Jennifer Robinson

Nestled in the verdant landscapes of Brome Lake, there exists a thriving community of green-thumbed enthusiasts who have been cultivating their passion for horticulture for close to four decades. The Brome Lake Garden Club, launched in 1985 by a small group of local plant lovers, stands as a testament to the area’s enduring love affair with the art of gardening.

The Garden Club has blossomed into an integral part of the region’s social and educational fabric. The Club is a vibrant community of more than 200 members, offering enriching activities for gardening enthusiasts of all ages and expertise levels.

Club president Jennifer Rowntree is excited about the upcoming season, with activities and garden visits planned almost every month of the year. From presentations by expert speakers, to hands-on workshops on things like pruning, to garden visits that showcase horticultural gems of the region, the club offers a cornucopia of opportunities for members to expand their knowledge and gain inspiration to create beautiful gardens and landscapes of their own. Recent guest speakers at Club events have included Alex Reford who presented his latest book on Jardins de Metis/Reford Gardens in Grand-Métis, Stephanie Wang, head of Le Rizen in Frelighsburg and Asiatic vegie-growing sensation who has a new book on the subject, and Patterson Webster who presented on the development of the Glen Villa garden in North Hatley.

“The horticultural expertise and know-how of our members is outstanding. But what makes the club even more special,” Rowntree says, “is the social aspect of activities. The Garden Club is a unique meeting place for those with an interest in horticulture, but it is also a friendly place to meet and get to know new people, especially for those who are new to the area.”

With a membership fee of $35 a year for a single adult, Rowntree says the Garden Club is the “best deal in town”. Club membership also provides access to discounts at some local nurseries.

One of the hallmarks of the Garden Club is its emphasis on perennial gardens – timeless sanctuaries of beauty that endure year after year. But Rowntree says there are no limits, and if someone has an idea about a particular aspect of gardening – use of dwarf conifers, deer resistant plants, organic gardening practices – they are more than happy to organize activities around specific themes.

As the Garden Club prepares to mark its ruby anniversary, it is showing no signs of slowing down. Plans are underway for an expanded roster of activities to celebrate the milestone year. The club continues to enrich the lives of its members and the community one blossom at a time.

Join and find out more: https://bromelakegc.org/