The Great Divide

Recently our community garden club held its annual "Great Divide." This event provides an opportunity for neighbors to share perennials they have divided. Anyone is invited to bring plants, but bringing a plant is not required. Each person is allowed to take at least one plant, regardless of whether or not they brought anything.

The event is held at one of our parks and is always well attended.





There were displays of specialty plants and demonstrations of maintaining bonsai and other plants.

I particulary enjoyed the various birdhouses, handmade and donated by local residents. They were available for sale, with the profits going to the garden club.

There were demonstrations and displays by various organizations. The Department of Natural Resources provided information and displays of forest animals.

A pigeon breeder brought his pigeons and was very happy to talk about them.

I was amazed at the beauty of these birds. I asked the breeder why these pigeons are so lovely and the ones I usually see seem like nuisance birds. He had an immediate and simple answer, "Good nutrition and lots of love."

My husband and I each selected a plant. Here are the plants we chose last year. They are thriving and we have really enjoyed the fall blossoms.

I hope this year's selections do as well as these. In the spring we will divide the begonia, which has really taken over its space.

We enjoyed the day at the Great Divide. It's a wonderful opportunity to gather with neighbors and friends. We learned a great deal about plants that do well here in the mountains.

Oh, and did I mention they had wonderful refreshments?