Flowers

Flowers and flowerpots throughout Danville have been a recent target for vandals. About 15 to 20 percent of the city's flowers, flowerpots and shrubbery deliberately have been damaged in the last two weeks, said Michael McAfee, a Danville resident and owner of McAfee Mowing and Landscaping. McAfee's company has a contract with the city to provide beautification services to Danville, especially in light of the upcoming vice-presidential debate at Centre College in October. Someone has deliberately sprayed a chemical or poison to kill flowers and damage flowerpots on Main Street as well as Lexington, Hustonville and Wilderness Roads, McAfee said.

So far this summer, there has been a lot of rain to go along with the heat and humidity. But Mother Nature is bound to turn off the faucet, and you know what will happen then. Lawns turn brown, gardens wither, and new trees and shrubs shrivel. But for the many flower gardens and hanging baskets in Danville, the plants keep blooming and cascading, no matter how hot or dry it becomes. And the reason for that are what some people in town call the “water boys.” They don’t sit on a bench ready to dispense cups of water to football players or basketball players.

Bradley Hiser, 5, filled a bucket full of water while helping his mother, Shannon Hiser, during their visit to the Winchester Cemetery. They were watering flowers at the grave of Shannon's sister and father over the Memorial Day weekend.

Caitlin Swartz, 17, places her entry in the floral arrangement category in the FFA booth at the Clark County Fair. Swartz grew and arranged the entry on her farm on Water Works Road.

Vickie Maggard doesn't just stop to smell the roses. She plants, tends and works in her flower gardens year-round. She denies having a green thumb, and anyone who visits her home might glance around, hoping to catch her gardener at work. But she does it all herself. "If you saw my mother's flowers, you'd laugh at mine," she said with a chuckle, rearranging a pot of flowers on her back deck. "These are my favorites," she said, lovingly trailing her hand along a sweet potato vine that twined around a fall of multicolored petunias and a dainty purple flower with a small yellow center.

Dear Editor, Danville is advertised as being a great place to retire. My husband and I agree. We are new residents here and think that Danville is a great small town with very friendly people. One of the things that I really enjoy are the flower beds and the big hanging baskets along with the huge cement pots overflowing with beautiful flowers. They really show that the people here take pride in their town. I don't know who planted these flowers or who maintains them but, I want to say a big, "Thank you. " Winnie Keedy Danville

May showers and thunderstorms help grow May flowers, which is evident by the purple and yellow irises blooming in a yard off South Burns Avenue.

Dear Editor: I saw the picture of the flowers that are to be planted around the courthouse and that they were being purchased out of town and out of the county. What is the reason for that, since there are many area places here in Danville where they could be purchased? Keep our business at home and in Boyle County Ron Moroni Danville

Fans of artificial flowers won a compromise Monday from the Danville Cemetery Committee, but they'll have to make sure their decorations stay put. Chairwoman Mimi Becker said the committee agreed to allow artificials year-round, but they must remain "firmly affixed to the marker" or will be discarded by cemetery workers. "The cemetery will take no responsibility to repair or return flowers" to the grave or those who placed them, Becker said. The artificial decorations also must resemble flowers found in nature, she said, and they must be attached to markers in an appropriate manner, using wire or other discreet, long-lasting method.

Peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. This trinity of alternative crops has been a mantra from farm researchers in Kentucky for years as they attempt to help tobacco growers find replacements for their burley as the crop slowly but surely disappears from the state's agricultural landscape. Now, growers can add another alternative crop to the litany: cut flowers. Cut flowers? Growing vegetables is one thing. After all, that does fit in with traditional farming. But growing flowering plants is quite another thing.

First of all, in this article I need to verify something I wrote in my last article. My sister informed me that Kentucky was voted as the 49th most unhealthiest state to live in and not the overall worst state to live in. This is due to the allergies and other health issues. On this note it does make sense. I do suffer from all of the reasons that were given in that survey. Allergies, asthma, sinus problems, cancer and obesity. I am blaming the latter on my chemo treatments. It is something I plan to work on as soon as I am through with chemo.

