What a treat the Plantation Garden Club had Wednesday, Nov. 9. The weather was so perfect we just all followed the voices outside to the pergola tucked behind greenery to the most lovely display of flowers and friends.
Erica Eason Hall was our guest speaker. She works from her home in Clarksdale, and her floral designs were featured in the September-October issue of Delta Magazine. She recently started painting with tutelage from her husband, Hayden Hall, whose art is widely appreciated in the Delta.
Let me just start by saying Erica is a girl after my own heart, as she loves to scrounge around in fields looking for interesting sticks, leaves and colorful whatnots that she can add to a flower arrangement. Sometimes she ends up purchasing them from a wholesaler because her friends just don’t want her picking all their favorite magnolia leaves — the ones with the pretty brown flip side.
Really, have you ever just sat back and said to yourself what these roses need are a few dried okra pods sticking right here? Let’s not forget the cotton stalks, our flagpole of the Delta. As soon as the machines finish picking, run to the fields and get you a bunch or be sorry for a year. Pecan branches and leaves, Virginia creeper vines twisted all up around the base of your design give it a foundation.
Speaking of foundation, another tip Erica had was to use a silver casserole dish for a centerpiece, as it gives a little height and adds interest to the table.
These are the two most important things to remember: 1) Leucadendron is a showy plant often used as a houseplant, with branches starting in shades of greens ending in red tips. Two of these are all you need to give your centerpiece that length and fullness. 2) Quicksand roses are the perfect color for fall or any season when using pottery; they are light pinkish tan, which is the best way to describe them other than to say they are perfectly beautiful. Pair these roses with any pottery and dried moss, throw in some sticks and turn around three times, click your heels and you have a masterpiece, or so Erica Hall made it seem anyway.
Erica sent around photos of greenery she does for the holidays — mostly magnolia leaves. She likes to use all sides of the leaves, including the shiny green, the fuzzy brown and the not so popular white side, but with her artist- trained eye, she knows where to tuck and pluck until it’s just right.
Her work is in high demand, so get your ducks in a row if you need some holiday greenery. It will last a good while with proper care. You can reach Erica by email: ericaeasonhall@gmail.com
Harriett Catoe gave the Backyard Bird Study on the great horned owl, sending around a photo of a baby owl looking rather cute directly in the camera. Some interesting facts: They are the largest owl and are native to the Americas. They can be found from Alaska to the very tip of South America. With large feet, they have feathers all over their legs to the tip of their toes. These owls have zero sense of smell but can hear up to 10 miles. They only require 5% of the light humans need to see and can turn their heads 270 degrees. They feed at night, mostly on rodents, rabbits and small animals they can kill instantly due to their silent flight and surprise attack.
Refreshments were served inside but no one was in a hurry to move, content to enjoy fellowship, ask more questions, show more photos on our phones and enjoy the glorious just right breeze.
Once inside, we were stunned with a table bursting with color, small pottery vases of zinnias and pansies tucked around slabs of tree branch risers where every color of pottery bird you could imagine stood guard around the jolliest of orange pumpkins covered in warts. I’m just sure there is a more proper scientific way to say that better, but to me, it was a happy jolly pumpkin giving humor to ladies feasting on the delicious cake, warm artichoke dip, cheese straws and spiced apple cider or coffee served in demitasse.
As a parting gift, we were gifted with our pick of a clay ornament of hummingbirds, owls, butterflies and other natural wonders. A warm thank you to our hostess and co-hostesses Harriett Catoe, Sheryl Swindoll and Carolyn Webb. The day will be remembered as one of warm fellowship with dear, dear friends.
