Baskets of trailing geraniums are once again decorating Purchase Street for the summer thanks to the Ceres Garden Club and the City’s Department of Public Works.

 

Baskets of trailing geraniums are once again decorating Purchase Street for the summer thanks to the Ceres Garden Club and the City’s Department of Public Works. The displays were planted by club members and hung by City workers in time for the Memorial Day commemoration, and will stay in place into early fall. Special nutriments in the soil mix and frequent early morning watering by city workers ensure the plants will flourish throughout the hot summer months.

 

This year, the Ceres Club dedicated the flowering basket project to the memory of Marian Shea, a beloved member since 1959, who passed away in April. In addition to her active participation and leadership in many other community organizations, Marian was an expert flower arranger and horticulturist and a mentor to many of her fellow members.

 

The Ceres Club very much appreciates the support of all who purchased wreaths and baskets of greenery during their Holiday Sale in December, especially the merchants of Purchase Street who generously bought many wreaths and also made additional contributions. It is this fundraising event that pays for the flowering baskets. The club is also grateful to Hicks Nurseries, Inc. of Westbury, Long Island, which made the geraniums and other items available at a price well within the club’s budget after the former supplier ceased business.

 

The club meets at the Rye Nature Center the second Thursday afternoon of each month for talks and tips about horticulture and floral arranging, group flower shows, and to plan civic projects undertaken each year.

 

Anyone interested in joining is invited to attend the monthly meetings, which will resume in September. Contact Meg Stackpole at cstackpole@aol.com for more information.