2011 Events Schedule

Saturday, February 19, 2011 — 10 am  

Winter Meeting, Horticultural Center, Fairmont Park, Philadelphia.

Gregg Tepper of Mt. Cuba Center presents a fascinating and informative lecture on the sensory appeal of Native Plants.            (see page 1)

Directions to the Horticultural Center, Fairmount Park:

From the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia: exit at Montgomery Drive (driving south) it is the  first exit after Roosevelt Blvd [Route 1], turn right at the bottom of the ramp; (driving north) it is the first exit after Girard Avenue, turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Go west about 1/3 mile and turn left where a sign points to the Horticultural Center. Go a block and turn left through the gates. The Center is on the right and the entrance can be reached by the circular drive.   Parking is on the street or in the parking lot directly across from the Center.

 

March 6-13  The Philadelphia Flower Show

 

Saturday, April 23 — Shenks Ferry and Indian Steps Museum

Coordinator: Karen Mohn 610-562-1790

Shenks Ferry — a map and brochure are available at the link below.

       http://www.pplweb.com/holtwood/things%2Bto%2Bdo/shenks%2Bferry%2Bwildflower%2Bpreserve.htm

Indian Steps Museum and Historic Nature Trail

       www.indiansteps.org

 

Saturday, May 7

PLACE: Mt Cuba, Greenville, DE

TIME: 10 am to 12 noon
ADMISSION: $5 per person, limit 20 people,

CONTACT: See page 4 for reservations

DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS - April 23rd

We return to the 630 acre Mt Cuba estate which is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the most beautiful the plants of the Appalachian Piedmont.  Please arrive in the parking lot AT LEAST by 9:45 am.  Following past tradition, those who wish to have lunch together will go to nearby Buckley’s Tavern.

 

Saturday, June 11:

PLACE: Morris Arboretum & Fernery, Philadelphia

TIME: 10 am

CONTACT: Trip limited to 15 people sign up with Dianne Smith  (pjsmithusnr@verizon.net)

 

Besides visiting the fernery the Rose Garden should be in bloom and the Garden Railway will be open as will the Out on a Limb tree exhibit. Visitors can either bring their lunch or purchase same inn the cafe and  dine under  the tent on tables and chairs.

The gardens should look perfect for our event, since we are having “Moonlight & Roses” (fund raiser/dinner dance)Friday night. There is no entrance charge – just mention “Fernery Tour with Dianne Smith” for DVFWS.  We should start by 10:15 am to avoid the weekend crowds.  I will have packets of spore propagation kits for everyone to take home with them.  Hope we have good weather.  Dianne


Saturday,August 13:

PLACE:  Member’s Garden, Jerry Hudgens, Churchville, MD

TIME: 10 am

COORDINATOR: Otto Heck (908-996-2598)

 

We tour the grounds of Jerry Hudgens where the gardens include over 100 species of ferns, most of which are labeled. In this warmer area the ferns should be well along in growth and if their fertile parts are not yet developed it will increase the fun of identification. The gardens also feature a wealth of native species of trees, shrubs, and perennials including many thousands of spring wildflowers. Also included, is a host of exotic species that coexist with the natives in a naturalistic, woodland setting covering 4.5 acres. Collections include: rhododendrons, azaleas, trilliums, asarums, ferns, hostas, and much more. The gardens were named for the thousands of ferns growing naturally on the property.  Degree of difficulty: easy, some walking—touring the garden.

Please bring a lunch since we will picnic at the Hudgens’. We meet at 10 for the tour but plan to spend as much time as you wish in the afternoon to fully appreciate these extensive gardens. Kindly let Jerry you are coming!!

 

Saturday, September 17:

PLACE:  Wissahickon Creek, Fairmount Park
TIME: 10 am

LEADERS: Donna Wilhelm and Janet Novak

Houston Meadow, sits atop the ridge above the west bank of  Wissahickon Gorge. It was maintained as a meadow for hundreds of years by periodic fires and grazing until 1932, when it became part of Fairmount Park. In the nine decades since, trees encroached from the surrounding forest and invasive plants grew unchecked. In 2010 BIG CHANGES began. Restoration of the relatively intact meadow ecosystem is underway. We’ll see survivors of the original flora - autumn wildflowers and grasses, ferns in the shady areas, and many tree and shrub species which flourish in the sandy, acidic soil.

