About Wilton Garden Club
The purpose of the Wilton Garden Club is to stimulate interest in and knowledge of horticulture, conservation, flower arranging, garden design and assist in the development of civic beauty. The programs of the Wilton Garden Club are designed to meet these objectives.
General Information
- Executive Board Meetings
Old Town Hall, 69 Ridgefield Road, 9:15 AM for all officers and committee chairmen immediately preceding General Meetings.
- General Meetings
Held the second Monday of the month September through May (except as noted). Meetings are held in the Pilgrim Hall at the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road (762-5591). The Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon is held in June at a designated location.
Registration 10:45 AM
Program Speaker 11:00 AM
Business Meeting 12:00 AM
Lunch 12:30 PM -
Greenhouse
The Wilton Garden Club owns and operates a greenhouse at Comstock Community Center, School Road, Wilton, CT (762-2052). The greenhouse is used for:
- the propagation of plants for the annual plant sale
- horticultural educational classes
- garden therapy programs for senior citizens
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 (Sept. - May)
Greenhouse Manager: Patty Angione
Scheduling and Resources: Lauren Mirabile
- Old Town Hall
The Wilton Garden Club maintains and manages
the rentals for Old Town Hall. This beautiful
building is ideal for intimate receptions and
meetings. Built in 1832, it is located in an
historic district. For rental information, call
Judy Robinson at 761-0565 or email
- Civics Projects
- Christmas Decorations
At the annual Wreath-Making Workshop, held the first Monday after Thanksgiving in Old Town Hall on Ridgefield Road, decorations are made for the exteriors of Old Town Hall, Wilton Library, Wilton Town Hall, Comstock Community Center, Wilton Railroad Station, Post Office, Wilton Historical Society, and the Veteran's War Memorials. In addition, approximately 15 holiday arrangements are made for the Department of Social Services to be distributed to homebound and needy residents of Wilton. Members contribute a variety of evergreens, seed pods, grasses, and other materials.
- Spring Plantings & Fall Cleanup
The Civics Committee is responsible for Spring plantings and Fall Cleanup at several locations in Wilton, including the Railroad Station, the Club's greenhouse, Old Town Hall, and the Veteran's War Memorials. Planting material is grown in the greenhouse and also purchased through the Plant Sale. Members maintain these areas, watering and weeding from May through September.
- Town Hall Garden
In celebration and recognition of the Club's 75th Anniversary, members designed and planted a perennial garden in front of the Wilton Town Hall on Danbury Road. The Civics Committee has assumed the responsibility for its care and maintenance.
- Horseshoe Pond Park
The Civics Committee has elected to assume the responsibility of planting and maintaining the oval bed at the entrance to Horseshoe Pond Park on Horseshoe Road in Wilton. Its very prominent and visible location serves as a "gateway" into Wilton Center. The Civics Committee aims to install deer- and drought-resistant plants there.
- Conservation Projects
Conservation Education and Issues
The Conservation Committee engages in the preservation, display and propagation of many native plants and their habitats. Using the tools of workshops, exhibits and nature walks, the Committee tries to show the beauty of wildflowers and shrubs and increase their use in the garden while diligently protecting endangered species.
The work of this Committee supports the projects of the Wilton Conservation Commission such as open space preservation, protection of wetlands and the maintenance and enhancement of the town parks. The topic of the Norwalk River Watershed has become a new area for their support and focus. Several members serve on their Board and have become active in educating the rest of the club on the NRW Action and Implementation Plan.
Grotto Garden
The Conservation Committee designed and planted a small but unique garden area located behind Old Town Hall in 1994. Called the Grotto Garden, the design concept was to create a viewing garden to enhance the existing stone grotto. It contains a collection of native and exotic perennials displayed in a combination to inspire use by other gardeners. The garden was realized through plants funded by a PETALS grant and funds contributed by club members and matched by the club.
The Herbarium, Wilton Library
The Wilton Garden Club Herbarium of pressed plants was initiated by the Conservation Committee early in the 1960's. It has become a continuing educational project of the Club. In 1981, it was donated to the Wilton Library, located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road, with the Club responsible for expansion and maintenance. Members have collected nearly 550 native and naturalized plants of Wilton and several hundred additional plants representative of Connecticut. The Club also cares for 200 historical sheets prepared by Anna Carpenter in the early 1900's.
Mary Comstock Wildflower Garden
The Conservation Committee dedicated a wildflower garden behind Old Town Hall to the memory of Mary Comstock in May 1987. The garden was originally planned in 1983 as a site to place rescued, propagated and plant sale leftover wildflowers. It now exists as both an educational and beautiful site with over fifty labeled native wildflowers and shrubs growing in a wooded setting with a meandering path to allow close observation and enjoyment.
The Committee is in the process of redesigning and replanting the Mary Comstock Wildflower Garden with the goal of increasing its educational role as a demonstration of how to use native plants and shrubs in the garden setting.
Memorial Wildflower Garden of the Hurlbutt Street School House
The Hurlbutt Street School House, located at 157 Hurlbutt Street, was built in 1834 and is designated as Wilton's Fourth Historic District. In 1968, the Wilton Garden Club created a Memorial Wildflower Garden, located at the rear of the building, with wildflowers removed from the path of Route 7. On Columbus Day 1968, it was dedicated in the name of Ora G. Weir and in memory of the many other deceased members who have been associated with the School. This garden is maintained, in conjuction with members of the Hurlbutt Street School House, Inc., by the Conservation Committee.
Over 700 school children visit the school house each year for an early education program. Annually, the club contributes funds toward the preservation of the building and enhancement of the education program. Since the wildflower garden is the site of the outdoor science lessons, the Conservation Committee is working to restore the wildflower garden with greater diversity of plants and child-friendly labels.
- Philanthropy
The Wilton Garden Club, Inc. shares its profits from fund raising with organizations which reflect our cornerstones: education, conservation, preservation, and beautification. It has contributed to:
- A Better Chance (ABC)
- CT Experimental Agriculture Station
- Eagle Scout Project, Mike Schmidt
- Federated Garden Club's Garden Therapy
- Federated Garden Club's Scholarship Fund
- Federated Garden Club's World Gardening
- Hurlbutt Street School House, Inc.
- The Nature Conservancy
- Miller Driscoll Outdoor Learning Center
- New England Wild Flower Society
- Norwalk River Watershed Association
- Weir Farm Sunken Garden Fund
- Wilton Land Conservation Trust
- Wilton Library Association, Inc.
- Wilton Student Financial Aid Committee
- Wilton Task Force on Lyme Disease
- Woodcock Nature Center
The Wilton Garden Club is a charter member of:
National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc.
Headquarters: 4401 Magnolia Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314-776-7574 FAX 314-776-5108
http://gardenclub.org/
The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.
Headquarters: P.O. Box 854
Branford, CT 06405
203-488-5528
