Georgia Garden Clubs

By Victoria R. Crosby

There are more than five hundred Garden Clubs in Georgia, divided into seven geographical districts, all named for trees or shrubs: Azalea, Camelia, Dogwood, Laurel, Magnolia, Oleander, and Redbud.

The statewide non-profit organization has the following missions: Beautification, Conservation, and Education. This mission is accomplished by encouraging garden clubs to participate in projects and programs of their choosing.

The first garden club in America, the Ladies’ Garden Club, was organized by twelve ladies in Athens, Georgia in January 1891. Some clubs have men, although most members are women. Members are of all ages and backgrounds and all levels of gardening. Some are beginners, and some are master gardeners. Some clubs meet in restaurants or other venues. All are welcome.

I’m president of the Smoke Rise Garden Club in the Redbud District. We meet once a month in each other’s homes in the evening. Most other clubs are during the daytime. There is a speaker each month on a variety of gardening topics. In the past, we’ve had speakers on caring for roses, growing orchids, and planting pollinator gardens.

Most clubs also plant flowers in special areas, such as the fire station, entrance to communities, or other public places. Each year, our club goes on a field trip to pick blueberries at a farm owned by one of our members. We have potluck dinners, go on field trips to garden centers, garden tours, and plant sales of other clubs, and hold our own plant sale each year.

Garden clubs also raise funds for charities with their plant sales. Our club donates gift boxes each year at Christmas to children in the hospital. Monthly meetings of the Garden Clubs of Georgia are held

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