Connecticut Horticultural Society

Animal Embassy
2026-02-17 00:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States
Animal Embassy returns to Grace Farms to provide insight into animals’ amazing adaptations, and why we need to protect and respect them.

Latin for Gardeners
2026-02-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Meeting
The scientific names for plants intimidate many gardeners. When we use common names, we run the risk of purchasing the wrong plant or misidentifying plant problems. In this class we will review the history of plant names in the Western world, why they change and why we as gardeners should make an effort to use these names. It’s not all Greek or Latin, and we do not worry too much if we don’t pronounce it perfectly. Having this knowledge can expand your gardening expertise.

Fairy House Making
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States
Today, create a Fairy House with natural materials collected from the landscapes surrounding the River building. Our Director of Horticulture, Kimberly Kelly will facilitate the crafting while discussing the importance of creating a structure that will become part of nature again.

Container Gardening Indoors and Out
2026-02-18 19:30 - 20:30 | Cheshire Senior Center located at 240 Maple Street, Cheshire CT, 240 Maple Street, Cheshire, CT, 06410
The Suburban Garden Club of Cheshire February meeting will be held on February 18, 2026, 7:30 PM. at the Cheshire Senior Center located at 240 Maple Street. The topic of the presentation is Container Gardening Indoors and Out and will be given by Gregory Bugbee. Learn about choosing the right plants and potting soils for the right pots, watering and fertilizing techniques, and how to start plants from seeds and cuttings.​ Bugbee is a scientist at the Connecticut Experiment Station in New Haven and is in charge of the lab’s soil testing laboratory.
Open to the public and refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM If inclement weather, cancellation will be posted on www.cheshiregardeners.org

“44th CONNECTICUT FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW” COMING FEB. 19-22, 2026
2026-02-19 - 2026-02-22 | Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT, 06103, United States
Can’t wait until Spring? The sights and scents of that season will be on full display at the “44th Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” starting Thursday, February 19 through Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, Conn. 2026 Dates/Hours: Thursday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted admission tickets can be purchased now at www.CTFlowerShow.com, $17 for Adults and Seniors (same prices as last year).
This prestigious annual event will be New England’s ONLY 2026 major flower exhibition and show, and its theme is “A Storybook Garden”. Featured will be 150,000 square feet of expansive live gardens, nonstop seminars and demonstrations, the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show, and hundreds of exhibitors displaying and selling all types of items and gifts. This annual event offers ideas for house, apartment, and condo-dwellers alike and is for gardening beginners to experts, and everything in between.

As soon as attendees enter the Exhibition Hall: Over 20 colorful live garden and landscape exhibits in full bloomby professional landscape designers and nonprofit organizations, including naturalistic, low-maintenance, native, containers, vegetables, organic, herb, and pollinator gardens.
Over 80 hours of different seminars and demonstrations by more than 20 expert horticulturalists, landscapers, and industry professionals who include renowned entomologist and conservationist Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park and author of the book, “How Can I Help?”, and Nancy DeBrule Clemente, organic gardener and founder of NatureWorks. All sessions are Free with admission (Full schedule online now at www.CTFlowerShow.com
TheFederated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s annual Standard Flower Show with a 12,500-square-foot design, horticulture, botanical arts, and photography competition with hundreds of entries from members across the state –themed, “A Storybook Garden”.
Close to 400booths with displays, activities, shopping: artisans, handcrafted gifts, fresh flowers, live plants, garden ornaments, metalwork sculptures, herbs, bulbs, seeds, fertilizers, soils, books, patio furniture, and lawn/garden tools and equipment, patio furniture, and more. Bring 1/2 cup of soil for Free testing to UConn Home & Garden Education Center booth.

►Admission for February 19-22, 2026, Show (same prices as last year):
Discounted Tickets Can be Purchased Now: $17 for Adults & Seniors at www.CTFlowerShow.com and can be purchased online through the final day of the show.
Tickets at the Door: $20 Adults & Seniors; $5 Children 5-12; Free for Children Under Age 5.
►For information about the “44th Connecticut Flower & Garden Show”, including discounted advance ticket purchase or to register as an exhibitor, visit www.CTFlowerShow.com or Facebook, or call 860-844-8461.

