Garden Club rescues Miss Lassie’s plants

(CNS): As the Cayman Cultural Foundation begins its efforts to restore and renovate the home and gardens of the late Gladwyn Bush, “Miss Lassie”, for eventual opening to the public, the Garden Club of Grand Cayman has stepped in to rescue plants around the house with an aim of using them to re-landscape the property when the renovations are finished. (Photo courtesy of the Garden Club)

A team of gardeners were on hand along with Garden Club President, Berna Thompson Cummins and long-time member Rob Bennett (photo below) , Vice President Jennifer Godfrey and Lois Blumenthal. Some plants were moved to the perimeter of the property and some were tagged or roped off in place with ribbons, but most were put into pots and transported to the Cultural Foundation for safekeeping.

The rescued plants were photographed and cataloged and were a mixture of native and traditional species, including old-time White Ixora and other Ixoras, Crocus, Sambac Jasmine, Ti Plant, Periwinkles, Vitex, Catbush (Dashalong), Virvine, Rattlebox, Asparagus Fern and an assortment of small Popnut trees and other plants. The group also rescued about 40 seashells for lining walkways and unearthed two antique kitchen pans that had been recycled in the traditional way by Miss Lassie and used as flowerpots in her garden.

The GardenClub is active in community gardening projects, hosts an annual Flower Show, and holds regular educational meetings once a month. New members are always welcome. Contact us by email at Berna@candw.ky or phone 516-0327 to learn more or to attend the next meeting.