Holiday highlights from Becky Turpin sharing a couple of enjoyable and rewarding days at the Chester County Learning Center last week in Coatesville, PA. The Horticulture Students had come to my house to harvest Aquatic Plants and unique Annuals for their programs, and took notice of my outdoor container gardens..

I had the privilege to coach two groups of students to assemble the large containers that now flank the entrance of the school. Afterwards the students made two more similar containers for another entrance on the campus. They were so proud of themselves, which made me feel great about the experience.

Next came showing my take on creating centerpieces to fill some of their special orders. Typically working with foliage before flowers on our landscape installations, my take on floral design is similar. First I like to have a balance of evergreen color and texture for continual interest. Then some flowers can be added for additional enhancement.

The same applied to the orders for holiday baskets. Students that had never done flower arranging and were a little reluctant to try could not believe their wonderful outcome! They were also surprised to see that sometimes no flowers were needed at all.

Wreath making is a large part of the holiday activities at the Learning Center. Starting with empty frames and an assortment of harvested greenery, the students create wreaths to fill orders. As a thank you, I was given one made by some students, and then together we made a few more.

I think the students favorite activity of all is delivering their creations to those that ordered them and some that they give as gifts to say thank you for supporting them. They brought us poinsettias that they grew in their greenhouses and were gracious and proud when they brought them.

Valuable programs like the Horticultural Program and the Chester County Intermediate Unit Learning Center rely on support for the students from experts in the field.