As you know, we will be holding " September Serenades, a Small Standard Flower Show on September 14, 2024. There are only two spots remaining for the Petite Challenge and one spot left for Petite Design. If you are interested, please contact Debbie Moran .   For all of our gardeners out there, please consider entering your beautiful specimens in the Horticulture division of the flower show. There’s no limit to how many members can enter, but each person  can only enter a maximum of four  specimens. Pre-registration deadline isn’t until two days before the show. Contact Celia Radek to register a spot.   To peruse the full schedule of horticulture, flower design, and botanical arts that will be showcased at this exciting event, click here .

Open Garden of Marilyn & Peter Zaret 346 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair This Thursday, August 15, 2024 5:00 to 9:00 Our quest to live near a train station led us to a circa 1750 house where we learned that our sliver of land was once part of a 500-acre Dutch farm which explained this unusual wild streak tucked among our pristine neighbors.  For the past 25 years we have planted dozens of shrubs and trees while violent storms removed others. Chuck Baum, our amazing garden designer, came on board five years ago and relocated most of our plantings to areas where space and sunlight (or shade) made them thrive. Deer sensitive shrubs and perennials were protected inside the pool fence and deer resistant ones filled the front property along with a growing  collection of charming trees that Chuck titled “The Arboretum.”  His masterpiece,  a 25-foot-high rustic arch, hovers over this old farmland. On your way up the path, try out the swing it supports. Friends are welcome. Marilyn Zaret

The CAR-SGC conference on October 22-23 (don't forget to sign up ) is looking for centerpieces. CLICK HERE for details of themes, requirements, and contact people.

Open Garden of George Long 79 Sunset Avenue, Glen Ridge THIS Thursday  August 1, 2024 5:00 to 8:00 Hieronymous Bosch painted “The Garden of Earthly Delights” during the 15th century.  George Long planted it during the 21st. Cool summer wines and reggae inspired tunes await as you pass through the portal over hand painted bricks. This collection of three hundred plus plants includes dozens of Japanese maples among many rare and unusual species. Sunset hours on Sunset Avenue. Friends are welcome. Marilyn Zaret (marzaret@comcast.net) Contact Marilyn if you want to be the 33rd Open Garden host. (Note: This is a reposting of an earlier post.)

Our address is no longer https://gardenclubofmontclair.com but is https://gardenclubofmontclair.org Please change the name in your phones and on your screens. Eventually the .com name will continue to work (if very slowly) but various problems on the internet out of my control are preventing me from setting it up for a few days. The new address works perfectly. I will be reposting the blog post about Thursday's Open Garden at George Long's house in Glen Ridge to make sure that everyone sees it during this transition period.

Open Garden of George Long 79 Sunset Avenue, Glen Ridge THIS Thursday  August 1, 2024 5:00 to 8:00 Hieronymous Bosch painted “The Garden of Earthly Delights” during the 15th century.  George Long planted it during the 21st. Cool summer wines and reggae inspired tunes await as you pass through the portal over hand painted bricks. This collection of three hundred plus plants includes dozens of Japanese maples among many rare and unusual species. Sunset hours on Sunset Avenue. Friends are welcome. Marilyn Zaret (marzaret@comcast.net) Contact Marilyn if you want to be the 33rd Open Garden host.

The Board of Trustees has authorized two changes to our presence in the world of technology. First, starting tomorrow evening, Sunday, July 28, the website name will change from https://gardenclubofmontclair.com to https://gardenclubofmontclair.org. Name changes can take up to two days to percolate around the internet, but are usually active within a few hours. Just be prepared for access to the website to be a bit slow for a few days. Once the change has been made, you can still reach the website using the COM name, but it will take longer since the internet will be forwarding your request to the new ORG name. It will be quicker for you to write in the full new name a few times so that your computer learns to go there automatically, just as it did with the old one. This brings us into line with the naming convention that non-profits use the suffix "ORG" while businesses use the suffix "COM." Second, and this will affect outsiders more than members, we are changing our official email from our old Yahoo address to two new ones: The official address of the club will now be: info@gardenclubofmontclair.org We are also adding a new address for people who wish to communicate directly with the president:: president@gardenclubofmontclair.org. If you have any problems, feel free to call Sue Young at 917-364-9020 or email her at syoung@ibisnetwork.com

