The Edgecombe Garden Club met Jan. 6 for a noon luncheon at Stack’s restaurant. First Vice President Marilyn Douglass presided. Since a new year is beginning, Devotions Chairman Charlotte Forrest read the poem titled, “A New Beginning,” followed by prayer.

Guests introduced were Jennifer Watson by Nelda Johnson and Brooke Taylor by Sandra Joyner. New member Susie Allgood received a plant and Donna Williams joined.

Maryann Rettino, flower designer, described her orchid, miniature rose and greenery arrangement in a glass cylinder vase with cinnamon sticks tied around it.

As Bird Chairman, Maryann encouraged members to participate in the 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 12-15. The GBBC is an important tool for tracking birds on www.birdcount.org.

Maryann announced the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training for Edgecombe County that will be Tuesdays, Feb. 2-April 27. An application is required for the class space limited to 10. The $100 training fee includes the book is due by Feb. 16. Many topics will be included in the training. Traveling to adjoining counties is required on the county van.

If you have questions concerning training or volunteer requirements, contact Extension Agent Bob Filbrun at 641-7815 or bob_filbrun@ncsu.edu.

Members filled out 2009 Horticulture Sheets with their number and names of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals planted in their yard, workshops attended and flower arrangements contributed for community events.

After lunch, Maryann, as third vice president, introduced Ben Kirkland, a master gardener in Tarboro, who spoke on “Gardening with Native Plants.”

Kirkland gave the following tips:

Put a fresh cut on the bottom of your bought Christmas tree. Put it and your greenery in a bucket of water. Spray them with a concentrate called Wilf Pruf. You can order less expensive needed Velcro shears that last forever and Wilt Pruf from A. M. Leonard’s Gardeners Edge, 241 Fox Drive, Piqua Ohio 45356-0816, 1-888-556-5676. Wilt Pruf reduces moisture loss and keeps leaves from falling off. After you spray, it dries to form a clear transparent and flexible protective coating. It will last until Easter. Spray boxwoods and azaleas in October or November when the temperature is only above 40 degrees. Wilt Pruf is a safe way when plants are under stress during winter kill, windburn, transplant shock and drought. It protects against cold drying winds.

The native plant, Magnolia called “Little Gem,” has smaller leaves and flower through November.

Live oak is an evergreen shade tree and a major tree for landscaping. One in Wilmington is over 100 feet in circumference and the largest Christmas tree in the world. Red maple with red color stems is slower growing and more satisfactory than sugar maple which is more fragile and will break in an ice storm more easily. It is too cold for them to survive up to Maryland and New Jersey. A spectacular combination is the red bud and dogwood. Florida dogwood varieties will survive winters up in Maine. Many plant Korean dogwood which has flowers almost as large and are fungus resistant.

Red cedars are junipers. Virginia apple growers did have a law against growing cedars near apple trees because of damaging cedar-apple rust on the apple trees. On cedars, wind and birds spread a fungus. Spray cedars to kill bag worms on them. To get rid of Japanese beetles, spray “seven” on leaves and buds before flowering and insects come.

Azaleas grow in partial shade but like full sun. Flame azaleas have extra flowers and bloom twice a year. Landscapers may buy them from Ken Flint at Greenleaf Nursery near Conetoe. Rhododendrons are the capital of New England landscaping. There are many hybrids now. English boxwoods are not native here but have been here a long time. There are some at the Duke Gardens that are 300 years old.

Rose of Sharon brought inside will cause their leaves to drop off. It is easier to buy new ones in the spring. Several have survived at Heritage Hospital. Rose of Sharon needs to be transplanted outside during the winter.

Day-lilies are good for screening and do best in full sun.There are many hybridizers. One in Maine is named for Ben Kirkland called “Ben Kirk.” They have a strong stem, candelabra type and flower July through August.

Peonies should be planted only one or two inches below the soil. If you move them within two years, dig up the whole clump. A Japanese tree peony like at the Duke Gardens is quite extraordinary. Coral bells provide colorful purple leaves.

Do soil testing before fertilizing and planting a garden. Use limestone. It takes a couple of years to kill moles and sweeten the soil. Use “garden gypsum,” a lime, which is very quick and you use about one third as much fertilizer. Work it in the soil. It is pricey but you will see the difference in a few weeks. Most native soils are lacking in potassium and limestone. If ph is lower than 5, a plant will not survive. Get 6 to 6.5 on the ph scale.

Human odor will keep deer off plants. Put human hair in a nylon hose or ivory soap in a mesh bag. To get rid of slugs, sprinkle beer around them or put half a grapefruit on them. Another solution that costs less is Diatomaceous bought at hardware stores.

Candis Owens reported the Spring Garden Symposium will be Thursday, May 6.