ScreenshotMembers of the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club gathered at Barnes Greenhouse in Sheridan for a planting event. Seated: Angie Leone and co-president Judy Wilcox. Standing: Karen Ryder, secretary Sally Newell, Cindy Maggio, Sharon Przybyciel, Vicki Notaro, Lucy Hurley and Sue Alonge.

Thirteen ladies of the Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club joined the staff of the Barnes Greenhouse in Sheridan for their annual planting of tiny plantlets of flowers into their personal gardening containers.

According to special directions, they followed the special “second” driveway and dropped off their pots, tubs and planters at the furthest greenhouse where the Barnes employee filled them with perfect garden soil.

By the time the gardeners drove to the front entrance, the containers had been filled, numbered and delivered to the ladies for planting.

The group had entered the greenhouse with its warm, moist air while thousands of hanging baskets and trays of flowers were in bloom, creating a rainbow of colors spread out like blankets of beauty. All of this was in sharp contrast to the cold, wintry weather outdoors.

Once inside, the ladies were assigned numbers matching their containers, and a cardboard tray to collect the plantlets of their preference.

The plants were divided into sections of intense sun-loving plants, shady plants and regular sun-loving plants. The ladies of the Barnes facility were very helpful, offering suggestions and answering questions.

The club members were very familiar with most of the inventory, but newer varieties raised questions. It was a restful gathering of friends after the long, snowy winter.

At their homes, early spring flowers bloomed, defying the weather. Members had been invited to the Angie Leone gardens to pick bouquets of daffodils for their homes and friends.

After creating beautiful creations, they were given tiny scissors to trim off the blooms. They were assured that their plants would grow better and would be full of color in May.

After paying a nominal fee, they left their creations at the greenhouse for watering, fertilizing and growing in the warm climate inside the greenhouse.

By Memorial Day, their creations would be full-grown, colorful and ready to grace their homes with fragrance and color. Photos were taken throughout the experience.

Co-president Judy Wilcox reminded members of the Spring Banquet to be held on May 13 at noon at the White Inn in Fredonia. Sally Newell will be the chairlady. Make reservations now.