WGC Regular Meetings
Westham Garden Club general meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month, September through April at 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM unless otherwise scheduled. Social time begins at 9:30 AM with a business meeting and program following at 10:00 AM. Evening programs begin at 7:00 PM.
Meetings will be held at Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, 7000 Park Avenue, 23226. Parking is at the back of the church. Enter through the double doors on the left.
The WGC website www.WesthamGardenClub.com contains the complete up-to-date club calendar, general meeting program information, forms, membership list, history, gardening resources, constitution and by-laws and more. The website is updated regularly and should be checked for changes to the calendar. Members Only section is password protected.
There are hands-on workshops with fees. Pre-registration is required and anyone who has not pre-registered will not have materials available at the meeting.
NOTE: WGC board and general meetings are cancelled when Henrico schools are closed.
Richmond Council of Garden Clubs programs are held at the Church of the Epiphany, 8000 Hermitage Road, Richmond 23228. Hospitality: 10-10:30 AM. Meeting followed by the program: 10:30-12 noon. Attendance is free and open to all WGC members. Annual meeting/luncheon in May requires a prepaid reservation.
Piedmont District Fall & Spring Meetings are held at Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 9901 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond 23235. Any WGC member is invited to participate in the day-long meeting with a prepaid reservation that includes garden-related shopping opportunities, business meeting, lunch and a speaker.
PROGRAMS 2022-2023
September 15, 2022
9:30AM Hands-On Workshop Mechanics for Securing Flowers without Floral Foam
Speakers: Louisa Rucker and Kate Vernon
Pre-Register for self and guest by September 1 to Elizabeth Davis at wizbah2@gmail.com or
804.282.2119.
Back by popular demand, Louisa Rucker and Kate Vernon will lead us in exploring effective
mechanics for securing flowers and greens without using floral foam — think hand-tying bouquets
before dropping them into a vase, using greenery as a grid, and building from the inside out. Starting with a deluxe Trader Joe’s bouquet and a clear glass container (both provided) we will use
techniques learned. Depending on availability, alstroemeria also will be provided.
Please bring at least five stems of the same broad flat leafed conditioned greens to use as a collar for the arrangement. These stems should be at least 8 inches long below the leaves. Foliage of hellebores, hosta, aucuba, Solomon seal, hydrangea, azalea clusters, dusty miller, coleus and asparagus and sword fern would work, as would some annuals and tropicals of all sorts. (Kate suggests cutting annuals to see if they wilt immediately; if they do, they won’t plump back up, ever, so won’t be useful for this project.)
Materials needed: Conditioned foliage (see above) and clippers.
Workshop fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late August) or at the workshop.
7:00PM Hands-On Workshop Creating More with Less
Speaker: David Pippin
Pre-register for self and guest by September 1 to Terri Crawford tbc1955@gmail.com or
804.837.7043.
David will show several ways to create fun, interesting arrangements using the same
flowers and then let us create our own. Containers and flowers provided.
Materials needed: Clippers.
Workshop fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late August) or at the workshop.
October 13, 2022
9:30AM Hands-on Workshop – A Garden Bouquet
Pre-register for self and guest by October 3 to Elizabeth Davis at wizbah2@gmail.com or
804.282.2119.
Speaker: Kyra Tanner
Kyra (pronounced “Keer-Rah”) Tanner, owner of Pappy June’s Bouquets, is a Richmond-based
florist who specializes in floral needs for weddings and events, or any occasion.
She opened her floral design business in 2019 and named it after two of her
grandparents in honor of their deep-seated love of flowers and gardening. She is passionate
about local and sustainable approaches to floral arrangement and loves to experiment with new
methods of design. She has a knack for color and is a master at balancing interesting palates
with innovative textures.
Materials needed and arrival instructions: clippers and a 4 to 6-inch container. Kyra suggests a
cereal bowl. We will be taping this bowl before the meeting. Please arrive by 9:30/9:40 so
there is time to pick up flowers and tape your bowl before 10:00. Late arrivals might have to
take an unfinished arrangement home.
Workshop Fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late September) or at the
workshop.
7:00PM Hands-On Workshop – Angular Arrangement for a Mantle
Pre-register for self and guest by 3 October to Terri Crawford tbc1955@gmail.com or
804.837.7043.
Speaker: Alice Hunt
Alice, a long-time member of Westham Garden Club, will lead us in making an angular right-
sided arrangement. The arrangement will feature fall flowers and will be suitable for placing on
a sideboard, chest or fireplace mantel. The container and flowers will be provided. Alice has
taught floral design classes at various venues around Richmond and has represented the Club at
VMFA’s Fine Arts and Flowers.
Materials needed: clippers.
Workshop Fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late September) or at the
workshop.