Issues & Answers: Harnessing Plants to Solve Problems with Tovah Martin 2/19/26
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:30 | CT
Tovah Martin
Issues & Answers: Harnessing Plants to Solve Problems
Feb. 19, 2026, 7pm
Zoom only
Members will receive the Zoom link the Sunday before the talk.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)
NOTE: This program will not be recorded.
This lecture suggests solutions for a wheelbarrow load of problems from dry shade to gravelly hellstrips plus perennials that can live in peace and harmony with a black walnut. When your property is a symphony of issues, this lecture has answers. Accomplishing remedies harmoniously and creatively, this lecture explores plants that save the planet while also coming to our rescue.
An avid (verging on obsessed) gardener indoors and outside, Tovah Martin is the author of many gardening books. Most recently, she served as a lead writer in the international team that created Phaidon’s new landmark compendium, The Contemporary Garden (2025). Another recent title, The Garden in Every Sense and Season, received GardenComm’s Gold Medal Media Award in 2019. That book follows several titles on houseplants including The Indestructible Houseplant, The Unexpected Houseplant, and The New Terrarium. Notable among her earliest books was the classic Tasha Tudor’s Garden.
A freelance writer, her articles have appeared in publications throughout the country and the world including Gardens Illustrated in Britain and the Korean Airlines inflight magazine. She is an accredited Organic Land Care Professional through NOFA and an honorary member of the Garden Club of America. She speaks throughout the country and has lectured aboard the QE2. With lifelong indoor gardening experience, she also serves as a houseplant coach, helping clients make their homes greener places. For more information, Tovah can be found at www.tovahmartin.com, she posts on Facebook at Plantswise by Tovah Martin and on Instagram @tovah1.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)

Plant Switcheroos for More Beautiful, Hardy Flower Gardens
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | CT
This eye-opening lecture will take the guesswork out of which perennials and flowering shrubs are the best choices, especially for more challenging growing conditions. You simply cannot tell if a plant is a great performer year after year by looking at a pretty picture or attractively maintained inventory at garden centers. For over 30 years I have trialed hundreds of plants. I’m excited to share my results, as well as those of other reliable plant trials. Some of the ‘winners’ may surprise you! Plus I’ll feature outstanding alternatives to commonly grown plants that are heavy reseeders; short-lived; aggressive spreaders; disease or insect prone; native plants to replace exotics; and more. This lecture is best suited for gardeners in hardiness Zones 3-8.
ZOOM LECTURE. Registraiton fee $15.95. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AT THE LIVE BROADCAST. REGISTRANTS RECEIVE A REPLAY LINK. https://pyours.com/webinar-plant-switcheroos-for-more-beautiful-flower-gardens/

Tolland County Ag Day
2026-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Ave, Vernon, CT, 06066, United States
Join us for First Tolland County Ag Day, a community event for all ages featuring local farms, vendors, demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences.
Shop local, explore agriculture, and connect with organizations that support our food system, environment, and local economy

Vendor and Farmer Booths available! Check us out at Tolland County Ag Day | Tollandagcenter

Gardeners of Simsbury Present Pruning: Why, How, When?
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:00 | Simsbury Public Library, 725 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, CT, 06070, United States
The Gardeners of Simsbury present Dr. Yonghao Li, a plant pathologist leading the Plant Disease Information Office at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven, CT. He has more than 30 years of experience in gardening, disease diagnosis, and pest management.
Pruning is an important component of maintaining the health and appearance of ornamental trees and shrubs. Dr. Li’s talk will cover the objectives one should consider before beginning to prune and the proper techniques, tools, and timing necessary to achieve these goals.

Pressed Botanical Art Workshop
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | New Canaan, CT, Waveny Park 681 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States
Discover the art of pressing flowers and transforming them into beautiful, one-of-a-kind works of art. In this special two-part workshop led by artist Marguerite Alpert, participants will learn both traditional and contemporary techniques for preserving botanicals and using them creatively.
During the first hour, Marguerite will demonstrate how to use a wooden flower press and explore several methods for pressing flowers and leaves to achieve different colors, textures, and effects.
In the second hour, you’ll create your own original artwork using pressed plant materials that Marguerite has grown and foraged. She will share techniques for arranging, layering, and gluing delicate botanical elements to help you create a meaningful and personal piece.
This intimate workshop is limited to 15 participants to allow for hands-on instruction and guidance.
Please register by February 9.$195 Members / $205 Non-Members(includes all materials and a wooden flower press to take home)

