Wildflowers
CLARKIA – Clarkia pulchella
Clarkia is a self-seeding annual herb, a member of the evening primrose family Onagraceae. It was named for William Clark by botanist Frederick Pursh. It is also called Elk Horn, Ragged Robin, Deer Horn or Pink Fairies. It is sometimes confused with fireweed since it has similar coloring.
Clarkia is found in dry sites and disturbed sites, often with sagebrush at lower elevations. It is one of two native species of Clarkia found in the western United States and as far east as western Montana.
The leaves are narrow, alternate and linear. The flower is usually pink but white ones are also found. The petals have 3 deep lobes and resemble antlers – thus the name deer horn or elk horn. The plants grow 6 – 12 inches high and flower for 6 weeks in the summer.
The plant was observed/collected near the Clearwater River in Idaho, near present day Kamiah on June 1, 1806. No seeds were collected as they were not ripe at the time of the discovery.
Pollinators Welcome
Butterflies & Pollinator Gardening
Butterflies and native bees are fascinating insects. It seems like there are more of them around than there used to be. Gardeners are finally taking notice of the fact that organic gardening (no spray allowed) and planting natives are helping to bring back these insects.
Take the time to learn about Monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico to hibernate for the winter. Did you know it take 4 generations of Monarchs to make the full migration? The last generation lives long enough to migrate, hibernate and breed before they die. There is a problem with planting milkweed that is from a warmer climate. Gardeners love to “push the zone” but butterflies are stopping too early in their migration because they think they’re further south. When winter hits, they die.
Bumblebees are also interesting. The large, solitary bumblebee you see in spring is a queen looking for pollen. She will find a hole in the ground to lay her eggs. When they hatch she will have created a new colony.
Plant-a-Tree
Reforest Montana
Glenna Waltee, Chairman
This is a program for planting trees to restore forest ecosystems and to work cooperatively in the conservation, protection, and development of the natural resources on National Forest System lands. National Garden Clubs partners with the Forest Service by providing funds to plant trees in areas where natural or human-caused catastrophes have created the need for reforestation.
Reforest Montana is MFGC’s version of the Plant-a-Tree. The funds donated to this program are sent directly to the Montana Park System. This program helps provide trees for Montana in areas that have burned or otherwise need to be reforested.
If you have any questions, please contact me via e-mail at Glenna Waltee be sure to put the program you are interested in in the subject line.
National Garden Week:
Use this week to encourage pride in communities and cooperation among groups interested in educating the general public on the importance of general gardening information. The more involved in the community that your garden club can be, the more awareness we can generate for Montana Federation of Garden Clubs and everything we do! Whatever you do, publicize the event(s) and maximize visibility of the Montana Federation, and the benefits of being a member. Your local news outlets love sharing these good deeds with your community!
Look at the NGC site https://gardenclub.org/blog/celebrate-national-garden-week to read ideas of what other clubs have done. The site also has a poster and proclamation you can use for advertising.
History of National Garden Week
National Garden Week was first celebrated nationally in 1923. The idea of a national garden week was thought of by many in earlier years, but in every earlier case the idea was promoted by companies who hoped the event would increase sales. Nevertheless, wisdom and altruism prevailed when Alma Margaret Higgins, who had no commercial motive, with the four most influential leaders of Woman’s Clubs and Garden Clubs in Butte, Montana, boldly persuaded President Warren Harding to sign the proclamation dedicating the first full week in June to be National Garden Week.
Higgins was a Deer Lodge, Montana native. She moved to Butte in late October of 1920. At this time Butte still had a reputation of not being able to grow a single blade of grass as a result of extensive soil, water, and air pollution from mineral processing and smelting in Butte. Higgins sought to reverse that perception.
One of her ideas was to have a Garden Week in Butte to promote city beautification. That effort took off in 1922 with Alma organizing a large array of window displays in the business district that showed examples of fine gardens in Butte. Those gardens had been cultivated a few years after the deadly mineral processing had been moved to Anaconda in 1893.
Higgins further promoted her Garden Week with newspaper articles and radio addresses. Alma Higgins was credited with beginning National Garden Week as a result of her efforts to beautify Butte in the 1920’s. National Garden Week was a major event in Butte from the 1920’s though the early ‘60’s.
Higgins would eventually be recognized as Montana’s premier pioneer gardener. She was responsible for giving Montana its State Tree, the Ponderosa Pine, planting the White House living Christmas tree, promoting forest conservation at a time when conservation was largely considered a frivolous idea, and she was partly responsible for establishing the School of Forestry at the University of Montana. Also, she established and maintained many exceptional gardens in and near Butte.
GOLD STAR/BLUE STAR
Memorial Marker Program
Kathy Austin, Chairman
(406) 788-8741
Gold Star Families is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization created to provide support to those who have lost a loved one in service to our country through the United States Armed Forces. All family members representing all conflicts, all branches of service and all circumstances of death are supported. Family members are referred to as Gold Star families of the fallen and/or survivors. Family members, in conjunction with National Garden Clubs, Inc., may purchase and install a Gold Star Memorial Marker for their lost service member.