November 10, 2022
9:30AM Floral Demonstration Using Hardware and DIY Store Items
Speaker: Kathy Ward
Kathy Ward, a member of Salisbury Garden Club and an Accredited Flower Show Judge, will
demonstrate several arrangements employing items from the hardware store, such as PVC
pipe, temporary blinds, dryer vent hose and gutter guard. We will learn a new way to look at
these and other items from a DIY store. The amazingly creative arrangements will be raffled at
the close of the meeting.
7:00PM Floral Demonstration with Gregory Britt
Gregory Britt returns upon popular demand and with the help of Betsy Daly. Last time, we
learned how to incorporate foraged plant material into enormous creations and anticipate
more of the same during this demonstration. Based in Keswick, Gregory Britt Design has
become a leading floral design entity on the East Coast. We are lucky to have him return. As
his website says he’s “the nice guy who creates epic floral artistry.” The website also contains
an allusion to the foraging of plant material: “We are fortunate to have an abundance of nature
all around us….just outside our door.”
December 4 and 8, 2022
Wreath Workshops
The December wreath-making workshops will be on Sunday afternoon, December 4 at 1:00PM
and on Thursday morning, December 8 at 10:00AM in Terri Crawford’s garage (7202 Pinetree
Rd.). There will be a $15.00 charge to cover supplies payable on CheddarUp (link forwarded in
late November) or at the workshop. Sign-up will be at the November meetings or by contacting
Elizabeth Davis (wizbah2@gmail.com) or Terri Crawford (tbc1955@gmail.com.)
Bring two or three buckets of conditioned greens (greens soaked in water overnight or longer)
and clippers. If you want a bow, please bring ribbon.
January 12, 2023
9:30AM Bald Eagle Population on the James River
Speaker: Capt. Mike Ostrander
Capt. Mike Ostrander will present a program on the return of the bald eagle population on the
James River, where 48 years ago, they were locally extinct or “extirpated.” Their comeback
began in 1979/80 when a single pair returned and had a successful breeding season. Today,
over 340 pair of resident bald eagles call the James River watershed home, making it the site of
the greatest comeback of the bald eagle in the entire North American continent.
7:00PM There is no evening program.
February 9, 2023
9:30AM Hands-on Workshop – Valentine Notecards Using Nature Prints
Speaker: Celeste Johnston
Botanical artist Celeste Johnston will lead us in a hands-on workshop in which we make
notecards using nature printing, a process that Benjamin Franklin used to print currency. It is
an easy way to make note cards, recipe cards, greeting and gift cards which can be embellished
with small dried flowers. Leaves, ferns, herbs and flowers and parts of plants can be used for
nature printing.
Celeste Johnston is a certified botanical illustrator and a founder of the Central Virginia
Botanical Artists, a circle of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Currently, she is an
instructor at VMFA and is exhibits chair of the Westmoreland Garden Club.
7:00PM Meals on Wheels Workshop
Judy Price will conduct a workshop during which Club members will make small arrangements
for Meals on Wheels trays. We haven’t been able to do this during Covid, so this program is a
welcome addition. This is a fun workshop that requires no special talent. The arrangements
are small and Judy provides any floral advice needed.
March 9, 2023
9:30AM Gardening Simplified
Speaker: Donna Bergen, James River Nurseries
“If you plant them, they will G R O W”
The what, where, when, and how for your home.
A discussion on some top shrubs and perennials that will perform well in our area
(climate, zone).
7:00PM Hands-on Workshop Welcome Spring
Speaker: Betsy Daly
Pre-register for self and guest by February 27 to Terri Crawford tbc1955@gmail.com or
804.837.7043.
Garnish your door with a fresh flower and greens decoration. Using a paddle as a base form,
attach flowers and greens to oasis to create a cheerful, welcoming arrangement for your door.
Flowers and paddle provided.
Materials needed: Conditioned greens and clippers.
Workshop fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late March) or at the workshop.
April 13, 2023
9:30AM Meals on Wheels Workshop
Judy Price will conduct a workshop during which Club members will make small arrangements
for Meals on Wheels trays. We haven’t been able to do this during Covid, so this program is a
welcome addition. This is a fun workshop that requires no special talent. The arrangements
are small and Judy provides any floral advice needed.
7:00PM Container Gardening with Greenhouse II
Speaker: Sarah Johnson
Pre-Register for self and guest by April 3 to Elizabeth Davis at wizbah2@gmail.com or
804.282.2119.
Sarah Johnson, a garden club member, will lead a hands-on workshop in which we will fill a 12
inch container suitable for indoors or outdoors with herbs and spring plants. Sarah has been
making container gardens for Greenhouse II clients, as well as private clients for 2 ½ years. She
will guide us in plant selection and placement.
Materials needed: Clippers and perhaps gloves.
Workshop fee: $15.00 payable on CheddarUp (link provided in late March) or at the workshop.