MONTHLY MEETINGS

 

Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September through June. Meetings are generally held in the lower-level room at the Canton Community Center.  Visitors are always welcome! A social hour that includes delicious food begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by a business meeting.  The speaker program which is open to the public begins at 11:00 a.m.

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SPEAKER PROGRAMS 2024 - 2025

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The speaker programs are open to the public unless otherwise noted. There is a $5.00 guest fee for non-members.  The speaker programs begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Canton Community Center, lower level room, unless otherwise noted.

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September 10, 2024 - "A Year in the Life of a Garden" with speaker Robin Lensi. 

 

November 12, 2024 - "Conifers in the Garden" with speaker Renee Marsh.  Renee will discuss some tips for adding conifers to your property.  Conifers are unparalleled for adding four-season interest to a garden.  From towering trees to tiny dwarfs, there is a conifer to suit nearly every landscape.  Learn about conifers that can be used as screens, in mixed borders, as specimens, as groundcover, and even as container plants.  Renee is an Advanced Master Gardener, has a degree in horticulture, and continues her studies at UConn and the NY Botanical Garden.  Her garden design firm is A Simpler Place, which serves clients in Westchester, New Haven, and Fairfield counties.  She consults with gardeners, and designs and installs gardens.  

 

December 3, 2024 -   No speaker program*.  Holiday workshop and lunch for members only. 

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January 14, 2025 - "Why Natives?" with speaker Margery Winters from the Roaring Brook Nature Center.  Margery manages the Nature Center's native plant gardens and is an advocate for the role of natives in our designed landscapes.  *This meeting and presentation is at Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019. 

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February 11, 2025 - "Following our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall" with speaker Steve Messier.

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March 11, 2025  - "Easy Care Roses for the Home Garden" with speaker Marci Martin.  Marci has been President of the Connecticut Rose Society, and the Rosarian at Elizabeth Park in Hartford.  She is an AARS Test Garden Judge and a Consulting Rosarian with the American Rose Society.   In 2008, Marci was honored with the Outstanding Consulting Rosarian award for the Yankee District of the American Rose Society.

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April 8, 2025 - "Floral Mechanics:  Past, Present, Future for Eco-Friendly Floral Designs" with speaker Trish Manfredi.  Trish Manfredi, Master NGC Flower Show Judge will show floral mechanics from the early 20th century to the mid-20th century.  In 1954, the revolutionary green floral foam known as Oasis, became the major mechanic, although recently it has become an environmental concern.  As the first quarter of the 21st century ends, Trish will introduce mechanics new to the market and discuss how to find and use the early mechanics which are making a resurgence as environmentally friendly.  She will demonstrate several floral designs using non-foam mechanics.  Trish has served as chair of the CT Judges Council for seven years and has had 10 designs in the NGC Vision of Beauty Calendars.  Trish received the FGCCT Tribute Award for Design twice.  She won the People's Choice at Fine Arts and Flowers at Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.  She presents programs and workshops throughout Connecticut, New England, and Eastern New York State.  She holds a doctorate in Educational Research from UMass/Amherst. 

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May 13, 2025 - "Growing Irises in New England" with speaker Ruth Bennett. Ruth is a Master Judge for the American Iris Society and a well-known speaker for the CT Flower Show and Federated Garden Club.  Her program emphasizes irises hybridized here in New England while discussing culture.  She will show how interspecies crosses have given even a wider range of garden plants.

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June 10, 2025 - Annual Club Luncheon at a member's private residence in which we celebrate our accomplishments for the year.  The meeting is a private event.

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