Staff member Trish Barnes recently had a lovely chat with Mrs. Markham who is writing a book about her family history. She is now on the chapter about her own life story, and was tracking down some historical information that she had passed along to one of our past MRAS presidents.

Mrs. Markham  was married to Mr. Markham from 1980-1989 (when he passed away). She knew the original Mrs. Markham (Bea), and spoke very highly of her as the one who had done "all of the hard work" of raising the children and working in the garden. 

Mrs. Markham just celebrated her 101st birthday in March. She spoke of the fond memories she had of the Markham land, and said how much she appreciates hearing news of Markham happenings. Trish says that Mrs. Markham was a pleasure to chat with, and that Mrs. Markham would be delighted to speak with anyone about her memories of her husband and Markham Park. 

Dr. Livingstone, I presume?

Ryan Penn admiring a lovely Telopea

from New South Wales.

Ryan is a passionate plant lover, and has a landscape design and maintenance business specializing in edibles and small scale farming. He has worked with Troy McGregor at Gondwana Flora, and at Jack Stitch Gardening; and has experience in designing and installing irrigation. Please join us in welcoming him to his new position.

Random Activities
at the Markham . . . 

700 species going on a road trip...

Back in 1933, there was a spot of really cold weather, which did a great deal of damage to Bay Area gardens. A number of worried estate gardeners began to wonder about the survival of some of their beloved plants. As a response, the California Horticultural Society was formed, as a mechanism for exchanging information about plant survival.

 

Peeking into the Markham's office the other day, a group of 'Cal Hort' members were spotted, quietly sorting through seed packets for the Society's Seed Exchange program. California Horticultural members annually collect and exchange seeds from over 700 species. It's a good deed, and also a pleasure; as CHS member Barbara Siegel says, "With cuttings you know what you're getting, but with seeds there are all these surprises!" And needless to say, when one of the seeds is called "bunny tail grass", it's easy to see the appeal.  

 

Any plant lover can join Cal Hort. The organization meets the third Monday of every month with a walk through Strybing Arboretum and then a lecture by one of the greats in horticulture. Check out their web site: www.calhortsociety.org.