Haddonfield Garden Club continues to beautify the borough
Since 1906, the Haddonfield Garden Club has been beautifying the borough streets with flowering plants, trees and other natural installations.
This past year, the club entered multiple exhibits at the internationally recognized Philadelphia Flower Show, as they have been many times before.
The club is kicking off warmer temperatures, and one of the most optimal times of year for growing flowers, with their annual spring herb sale.
The herb sale is set for May 10, and will feature more than beautiful, edible, pre-potted and hearty summer herbs.
“We will have herbs, and we also have a Mother’s Day table … the Mother’s Day table has pre-arranged flowers, baked goods for sale … bows, ribbons,and plenty of wrapping materials,” Jeanette Leeds, Haddonfield Garden Club publicity chair, said.
The herbs and potted plants for sale are all being grown by expert garden club members, and will come with special instruction cards.
“Our members put cards about how to raise the plants …we try to make it as thorough as possible for anyone purchasing a plant,” Leeds said.
There will also be a few book selections and leaflets about growing herbs and potted summer plants on hand at the sale for viewing and purchase.
“There will also be pop-up tents in the case of rain or bad weather,” Leeds added.
The herb sale will take place in Kings Court on Kings Highway, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
On the way to the sale, be sure to take a closer look at the large urn basins that line Kings Highway.
“We plant all of the urns up Kings Highway … we coordinate so we have a matching color scheme,” Leeds said.
The club also coordinates with borough officials when planting hanging baskets, which add color and vibrancy to downtown.
“We keep them watered all spring and summer … that can be a real challenge,” Leeds said. “We try our best to keep them decorated year-round.”
The club will also be beautifying pocket gardens, including the small gardens at the Mabel Kay Senior Center, Markeim Center for the Arts, the Tatem Garden, and the inside and outside of the library, among other spots.
Before the end of the month, expect to see gardens in bloom, and also expect to hear an announcement regarding the club’s two scholarships. The two scholarships are $1,000 each, and will be awarded to Haddonfield Memorial High School students.
“It’s one of the better scholarships,” Leeds said.
Though the club provides all the money for the scholarships, from their herb sales and fundraisers throughout the year, members do not choose scholarship winners.
“There’s a special school committee … they look for someone going on to work with horticulture in college,” Leeds said.
Leeds and the other members encourage novice or experienced gardeners to get more involved with any of the spring and summer programs by attending the next two meetings.
The first meeting will take place on May 13 at noon, at the Markeim Arts Center. The meeting will encapsulate a program lead by Markeim executive director Liz Madden about the “Power of the Flower.”
The second meeting will take place on June 10 at 10 a.m. at Haddonfield Plays and Players, 957 E. Atlantic Ave.
Speakers will include Kathi Stokes and Mary Previte, and will focus on the transformation of Crows Woods from a formerly neglected space to a beautiful park.
“There will be a history of the community garden,” Leeds said.
For more information about the garden club, please visit www.njclubs.esiteasp.com/haddonfieldgardenclub/home.nxg.