From Bloom to Canvas: The Flowered Press Workshop
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Carriage Barn Arts Center, Waveny Park 681 South Avenue, New Canaan,, CT, 06840
Discover the art of pressing flowers and transforming them into beautiful, one-of-a-kind works of art. In this special two-part workshop led by artist Marguerite Alpert, participants will learn both traditional and contemporary techniques for preserving botanicals and using them creatively.
During the first hour, Marguerite will demonstrate how to use a wooden flower press and explore several methods for pressing flowers and leaves to achieve different colors, textures, and effects. You will be able to take your press home with you!
In the second hour, you’ll create your own original artwork using pressed plant materials that Marguerite has grown and foraged. She will share techniques for arranging, layering, and gluing delicate botanical elements to help you create a meaningful and personal piece.
This intimate workshop is limited to 15 participants to allow for hands-on instruction and guidance.
Please register by February 9.$195 Members / $205 Non-Members(includes all materials and a wooden flower press to take home)

SOLD OUT! 2026 Philly Flower Show Trip
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-02 | CT
So sorry, this trip is sold out!
Enjoy the Philadelphia Flower Show along with the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show & Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza, Feb. 28-March 2.
Featuring special guest tour guide Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, Author & Founder of Natureworks Horticultural Services!
Highlights include:
* Philadelphia Flower Show Admission
* New York Botanical Gardens Orchid Show
* Longwood Gardens – Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience
* 2 Nights Hotel Accommodations at the Mendenhall Inn with Welcome Reception
* 2 Breakfast & 2 Dinners
* Friendship Tours Escort
Non Member double – $995
CT Hort Member double – $940
Non Member Single per person – $1139
CT Hort Member Single, per person – $1084

Registration and information:
https://www.friendshiptours.net/tours/philadelphia-flower-show-ct-hort

CT Chapter of American Rhododendron Society presents: The Science of Color: How Pink, Orange, Red & Purple Help Rhododendrons Survive and Reproduce in a Stressful World
2026-03-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual: via Zoom
Dr. Juliana Medeiros, Plant Biologist at Holden Arboretum, will speak on “The Science of Color: How Pink, Orange, Red & Purple Help Rhododendrons Survive and Reproduce in a Stressful World”.
Please email ctrhody@gmail.com to get the link for the meeting.

Nature Lecture: Bobolinks and Warblers
2026-03-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual: via Zoom
May is the month when many birds arrive back to their nesting territories, some flying thousands of miles. We will learn about what causes birds to migrate in spring and fall, how latest technology is used to track them, and dangers to migrating birds. We will discuss the Bobolinks of Bloomfield and the issues they face here and will view a video on warblers, the little gems of the bird world. Presented by: By Zellene Sandler, DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist. Co-sponsored by: Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services. RSVP to Receive Webinar Link

Birds of Prey LIVE!
2026-03-04 18:30 - 19:30 | First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire, CT, 06410
Christine Cummings director of A Place Called Hope will talk about Connecticut’s raptors and the role they play in our ecology and controlling pests. She will introduce us to a live owl, hawk, and falcon from her rehabilitation facility.

The Elegant and Edible Garden: Designing a Potager (livestream event)
2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:00 | CT
Explore the French tradition of the potager—artful kitchen gardens where colorful flowers, fruits, vegetables, and fragrant herbs grow side by side. Drawing from her award-winning book, The Elegant and Edible Garden, author Linda Vater guides you through the process of designing a kitchen garden that is as beautiful as it is productive.
At the heart of her approach is the principle that successful kitchen gardens begin not with plants, but with an honest assessment of time, lifestyle, space, and expectations. Let Linda show you how to identify your priorities and translate them into confident design decisions. Be inspired by a fabulous range of kitchen garden design options – from formal geometric layouts and raised beds to relaxed edible borders and patio containers. Learn to design a potager that is uniquely your own and a delight to both the eye and the palate.
Join the live-stream event for the chance to ask questions during the presentation. You will also receive a recording of the session to re-watch at home.
Your $25 registration fee supports the education programs at our non-profit organization.

WORKSHOP | A Spring Pruning Primer: Roses, Fruit Trees, Evergreens, Perennials, and Grasses
2026-03-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Amy Cogswell Revival Garden- Webb Deane Stevens Museum, 211 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT, 06109
After a long, cold winter, gardeners are eager to get back outside. Kick off your 2026 gardening season by joining WDS Head Gardener Peter Winne for a hands-on workshop focused on pruning techniques and other essential early-spring garden tasks. Learn about which plants to prune now, how much to cut back, and the right tools for the job. The workshop will also cover strategies for waking up perennial beds and borders after winter dormancy. Plants covered include roses, ornamental and fruit trees, perennials, ornamental grasses, and evergreen shrubs. This outdoor demonstration will take place in the museum gardens. In the event of rain, snow, or extreme cold, the workshop will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, March 14.

