November Newsletter

I'll never forget the first time I tasted fresh pumpkin pie. Growing up in the South, pumpkins were not a crop that was commonly grown. So, instead of pumpkin pie, we had sweet potato pie. My Dad still swears it's better, but I told him he never has had pumpkin pie made from FRESH PUMPKIN. When I lived in New Jersey, it was common practice to buy pie pumpkins (the small ones about 6 inches in diameter) for decorations and then use them to make fresh pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. It's not the same as using pumpkin from the can. So, this year, why don't you try it. You just cut the pumpkin in half, remove the seeds and bake it flesh-side down. Then scoop and use the cooked pumpkin in your favorite recipe. I've included an easy recipe in this newsletter. We have plenty of pie pumpkins for sale, and we've marked them down to $1.00 each. Oh, and don't forget to top off your pie with fresh whipped cream!

MAKE YOUR OWN BONSAI - WORKSHOP - NOV. 13TH

Bonsai 1

Join Chip Dutton and members of the Wingard's staff to create your own Bonsai for yourself, or as a Chistmas gift for friends or family. You may remember last February, we were visited by William Valavanis, one of the country's, and perhaps the world's, leading bonsai experts. He stopped in on his way back to his studio, in Rochester, New York, to pick up some azaleas for his work, which may be seen at www.internationalbonsai.com. Chip Dutton is a local enthuasist who will teach you to use the exact same azaleas, and other plants, to make your own bonsai. Who knows, you could be the one in your family to pass a bonsai down through future generations, like the Japanese, who have bonsais hundreds of years old!

The fee for the workshop is $25, per plant, which includes the plant material, container, and Chip's tutelage. If you would like to bring a friend to help you with your bonsai, they may attend free of charge. To register, go to the workshop homepage. We'll see you on the 13th!

Yes, this is the best time of year to plant ...

This is the best time of year to plant just about anything! For planting tips, always refer to our "How To Plant" brochure. Click here.

Edgeworthia Chrysantha - Oriental Paper Bush

Edgeworthia Chrysantha

If you've been reading my newsletters for a long time, you've heard about this plant before. It is one of my favorites. Edgeworthia loves the shade, has large tropical-looking leaves in the summer, loses its leaves in winter and puts out fragrant white-yellow flower clusters all over its bare branches in winter. We just got in a fresh crop, and they look great!

YULETIDE SASANQUA, CHRISTMAS BEAUTY CAMELLIA

What better names for plants that flaunt red flowers in December? They make a great Christmas present for your favorite gardener. Or better yet, buy one for the non-gardener on your list and promise to plant it and take care of it for a year! Yuletide Sasanqua can be planted in sun or shade and we have plenty in stock. Christmas Beauty Camellia must be planted in afternoon shade, and we still have a few available.

Christmas Beauty Camellia

Yuletide Sasanqua

CHRISTMAS TREES ARE COMING!

The best North Carolina fraser firs are arriving at Wingard's November 19th. We will have a good supply of large, 9-10' trees, but they sell out first. So get yours early. And if you want a large wreath, shop early, because they also sell out first. And, as usual, you can pick your own Leyland Cypress from our tree lot by Pilgrim Church, and we'll dig or cut it for you.

Fraser Fir Wreath

Need help? We'll deliver, put the tree in your stand, and bring it into your house for $50.00

Ryusen Japanese Maple

Ryusen Japanese Maple

We will be carrying a new variety of Japanese Maple in the Spring. It matures at 10-12' tall and 5-6' wide. It has long trailing limbs, which create a weeping or waterfall effect. Like all Japanese Maples, it grows best in morning sun/afternoon shade.

ART IN THE GARDEN V

THANK YOU to all who made

Art in the Garden a success!

We donated more than ever to Lexington Interfaith Community Services, $22,157 to be exact!

LOOK FOR ART IN THE GARDEN VI

COMING FRIDAY, OCT. 7, 2011

SAVE THE DATE!

AND THE WINNER IS ......

Congratulations to Scout Pack 507, winner of our second annual scarecrow contest. Their Father/Son scarecrow brought in the most votes on Hallowpalooza Day. The cash prize of $100 will be put to good use for the Pack.

Thank you to our college student intern, Deanna Thurow, who helped with Art in the Garden and coordinated Hallowpalooza Day. She expanded the activities that we offered for the kids on Hallowpalooza, and Deanna

personally designed and painted the scarecrow cut-out picture op spot. She's leaving to go back home to Tennessee soon. We'll miss her creativity and energy in making our events bigger and better. Good luck, Deanna, in all that you do!

EXCLUSIVE

LAKE MURRAY ORNAMENTS

NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB

www.wingardsnursery.com

BOMB ISLAND, LAKE MURRAY, 2010 - During WWII, an island in the middle of the lake, now known as Bomb Island, was used by B25 Bomber pilots for target practice. Our 2010 ornament honors and remembers our WWII veterans and the role of Lake Murray in these training missions. The B25 on the ornament is a replica of the bomber that crashed into the lake and was floated to the surface in 2005.

PURPLE MARTINS, LAKE MURRAY, 2009 - On any summer evening, boaters are awed by the dance of thousands of Purple Martins that fill the sky over Bomb Island on Lake Murray. This 2009 ornament, second in the series, illustrates this amazing spectacle.

LAKE MURRAY TOWERS, 2007-2008 - As one drives across the Lake Murray Dam, the view is of the five hydroelectric intake towers, watercraft, and awesome sunsets. This introductory ornament, which was first offered in 2007 and then again in 2008, depicts these views commonly associated with the Lake.