Most programs for 2025-2026 will meet in person at 6:30 p.m. at the Glastonbury Community Church, 113 Stancliff Road. Our meetings include a social gathering with refreshments before our 7:00 program which is followed by an hour long business meeting

We will have one Zoom program in January 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Most meetings are open to the public. If programs need to be in a virtual format by Zoom, members will be notified. Our Virtual Administrator will send out emails with the link to the Zoom program a few days before the meeting

To inspire all to enter our growing successes in the CT Flower Show, each month members are encouraged to bring in a plant or specimen that fits the monthly theme to share with other members. Criteria and judging tips for each specimen will be discussed.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Summer Joys: Scenes and Specimens from our Gardens and Travels
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Kathy Harris
Host: Ann Gilnack
Co-hosts: Donna Nowak, Ann Gilnack
Floral Arrangement: Donna Nowak

Horticulture Exhibit:

• One cut specimen of a blooming flower, displayed in a clear glass bottle
• a cut herb displayed in water in a clear glass bottle.
• or any other specimen

Time to get reacquainted, share stories and renew friendships. Bring items from your garden to share or display. Disclose new ideas, tools you love, techniques you’ve tried – successes and revisions. Send pictures (max. 6) to Kathy Harris by September 1 of gardens visited and enjoyed.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 6:30 pm
Artistic Crafts: Fabulous Creations with Plant Material with Larry Huzi
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Suzy Fisher
Host: Valerie Escalera
Co-Hosts: Joan Tinson, Sandee Brown
Floral Arrangement: Dorette Peterson

Horticulture Exhibit:

• African Violet in Bloom
• Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
• Any other specimen

Artistic Crafts is a section in the Botanical Arts Division of a Standard Flower Show. Using only fresh or dried plant material, entrants create a designated craft such as a hat, necklace or wedding cake. Larry will dazzle us with the variety of creations that can be made using seeds, stems, and flowers, all from your own backyard. Larry is a member of the Branford Garden Club. He has won numerous top awards for his creative floral designs.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 6:30 p.m.
Back by Popular Demand: Pumpkin and Gourd Centerpieces
Trish Manfredi, Facilitator
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Donna Nowak
Host: Ginny Smith
Co-hosts: Jean Bartlett, Jeanie Babineau
Floral Arrangement: Rita Patrello

Horticulture Exhibit:

• A cut broadleaf evergreen, not to exceed 30 inches in length with an apical tip
• Any other specimen

Bring:

• A small pumpkin (in any color) – the ones with flatter tops are best – washed and dried before
  the workshop. Do not cut open.
• A plate for stability (optional)
• Interesting natural trim from your garden (pods, acorns, dried flowers, etc.)
• Gloves and clippers
• Glue gun and glue sticks

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Material Costs = $10.00

Wednesday, December 17, 2025, 5 p.m.
Deck the Halls – Holiday Party and Gift Exchange
Home of Carole Fromer

Not open to the public

Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 6:30
Growing Irises in New England with Ruth Bennett
***Virtual – Zoom***

Program Coordinator: Carolyn Mitchell
Virtual Administrator: Sandee Brown

Ruth Bennett, known as the Iris Lady, will emphasize irises hybridized here in New England. She will discuss iris culture and show how interspecies’ crosses have given us a wide range of garden plants from which to choose. Newer cultivars are available for a wide variety of conditions and hardy enough for New England’s climate.

• Preregistration through the website is required by January 10
• You will receive a zoom link by email a couple of days prior the meeting

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 6:30
*Snow Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, 6:30 pm*
What is a Native Plant: Straight Species v. Cultivars with Ted Johnson
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Sandee Brown
Host: Sandee Brown
Co-hosts: Ginny Smith, Carolyn Mitchell
Floral Arrangement: Shirley Jackson

Horticulture Exhibit:

• Cut needled evergreen, not to exceed 30 inches in length with an apical tip
• Any other specimen

Ted Johnson will explore the definition of a native plant and discuss the benefits of selecting them for our gardens. He will define the differences between straight species and cultivars.

Ted Johnson is a Master Gardener and owner of Wethersfield-based Wildscape Artisans. He will lead
us on a virtual tour of native gardens, which he has designed and installed and are appropriate for our
area.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Thursday, February 19 – Sunday, February 22, 2026
44th Annual CT Flower and Garden Show
A STORYBOOK GARDEN
2026 The Federated Garden Clubs of CT (FGCCT)
Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT

Website: www.CTFlowerShow.com

Each year Spring arrives early in Connecticut at The Federation sponsored State Flower Show. While not an official activity of the club, we participate in the show by entering designs, horticulture and photography. In addition, we volunteer to assist with the event in various capacities. To find out how you can be involved, contact Suzy Fisher.

Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Payoffs of a Pesticide Free Yard with Louise Washer
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Susan Marks
Host: Rita Patrello
Co-hosts: Susan Marks, Jim Oliphant
Floral Arrangement: Virginia Valace

Horticulture Exhibit:

• Any non-bulb spring flower in water in a clear glass container
• A cut, forced flowering branch, not to exceed 30 inches in length, with apical tip, displayed in water in a clear glass container

We are all concerned about the sharp declines in pollinators and birds. As gardeners, we hold the power to help restore biodiversity. Louise will talk about how planting native plants, avoiding pesticides and rethinking the great American lawn are ways to bring more butterflies and birds to our yards and to model sustainable land management necessary to achieve climate resiliency and thriving ecosystems.

Louise Washer is a founding member of Pollinator Pathway and serves on its Executive Board. She is
also an organizer of Connecticut Pesticide Reform, a coalition of conservation organizations working to
reform pesticide policy in Connecticut. Louise is president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association
and is on the Board of the Hudson to Housatonic Regional Conservation Partnership.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Floral Challenge with Supermarket Flowers
Critique: Trish Manfredi
Designers: Dorette Peterson, Virginia
Valace, Shirley Jackson, Rita Patrello
Glastonbury Community Church

• Program Coordinator: Donna Nowak
• Host: Karen Roblyer
• Co-hosts: Trish Manfredi, Suzy Fisher
• Floral Designer: Winnie Zimberlin

Horticulture Exhibit:

• A cut Narcissus or Daffodil, in water, displayed in a clear glass container
• Any other specimen

Using supermarket flowers four members, Shirley Jackson, Virginia Valace, Dorette Peterson and Rita
Patrello, will be challenged to create floral arrangements. Trish Manfredi will critique the results. The arrangements will be auctioned.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Saturday, May 9, 2026 – ANNUAL PLANT SALE
9am – 12 noon
2400 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT
In front of the historic Welles-Chapman Tavern at the
corner of Main Street and Hebron Avenue

Co-chairs: Shirley Jackson and Susan Marks

Mark your calendar. All hands on deck.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Raised Bed Vegetable Gardening in Coastal Connecticut
….and Recipes too! (with Pam Wright)
Glastonbury Community Church

Program Coordinator: Suzy Fisher
Host: Carole Fromer
Co-hosts: Kathy Harris, Nancy Sparks
Floral Arrangement: Joan Tinson

Horticulture Exhibit:

• Any flowering branch, not to exceed 30 inches in length, with an apical tip, displayed in water in a clear glass container
• A spring flower displayed in water in a clear glass container
• Any other specimen

Pam’s Stonington, CT property on the Pawcatuck River includes a 26 raised bed regenerative vegetable
garden. She will discuss building the raised beds, sowing seeds, pest control, favorite vegetables, and she will even share some recipes.

Pam is an NGC Master Judge and an NGC 4-star Member Consultant in Environmental, Garden and
Landscape Design. She chaired the Horticultural Classification of the 2024 Connecticut Flower Show.

Open to the Public – Contact us to Register

Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
A Progressive Garden Tour, Dinner and Annual Meeting with
Installation of Officers for 2026-2028
Multiple Locations

Program Coordinator: Suzy Fisher
Hosts: Suzy Fisher, Shirley Jackson
Co-hosts: Susan Marks at Shirley’s, Valerie Escalera
at Suzy’s
Floral Design: Shirley Jackson

Once again we will have a Progressive Garden Tour and Dinner to close out the year, followed by the
Installation of Officers for 2026-2028.

We will begin the fun with appetizers and a tour of Shirley Jackson’s Garden. Then we will head to Suzy
Fisher’s for a tour of her garden followed by dinner and dessert. The evening will conclude with our Annual Meeting and the installation of new officers.

Sign up at the May meeting to bring an appetizer or dessert. Final details including carpooling will be
discussed in the Spring. If the weather doesn’t permit this progressive event, all will be held at Suzy Fisher’s.

• Garden Tour #1 – With Appetizers
• Garden Tour #2 – Dinner and Dessert
• Annual Meeting
• Installation of Officers