Senior citizens who reside in Cleveland, Ohio’s Golden Age Center, are helping to develop a great arboretum in the nearby community of Mentor.
“Never too old to learn” is the maxim of this unique group of “golden age” gardeners who travel by station wagon each week to the Holden Arboretum, located in the heart of Ohio’s expanding acres of commercial nurseries.
This extensive arboretum, established only 16 years ago, comprises more than 1,000 acres.
A Complete Collection Of Plants
All types of ornamental flowering shrubs, trees, evergreens, and ground covers, hardy in the region, are being planted.
The aim is to make available to homeowners and amateur gardeners as complete a collection of plants as possible to aid them in planning and planting better gardens.
Garden Club Members
Interested persons are invited to join the Arboretum and participate actively in its growth and development.
Children have not been overlooked either in planning this versatile project, and the inclusion of golden age groups attests to the well-rounded program under the leadership of Warren H. Corning, one of Cleveland’s leading citizens.
Mr. Corning’s wife nurtured the idea of providing a new outlet and an exciting hobby for the golden age group.
Garden club members serve as instructors and share their horticultural knowledge in carrying out the project.
Lesson For Various Horticulture Phases
Upon arrival at the greenhouses, the women don colorful aprons and spend the first 15 minutes of each session receiving instructions and asking questions about the specific tasks which they are to carry out.
Practical lessons in the various phases of horticulture are carefully planned.
Methods Of Plant Propagation
These include methods of plant propagation, such as:
- Stratifying seeds
- Transplanting seedlings into flats
- Making softwood cuttings
How to hybridize azaleas and rhododendrons gives these enthusiastic gardeners an introduction to the art of plant breeding.
Types of Grafting
A series of demonstrations in the various types of grafting and layering is also included.
On pleasant days, the class makes walking trips through the arboretum to learn firsthand about the great collection of plants assembled there.
Since they help make labels for the plants, each student learns to understand the how and why of an arboretum.
This type of active participation makes them aware of their part in a worthwhile project.
Making And Rooting Of Cuttings
The making and rooting of cuttings are perhaps one of the most appealing phases of gardening to this group, especially when they learn that they are working with some plants which are considered difficult to root.
Enthusiasm runs high when one of the group can proudly display well-rooted cuttings of a rare maple or some other unusual plant with which she has succeeded.
This kind of personal satisfaction in accomplishment adds zest and stimulus to the class and gives the members something to look forward to at each meeting.
Requirements For Enrollment
Enrollment in the golden age program is purely voluntary. The only requirements are that the individual has reached the age of 65 and has the desire to participate in the program.
Both the “golden altar,” and the garden club instructors have found this program stimulating and inspiring—a source of new confidence to face the years ahead with optimism and courage.
The Holden Arboretum intends to continue to conduct these groups and eventually to provide similar opportunities for other groups, such as crippled children, disabled veterans, and the blind.
44659 by Lewis F. Lipp