July/August 2007

From our President….. 

Dear Patio Planters,

As you read this, we are either in the lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer or the doldrums of the dog days, depending on your attitude. And I do admit it is sometimes tough to kick it up a notch when the temperature is 95 and the humidity is about the same, but we do manage.  We kicked off the season with a memorable and truly successful Birthday Party, thanks to the hard work of Celia Collins and her committee and the gracious hospitality of Tommy and Annie Lewis. Roberta Grove of the Times-Picayune included our party in her column with pictures, including one of me that Anne Hartwell described as exuberant. Hmmm, must have been that Betty Kern*s famous punch! Please read all about this outstanding party tradition in the report by Celia in this issue of your Punch.

Earlier in the month of May, Patio Planters member Dr. Steve Mallernee entertained us with tales of the terroir, an explanation of how geology, climate and grape all blend to create very unique wines under various influences. Later we were under various influences ourselves, thanks to a generous wine tasting. Thank you, Dr. Steve! 

Our Program Chair, Lyn Gladney, has a quick list in her Punch column of coming programs for our Membership Meetings. Next up at bat this summer is Patio Planter favorite Leslie Perrin who will entertain us with insights on gardens and plants she encountered on her trip to South East Asia, including Viet Nam!

Please note: Our next Membership Meeting is scheduled for July 11th, the second Wednesday in July, to accommodate the July 4th holiday. Mark your calendars! 

On May 29th I was patio tour guide for Sam Lemheney, the Design Director of the Philadelphia Flower Show, and his colleagues.  In 2008, their Show is titled "Jazz It Up!" The Philadelphia Flower show is using jazz as inspiration to transform design and gardening ideas just as Jazz transformed music during its inception and growth. Because New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz, they will be incorporating a Bourbon Street/French Quarter inspired set featuring the magnificent courtyard, balcony and patio gardens.

Patio Planters was recommended as the best source of information for design and plant suggestions as well as for gaining access to the best gardens in the French Quarter. I would like to thank Rodney and Frances Smith, Steve Scalia, Mike Moffit and Brenda Vorhoff, Mary Adele and John Baus, Jill Wagner and Tony Marino for opening up their patios. I also showed my patio as lagniappe. This is great publicity for Patio Planters and the French Quarter! 

The Show, the largest of its type in the world, attracts more than 250,000 people annually during one week. The Flower Show is made up of 60 full-scale gardens, many of which follow the Show theme as well as thousands of individual plant and floral entries, a series of gardening related seminars and 144 vendors in their Show Marketplace. All of the plants in the Show must be "forced" into bloom out of season. This is both an art and a science that has been perfected by those landscape companies that participate in the Show and is one of the factors that sets the Philadelphia Flower Show apart from all other flower shows. You can check it out here: www.theflowershow.com—index.html

Many of you have been exploring our website, www.patioplanters.org, and have asked about accessing the membership directory on line. This can be a very valuable tool to help research membership contact numbers if you have misplaced your Membership Directory or are out of town and have access to the Internet. First, once on any of our pages on our web site, look to the left and click on Membership Directory. Once that page opens, type (Not available) in the slot that says Username; then type (Not available) in the box that says Password. Next, click on the submit button. The current membership list is not complete, but will shortly be up to date as the latest renewals and new members are included. This special access is for members only, so we must be very circumspect with this information.

Our various committees have been feverishly organizing, so now is the time to become involved as a committee member or event participant (we are looking for patios and homes for our tours) or both. Sam Poché and Leslie Perrin will tell you that it’s never too early to begin work on the White Elephant Sale and Auction. Please review their message in this issue of the Punch and join in the fun, because Sam and Leslie and their cohort really make this a fun and memorable event.

We have already been making solid plans for the Secret Garden Tours, the Holiday Home Tour and Caroling by Candlelight. In fact, the first press releases and advertisements for those events have already been placed. If you haven’t contacted your event Chair or haven’t decided which event to help, please do so now, because the time is now. Look in this issue of the Punch for a complete listing of events as well as another separate listing of Chairs. Do it today.

Have a great and safe July 4th, and I look forward to seeing you at Le Petit Theatre on July 11th.

Stephen M. Swain

From our Membership Chair . . .

Keep those cards, letters, e-mails and membership renewals coming in! We still have a few members who have not renewed for 2007, so check to see if you have a *BRIGHT RED STAR* on your address label. That means it's time NOW to take a minute to write that check. There is a membership renewal form in the Punch or just contact us! 

Please welcome the following 2007 members:

• Harold Applewhite
• Nadine & Simon Blake 
• Bonnie Griffith
• Rich Magill
• Michael Moffit and Brenda Vorhoff
• Bob & Janice Phelps
• Rose & Ralph Sturgeon
• Tee & John Zimmerman

Paula Chavis 

From our Program Chair . . .

Many thanks to Dr. Steve Mallernee, assisted by our secretary, Debbie Mallernee, for his insightful and delicious presentation on the influence of terroir in the production and development of wine. We have many more intriguing subjects to follow. 

