The West Chicago Garden Club

Have you noticed every plant store is carrying succulent gardens?

We will supply everything (plants, stones, shells, wood chips and soil) except your planter/container and any special items like fairies or little statues.

Since we need to make sure we have enough plants, stones, shells, rocks, dirt etc….we ask that everyone RSVP…so far we have 28 members that signed up.  If you are attending and did not RSVP yet, please email Barb Melville or call 630-293-4776 and leave a message.

Please bring your own lawn chair (if you have one).  If the weather does not permit us to be outside we will have this meeting at our usual location Faith Community Church, 910 Main Street.

Example of a Succulent planter

Our own garden club member, Marcie, has graciously agreed to facilitate this class.  Marcie has years of experience working with plants and gardens and has been conducting classes and training in this field.

Marcie’s Tips For A Succulent Garden:

• The container should be at least 2″ deep
• The container should be large enough for 3 small plants, stones, shells, or other decorative items
• If the container is to be outside it should have adequate drainage holes
• MAKE IT YOUR OWN! you can find miniature statues, angels, fairies in just about all plant stores

The West Chicago High School Orchestra will provide our club with a group of string musicians for our enjoyment

Tags: Kruse Garden, Succulents

The Latest and Greatest: The Lure of New Plant Varieties

Meeting Location: Faith Community Church, 910 Main Street, West Chicago

Meeting Time: 6:45PM Refreshments,  7:00PM Business Meeting,  7:15PM Program

Speaker: Jim Nau, Ball Horticultural Company

Every year the world’s breeders introduce a wide range of new plant introductions and this year is no exception. This presentation will cover a number of the latest including; annuals, perennials, vegetables, plus a few surprises. Information will include heights and sun/shade tolerance.

This program will be presented by Jim Nau, Corporate Archivist and Cultural Advisor for Ball Horticultural Company.

For 34 years, Jim Nau managed the greenhouses and gardens of the Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois. He is celebrating his 36th year during 2018. His current role is Curator of the Ball Horticultural Archives and Cultural Advisor to the Ball Horticultural Company.

Jim graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in horticulture and business. He is a Past President and judge for All America Selections as well the Past President of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers (ASCFG). Jim is the recipient of the Perennial Plant Association’s Garden Media Award winner and has been a keynote speaker for Cultivate as well as several other Greenhouse Conferences. In addition, Jim received the Medallion of Honor award from All America Selections for Outstanding Achievement in Horticulture.

Growing and gardening are a passion with Jim. Cooking is also a passion. Besides his own cooking, he is a chili judge in the western suburbs of Chicago, tasting 16-20 chili’s at a time and evaluating cooks all over the Midwest.

Tags: Ball Seed, Jim Nau