What We Do


Gardening & Horticulture

Club members are given the opportunity to learn about horticulture through workshops, demonstrations and informative programs.  Trips to gardens and places of horticultural interest are offered during the year.

Floral Design

Workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions are held to promote interest and skill in flower arranging.  Members are encouraged to participate in flower shows as well as develop their skills in arranging for their own enjoyment.  The workshops include something for everyone - beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Civic Projects






































Scholarships
Each year the Simsbury Garden Club presents three scholarships to eligible students.

Since 1989, an annual $500 scholarship is awarded by our Club to a Simsbury High School graduating senior planning to major in horticulture, forestry, botany, floriculture, conservation, agronomy, plant pathology, landscape design/architecture, city planning, environmental concerns or related subjects. The recipient is chosen by the Simsbury High School guidance department.  This scholarship is extended into the Sophomore year if the student continues in that major.

Beginning in 2001, an annual $1,500-$2,000 scholarship is awarded to a student attending the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.  The criteria for the recipient:  junior or senior majoring in agronomy, arboriculture, conservation, ecology, floriculture, forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture/design, or related fields.  Selected by the College, the student must be from Hartford County with preference given to a Simsbury resident.

The UCONN recipient is chosen by the faculty of UConn’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources.   

















Plant Sale 
The annual plant sale is the major fundraiser of the year.  Members' donate perennial plants from their own gardens.  In addition locally grown annuals, herbs and special perennials are featured.

2011 - 2012 Scholarship recipients

  $1,500 University of Connecticut Scholarship
  College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
  Recipient:  Justin Pierce
  Major: Landscape Architecture 

  $500 Colorado College Scholarship
  Recipient:  Molly Hayden, Colorado College
  Major: Environmental Engineering

  $500 Simsbury High School Scholarship
  Recipient:  William Lorenzen, Keene State University


Come Grow With Us
Gardening - Floral Design - Civic Projects - Scholarships - Plant Sale
Public Gardens
There are four public gardens planted and maintained by club members.  The gardens serve as a lasting educational and historic contribution to our community.

  • Created in 1966 in front of the Hendrick Cottage, the traditional Herb Garden with its sundial and brick walk provides a reminder of earlier times.  The stone bench was added as a memorial to Ruth Theron, a past club president.

  • The Doorway Garden is planted on the north side of the Phelps House.  A shadblow tree, ferns, hosta and astilbe are used to create a casual and welcoming garden.

  • The Betty Fisher Garden is in front of the Phelps House and is planted with flowers of the period as a memorial garden to long-time member, Betty Fisher.  It contains lemon lily, boxwood, Christmas fern, vinca, crocus, daffodils, sage and trillium.  In addition six Sycamore trees were planted there.

  • The Circle Garden at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center was designed and installed by the Simsbury Garden Club as a gift to the Town of Simsbury in celebration of our 75th anniversary.  It features a sculpture by a local artist and is an oasis of shade with clump birches, rhododendron, hydrangeas, grasses, roses, daylilies and spring bulbs.
Wadsworth Atheneum 
For over twenty years, the Club has participated in the Festival of Trees at the Wadsworth Atheneum.  Club members have also contributed flower arrangements to the Fine Art & Flowers exhibits.

Library Contributions
Twice monthly, club members provide floral arrangements for the circulation desk at the Simsbury Library.  In addition, the Club donates books on gardening and flower arranging to the library, often  in memory or honor of club members.

Wreathes for Town Buildings
Each November club members make over 25 wreathes for Simsbury's public buildings