Week of June 22

Lots of blooms in the garden. The plants are strong and healthy in spite of the hot weather and lack of rain. Thanks to our wonderful garden crew for all of their help!

Week of June 15

Dana Prom Smith visited the garden on Thursday and talked about the McCormick Rose. We have two in the garden. While it isn't a showy rose, it does have an interesting history. All of us were impressed by Dana's themes of civilization, class, love, and tragedy. We all wanted one for our own garden. Read all of Dana's story below.

THE MCCORMICK ROSE

The Rev. Dana Prom Smith, S.T.D., Ph.D.

A touch of class, a hint of civilization, a love story, and a tragedy, these are the themes entwined in the tale of the McCormick Rose, a cutting of which graces the bottom of the steps into Old Main at the North Campus of NAU. The first McCormick Rose was brought as a cutting by Margaret Hunt McCormick, the bride of Richard McCormick, Arizona's Second Territorial Governor, to Prescott in November 1865. A French Boursaid (Rosa gallica), an ancient French hybrid, this pink rose was the first cultivated rose in Arizona.

The McCormick Rose at Old Main is the granddaughter of the grande dame original McCormick Rose. The rose at Old Main was a cutting of the McCormick Rose at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, which was in turn a cutting from the original rose planted by Margaret McCormick by front door of the Governor's Mansion in Prescott. The Class of 1934 planted the third generation cutting at Old Main. As one of the three campus roses of the Alumni Rose Collection, it is also a part of the Arboretum at NAU, which will be offering rooted great granddaughter cuttings or fourth generation McCormick Roses for sale through its on-line gift shop.

The McCormick Rose began its journey in Margaret McCormick's trousseau luggage as she and Richard made their way to Arizona. First, the cutting accompanied them by steamship from New York to Jamaica and thence to Aspinwall at the Isthmus of Panama. Next, the cutting went with them overland on mule back to the Pacific Coast where they and the cutting again boarded a steamship for Acapulco. Richard and Margaret spent a couple of days touring the deserted city (the French Army had chased the Mexicans out of their city). Finally, the cutting went with them to Los Angeles.

After a few days rest in Los Angeles, they and the cutting took a stagecoach to Yuma where they boarded a steamer for a trip up the Colorado River to Ehrenburg. Then as Margaret described the last leg of the journey, it was "two ambulances, six government wagons, and two private baggage wagons" crossing the Mohave Desert to Prescott. Needless to say, the McCormick Rose has demonstrated itself a hearty cultivar and flourishes today after years of benign neglect in Prescott, at Old Main, and at Cline Library.

Prescott had barely become Prescott at the time. Before that it was a single hastily built, ramshackle log cabin on the banks of Granite Creek, called Fort Misery by John Goodwin, the First Territorial Governor. The Governor's Mansion to which Richard McCormick brought his well-bred, well-educated, New Jersey bride was a long cabin with dirt floors and windows without glass. Happily, Margaret was the first First Lady and was given carte blanche on improvements, furnishings, and decorations. She had furniture made from pine logs.

The McCormick Rose was but a symbol of the civilization and class Margaret brought to Prescott. She transformed the rude log cabin into a frontier mansion where she made a home for Richard and herself, an office for him, and accommodations for guests. She threw levees, entertained guests, and bade visitors and strangers welcome. Margaret wrote of her "own dear home" to her friend Emma in New Jersey, "We danced in the house" and "served cold roast beef & veal, pies & cakes in variety, almonds, raisins, jellies, coffee, lemonade, & wine."

A considerable horsewoman, Margaret accompanied Richard on many of his trips throughout the Territory, becoming acquainted with many of the pioneers, impressing them with her grace. Well-loved, she touched the frontier settlement with her charm.

Prescott at the time was a jumping off place for what Richard McCormick called “terra incognita”, an unknown and unmapped land, a land fit for only "daring trappers and adventuresome gold seekers." The log cabin Governor's Mansion was a mansion only in comparison to the tents, shacks, lean-tos, and wagons making up the rest of the settlement.

In another letter to her friend Emma, she wrote that she "was never so happy in her life," and that Richard "acts much more the 'lover' now, than he did before we were married."

On her return from a trip with Richard to San Francisco, she gave birth to a stillborn child. Thought to have been recovering well, she suddenly lapsed into a violent sickness and died one day short of her 24th birthday. She was buried with her stillborn child in her arms in the forest near the mansion. Her grave was strewn with wildflowers.

