At Chipley Garden Club’s March 5th meeting at the First Presbyterian Church in Chipley, Danny Bost, President of the Panhandle Beekeepers Association, presented a very interesting program on bees – the way they act, hive hierarchy, how important bees are to our world, and a bit on keeping hives. Who knew bees could be so mean!
Following the program, President Gweneth Collins began the business portion of the meeting by welcoming several new members. She reported club members had planted 13,643 trees during 2024 and the goal for other District II clubs is “to beat Chipley” at planting trees as the club had received the Tree Planting Award for three years in a row. She also reminded members to observe No-Mow March to save the native bees and birds.
Veterans Affairs Co-Chairs Stacy & Mike Hansen reported that our Blue Star Marker has been relocated in front of Chipley City Hall and a new flower bed has been planted. The marker had been located in front of FDOT. They also reported they will be decorating the Blue Star Markers in Chipley, Cottondale and Bonifay for Vietnam Veterans Day in March.
Gardening around downtown reports included Linda Pigott reporting the Downtown Pots are ready for Spring, Cheryl McCall reporting daffodils are up and blooming in the Sundial Garden, and Tina Langworthy reporting the Chipley Monument Garden would soon be ready for Spring. Butterfly Chair Glenda Wilson also reported Spring cleaning has been started at the Falling Waters Butterfly Garden, however the garden is still “sleeping”.
As Wildflower Chair Glenda Wilson presented Carolina Jessamine aka Gelsemium sempervirens as the monthly wildflower. The winding evergreen is the bright yellow vine in bloom now. Humingbirds and bees love it, however some parts are poisonous. It’s best to keep your animals and children away from it.
Youth Chair Linda Pigott reported the Washington Co. 4-H Youth Fair entries from Kate Smith Elementary School were beautiful this year. Club members assisted students with creating live and dried floral designs, planting succulent dish gardens, and judged entries for the fair. Potted plants were also provided for second and third graders at the beginning of the school year.
The next meeting of Chipley Garden Club will be on Wednesday, April 2nd at 10:30AM in the East Classroom of the Washington County Ag Center. If you would like further information on club activities, please contact President Gweneth Collins at 850-260-4049. Keep gardening!
