious Scene
• Best Window Display
Unfortunately, the lighting contest was cancelled in 1973
because of utility shortages.
Western Trail's Contributions to the Community
The Western Trail Garden Club has a long history of civic beautification.
Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson thanked Club President
Mrs. Ernest Foster on behalf of the members who
planted two Golden Rain Trees on the shores of
Town Lake.
Each year on Arbor Day the members donated a
tree to schools and educational facilities.
• One year a Kentia Palm in a beautiful container was presented to Manchaca Branch
Library.
• A Silver Leaf Maple Tree went to Bedicheck Junior High School.
• In 1977 trees and shrubs were planted on the grounds of the new Williams Elementary
School, where one can see these mature trees and plants today.
• For the Porter Junior High Parent Teachers Association Western Trails Garden Club
purchased chrysanthemums and daffodils for $31 for the seventh and eighth graders to
plant in their courtyard and around their flag pole in 1973.
• In the same year members worked on 25 exhibits of cactus, the club flower.
• Members created a tray of favors – pine cone turkeys with feathers – at Thanksgiving
for Monte Siesta Retirement Home.
• Many creations were presented to the Children's Hospital Foundation.
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• Members also assisted with the Sears Roebuck Foundation Award and added a book
annually to the Austin Public Library.
• In July 2009 a donation was made to the Summer Fan Drive for Family Eldercare.
• Then Western Trails Garden Club unsuccessfully petitioned Crockett High School to
offer a two-year Horticulture Course to students who would then earn four credits
toward graduation.
Western Trail's Support of the Austin Area Garden Council
• Marcella Wilson, Meg Phelps, Molly Hill, Alice Puryear, and Linda Ray have served as
docents even before the Docents of Zilker Botanical Garden was formed as a club.
• Many members worked in the Gift Shop as volunteers - cleaning the building,
answering the telephone, assisting the public with the names of plants in the garden,
and pricing and purchasing merchandise. It was Irene Shlapak, Council President, who
wrote a thank you to the club for reporting their hours, which she submitted to PARD.
• On December 9, 1997, when Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Member Gus Garcia rededicated the Garden Center, Marcela Wilson, Meg Phelps, and Molly Hill represented
Western Trails Garden Club.
• In 2008 Dinoland provided many more facets of volunteerism for club members even
after Horticulturist Valleri Edelbrock presented a Community Service Award for their
volunteer contributions in 1994.
And Don't Forget the Zilker Garden Festival
Past President Linda Ray, who also served as Chairman of the Zilker Garden Festival, has
been Chairman of the Kid's Corner for over 20 years.
At Kid's corner, children have the opportunity to:
• build bird houses,
• fashion butterfly wings,
• have their face painted,
• receive balloons,
• select live plants to take home,
• and become involved in the festival where many
activities are enjoyed and many garden related
items are sold.
Zilker Garden Festival Kid's Corner
Even today Chairman Linda Ray and club members are devoted to the Children's Garden,
where they plant lamb's ear, bird of paradise, snapdragons, bat face, shrimp plant, butterfly
and peacock irises, elephant ear, fox-tail ferns, cockscomb, frog fruit, and anything else they
can find with an animal name.
The Western Trails Garden Club meets in the Austin Area Garden Center Main Auditorium on
the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 pm, from September to May.
Submitted by Judy Kirksey, Western Trails Garden Club
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THE TEXAS BAMBOO SOCIETY
a chapter of the American Bamboo Society
Submitted by Carole Meckes, President of the Texas Bamboo Society
The Texas chapter of the American Bamboo Society was organized in 1992 by Herb Hillery
and joined the Austin Area Garden Council (AAGC) the same year. There are many benefits
for garden clubs to become members of the AAGC, such as having a place for monthly
meetings and also for having a location to hold our Annual Texas Bamboo Festival - which is
held now held in the month of September.
The objectives of the American Bamboo Society are to:
• Provide information of the identification, propagation, use,
culture and appreciation of bamboos.
• Promote the utilization of a group of desirable species for
distribution to public gardens and to the general public.
• Provide plant material for research in the taxonomy,
propagation, and culture of bamboo species.
• Support bamboo research in the field.
President Caroles Meckes also serves as a Director-at-large on
the American Bamboo Society board.
