Thursday, April 20, 2017

Sweetwater Garden Tour

On April seventeenth, the Mandarin Garden Club welcomed Sweetwater Creek Garden Club for a tour of our facilities. Thirteen members of Sweetwater Creek were presented a history and outing by Master Gardener Mary Forester. 

The weather was perfect and encouraged a slow, appreciative walk through the various gardens. The ladies of Sweetwater had many questions about plant placement, maintenance and insect control. Information and helpful tips flew back and forth, in that easy way that happens when gardeners meet gardeners. 

Refreshments were served with additional information and resources. It was such a pleasure to present the gardens to incredible people that share a love for gardening. 

Donna Crosby 
Education and Community 
Mandarin Garden Club 






Wednesday, April 5, 2017

April Yard of the Month

Carol Fitzsimmons is the proud owner of a lovely little oasis of green. This viridescent shade garden is nestled between bustling San Jose and Scott Mill Road.

Recently retired, Carol has been on a mission, to replace the "nightmare of maintaining grass," in a deeply shaded yard. Carol's goal is to drastically lower her garden's maintenance while increasing the pretty factor. The bonus for her accomplishment is more time to enjoy the beauty of her garden. 

Under the canopy of majestic Oak trees, Carol has used Mondo grass, Dwarf Mondo and Asiatic Jasmine to replicate a lush green grass look. Large Ligustrum trees provide shade and perfume the air.

A circular, paver walkway winds around the garden and is anchored with a shed in the center. The space is filled with Hibiscus, Azaleas and various Gingers. Bromeliads brush against Begonias and Blue Daze blends with apricot Geraniums. 

The Fitzsimmons' garden is a certified Wild Life Habitat. This means the yard supplies the three basic habitat elements food, water and places to raise the young. Carol has accented her space with bird houses, self-watering bird baths, bird feeders and plenty of vegetative cover.

The Mandarin Garden Club continues to search for people committed to demonstrating care and beautification of the Mandarin community. Residents interested in having their yard considered or who would like to nominate a yard should email information to -

themandaringardenclubflorida@gmail.com.

or contact -

Mandarin Garden Club 
P.O Box 23193
Jacksonville,  Florida  32241

Donna Crosby 
Education and Community 

Photo courtesy 
Donna Crosby  





Girl Scouts in the Garden

Mandarin Garden Club recently had the pleasure of hosting the Mandarin Girl Scouts for a tour of the club's beautiful gardens. 

The girls were treated to an informative tour by Master Gardener, Nancy Taylor. After the tour, the girls and their siblings participated in a garden scavenger hunt. Afterwards, they were treated to refreshments. 

Each troop member was given a succulent along with care instructions to take home. The girls also received their own rake for use at home.

Thanks to Donna Crosby and Nancy Taylor for conducting the tour.

Submitted by ~

Betty Waldrep