The Prescott Arizona Miner in May 3, 1867 wrote that Margaret was "a greatly loved woman," whose death had "cast gloom over the community," adding that "no woman in the Territory was more happy."

So when is a rose a rose? When it has a story to tell.

Copyright © Dana Prom Smith 2005

Week of June 1

Rebecca Davis and Sue Meyn were back in the garden for the first time this year on Thursday. It was good to see them in the garden again. Rebecca weeded the beds along Switzer and helped Joe Harte set up the fountain. It's wonderful to hear the water again. Sue thinned bell flower and other ground covers in the Rose Perimeter and Judi Manoogian did the same near the gazebo. This is a never ending chore, but we are trying to get them under control this year. Ed Skiba planted tomatoes and some other veggies that Loni Shapiro and Vic Hudenko donated. Carol Chicci continued fertilizing roses. Vic and Carol Hudenko weeded Switzer corner. Later in the morning Vic and Sue helped Crys  Wells plant annuals in the hanging pots

The irises are blooming everywhere. I didn't realize that we had so many different colors of irises. This has been one of the best years for them; especially surprising since we found frosted buds earlier in the year. The Austrian Copper roses are blooming - they are usually the first ones to burst. We were happy to see them because the black spot was so bad last year that we weren't sure they would come back. Next week the garden should be even more lovely with all the nice rain we had on Friday.

Week of May 25

We all took a day off and enjoyed Memorial Day. Most of us were in the garden on Thursday working hard. Things are really starting to grow and we see changes every day. Ed Skiba planted two of our raised beds with CSA leftovers that Loni Shapiro donated. It was especially nice to see Loni in the garden again! Crys Wells bought annuals and Vic and Carol Hudenko helped her fill the pots in front of the house. Joe Harte brought his post hole digger and buried piping for the garden signs. Hopefully this will stabilize them better than in the past and we shouldn't have to dig new holes each year. Hope Gibbs brought new garden art for the Tea Garden and also helped to plant the sensory pots. These have been abandoned since Loni left and it's nice to get them going again. Carol Chicci started fertilizing roses and Judi Manoogian continued working on pruning and thinning in the rock garden and south of the gazebo. I started work on redesigning the drip irrigation in the Fairy Garden. Hope has transformed it so much that we decided to make a better watering plan.

Loni was so impressed with the Fairy Garden that she invited us to participate in the garden tour on July 25. I hope you can all participate and see what we've managed to do this year.

Week of May 18

We had beautiful spring weather all week and the garden is looking lovely! On Monday Carol Chicci started removing mulch from the roses. She will do only half now and then remove the rest once danger of freeze is past. Carol also thinned ground cover around the rose trellis with help from Becky Lewis and Katarina Karjala. Vic and Carol Hudenko worked on Switzer Corner and moved some transplants down there from elsewhere in the garden.

We had a big crew on Thursday. Judi Manoogian and Brenda Mitchell continued thinning ground cover and other plants growing where they shouldn't. This seems never ending, but the hard work is beginning to pay off. The remaining plants look so much better now that they aren't so crowded. Carol Chicci finished removing half of the mulch from the roses. Hope Gibbs continued her transformation of the Fairy Garden. She repainted some of our existing yard art and made new miniatures. It is so cute - you need to stop by and see it. Joe Harte set up birdbaths, benches and other hardscape. It's finally starting to look like a garden with all of our yard art in place. Ed Skiba planted the first vegetable bed ala square foot gardening. I am interested to see how it turns out. The plants are much closer than I am used to putting them. I worked on drip irrigation. There are always so many repairs after the winter. We should have everything working by next week. In the meantime, we will hope for more rain. Judi and Carol brought homemade goodies for our break time.

 The iris and clematis were especially beautiful this week. Unfortunately, we don't have pictures to post because Crys Wells was out of town. Hopefully we will have even more blooms next week.

The garden will be closed on Memorial Day May 25th. Back to normal schedule on Thursday.

Week of May 11

This week, the weather was beautiful on Monday, but rainy on Thursday. The good news is that we didn't suffer much damage from the freeze over the weekend. I usually judge spring by the gambel oaks, which had leafed out at my house. Unfortunately, it was too early for them there and they completely froze back. But they are hardy and should be fine in the long run. It must have been warmer at Olivia White because all the trees look fine.