The Texas Bamboo Society is very active with:
• Grooming the bamboo groves at the Taniguchi Japanese Garden
• Holding fund-raising plant sales at ZBG
• and manning information booths at seasonal Home and Garden Shows.
Groomimg the Grove
Fall Plant Sale at ZBG
Austin Home and Garden Show
The Texas Bamboo Society is a membership group.
However, we encourage volunteers and non members to join
us every 3rd Saturday of the month, at Zilker Botanical
Gardens from 9:30 am to noon - in the Taniguchi Japanese
Bamboo Garden/Grove to learn more about our group and
what we do.
It is the opportunity for people to get involved with the
cleaning of the grove at Zilker to help rejuvenate, learn about
bamboo species, and responsible propagation.
Join Us!
For More Information:
For updated events listings:
Like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Texasbamboosociety.
We also use Meetup to post our events: http://www.meetup.com/texasbamboosociety/.
Also check:
Texas Bamboo Society: http://www.texasbamboosociety.org.
Bamboo Central: http://www.bamboocentral.net.
Submitted by Carole Meckes, President of the Texas Bamboo Society
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TIME TO PRUNE
by Rachel Matthews, Heart of the Hills Garden Club
Well, it seems hard to believe that winter is near and our summer
temperatures have finally cooled down. So now is the time for many of
us to think about pruning.
One prunes one's trees and shrubs when there will be the least stress
on the plant material. That means during what passes for "winter" here
in Central Texas, the plants are sleepier then, less sap flowing and less
growth happening.
Plan Ahead
I like to plan ahead when I can. You should try to take pictures of your trees and shrubs in
the summer, when they are at their fullest. It can be much easier to actually see what you
garden looked like in summer rather than trying to remember. You will see features that you
cannot see during the winter. Compare your photos to the bare branches in front of you in
January and see if it isn't handy to have that reference!
• Do you have fruit trees? See how they've grown since last year.
• Are there branches that are shading other beds? Consider pruning
them this winter.
• How about those hackberry trees? Do you want to encourage them?
Or are they currently shading something you'd rather have in sun?
Shadows
Shadows are longer this time of year. That's the optimal time to really explore the shadow
play in your yard, but it isn't too late. I am always amazed that a two foot shrub can cast a
4-foot shadow! Go out in the early morning and the late evening and see how the shadows
stretch. Take a few photos.
Reasons to Prune
Think about why you will be pruning the plant material.
• Do you want to develop a certain shape or form?
• Do you want to encourage it toward or away from a certain area?
• Are you hoping to control height? Add shade?
Whatever you reasons to prune, now is the time to consider getting
started. Next spring and summer you will see the results of the time
you spent pruning now.
by Rachel Matthews, Heart of the Hills Garden Club
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CLUB NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLUE SANTA VISITS THE AUSTIN POND SOCIETY
Blue Santa with the Austin Pond Society (Hint: Santa is behind the lady with the light green jacket.)
The Austin Police Department's Blue Santa visited the Austin Pond Society's November
general meeting and holiday party. Pond Society members had brought gifts for
underprivileged kids that Blue Santa will distribute this holiday season. Founded in 1972, this
year Operation Blue Santa will serve over 5,000 families.
For more information on how you can help Operation Blue Santa, you can call 512-974-Blue
(512-974-3583), or visit their web site at http://www.bluesanta.org. They can always use
donations and need volunteers to help deliver the presents.
Merry Christmas from Blue Santa!
WINTER PLANT SHOWS AND SALES
December 2014
Austin Herb Society Holiday Bazaar
Tuesday, December 2, 9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Austin Area Garden Center Auditorium
Spice Up Your Holidays at the Austin Herb Society Holiday Bazaar
Shop for sweet and savory breads, fragrant spice blends and extracts, herbal soaps,
jewelry, and other handcrafted goods at the Austin Herb Society's annual Holiday
Bazaar. AHS members and sponsors will offer products ranging from hand-thrown
pottery to herbal teas and aromatherapy and skincare products.
Also featured will be original artwork, herbal scrubs and mists, glass plate flowers and
vintage fabric aprons, honey, jams and relishes. Gifts for everyone on your list will
include baskets, home-sewn items, tea accessories, holiday greeting cards, Rosemary
cookbooks, herb-themed tote bags and pottery plant markers crafted by members.
