The Garden Clubs of Ontario

The Garden Clubs of Ontario is an association of garden clubs in the Province of Ontario, Canada, founded and incorporated in l954.
The GCO comprises 8 independent garden clubs; and a Council of Accredited Judges of Floral Design and Horticulture
Each member club is self supporting and raises funds for their community projects through sales, flower shows and private donations.

The Garden Clubs of Ontario member clubs promote horticulture and the floral arts in their communities
•    with teaching programs for both members and the general public.
•    by holding public flower shows, church flower festivals, plant and craft sales.
•    by the construction and support of; gardens for the handicapped, hospitals, historic buildings, libraries, children’s parks and public spaces.
•    by the giving of scholarships for excellence in horticulture and landscape design, in both secondary and post secondary educational institutions.
•    with support of time, expertise and monies to botanical gardens, conservation programs and public spaces.
The Garden Clubs of Ontario aims to encourage knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs, to aid in the protection of native plants, trees, birds and soil, to encourage civic planting and promote responsible ecological care of the environment and  to promote flower shows.

About The Garden Clubs of Ontario

The purpose of the Garden Clubs of Ontario is to stimulate knowledge of horticulture and the art of floral design. 

Remember the Ten Neat Things about a Garden Club:-
  1. CAMARADERIE – meeting people with similar interests
  2. LEARNING SKILLS –  watch for our new Education Committee.
  3. WORKSHOPS  -  Each club has workshops on subjects pertaining to Horticulture,the Art of Floral Design and associated craft skills.
  4. SPEAKERS  - The opportunity to hear lectures on subjects of related interest.
  5. DEMONSTRATIONS  -  The ‘How To’ part of a club.
  6. OUTINGS -  The opportunity to go to places of interest often not available to the general public both here and abroad.
  7. NEW HORIZONS  -   Having exposure to new ideas both horticulturally and design wise, by being part of Judges Council, through flower shows, decorating of public buildings and church festivals.
  8. HELP THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT -  Doing our part through outreach to improve local amenities within our speciality.
  9. UNDERSTANDING THE LOCAL HABITATION  - Both flora and fauna – will it grow here?
  10. BEING PART OF A WORLD ORGANISATION  - learning and understanding other cultures, their art, their traditions their flora and fauna.

GCO President's  Message

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GCO President’s Message
​June 2023
After a slow start to the gardening season this spring complete with frost warnings in late May, June and summer are with us.  Gardens are in their full glory and the Garden Clubs of Ontario are holding their last meetings of the season before starting their summer breaks.
My term as your President is just beginning, but what a beginning it is.  Awards are to be given and lunches attended- one of the many benefits of being your president is the opportunity to spend time with you and get to know your clubs.  I am so looking forward to this.
There will be many meetings to plan for the upcoming fall and winter season but that seems like rushing things.  Enjoy the lovely summer ahead, enjoy your gardens and all of the associated activities that come with flowers and growing.

​Yours in gardening,

Margaret Betts
President of the Garden Club of Ontario
Email - margbetts@rogers.com
Phone# 416-917-5528
Eight Past- Presidents of the GCO at the 70th Anniversary and Annual meeting of the GCO - hosted by the Garden Club of Toronto
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Back - Bev Hargraft, Claudette Smith, Wendy Downing, Jana Heemskert, Barbara Bedell, Margaret Betts. Front - Lillie Haworth, and Maureen Naylor
PAST PRESIDENTS OF GCO IN ATTENDANCE AT THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Listed from left to right sequentially: Mary Kernohan, Janice Maciver, Jane Heming, Kay Thorfinnson, Helen Skinner, Beth Frost, Marisa Bergagnini - President, Pat Harris, Peg Spence, Ann Diebel, Elizabeth Coons, Lil Haworth, Maureen Naylor
      Beverly Hargraft and Elaine Mayo were present at the events but missing in the photo

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