On Monday, Carol Chicci and Brenda Mitchell weeded in the Rose Circle garden. Katarina Karjala fed and watered the irises and did some more weeding. Hope Gibbs worked in the fairy garden and Becky Lewis weeded cheat grass throughout the garden. On Thursday, we had a small and very wet crew. Carol and Vic Hudenko brought treats for us all and thinned ground cover in the North Inferno Strip. Ed Skiba worked on amending the vegetable beds and he should be planting there soon. Joe Harte trimmed some trees and finished setting up the rain barrels, which are now full. Crys Wells weeded in the House Back area while I weeded and thinned in the Half Circle Garden.

Crys took pictures of our Thursday crew.

Week of May 4

We had another good week in the Olivia White Hospice Garden. It was raining on Monday, but Carol and Vic Hudenko bravely showed up to help Becky Lewis with winter clean-up and weeding.

On Thursday, Carol Chicci finally finished pruning the roses and started on the grapes. Hope Gibbs starting bringing out the hardscape and the garden looks much livelier with all of our garden decorations in place. Joe Harte pruned shrubs and cleaned up the rain barrels. Ed Skiba brought in some lovely new garden soil and wonderful compost for the vegetable beds. We should get a good crop of veggies this year with all of those goodies for the soil. Judi Manoogian continued beautifying the rock garden area and Brenda Mitchell worked on ground cover. They are both trying to define plant space to give a more planned appearance to the garden. Many of our plants, while desirable, have taken over more than their allotted area. Crys Wells ordered the new standing vegetable bed and I starting working on the drip system.

Here are some blooms from the garden. The choke cherry is usually beautiful in the spring, but this year it seems especially showy. Two weeks ago, we thought we'd lost all of our lilac blooms because most of the buds seemed to have been killed in a frost, but this week they are back. Crys and I tried to identify the orange flower. An internet search suggests that it is helianthemum, also known as sunrose. it is supposed to be a summer bloomer, but it certainly looks good now!

Week of April 27

It's the last week of April and the garden is almost ready for spring. We've had a good crew working on raking, weeding, deadheading and thinning for the past three weeks and we can finally see the structure of the garden. In the next few weeks we will be replacing plants and filling the pots. The garden should really come alive!

Carol Chicci worked both days and finished the rose pruning. They look beautiful and we should get a good crop of blooms over the next months. On Monday, Katarina Karjala worked in the rose perimeter and Julie Holmes watered inside the house.  On Thursday, Ed Skiba showed up early to prep the vegetable beds. We should be planting there soon and will purchase a new standing bed to replace our old one, which is showing its age. Brenda Mitchell thinned and weeded along the rose trellis. I'm sure the roses will appreciate having more growing space around their roots. Judi Manoogian worked in the rock garden and it is looking totally transformed. Hope Gibbs took on the big task of thinning mint in the Fairy Garden and all the gardeners were able to take some home if they wanted. We now have room to replace some plants that were crowded out by all that mint. Hattie Braun stopped by to consult with Carol on the roses and give general advice. Crys Wells brought treats and I worked in the North Switzer bed, trying to fill in some tire tracks. I guess someone lost control coming down the hill last winter. No photos this week, but I'll post some next week. We should have lots of spring blooms to show.

Week of April 20

April 20 was our first Monday workday for the year and we had a good turnout. Julie Holmes, who kept the indoor plants watered all winter, was back. Katarina Karjala weeded and deadheaded the Moon Garden. Brenda Mitchell worked on the Rose Perimeter. Carol Chicci pruned roses. Carol Hudenko, Vic Hudenko, and Laura Davis worked on garden cleanup. With the garden just coming to life, it's a good time to review the status of plants and make plans for new plantings.

On Thursday, Hope Gibbs worked in the Fairy Garden. Hope has assumed responsibility for that garden in addition to the Tea Garden and it is definitely in need of some loving care. We will look forward to that transformation. Judi Manoogian wants to take on the Rock Garden and it definitely needs some taming and direction. Brenda Mitchell continued working on the Rose Perimeter. She is working her way around that bed, trying to keep the ground cover under control. Ed Skiba came to amend the soil in the vegetable beds. Carol Hudenko weeded and deadheaded in the inferno strip, and Carol Chicci continued working on rose pruning. Crys Wells and I were busy helping everyone else. Thanks to everyone for a productive first week in the garden. 

Here are some photos that Crys took yesterday. Looks like we may get some crabapples and quince this year. 