Please note the roster of future speakers as we enter the second half of the calendar year:

July 11

Leslie Perrin, along with our immediate past president, Sam Poché, recently toured Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Leslie will discuss the gardens and flora of  Southeast Asia while Sam demonstrates recipe creations of this exotic region.  Come see what the fuss is all about. You’ll be treated to fresh spring rolls, a staple of Southeast Asian fare, after the meeting at our hospitality hour!

August 1

Paula and Cindy of Nature’s Impressions will present a program on adding color to shaded, hot patio areas.

September 5

Ed Wallace from the Crescent City Bird Club will speak.

October 3

Maureen Detweiler, the celebrated rosarian, will speak to us about antique roses.

For future meetings check in with our Punch or our website, www.patioplanters.org as we will be updating that information on a continual basis. Thank you and I hope you are excited as I am by our schedule of program speakers.

Lyn Gladney

 Our Birthday Party . . .

Thank you so much to everyone who attended our Birthday Party, which was held Saturday, May 19 in Tommy and Annie Lewis’ fantastic courtyard.  Special, special thanks to everyone who brought food to share.  We had a little bit of everything, from sliced chicken and pork and delicious sausages barbequed by Tommy Lewis, to beautiful salads, hors d'oeuvres and desserts.  We even had a platter of boiled crawfish! 

Of course it is a lot of work to put on an event like this and I couldn’t have done it without the members who were there to help me make it a success.  It all started with B.B. St. Roman who picked out the wonderful font for the invitations and printed them too.  I told her, “Find something festive!” and she did!  Barbara Richmond tracked down the Past Presidents for me and greeted members at the gate the night of the party.  Tom McGinn was there Saturday morning to set up the tables and chairs with us and Craig Schexnayder made sure everything was broken down again before we all called it a night.  Tom also blew up the balloons. 

Craig and Roland once again came through, checking in people and taking admission at the gate.  I hope some day soon they will be able to attend a function without being forced into service!   Sam Poché took photographs to chronicle the event.  Adrienne Hartsock and Debbie Mallernee were invaluable, helping me throughout the entire night with the food, to set it out, keep the tables clean and to keep the courtyard picked up.

As always, Betty Kern’s punch was a tremendous hit, she makes gallons and it was gone by the end of the evening!  A special thank you to my husband, Jeff, who helped me with everything AND had to put up with me throughout the planning process!

Last but not least, a thousand thanks to Tommy and Annie Lewis.  Tommy gave us full run of his courtyard for several days leading up to the party and never once made us feel we were imposing.  His sweet dog, Bo, was always there to welcome us whenever we came over.

Roberta Grove gave us a lovely write-up in the Times-Picayune, just five days after the party.  Thank you finally to our President, Steve Swain, who gave a touching speech entreating us to be wild flowers at heart and to take care of our beautiful French Quarter.  All in all, it was a wonderful evening and thank you again to everyone who attended and everyone who gave their time to ensure it would be a success.

Celia Collins

P.S.  If anyone is missing a spoon or spoons or a small knife with a fleur-de-lis, give me a call at 524-8432.

Our Upcoming Events . . .

Our White Elephant Sale and Auction

If you haven’t done it yet, please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 10, 2007. We are moving full steam ahead on the White Elephant Sale & Auction scheduled to take place once again at McDonogh 15 School.  We’ll soon be confirming volunteers for booth Chairpersons and Assistants.  The “V” word is not so bad.  It’s not only the letter that leads the word Volunteer, but it begins the words Valuable and Vivacious and Very Special!  Consider yourself all of the above when you participate.  We’d love to see you resume your roles in making this event even more successful than years past, so get ready to get busy.  Please also keep in mind that donations are what make this event a financial success.  Please ask your neighbors at local shops, stores, restaurants, salons, hotels, galleries etc. for a contribution to the Auction.  One item can make a difference.  Anyone cleaning out a closet can call for a pick up, or we’ll meet you at the storeroom.  For any of the above, or just to say hello, please email sam@fqr.com or leslieaperrin@aol.com . A phone call is OK too, the number is 504-319-6226 or 504-722-5820.

Leslie Perrin and Sam Poché

Gardening Tips I

By Celia Collins

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillars and Butterflies

This is for those of you who have citrus trees.  I have two, a small orange tree which I bought about 10 years ago and a 12-foot lemon tree which I started as a seed 24 years ago. 

White flies have been the main pest in the trees over the years.  This year something different has appeared.   Last week I noticed telltale droppings around both trees indicating I had GIANT caterpillars in both of them.  The first thing I thought of was the Buck Moth Caterpillar invasion a few months ago, but then I remembered all the beautiful butterflies I have seen passing through our courtyard this Spring.  After scrutinizing my trees, I found out that there were “very large caterpillars who look like they are covered with tawny brown and white snakeskin.”  They are beautiful.  It took me about half an hour on the computer to identify them.  They are the caterpillars who become the Giant Swallowtail Butterflies - huge, beautiful, black butterflies with yellow spots.  I immediately sent an email to Dan Gill of the Times- Picayune to ask him if it was ok to leave the caterpillars alone.  He told me if a tree is old enough with enough leaves, it should be fine.  If the caterpillars don’t eat more than half the leaves, the harvest also would not be disturbed. 

