All Things Secrest: Winter 2024

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Winter 2024

Inside this issue you'll find updates from the curator, featured plant, person spotlight, what to do in your garden, and much more!

Click on the sections below or click here.

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From the Curator

  1. Signs of the Times

    Matt Shultzman, Program Coordinator (left) and Paul Snyder, Operations Manager (right) inspect one of the new orientation signs.

    First, I would like to share a few words of tribute to Joe Cochran, former Secrest Operations Manager and Interim Director, who passed away suddenly on the 22nd of October. Joe’s positive spirit and deep commitment to the success of Secrest Arboretum was evident to all with whom he interacted.

Remembering

  1. Joe Cochran (1954 – 2023)

    Joe Cochran Teaches Children

    Teacher, mentor, plantsman; father, grandfather, and friend.

Secrest Select Plant

  1. Seasonal Plant - Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

    'Red Sprite'

    Deck the halls with boughs of holly, winterberry (Ilex verticillata) that is. While this member of the genus Ilex is not what Thomas Oliphant meant when he transliterated the lyrics of this ancient Welsh carol into English, it is what we think of at Secrest.

Friends of Secrest

  1. Updates

    Strawberry Parfait Crabapple

    We had very good attendance at the Annual Meeting in October. The slate of candidates I mentioned in the last Newsletter were confirmed unanimously. All of us on the Board appreciate your continuing support.

Person Spotlight

  1. Alex Lavrisha—Secrest Arboretum Seasonal Horticulturalist

    Alex Lavrisha

    If you have been lucky, you may have run into Alex Lavrisha at the Autumn Discovery Day or on the Secrest grounds. He was the one enthusiastically praising your plant sale selections or planting the latest Secrest acquisition with gusto!

Secrest Arboretum Master Gardeners

  1. Master Gardener Training at Secrest Arboretum

    Master Gardener Training Class

    Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Master Gardener Volunteer program.

  2. Philodendron and Pothos—Favorites Among Houseplants

    To say I enjoy houseplants is an understatement. With well over 200 different kinds in my possession, it is rather difficult to pick my favorite. Each has a unique quality that makes it  special to me.

Seasonal Tasks

  1. (But Not Necessarily) in the Garden

    Christmas Trees
    December (Weather Permitting) Procrastinators can skip this part. 

Coming Events

  1. December Events

    December 8 — The 2023 Winter Master Gardener Volunteer Gathering, 11 AM – 1 PM At this gathering we will celebrate our class of 2022 graduates! It will be held at the Stone House located across from the welcome center at the arboretum.