The Mercer Society

Looking for a few new Garden Faire Vendors

administrator — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:11:05 +0000

Now is the time to sign up for a booth at the 2012 Garden Faire fall festival at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. This year’s festival is September 22 and 23. Families from all over the region come to this annual event and it’s a terrific opportunity to sell your art and reach new audiences. This attracts over 3000 people and over 50 vendors. More information for vendors and the event is available. Call 281.443.8731 or read about it and print out an application form. In addition art vendors food vendors who can handle events such as this are welcome to apply.

Summer Symposium and Plant Sale July 28

administrator — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:21:32 +0000

The 2012 Summer Symposium and Plant Sale provides a great opportunity for participants and volunteers to learn more about plant varieties that thrive in heat and humidity. The symposium and sale, scheduled Saturday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., features gardening experts who share their knowledge of plant selections and water conservation for the summer months.

Featured topics and speakers include:
• Gingers and Heliconias: David Glover, Tejas Tropicals
• Ferns and Hoyas: Mike Lowery, Another Place in Time
• Plants for a Tropical Effect: Gary Outenreath, Beaumont Botanical Gardens
• Landscape Begonias: Tom Keepin, Astro Branch of the Begonia Society

The day culminates in a tour of Mercer’s own tropical-looking plants with Director Darrin Duling and the day’s speakers. According to Duling, “Many plants that love the heat and humidity are dormant in the winter but thrive during the hottest days of the year.” As you know, many of your begonias, gingers, and other tropical-looking plants are bursting into color during the hottest period of mid-summer.

Begonias, long grown as summer annuals, aren’t just for a garden’s front border: they’re perfect in many areas of the garden. With succulent stems and stunning bloom spikes,rhizomatous varieties work well in dry locations with partial shade. Duling also offers that “their colorful and shapely leaves add a unique texture to gardens.”

Consider volunteering for the 2012 Summer Symposium and Plant Sale: Plants That Thrive in Heat and Humidity. Volunteers are needed to help with plant sales check-out, greeting and checking in participants, and setting up and serving refreshments. Volunteers who assist attend the symposium for free, shop before the sale opens to the public, and earn Master Gardener credits.

REGISTER NOW: The fee for the symposium is $70 for members of The Mercer Society and $85 for non-members, with lunch provided. Registered participants will be able to enter the sale at 8 a.m., before the sale opens to the general public at 9 a.m. There will also be breaks between speakers for additional shopping during the day. A plant-holding area is provided for symposium participants. Space is limited and paid registration is required by Monday, July 16.

Tour to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center October 12

administrator — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:54:04 +0000

Our Tour to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center leaves Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens on Friday, October 12 at 7 a.m. and returns between 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Treat yourself to a comfortable ride to Austin to enjoy a Hill Country treasure. Mercer is a regional organizational affiliate with LBJWC so you will enjoy this member’s only plant sale day as you tour the gardens and trails of this beautiful facility. Tour includes travel, snacks and refreshments on the journey and lunch at the Wildflower Center as well as time for shopping their Annual Fall Sale. There will be space on the bus for your plant purchases. The early reservation fee for TMS members is $95, non-members $110; after September 12 the fee for members is $110 and for nonmembers it’s $125. Please call 281.443.8731 for reservations. See More

Mercer’s new wildflower meadow

administrator — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:58:31 +0000

Wildflower meadows will change over time. The first year annuals dominate. Mercer’s new wildflower meadow has been inviting a variety of butterflies, birds, and admirers. Visit this new garden in the collections on the east side of Aldine Westfield. Now is the ideal time to wander through the Tropical Garden and proceed north to the new wildflower meadow – the future home of the butterfly garden. Know, however, that butterflies have found this young garden.

Mother’s Day Trunk Sale at Gift Shoppe May 12

administrator — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:04:11 +0000

One stop Mother’s Day shopping at the Mercer Gift Shop on Saturday, May 12th from 10 AM – 3 PM! Michele Carte is a local artist whose jewelry is available at our shop. She incorporates her love of plants and animals in her unique and one-of-a-kind jewelry creations. Michele utilizes gemstones and preserved flowers in her beautiful designs which exemplify elements of nature. We feel fortunate to be able to have Michele here on May 12th and hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to purchase a truly special gift for Mom. More

May 11 is National Public Gardens Day

administrator — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:43 +0000

Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens Celebrates

National Public Gardens Day, May 11

National Public Gardens Day was developed by the American Public Gardens Association and corporate presenter Rain Bird in an effort to raise public awareness about the importance of public gardens. It is a wonderful opportunity to get excited about all of the services, educational opportunities, and resources available in the greater Houston area.

On Friday, May 11, Mercer visitors will be

1. Encouraged to walk through the display gardens on the east side of Aldine Westfield but also introduce yourselves to the arboretum and play areas on the west side of Aldine Westfield.

