President Sally Brodie welcomed members and led the membership in the collect. She thanked Jane Fields, Mary George Hocevar, Dee Donovan, Roxanne Sheets, Elaine Sheridan and Margie Rhine for the refreshments. Guests Jackie Manable, Ann Frank and Sara Bedsloe were welcomed. Sign-up sheets for next year’s calendar were presented, and Brodie said that all officer positions were filled. Stephen Clayton, the new senior center supervisor, was introduced.

Edie Miller introduced the speaker for the meeting, Kay Graham. Graham’s topic was “Foundation Plantings.” She is a “well-known landscape designer as well as a Beaufort County Extension Master Gardener.” She utilized a slide presentation to introduce the members to a large variety of plantings for this area. She mentioned that, historically, foundation planting in the South was used to cover open spaces. She suggested that because of droughts, overwatering and severe drops in temperature in the state, we should consider replacing foundation plantings after 10 to 13 years. Plantings should be kept simple; use three types for maximum impact. An overabundance of species causes the eye to “wander,” not focus on the overall treatment. Graham presented a long list of possible planting for use in North Carolina, from caryoteris to viburnam. Here are a few of suggestions: daphne, deutsia, burning bush, bottle bush, juniper, mountain laurel, keria, crepe myrtle, lepedeza, magnolia, mahonia, nandina, osmanthus, mock orange, azalea, rhododendron, rosemary, japanese willow, elderberry, spirea, lilac and wiegelia. Miller thanked Graham and her husband Tom for a wonderful program.

The North Carolina district meeting will be held in Washington in October. The local club will be responsible for the meeting, and the entire membership will be needed for the event. It will be held at the First United Methodist Church, in the fellowship hall.

The club voted to send $100 for a fundraiser “brick” to the Elizabethan Gardens.

Jennie Hoagland reported on the progress of work on the Brown Library Garden. Discussion followed concerning the removal of trees from the library area. Hoagland said that renovation should be complete by the fall.

Brodie asked the members to let Anne Cummings, corresponding secretary, know when a member is in need of a card or flowers. Club members should inform Chris Young, chairwoman of the membership committee, know about prospective members.

Our June meeting, a covered dish luncheon, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in the fellowship hall.

Nancy Nash reviewed the flower arrangements.

Mary Paulson spoke about her many horticulture items.

The meeting was adjourned by Brodie at 11:30 a.m.