By the Riverside Garden Club
The Riverside Garden Club ended its 2025/2026 season with a celebration of our country’s 250th birthday. Over 50 people came out to celebrate at the Club’s Open Garden Day at Putnam Cottage, also known as the Knapp Tavern, on Sunday, June 7. The weather was picture perfect for a tour of the restored herb garden and for sampling some delicious ale brewed from the hop plants found on property. There were also tours of the Cottage itself with its rich history dating back to colonial days.
The Club’s season started in September with an annual flower show held in partnership with The Garden Club of Old Greenwich. Members showed off their horticulture and floral designs inspired by the beauty of Paris. October’s meeting speaker from The Friends of Binney Park, provided an overview of work to maintain and enhance this glorious gem in our community.
In November, the Club created beautiful floral arrangements and delivered them to local libraries and senior centers to bring cheer for the holiday season. Club members then celebrated the season, transforming Selleck Hall at St. Paul’s Church into a winter wonderland.
As an added bonus this year, the Club entered a miniature garden scene at the CT Flower Show in Hartford in February and was awarded 2nd place in the Peoples’ Choice Award.
Throughout the year, the Club also welcomed a number of informative speakers who spoke on topics such as how to create a home terrarium, the vanishing honey bee and historical Greenwich Gardens.
In April, the Club continued with its annual tradition of exposing fifth grade students to a fun and educational day exploring the natural world at Binney Park. Eighty students from North Mianus School were given the opportunity to explore the park and learn from various experts in their fields.
The Club continued its nurturing of the three gardens at the Riverside Train Station, something they have been doing for 106 years! Members also created beautiful floral displays for each Greenwich Symphony performance this season.
RGC concluded its 107th year with a June luncheon at Riverside Yacht Club where members were awarded for their hard work in supporting the club’s endeavors: Linda Porter- Goodchild Award for Design, Elaine Hjelte-Bombeck Award for Horticulture, Chrissy Gremp- Helen Lovett Civic Award, Elaine Hjelte- Horticulture Outside Flower Shows, Donna Reed-Design Outside Flower Shows and Pagenstecher-Dolph Award and Ema Forloni-Fran Tarbox Award.
If you would like more information about the Riverside Garden Club and our many programs, please go to riversidectgardenclub.org or email us at riversidectgardenclub@gmail.com
