Blair County Garden Club Holds Plant Sale

Blair County Garden Club had an abundance of attendees at its annual plant sale in Altoona at the Jaggard Street Church on Friday, May 20. Folks from Homewood and New Enterprise attend this great sale every year.

Plants of all varieties, such as bleeding hearts, cactus, poppies, raspberry bushes, and lilies, were available for purchase. Despite the rain, people were buying large quantities and asking gardening questions.

The mission of the Blair Garden Club is to further the education of its members – and the public – in horticulture and landscape design. In doing this, it also strives to support sustainable conservation practices and promote interest in floral design, civic beautification and nature.

Projects are worked on by members on a weekly basis. This includes work at historic locations, such as maintaining the gardens at Baker Mansion and highlighting the entrance of the Mishler Theatre. Roadside beautification is also done.

A few projects include the Discovery Garden in Legion Park, Hollidaysburg and a community flower garden in collaboration with Skills of Central Pa, the Borough of Hollidaysburg, Hollidaysburg Area Women's Club, Blair Garden Club and the American Legion.

Discovery Garden opened in 2000. It is almost a 100 percent volunteer maintained. This garden attracts many visitors.

There is a new program called Blair Garden Club Initiative, where the club will grant money to an established 501C-3 non-profit organization looking to initiate a garden project.

This club had educational meetings every third Monday of the month (April-November). Some of the programs have included tours of local gardens presentations from the Audubon Society about attracting native birds, and gardening crafts.

If you are interested in joining Blair Garden Club, send an email to blairgardenclubgirl@gmail.com. This group would love to have some new members.