Shoppers are invited to enjoy herbal refreshments while listening to yuletide tunes and
maybe even receiving a relaxing chair massage! For more information, contact Kate
Alsobrook, (512) 451-8360, or visit www.austinherbsociety.org.
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The Porcelain Arts Club of Austin
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Austin Area Garden Center Auditorium
TRAVIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS WINTER PRESENTATIONS
The Travis County Master Gardeners, in association with the Texas A&M
AgriLife Extension, holds many events throughout the year. You can visit
their web site at: http:/www.tcmastergardeners.org for more information
on their upcoming workshops and presentations.
Saturday, January 10, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon
"Home Fruit Production"
Zilker Botanical Garden
Presented by Joe Posern, President of Travis County Master Gardeners Association
Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
"Roses"
Zilker Botanical Garden
Cher Groody will talk about roses.
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ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Zilker Botanical Garden
Admissions:
Adult Austin Resident
Adult Austin Non-Resident
$2
$3
Children (3-12)
Seniors (age 62+)
$1
$1
December 2014
November 22 - January 3,2015
Holiday Tree Display in Greene Room
Tuesday December 2, 9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Austin Herb Society Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, December 6, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Porcelain Arts Club of Austin Exhibit and Sale
Sunday, December 7, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Afternoon in the Garden
Early Close at 3:00 pm for Trail of Lights
Sunday, December 21, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Afternoon in the Garden
December 24-25
ZBG closed for Christmas Holiday
January 2015
January 1
ZBG closed for New Year Holiday
Saturday, January 10, 10:00 am - Noon
Travis County Master Gardeners "Home Fruit Production"
February 2015
Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am - Noon
Travis County Master Gardeners "Roses"
March 2015
Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29
Zilker Garden Festival
Events scheduled at the Zilker Botanical Garden-Austin Area Garden Center are always
posted, and kept updated, on the Calendar of Events page on the web site.
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THE CHRYSALIS GIFT SHOP AT ZILKER BOTANICAL GARDEN
Where can a visitor purchase post cards, cookbooks, jewelry,
puzzles, Gatorade, framed prints, and unique gifts?
Drive to Zilker Botanical Garden and shop at The Chrysalis Gift Shop, where your shopping
experience will be satisfied with such great gifts as Remarkable Plants of Texas, The Garden
Guide, Food by Design from the Violet Crown Garden Club, New Braunfels Garden Club
Cookbook, books about trees, butterflies, snakes, or dragonflies.
Then there are cool towels, shopping bags that can be stuffed
inside themselves to form a ball that can be attached to a purse,
tee shirts, very special Austin gifts for the person who has
everything, beautiful jewelry, night lights of nature, boxes that
look like flowers.
Bring your birthday child along and let him shop for himself in the
children's section for wooden snakes, dinosaurs, puzzles, books,
cardinals that sing their song, or perhaps he will purchase a
framed nature print for his room. It is all there and some of the
items are fashioned here in Austin by Austin artists
The Chrysalis Gift Shop
THE WALK OF FRIENDS
DONATE A BRICK TODAY!
Order forms are available at the Garden Center or
downloaded from http://www.zilkergarden.org.
Click on Support and then Walk of Friends.
It's easy! Select the size of brick you would like, choose
your message and return the form with your payment.
Contact Sandra Holt at 512-345-3164 for more
information, or visit:
http://www.zilkergarden.org/support/friends.html.
The Walk of Friends
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AUSTIN NOTES
KLRU'S "CENTRAL TEXAS GARDENER"
KLRU's "Central Texas Gardener"
Sign up for Austin Notes, the
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Read More...
This weekly gardening show is a
rich source of information for all
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and
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gardeners.
Check out their weekly show
schedule for topics and air times,
the "To Do List" for monthly
gardening
tasks,
and
much
more...
Read reviews from visitors to Zilker Botanical Garden on Yelp.com.
4½ stars out of 5 makes our garden sing!
"Down the Garden Path" is a publication of the Austin Area Garden Council, Zilker Botanical Garden.
Contact us at [email protected] with comments or suggestions.
©2014 Austin Area Garden Council, Zilker Botanical Garden
www.ZilkerGarden.org
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