Open garden of Elaine Bromka July 28 6:00 to 8:00 Address With open arms, this colorful, casual and charming garden embraces all visitors and residential species. Listening to nature for thirty years directed Elaine to shift her plants into layered patterns and nooks where they would best thrive and multiply. The palette changes from February to November, but midsummer has the most bursting blooms led by pastel Rose of Sharons. Shared on the Van Vleck annual garden tour three times and now for us (and our friends) this Sunday to enjoy the calm as the sun goes down. See also Elaine's Garden blog. Save the date for the Open Garden of George Long this Thursday, August 1. Marilyn Zaret

Seeking Design Assistants to lend a hand to Flower Designers on competition days. There's always a bit of chaos getting ready for competition and this is your chance to be part of the action behind the scenes! Job duties include: helping designers place their arrangements offering information needed for entry cards providing designers with items from our toolbox so they can do last minute touch ups If you are interested and available from 8-9am on competition days, choose a date and email Barbara Baletti or Floss O'Sullivan so we can be in touch.  Competitions will occur: 10/21/24 11/18/24 1/13/25 2/20/25 3/10/25 4/21/25 Your willingness to help is most appreciated! Thanks, Barb Baletti, Chair and Floss O'Sullivan, Vice Chair

The Native Plant Society of New Jersey invites us all to see a native garden in Summer bloom! This Thursday, July 18, 5-8 p.m. Heavy rain cancels 20 Hillcrest Road, Glen Ridge Light refreshments Like many established home gardens, this one is in transition, with traditional ornamental plants but more and more natives. See how the owner balances traditional aesthetics with native plants, resulting in large numbers of fewer species, which creates large beds of greenery and color. Garden hosts will be stationed throughout the garden to answer questions.

We are members of the CAR-SCG (Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs) made up of garden clubs in Delaware, Maryland, National Capital Area, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, sharing opportunities to plant, protect, create, learn, and network with others who share our interests. This year, New Jersey is hosting the annual conference in Basking Ridge, and it looks like a lot of fun. There are many exciting events planned, including a presentation called "From Flowers to Fragrance" by ― you may recognize the name ― Bruno Leyssène, as well as programs on the wonderful world of bats, the Billion Oyster project, workshops on creating topiaries and paper quilling, bird-watching trips, and the truth about the Jersey Devil. Many of our members have devoted their talents to the organization of this event. The conference runs for a few days but attendees have the option to attend just part of the conference. The good news is, if you sign up by July 15 you get an early bird special price. Click here for the application form. As we get closer to the date we will organize car pools for those who'd like to share the driving.

NOpen (non-member) Garden of Patty Sullivan THIS Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, 2024 Hours: 6:00 to 9:00 Address Wildwood is more than the name of a street. It embodies the character of Patty Sullivan’s microcosm where you will experience vibrant beauty as you pass her cottage, pond, and patio.  A rustic arbor stands at the entrance to a cooler and wilder woodland. Several years of collaboration with designer Chuck Baum have resulted in another amazing upgrade with lush plantings, exquisite landscaping and new mood lighting for that Moon Garden.  Rescued and reclaimed vintage furniture will provide seating for those who wish to watch the garden light up at 8:20. Our generous friend also welcomed us in 2022 and 2023. Third time’s a charm, they say. In this case, third time is far beyond charming. Friends are welcome. Contact Marilyn if you want to host an Open Garden (marzaret@comcast.net)

There are a number of gardening, horticulture reference, and floral design books that we are cleaning out of our Garden Club Library and are offering to the membership for the taking! Come on Tuesday, July 2, 10:00-12:00 or Tuesday, July 9, 10:00-2:00 and pick up a few books for your summer reading. Lower level Club room at 60 S. Fullerton. Look for Celia Radek in the garden and she will point you in the right direction. Bring a bag to bring home your books! If you are unable to come at those times, please let Sheila Curry Oakes know and we will try to work out a time for you to come and look at the books before July 10.

We know she's a terrific Hort teacher ... now everyone in the state and country will too! Heidi Muschick is now a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor for Flower Show School.  Heidi can be invited to teach Flower Show School Horticulture anywhere in the United States. This is a huge achievement for Heidi and a great asset for NJGC and the Garden Club of Montclair. Being certified was no easy task...our garden caps go off to Heidi!  Congratulations!

