ASHLAND — The Freer Home tables at Freer Field are set up for the “Royal Ladies’ Tea” May 10.
Art of Gardening members who got a sneak peek at the setup May 7 were Kathy Bargar, Cheri Britton, Skip Cather, Rosemary Caster, Claudia Dunn, Pat Edwards, Sue Kelley, Faith McKinley, Cathy Siwek, Peggy Stover and Kathy Varner.
From there the next stop was Secrest Arboretum, Wooster. A tour was arranged by Varner.
Master Gardeners Vella King and Jack Franz led members on a walk of the grounds, King pointing out her favorite trees, Adirondack Crabapple and Paperback Maple — “I love the bark!” – and Franz revealing his favorite plant, the Carolina Sweet Shrub.
In addition to research projects and Proven Winners, Secrest saves older plants (Heritage).
Lots of different gardens are on display including a health and wellness garden. Gardens where people come and sit are plentiful.
Members viewed the One-Thousandth Renewal Tree, a tupelo tree, planted Sept. 16, 2011.
The tree was planted since a 2010 tornado one year prior when at least 1,500 trees were knocked down.
“Ohio was a timber state populated with trees all the way to Lake Erie and squirrels would travel there without ever touching ground,” was a fun fact related by King.
Kelley received a thank you from the Ashland County Fair for upkeep of flower boxes #19 and #21 which the club maintained.
Members will continue with the two flower boxes which are in front of the fairgrounds. June 15 is the target date to have boxes planted with plants, flowers and shrubs.
A program on “Herbs” will be featured June 4 with guest speaker Sue Heddy at 10 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church.