DO NOT MISS OPEN DAYS GARDEN TOURS 2025!
GCGM MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS
Our Programs
We have an exciting program of events for 2024 -2025 season.
Please note these events, except Open Days, are for members only.
To stay informed, please continue visiting our website and be sure to read monthly newsletters to see any updates. Also, look for invitations to register for the upcoming events arriving in your email inbox approximately 30 days prior to the actual event.
For GCGM members interested in additional information about Dogwood Farm, the subject of “Regenerative Gardening at Dogwood Flower Farms" presentation on June 21, 2024, there is a link below
UPCOMING EVENTS
"Sowing the Seeds of Healthy Soil"
Friday, March 21, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Dr. Thelma Heidel-Baker, PhD Entomology Soil Conservationist USDA will explore digging deep to discover healthy soils, plant diversity, and the role of beneficial insects below ground in our home gardens. We will consider the delicate balance that exists between beneficial native plants and insect communities as well as explore healthy soils and the role of beneficial insects below ground.
“Hiking for Non-Yodelers” - Hike Seminary Woods
Wednesday, April 9, 10 - 11 am
Seminary Woods at St Frances de Sales Seminary
3257 South Lake Drive Saint Francis, WI 53235
Hiking this winter has been “at your own risk”, but the time has come to once again activate the Hiking for Non-Yodelers group. We’re off in search of ephemerals in Seminary Woods with fingers crossed. This southern mesic forest located on St. Francis de Sales Seminary grounds contains 68 acres of giant trees, rare ephemeral flowers, migratory birds, and a wide variety of wildlife. Large colonies of trillium and both white and yellow trout lilies dominate portions of the forest floor.
“Patterns in Nature that Inspire Japanese Garden Design and the Connection Between Garden and Architecture”
Friday, April 18, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Japanese gardens and their architecture are the product of a fundamental connection with nature. Explore how they function, on a human scale, as pieces of a single living environment.
“Floral Design Demonstration”
Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 am
Boerner Botanical Garden
The popular Floral Demonstration is being offered again. Learn to transform a supermarket bouquet from the wrapped cluster of flowers into a round, as well as a one-sided table arrangement. Demonstrations will include the nuances of professional floral design and arranging. In addition, you will receive a nice how-to booklet filled with information for your future reference.
PAST NOTABLE EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS
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GCGM Book Group Winter Conversation: “The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables “
Monday, March, 6, 6:00 pm on Zoom
Tuesday, March, 7, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Beulah Brinton Historical House, Home of the Bay View Historical Society. 2590 South Superior Street
The group will be discussing "The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables" by Catherine Reid. Look for Eventbrite invitation to register in advance.
Photo Workshop: Tips and Practice for Improving Your Floral and Landscape Photography
Thursday, February 27, 10:00 am.
Boerner Botanical Garden
This workshop covered basic principles photographic composition, especially as it pertains to floral (macro) and landscape (garden) photography. It also included an overview of composing the image, basic functions of the camera including aperture settings for digital and cell phone cameras (iPhone & Android), and practice (weather permitting).
“Experiments in Permaculture”
by Mike Trinklein - Farmer, Author, TV Producer
Friday, February 21, 10:30am - 2pm.
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Mike Trinklein an “experimental permaculture” farmer, plants lots of unusual food-producing perennials and trees in a quest to see what will grow well in Wisconsin going forward. Many of the 200+ varieties he’s tried have failed, but the winners offer exciting possibilities for gardens and farms, as we aim for a future that's more sustainable and more nutritious.
Healing Gardens: "Conservancy of Healing and Heritage"
Friday, January 17 · 10:30am - 2pm.
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
GCGM members started the new year with an inspiring presentation by fellow member and landscape architect, Rosheen Styczinski, as she shared her experiences creating the gardens at the Conservancy of Healing and Heritage. Rosheen is the owner of New Eden Landscapes where she and her team specialize in creating eco-friendly havens that encourage social interaction and healing.
December Holiday Celebration
Friday, December 20, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
GCGM members celebrated the holidays with the annual luncheon and floral design Fundraiser. Funds raised support the club’s scholarship fund.
Holiday Wreath Workshop
Wednesday, December 4, 10am - 12pm
Shady Lane Greenhouse
Participants created magnificent holiday wreathes using a mixture of fresh cut greens with guidance from experienced designers.