Tickets: $25 | $20 Members | Children 6-12 FREE
*This event is not suitable for children under 6.
Peter Winne | Hartford-based horticulturist Peter Winne is a landscape designer and gardener who has served as Head Gardener at WDS since 2022. He founded Peter Winne Gardens in 2021 after four years as Head Gardener at Hartford’s Elizabeth Park, and currently leads the redesign of the Frank M. Weston Garden adjacent to the Wethersfield library.

Be A Badass Arborist!
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Stowe Center for Literary Activism, 77 Forest St, Hartford, CT, 06105, United States
Believe it or not, wintertime is the BEST time to prune young trees. Become a badass arborist with badass arborists!
Join Hartford City Forester, Sophia Rodbell, and Urban Forester and PhD student at UMass Amherst, Candace Powning, with an introduction and hands-on experience.
Participate in pruning several young trees on the Stowe Center campus, including elms, maples, yellowwood, serviceberry, and pear.

Ecological Landscaping Series - Introduction to Permaculture Workshop
2026-03-07 13:30 - 14:30 | Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan, CT, 06840, United States
Explore the basics of permaculture, with a focus on rain gardens and bioswales, and how you can apply the learnings in your own landscape.

Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, Benign Bugs
2026-03-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Nathanael Greene Community Center, 32 Church Street, Guilford, CT, 06437
Leete’s Island Garden Club invites Pamm Cooper, Public Service Garden Specialist at UConn Home and Garden Education Center who will cover insects that are pests, insects that are beneficial and those that are benign, all commonly found in Connecticut.
Guests are welcome at this free event. Contact 203-453-0780 with questions and to register.

Board Meeting
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:00 | CT

Traprock Ridge Hiking Club Hike at West Hartford Reservoir #6
2026-03-11 10:00 - 12:30 | West Hartford Reservoir #6, 3022 Albany Ave, West Hartford
Please join us for this hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul at West Hartford Reservoir #6. Although the route may vary due to trail conditions, the planned hike is a circular loop of about 3 miles using multiple trails (including the Metacomet), and it’s expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
This is expected to be an easy hike with a limited number of inclines and areas with uneven footing. Since there’s potential for snow and/or ice on the trail, please wear sturdy shoes or boots that have good traction, and bring ski poles if you like to use them.
We’ll meet at 10:00 a.m. in the northern-most parking lot off Albany Ave (not the one that’s located right inside the property). This lot is accessed by driving through that first lot, following the road along the reservoir until it ends, and then making a left at that intersection, then following the signs past the stop sign to the northern parking lot.
Alternate date of March 18 if we need to reschedule. Contact Dave Mogul at hikes@trlandconservancy.org with any questions.

Winning Window Boxes and Perfect Planters
2026-03-12 13:30 - 14:30 | Union Congregational Church, 161 Buckingham Street, Oakville, CT, 06779
Presentation by Jen Plasky, floral designer and horticulturalist, on selecting and arranging plants in seasonal containers for best visual impact. Hosted by The Watertown Garden Club with free admission to the public.

2026 Spring Greenhouse Show
2026-03-13 10:00 - 2026-03-20 16:00 | Elizabeth Park, 1561 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06117
We invite you to the Elizabeth Park Conservancy’s annual Spring Greenhouse Show, where a stunning array of colorful blooms and other botanical offerings will be on display.
Featured plants include: Muscari, tulips, daffodils, Fritillaria, snowdrops, Amaryllis, scented and zonal geraniums, Coleus, culinary herbs, Canna, ferns, papyrus, hanging baskets, perennials, and a collection of tropical flowering plants and succulents.
The show is free and open to the public Friday, March 13 through Friday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., culminating in the Conservancy’s annual Bulb & Plant Sale on Saturday, March 21.
The show and sale take place in the historic Sweetland-Patricelli Greenhouse Complex in Elizabeth Park.

CT Rose Society presents "All About Star Roses"
2026-03-14 08:00 - 12:00 | The Lutheran hurch of Saint Mark, 75 Griswold Street, Glastonbury, CT, 06033
Tim Lomasney from Star Roses and Plants will present on the production of Star Roses from the growing fields to the catalog pages. Star Roes and Plants has been a wholesaler of plants since 1897 and seeks to introduce plants with beneficial trails to make the gardening experience more beautiful.

