Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society February meeting colourful and inspiring

Liz Iglesias, Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society director, thanks February meeting guest speaker Brian Trapp for his inspiring presentation, “Gardening with Dahlias & Roses.”

By Nancy Abra

Brian Trapp, the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society’s February meeting speaker, provided members with an illuminating and inspiring presentation, “Gardening with Dahlias and Roses,” on a cold winter evening.

Trapp, an avid gardener, was inspired by a neighbor’s garden in Fort St. Johns, B.C., at a very young age. He now lives in Dorchester.

Trapp began growing dahlias in 2009, starting with only nine plants. Over the years, he developed a growing passion for these beauties, and he now has more than 700 varieties of dahlias, along with many roses in his eight gardens. He also maintains a small greenhouse, riverside gardens on his property and floral patches of sunflowers.

In his presentation, Trapp said he has found turkey-manure compost from a local supplier in Putnam that boosts the growth and flower production for both his dahlias and roses. Though a rose plant normally produces 12 flowers initially, with the addition of this poultry compost to the soil, he’s seen flower production increase by more than five times over successive years. He also said he has found with this poultry compost, when applied, his canna and rose leaves change colour and it deters the Japanese Beetles from feeding on them.

Growing dahlias is Trapp’s passion and he opens his gardens to the public in August for everyone to come and enjoy his prized beauties.

The next meeting of the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society is set for Wednesday, March 11, with another informative speaker. Lisa Finkbeiner will deliver a presentation on “Tricks to Change the Colours of your Hydrangeas.” With the society’s first official meeting being on March 28, 1996, they will also be celebrating its 30th anniversary at this meeting with cake, awards and memories shared by founding members.

The Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society has led and directed the beautification of Thorndale in the many gardens and planters they maintain throughout the community. Their tireless energy and work over the years adds to vibrancy of Thorndale.