“Hiking for Non-Yodelers”
Forest Story Hike
Wednesday, November 20, 10am - 12pm
Forest Exploration Center
Participants experienced the Forest Field Guide Exhibits as they hiked with your Garden Club friends. The trail told the Forest Story in just over 2 miles. The trail itself is a single mile loop, but the exhibits tell two different stories of the forest, as a field guide going clockwise round the loop, and its ecology by going counterclockwise.
“Creative Decorating Ideas: Think Outside the Pot”
Friday, November 15 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
This presentation was focused on ways to make your outdoor garden and indoor natural space unique and memorable. Michael Alt (designer, builder, restorer, florist, antique procurer, curator) talked about the use of early and forgotten techniques, vessels, and design, such as fencing, gates, benches, ground cover, paths, shade covering, mirroring, etc. He also discussed the art of reusing items, as well as incorporating items that occur in nature inside or outside your home: nests, vines, stone, moss, branches, mushrooms, antlers, water, etc.
“Hiking for Non-Yodelers”
Wehr Nature Center - Mallard Lake and Woodland Loop
Thursday, October 24 · 10am - 12pm
The Wehr Nature Center
Visit and walk the trails of the beautiful Wehr Nature Center, Mallard Lake and Woodland Loop. This is a 2.6-mile hike near Franklin, WI.
“Urban Environmental Stressors-Climate Change”
Friday, October 18 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Professor Wasley’s research interests span the range of ecological issues within architecture and urban design. He has expertise in blue/green infrastructure and the management of stormwater in the urban environment. This lecture will touch on a range of ways that urban landscapes can and are changing to respond to climate change and other environmental stresses.
“Aldo Leopold and International Crane Foundation Tour”
Friday, October 11, all day
Field Trip to Baraboo
Members toured the Aldo Leopold Shack and the Green Building and learned about the life and times of American ecologist, forester, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold the author of “Sand County Almanac”, a celebration of wilderness and wildlife.
Next, we visited The International Crane
Foundation - the only place in the world where visitors can see all 15 species of cranes. We learned about the world’s cranes and 50 years of crane conservation.
Fall Floral Workshop
Wednesday, October 2 · 10am - 12pm
Boerner Botanical Garden
First 2024-25 season hands-on class and take home a unique fall themed floral arrangement was conducted by Nancy Cody, GCGM president, and a floral designer and instructor. She offered a demo of several floral design techniques such as framing, shadowing, layering, and color blocking, also focusing on key elements of design like color, form, space, and texture to create a floral arrangement.
Tour: Guardians of the Land- Milwaukee's Naturalists and Conservationists
Tuesday, September 24 · 10am - 1:30pm
Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum
2405 West Forest Home Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53215
GCGM friends met for a walking tour of the Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum to D
discover the legacy of the environmental stewards Alfred Boerner, Alvin P. Kletzsch, Christian Wahl, Dorothy Vallier and many more. These environmental stewards envisioned Milwaukee's parks, gardens, and green spaces.
“Trends in Landscape Architecture from the Design to Real-World Challenges"
Friday, September 20, 10:30am - 2pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
GCGM members assembled for our first meeting of the new season. GCGM member James Steiner, landscape architect and UW professor, and his colleague, Eric Schuchardt, Chair of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program at UW-Madison discussed protecting and restoring equitable and inclusive spaces that demonstrate the importance of creating sustainable communities and the creative projects the students at UW Madison were implementing.
GCGM Book Group Summer Conversation: "All the Presidents' Gardens"
Thursday, August 29, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Beulah Brinton Historical House, Home of the Bay View Historical Society. 2590 South Superior Street
Chicago Bus Tour: Ball Trial Gardens and Cantigny Park Gardens
Wednesday, August 21 · 8am - 6pm
College Avenue Park and Ride
GCGM members toured two beautiful gardens in west Chicago. The Gardens at Ball are trial gardens for the leading breeder and distributor of horticultural products since 1933. There are more than 15 acres of gardens to see as we walk along gravel paths.
The Gardens at Cantigny are the former estate of Robert McCormick, president of the Chicago Tribune in the 1930's. Now the grounds are one of the largest display gardens in the Midwest with 160,000 annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs and trees.
Open Days
Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Bonniwell Garden, Mequon
Features fruit/vegetable garden, structure/sculpture, scenic view and woodland shade garden.
Farm On Hilly Lane, Saukville
Features historic garden, organic toxin free garden, scenic view, substantial native plants, and water feature.
Glasshouse In The Prairie, Fredonia
Features meadow, scenic view, substantial native plants.
“Welcome to My Garden”
Thursday, July 11, 10:00am
Palmisano Garden in Muskego
Donna’s Garden in Big Bend
Andrea Bryant’s Garden in Waukesha
A guided tour of the Palmisano Garden, with Casy Palmisano. The gardens are inspired by Roy Diblik’s principles and Piet Oudolf, a leader in New Perennial Movement. This led to the family landscape business started in 2020 that specializes in naturalistic planting schemes beneficial to the environment.
Wander on the paths with various beds of sun and shade perennials, prairie and pollinator areas, a bog, specimen trees and an array of garden art.
Regenerative Gardening at Dogwood Flower Farm
Friday, June 21, 10:30am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Join GCGM for a day filled with beautiful blooms and sustainable practices. This event is all about celebrating the beauty of locally grown flowers and supporting our community of flower growers. Dogwood Farm owners Kendra and Chris will share with us their journey of starting and building their farm, expanding into the community and their success selling at a farmstand and special events. Get ready to learn about the benefits of using fresh, locally sourced flowers in your everyday life.
Join us in spreading the joy of locally sourced fresh flowers!
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin Historic Tour
Friday, June 14, 1:00pm or 2:00pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Meet in the Great Hall where women from the past met to transform, change and shape public policy. Linda Marshall, Historic Docent, will give us a tour of the building and grounds as we learn about the rich history of the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin founded in 1876.
“Habitat for Humanity Plant Share” Service Project
Friday, May 30 through Sunday June 1.
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Garden club members shared their knowledge and skills as they assisted with selection of the plants with Habitat homeowners. Together they built flower, vegetable and herb container gardens for each homeowner to take home. This is an annual event.
“Touching our Grandmothers’ Gardens and Finding Heirloom Treasures”
Friday, May 17, 10:30 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
A historical gardener, Marcia Carmichael shared her passion for the History of gardening in America and heirloom plants through storytelling and photography. She was the researcher designer and docent for the gardens at Old World Wisconsin. She has owned and operated her own greenhouses and herb business in Southeast Wisconsin. Marcia appreciates all aspects of heirloom plants, from propagation to harvest and from folklore to fact. She has written Putting Down Roots: Gardening Insights from Wisconsin’s Early Settlers.
“Spring Planter Workshop”
Wednesday, May 8. 10:00 am
Thomas Greenhouse, Mukwonago
Thomas Greenhouse staff provided a tour of their greenhouse followed by a demonstration on how to plant a spring planter. Participants received a 14” pot, soil, and five plants and let their creativity go wild as they made their own beautiful planter arrangement to take home.
“Cultivating Edible Mushrooms: A Mushroom Inoculation Workshop”
Sunday, May 5, 3 sessions: 9:30am, 12:30pm and
3:30pm
Member's garden, Mequon
Participants in in this Digging Deeper Garden Conservancy Service Project inoculated harvested logs with shiitake, oyster and chestnut mushroom spawn and received one of each type of log to take home, as well as instructions for care.
Easy Does It Book Group Discussing
Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
1. Friday, May 3. 1:00pm - 3:00pm
St Johns on the Lake, Milwaukee
2. Tuesday, May 7, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Natural Wines, Bayview
3. Monday, May 13 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Via Zoom
Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert revolves around curiosity exploration and the interconnectedness of life. Alma Whittaker’s journey as a botanist and her quest for understanding the natural world leads her to profound insights about evolution, love and the human condition. This historical fiction delves into the complexities of science, spirituality and the inexorable march of time, all while celebrating the wonder of
discovery and the beauty of nature.
“The Chimney’s in the Spring”. Private Garden Tour
Tuesday, May 5. 10:00am and 1:00pm
River Hills
A guided tour with owner David Knox of his beautiful 15-acre arboretum featuring over 60 spectacular magnolia trees in full bloom alongside dogwoods and ephemeral flowers. It was a sight to be seen in the spring.
Floral Techniques Demonstration with Claudia Rovens, Floral Designer and Instructor
Wednesday, April 24, 10 :00am
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Claudia Rovens, Floral Designer and Instructor, demonstrated important principles of design and composition. She answered the question: why are you putting one flower here and the next one there?
Participants learned many tricks of the trade. Along with how to make a floral style bow that can be used with an arrangement, plant or wreath.
“Hiking for Non-Yodelers”
Monday, April 22, 10:00 am
Seven Bridges Trail
Grant Park
Participants hiked along the undeveloped bluff along Lake Michigan and enjoyed the spectacular views. Stroll across 7 bridges over the gorge or down the gorge stairways to walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
“Our Fascinating Feathered Friends”
Friday, April 19, 10 :00am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Dan Panetti, bird educator, shared with us the preferred habitat and behavioral habits of our local and migratory birds, including nesting, feeding, and rearing young. Migration begins in the spring and many of the birds we see travel thousands of miles to nest in Wisconsin. You can be a part of this process by growing a garden that provides safe shelter, food and water for our feathered friends.
“Aquaponics Tour”
Wednesday, April 03, 10 :00am and 11:00am
Euphorik Oasis. Aquaponic Urban Farm
Milwaukee
Join GCGM members and learn the history of aquaponics, what it is, as well why this type of farming is so important. Members will see basil being grown and receive a small basil plant to take home.
You will be required to wear a hairnet and shoe covers provided at the tour. No open toe shoes.
“Touching our Grandmothers’ Gardens and Finding Heirloom Treasures”
Friday, May 17, 10:30 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
A historical gardener, Marcia Carmichael shared her passion for the History of gardening in America and heirloom plants through storytelling and photography. She was the researcher designer and docent for the gardens at Old World Wisconsin. She has owned and operated her own greenhouses and herb business in Southeast Wisconsin. Marcia appreciates all aspects of heirloom plants, from propagation to harvest and from folklore to fact. She has written Putting Down Roots: Gardening Insights from Wisconsin’s Early Settlers.
“Hiking for Non-Yodelers”
Wednesday, March 27, 10:00 am
Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve
Grafton
Hike took place along the undeveloped bluff of Lake Michigan and offered the spectacular views. It was a pleasant stroll across bridges over the gorge and down the gorge stairways to the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Horticulture Unplugged: Gardening Round Robin
Thursday, March 21, 9:30 an
Boerner Botanical Gardens
The GCGM Horticulture Committee hosted a fun event for members given by members. Participants learned about a variety of topics including growing dahlias, herbs, petunias, hydrangeas, a cut flower garden and more in small group presentations on selected topics of interest led by member experts.
Insects and Other Creepy-Crawlies
Friday, March 15, 10:00 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
GCGM members met the "Bug Lady", an entertaining speaker Kate Redmond, Interpretive Naturalist and Environmental Educator. We learned how insects share the earth with us. More than 85% of all species of animals are insects, and thousands of them live their lives below our radar, all around us. What are insects and why should we care? We learned about the variety, natural history, survival strategies, ecological importance, and beauty of these misunderstood creatures.
How to Take Beautiful Floral and Garden Landscape Pictures - Photography Workshop
Thursday, February 22, 10:00 am
Boerner Botanical Gardens
The workshop covered the basic principles of composition, as applied to photography, with a particular focus on floral and garden landscape scenes from a very Wisconsin perspective -- all four seasons.
The focus was on previsualization of any given scene and/or subject and considering what it was that the photographer saw and considered worth sharing with others. Following the instruction there was a "hands-on" practical session outdoors.
Prescription from the Apple Doctors: An (Organic) Apple a Day!
Friday, February 16th, 10:30am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
Dream Apple Farm is a certified organic apple orchard in Port Washington, established to fulfill the dream of Ed and Peggy Callahan. GCGM members got together at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin to learn about the challenges and benefits of growing organic apples and why living soil is the key to organic growing.
Easy Does It Book Group
Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny
January 29th, January 30th, February 1st
Brave the Wild River by Melissa Sevigny, came on the heels of the very successful initial book group meeting.
“What Is a Forest Garden and How Can You Create One?”
Zoom Meeting with Dani Baker,
Organic Farmer and Author
Friday, January 19th, 10:30 am
A forest garden is an intentional planting modeled after a natural forest edge where the tallest trees, shrubs, herbaceous ground-covers and vines flourish with no human intervention. How does nature do it? This powerpoint presentation described six principles that the home-scale gardener could apply to any size perennial food producing planting. Attendee discovered numerous tips on how to create their own self-sustaining, magical and abundant edible landscape.
GCGM Holiday Celebration
Friday, December 15th, 11:00 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
GCGM members gathered to celebrate the season at our festive annual luncheon and fundraiser at The Woman's Club decorated for the holidays. holidays.
Holiday Floral and Tablescape Workshop
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 10:00 am
Boerner Botanical Gardens
GCGM members gathered for our annual holiday floral workshop to make a seasonal centerpiece with fresh florals, greens, and holiday trims.
New this year: tips for decorating your table with your centerpiece.
“A Wealth of Nature: Photos of Parks and Natural Areas in Southeast Wisconsin”
Friday, November 17th, 10:30 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
“A Wealth of Nature” is a project spearheaded by Eddee Daniel and Preserve Our Parks, a non-profit dedicated to preservation and promotion of parks and open spaces.
Eddee has traveled throughout the Milwaukee region documenting the area’s abundance of nature and recreational opportunities. Eddee described the project, the challenges parks were facing, what Preserve
Our Parks was doing about them and shared his beautiful photographs.
Thai Cooking Demonstration
Wednesday, November 8th, 1:00 am
AN OX CAFE
An exciting private Thai Cooking Demonstration in-person event demonstrated the art of Thai cuisine. Thai dishes with authentic flavors and spices were created.
Fall Themed Floral Workshop
Thursday, October 26 at 10 am.
Boerner Botanical Garden.
Participants made floral arrangements for the fall season with fresh flowers, greenery and trims, as well as learned creative floral design technique to incorporate natural materials from the garden into their design.
Discussing “Easy Does It”
New Book Group First Meeting
Tuesday, October 24th., 1 pm - 3 pm
Bay View Historical Society
The featured book was Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Participants shared impressions from the book related to questions that have been formulated by facilitators.
Future Landscape Design for Milwaukee Public Museum. GCGM Program and Meeting
Thursday, October 20th at 10:30 am
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
David Malda Landscape Designer shared the insider details of his work, the project and the idea of garden in the context of gardening in this country and its relation to European traditions.
He discussed collaborating with the design teams in creating a beautiful, functional green space on the grounds, as well the future museum’s rooftop garden, to best meet the education and community needs of the neighborhood and visitors.
Apple Picking and Sweet Treats
Friday, Sep 29, at 10:00 am
Peck and Bushel 5454 County Road Q, Colgate, WI
A delightful day of apple picking and indulging in delicious sweet treats! It was a great opportunity to enjoy the crisp autumn air while hand-picking ripe, juicy apples straight from the orchard at Peck and Bushel.
A Living Art Frame with Succulent Plants Workshop. Milwaukee District Garden Club fundraiser.
Thursday, September 21st, from10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Boerner Botanical Gardens
This was an opportunity to help Milwaukee District Garden Club as well as to create and take home a living art frame filled with succulents. Nancy Cody, GCGM president, a certified floral designer, the owner of Rose and Twig Floral Design and and her helpers guided us in creating a unique art frame filled with succulents at Boerner Botanical Gardens
Alice’s Garden and Urban Farm event featuring herbs.
Saturday, September 16th, 9:00am to 2:00pm
Alice's Garden Urban Farm, 2136 N. 21st Street, Milwaukee
This was a hands-on day of herbal learning, crafting, cooking, brewing, blending. GCGM provided sponsorship for this community event. For tree summers, a group of dedicated GCGM members has been working on maintaining the labyrinth with healing herbs & plants.
From Meteorology to Biodiversity
Friday, September 15th from 10:30am to 1:00pm
Woman's Club of Wisconsin
This was our first meeting of the new garden club season. Eric Manges, on air meteorologist at FOX6 in Milwaukee, a weather expert, as well as a passionate lover of nature who grows a native garden behind the weather deck on the Fox6 property, spoke about the importance of biodiversity and how his meteorological expertise led him on this journey. We saw many beautiful photographs of his adventures. He recently published an interview and story on the cranes in Wisconsin.
Lakeshore State Park:
Seating Oasis Dedication
Friday, September 8th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Lakeshore State Park
500 North Harbor Drive Milwaukee, WI 53202
The celebration was held at the site developed with funds from our club's Plant America Grant and matching funds donated by GCGM.
A brief program featured guests David Robson, National Garden Club PLANT AMERICA Community Grant Chairperson; Elaine Zautke, Lakeshore State Park Manager; and James Steiner, designer of the oasis representing landscape architectural firm Helianthus. Light treats and guided walks through the park added to the morning’s festivities.
Open Days
Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th
10:00 am-4:00 pm
Second time this summer The Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee in partnership with The Garden Conservancy brought "Open Days" garden tours of three unique, rarely open, private gardens in the greater Milwaukee area.
Welcome to My Garden
Field Trip
Tuesday, August 1, from 10:45 am to 4:00 pm
Wauwatosa, WI
We were invited to tour the gardens of our two members in the Wauwatosa area followed by an optional lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at Mayfair. After the lunch, at 3:00 pm, there was a docent led tour of the gardens at the Kneeland Walker House.
Gardens Tour in Madison
Field Trip
Tuesday, July 18
Participants visited four beautiful private gardens in Madison.
“Life in a Beehive”
Field Trip to Indian Summer Honeybee Farm
Friday, July14, 10 am
Guided tour of the honeybee farm provided a great opportunity to learn how the bees were raised, what they did, and how they differ from other bees. Demonstration of honey extraction.
Open Days
Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th
10:00 am-4:00 pm
The Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee in partnership with The Garden Conservancy brought "Open Days" garden tours of three unique, rarely open, private gardens in the greater Milwaukee area.
Annual Meeting and Inauguration of Officers
Friday, June 16th, 10:30 am
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin
This fiscal year’s final meeting was held at Woman’s Club of Wisconsin. We celebrated remarkable accomplishments of the last two years, 2023 scholarship winners, as well as the installation of new GCGM officers.
The Secret Life of Bees & Their Buddies
Friday, May 19th, 10:30am
Woman’s Club of Wisconsin
Restoration ecologist, Hallie Minser, discussed our native pollinators with a heavy focus on bees. This program meeting was followed by luncheon at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin.
“Draw the Landscape”
Friday, May 12th, 10:00am and 1:00pm
Boerner Botanical Gardens
James Steiner, GCGM member and landscape designer, guided participants at the Boerner Botanical Gardens to practice basic perspective, tonal shading, and texture to better appreciate outdoor spaces. No prior art training was needed.
Container Gardening Workshop
Thursday, May 4th, 9:45am
Ebert’s Greenhouse Village
With help from the staff at Ebert’s Greenhouse Village, workshop participants took home a container garden they made, as well as ideas to create healthy, long-lasting container gardens at home.
“Foolproof Perennials“
with Horticulturist Zannah Crow
Friday, April 21, 10:30 AM
Meeting and Luncheon at Westmoor
Country Club
Horticulturist Zannah Crowe of Heyden’s Gardens presented a program on reliable perennials that
could be counted on to thrive and perform in your garden year after year. These include new
introductions as well as the tried-and-true that have earned their long-standing popularity.
“Washington Highland Historic District”
Walking Tour with David Zachman
Tuesday, April 18, 10:30 AM, or 1:00 PM Corner W. Washington Blvd. & 60th Street
Tour of Wauwatosa neighborhood that was the site of the Pabst farm. Threatened by prohibition
the land was sold to the city for development. City planner Warren Hegemann plotted the land while
landscape designer Ebert Peets planned out curving streets to preserve the topographical features. The design included private parks and limited through traffic. The area has residential dwellings from the 1920’s and 30’s including Tudor, Dutch Colonial and Italian renaissance Revival, Mission style, Arts and Crafts and Japanese exotica.
Alcohol Ink Workshop taught by Beth Kluth
January 13 and January 17 , 10:00- 12:00
Boerner Botanical Gardens
This was a great class for all aspiring artists who wanted to explore a different media and learn to create vibrant abstract art using alcohol inks. No experience was necessary, no special talent or skills or tools need, just a willingness to explore a different approach to art.
GCGM Annual Holiday Social
Friday, December 16th, 11:00 am. at the Milwaukee Athletic Club
The Holiday Social including luncheon and centerpiece raffle was held at the MAC.
Holiday Floral Workshop with Nancy Cody
Monday, December 12th,
In this workshop participants made a winter/holiday themed arrangement with seasonal flowers, greenery, and trims. Nancy Cody provided floral design techniques and tips on how to keep the design fresh for the holidays.
Thanksgiving Floral Centerpiece Workshop with Nancy Cody
Saturday, November 19th,
One of the most popular activities the GCGM offers is a floral workshop led by Nancy Cody, owner of Rose and Twig Floral Designs, GCGM member, and Chair of the Floral Design Committee. This fall Nancy and her
committee have invited members to a fall wreath-making workshop, a fall floral centerpiece workshop, and a holiday floral workshop.
“What’s Old is New”, a talk by Betty Adelman,
followed by lunch.
Friday, November 18th, 10:00am – Noon the Milwaukee Athletic Club.
Betty Adelman of Heritage Flower Farm sells plants not only to local gardeners, but to botanical gardens and historic sites across the United States. She’ shared stories of the heritage plants she grows and propagates and of the adventurers who risked their lives to collect
“Russian Rice” Michael Schlappi Marquette University Biologic Science Professor
Friday, October 21st 10 am at Mequon Nature
Preserve
Lecture by the Marquette University science professor, who created a rice paddy at the Mequon Nature Preserve, about the selection of rice, with the ability to be grown in a northern climate, and the history of where and how the paddy project started.
Modernist Landscape Design
Friday, September 16th, 10:0
First meeting of the new Club at our new home base, the Milwaukee Athletic Club for a program by Jennifer Current who has led projects in Europe, Asia and the Great Lakes region. .
Floral Art Workshop
Wednesday, April 12, 10:00am
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Create your own floral designed leather cuff bracelet. This painted and jeweled bracelet you can proudly wear or give as a gift to that special person.
"Maple Sugarin"
Tuesday, March 28th, 10:00am
Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugarin' Program at Riveredge Nature Center.
Stroll through the sugar maple forest, called the Sugarbush, on a crisp March day. Learn about the maple sugaring process: tapping 101 basics such as which trees to tap and how, gathering sap, use of the evaporator in the Sugarbush House to boil down the sap, and how climate change is affecting the season. As the grand finale, members will enjoy a homemade pancake breakfast with Riveredge maple syrup, prepared just for our Garden Club
Creative Container Gardening: Drama for Every Season with Paul Zammit
Friday, March 17th, 10:30am
Zoom Program and Luncheon at MAC
Just as outdoor garden spaces change throughout the year, Paul Zammit believes seasonal transformations should also be reflected in dramatic container arrangements in our gardens as well as on our patios and balconies. Join Paul for an energetic presentation where he will discuss how to select your container, then demonstrate the steps to successfully creating an eye catching and lasting planter. He will also highlight many of his choice plants, container combinations and planter accents just in time for this growing season!
Paul Zammit held the position of the Director of Horticulture at the Toronto Botanical Garden for 10 years before joining the faculty at Niagara College. He is a passionate gardener and lover of nature who has been delivering presentations across Canada, throughout the US and abroad for over 30 years. Paul is an avid photographer as well as a gardening advisor on the CBC “Here and Now” radio program.
The Art of Ikebana Floral Workshop
Wednesday, March 1st, 10:00am
This workshop demonstrated basic Ikebana principles and theory. After observing a demo participants completed their own arrangement. The instructor, Lynn Laufenberg, is last year’s winner of Art in Bloom.
Beauty, Integrity and Resilience: Can a Garden Have Everything?
Friday, February 10th, 10:30am
Zoom Program and Luncheon at MAC
How can we change our approach to design, plant choice, planting techniques and maintenance regimes to maintain both our aesthetic goals and provide habitat for the insects and birds we love? Cole Colston Burrell, garden designer and author's lecture, Zoomed into the ballroom of the Milwaukee Athletic Club on February 10th, provided clear scientific information along with beautiful images of “resilient” gardens
This Zoom presentation was held in conjunction with a meeting and luncheon at the MAC.
“The Rockefeller Gardens”
Friday, January 20th , 10:30am
The GCGM will once again welcomed as a
presenter, author and photographer, Larry
Lederman. The book depicting the famous
Rockefeller estate and gardens was available for
purchase before this free Zoom presentation.
Tour of Margie’s Children’s Garden
Children’s Garden tour was led by Rosheen Styczinski, GCGM, member and the garden’s designer. This 3-acre garden was created with kids in mind and offers multi-sensory experience.
Event was held Tuesday, September 6th, 10:00am, 11:00am & Noon
Northwind Perennial Farm – Lake Geneva
Recently the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee members gathered at Northwind Perennial Farm where in 1991, a group of three combined their talents to create something wonderful on a ten-acre farmstead. Members heard Roy Diblik perennial plant expert, grower, designer, speaker and author share his words of wisdom about sustainable perennial planting.
We then traveled to Lake Geneva to share a wonderful lunch at Lake City Social. Following lunch, we walked to the Riviera Dock to board the Lady of the Lake steamboat for a tour of the fabulous homes surrounding the shores of Lake Geneva. The only word that fits this tour is
“WOW”. The homes were unbelievable and Mother Nature couldn’t have provided a more
beautiful day..
OPEN DAYS 2022
GCGM was participating in Open Days, a national program of The Garden Conservancy.
More than 11 acres of unique, rarely-open, private gardens at three locations in Milwaukee County, were open for tours on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Another Open Days garden tour to Sally Edgett’s Garden Gone Wild on August 20th offered an opportunity to learn how to successfully incorporate native plants into your garden.
Our Club’s 100th Anniversary Luncheon
We celebrated our 100th Anniversary at University Club, Friday on June 17th with a gala luncheon, memorabilia from our 100-year history, a slide show of past Garden Club events, and a speech by the Milwaukee Historical Society which brought us back to the Milwaukee of 1921.
“THE LANDSCAPE LEGACY OF JENS JENSEN”
Sponsored by Landscape Design Committee, Helen Dahms chairperson, this event was held in Lubar Auditorium, Friday, May 20th at 2:30pm.
Our presenter, Stephen McCarthy, spoke on the legacy of landscape designer Jens Jensen, known for his natural landscapes as part of the Prairie School movement. Jensen's artistically designed landscapes emphasized the use of native plants and featured careful spatial composition, attention to the play of light and shadow effects, naturalistic rock work and water features, inspired by the native Midwest landscape.
Our presenter, Stephen McCarthy, has practiced landscape architecture in Illinois and Wisconsin, in both the public and private sectors, for the past 40 years. He focuses on public sector natural resource- based projects, native landscape restoration and natural area preservation.
ART in BLOOM
Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee, fka MAMGC, was the Presenting Sponsor for 2022 four-day, sold out event, held at the Museum Art Museum from Thursday, April 7th through Sunday, April 10th.
"BIRDS IN THE GARDEN: CREATING AND ENJOYING A BIRD OASIS”.
Sponsored by Horticulture Committee, Sandy Pike chairperson. Zoom presentation by Pam Karlson.
Pam lives in Chicago; her photographs feature her home garden which attracts over a one hundred twenty species of birds and other pollinators. She shared tips that focus on landscape enhancements, practices, and plants, with an emphasis on native species. The connection between Milwaukee’s importance to the migratory route, bird species diversity, habitat, diet, foraging, nesting, and citizen science was also discussed. The event was held on February 18, 2022,
“FLOWER CONFIDENTIAL”
Sponsored by Floral Design Committee, Nancy Cody chair. Zoom presentation by Amy Stewart, nationally known author, gardener and artist
Amy spoke about the history and the logistics of the flower industry and her book ”Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers”. Event was held on December 10, 2021.
DEDICATION AND CURATOR LECTURE AT THE BETTY GOLD SCULPTURE
Margaret Andera, acting Chief Curator, gave an outdoor lecture about Betty Gold's sculpture, Monumental Holistic IIII.
In honor of its 100th Anniversary, MAMGC sponsored the conservation and reinstallation of this sculpture on the Milwaukee Art Museum grounds . Event was held October 1, 2021
NATURE WALK AND RAPTOR SHOW AT SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER
Sponsored by Environmental Committee, Lurilee Springer-Wilson chair.
This event was followed by a picnic lunch at Doctors Park on September 10, 2021.