We’ll meet at 10:00 am at the Houston Recreation Center on Grakyn Lane for a 2 to 3 hour moderately hilly stroll on dirt trails. Bring sun screen, hat, water, insect repellent, and a picnic lunch to eat after our meadow walk. Please contact Donna Wilhelm (donnawilhelm@verizon.net, 215-843-7987) to let her know you will attend.

Saturday, October 1, 2011;

PLACE:  Columcille and Martins Creek Preserve, Northampton County, PA

LEADER: David Lauer, DML1000@comcast.net 215-764-6039

Columcille is a 17-acre Heritage Conservancy property on the slope of the Kittatinny Ridge just north of Bangor. It has a diverse woodland flora with very few invasives, little deer damage, many wet areas, and a network of trails. We will use our group's knowledge to add to the site's plant list. Choose footwear appropriate for entering wet areas. For more information, go to: http://www.columcille.org/index.html

 

Martins Creek Preserve is located on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River at Foul Rift, just above the Martins Creek power plant.   Its 215 acres contain the Tekening Hiking Trails, a trail network through a visually interesting limestone outcropping overlooking the Foul Rift rapids.   With extensive exposed limestone the area is particularly species rich, particularly in limestone loving ferns.   Despite the rugged nature of the limestone outcrops, the trails are quite level and smooth, and this area is not wet.   Additional information and a trail map are available at: http://www.pplweb.com/martins+creek+preserve/things+to+do/hiking.htm


Directions: Meet at 10 AM at Columcille, Quaker Plain Road near the intersection with Fox Gap Road in Bangor/Upper Mount Bethel. From the Philadelphia area, take either Route 611 to I-78 below Easton and head west on I-78 or take the Northeast Extension north to I-78, then east on I-78. In either case, take exit 71 to Route 33 North. Take Route 33 North to the Wind Gap Exit; turn right on to Route 512 North. Stay on Route 512 North for 5.2 miles, passing through Pen Argyl and into Bangor, where you will turn left onto Route 191 North. Go North on Route 191 for 4.8 miles, leaving the borough of Bangor, passing thru Roseto, and up to the top of Blue Mountain. Make sure that you DON'T turn onto Fox Gap Avenue in Bangor or you will be hopelessly lost. Watch for first "Kirkridge" sign on the right, and then turn right onto Fox Gap Road; if you pass the Appalachian Trail & Nelson Lodge you have gone too far. Drive down Fox Gap Road for 1/2 mile, passing more Kirkridge signs along the way. Where the road levels out, turn left onto Quaker Plain Road and proceed to the gravel parking area along the fence beyond the barn. Directions from Columcille to Martins Creek Preserve will be distributed at Columcille.  We’ll botanize at Columcille in the morning, eat our brown bag lunches there, and then drive over to Martins Creek Preserve.

Saturday, October 15:

PLACE:  Old Mine Road & Sites in Warren County, NJ

TIME: 10 am   

COORDINATOR: Otto Heck (908-996-2598)

 

We will meet at 10:00 A.M. at the Delaware Water Gap Visitors Center on the east bound (service road) side of I80. We will car caravan eastward on Old Mine Road making a number of stops to see ferns at the old copper mine, road cuts in limestone area, Grape Ferns in old field, Delaware River flood plain species, water falls – Van Campens Glen and a Lygodium palmatum station with a number of Grape Ferns and Woodferns. We will picnic at Van Campens Glen.  Note: New rest rooms are available at the national park visitors center.

 

          Saturday, November 19:

PLACE:  Horticultural Center, Fairmount Park

TIME: 10 am

 

Fall Meeting

Janet & Tom Whitefield, Members

Wildflowers of the Canadian Rockies”

 

 

If you would like to schedule, lead, or suggest to trip contact the officers.