'Set 4 You, Seasonal Favorites' Floral Tablescape Event
2026-03-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Waterford Community Center, 24 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford, CT, 06385, United States
Enjoy many inspirational and creative table setting designs put together by our members. Meet new friends, help pick the winning table, shop a little, and take a chance on going home with one of the beautiful centerpieces. Suggested Donation $10

Beyond the Emerald Isle: Ten of Ireland’s Finest Gardens
2026-03-17 10:45 - 11:45 | The Audubon Nature Center, 2325 Burr Street, Fairfield, CT, 06824
St. Patrick’s Day Garden Lecture – RSVP Required
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the Greenfield Hill Garden Club presents a public lecture exploring Ireland’s extraordinary garden heritage. While Ireland is widely known as the Emerald Isle, it is also home to more than 400 public gardens and an estimated two million private gardens, making it one of the world’s most garden-rich landscapes.
Internationally recognized garden tourism scholar Richard Benfield will showcase ten of the finest gardens in Ireland, featuring both iconic destinations and lesser-known gems, while sharing insight into garden design, landscape history, and tourism trends.
This horticulture program is open to the public and ideal for gardeners, landscape designers, garden club members, and anyone interested in Irish gardens and global garden travel.
RSVP REQUIRED – Advance Registration NeededTo attend, guests must RSVP in advance.Please email GreenfieldhillGardenClub2@gmail.comSubject line: Irish Gardens

Branching Out Together: Partnerships in Urban & Community Forestry Conference
2026-03-18 08:30 - 16:45 | Connecticut College Arboretum, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Connecticut’s three leading organizations in arboriculture and urban forestry, in partnership with the Connecticut College Arboretum, will co-host a one-day conference at Connecticut College in New London. Join the Connecticut Tree Protective Association, the Tree Wardens’ Association of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Urban Forest Council on March 18, 2026, as we celebrate these partnerships and explore the many ways trees bring us together. Presentations will be of interest to urban foresters, arborists, tree wardens, community volunteers and advocates, tree enthusiasts, landscape architects, nursery professionals, students, city planners, and engineers.
Features keynote speaker Ethan Tapper, author of “How to Love a Forest.”
Event page, details, directions, and registration are available through the CTPA website
Early bird pricing ends March 1.

Gardening for the Birds by Page Dickey | Lecture, Lunch & Book Signing
2026-03-18 11:00 - 14:00 | Pond House Café, 1555 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 06117
By weaving native perennials, shrubs, and trees into our gardens, we are restoring habitats that welcome a rich variety of birds. Page Dickey will talk about the plants she particularly likes to grow to attract birds, including a number of natives that are considered herbs.
Page has been gardening passionately since her early twenties, and writing about gardening, as well as designing gardens for others, for the last three decades. She has written eight books and edited another. Most of her books concentrate on aspects of garden design.
Page was the editor of the book Outstanding American Gardens, celebrating 25 years of the Garden Conservancy with photographs by Marion Brenner. She lectures around the country about plants and garden design, and has written many articles for magazines over the years.
Her new book, Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again, describes leaving a beloved garden of thirty-four years, finding a home in the northwest corner of Connecticut, and falling in love with its land. Page knew the transitions she faced walking away from her celebrated garden at Duck Hill. What surprised her were the happy opportunities that came with starting over. Uprooted follows Page’s evolution from old to new, cultivated to wild, and from one type of gardener to another. It
is a story for anyone who has had to begin anew – in gardening or in life.
Page is a Director Emeritus of the Garden Conservancy and is one of the two founders of its Open Days Program, and serves on the board of several garden non-profits. She was recently elected as an Honorary Member of The Garden Club of America.

This lecture is sponsored by the Brinley Speakers Fund of The Connecticut Unit of the Herb Society of America.

Lecture, Lunch & Book Signing: $50

BOOKS

Uprooted: A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again – $27.95

Embroidered Ground: Revisiting the Garden – $26

An Engineer’s Approach to Houseplant Care with Darryl Cheng 3/19/26
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:30 | CT
Darryl Cheng
An Engineer’s Approach to Houseplant Care
March 19, 2026, 7pm
Zoom only
Members will receive the Zoom link the Sunday before the talk.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)
If you follow traditional houseplant advice, you’ll be disappointed because your plant is no longer “perfect.” Darryl’s approach breaks down the barriers to true, long-lasting enjoyment of houseplants. When you understand how plants work, you can gain a deeper appreciation for their character and more acceptance of how they’ll grow. It’s a healthy dose of practical science and realistic expectations!
Darryl Cheng is the author of The New Plant Parent and The New Plant Collector and creator of House Plant Journal. Darryl’s passion for plants and engineering approach to plant care have turned him into one of the most trusted houseplant resources on the internet. What was initially a hobby Tumblr page has turned into an Instagram account with more than 500,000 followers, a go-to website for anything houseplant related, two houseplant books, and plant time-lapse videos that have gone viral around the world.
Free for members; $10 for non-members (register here)