Opening Day in the Garden - April 16

We opened early this year because the plants are already growing and blooming with all the warm weather. We had a good group for opening day and three new, very enthusiastic gardeners showed up to help. Hope Gibbs, who is taking responsibility for the Tea Garden spent the cleaning that bed and is busy making plans to tame the herbs and replace missing plants. Judi Manoogian helped me clean the Switzer front beds. Brenda Mitchell worked on the rose perimeter, where she is trying to tame bellflower and lambs ear, which have both outgrown their allotted spaces. Carol Chicci, recently appointed Rose Maven, and Hattie Braun had a conference about rose trimming and Carol has been busy since working on the roses. Carol and Vic Hudenko are back and cleaning up Switzer Corner. Rumor has it that the corner construction will not be completed for at least two more years, and they will continue working beautifying that area. Crys Wells brought needed refreshments at break time and managed to help in spite of her knee problem.

Here are some pictures of the garden in early spring. We talked about the hellebore during our luncheon.

Orientation Luncheon for Garden Volunteers

You’re Invited

to a luncheon for

Current and interested volunteers of the 

Olivia White Hospice Home Gardens

Monday, April 13, 2015 11:30 to 1:30 

Northland Hospice Office 

452 N. Switzer Canyon Dr.

We will get to know each other a bit, make plans for the upcoming gardening year, provide mandatory Hospice Orientation and TB testing, and make sure you know how you can stay informed and involved.

Won’t you join us?

RSVP by Wednesday, April 8, 2015 

CrysWells@gmail.com 

928-380-2494 

Harvest Luncheon

Olivia White Hospice Gardeners,

You are invited to our annual fall pot-luck

11:30 am on Saturday, September 27

Please feel free to bring your spouse

We will provide pulled pork sandwiches, a German potato salad, lemonade, and iced tea

Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert –

Use something from your garden (or something from the Olivia White Garden) if you can...

Contact Crys Wells for more information

and to RSVP  CrysWells@gmail.com

Monsoon in OWHH Garden

The gardeners have been busy working in the garden and traveling with our families. The blog is not up to date, but the garden is beautiful with all the rain. Stop by and smell the flowers if you have time. Ed Skiba's vegetable gardening has been very productive and we've been able to contribute fresh produce for the patients. Marilyn Schwind, Julie Holmes and Hattie Braun have been caring for the indoor plants and watering potted plants when needed. They have also been keeping the bird feeders and bird baths full. Carol Chicci has been keeping the garden looking nice by deadheading and weeding. Katarina Karjala keeps the moon garden are rose perimeter area in good form. Crys Wells, Becky Lewis and I are there when we can and do whatever needs doing.

The 10% day at Warner's was a big success as usual. Thanks to Misti Warner and the Warner family for hosting this event as they do every year. This is a major source of support for the garden.

We lost a good friend this week. Dave Hill's therapy dog, Murphy, had to be euthanized due to cancer. We always enjoyed seeing Dave and Murphy take patients for a walk in the garden. We will have a small memorial service and place a brick for Murphy in late August.

Here are some photos from Marilyn Schwind and April Smith.

Week of June 16

The garden was beautiful this week! Many of the roses are in bloom and we have flowers everywhere. We couldn't do it without our helpers, so thank you for all the time you spend working there.

On Monday,  Julie Holmes weeded and watered and filled bird baths. Ed Skiba tended the vegetables. Vic and Carol Hudenko are making the corner look like a park. Doris Monson thinned bell flower, which is beautiful, but taking over parts of the garden. Carol Chicci thinned other ground covers to give surrounding plants more room. Carol also brought yummy homemade chocolate chip cookies. Becky Lewis did whatever was needed.

On Thursday, Marilyn Schwind put up the bird trellis and took some bird houses home for hubby to mend. Carol Hudenko continued beautifying the corner and Doris Monson watered the vegetables and back of house. Crys Wells also watered and filled bird baths. Becky Lewis brought some homemade goat cheese for all of our hard-working gardeners. I finally fixed (I hope) the drip problem on the vegetable beds.

We'll post some pictures of the garden next week. Or feel free to stop by and smell the roses anytime.

Week of June 9

On Monday, Carol and Vic Hudenko worked on Switzer Corner. I've never seen it looking so good and weed-free. Diane Williamson watered all the pots, filled birdbaths, watered the back of the house, deadheaded irises and treated them for aphids. Carol Chicci filled hummingbird feeders and deadheaded roses. Brenda deadheaded lavender. Ed Skiba tended his vegetables and finished planting the last CSA delivery. Doris M and Hattie Braun fertilized roses.

