About The CLub

The Garden Club of Wilmington
Founded in May 1918, The Garden Club of Wilmington has played an active role in horticultural and conservation projects throughout Delaware for more than a century. The Club has a proud tradition of supporting civic and community programs, and its members are widely recognized for their exceptional knowledge of horticulture, floral design, and environmental stewardship.

In 1920, the Club became a member of The Garden Club of America (GCA) and is also affiliated with the Delaware Federated Garden Clubs and the National Garden Club (NGC). These memberships provide access to a wealth of resources and opportunities, enriching the experience for all members.

The Garden Club of Wilmington currently has just under 100 active members, along with additional membership categories for long-serving members who wish to remain connected with less day-to-day involvement. Membership is by invitation only.

Through the GCA and NGC, members enjoy opportunities to attend national meetings, garden tours, and workshops in horticulture, photography, and floral design across the country. The GCA is nationally recognized for its leadership in horticulture, conservation, creative arts, historic preservation, and environmental protection. Many of our members have served as leaders within The GCA at both regional and national levels, reflecting the depth and talent within our Club.

Community involvement is a cornerstone of our mission. The Club maintains the entry garden at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, creates holiday bedside arrangements for a local long-term nursing care facility, and helps care for the Marion Coffin Garden at Gibraltar—a historic treasure currently listed on The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s “At Risk” registry. We are honored to play a role in preserving and protecting this special place.

Our members are also avid competitors at the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, one of the nation’s premier horticultural events. Many have earned ribbons, awards, and national recognition for outstanding horticulture and floral design. Beyond exhibiting, several members also serve as judges at flower shows around the country.

Throughout the year, the Club offers hands-on workshops on propagation, pruning, floral design, trough-making, and more. Members regularly share plants through sales at Club meetings and open their gardens for informal tours, providing opportunities to learn from one another and deepen horticultural expertise.

The Club meets monthly from September through June, typically on the first Monday morning of each month. Meetings often feature guest speakers who share insights on horticulture, floral design, and environmental issues. Standing committees organize workshops, projects, field trips, and plant sales, as well as annual shows in horticulture, floral design, and photography. Members are encouraged to actively participate by serving on two or three committees, contributing to flower shows, and engaging in community programs. Annual dues help support these activities and ensure the Club’s ongoing contributions to Delaware’s communities.