LADYBUG SAYS... YOUNG GARDENERS GET GREEN THUMBS EARLY

One of the surest way for children to grow up aware of the green world about them is to start at an early age.

Monday afternoon a small group of "green thumbers" assembled in Capaha Park for the organizational meeting of the Green Thumbs Garden Club, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Garden Club, a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri, Inc. Mrs. Gerry Ennis is the president of the local sponsoring club, and Mrs. Wm. Kuss is the sponsor of the junior club.

Mrs. Kuss wants to assist the children in observing, learning, and being inquisitive about the wondrous works of nature. "This club is open to any boy or girl in the area, who is in the first to eighth grade, and would be interested in learning, doing and having fun," she said.

The junior garden club pledge is:

"As a Junior Gardener, I promise to do all in my power to take care of our trees, flowers and birds; and watch for opportunities to make my community clean and beautiful"

What could be a better start in this world of attempted environmental preservation?

Some of the garden club projects will be to plant and maintain a bed of annuals at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, where the club will hold its meetings. Members will assist with the Garden Club Council's spring plant sale and the flower show, also in the spring, and work in the Council's main project--The Rose Display Garden in Capaha Park.

Because all clubs need money, this one started out by selling potted perennials and potpourri in attractive bags, decorated with pictures of roses. The rose petals were from spent roses at the Rose Display Garden.

At this, their first meeting, they answered roll call by naming a flower or plant that they knew. Included in their answers were ajuga, hosta, tiger lily, Easter lily, dandelion, rose, daisy and crape myrtle.

Charter members of Green Thumbers Garden Club are Bill and Nikki Tanksley, Kim Diesel, Bill and Christopher York, Becky and Ryan Keller, Cassie Westrich and Leasel Schoenberger.

Members presented the program. Nikki Tanksley told the story of the life cycle of "A Blade of Grass" and Rebecca and Ryan Keller, children of Dr. and Mrs. Roy Keller, presented violin duets, accompanied by their mother, and then the children sang a duet.

The members were given a packet containing envelopes, a bookmark from the Library, a crossword puzzle, SEMO District Fair information on entering the floriculture and vegetable classes, and a free sundae coupon from McDonalds.

Guests included Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau; Mrs. Vernon Ackerman, state chairman of junior garden clubs, and Mrs. Doris White, both of St. Louis; Mrs. Carol Koehler, president of Fenton Garden Club; Mrs. Gorman E. Morris, Southeast Missouri Director of Missouri Garden Clubs, House Springs; Dr. Charles R. Korns, professor of Agriculture, Southeast Missouri State University; Mrs. Millie Turner, field director of Otahki Girl Scouts; Mrs. Ron Wikel, president of Cape Girardeau Council of Garden Clubs; representatives of the local garden clubs, parents and friends.

Mrs. Kuss announced the next meeting will be Monday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. She also said there would be at least five meetings each year, and they will be held at the library.

At the close of the meeting members and guests toured the Rose Display Garden.

If any grade school child is interested in learning about nature, conservation, horticulture, our environment, and flower arrangement, by joining the club, they may give Mrs. Kuss a call at 334-3287.

Local Iris Grower

Wins Top Award

A local hybridizer and grower of choice iris, O.D. Niswonger, 822 Rodney Vista Blvd., has received word that one of his introductions, Everything Plus, has received the coveted Dykes Metal Award, the highest iris award given world wide.

This iris, introduced in 1984, has received many awards. Two years after its introduction it received honorable mention, then in two more years it received the Award of Merit, and last year was a runner-up when Jessie's Song won the Dykes.

In Schriener's catalog, Everything Plus is described as being ideally formed with standards that are a light shade of blue-white. Clear white falls overlaid with violet plicata (stitched or stippled margin color on white background) make a pleasant contrast. Schrieners of Salem, Oregon, are the largest iris growers in the world.

Mr. Niswonger explained the reason for the name Everything Plus. He said this iris has all the characteristics required for a good iris--good branching, good bud count, health and vigor, is easily grown and blooms on strong stalks that have a long lasting quality, sometimes for three days.

It will grow well in all parts of the United States, England, France, Germany and Australia.

Mr. Niswonger has also received word from the president of the American Iris Society that two more of his iris, Orange Slices and Champagne Elegance have received the Award of Merit for 1991.

Orange Slices is a new pinkish-apricot that is variable in color takes cold weather and produces well in various locations.

Champagne Elegance has near white standards that are classically arched, while its ruffled falls present a gentle blending of buff, apricot and peach. It produces 7-10 buds per stem and consistently reblooms in late summer. Sometimes in California it will bloom three times in one year.

"Every iris garden should have Champagne Elegance, as it is as nice in autumn as it is in the spring," Mr. Niswonger said.