On Thursday, Ed Skiba was back to tend his vegetable patch and found some someone had been chewing on his broccoli. The good news is that some of the greens are ready to be picked. Marilyn Schwind filled bird feeders and watered plants in the sun room. Doris Monson helped to water the vegetables and back of the house. Crys Wells brought treats, kept everyone working and took photos. Joe Harte stopped by for a drip consultation. Becky Lewis brought us birdseed. I spent the day trying to solve our drip problems - hope to have it figured out by next week.

Lots of blooms this week.

Week of June 2

Lots of flowers blooming this week and it is definitely spring time in Flagstaff. We had a busy week with good help on both Monday and Thursday. Ed Skiba worked on veggies. We were excited to see small green strawberries that will be ready for picking in a few weeks. Joe Harte helped with the fountain and solved our drip problem in the rose garden. Vic and Carol Hudenko worked on Switzer Corner and helped organize the shed. Laura Davis worked in the Michael Moore Garden. Carol Chicci and Crys Wells placed hardscape in the garden. Hattie found a duck wandering on Turquoise and found a new home for hime.

Spring has sprung

And flowers are blooming everywhere in the garden! Thursday was a beautiful day to be working - nice a cool and a bit of rain that didn't deter us, but was very nice for the plants. Rebecca Davis worked to cut back the lavender and helped Joe Harte set up the rain barrels. Loni Shapiro stopped by briefly to drop off extra CSA plants. Ed Skiba worked on planting his share of tomatoes and peppers as well as many of the extras that Loni gave us. Carol and Vic Hudenko weeded the Switzer corner area. Crys Wells and I put out hardscape.

We have a lot of work to do this week. We could use help putting up the birdhouse trellis, filling bird feeders and birdbaths, and more spring garden cleanup. Please stop by on Monday or Thursday if you have time. We will be starting at 8 in the summer, but you can arrive whenever you want

.

Week of May 19

On Monday, Hattie Braun continued working on rose pruning. Just a few more to take care of and then some fertilizing and pest control. Stop by next week if you are interested in learning how to grow roses in Flagstaff. Carol Chicci weeded and deadheaded in the South Inferno, while Bonnie Quartermaine did the same in the North Inferno. I think we are almost done with spring cleaning. Diane Williamson helped me shift and turn the compost bins. We also repaired the irrigation main line in the North Inferno where the garden had been dug up for street repairs. We hope to get it planted soon. Ed Skiba worked in the vegetable garden. The strawberries are flowering and it looks like we will have a good crop this year.

On Thursday, Katarina Karjala weeded in and around the Moon Garden and did aphid control on the irises. Carol Hudenko continued weeding on Switzer Corner. This is a big job, but Carol and Vic  Hudenko are attacking those weeds with vigor and it is looking so much better. Joe Harte cut back the dead lavender and Ed Skiba planted more vegetables from CSA. I got the big fountain up and running.

We will be in the garden on Memorial Day from 8:30-10:30. Please stop by and join us then or any Monday or Thursday morning this summer.

Week of May 12

This week we had surprise pansies on Monday and surprise high schoolers from CHS on Thursday. We aren't sure who dropped off the pansies, but would like to thank you for the gift. We put them in several planters around the garden and they are providing a lot of needed color. The high schoolers helped with several large projects


On Monday, Hattie Braun gave a tutorial on rose pruning and care. Hattie and her helpers were able to most of the roses and will continue in the next few weeks. Becky Lewis says thank you to Julie Holmes, April Smith, Diane Williamson, Laura Davis, Carol Chicci, Ed Skiba, Vic and Carol Hundenka for their help on Monday and Laura Davis, Joe Harte, Katarina Karjala, and Ed Skiba for all their help on Thursday.

Thursday, May 8

Not many gardeners today. I guess waking up to snow on the ground discouraged everyone. But it turned out to be a lovely day to work in the garden and our small crew accomplished many tasks. Vic and Carol Hudenko continued working on Switzer corner. Becky Lewis stopped by to pick up the remnants of the large shed that imploded in the wind storm last week. Crys Wells was crew chief for the day and brought us delicious banana bread. Joe Harte and Pasha got some exercise by walking through the garden. I worked on drip repair (as usual).

Upcoming events in the garden:

Monday, April 12 - Hattie Braun will be in the garden demonstrating rose care, starting at 8:30. Hattie will give a short presentation at 9 am. Everyone is welcome to watch and participate. 

Sunday, April 18  - We will honor our friend and Master Gardener, Ann Eagan, by planting a Dwarf Flowering Almond and placing a brick in her honor. Please consider joining us at 1 pm.