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The purpose of The Garden Club of America is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to share the advantages of association by means of educational meetings, conferences, correspondence, and publications, and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.
Founded in 1913, The Garden Club of America is a volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization comprised of 200 member clubs and approximately 18,000 club members throughout the country.
Good News! Washington’s View Saved
The Garden Club of America celebrates news from Mount Vernon that the iconic view from George Washington’s beloved home has been saved. In a statement released on October 16, 2018, Dominion Energy announced it will not construct a natural gas transmission compressor station across the river from George Washington’s historic home.
Glasshouses Don’t Throw Stones
From The Garden Club of America Collection at the Archives of American Gardens
Growing plants in environmentally controlled areas is a phenomenon that dates back to ancient Roman times. What gardener doesn’t love the thought of an endless growing season?
The GCA Praised for Protecting the Environment
In the news...
Save The Bay, the largest regional organization working to protect, restore and celebrate the San Francisco Bay, recently featured The Garden Club of America in its blog. Executive Director David Lewis was quick to praise the GCA for “its perseverance protecting the environment.” He went on to share: “Garden clubs have a long history of involvement in conservation. They made a huge push to advocate for the creation of the Clean Water Act, and their members have continued to be leading advocates in local communities.”
Freitag Lauded for Vision and Grace
In the news...
The life of Christine Freitag (1934-2018), President of The Garden Club of America from 1993-1995, inspired many including Michael Douglas, Editorial Page Editor of the Akron Beacon Journal. In his Op-Ed (September 8, 2018) Douglas reflected on what he called “a life lived so well… through the ethic of conservation and stewardship she made Akron better.” He noted, “Few have achieved as much.” This touching editorial is a testament to the life of a leader who had a significant impact on her community and her country through steadfast vision, intelligence and grace which inspired others to follow her in the mission of preserving and celebrating natural beauty. Take a moment to read Michael Douglas's editorial "Christine Freitag and a Better Akron"
This Month in GCA History, October
The GCA Demonstrates a Commitment to Education
Since its founding in 1913, The Garden Club of America has often used the power of the written word as a means to promote its message on a wide range of gardening and conservation-related issues. From the creation of the Bulletin in 1913 to the addition of its more recent publications, the GCA has utilized the expertise of its club members to reach a broader audience through publications and books.
GARDEN CLUB OF DENVER SUPPORTS CURRICULUM ON NATIONAL PARKS
The GCA in the News
The Denver Garden Club, in a joint initiative with History Colorado, made news with a new elementary school curriculum designed to build awareness of Colorado’s national parks and monuments and encourage stewardship of the state’s natural resources. The program was developed in conjunction with the centennial anniversaries of both the U.S. National Park Service and the Garden Club of Denver. Suellen White (President, Denver Garden Club) and April Legg (History Colorado) were featured this past spring on the Denver NBC affiliate (KUSA).
Click here to watch the video.
Help Solve A Garden Mystery - The Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens
Bloomsbury garden, unknown location, 1990
Do you love gardens and the thrill of the hunt? Pictured is "Bloomsbury Garden" from an unknown location in 1990. The Garden Club of America Collection at the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens has images of numerous gardens across the United States that need a bit of sleuthing to be positively identified. Some images belonged to slide lectures that were dismantled over time or simply never were labeled. Regardless of how it happened, they are a mystery!
The Garden Club of America offers 28 merit-based scholarships and fellowships in 12 areas related to conservation, ecology, horticulture, and pollinator research. In 2018, more than $308,400 was awarded to 65 scholars.
In its inaugural year, the Montine M. Freeman Scholarship in Native Plant Studies was awarded to Angela Merriken and Dr. Uma Venkatesh.
Read more about the new Scholarship and the recipients.
Annually since 1995, the GCA has identified a stellar North American native plant to receive its Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal for Plant of the Year.
Mountain mint is The Garden Club of America's 2018 Plant of the Year.
Nominate a Plant - recognize a plant that is under-utilized but worthy of preservation, propagation and promotion.
Hancock Park Garden Club was distressed over the breakdown of their century-old neighborhood aesthetics and diminished ecosystems so they decided to take action. Read more about what HPGC is doing and consider what you might do in your community.
Download the GCA's Position Papers on Climate Change Action and Native Plants.
