Gardenettes,a Ponchatoula garden club

02/12/2026

Gardenettes (Ponchatoula) attended the annual Tangipahoa Garden Clubs meeting February 11 at the First Presbyterian Church's Anderson Hall, 411 W. Charles St., Hammond. Sponsored by Stem and Stamen Garden Club of Amite, the four parish clubs including Belle Oaks (Hammond) and Hammond Garden Club, were represented.

Gardenettes present included Carol McGough, Ellen Pusey, president Susan Pizani, Marilyn Wright, Mary Hirsch, Linda Fabre, Virginia Hawkins, Vicky Fannaly, Cynthia Cu**er and Sandy Cusick.

​Stem and Stamen president, Sharon Sledge, led a discussion of useful gardening hints and terrarium tips which she opened for discussion among the gardeners present. The club also held a fifty-fifty raffle and had silent auction items for attendees to make bids. Carrying out a Western theme, the ladies enjoyed fellowship followed by a chuck-wagon lunch of brisket and fixings prepared by award winning BBQ chef, Wayne Cooper.

Gardenettes and Belle Oaks are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.

02/11/2026

Mike and Beth Morris, ​39905 River Oaks Dr., received Gardenettes Garden of the Month honors February 11 for their beautiful landscaping according to Darnell Kimber, chairman of the garden club committee. The club is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.

According to Kimber, the couple purchased the lot in 1991 and moved in their house in 1993. They planted the oak tree out front in 1993 and it was only 6 foot tall. They have numerous Shishi Gashira camellias, Asian jasmine around trees, daylilies, Chinese fringe flowers, and a huge Camellia garden by the sitting area off to the left. There is also a fig tree, asparagus and cabbage planted. Bamboo was planted for privacy, along with a huge holly that surrounds the air conditioner.

The neighbors have Ligustrum planted which serves as a perfect privacy area behind the pool. Morris has a Meyers lemon tree, large palms and azaleas. Hurricane Ida broke one of the limbs off of the oak tree and it hit the corner of the house. It also flooded the backyard up to 20 inches into the garage, Kimber said.

01/31/2026

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01/22/2026

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01/22/2026

Mayor Wesley Daniels joined the Gardenettes January 21 for their Arbor Day ceremonies. A Brandywine maple tree was planted at Tasker Memorial Park so named in honor of the first black mayor of Ponchatoula, Arthur Tasker, who served 1873-1874.

Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Assisting in the planting was Jacob Stevens, Public Works Director for the City of Ponchatoula. Garden club chairman Susan Pizani gave a brief program outlining the significance of Arbor Day and the club's commitment to renew the environment. Club members present were Mary Hirsch, Karen Hotard, Marilyn Wright, Pizani and her husband Tillman Pizani.

01/20/2026

Lance Vicknair, owner of Harry McKneely Funeral Homes and Crematory, accepted January-February Genesis honors for landscaping from the Gardenettes chairman, Darnell Kimber, January 20. The Ponchatoula location has received this award in 2021 for its consistently well-maintained grounds.

Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Sasanqua camellias blooming in the beds, lend a bright contrast to the variegated liriope borders. Permanent plantings of rose bushes have been cut back for the winter but are still visible in the many planting areas, said Kimber. Assisting her was Karen Hotard who took the photos.

01/15/2026

Captain Ron Whittaker Sr., Louisiana State Police, gave personal safety skill tips to the Gardenettes at their January 14 meeting held at the Strawberry Board Building in Memorial Park. Whittaker addressed the members' personal concerns following his presentation.

According to club president, Susan Pizani, the speaker was very engaging and informative. Gardenettes are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. and National Garden Clubs Inc.

The club has purchased a tree to plant in Tasker Park for Arbor Day this month. Tasker Park was named in honor of the first black mayor of Ponchatoula, Arthur Tasker, who served 1873-1874. Margaret Bailey gave an overview of Tasker and his service to the city. Councilwoman Batiste outlined her visions for the park and its future improvements. The exact arrangements are being finalized.

01/03/2026

Cindy and Darin Helms, 39906 River Oaks Drive, received the January Garden of the Month from the Gardenettes for their attractive landscaping. Club chairman, Darnell Kimber, made the presentation January 3.

Present were club members Susan Pizani, Mary Hirsch, Karen Hotard, Virginia Hawkins, Vicky Fannaly and Linda Fabre. All are members of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Although Helms credits all the planting to his wife's love of gardening, he enjoys repurposing creative fountains out of vintage material like an old fireplug, a full-blown wishing well, pottery pots and such. The Helms also have many beautiful conventional fountains. Helms, who is in the building business, and his wife built their backyard fencing and installed elaborate drainage to change it from waterlogged to firm ground.

Cindy Helms is an avid gardener and enjoys experimenting with different plants. She mentioned an interest in daylilies of which she has many beautiful varieties. She has roses, camellias, Agapanthus, Amaryllis, crepe myrtles and many other old favorites.

12/30/2025

Bonnye and Mike Wills, 320 W. Magnolia, received Garden of the Month honors for December from the Gardenettes. The presentation was made December 29 with Gardenettes Karen Hotard, Vicky Fannaly, Marilyn Wright, Susan Pizani and Marissa Pizani.

The Wills and their neighbors have decorated their property in festive Christmas lights which makes the block shine at night to the delight of passersby. Their curved porch is surrounded by multi-season blooming azalea hedges. Crepe myrtles add height and color in summer months.

The award presentation was postponed until December 29 for the convenience of the homeowners. The garden club is a member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs Inc., and National Garden Clubs Inc.

Bonnye Wills' grandmother, Norma Huber, received the Garden of the Month award in November 2021, which shows attractive landscaping is in the family.