Connecticut Horticultural Society

Essex Garden Club Hidden Gardens Tour
2026-06-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Ivoryton Gazebo (opposite Ivoryton Library), 100 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT, 06442
$35 in advance, $40 day of tour
The 2026 Hidden Gardens Tour marks the kickoff of the Essex Garden Club’s 75th year, inviting visitors to explore a curated collection of eight private gardens in the Essex villages of Ivoryton and Centerbrook.
Pace yourself as you enjoy these unique New England gardens including a surprise roof-top garden of a prominent local business. June blooms featuring roses, peonies, bleeding hearts, irises, and wisteria-clad pergolas blend in well with shady woodland gardens of hostas, native wildflowers, and carpets of ferns and moss. Water features can be seen on this garden tour – from koi fishponds to a fishing ladder that encourages fish to swim upstream. Seasonal vegetable and cutting gardens are enclosed in a variety of square foot features. Patio and fire pit spaces are tucked away to enjoy the gardens day and night. Venture through gardens, weaving along paths to some fun features such as a chicken coop turned into a resting spot, or a gaggle of runner ducks excited to meet you. For the rock lover, a cascading riverbed runs from top to bottom in one of the gardens.
Pick up your tickets and hidden garden listings at the Ivoryton Gazebo (opposite the Ivoryton Library), then proceed with the tour of these beautiful gardens.
Rain or shine. Non-refundable. No dogs.

South Windsor Garden Tour and Plant Sale
2026-06-14 09:30 - 16:00 | South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, CT, 06074
Come smell the flowers! Down to Earth Garden Club and Watershed History Collective host a South Windsor Garden Tour. Visit 6 beautiful gardens. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the tour. Tickets and information: https://www.swgardenclub.org/garden-tour.
Saturday, June 13- 8:30-4, Plant sale -SW Public Library-front lawn. Sunday, June 14- 9:30-4 – Garden Tour

Digging Deeper into Ecological Horticulture with Uli Lorimer 6/18/26
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30 | CT
Uli Lorimer
Digging Deeper into Ecological Horticulture
June 18, 2026, 7pm
CNTR and on Zoom
725 Main Street
Middletown
Brought to you through the generosity of the Lois and Herb Isaacson Endowed Lecture fund and the Mountain Laurel Chapter of Wild Ones.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)
What is Ecological Horticulture? What distinguishes it from mainstream horticulture? Why is genetic diversity important?
Ecological Horticulture takes a different approach from traditional gardening by focusing on nature-friendly principles. This talk will dive into key ideas and challenge common gardening practices. For example: Why is genetic diversity essential? Can I use cultivated versions of native plants? How should climate change influence my gardening choices? These questions and more will guide a discussion on creating and caring for gardens in harmony with the environment.
Uli Lorimer serves as the Director of Horticulture for the Native Plant Trust, a leading non-profit dedicated to preserving the native flora of the Northeastern United States. In this role, he oversees the acclaimed Garden in the Woods in Framingham and Nasami Farm in Western Massachusetts, which focuses on native plant propagation and research. Uli’s impressive career includes positions at the National Arboretum, Wave Hill, and as the Curator of Native Plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. A lifelong enthusiast of plants and biodiversity, Uli continues to study the region’s ecosystems, collect seeds from the wild, and introduce new plants to collections.
He is also a prolific author and speaker, well-known to audiences across the horticultural community. His publications include Tough Natives for Tough Places and A Native Plant Reader. His latest work, The Northeast Native Plant Primer, reflects his deep commitment to native plants and their ecological value. With a science-based approach and a passion for biodiversity, Uli offers invaluable insights into selecting plants that maximize the ecological impact of our gardens while celebrating the beauty of native flora.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)

Screening of “The Extraordinary Caterpillar”
2026-06-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd., Avon, CT, 06001, United States
Join us for a screening of Homegrown National Park’s “The Extraordinary Caterpillar” on Monday, June 22 at 6:30 pm featuring Doug Tallamy, Sam Jaffee and David Wagner. It will be held at Avon Free Library, 281 Country Club Road in Avon.
This event is part of Avon’s “Growing a Greener Community” initiative and is sponsored by the Garden Club of Avon, Avon Land Trust, Clean Energy Commission, and the Avon Library.
Free to attend. Register at www.avonctlibrary.info

The AWE Program Wings & Wildflowers Workshop
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | 183 Windsor Ave. Windsor, CT 06095, 183 Windsor Ave, Windsor, CT, 06095, United States
Join us for a free, hands-on workshop exploring monarch butterflies, native plant ecosystems, and the impact of invasive species. Participants will learn how intentional planting supports pollinators and strengthens local biodiversity while gaining practical knowledge of native species and habitat creation. Discover how small planting choices can make a meaningful impact on resilient, thriving ecosystems.
This workshop will be led by Valerie Allgrove, a well-practiced gardener and master trapper with extensive experience in wildlife stewardship, native plant education, and ecological balance.

The AWE Program Farm-To-Table Day
2026-07-11 10:00 - 12:00 | 183 Windsor Ave. Windsor, CT 06095, 183 Windsor Ave, Windsor, CT, 06095, United States
Join us for a free, hands-on workshop where participants will gather fresh ingredients from the garden and collaboratively prepare a seasonal table experience that honors local abundance and shared meals. Learn how harvesting, preparing, and sharing food together strengthens community while deepening connections to the land and the seasons.
This workshop will be led by Liz Stanley, who brings experience in seasonal cooking, garden-based learning, and creating meaningful shared food experiences rooted in local abundance.

The AWE Program Mini Greens & Microclimates Workshop
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | 183 Windsor Ave. Windsor, CT 06095, 183 Windsor Ave, Windsor, CT, 06095, United States
Join us for a free, hands-on workshop where participants will learn how to cultivate microgreens and build simple mini-greenhouse covers. Explore practical techniques for extending the growing season and increasing sustainability in compact spaces, whether at home, in classrooms, or community gardens. Participants will leave with foundational skills for growing fresh food year-round in small spaces.
