Calendar
Does your WGCF club have an event planned that should be included on the calendar?
Please send the pertinent information to CONTACT US.
Please send the pertinent information to CONTACT US.
If you would like to support our efforts, consider contributing to one of our projects. Thank you!
WGCF is a non-profit 501c3 organization. To donate to WGCF undertakings via PayPal or credit card:
WGCF is a non-profit 501c3 organization. To donate to WGCF undertakings via PayPal or credit card:
CENTRAL REGION CONVENTION: Oct. 15, 16, 17
The hotel reserved, the tours and speakers arranged and a botanical arts flower show . . . now all we need is you!
Register for the Central Region Convention by October 2nd.
Convention & Flower Show Schedule Registration Form
Register for the Central Region Convention by October 2nd.
Convention & Flower Show Schedule Registration Form
SEASONS OF LIFE: Wisconsin's State Fair Flower Show
Some WGCF State Fair attendees!
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The Floral Designers of Wisconsin presented an NGC Standard Flower Show on Thursday, August 10-13, 2023 during the Wisconsin State Fair. The theme of the show was “Seasons of Life” and it was open to all WGCF members. It is a great opportunity to exhibit and showcase some of the beautiful plants you grow in your gardens. For example, some of the exhibits that received top awards were: Senecio cineraria ‘Silvery Velvet’ (Dusty Miller); Hydrangea paniculate ‘Lime Light’ and Thuga occidentalis (Arborvitae). This show had 113 horticulture exhibits ranging from annuals, perennials, bulbs, trees, shrubs, planters and houseplants. The Schedule for a flower show identifies what can be entered.
In addition to the horticulture division, there was a design division. There were 24 design exhibits. Gerianne Holzman received the Award of Design Excellence for her Exhibition Table for “School Days” with her interpretation as “A is for apples for the teacher”. More about the show in the upcoming Fall Wisconsin Gardens! |
Gerianne's Exhibition Table for School Days.
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Senecio cineraria ‘Silvery Velvet’ (Dusty Miller)
Exhibited by Wendy Kramer
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Thuga occidentalis (Arborvitae)
Exhibited by Judy Newman
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Design by Diane Olsen.
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Your Garden - A Bird's Paradise
On July 21st, 106 people participated in a workshop designed to help them create habitat for our feathered friends in their home landscape. Four speakers addressed the issue. Attendees were encouraged to include native plants, plant in layers (trees, shrubs, and lower vegetation), and garden a bit messy. Registration included free plants from Dragonfly Nursery and tours of three gardens featuring native plants.
The event was hosted by the St. Croix District and also supported financially by a WGCF grant and others. Thank you.
The event was hosted by the St. Croix District and also supported financially by a WGCF grant and others. Thank you.
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Federation Field Dedicated!
On July 14th, Federation Field was dedicated at the International Crane Foundation near Baraboo. The restoration of Federation Field was WGCF's 2021-2023 President's Project initiated by Laura Skoff. The restoration/growth of this field connects the original 1980 planting to the new exhibit area with a corridor of native grasses and flowers.
THANK-YOU to all the members, clubs and districts that donated to the project!
THANK-YOU to all the members, clubs and districts that donated to the project!
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July 8 th tour attendees viewing the newly rebuilt Spring Brook waterfall
WILDFLOWER SANCTUARY: An Educational Opportunity
Monthly tours are offered by the Lake Wissota Garden Club of the Irvine Park Wildflower Sanctuary which the club established in 2010. There are 225+ Wisconsin native species of wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, sedges, grasses, and rushes in the Sanctuary. Something is in bloom from early April until frost.
Twenty-seven people participated in the July 8th tour and viewed 40 Wisconsin native species in bloom.
The next official tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 12th at 11am. If you are in the Chippewa Falls area, stop in.
Monthly tours are offered by the Lake Wissota Garden Club of the Irvine Park Wildflower Sanctuary which the club established in 2010. There are 225+ Wisconsin native species of wildflowers, shrubs, ferns, sedges, grasses, and rushes in the Sanctuary. Something is in bloom from early April until frost.
Twenty-seven people participated in the July 8th tour and viewed 40 Wisconsin native species in bloom.
The next official tour is scheduled for Saturday, August 12th at 11am. If you are in the Chippewa Falls area, stop in.
BLUE STAR BY WAY MARKER DEDICATED
Lake Wissota Garden Club dedicated a Blue Star By Way Marker on June 8th at the LaFayette Veteran's Memorial at Ray's Beach Park. The By Way Marker is very attractive with a specially designed post and recognizes all of the men and women who have served our country. A great deal of planning went into this marker and its dedication ceremony.
Watch the news coverage.
Watch the news coverage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL THIS OCTOBER!
Maywood Environmental Center in Sheboygan is the location of this fall's Environmental School on Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21. This is the first session of series 7. Participants will learn about ecology, biodiversity, backyard habitat, sustainability, and various environmental issues, the history of the environmental movement plus a tour.
- Registration deadline is October 6th.
- Registration information
On the Road Again . . .
,Traditionally the incoming WGCF president makes a "presidential" tour and visits all of the districts in the state. It is a wonderful way to connect with everyone and share her vision for the organization and her chosen president's project. The incoming president Linda McCafferty is accompanied by the 1st vice president, this year Joe Powelka.
Linda's President's Project will be the installation of a Blue Star and Gold Star Marker at the Rock County Welcome Center near Beloit. Located on I90/39 this is the perfect location to remind travelers of the service and sacrifice men and women have provided to our country.
So far Linda has visited the Madison, Sheboygan, St. Croix and Fox Valley, with still more travelling to do.
Linda's President's Project will be the installation of a Blue Star and Gold Star Marker at the Rock County Welcome Center near Beloit. Located on I90/39 this is the perfect location to remind travelers of the service and sacrifice men and women have provided to our country.
So far Linda has visited the Madison, Sheboygan, St. Croix and Fox Valley, with still more travelling to do.
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SCENES FROM NGC
The National Garden Club Convention was held at Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia April 30 through May 5. Attendees took care of the business of the organization and participated in numerous garden related seminars. A highlight of course was the installation of Gerianne Holzman as NGC's 3rd Vice President. Congratulatlions.
Cups of Cheer
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Garden clubs exist to learn and serve together plus have fun while doing so. Recently Western Acres Garden Cub (of the Milwaukee District) put together "Cups of Cheer" to donate to a Brookfield nursing home. They used cups from Goodwill and fresh flowers to create some Easter floral arrangements. The residents of the nursing home were so appreciative of our efforts.
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Captivating Color Flower Show at PBS Wisconsin’s Garden and Landscape Expo
Fun at the Garden Expo: Gerianne Holzman, Maureen Wild-Gordon, and Dawn Mozgawa.
The members of the Madison District Garden Clubs brought color and a touch of spring to the 30th Annual Garden and Landscape Expo, in Madison, in early February. Viewers enjoyed floral designs based on the color wheel including exhibition and functional tables, advanced design styles, and a class specifically for novice designers. Weather always plays tricks on exhibitors and this year was no exception with a heavy snowfall commencing on entry day. However, members rose to the challenge to bring in their prized houseplants and branches for exhibiting. Not to be left out, crafters in the group displayed their talents with decorated hats, packages, and trees. Rounding out the show was educational exhibits explaining how to bring color into your garden and highlighting shady areas. The over 13,000 visitors to Captivating Color enjoyed this special hint of spring to come.
Design Challenge, Dawn Mozgawa, Diane Olsen, Gerianne Holzman, Wendy Kramer and Judy Newman
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Color in the Garden, Educational Display by Dawn Mozgawa
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Shades of Green Exhibition Table, Table Artistry Award and Award of Design Excellence Recipient by Diane Olsen
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MEMBERSHIP MONDAYS - Courtesy of NGC
Membership Monday is a free monthly Zoom event for all federated garden club members. Join us on the 2nd Monday of each month from 2PM - 3PM EST. Learn new skills, share success stories, resolve commonly encountered issues, and brainstorm solutions with fellow members across the Americas.
Membership Monday workshops present a topic of the month with a special guest speaker, followed by a Q&A session and follow up. We may not have every answer, but NGC Membership is committed to bringing us all together to explore solutions in a spirit of collaboration.
Visit the National Garden Club site to register.
Membership Monday workshops present a topic of the month with a special guest speaker, followed by a Q&A session and follow up. We may not have every answer, but NGC Membership is committed to bringing us all together to explore solutions in a spirit of collaboration.
Visit the National Garden Club site to register.
Lake Wissota's Spring Brook Waterfall Project
Lake Wissota Garden Club established a wildflower sanctuary in Irvine Park, Chippewa Falls ten years ago. Each year it has expanded and been maintained. A recent grant from the Community Foundation of Chippewa County helped to fund the renovation of Spring Brook Waterfall and its surrounding plantings.
FALL IS IN THE AIR!
WGCF Garden Clubs celebrate fall in a variety of ways. The Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee recently held a fall wreath making workshop at the Boemer Botanical Gardens. The wreath making was led by floral designer, Nancy Cody. The resulting wreaths are beautiful and unique to each participant. Definitely an enjoyable activity.
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Native Plant Gardening for All - A Success
Choosing their plants: Linda (1st VP) & Chuck McCafferty and WGCF president, Laura Skoff.
The St. Croix District recently sponsored a native plant workshop. The interest in incorporating native plants into our landscapes is strong. The group planned for 40 attendees, hosted 70 and turned others away. Speakers addressed planning gardens using natives, plant choices, rain gardens and native plant propagation. Tours featured the Irvine Park Wildflower Sanctuary created by Lake Wissota Garden Club and Lake Wissota Garden Club members' Gail Fox and Kristen Brown shared their gardens which incorporated many natives to the group. Dragonfly Nursery of Amery supplied plants for attendees as part of the registration giveaway and for purchase. Evaluations are positive and a similar event has been requested for the future. Thank you to the many WGCF members who attended and also to WGCF and NGC for the grants received to support this endeavor. A Thrivent grant was also awarded for the event.
80 Years of Service
Congratulations to the Sunset Garden Club of the Madison District as they celebrate 80 years of gardening for good in their community. Always active in the community, Sunset Garden Club has been instrumental in creating Monarch Waystations/pollinator gardens at Fire Station #9 and also at Midtown Station.
An afternoon of celebration was held on Sunday, October 2nd at Olbrich Gardens in Madison.
An afternoon of celebration was held on Sunday, October 2nd at Olbrich Gardens in Madison.
WGCF POLLINATOR GARDEN SIGNS
 Western Acres members promoting membership and offering pollinator signs at Brookfield's Farmers Market.
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Promote your pollinator garden(s) with an attractive sign! Orders may be placed online and will be delivered through WGCF’s District Directors. Orders are considered placed when payment is received. Clubs may combine their orders and submit them to make distribution easier. Cost per sign is $18.00 or 2 for $35.00. Suitable three foot metal posts are available from Menard’s, Home Depot or Fleet Farm.
Signs are 10″ x 15″ and are made out of coated aluminum composite with an average lifespan of 3 – 5 years. |
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If you need some to sell at events, contact your district director.
Order Form
Order Form
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The Wisconsin Garden Club Federation founded in 1928 is a charter member of the National Garden Club organization. As an organization, we are proud of our heritage of developing relationships with fellow gardeners, learning, and gardening for good in our communities.
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