2. Bring questions to the ‘Ask A Master Gardener’ booth in the courtyard.

3. Select some plants in front of the The Gift Shoppe. A small selection of plants, including some trees and shrubs, will be sold through the Gift Shoppe.

4. Docents will greet visitors and conduct short tours between 10 and 2. We encourage wandering in the gardens, especially through the wildflower meadow that looks amazing. Maps are available inside the visitor building.

join the Conversation!

Visit Nationalpublicgardensday.org, the official National Public Gardens Day website.
Post to the official National Public Gardens Day Facebook Page
Follow National Public Gardens Day on Twitter.
We also invite you to view NPGD’s YouTube video about last year’s (2011) event by clicking here.
Visit a public garden. Use this voucher for a free admission at participating gardens. See who is participating!

ENTER THEIR PHOTO CONTEST Details

Garden Party and Auction Preview

administrator — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:35:05 +0000

Saturday, May 5th, the date of our annual Garden Party is fast approaching. We have some exciting previews for you of some of the auction items.

The antique furniture is open for bidding from Saturday, May 5 beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing through noon on Friday, May 11. Bidders also have the option of paying a set price for the furniture to ensure obtaining the desired piece (s).

If you haven’t bought tickets yet there is still time. Please call 281.443.8731 as soon as possible if you plan to attend. There are just a few tickets left.

Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring part of the Mercer legacy
into your home! Through the generosity of Ms. Ellen Lenk, niece of Charles and Thelma
Mercer, we are offering an array of unique and distinctive pieces of antique furniture
from their estate.

A striking highly carved Victorian walnut and marble top bedroom set, originally from
Norway, circa late 1800’s which belonged to Charles Mercer’s mother. All original, this set features a highback 3/4 size bed with 2 matching dressers/washstands with highly carved mirror – - all accented with burled walnut insets. The set is immaculate for its age.

A charming Duncan Phyfe drop-leaf table in a rich tiger mahogany wood, circa 1930’s - 40’s.

A pair of mahogany Duncan Phyfe chairs, with an attractive, simple medallion center rail and upholstered seats. These chairs would pair nicely with the table, or can be used on their own as accent chairs. There is more but you’ll need to come see it.

A pair of 1930’s Duncan Phyfe mahogany finish (hardwood) sabre legs & custom floral
pattern needlepoint seats hand-sewn by Ms. Lenk.

We can’t wait for you to see the other offerings in our silent auction. Everything from plants, baskets, gift certificates, art, jewelry …too great a variety to list here!

The auction was successful and everyone had a great time. The caterer did a splendid job and our Garden Party Donors made a big contribution toward the evening’s success.

THANK YOU.

Starbucks Partners with Mercer and joins Lunch Bunch

administrator — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:16:03 +0000

The Starbucks at 1960 and Aldine Westfield is joining us for the monthly Lunch Bunch educational programs. They will bring lunch, with a choice of three of their popular sandwiches, a choice of chips and beverages for $8, which includes a donation to Mercer. Select your lunch from the menu no later than 9 a.m. the Monday before any of the scheduled Lunch Bunches. Pay in advance and pick up your meal before going into the program. We want to thank Starbucks for providing coffee at the Volunteer Recognition Picnic and we look forward to their participation with us for future events.

Summer Symposium

administrator — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:24:31 +0000

Summer Symposium and Plant Sale
Saturday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More details on this and other educational programs.

March Mart Thanks!

administrator — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:28:00 +0000

Several hundred (seemed like several thousand) volunteers made March Mart possible. Each section of the sale was overseen by a committee of volunteers dedicated to that particular plant area. Committees include: Annuals and Perennials, Shade & Vines, Tropicals and Gingers, Fruits and Vegetables, Trees and Shrubs, Native Plants, Herbs, and Roses. Volunteers served food, ran the ticket writing area and checked shoppers out when paying. Lynette Calfee is the chair of the March Mart committee and works closely with all of the committees. Barbara Ashburn volunteers to create the popular Plant Guide. Anne Strommer checks all of the volunteers in and tracks their numbers. This event is organized and run mostly by volunteers who work close with The Mercer Society and Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens.

It takes many hours of hard work and dedication by Mercer Volunteers to provide the quality plants made available at March Mart. The committee members worked tirelessly to select, grow and maintain the plants. They researched plants to provide March Mart customers with selections not typically found in nurseries along with the cultural information needed to grow them successfully.

This year we had support from a number of businesses. Exxon Mobile provided volunteers, as did HEB. Advertisements in the Plant Guide helped reduce the costs. Local businesses that supported us through advertisements include

Commissioner Jack Cagle, Precinct 4

Enchanted Nurseries & Landscapes

GardenScapes 2012 Kingwood Garden Club

HEB

Juanita Phipps Registered Massage Therapist

Nature’s Way Resources

North Houston Chiropractic

ProModular

Southwest Fertilizer

Sweet Organic Solutions

Texas Heritage Organic Soils

The Arbor Gate

We thank you for your support and hope that our members thank you!