Nandina and a Happy New Year to You From the Gulf Hills Garden Club!

We at the Gulf Hills Garden Club would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous New Year.To end this old year I would like to show you an image of a Nandina in my garden.  I took this image this morning. Nandina, also known by the names heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo.  It is a plant that is not in the bamboo family.  It is a member of the family Berberidaceae. Native to eastern Asia from the Himalayas to Japan.  It is the only member of the monotypic genus Nandina.

I Just love this plant!  This time of year along the Gulf Coast the pinkish to red leaves offers a touch of much needed color to our coastal gardens. I can go on and on about this plant!  It is so easy to have in your garden, low maintenance and happy in most soils, this plant does well in sun or light shade!  In some areas it is considered to be highly invasive, but I have not found it to be so here. Check it out and decide for yourself.

For more information please check out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandina

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/hortupdate_archives/2002/jan02/art11jan.html

The Gulf Hills Garden Club and the Gulf Hills Home Owner's Civic Association have joined together this year to resume the judging of the Outdoor Christmas Decorations in our neighborhood.  There were many, many beautiful home decorations.  It made our job very difficult but on the other hand lots of fun to see the spectacular efforts our neighbors.  We invite you to take a mini "road trip" through Gulf Hills to see these winners and all the other lights and decorations.  Merry Christmas
HOME DECORATION WINNERS

Traditional Winner            13900 El Camino Real      Honorable Mention   6503 Little Church

Outdoor Lights Winner     13904 West El Bonito    Honorable Mention  13720 Mesa
     
Religious Winner               6824 Cordo

Front Door Winner             13613 Paraiso  

Mail Box Winner                1305 Paso

Gulf Hills Garden Club December Silent Auction, Luncheon, Christmas Tree Lighting

The Gulf Hills Garden Club held its Annual December Silent Auction and luncheon.  Our hostess Molly and her crew, Michael, Doris, Tem and Brenda provided a sit down meal of roast pork, wild rice and a warm pear salad. There were petite fours and crème puffs for dessert.  The goal for the auction was met and surpassed by $300.00.  Proceeds will be used to maintain the Memorial Garden.

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting was enjoyed by the club members and many neighbors.  Sue and her garden committee decorated the trees with the help of Lee Vance, who can climb any tree, and Bob Manley, who provided lovely handmade lighted orb decorations.   Molly and Margaret provided the Christmas Cheer and table decorations.  Other club members provided tasty cookies and holiday treats.   It was nice to meet so many of our new neighbors that joined in the festivities.  The lights received an overwhelming round of “oohs and ahs” of approval from the group.  If anyone would like to donate lights or decorations, please contact a club member.
The Gulf Hills Garden Club wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and much happiness in the New Year.