Kingwood Garden Club continues to blossom

With flowers flourishing, the Kingwood Garden Club is digging in for a productive growing season hosting horticultural events for local residents.

"Our events are excellent opportunities for the community to gain insights into what plants grow well in our area as well as inspirational ideas for using flowers and plant materials in arrangements for their homes," said Sandy Sexton, president of the Kingwood Garden Club.

On March 31, the club will present a Standard Flower Show at the Kingwood Library 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with horticultural and floral arrangements created by members presented for judging and open to viewing.

On April 16, the club will be hosting their community wide Share-A-Plant event in the Kingwood United Methodist Church parking lot located at 1799 Woodland Hills Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon. Members of the club will be on hand to share their knowledge with the community.

Any kind of plants are acceptable for trade during Share-A-Plant, including annuals, perennials, cuttings, houseplants, shrubs and trees, Sexton said.

"Share-A-Plant gives us a chance to share our experience with gardening enthusiasts and it has become a very popular for the club and the community," she said.

Since 1973, the 109 member club has performed community service projects, offered scholarships and won awards all while working to improve the aesthetic appeal of the "Livable Forest."

Rhu Henderson of Kingwood was the recipient of one of the club scholarships.

"I am very grateful to have received the Kingwood Garden Club Scholarship, which encouraged me to pursue a degree in forestry that has led to a career in utility vegetation management," said Henderson. "I think the Kingwood Garden is a good organization, and I appreciate what they have done for me."

The club nurtures the enthusiasm of flower lovers. Jeanne Street began attending meetings 25 years ago after being enamored by a floral design at a club luncheon.

"She had made a striking arrangement using Sansevieria leaves and lemons and I was hooked," Street said. "and I am still amazed at all the creativity."

Street also enjoys the continuity of a garden.

"Sometimes it's the comfort of looking forward to the yearly events. Will the first flower of the peacock ginger be on my husband's birthday or will our anniversary be marked by fireflies again?" she said.

Master Gardner Biruta Claunch of Kingwood also is active in the club.

"For me, gardening is a total immersion therapy. I love being outdoors and involved in the evolution of growing things," Claunch said.

Considered an environmentalist, Claunch said she has not used a pesticide in years and explains that not all insects have negative effects in a garden.

"For instance, flies and wasps are pollinators and they help flowers to bloom. Right now, I have a vine in my yard that is just buzzing with flying creatures and that is a good thing for a healthy ecosystem."

Gardening is an art that can never truly be mastered, Claunch said.

"You might compare raising plants to raising children. They both need a good foundation, good food, good nurturing and luck," she said.

Other Kingwood Garden Club events this season include the Gardenscapes 2012 Home and Garden Tour on April 20-22 and the May Luncheon at the Kingwood Country Club on May 3.

For details, visit www.kingwoodgardenclub.org