Program on Irises

 The Monroeville Garden Club had its monthly meeting , March 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church.  Laura York, Vice President, brought the meeting to order.

     New business consisted of Bev Colquett informing the members of a monetary donation from the Hornady Foundation to help with the upkeep of the Katherine Lee Rose Garden at the courthouse, with the objective to keep the weeds at bay.  Also, part of the donation will be used to install sod at the Monroe County Public Library.

     June Herring, representing the Friends of the LIbrary, asked that the Garden Club donate a floral arrangement to use April 22, 2026, for the Lucy Greer presentation for the library.

     Two new members were welcomed into the fold:  Grace Johnston and Claudia Swift.  We are so happy to have these new members.

     Following the business agenda, Charlotte Hamm, gave an inspiring program on irises.  Charlotte discussed the origin of the iris in our culture and presented a beautiful slide show of many different kinds of irises.  She discussed irises of yesterday and today and how the iris has blossomed into a gorgeous array of colors and styles -There was a discussion concerning how to plant and when, and members learned about rhizomes and their role in propagation.  Charlotte listed a few sources from which to order irises:  Rocky Top, Iris City, Schreiners, Sutton, Lauer’s Flowers, and Winterberry Gardens.

     After a lovely table of refreshments from Laura Bodiford and Scarlet Strom, which consisted of cheese straws, petit fours, fruit, chicken salad and pimento cheese sandwiches, crackers, and pepper jelly/cream cheese, and tea or water, all served on St. Patrick’s Day plates and napkins, we adjourned.  (Submitted by Sammye Long)

Hostesses - Scarlet Strom and Laura Bodiford

                              Program Presenter, Charlotte Hamm, Baldwin Co. Master Gardener

 

All About Irises

      The March meeting of the Monroeville Garden Club was held March 10, 2022, at 1:30 at the Monroeville Presbyterian Church.

      Elba Bonham was hostess for the meeting and was assisted by Holly Tennimon.  A delicious menu including Chicken Salad sandwiches, toasted pecans, Shamrock cookies and punch was provided.

     Charlotte Hamm, Master Gardener from Baldwin County presented the program, "Not Your Grandmother's Irises".  A slide show presentation highlighted many of the new hybrid varieties of iris in addition to old favorites.  Ms. Hamm noted that most varieties need to be divided every five years.  The stem supporting the old bloom should be broken off and discarded.  The remainder of the rhizome can be divided and planted for new blooms.  Ms. Hamm said that when planting, the top of the rhizome should be at the level of the top of the soil with the roots being tucked under the soil for best results.  Soil tests were recommended if the irises are not blooming as expected.  Ms. Hamm cautioned members about the Yellow Flag Iris as it is known to be highly invasive.  Following the presentation, Ms. Hamm was available for member's questions.

     Those in attendance included:  Dianne Bond, guest Scarlet Strom, Patsy Wadlington, Charlotte Lambert, Evelyn Bond, Jean Singleton, Sharon Brewton, Judi Burns, Pat Hendrix,  Elba Bonham, Holly Tennimon and Jeanne Sewell.