Art of Gardening member get a lesson in hanging baskets

Julie Freebern of Willo’dell Nursery displayed her expertise to Art of Gardening members May 1 on the topic of hanging baskets.

Introducing a birdhouse hanging basket, her talk about hanging baskets was second nature to her as members gathered outside of the greenhouse.

“Start by using a good soil,” the plant enthusiast said.

Geraniums and verbena with trailing greens (trailers) are a good combination. Succulents are neat ideas. “The next important thing is fertilizer,” Freebern said.

In addition to geraniums, sweet potato vines, which Freebern said need frequent watering, sweet alyssum, fuchsia and petunias are popular. Willo’dell has tuberous begonia baskets available. Members were given the opportunity to create their own hanging baskets.

“Less plants mean watering less, which, of course, involves less maintenance," Freebern said.

At the business meeting members discussed Yard of the Month, fair flower show judging and the Brethren Care project in October.

Sally Ahlers passed around judging criteria for the Yard of the Monty project, and the map portraying the areas judged based on City of Ashland spring cleanup.

Volunteering to assist judges Sept. 14 in fair flower show judging before the county fair opening Sept. 15 and to place ribbons on winning entries are Cathy Siwek, Patty Stauffer, Cheri Britton and Rosemary Caster.

Ruth Ann Linder appreciated the donations she received for the Brethren Care community project in October. She now has enough cans. Members congregate at Brethren Care to assist residents in the completion of a craft.

The club maintains two fair flower boxes at the fairgrounds. Box 19 volunteers were named - Patty Stauffer, Cheri Britton, Kathy Varner and Kim Tanner. Maintaining Box 21 for 2024 are Ruth Ann Linder, Pat Edwards and Cathy Siwek.

The June 5 meeting will feature a Rain Barrel program by Ashland Soil and Water Conservation.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland Art of Gardening member get a lesson in hanging baskets