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Garden clubs are not what they used to be — no more ladies getting together in someone’s home to sip tea and talk about plants. Garden Clubs in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties now are evolved, relevant, dynamic, vibrant and involved, plus men are very welcomed members.
Historically, in 1891, a physician in Athens, GA, named Dr. Edwin Dorset Newton, who had a keen interest in horticulture, suggested to 12 ladies that they meet to educate themselves, with his guidance, on the study of plants. This became the first garden club known as the Garden Club of Athens. Back then, ladies were known to form clubs with others with similar interests to learn about music, poetry, gardening, etc., so ladies’ clubs, including garden clubs, thrived.
As interest in garden clubs grew, they realized the benefits of forming state federations of garden clubs which would address environmental and beautification projects such a groundwater issues and the preservation of greenspaces. Thus, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) was established in 1924 with the Miami Garden Club being one of the three founding clubs. Next spring, the FFGC will celebrate its 100th birthday.
Today, there are 200 clubs and approximately 14,000 members which make up the 12 districts in the state of Florida. Miami-Dade and Monroe counties are the 12th District in the state which includes nine Garden Clubs: Coral Gables, Coral Pines, Ken Pines, Marathon, Miami Lakes, Miami Beach, Pinecrest, South Dade and South Miami. Each club has its own by-laws, officers and operations, but the mission for all and for FFGC is to promote the love of gardening, floral and landscape design, and civic and environmental responsibility by providing education, resources and networking opportunities for members, youth and the community.
The clubs in District 12 have always been very active. They are responsible for and have collaborated on the habitat restoration in the Deering Estate, Camp Mahachee, Blue Star Markers, Butterfly Gardens across two counties, mangroves planted along the coastlines, extensive tree plantings, and beautifying schools and civic buildings.
The Garden Clubs offer public events including flower shows, home and garden tours, plant sales and community outreach programs for the elderly and special needs children. District 12 supports the residential Wekiva Youth Camp near Altamonte Springs, sponsored by
FFGC, to provide children with an authentic Florida experience.
Each club has speaker-based meetings with experts presenting programs such as reforestation, safe organic pesticides and building microclimates in the backyard. Club members learn about topics ranging from eco-art to helping our Pollinators. For example, Xavier Cortada, a globally recognized eco-artist, recently spoke about using art’s elasticity to work across disciplines and engage communities in environmental problem-solving. Members also participate in workshops on horticulture and floral design.
If you are someone who loves the environment, gardens and horticulture and are interested in the art of floral design and want to learn more about joining a garden club in District 12 or starting your own garden club, contact Susan Rodriguez at susan56athome@gmail.com. You also can follow on Facebook (Tropical 12 FFGC) or go to www.ffgc.org to learn all about the benefits of membership in the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. By the way — you can enjoy a garden club if you live in a condo or in your own home. There is something for everyone.
Susan Rodriguez is president, Coral Gables Garden Club and District 12 director.
4559 Members of local Garden club are pictured here providing garden therapy with the elderly.
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