Garden club members learn about backyard habitats

Louisiana Master Gardener Versa Dore was guest speaker at the Bayou Vista Garden Club February meeting.
She presented a PowerPoint program on backyard habitats which included selecting appropriate plants and feeders to attract birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Dore’s yard and gardens were the focus of the visual presentation.
Handouts on bees, butterfly gardens and essentials to attract pollinators were discussed and given to members. Dore’s resource for the handouts was the National Garden Club publication “Ecology Warriors.”
Dore is vice president and past president of the Azalea Garden Club in New Iberia and director of the Azalea Garden Club “Berry Patch” Junior Garden Club. Accompanying Dore was Ruth Delhomme, a fellow Azalea Garden Club member and Louisiana Garden Club Federation District 3 director.
BVGC Horticulture Chairman Jean Chauvin exhibited an Urn orchid (Bletilla Striata). This hardy Chinese ground orchid thrives best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade, according to Chauvin. The plant tubers produce flower spikes of small, pinkish-purple flowers with pleated, tapered foliage.
Donna Richard and Carol Schaub served as hostesses for the meeting. Richard created the floral design, titled “Love Grows,” using Kramer camellia, philodendron leaf, sago palm and trailing iris foliage.
Door prize winners were Annita Blanco and Gloria Roy. Stargazer lilies were donated by Dore as a door prize.
The next Bayou Vista Garden Club meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. March 13 at the Bayou Vista Community Center.