Gardeners swap plants, advice at event
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Ginger Sutton, of Martinez, examines some ginger lilies at the event. "This is great because you get some great plants for nothing," she said. Other plants that proved popular at the swap included elephant ears, angel's trumpet and spider plants.
Photo by Quandra Collins
When Martinez resident Helene Hondrum moved from her native country, the Netherlands, she said, she didn't have a clue about how to care for plants in the South.
"I would buy the most beautiful plants, but I killed them because I didn't know how to take care of them," said the master gardener and Cherokee Rose Garden Club member.
"We didn't have this climate (in the Netherlands). I killed everything because it was too hot."
England native Betty Crowther conceded similar mistakes, but said she knew she eventually would get better.
"If something died, I had an excuse to buy something else and care for it," said the Evans resident and fellow club member.
On Sept. 18, more than 200 garden enthusiasts from as far away as Aiken and Waynesboro met at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion to sell, swap and show off their most notable plants at the fifth annual Plant Exchange and Sale.
The event was sponsored by the Cherokee Rose Garden Club and organized by Hondrum and Crowther.
Inspired by an annual spring plant sale and swap at Pendleton King Park, Hondrum said, she wanted to start a similar event in Columbia County.
Aiken gardeners Dean Jolly (left) and Sarah Mary-Kitchens discuss plants at the fifth annual Plant Exchange and Sale. The event, held Saturday at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, attracted 200 people. Organizer Helene Hondrum said she was inspired by a similar event at Pendleton King Park.
Photo by Quandra Collins
The event "is really about trading," she said. "It's also about getting together to share ideas and help one another. Some older people come and they love it."
Metter Hudson agreed.
"I'm a senior citizen," said the Augusta gardener who has been attending plant swaps for eight years with Martinez friend Doris Casey. "(Events like this) keep me busy. I garden every day. I can't do anything in my house because I'm digging in my garden."
Some of the more popular plants at the event were elephant ears, angel's trumpet, ginger lilies, a banana plant and spider plants.
Ginger Sutton said she's glad she participated in the event.
"This is great because you get some great plants for nothing," the Martinez resident said.