BVGC holds February meeting

“A Garden for All Seasons” was the theme for the Bayou Vista Garden Club February meeting. Glenda and Norman Balliviero, Louisiana State Horticulture Society and the Louisiana Society for Horticulture Research board members, presented a slide show of the Balliviero gardens throughout the year and provided information on plant culture.
They are also members of the Lafayette Garden Club. A variety of seeds from their Lafayette gardens were given to club members.
Kim Alcina, Environmental Awareness chairman, repurposed a candelabrum for the “upcycling” display. The electrical sockets were removed and the candelabrum was painted bronze. Flower pots planted with begonia were inserted into each light socket.
Horticulture Chairman Jean Chauvin displayed a dwarf palmetto (Sabal Minor) native to Louisiana for the horticulture exhibit. This common, fan-shaped palm is a small shrub, 5- to 10-foot tall. White blooms are followed by black fruit about ½-inch wide in long clusters. The economic values for the plant are roof thatching, source of fibers, and a producer of honey. A variety of bird species feed on their berries, as well as mammals such as opossums and raccoons.
The feral hog problem in Louisiana was the focus of Wildlife Conservation Chairman Annita Blanco’s presentation. She said that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries is concerned about the increasing number of feral hogs, which destroy levees and crops, damage habitat for other game animals, and are plagued by a multitude of diseases that can affect humans, commercial swine operations, or wildlife.
Hostesses for February were Donna Richard and Janice Verret. The floral design, “Mardi Gras Fun,” was created by Richard. The vase was filled with beads and contained chrysanthemums, yellow roses, golden rod, and ginger leaves.
Door prize winner was Suzan Fangue.
The next club meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. March 14 at the Bayou Vista Community Center. New members are welcome to attend.