Danbury Garden Club

ARTISTIC DESIGN

The Artistic Design Committee offers garden club members a unique opportunity to express creativity and enhance the visual identity of our club. Members contribute to the aesthetic planning of events, create floral arrangements, and design displays that showcase horticultural beauty in imaginative ways.

The committee also plays a key role in decorating for seasonal gatherings, exhibitions, and community outreach projects. It’s a wonderful way to learn design principles, share artistic inspiration, and collaborate with fellow members who are passionate about both gardening and art. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just exploring your creative side, this committee welcomes all who enjoy turning nature into visual art.

BOUTIQUE CRAFTERS

The Boutique Crafters Committee consists of members with different skills: some knit, others crochet, some do needlework, jewelry or crafts, and others simply come up with ideas. Our purpose is to provide a “boutique table” for our Holiday Luncheon in November where we sell the products of our work to raise funds for The Club.  The committee also decorates a tree on behalf of The Club which is donated to the Festival of Trees at Ann’s Place.

CIVIC WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAND STEWARDSHIP

The purpose of the committee is to enhance the ambiance of our community by promoting the beautification of downtown Danbury and promoting public interest in conservation and using native plants in gardens and civic projects. The committee is very active and meets weekly in the morning from April until October. Informs DGC members of conservation, environmental and nature updates, concerns and issues.

The committee maintains the gardens at The Old Jail (Head Start), The Danbury Library, The Danbury Museum and Historical Society, the Blue Star Memorial at Exit 5.

COMMUNICATIONS

Any member can contribute by sending digital pictures of garden club members and activities or items of interest to be included in Gleanings, or added to Instagram, Facebook or the website.

Members can share photos of their gardens, indoor plants and information that would be of interest to our membership and the community.

Publications including Facebook and Instragram:

Creates graphics and publications including brochures, newsletters and emails members DGC news. Since August of 1999, Gleanings has been the Danbury Garden Club newsletter. It has been published to keep open the lines of communication with our members regarding recent activities, future events, and to serve as an educational tool.  Committee chairs can submit articles of interest to be included in Gleanings.

GARDEN THERAPY

Committee members provide containers, foliage, and flowers, and assist participants in making their own flower arrangements. While participants are working on their arrangements, our paid musician sings music appropriate for the audience while accompanying herself on guitar.  When the arrangements are complete, everyone (participants, committee members, and staff) join in a joyful sing-along.  Music and flowers are a winning combination and we all have so much fun, and are very much appreciated by the participants and staff at our venues.

HORTICULTURE

The horticulture committee strives to nurture the knowledge and love of gardening.  We promote the use of native plants and raise awareness of those that pose a risk to our local communities.

On a monthly basis, members bring in their garden and house plants to display according to the outlined schedule. The entries are judged against the National Garden Club Flower Show standards. In January we have an Amaryllis planting challenge.

We also have two plant sales during the year.

• Spring Plant sale: Members divide overgrown perennials for sale, as well as offer vegetable plants, annuals and herbs grown from seed. Natives- both sun and shade are available at the sale.
• Fall Harvest Fair: Members not only sell divisions from their gardens, but seeds, garden pots, garden ornaments, and tools. And don’t forget the house plants. Also, for sale is produce we’ve grown, pickled and preserved. We sell design materials, as well as flower bouquets and cut flowers.  Members have been working on all types of crafts they’ve made during the summer, and will have them available for sale. It will be a fun time for all.

JUNIORS

The Committee has been in existence for over 67 years working with youth ages 5 to 18.  Junior activities include artistic design, conservation, community service, horticulture, garden therapy, and civic projects.  The Juniors are often grandchildren of members and come from the Danbury area towns.  The group has participated in DGC Flower Shows and the CT Flower Show as well as creating flower designs for Library Week and Books in Blooms for the Danbury Library.  The Junior Garden Club meets on eight Saturdays per year

SCHOLARSHIP

The Scholarship Committee contacts the 4 high schools in the area. Danbury High School, Immaculate High School, Henry Abbot Technical High School and ACES – Alternative for Excellence High School and solicits applications from graduating seniors majoring in fields related to agriculture, horticulture, environmental science (ecology), conservation and landscape design.

The scholarship committee also selects from time to time, a current or former student member of our Juniors group who has been an enthusiastic participant in that group for at least three years, including at least one year of middle school, and who is or will be attending a two or four- year college program.  The recipient must be recommended for the award by a current or former Chair of the Juniors Committee. This award may be up to $1,000.

Trips and Tours

The trips and tours committee coordinates trips to area gardens, museums and other places of interest that support the goals and objectives of the club.

The committee also sponsors trips to members’ gardens.