The January meeting of the St. Denis Garden Club was held in the home of
Lanell Causey. Tim Murchison, City Horticulturist, spoke to the group about
his beautification work for the City of Natchitoches. He manages a group of
workers to maintain (water, plant, fertilize and prune) the plantings on the
riverbank, Beau Jardin, City Park and other parks in the city. They also
take care of plantings at the interstate intersection of LA 6 West and some
other median plantings.

His Department grows plants from seed and plug, and plants bulbs of flowering plants such as narcissus, tulips, caladiums and chrysanthemums. They maintain a nursery in-house for sun and shade plants.

They create 98 – 24″ wire baskets of flowers during the year that seasonally
beautify the city. Each weighs 200 pounds and takes two hours to plant.
Volunteers to plant baskets include Master Gardeners and 4-H students and
members were asked to help this spring.

Mr. Murchison answered members’ questions about timely pruning and tree selection based on location.

Pictured from left are Sharon Gahagan, VP – Programs, St. Denis Garden
Club; Tim Murchison, City Horticulturist; Sarah Luster, Pres- St. Denis
Garden Club; and Lanell Causey, January Host.