Shady Oaks Garden Club

Did you know that buttonbush is a great alternative to butterfly bush? This native variety not only provides habitat but also proper sustenance to our beloved pollinators. What makes this variety particularly special is that it is blooming white most of the season until autumn when it turns a blazing sunset red!

Cephalanthus occidentalis Crimson Comets - Button Bush Hundreds of tiny, tubular creamy white flowers are packed into large showy flower heads, which dangle from the bush in August. Butterflies and other insects find the nectar irresistible. The fragrant flower heads mature into round fruits each containing hundreds of nutlike seeds that are eaten by wa...

Did you know that some species of mantids are invasive? They are a contributor to the endangerment of native mantids as well as the dwindling monarch numbers. More information can be found here:

The Invasive Mantis Species | Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art The praying mantis is a master of deception with a seemingly benign appearance. Despite its tranquil praying pose, this elusive creature is actually quite the predator of the insect world. Most people are able to identify a praying mantis, but many are unaware there are both native and invasive spec...

Club member, Rod hard at work opening a massive box of donated gladiolus for our Flowers Of Hope program. In this program, we partner with the Salvation Army, Fresh Market and Kroger. We take donated flowers that have expired and we recycle them into arrangements for the cafeteria and dorms. Other arrangements get delivered out into our community. You may have seen these arrangements at places like the Johnson City Public Library!

A big thanks to Amber Brophy for a great article on our recent flower show titled "Viewpoints"! We all had a wonderful time with everyone that showed up. We look forward to seeing you all again at the next one!

'Viewpoints' flower show another success for Shady Oaks Garden Club The Shady Oaks Garden Club’s biannual flower show was a success this year with community members and garden lovers from throughout the region stopping by to admire the many floral

Our friends at HERBalachia are presenting an herb festival!

Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival- a full day of herbal vendors and herbal classes~ all FREE to the public!!

THANK YOU. To these fantastic sponsors for supporting the community of Erwin, TN and helping to keep our herbal traditions alive and well.

We hope to see you there!
More info at HERBalachia website.

Early birds! Hear Shady Oaks Garden Club member Rhoda Bliese on WCQR's Good to Go radio show. Host Christian Studer interviews Rhoda about our upcoming flower show. It will air on two dates: July 30th at 6 a.m. and August 8th at 7 a.m. https://wcqr.org/listen-live/

What is your favorite carnivorous plant?

I took one more visit to the bogs yesterday, and probably the last one of the year. With a sprinkle of dew drops, I couldn’t help but admire the way they were shimmering in the golden light that was gently showering down upon them. While photographing this scene an old saying came to mind “And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~ John Muir.

The three most common questions I’ve received on this photo are:
1. What kind of plants are these? ANS: Sarracenia leucophylla, or carnivorous white topped pitcher plants - they eat insects.
2. Where was it taken? ANS: S. Alabama (I never provide exact locations in order to protect the delicate bog ecosystems from poachers.)
3. Do I sell prints? ANS: Yes, I just made it available for pre-order on our website here: www.waldorffphotography.com/collector-s-editions.
Thanks again everyone!

There are pick-up sites in both Washington and Carter County.

Tennessee Tree Day 2021 To reserve trees for Tree Day 2023, follow these steps: 1. Scroll down and use the map below to find the Pick-Up Site/colored marker most convenient to you. 2. Click that marker to see the Pick-Up...

Shady Oaks Garden Club holiday potluck. Wonderful food with delightful people

Black Swallowtail caterpillars showed themselves in the local garden of club member, Heather.

What a wonderful day of touring local gardens! We'd like to thank everyone that came out and a special thank you to those that opened their gardens for this tour. Below is a photo of some very sweet visitors enjoying a persimmon tree!

Only 3 days to go!! Join us for a self guided tour of six private gardens on Saturday, Sept. 17th from 10am to 2pm! Tickets are $10 each and are available ahead of time at Fischman Gallery at 133 Commerce St in Johnson City or from club members. There will also be a plant sale!
https://www.facebook.com/events/780666426309709/?active_tab=discussion

Join us for a self guided tour of six private gardens on Saturday, Sept. 17th from 10am to 2pm! Tickets are $10 each and are available ahead of time at Fischman Gallery at 133 Commerce St in Johnson City or from club members. There will also be a plant sale!
https://www.facebook.com/events/780666426309709/?active_tab=discussion

Shady Oaks Garden Club updated their website address.

This is a great time of year for canning and fermenting fresh vegetables and fruits from our local farmers markets!

Farmers markets stimulate local economies! In 2020, farmers markets and on-farm stores accounted for $1.7 billion in direct to consumer sales.