As spring approaches, many homeowners begin to think about their yard's landscape. The winter months can be damaging to trees and shrubs. To ensure healthy spring plants, homeowners may want to prune the trees and shrubs around their home. But, do not prune just for the sake of pruning, make sure you have a valid reason for pruning before you begin. Pruning during the late winter months allows for the removal of damage caused by winter winds and precipitation. The wounds caused by pruning heal most quickly this time of year just as new growth is emerging on the plant.

William Bruce Smith, 100, died at Richmond Place in Lexington, Jan. 20. He is survived by his wife, Nellie Mae of Richmond Place; and his daughter, Annette McInnes and husband Earl of Nicholasville.  He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life was held Wednesday at the Wilmore Free Methodist Church, where he had been an active member for more than 35 years. Visitation was held from noon to 1 p.m. preceding the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wilmore Free Methodist Church or to Gideons International, of which he was an active member and chaplain for over 25 years.

I would like to write about the city of Danville.  Danville has changed since I grew up in the area. Some years ago, the City Commission implemented the beautification program with a nice little white truck that somebody drives around.  Once a year, in summer, somebody plants a lot of very pretty flowers around town. It looks great and makes jobs too. And Wednesday at noon the Danville-Boyle County Public Library opened its new parking area that looks superb. With this in mind, I would like to address the superb versus the pretty.

Fall is the time to think about all those flowers we associate with spring: daffodils, crocus and other easy-to-grow flowering bulbs. If you aren't growing any spring-flowering bulbs in your landscape, you are missing out on some easy-to-grow plants that provide early color to your garden. These bulbs are planted in fall because it corresponds to the end of their natural dormancy. Most of these plants begin root growth in fall, followed by a cool stratification period necessary for proper flower development and then shoot growth in late winter and early spring.

Flowers and flowerpots throughout Danville have been a recent target for vandals. About 15 to 20 percent of the city's flowers, flowerpots and shrubbery deliberately have been damaged in the last two weeks, said Michael McAfee, a Danville resident and owner of McAfee Mowing and Landscaping. McAfee's company has a contract with the city to provide beautification services to Danville, especially in light of the upcoming vice-presidential debate at Centre College in October. Someone has deliberately sprayed a chemical or poison to kill flowers and damage flowerpots on Main Street as well as Lexington, Hustonville and Wilderness Roads, McAfee said.

(Editor's note: “Welcome to My Garden”¿is a monthly column of news and advice for gardeners and would-be gardeners in the Danville area.)   The heat is predicted to reach the high 90's later today. For now, I will enjoy the cool morning and write this column in my garden, surrounded by the singing of birds, a gentle breeze and the sound of water splashing in a nearby fountain. This is my reward for all the planting, weeding and watering I do … and it is enough.

Home ownership is a never ending project. I have been so worried about getting my garage cleaned out, and finding a home for all of Brandon's stuff, I didn't realize that wasn't the end. No, there is always something to paint, clean, organize or fix. It's like the yard - you mow it on Tuesday, and it seems like you have to turn around and mow it again the next day. Well, Brandon has to turn around and mow it again. So far, he seems to enjoy taking care of the yard, and I'm pretty sure it's not my forte, so I'll let him keep the job. Seriously, sometimes I worry about my domestic abilities.

The Garden Club of Danville announces the award winners from their Standard Flower Show, “Danville In Bloom”, held at the Community Arts Center on Friday, and Saturday, June 1 and 2. The theme of the show featured locations, activities and events in Danville. There were three divisions in the show: Floral Design, Horticulture Specimens and Special Exhibits. The show was judged by certified judges from Frankfort and Lexington who are members of the Garden Club of Kentucky. In the Design Division the following ribbons were awarded:  Class 1 - Constitution Square, Roots of Our Past: Missy Keithly, blue and the Judges Honor Award presented to an entrant never previously winning a blue in a standard Show; Barb Frank, red; Linda Porter, yellow; Andrea Perkins, honorable mention.

The flowers are nature's poems In blue and red and gold, With every change from bud to bloom, Sweet fantasies unfold!  - Author unknown “Danville in Bloom,” a standard flower show, will be presented by the Garden Club of Danville from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Community Arts Center, 401 W. Main St. This year's show will be a celebration of downtown Danville. Both design and horticulture will be reminiscent of events downtown.