Garden club members statewide seeking to grow in knowledge about their earthy passion attended the 82nd annual convention of the Garden Club Federation of Maine June 18-20.

Representing 46 individual clubs they attended workshops on growing, harvesting, drying and using lavender, the floral design technique “Transparencies,” the use of Hypertufa Pots, and increasing their computer savvy at the Spruce Point Inn, gardener central for the event.

The blue skies and sunshine created the perfect atmosphere for the many outdoor events organized for attendees.

At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, they could choose between a self-guided or docent-led tour, and be part of an interpretive walk of native Maine trees, and attend a fairy house building workshop, including bringing all necessary materials to construct a fairy house in their own gardens.

The Boothbay Region Land Trust led a structured one-mile walk on the Penny Preserve and a fabric flower workshop was held at On Board Fabrics in Edgecomb.

Club members visiting Boothbay Region Greenhouses received a 20 percent discount during specific hours the first day of the convention.

Speakers covered topics from the love of the magic of Maine gardens to the increase of Maine Gardens, including the historic period varieties, culminating in a special slide show of the 100-year-old Chelsea Flower Show in London by Maureen Bovet.

Lavender has been prized since the Middle Ages for its medicinal and culinary uses. At Common Folk Farm, Betsey-Ann Golan grows it in vast quantities, among other herbs.

Some of the requirements for the fragrant flower garden that club members noted were: excellent drainage (mix sandbox sand with soil); six to eight hours of sun; southern exposure due to January frosts; and avoid heat. Those crops grow well in raised beds of any size; and, once established the plants will last for six to eight years.

Whether designing a floral display for home or competition, the “Transparencies” technique will add layers and dimension. Instructor Barbara Leonard used a framed screen (made of a sheer curtain) to simulate the fog along the Maine coast, and added rugosa roses, cedar, evergreen boughs and gray ceramic vases.

In another design Leonard employed a tall, wide green vase filled with whole fresh limes and water to which she added tree branches, a neon green ribbon-like object, and yellow and green chrysanthemums.

The presentation had cameras clicking and pencils flying across note paper. These gardeners and flora fanatics were digging it.

But why?

Outgoing President Irene Gerny said she has been gardening for decades, but admitted she did not spend as much time gardening while raising her children. Today, she spends much more time in her garden, digging in the earth, planting and nurturing her flowers. What is it about gardening that she loves so?

Without hesitation Gerny said, “When you're in your garden, you don't have to think about anything else. Just what's in front of you. You can let it all go.”

Now there's something every gardener knew before arriving at the convention.