I check every morning and every evening.  They usually are hidden on branches or under the leaves during the day, they eat at night.  One by one the larger caterpillars are disappearing.  I’ve never seen it happen, but I am hoping they are becoming butterflies and flying away (away from our cats!).  There are two small ones left on the orange tree (the lemon tree is too high to really see what’s going on).  So, to all of you with citrus trees who might find these tawny/white caterpillars making themselves at home in the branches and on the leaves, think twice before you disturb them.  They are actually beautiful butterflies in the making.  

Gardening Tips II

By Steve Swain

I thought it was my Favorite Tree 

A rosarian once asked me, “You do know that trees are our enemies, don’t you?”   Well, I had mixed feelings about the implication of that question, because I do want some shade in my patio from the summer sun, but I have always wanted roses, too.

As every French Quarterite knows, our patios and gardens are very much influenced by the trees, not to mention the architectural peculiarities, of our neighbors’ properties. For example, I was resigned to a totally shade oriented garden, because the neighbor on one side had a magnolia and the neighbor on the other side had a golden rain tree. Imagine my year long mutterings as I constantly swept the leaves, flowers, silk, magnolia cones, rain tree pods, branches, etc., knowing full well that fate had cruelly denied me roses.

Then the hand of God intervened several years ago in the form of a bitter freeze and the rain tree was reduced to a dead skeleton, which my neighbor cut down to the stump. Even though fresh shoots appeared on the stump in the spring, I rejoiced in my good fortune. Next the magnolia was diagnosed with a severe infestation of termites and was taken down by the neighbors on the other side.

In my triumph I bought several roses for very large pots and, as a side thought, I purchased a wisp of a fig sapling. Later while wandering the Warehouse District I discovered an interesting tree with orchid-like flowers that developed seedpods, one of which I took. I think you know the ending of this tale: I now have a behemoth of a fig tree and a 35-foot tall orchid tree gracing my patio. Oh, and by the way, the rain tree is back, bigger and messier than ever!

Until this summer I thought that the orchid tree was my favorite, especially because it was heavily laden with blossoms this spring. As you may know, the orchid tree drops it leaves and seedpods late spring to summer. I have been as busy sweeping as though the magnolia tree had never gone away!

St. Teresa said to be careful what you pray for, because you just might get it!

My Favorite Plant

by Sam Poché

Bleeding Heart Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)

The Bleeding Heart Vine is truly beautiful. It is hardy here in New Orleans, and can probably be grown in colder zones if taken indoors in the winter. It originates from West Africa.  It also goes by Bleeding Glory Bower, Tropical Bleeding Heart, Bag Flower and Glory Tree. 

It thrives here but does need protection from freezes.  And, while it may lose its leaves after a real cold snap, in late spring it will sprout along what looks to be dead wood. It also sprouts from ground roots. Cuttings can be rooted in water and in soil, if kept moist.

 I’ve found that it does well in containers but can really flourish in the ground. I’ve never tried growing it in a hanging basket but imagine it should do well as long as it has ample moisture and good drainage. It can withstand dry conditions, but the leaves are fragile without regular watering.  Whether grown in containers or in the ground it does need some type of support. An arbor, trellis or sweet olive tree can serve the purpose. 

It likes lots of moisture and appears to prefer morning sun but will tolerate late evening sun.   These calyces of the purest white imaginable shelter blooms, sometimes called corollae, of pure scarlet for a most striking effect.  They bloom sporadically Spring through Fall, heaviest during the Summer. 

Recipe to Share

by Celia Collins

Buttermilk Custard Pie

3 Eggs
2 Cups Sugar
1 Tbsp. Flour
1 Cup Buttermilk
1/2 Cup Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Premade Graham Cracker Crust 

Separate egg yolks from whites.  Set whites aside.  Cream butter and sugar together. Add flour and egg yolks, then add buttermilk and vanilla extract.  Whip the egg whites into stiff peaks for meringue (I add a pinch of salt and teaspoon of sugar to egg whites, then beat. Can add more sugar if you wish).

Pour mixture into 8 or 9-inch pie crust, then top with meringue. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

This is one of those recipes that turns out great if you follow proportions exactly.  I've made the mistake of adding a bit more this or that and having problems, so you can't get too creative. But when it turns out, it tastes just like candy. It came from the father of a friend of mine who was an Oklahoma farmer back way before the Dust Bowl days, and it's probably well over 100 years old.

Patio Patter

• Curious Minds want to know who went where, and who is doing what!
• Please keep us abreast at

When Barbara Louviere renewed her membership, she included a note to say that she and Marshall are living in Otterback, Germany, where Marshall is the USA Ramstein Airbase historian. Though they will remain in Germany for at least five years, they are "wishing everyone well and continued success in keeping the Vieux Carre livable." 

Tom and Linda Maher returned in April from Baja, Ca. Mexico to attend the "Easter on the Avenue" parade. While here, they visited family and friends and of course, they attended the Patio Planters meeting.