Don't forget. Please join us in thanking Maureen and welcoming Ana tomorrow, June 25! Place:   Avis Campbell Gardens, 60 South Fullerton Avenue Date:  Tuesday, June 25 Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm help us Clip! 4.00pm to 7.00pm help us Dip and Sip! Please feel free to bring a friend to enjoy the garden and the wonderful roses in bloom.  If you wish, please bring a folding chair to sit, and a snack to share!

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Garden Club of New Jersey announced the following awards for our club. Barbara Meyer, shown above, received the PERENNIAL BLOOM AWARD given to a long-time member who, like the faithful perennials in our gardens, has made our club grow and bloom with her continuous support of our goals and objectives. Serving as an officer and chairman over the years, her love of gardening has planted many a seed for garden club programs and events, while her enthusiastic leadership has inspired members to nurture these seeds into successful bloom. In grateful appreciation for her years of support, a PERENNIAL BLOOM AWARD was presented to Barbara, and a tree or shrub is to be planted in her honor. Congratulations, Barbara Meyer! The ELIZABETH HOOD SILVER TROPHY was awarded to Avis Campbell Gardens.  A perpetual trophy held for one year. Presented to a member club whose Garden Education Center, in proportion to size, has contributed the greatest service to its community by furthering horticultural interest and providing educational information. Maureen Sprong and Wendy Stahl have led this committee, and their application was outstanding. Our Open Gardens program, under the leadership of Marilyn Zaret, won the HANOVER GARDEN CLUB TROPHY.  A perpetual trophy held for one year. (Presented in 1988 in honor of Helen Hait). Presented to a member club for a successful, innovative project of merit that does not apply for an award under any other category.   Congratulations, Marilyn, for shepherding this important and fun program so beautifully for seven years. NATIONAL GARDEN CLUB awarded our Website a Certificate of Appreciation Award for Sue Young’s application. We also received a CAR Award for last fall’s Specialty Flower Show with a check for $25.00. And, as announced at our Awards Annual Luncheon, our 2023-2024 Yearbook received a Certificate of Merit with a Gold Seal for Excellence.  The Yearbook was compiled and edited under the leadership of Floss O’Sullivan with her committee. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Hirsch, Awards Chair, 2023-2024

Due to the heat wave starting tomorrow we are rescheduling the "Clip, Dip and Sip" to next Tuesday, June 25th. Temperatures should cool off then into the 80s. Place:   Avis Campbell Garden, 60 South Fullerton Avenue Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm help us Clip! 4.00pm to 7.00pm help us Dip and Sip! Looking forward to seeing you then!

Our year is over (sort of) and we would like to know what you thought about our end of year luncheon. Our goal is to make next year's event the best ever. CLICK HERE to fill out our questionnaire.

We welcome everyone to consider exhibiting in the Flower Show, but you MUST register early with the following people: Celia Radek - Register for Horticulture: All Classes Fran Ackerly - Register for Flower Design: Traditional or Creative Design Class Debbie Moran - Register for Flower Design: Petite Freedom of Style or Challenge Class Petite Florence Leyssène - Register for Botanical Arts: A Fascinator To read the full Flower Show schedule, CLICK HERE for Rules, Schedule Descriptions, and Awards.

The Avis Campbell Garden and Grounds Committee is pleased to invite you to our first “Clip, Dip and Sip” event of this season.  Our theme is “ The Changing of the Guard” as we will be toasting our outgoing Chair Maureen Sprong and welcoming our new Chair Ana Moore.  Wendy Stahl has kindly agreed to remain as Co-Chair and we are very grateful to her! We wish to extend our appreciation to Maureen for approximately five years of volunteer service in her role as Chair of Avis. She has been an invaluable leader and is much loved, appreciated and respected for her work ethic, friendship and wealth of horticultural knowledge! We are fortunate that Maureen will remain in the garden as Bed Captain and as friend.  Luckily this is not a goodbye! Place: Avis Campbell Garden, Date: Tuesday, June 18th Time:  3 - 4PM help us Clip! 4 - 7PM help us Dip and Sip! What can I bring? Please feel free to bring a friend to enjoy the garden and the wonderful roses in bloom.  If you wish, please bring a folding chair to sit, and a snack to share! Please join us in thanking Maureen and welcoming Ana next Tuesday, June 18th! Looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday!