(Photo: 1 .Ms. Wm. (Jessie) Harris, 1920, Garden Club and Rose Show Founder)

This was a time of growing interest in gardening and food conservation as a response to World War I. The government invested in placing county extension agents throughout Georgia to educate the communities on growing food at the local level and vegetable gardening was even taught in schools. Victory gardens sprung up all over town.

A canning club was formed as a natural extension of this new emphasis on food self-reliance and Mrs. Harris joined. (Photo: 2. Pebble Hill Plantation Hosts Canning Demonstration in 1918) In addition to her membership in the canning club, Mrs. Harris also chaired the Civic Improvement Committee of the Thomasville Study Class. When a visitor from Boston, MA wrote of the beauty of the roses in Thomasville and herself drawing inspiration from the excellent conditions for growing roses in Thomasville, Mrs. Harris decided to promote rose gardening by buying rose plants from the local nurseries and selling them to the public at wholesale prices at the courthouse. As the newspaper summarized it, “for the purpose of stimulating interest in rose growing and making Thomasville…more than ever, “The City of Roses.”

As a member of both the canning club and the civic improvement club, and possessing great energy, leadership and civic interest, Mrs. Harris heeded the call by the Times Enterprise to form a garden club to promote vegetable gardening. On March 3, 1917, the Home Garden Club was organized. The motto was “Cooperate, Agitate, Educate, Cultivate, Investigate.”

Mrs. Harris had launched a movement that is still vibrant and relevant 109 years later- Thomasville has four garden clubs and more than 150 members today. (Photo: 3. Home Garden Club Formed, Thomasville Times Enterprise, March 7, 1917)

According to the Times Enterprise, the following officers were elected: Mr. Edward R. Jerger, Honorary President; Mrs. Wm Harris, President; Mrs. M.R. Mallette, Vice-President; Mrs. James F. Evans, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. J.W.L Yates, Recording Secretary. No treasurer was elected as no dues are required for a membership. The purpose of the Home Garden Club was to create a community interest in gardening.

The January 28, 1918 edition of the Atlanta Constitution noted that the Thomasville Garden Club ladies were “wide awake”, noting their efforts to educate the community on gardening and praising their second rose plant sale that Mrs. Harris had begun the prior year. This sale continued into the 1920s. (Photo 4. Atlanta Constitution Jan. 18, 1918)

Against this backdrop, Mrs. Harris learned of entries being accepted at the State Fair in Atlanta. Believing that Thomasville’s farmers grew beautiful fruits and vegetables, she approached the local woman who was the county extension agent at the time for help gathering produce to enter. Mr. Neel of Neel Bros Store, and Mr. Hjort, who had a rose test garden and nursery, accompanied her by train to Atlanta. Daisy Neel helped with the arrangement of fruits, vegetables and flowers in a cart and they entered the contest.

To their amazement, they won first place and a prize of $25.00, which, according to newspaper accounts, happened the next three years in a row. Mrs. Harris saved the initial $25.00 and the subsequent winnings in a newly opened bank account, gave some of the winnings to local charities and used this as seed money for Thomasville’s first flower show.

The First Rose Show

According to the Times Enterprise, as early as 1917 the Garden Club had appointed an executive committee “to interest the club in a vegetable and flower show. All members are urged to take note of this and have something on display.” Ask any of Thomasville’s garden club members and they will agree, this plea is still expressed today!

With the help of local nurserymen and the advice of Mr. Sam Hjort, a local nurseryman who ran a well known rose test garden, and others, Mrs. Harris and the Garden Club sponsored the first Rose Show. It opened April 25, 1922 with roses displayed in the front windows and throughout the Neel Bros department store on Broad Street. (Photo 5. Sam and Nell Hjort Helped Plan the First Rose Show)

The April 25th issue of the Thomasville Times Enterprise declared the show a “Great Success.” (Photo: 6. Times Enterprise Reports on the First Rose Show) People came by train and automobile the flower shows in crowds estimated at 50,000 even in its earliest days. The show outgrew Neel Bros Department store to move to a car dealership the second year. It grew so large that soon after, it needed the space of a tobacco warehouse. In subsequent years, the show was held at Finney General Hospital, the new hangar at the airfield and the exhibition space at fairgrounds. (Photo 7. Thomasville Nurseries P.J Hjort & Sons display in Neel Bros. Front Window )(photo 8 & 9. Roses displayed upstairs at Neel Bros. Department Store in 1922). (Photo 10. Rose Show Visitors in 1949 at Finney General Hospital

Photo 11. The Garden Club’s Float c. 1925)

What has become the Thomasville Rose Show and Festival has been held annually every year with two exceptions: a freeze in 1955 and Covid -19 in 2020. The impact of this first flower show to the Thomasville community is immeasurable. (photo 12: Rose Show Tree Wishing Well 1955-using New York Roses due to local freeze)

While today the Rose Society sponsors the Rose Show and the Garden Clubs sponsor a separate flower show, no one can deny the impact of the Garden Club and that first show has had on the local community. The Rose Show is now a Rose Show and Festival including a Rose Parade, the crowning of a Rose Queen and the addition of related events such as an Orchid Show, community street dance, the Rose City Walk and Run and a host of other activities. Even today, it is still a rite of passage for many children to proudly flaunt their ribbons won in the youth division of the Flower Show, now held at the Garden Center annually in conjunction with the Rose Show and Festival. (Photos 12. Brandt Herndon with the Coveted Soil Diggers Award 13. Ann McKinnon and Jane Delarber Greet Guests at a recent Flower Show, now held at the Garden Center, 14. Thomasville native Raymond Hughs, Internationally recognized Pianist and Conductor plays for the opening day crowd at flower show “Centennial Celebrations” . 15. Picnic on the Garden Center Lawn Opens the Flower Show, 16. Kim Cornish with a young gardener at the Children’s Pollinator Activity, now a part of the Annual Flower Show)

An Era of Growth

In 1926 the first Georgia Pilgrimage began in Thomasville.

In 1928 Thomasville Garden Club was one of the 28 charter members of the Garden Club of Georgia, which formed in Athens, with two delegates from Thomasville traveling to Athens to sign the charter.

The 1930’s saw the formation of the Tree Committee by the City with representation from the Garden Club, whose members were already helping fund the planting of dogwood trees and roses along Thomasville’s streets. Thomasville’s famed Big Oak was enrolled in the Live Oak Society in 1936. Thomasville’s first Camellia Show was held in 1939. (Photo: 17. A Proud Young Camellia Show Winner at the Garden Center, Feb 10, 1956.)

The early 40s were dedicated to the struggle of keeping the flower shows going on a reduced scale during the years of World War II. But by 1948, interest in gardening and the activities of garden clubs was strong. The Thomasville Garden Club incorporated seven garden clubs: Briarcliff, Caprice, Countess Vandal, Killarney Queen, Rambler Rose, Talisman, and Tallyho-all with their own club projects in addition to Council-wide projects. Thomasville also became a bird sanctuary in 1948.

Nocturne Club was added in 1957-58, Carousel was formed in 1961-72 and in 1966-67, Granada was formed.

In 1967 the Happy Workers Garden Club was organized and sponsored a Garden Therapy program at Southwestern State Hospital. This became a council project that served the patients there until the hospital’s closing in 2013 and later resurrected.

And in the 1940’s the first donations for the “dream home” for the Thomasville Garden Club were made. (Photo 18. Countess Vandal Club in 1975, Photo 19. Sketch of the Proposed Garden Center)

The Garden Center becomes a Home for Thomasville’s Garden Clubs

The success of the various clubs that grew out of that first Home Garden Club in 1917 inspired the members to dream and plan for a unifying home for all the clubs.

The members worked raising funds through the late 1940s and ‘50’s. With the help of Mrs. Elisabeth Ireland Poe, who bought and donated a building site on Old Monticello Road, the dream became a reality. (Photo 19. Devereau Woods, the site of the future Garden Center, Photo 20. Sketch of the Proposed Thomasville Garden Center). Construction on the Garden Center began in 1954 and was completed in 1956. (Photo 21. The Garden Center takes Shape, Photo 22: Completed Garden Center.)

The members continued to work diligently to fund construction with bake sales, dinners, raffles, and personal donations as well as, after its opening, renting the Center. In 1962, “Miss Pansy” stepped in and finished paying off the mortgage note for the building. This generous gesture prompted a ceremonial burning of the mortgage note in an orchestrated celebration on the front lawn of the Garden Center. Miss Pansy lit the note on fire for a crowd of well-wishers.

(Photo 23. Miss Pansy burns the mortgage in 1962.)

The Garden Center, designed by local architect Robert Jinright whose wife Betty was a club member, consists of a large assembly hall, recently named Pansy Poe Hall, the Helan Hay Whitney library, a spacious kitchen, and utility room as well as the sitting room named for Elva Scott. The wall paneling in the hall and library is of magnolia wood from trees harvested from Pebble Hill and Melrose Plantations. The other walls have pine paneling. The library is equipped with four large handmade Honduras mahogany cabinets custom made and donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Hay Whitney of Greenwood Plantation contains a collection of volumes on artistic designs, horticulture and examples of Garden Club’s awards and tributes to its founders and benefactors. (photo 24: New Cabinets enhance the Helen Hay Whitney Library c. 1958)

The Garden Center quickly became a vital part of the community playing host to a variety of events including boy scout meetings, Rose Society meetings, Camellia society meetings and Camellia Shows, garden club meetings, joint bridge club luncheons and play days, political events, business leaders’ meetings and of Completed Garden Center course, classes on floral design and flower shows. (Photo 25.High School Girls serving at a Garden Club event c. 1956. Photo 26. Birdwatchers Hold Reception Jan. 1958; Photo 27. DAR Silver Tea and History Exhibit in 1961; Photo 28. Birthday Luncheon for Mrs. A.G. Robinson, shown with Mae Pringle)

In 1966, the Garden Club acquired the property where the Big Oak tree is located jointly with the City of Thomasville. The park features a gazebo donated by Mrs. Otto Carter of Meigs with the stipulation that it be used intact. Today, the tree and the gazebo are in the Elisabeth Ireland Poe Park, which is the site of community gatherings, weddings, and the finish of the annual Rose City Run. The Garden Club also acquired the deed to Magnolia Park in 1984 and leased the land to the city for 50 years. Today, walking trails enhance this park where old growth forest, rare today, are found.

During the late 1950’s and 60’s, The Center featured a gift shop which the members ran. Mrs. Fred (Elva) Scott was appointed chairman of the building in 1956 and held that position and ran the gift shop until her retirement in 1989. (Photo 28. The Gift Shop in the Garden Center was a Source of Revenue and run by Mrs. Scott.) The site of the former gift shop is now a beautiful living room named in her honor, decorated by the Scott family in 1988 and redecorated with a fundraising campaign in 2025. (Photo 29. The Elva Scott Room redecorated in 1988, Photo 30. The Elva Scott Room Today)

The Garden Center added the Nellie Neel Memorial Terrace in 1986 featuring a fountain given in memory of Mrs. George Humphry by her daughters Mrs. Pamela Firman and Mrs. John Butler. (Photo 31: The Cherub completes the Terrace Fountain) In 1989 a local sculptor was commissioned to carve a rose for the g arden center façade in recognition of the significance of the Rose to the garden clubs. Landscaped azalea gardens were added in 1994 by the Briarcliff Club and all club members help maintain the center and its grounds. (Photo 32. Work Day laying Pine Straw 32b, Club Members Spring Clean at a Work Day 2011), 33. Tom Faircloth and Millie Faircloth (r) at a Judge’s Luncheon on the Terrace)

Members celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of the opening of the Garden Center in 2006.

Maintaining the Garden Center has occupied much of the energy of its members and a glance through yearbooks and scrapbooks shows an amazing number of fundraising activities to support the addition of air conditioning, changing the slope of the roof to prevent leaks, replacing heating and air conditioners, and updating bathrooms and the kitchen. The Center is well used and rentals have helped support its operation from the beginning. But a look to the future spurred the launch of an endowment campaign in 2007, chaired by Mrs. C.W. (Ann) McKinnon to help meet the future needs of the Center. The Endowment Campaign reached $150,000 that first year and has continued to grow. This important fund is available for capital expenses associated with the maintenance of the Garden Center, helping to assure its future.

A capital campaign for Garden Center improvements was launched in the fall of 2012 and its committee raised nearly $200,000 to add garden areas to the landscape, design and pave parking lots, make much needed repairs, install historic lighting inspired by the original street lights from downtown Thomasville, and add two front brick and wrought iron features which lead into the renovated grounds. The resulting garden design features a camellia walk featuring historic camellias, a wedding garden, and beautiful areas for entertaining. (Photo 34; Suzanne Finger, Landscape Architect and a member of Killarney Queen, designed the new landscape plan, 35. Sod Goes Down; 36. Supporters including Julia Singletary, Ashley Jones, Charnie Beverly, Suzanne Finger, Leisa Zollar, Karen Leabo, Peggy Rich and Ben Grace help cut the ribbon at the Re-Opening of the Garden in 2013; 37. Connie Middleton with her daughter Molly Green helped give the Camellia Walk in Memory of Una Middleton)

(Photo of the Garden Center)

Through the years, Thomasville’s Garden Club and Garden Center have benefited from its ties to local plantation owners. Some, like the owner of Boxhall Plantation Mrs. Louse Jeans Hines, joined a club and fully participated in all activities. Mrs. Pansy Poe of Pebble Hill was an inactive member of Killarney Queen. Others, like the Whitney family from Greenwood Plantation and the Wades of Millpond Plantation, came to Thomasville for the winter hunting season. They appreciated the goals of the Club and were generous donors without joining. The early days of the Rose Shows reveal extensive involvement from the owners of a number of plantations who sponsored exhibits and lent their support to the club members’ projects. The proximity of the community to this specific generational wealth and lifestyle has been so helpful and appreciated through the years.

Local Members called to State leadership and Washington D.C

Mrs. Lawson (Josie) Neel, a member of Rambler Rose Garden Club, was elected President of the Garden Club of Georgia in 1963-1965 and there were many events at the Garden Center where Thomasville Garden Club members hosted state garden club officials. (photo 38. Josie Neel, shown at right, hosts a Tea at the Garden Center in 1964.) She was an integral part of the local and state garden club and was honored with an appointment as co-chair of the White House Decorating Committee for the inauguration of Georgia’s President Jimmy Carter. Killarney Queen member Mrs. William Fred (Elva) Scott was also appointed to the 12-person committee. Photos of the inaugural ball January 20, 1977 show the ladies enjoying the festivities. (photos-38.Josie Neel and 39. Elva Scott at the Inaugural Ball, January 20, 1977)

Today’s Garden Club

The Thomasville Garden Club in 2026 consists of four clubs; three original clubs Briarcliff, Killarney Queen and Rambler Rose and a fourth club - Lady Banks, formed in 2014-2015, and nearly 200 members. (Photo 40: Briarcliff’s Marge Willis, a veteran designer, led a design workshop for Lady Banks members including Eve Rumble and Debbie Wright) Special projects that have made a lasting impact on the community include the annual flower show, held each April in conjunction with the Rose Festival, and Hospice Flowers, a weekly project that began in 2013 for local hospice patients. Club members assemble simple flower arrangements each Monday for patients of the Hospice of Southwest Georgia. This weekly commitment has continued without interruption since 2013 for an immeasurable impact on patients and their families. Photos: (42. Briarcliff’s Betty Jinright and Rambler Roses Sarah Martha Edwards and Kathleen Scott Honored as Legacy Members at the 2014 Flower Show Luncheon. 43. Pat Johnson, Lucile Burgess, and Margaret Arnold Legacy Members 2014. 44. Members Mary Bonvillian, Sally Sullivan, Jean Stone, Julia Singletary & Jane Delarber load one of the first Hospice Flower patient donations in 2013)

Another important project that has roots in the past is the effort to work with the developmentally disabled. Garden Therapy, begun in conjunction with Southwestern State Hospital, was resurrected in 2024-2025 to serve adults in the local Thomas-Grady service center.

Litter Control, begun with the Keep America Beautiful designation for Thomasville, fundraising luncheons with floral design themes each fall-“Fun Food and Flowers,” and annual Arbor Day celebrations are all ongoing community service projects shared by the four clubs. (Photo 45, Gale Milton of Briarcliff with Jerger Elementary students at Arbor Day) Litter Control began with an agreement with the City of Thomasville to maintain a specific area near Paradise Park. (Photo 46. Litter Control Project begins, showing Marge Willis, Claire Thomas, Janet Feldman, Ann McKinnon & Helan Huddleston meet with a City representative. The Clubs published a 2nd edition of their cookbook “Fun, Food & Flowers” which features recipes and garden and floral design tips. This release helped raise funds for the Capital Campaign for the Garden Center. (Photo 47 Ginny Miller, Eddie Reichert, and Cookbook chair Gladys Muggridge with the new cookbook). Workshops on Floral Design in preparation for the Flower Show helps members prepare to have their designs judged and is a popular event every winter. (Photo 48. Killarney Queen members Janet Webb, Mary Tomlinson and Helan Huddleston demonstrate an exhibition table)

Individually, clubs have their own special projects, from taking flowers to nursing homes to working with high school students or helping the Center for the Arts decorate for their annual Wildlife Arts Festival. (Photo 49: Jimmy Singletary, renowned local florist, is a beloved speaker for Fun, Food & Flowers, shown here with Mary Bonvillian of Killarney Queen, 50. Gale Milton of Briarcliff Club with Jerger Elementary Students at Arbor, Day, held at the Garden Center recently)

In recent years, Arbor Day has illustrated the Garden Club’s special connection to Pebble Hill Plantation and Mrs. Pansy Poe. In 2009, club member Carol Singletary, whose grandparents lived across the street from Thomasville’s Big Oak, planted a seedling she nurtured for years that she started from an acorn harvested from the Big Oak. She had shared acorns with several cousins and asked everyone to try their hand at starting a “Baby Big Oak.” Her seedling thrived and in the company of descendants of her grandparents, the tree was planted on the grounds of Pebble Hill Plantation at Arbor Day in February 2009. The “Baby Big Oak” tree has grown and will be celebrated at the 2026 Arbor Day. (Photo 51: Carol Singletary of Rambler Rose with left Mayor David Lewis and Right Pebble Hill’s Sue White with her seedling Arbor Day 2009 and 52. Baby Big Oak Tree Today at Pebble Hill Plantation 2025, 53, Baby Big Oak Plaque)

Arbor Day sometimes involves children from Jerger Elementary, shown helping plant a tree at the Garden Center with Briarcliff’s Gale Milton)

Thomasville’s Pebble Hill Plantation was also the site of one of only two State Flower Shows held outside Athens, with Callaway Gardens the other host site. The show traveled to Thomasville and Pebble Hill in 2009 with the theme “Among the Pines”. (Photo 55 : Briarcliff’s Marge Willis, chair, with Garden Club of Georgia President Sara Lanier at Pebble Hill in 2009.)

While some things have changed, many things are the same. Gone are the Garden of the Month, Tour of Homes, and monthly fundraising Luncheons. Members of the Thomasville Garden Club communicate differently than their predecessors, realizing the value of social media and text group messages, and their community service projects have changed over the years. Newer projects such as the weekly Hospice Flower Project, Children’s Pollinator activity held with the Flower Show and the new Spring Gala keep members busy and involved. However, the Garden Clubs’ goals are the same: to challenge everyone young and old to garden, enjoy floral design, care for the environment, and appreciate nature and God’s handiwork. In the words of the charter, members hope “to inspire in others a love for the beautiful.”

The 105th Annual Standard Flower Show: A Tribute to Nature’s Artistry

April 24-25, 2026

105th Flower Show will be held on Friday, April 24th, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open and Free to the Public

Horticulture entries will be accepted Thursday April 23th, 2026 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. for youth and adult categories.

On Saturday, April 25th the show opens at 10 a.m. There will also be a children’s butterfly activity on the grounds of the Garden Center, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon with many tables available for hands on activities on butterflies and their contribution to our environment.

The show is sponsored by 1915 South, Ashley Fine Furniture, NTS, TNB, Cardiovasacular Consultants of South Georgia, Olive Ochard Coaching and Consulting, Parker Poe Charitable Trust.

Julia Singletary

A special thank you to Tom Faircloth whose Rose Show research contributed greatly to this account.

An 80 Year Relationship of Service

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home (OLPHH) opened its doors in Atlanta in 1939. It was housed in a Victorian building built in 1889, the former home of the Hebrew Orphan’s Asylum. It is located on Pollard Boulevard south of downtown Atlanta and across a side street from what used to be called Turner Field and now is Center Parc Credit Union Stadium, owned by Georgia State University.

At the time, OLPHH was referred to as the “Free Cancer Home” and “The Home for the Incurables” due to its mission to provide a non-denominational home for terminally ill cancer patients. It is operated by the Hawthorne Dominican Sisters and is supported solely by donations.

By 1946 the grounds had been neglected for many years and were riddled with bare ground and erosion. Literally every vestige of plant life except trees had ceased to exist during the hard years of the Depression and then the War Years. The Club Estates Garden Club of Brookhaven, which was founded in 1939, the same year that the Home opened in Atlanta, became aware of the Home’s great mission and the need to provide it with a healing environment. However, the women had plans beyond just planting pretty flowers. Over the first ten years, eroded slopes were graded, soil was brought in, walkways were constructed, flowering shrubs, perennials and annuals were planted and two patios were constructed adjacent to a bird sanctuary. The Club established the Home as its main philanthropy and began support for the Home with donations of time and money, maintaining what they had developed for what would be the next 80 years.

The Club focused not only on the exterior landscape of the Home but on the interior environment as well. After almost 20 years of service in Atlanta the Home was still in the original 1889 building. It was a daily if not hourly challenge for the Sisters to communicate from floor to floor and from one end of the old building to the other. They were in desperate need of an efficient way to communicate, so in 1965 the Club organized the donation and installation of a state-of-the-art intercom system. It was completed just before Christmas 1965, with the added surprise of providing music throughout the Home. As carols drifted through the halls, heralding the coming Christ-child, the gift from the Club was proclaimed “a Christmas Miracle.”

In 1976 a 10-foot diameter brick fountain was installed in the back garden at the feet of a statue of St. Francis, providing a gardening focal point and the soothing sounds of water. After the initial installation and through the early 1980’s, Club Estates continued to landscape and install a system of brick walks around the fountain. In 1985 another major project, St. Dominic’s Garden, was installed at the entrance to the Cancer Home, including a much-needed irrigation system. St. Dominic is the patron Saint of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. The Club received a first place HANDS Award at the Garden Club of Georgia State Convention in 1986 for the project.

In 1987 a rose garden was installed and the blooms graced the bedside tables of the patients for many years. In 1988 flowering trees were planted on the eastern slope behind the Cancer Home, replacing several decades of Urban “vacant lot” volunteers.

By the early 1990s the Cancer Home successfully fought Ted Turner’s plans to have the Home’s entire property (a city block) condemned for the proposed 1996 Centennial Olympic Stadium/new Turner Field Braves’ Stadium parking lot! The property is 100 feet across a side street from (the then) Turner Field. In 1997, the Club planted large trees along the property line, including pines, magnolias and Cryptomeria to decrease the visual impact of the looming stadium.

Healing Gardens: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home

Meditation Chapel and Garden, 2001 - 2025

In the Fall of 2000, the Club received a request from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home to create (design and build) an outdoor garden structure to house the Home’s 7’ by 8’ bronze and oak crucifix that was being relocated from the Home’s Chapel. A design was conceived by a Club member based on a medieval English timber-frame structure called a lichgate. Lichgates were covered passageways or gateways between the village and the churchyards, marking the boundary between the sacred and the secular. The vertical nature of the lichgate’s gable proved to be the perfect proportion and scale to fit the cross, while hewn log, timber-framed construction complimented the cross’s artistic style. By spring 2001 conceptual plans had been presented to and approved by the Club and the Sisters.

Fundraising began in earnest in April 2001 at the first of two annual Garden Auction Luncheons held at Capital City Club Brookhaven. Club members all contributed silent auction items and worked in teams to create lavish, themed centerpieces to be auctioned in the live auction. Club members and their invited guests enjoyed luncheons and high-energy auctions that netted the Club excellent proceeds. It was at the 2002 Garden Auction Luncheon that Club Estates received a $30,000 grant from the Auxiliary Board of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home to assist in covering the costs for the huge project. This grant enabled the Club to move forward plus the $35,000 that it had raised to date.

Many hours were spent designing, planning, and coordinating with architects, engineers, and contractors for the timber frame construction of the outdoor Chapel. Surber Barber Choate & Hertlein Architects and Weems Doar Engineers made in-kind donations of their services and transformed the conceptual drawings into construction plans. Master timber craftsman, Michael Goldberg, of Wild Goose Projects was hired to make the construction plans reality. The timbers were hewn over a 10-month period out of native Georgia White Oaks that were saplings during the Revolution.

With the dedication by Archbishop John F. Donoghue set for October 28, 2003, the die was cast. The foundation was poured; the structure was erected and the gardens planted by Club members in just 26 days! A true labor of love by all.

The following tribute by Deb Proctor at the dedication captures the essence of the project:

The vision of Sister Florence, which was brought forth by the collective efforts of the Garden Club, the Auxiliary and by the artistry of master timber craftsman, Michael Goldberg, stands before you as the Meditation Chapel and Gardens. May it serve as a spot for peaceful solitude and quiet contemplation for all who come here: patients, family, volunteers and the Sisters and staff of the Home. And may it also shine forth as a beacon, a gateway, to the surrounding community and as a testimony to the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne.

Following the completion and dedication of this ambitious project, the Club Estates Garden Club of Brookhaven received First Place in Georgia, the Deep South District and at the National Garden Club Convention in 2004 for “Gardening for the Disabled.”

St. Dominic’s Garden, 2008

Twenty-three years after designing and installing the award-winning St. Dominic’s Garden at the Home’s entrance drive, the Club planned and executed a full demolition and replacement. The original Burford Hollies had become so overgrown that they had to be removed with chains and a Bobcat!

A new design based on the sacred symbol of the Holy Trinity, three interlocking circles, was executed in Wintergreen boxwoods. The intersection of the three circles was centered on the statue of St. Dominic. Contrasting variegated and solid Liriope accented the areas within the circles, creating a simple, yet elegant, low maintenance garden, accented with seasonal plantings of colorful annuals. The planting was completed by a group of CEGC members in the early spring of 2008. During winter of 2009, the Club received an email from the Sisters, saying that when they gazed out the window the night before to see the snow coming down, there, before them beautifully highlighted by the snow was the perfect symbol of the Trinity.

In the Fall of 2025, CEGC donated $5,000 to landscape the front entrance sign and to rejuvenate and upgrade the Meditation Chapel Garden. A dedicated Club member together with a professional landscape crew, installed new Autumn ferns, Lenten roses, Blue Angel hostas, Wintergreen boxwoods, Gardenia radicans, Oak Leaf hollies, Annabelle hydrangeas along with 400 Daffodil bulbs and winter annual beds. CEGC also secured an “angel” donor for the installation of up-lighting for the front entrance sign and extended irrigation to the new landscaping.

· Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home (from 1946): Dominant project for 80 years, landscaping and creating healing gardens for terminally ill cancer patients.

· 1950s–60s – Extensive landscaping, patio and bird sanctuary installed at the Home.

· 1965 – Club funded an intercom/music system for the Home, called a “Christmas Miracle.”

· 1976: Installed illuminated 10-ft fountain at Cancer Home; later landscaped walks and gardens.

· 1985–1988: Installed St. Dominic’s Garden, rose garden, flowering trees.

· 2001–2003: Designed and built Meditation Chapel & Garden at Cancer Home, a $65,000+ project; won national award for “Gardening for the Disabled.”

· 75th Anniversary (2014): Dedicated new $7,500 landscaping project at Cancer Home’s fountain and Champion Black Oak Tree;

· 2025-2026: Rejuvenated the landscaping with new Autumn ferns, Lenten roses, Blue Angel hostas, Wintergreen boxwoods, radicans Gardenias along with Winter annuals. Installed up-lighting for Meditation Chapel and front entry sign. Extended irrigation for beds

Total donations to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home: +/- $130,000

In 1954 there were twenty-two garden Clubs in Marietta, Georgia and over 500 members. A common meeting place was needed to coordinate all the efforts of garden club work. A Garden Center would be an oriented information center on gardening and related subjects. It would be a combination of civic, conservation, environmental, educational, and cultural efforts. At the March 17, 1954, meeting of the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Mrs. S. A Cannon (Anne) was selected to call together a group to study the possibilities of a Garden Center. The current garden club presidents formed the committee.

When the committee was first formed, they conceived the garden center as a room in a library or in a business. Anne Cannon and her committee sought out properties ranging from acreage, city-owned property, basements of businesses. But nothing panned out whether from accessibility, price, parking, or suitability. Despite following every lead nothing could be found. It was not until 1960 that President Mrs. Earl Benson (Bette C.) had the entire membership (all garden club members) meet at the Strand Theatre. The meeting was exceptionally well-planned, and members were enthusiastic about finding a new home, but funds were low, so they planned to keep putting funds toward a down payment. At that time there was a balance of $500 in their account.

Garden Center Chairman Mrs. S. A. Cannon (Anne) and Olah Thompson decided that professional help was needed. They met with Judge Harold Hawkins at his Church Street home for two hours! It was decided there that the Garden Clubs should be incorporated. This would also mark the beginning of a long list of civic minded citizens who would join in the efforts to find a property and make it happen. These services donated to the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. saved the members thousands of dollars. Anne Cannon was also the Chairman of the Board of the Garden Center from 1954-1972.

After Judge Hawkins advice, the committee met with attorney Howell Raven (later to be Jude Howell Raven) and explained their goals. Attorney Raven volunteered to secure the Charter as a donation to the Council. Then the owner of the Marietta Daily Journal, Mrs. Otis Brumby (Elizabeth) published as a donation the lengthy papers necessary for incorporation.

The Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. held many fundraisers during the 60’s including a Tour of Homes, Cobb County Fair Flower Show, writing and selling two cookbooks, holding an annual bazaar, and arranging paper sales. The community was generous with donations of time and money. The membership continued to grow. By 1966, $17,000 had been saved.

Soon after, at a party at the home of Mrs. H.E. Mozley (Ethel) it was suggested by Jennie T. Anderson (future Garden Club of Georgia President 1969-1971) and Anne Cannon to Clara Benson that her vacated home on Kennesaw Avenue would be an ideal place for a Garden Center. Clara answered: “He Works in mysterious ways.”

Clara’s house, Fair Oaks, had been built in 1850-1852 and was occupied by the Benson family from 1919-1962. It then stood vacant until 1966. During the vacancy, the home had been terribly vandalized, and the grounds overgrown. Mr. Benson visited the house almost every day, despite his ill health and was very distressed about the vandalism. The windows were smashed, and plaster had been ripped out from the walls. Mantels had been torn from the walls. Transients would take up residency, and two fires were set (doused by neighbors). Two run-down houses were also next door adding to the desolation of the property.

The Benson family, not wanting the destruction to continue, but not wanting the historical home destroyed, graciously decided in November 1966 to deed the property, the one acre and the building, to the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. to be used as a Garden Center. Therefore, in 1966, after twelve years of fruitless efforts by the Garden Center Committee, the gift of the house and grounds were offered in fee-simple to the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Benson, and their children, Dr. and Mrs. W.H. Benson Jr. and Dr. and Mrs. Earl Benson. On November 4, 1966, the Garden Club Council and the Garden Center Committee met in the driveway of Fair Oaks at 4:45 to discuss the details of the offer. The Benson family was also present and Mayor Howard Atherton. Marvena Northcutt opened the meeting in solemn prayer. It was then that the Dr. Bensons officially offered the houses and ground as a gift. The Benson family asked that the house be restored suitable to the Council’s use as a Garden Center. At the same time, the Bensons gave approval of additions or deductions of the building, removing an addition and adding a meeting room. Fortunately, the original part of the building was very sturdy with each first-floor room having its own foundation. The President of the Council, Mrs. Donnie Joe Wilcox, asked if there was a time limit to the acceptance, and they generously gave 90 days for consideration.

There was some disagreement among the Garden Center Committee and the Council on whether to accept this dilapidated piece of property. To some it was completely overwhelming and to others it was a remarkable opportunity.

The first matter to be taken up was a survey of the property. Since the Garden Center would be a place to benefit not only the garden clubs but the city and county as well, Mayor Atherton and the city council agreed to pay for the survey at no cost to the council.

The property deeded to the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. was originally 1 acre but ended up 3.4 acres after the Benson family consulted with their tax attorneys. The house was structurally sound. Each room was underpinned with a twenty-inch rock support. There were fireplaces in every room. The house was put together with hand-made square nails and wooden pegs. Nails as we know them today were not made until 1880 and Fair Oaks was built in 1850-1852.

A fundraising committee was formed, chaired by Mrs. James T. Anderson, Jr. The First 400 Club was organized. Each member of this club donated a minimum of $100. A plaque bearing the names of the donors is in the Library at the Garden Center. Jennie and her committee were instrumental in acquiring the much-needed funds to bring the house and grounds (3 ½ acres) back to life. The committee believed they could make the building functional with the $17,000 they had and an additional $20,000.

Mayor Howard Atherton declared the week of December 1-7, following the gift of the house, as Garden Center Week and a fund drive was approved by the Downtown Merchants Association and the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce. The Marietta Commercial Bank donated the cost of the publication of brochures.

Mr. David Dosser of the First National Bank served as the Public Relations Representative. So many devoted and gave their time and energy during those first years.

In converting the property for use as a Garden Center, changes and modernization were necessary but not at the expense of the home’s historical integrity. The only exterior change was a spiral staircase added from the front porch to the balcony on the second floor as a fire escape. As the work began and the news of the gift spread then more and more volunteers joined the committee creating the founding of the Marietta Educational Garden Center, Inc. The Marietta Daily Journal continuously carried pictures and articles on the progress of the Garden Center. Elizabeth Atherton (wife of Mayor Howard Atherton) sat in the freezing cold weather to sketch the Garden Center as it would look like after the restoration. This sketch was duplicated and put in all the windows of the businesses in Marietta. This sketch is still used today on stationery and brochures.

Mrs. O. A. Bentley (Ima) was President of the Garden Council in 1967 and 1968. Her son, attorney Fred Bentley, Sr., took on the expensive and extensive legal matters necessary to clear the title and transfer the deed. He was also able to secure exemptions from City, County, State, and Federal taxes. Therefore, all donations are tax deductible. Mr. Bentley also wrote the Bylaws for the Center.

The Council soon found out that this was not just a paint and fix up project. They would need the services of professionals to restore the home. Ima Bentley and Anne Cannon visited the office of William “Bill” Tapp Jr., who was one of the foremost architects in Marietta at the time. He had planned the campus buildings for Southern Tech in Marietta (now part of Kennesaw State University). The ladies asked him how much his services would cost. His reply was, “I am a member of this community and believe in what you are attempting to do, so I will donate my services.” This was huge!

The builder was not so willing to donate his services. His estimate for the renovations was nearly $60,000. That still left the furnishings and insurance to take care of. The shocking price did not deter the Council. They voted in favor of the restoration, and the work began with a mortgage taken out to cover the costs. The Center was dedicated on November 9, 1969. The members of the Garden Council Committee had to personally sign a note for $22,000.

In remodeling, all electrical wiring and plumbing were replaced. Central heat and air were added. The City of Marietta added streetlights. The kitchen was furnished with one gas and one electric stove. The kitchen was also furnished with china, silverware, and a dishwasher. Dupre’s Hardware donated a refrigerator.

Garden books and vases were also inherited from the estate of Mrs. Regina Rambo Benson. Mrs. Benson was the first woman to drive 1,000 miles across Georgia and the first woman in Georgia to run for Congress. Mr. Guy Northcutt packed all these treasures and carried them to the Center. His wife Marvina was Garden Club of Georgia’s President in 1983-1985. This was a nice start on the inventory of the library.

For the Meeting Room the Smyrna Garden Club donated a pull-down screen. Judge J. J. Daniel donated a speaker’s stand. Most of the furnishings donated in the first days were beautiful antiques. Most are still there. Mr. T. Ed Stephens of Stephens Lumber Company donated and installed the pine paneling in the Meeting Room. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Clarke donated the draperies for this room. The Meeting Room was furnished by the Holly Garden Club with fifty folding chairs and four folding tables. Twenty-six matching chairs were ordered at the same time and were donated by individuals.

The exterior of the home was very challenging. The baluster spindles on the front porch and balcony were almost all missing. Mr. Frank Nelson made the turnings for the spindles in his workshop. His wife, Carol, was the Council President at the time. When the charming full length blinds for the doors and windows (which were missing) proved to be too expensive, the contractor, Mr. Adrian Leavell, set up his own workshop and duplicated the original ones for no charge.

In 1968 Olah Thompson and Anne Cannon were in Athens, Georgia, to take their Judges Refresher Course in flower arranging. They took along 35 MM slides that Anne had taken of the inside and the outside of the Garden Center. They met with Dean Hubert Owens from the Landscape Architecture College. Dean Owens and his students had designed the Founder’s Memorial Garden at the State Headquarters., They showed him the slides and asked if he had any suggestions. Much to their delight be became very interested to the point of having a senior landscape student, Donna Franklin, scale and plan the grounds of the Garden Center as her thesis! Donna did a complete master plan, and Dean Owens visited several times to check on the progress.

There were others who were instrumental in taming the overgrown grounds. The Marietta Men’s Garden Club worked very hard on the clearing. Boy Scout Troops 277, 144, and Sea Explorer Ship 277 also volunteered to reclaim the grounds. Ernst Bentley, uncle of Fred Bentley, brought in his heavy farm and road machinery to finish clearing the land. Another donation from the Bentley family was deeply appreciated.

Colonel Wesley Clare Royer was president of the Marietta Men’s Garden Club and was also a mathematics teacher at Southern Tech in Marietta (now part of Kennesaw State University). He arranged for his students to prepare a topographical map as part of their college credits of the grounds. Colonel Royer also did much manual labor on the grounds. It was much to the credit of these people and many others that the wilderness had been tamed by the dedication on November 9,1969. Many prominent citizens and guests met with the members at the dedication including Dean Owens.

METHODS OF SECURING THE FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASING OF FAIR OAKS

AS THE FUTURE HOME OF THE MARIETTA EDUCATIONAL GARDEN CENTER, INC.

Lecture Demonstrations

Teaching Flower Arranging

Plant Sales

Bazaars

Selling Holiday Decorations

Trash and Treasure Sales

Donations

Membership Dues

Renting Upstairs Apartment

Renting for Special Events

Bridge Luncheons

Fashion Show Luncheons

Christmas House

Tour of Homes

Cookbooks

Candy Sales

Fund Raising Dinners

The 400 Club

The Sears HANDS Program

There was one more hurdle to get over to keep the Garden Center a valuable place in the community. In 1971 some Marietta developers planned on tearing down the two old houses adjoining the Garden Center in order to build a seventy-seven-apartment complex on six acres. Knowing that this would cause too much congestion, the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs headed by Marvina Northcutt began to reach out to the city council and to the zoning department. The plans for the apartment complex were dropped, and another set of developers built a lovely thirty-six condominium neighborhood called The Commons.

On December 10, 1972, the Founding Committee stood adjourned at the burning of the first mortgage. The mission was accomplished.

A HISTORY OF THE HOUSE KNOWN AS THE MARIETTA EDUCATIONAL GARDEN CENTER, INC.

Kennesaw Avenue, on which the Marietta Educational Garden Center is located, was once a Cherokee Indian Trail. The Center sits at the foot of Kennesaw Mountain, around and on top of which the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain occurred. This battle raged in the month of June in 1864 during the War Between the States. It is reported in two books that the Southern leader, General Joseph E. Johnston, headquartered in the house for a short time. They are Sarah Gober Temple’s First One Hundred Years and Danton’s Inferno by Danton Walker (grandson of a late owner).

The Newton family built the house between 1850 and 1852. It was constructed of handmade nails and wooden pegs. The floors were heart- of -pine lumber.

The next owner was Mrs. Meyers, widow of Dr. Edward Meyers, past president of Wesleyan College. Wesleyan College was the first college in the world to award degrees to women. Dr. Meyers die of yellow fever while helping the sick in Savannah. The family then moved to Marietta which was considered to have very healthy conditions.

Mrs. Meyers named the home “Fair Oaks” because of the grand oak trees that flanked the front door. There was a cannonball embedded in one of the trees.

The next owners were Dr. Squires’ family followed by the Jessie Fowler family. The Fowlers still have descendants in Marietta, and some are still Garden Club members. The last owners were Clara and Howard Benson together with their family lived in the home for forty-three years from 1919-1962.

EPILOGUE

The Marietta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. continues to maintain the Marietta Educational Garden Center. Gratitude and respect are due to all the people who helped save this now beautiful historic home from the wrecking ball. The Garden Center has become a valuable landmark in Marietta. It has a very busy schedule of events and is used by Chamber of Commerce, civic groups, the city council, special events venue, workshops, churches, yoga classes, flower arranging, Laurel District events, and Garden Club of Georgia events. Our clubs meet monthly at the Center.

Since its founding, a Board of Trustees manages the Marietta Educational Garden Center. There is also a part-time employee, the Center Administrator. The officers are Chairman, Vice-Chairman of Special Reserves, Treasurer, Events Coordinator, Home Furnishings, Landscape, Council President, and Facilities Coordinator. The Board of Trustees is made up of Garden Club members and is responsible for the maintenance policies of the building and grounds. There is a budget set by the Board of Trustees for the maintenance, taxes, and insurance of the Garden Center. Our donations are managed by the Cobb Community Foundation. The Marietta Council of Garden Clubs also has its own budget from dues and fundraisers to cover the costs of education, programs, newsletter, directory, and other expenses that may come along.

The use of the Garden Center has grown immensely since the burning of the mortgage. In 1986 a new addition was added creating more needed space. The many donations for the room added were also helped along by the rental fees. A wheelchair ramp was added, bathroom added, and the kitchen was updated. Maintenance of the building continues to be challenging.

In 1990 another major repair project took place. These were reroofing, painting, adding landscape lighting and building a gazebo.

The grounds have been maintained but because of the loss of trees some of the original landscaping needed to be changed. A gazebo was added and a children’s pollinator garden.

The Marietta Educational Garden Center is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places and is in the Kennesaw Avenue Historical District.

In 2022, a Capital Campaign began in July headed by Kathy Young and the Board of Trustees. Neighbors, foundations, local businesses, and members gave generously that summer. The funds were used for major renovations. These were renovating two restrooms, repairing original windows, removing lead-based paint, and a floor-to-ceiling renovation of the kitchen. Also, a side door was installed that would lead directly into the North Garden.

The Capital Campaign reached its goal before September with enough funds to make all the changes and renovations. Funds left over went into an endowment account. On December 19, 2022, the Garden Center closed its door for renovation. The kitchen, back hallway, two restrooms and a utility closet were taken down to the studs. We were very excited about the grand opening that occurred in mid-April.

Submitted by the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs

President Mikel Vann for 2021 until 2023

Marietta Educational Garden Center, Inc.

505 Kennesaw Avenue, NW

Marietta, GA 30060

Sources:

Marietta Daily Journal Archives

History written by Anne Cannon

Notes from Mrs. S. A. Cannon

Minutes

Scrapbooks

Dr. Doug Tallamy, entomologist and wildlife ecology professor at the University of Delaware, has revolutionized our understanding of how native plants support biodiversity. His books, including Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope, encourage us to view our yards as key spaces for conservation. He co-founded Homegrown National Park, a movement urging people to plant native species to combat the biodiversity crisis.

A Changing World

Historically, humans believed we could exploit the Earth without consequences. But scientists like Aldo Leopold and Edward O. Wilson revealed the interconnectedness of plants, animals, and ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for biodiversity protection. Although national parks and laws like the Endangered Species Act helped, they’re insufficient. In fact:

• The Insect Apocalypse is Here (New York Times, 2018)

• North America has lost 3 billion birds in the last 50 years (Washington Post, 2019)

• Two-thirds of wildlife has vanished since 1970 (WWF, 2020)

• 1 million species face extinction (UN Report, 2020)

The Importance of Insects

Insects are the foundation of the food web. As their numbers decline, so have birds and other wildlife. Without insects, many plants, including flowering species, would go extinct, collapsing ecosystems and the food web humans rely on. No bugs, no humans.

The Caterpillar’s Surprisingly Important Role

Caterpillars are vital for birds—most species rely on them exclusively to feed their young. To support caterpillars, we need the plants they depend on. While most insects cannot eat milkweed because the sticky sap in their stems glues their mouths shut, monarch caterpillars evolved with milkweed to avoid that fate by instinctively biting through the mid-vein of the leaf. These relationships are not unique in nature.

Most caterpillars—indeed, 90% of all plant-eating insects—are specialists. They can only develop and reproduce on the specific plants with which they share an evolutionary history (Forister, et al. 2014). Without those specific native plants, the corresponding insects cannot survive

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“We cannot make the world uninhabitable for other forms of life and have it habitable for ourselves.”

− Edwin Way Teale

How Can You Help?

The evidence is overwhelming: we are not doing enough to save nature. Insects and birds are disappearing at alarming rates, and an untold number of species have already gone extinct, many in our own lifetime. But there is a way we can save the world. Even the vast the national park lands we set aside as nature preserves is not nearly enough to meet E.O. Wilson’s target of preserving half of the planet for nature.

The key to saving nature (and ourselves) lies in our own yards. We must give up the idea that “nature” is somewhere separate from the places where we live.

To save nature, we must convert private land—our own yards—to native species. In America, 78% of land is privately owned. East of the Mississippi, that percentage rises to 86%, about 40 million acres. If we could restore just half of private land (20 million acres), reduce the size of our lawns and plant native species, it would surpass the size of America’s largest national parks combined.

Planting keystone native species like oak trees (especially white oaks which support more caterpillars than any other species), willows, asters and sunflowers is especially important. Light pollution also harms insects. We can reduce that impact simply by switching to yellow bulbs outside and installing motion-sensor lights

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Homegrown National Park

Doug Tallamy’s initiative, Homegrown National Park, encourages homeowners to plant native species to regenerate biodiversity. Its mission is to motivate millions of ordinary people to regenerate biodiversity by planting natives, removing invasive plant species, and building a culture sympathetic to the needs of conservation.

A simple shift from traditional lawns—which do nothing to support biodiversity—to native plants can help reverse habitat loss. Here are some resources to get you started:

• Homegrown National Park (hnpark.org) has excellent information and help, both in promoting the mission and planting your own “monarch waystation.”

• The Native Plant Finder from the National Wildlife Federation makes the task of finding plants native to your area less daunting.

• The Georgia Native Plant Society (gnps.org) hosts monthly meetings about native gardening, organizes plant rescues, and provides a list of places where you can purchase native plants.

• Dunwoody Garden Club and your local garden club offer education, friendship and support to homeowners seeking to improve their gardens. DGC hosted a free presentation by Doug Tallamy in October 2025.

We Are Nature’s Best Hope

We can all make a difference. Whether by planting native species in our yards, volunteering to remove invasive species, or supporting conservation efforts on public lands, everyone has a role to play in preserving biodiversity. We can change how we see the world and our connection to nature. We can educate others, because restoring biodiversity is everyone’s responsibility. So, let’s get going—because nature can’t wait.

Betty Dworschak

betty.dworschak@gmail.com

Any errors are her sole responsibility

Follow Dunwoody Garden Club on Facebook

Visit our website or come to a meeting

Visitors and guests always welcome.

www.dunwoodygardenclub.com

Acorns are the fruit produced by the majestic oak tree, marking the arrival of autumn as they fall to the ground. As the season changes and leaves in brilliant shades of orange, red, and gold drift from the branches, acorns plunk to the forest floor beneath the expansive canopy of the oak. These small, brown nuts are more than just seeds; they are a vital resource, generously provided by the oak for the benefit of wildlife, people, and the broader environment.

Each acorn carries distinct characteristics that reflect its oak species. Wildlife shows a preference for acorns from white oak trees because they are sweeter and more easily digested compared to those from red oak varieties. Prominent white oak species found in southern regions include swamp white oaks (Quercus bicolor), post oaks (Quercus stellata), and overcup oaks (Quercus lyrata). These acorns tend to be milder in taste due to their lower tannin content.

In contrast, acorns from red oaks typically exhibit a darker, reddish-brown hue and contain higher levels of tannins, resulting in a more bitter flavor. Common red oak species are the southern red oak (Quercus falcata), black oak (Quercus velutina), and water oak (Quercus nigra). The increased tannin content makes these acorns less palatable.

Every acorn is a powerhouse of nutrition for wildlife and the environment. Acorns are dense in calories which make them ideal for building fat reserves. They are packed with fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Deer, squirrels, turkeys, ducks, and jays rely on this seasonal abundance for sustenance and to prepare for the winter months. Even black bears depend on acorns as they ready themselves for hibernation. Smaller mammals such as raccoons, opossums, foxes, chipmunks, and mice benefit from the nourishment of acorns. Nature’s predators also benefit indirectly from the nourishment of these nuts.

A healthy rodent population means more consistent meals for owls, hawks, and coyotes. Acorns are an integral part of nature’s food banquet. Their nutritional value impacts wildlife populations, impacts reproduction rates, and even shapes deer movement during hunting seasons.

Acorns and oak trees influence soil health, forest growth, and water systems. The oak’s canopy cools the forest floor and creates habitat. Oak leaves and acorns enrich the soil as they decompose, adding organic matter and increasing soil nutrients like nitrogen and potassium. The oak tree plays a crucial part in maintaining the health of creeks and riverbanks. Their strong root systems help stabilize these banks, preventing erosion and keeping the landscape intact. In addition to providing structural support, oaks serve as natural filters for sediments and pollutants. This filtering process contributes to cleaner waterways and a healthier environment for plants, animals, and people.

Acorns are knitted in the history of our country, having served as a staple food for Indigenous communities across generations. Traditional practices made extensive use of acorns, transforming them into nourishing foods such as acorn flour, acorn porridge, and even acorn coffee.

Nutritionally, acorns offer a wealth of benefits. They are naturally gluten-free and provide a substantial source of complex carbohydrates and protein. In addition, acorns are rich in essential minerals, including magnesium and calcium, which contribute to a balanced diet. When acorns are properly leached to remove their bitter tannins, the resulting flour acquires a mild, nutty flavor that makes it ideal for baking and preparing various dishes.

Despite the abundance of acorns produced each autumn, the vast majority become essential food sources for wildlife or are lost to environmental factors. Most acorns are eaten by wildlife before germinating. Some acorns are non-viable because of insect damage or lack of fertilization. However, those gems that do sprout and thrive play a vital role in renewing forests and continuing the legacy of the oak. Each new tree, born from the acorn, stands as a testament to the oak tree’s resilience. This ongoing process of renewal guarantees that these magnificent trees remain and uphold the legacy of abundance they offer!

Joann Westmoreland is a member of Pine Tree Garden Club in Hartwell, GA. She created the November Educational Display at the Hart County Library about acorns including their nutritional value, medicinal properties, and ecological importance.

“How do you say “thank you” for sunshine or health… for clear days or gentle rains… for happiness, joy, or love? You say it by sharing what you have, you say it by making the world a better place in which to live.” Thomas D. Willhite

We don’t always realize it, but we are teachers, every one of us. We may not be burdened any longer with 6:30 a.m. carpool headlights, warm milk after lunch duty, or late-night grading sessions.

These days our “classroom” is dusty, but not from chalk, and our lessons don’t begin after the bell. Instead, our moments in the garden are when teaching happens naturally. We take what we’ve been given- the sunshine, soil, seeds, and knowledge, and we make something from it. Not for us alone, but for the next set of hands that will tend to it.

I think that’s what our Garden Club of Georgia does best across our local clubs, districts, and councils. A member is always teaching, and a new member is always learning, a young member is discovering, and an older member is smiling. These small acts, whether in a garden, on a tour, at a workshop or a meeting, are how we share what we have, and the moments are worth celebrating.

This is the essence of our social media initiative. It is a call to share your photos of garden beauty and conservation. Snap a picture and tell your story from wherever or however you are inspired. You can send it to our social media team at GCGsocialmediastars@gmail.com. Every image and every story become another way of saying thank you to one another. Our future members are just beginning to know about the Garden Club of Georgia growing together because we have what it takes to make the world as Mr. Willhite wrote “a better place in which to live.”

Each year is different according to my Garden Journal where I record bloom times. This year the Camellia sinensis captured the first bloom. She is a shy shrub, and if you aren’t out in the garden on a daily venture, you might miss those first openings. The blooms are short lived on the stem and fall to the ground in rapid fashion. But the clever bees are not going to miss this nectar. Much easier for the gardener to miss because the blooms hide behind leaves and mostly face sideways or downward along the stem. Why is Camellia sinensis hiding her bountiful blooms, I wonder, because they are so plentiful! Surely there is nectar enough for everyone.

As for the red bloom labelled ‘Autumn Beauty’, it’s true identity is questionable. The original label reads such, but I can find no such named camellia in my reference books. Maybe a fellow camellia lover can weigh in on the name. Whatever the name, the start of camellia season is always cause to celebrate.

Start simple with easy-to-grow plants

For beginners, it’s important to choose plants that are easy for children to handle. Flowers like sunflowers, marigolds, or zinnias are vibrant and grow quickly, offering instant gratification. Vegetables like tomatoes, beans, radishes, carrots, or lettuce are also rewarding, as children can harvest their crops in a few weeks. Let children participate in every step of the gardening process: digging, planting, watering, and caring for the plants. Children are more likely to eat vegetables they grow themselves. A 4-year-old may surprise you and eat a radish or lettuce when you never thought she would.

Incorporate fun, creativity in projects

Gardening doesn’t have to be all about the plants themselves. Children love creativity, so incorporate fun projects like designing a themed garden. Create a Fairy Garden with miniature decorations or build a vegetable garden in the shape of a star or plant. Plant a Pizza Garden in the shape of a pizza. You could plant tomatoes, basil, and peppers in the garden that you can use making a pizza.

Let kids use colorful plant markers to label their plants or design their own garden signs. You can even create a seed bomb by mixing clay, compost, and wildflower seeds into small balls, which children can leave in various areas of the garden for the rain to wash the clay away and germinate wildflowers.

Teach valuable lessons about nature

Gardening offers a unique opportunity to teach children about the environment and the science of plant growth. You can explain how plants need sunlight, water, and soil to thrive, and show how these elements work together. In addition, you can introduce basic concepts like photosynthesis, pollination, and composting. Your child may already know these words if they are in elementary school.

Teaching children about beneficial insects such as bees, butterflies and ladybugs can also spark their interest in the ecosystem and biodiversity. By introducing them to the plant growth cycle, you help them understand the interconnectedness of all living things.

Consider participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 22-23. You can do this at home or attend one of the many public events in your area, such as the one on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Children can help us count and do fun activities. Visit

https://gsepc.org/

for details about doing the Pollinator Census at home.

Foster responsibility and patience

Gardening instills a sense of responsibility as children take on the task of caring for their plants. Watering them regularly, checking for pests and ensuring the soil remains healthy all require consistent attention. Additionally, gardening teaches patience. Unlike many instant gratification activities, gardening takes time. Watching a plant grow slowly from a tiny seed into a blooming flower or a ripening tomato can teach children the value of persistence and the rewards of waiting.

Incorporate learning opportunities

Use gardening as an educational tool beyond science. Introduce or enhance math skills by measuring plant growth or counting seeds and plants. Gardening can also help with reading and language skills, particularly if you have children label plants or read gardening books together. Check out books at your local library and read them together. Fun books include “The Great Pollinator Census” by Susan Edwards Richmond and “The Saved Seed” by Brenda Moore.

Create a sense of accomplishment

One of the most rewarding aspects of gardening is the sense of accomplishment that children feel when they see their plants flourish. Whether it's picking ripe fruit, seeing flowers bloom, or simply admiring the beauty of a well-tended garden, these moments can boost a child's self-esteem and provide a sense of pride.

Gardening is a powerful tool for engaging children in meaningful outdoor activities while also fostering a deeper connection with the environment. By combining creativity, learning and responsibility, gardening provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to explore the natural world and develop essential life skills. Through gardening, children not only learn how to care for plants but also gain a greater appreciation for the world around them.

Happy Gardening!

About the author

This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Chris Adams, a Master Gardener for almost 20 years and a Sandy Springs resident. She loves to teach gardening classes, especially to children. She can be found once a month April-October at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market helping the children with a fun nature-based activity.

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Learn more at nfmg.net.

Originally published in the John's Creek Herald, AppenMedia.com/Johns Creek on July 24, 2025. Reprinted with permission from the author, Chris Adams.

The advice I gave him after his graduation from Berry College in Rome, Georgia came easily to me. It was to “live big by living small.” He now lives in a second-story apartment in New Orleans surrounded by live oak trees (340 of them planted after Hurricane Katrina). The area is unmatched for its historic preservation of architecture, gardens, and neighborhoods.

All of this is to lay the groundwork for my first observation that my son already has an amazing garden experience with virtually no garden at all. He is an urban gardener, and with just a few potted plants, bistro table, two chairs and a hummingbird feeder, he has managed to accomplish many of the healthy and enjoyable aspects of a garden. If he gets adventurous, he can add a vertical herb wall (taking advantage of unused space) or a succulent bowl.

For urban gardeners, the challenges are overwatering, windy locations and cold weather. Plants should be selected according to their sun/shade exposure and anticipated growth. Soil should be prepared according to the plant’s needs (if in doubt, use potting soil), add water releasing crystals, thickly mulch, and feed with a slow release organic fertilizer. Use a catch basin under pots so that dripping is minimized and secure the pots to prevent them from flying off during a windstorm.

This is not to suggest that my son should stay in his apartment forever because I understand that getting into a garden is a moment of freedom that is unconditional in its nature. But should he choose the courtyard side or the garden side of life?

Courtyards have a unique charm that in its historical narrative encourages social presence. A courtyard life reconciles indoors and outdoors, exposed to the elements above, but protected on all sides.

A courtyard turns its back to the outside world allowing for a peaceful air, intimacy and conversation.

The key to a perfect courtyard is to simplify it with room for containers, small planting areas, garden furniture as well as circulating space. Visual tricks can create mystery and illusion, such as concealing a part of it. The space can double or triple in size in one’s mind if you cannot see it all at once.

Where possible add reflection for a courtyard is best enjoyed in the prism of light. Light colored paving materials, surfaces that reflect light (such as granite or quartz), glossy foliage, glass tables, angled mirrors, lanterns, fairy lights or candlelight will create ambience.

Other ideas to create interest include hiding boundaries with climbing plants, or if the boundary is appealing, borrow scenery from your neighbors by repeating similar specimens.

Use varied textures to create depth and distance with fine textured plants in the distance and bold-leafed plants drawing the eye.

Set angles around 30 or 45 degrees for paving materials or to position a focal point to help the courtyard feel more spacious. Mix kitchen garden herbs, veggies and fruits with flowers and plants in containers to add functionality to beauty.

Courtyards are often found in cityscapes so that the appeal of living in the city quite often defines whether one chooses the courtyard side or the garden side of life.

Frenchman St., Courtyard, New Orleans

Courtyards have been popular for centuries and are commonly shared experiences worldwide in all types of cultures and environments. One of the reasons for the lack of courtyards here in the United States is the principle that the construction of housing rarely reaches to its boundary lines.

The suburban style of gardens, homes and neighborhoods is more in keeping with the garden side of life. It is communal in its approach that all neighbors share a front yard experience of green grass as its most essential element.

According to Ann Leighton, the late historian of gardens, America has made one important contribution to world garden design: the custom of “ uniting the front lawns of however many houses there may be on both sides of a street to present an untroubled aspect of expansive green to the passerby.”

In the suburbs there is a like-mindedness with your neighbors of a civic responsibility to maintain your front yard whereas the backyard is more of a private affair. These seven principles can help plan it to your taste.

Simplicity- keep your design clean, neat and uncluttered;

Unity- use connections such as pathways, fences and stairs to achieve unity;

Balance- utilize a formal balance approach so that each side matches the other, or use an informal balance approach of equal, but not matching sides;

Uniqueness- choose diverse shape, size and form selections to give visual interest;

Relationship- balance the size of your landscape to a scale and proportion that achieves harmony;

Boldness-accentuate parts using texture, form and color;

Sequence- make gradual changes of plant size, shape and texture to give appeal to transitions in the garden.

Backyards with green spaces and natural elements often play an important role in well-being and mindfulness. The Danish have a word for it- hygge. Hygge (pronounced ‘hue-guh’) is a cozy contentment while taking time to enjoy the simple things in life in the present moment. Here is a short list of ways to add hygge to your backyard lifestyle:

• Plant your favorite tree to watch it grow over the years;

• Add a firepit with chairs around it;

• Plant a rose garden or other favorite fragrance plant- (mine is sweet olive);

• Encourage wildlife- (you can certify your backyard as a wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation);

• Add pots or rows of herbs, veggies and fruit.

My advice for my son’s first apartment was to “live big by living small.” The one thing that unites gardeners, regardless of garden size, location, outdoor structures or good hygge, is that deep down inside, we all believe we are above-average gardeners.

There is a reason for that, and it brings me to my final thought today as my son considers his next garden move. It is “when we love, we grow.” Some of us get our garden by chance, but we stay in our garden by choice once we bring love into it.

Be Well,

The Hokey Gardener

By: The Hokey Gardener

Along the winding banks of the Altamaha River in McIntosh county, a tree bloomed with unsurpassed beauty. It is said that the Creek Indians, who lived in harmony with the land, believed that the tree held the soul of a healer known as Alawa.  

It was much later when John and William Bartram (father and son) discovered this very special tree and collected cuttings and seed pods. The locals believed that the tree was a sacred gift from the spirits of the river and upon removal of the cuttings and seeds, every tree like it vanished in the wild until none were left.

It is recognized as one of the rarest of rare trees in America and has only ever been found wild in its native habitat of Georgia. It grows today in arboretums and cultivated gardens as a large multi-stem shrub or small single trunk tree typically reaching 20 to 25 feet tall. The Franklin Tree as it is known now has also been described in the past as a “lost camellia” or “lost Gordonia”.

Its flowers are large and striking, measuring 3-4 inches across with cup shaped creamy-white petals and golden-yellow stamens. The seed capsules are beautiful and require 12-14 months to mature. The large white fragrant flowers bloom in late summer to early fall and are often compared to orange blossoms or honeysuckle plants. In the fall its leaves turn dramatic colors of red, orange and gold. It is fickle and must be planted in moist, well drained, and acidic soil in full sun or partial shade.

In a modern retelling of the story, John and William Bartram discovered a grove of the small trees in 1765 near Darien, GA, and later collected the plants and seeds to propagate them in their Philadelphia garden.  Within 50 years the tree was extinct in the wild, and it is believed by historians that without the Bartram’s collection, the Franklin tree would no longer exist and may never have been discovered.

The Bartrams named the Franklin Tree (franklinia altamaha) in honor of their close friend, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and the Altamaha River, where it was discovered. The Franklin tree is considered an icon due to its unique history and limited genetics. All of  the specimens today are derived from the Bartram’s plant and seed collection.

In 2002, the Franklin Tree was reintroduced to its original habitat along the Altamaha River in McIntosh county. Conservationists planted 10 franklinia trees in the area where they were first discovered by the Bartrams to restore the species to its native environment where it was last seen in the wild in the early 1800s.  

If you are interested in seeing a Franklin tree in Georgia, the Atlanta History Center is home to the best specimen recognized for its impressive size and health. Located in the Quarry Garden, this Franklin tree was recognized as a Georgia state champion in 2008 by the Georgia Forestry Commission for being the largest of its species in the state.

More about the Bartram Family and a link to our recent GCG convention

If you were at our Garden Club of Georgia convention in April 2025, you may recognize the Bartram family name because one of our speakers that featured the Rocky Shoals Spider Lily credited William Bartram with the discovery of this native lily in 1773. The Bartrams were botanists and horticulturalists who had a keen interest in colonial native flora and fauna. They bought land near Philadelphia and built what was to become America's first Botanical Garden that still exists today as a museum house known as Bartram’s Garden.

More about the Altamaha River

The Altamaha River is formed by the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers and is believed to be 20 million years old. It is a 137-mile waterway that spills into the Atlantic Ocean near Darien. The Nature Conservancy has documented more than 120 rare or endangered species among this habitat known as the Altamaha River Bioreserve. The river’s watershed is the largest in Georgia and third largest in the United States. It’s unofficial titles include “Georgia’s little Amazon”, “Where God Comes to Think” and “A-lot-amaha”.

The River Guardian

While the Creek Indians were eventually pushed out of the Altamaha region, they carried a rich oral tradition filled with lore, legends and sacred stories including long-attributed “river guardians” tied deeply to the natural landscape of this southeastern Georgia gem.  

The protective spirits of the River Guardian live on through today’s conservation efforts by the Nature Conservancy, Altamaha Riverkeeper and others dedicated to this beautiful waterway and its unspoiled habitat.

 Be well,

The Hokey Gardener

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