The Garden Clubs of Ontario

Watch the slide show of the entries and winners

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:-

CAMARADERIE – meeting people with similar interests
LEARNING SKILLS – watch for our new Education Committee.
WORKSHOPS - Each club has workshops on subjects pertaining to Horticulture,the Art of Floral Design and associated craft skills.
SPEAKERS - The opportunity to hear lectures on subjects of related interest.
DEMONSTRATIONS - The ‘How To’ part of a club.
OUTINGS - The opportunity to go to places of interest often not available to the general public both here and abroad.
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.
HELP THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT - Doing our part through outreach to improve local amenities within our speciality.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOCAL HABITATION - Both flora and fauna – will it grow here?
BEING PART OF A WORLD ORGANISATION - learning and understanding other cultures, their art, their traditions their flora and fauna.

GCO President's Message

The “Year of the Garden 2022” is now seeing shorter days and changing colours as we transition into a new season. I hope you enjoyed all the special garden activities in your area and beyond. The weather was glorious leading to many spectacular gardens and bountiful produce. Many public and personal gardens alike were a blaze of glorious red for the occasion.
Now as Fall is here and we look forward to getting back to club “in house” flower shows, workshops and seasonal decorating, lets inspire our members, both new and old, to actively get involved and have fun together. What better way to mingle and learn more about our fellow members and make those new to our clubs feel welcome. We have a mutual interest in gardening and all topics relating to flowers, so conversation starters certainly should be easy. Try making a point of sitting next to someone you don’t normally sit with at your next meeting. It could be the start of a new friendship.
I know the busy festive season can be overwhelming at times with planning workshops, decorating, demonstrating etc so be kind to yourselves and take time out to relax, take a big breath and enjoy the experience of it all.
I wish you all the best that this Holiday season can bring and look forward to a Spring full of new projects, new friends and new growth.
I have enjoyed my first year as your president and look forward to this coming one, 2023. Until then, take care and stay well.
Many blessings
Barbara Bedell
President of the Garden Clubs of Ontario

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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