Campbell’s elegant interiors and world renowned collections of fabrics, wallpapers, carpets and accessories grace homes worldwide.  As a special guest of the GEC, this charming and amusing style setter willl share her expertise and ideas on how to update your home with a look that’s both homey yet beautiful in an  environment that’s strong on comfort.    Just in time for your holiday entertaining!  10a.m., Friday November 30.  Members:$35, Non-members $45  Details and reservations: 869-9242

Campbell’s elegant interiors and world renowned collections of fabrics, wallpapers, carpets and accessories grace homes worldwide.  As a special guest of the GEC, this charming and amusing style setter willl share her expertise and ideas on how to update your home with a look that’s both homey yet beautiful in an  environment that’s strong on comfort.    Just in time for your holiday entertaining!  10a.m., Friday November 30.  Members:$35, Non-members $45  Details and reservations: 869-9242

Frank and Julio  are back at the GEC with palate teasing samples of the season’s new and delicious hors d’oeuvres, inspirational floral designs and the latest take on Winter ‘07 entertaining trends.   These are ideas that will make your entertaining simple but memorable–and you’ll enjoy the process as this amusing duo lead the way! Thursday, November 8 at 10am at the GEC.

 October 18 at 10:30am, the Garden Education Center of Greenwich will join with The Royal Oak Foundation in presenting internationally acclaimed garden historian and lecturer Allyson M. Hayward, who will speak on The Life and Art of a Garden Designer, Norah Lindsay. Norah Bourke Lindsay, whose garden at her home, the Manor House, was deemed the most beautiful in England, greatly influenced the path of garden design, and was herself influenced by Gertrude Jekyll. Her clients included Nancy Astor, Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsam, the Prince of Wales and Prince Otto von Bismarck. Her designs ranged from quiet country manor houses and royal gardens to the Gardens of Hidcote. Allyson’s lecture captures the life, work and times of this remarkable woman.                   

 The Garden Education Center of Greenwich, celebrating their 50th birthday, is gifting the grounds of the Montgomery Pinetum with a 400 foot wildflower trail planted with more than 50 species of wildflowers and ferns, all chosen for their deer resistant qualities.  The trail runs between the paved driveway behind the GEC building and the “White Trail”.  Not by chance, the site was chosen because of wildflowers already growing their, including the rare rattlesnake plantain, indicate that it is not on a preferred deer path.  Because many wildflowers found here show flowers in spring, then disappear until the following year, companion plantings have been chosen to maintain visual year round interest.

Signage, an important feature of the trail, identifies the plant species and also gives interesting and amusing information about each specimen.

The trail  represents the joint efforts and cooperation of the Town Dept of Parks and Trees, members and volunteers of the GEC, area garden clubs, Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Danyel Sages and the May Gardeners’ Market children volunteers who planted small columbines.  The dedication and grand opening of the trail takes place Wednesday, June 6 at 1:30pm.

The Garden Education Center of Greenwich is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing interest, appreciation and involvement in horticulture, nature and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. For information on GEC programs and classes, please call:203-869-9242 or email us at:gec@gecgreenwich.org

 The Garden Education Center of Greenwich’s “Romance in the Garden”  celebrates the Center’s 50th anniversary with a garden tour that leads you through six of the town’s unique  charmers:  a Mediterranean garden of lemon and orange trees, grapes and figs in addition to garden rooms overlooking a crystal pond…a Georgian revival home with pool garden and pergola…an historic home with specimen trees lining a pool garden…extensive gardens from the past lovingly restored by their owners and Phillip Watson…a  masterwork of the famous Oehme van Sweden Associates with lush naturalistic plantings that celebrate color and texture.

Tickets to this special 50th Anniversary tour start at $75.  A reserved lunch at the Greenwich Country Club is also available.  For those purchasing tickets at the Patron or Benefactor level, travel to the gardens will be by private coach with lunch on the terrace of a grand waterfront estate with spectacular views of Long Island Sound.  For further information or to reserve a ticket, call 869-9242 or visit www.gecgreenwich.org.  Proceeds from the garden tour support the educational and outreach programs of the GEC.

Sugar botanist Julia Strait does a hands on demonstration of her incredible edible art on May 16 from 10am-12pm at the Garden Education Center of Greenwich. Displays of her life-like sugar flowers grace festive cakes and  stand on their own as delicate sculpture.  Examples of this art will be on display at the Center along with photographs by Tiffany Roskos at the wine and hors d’oeuvres reception Friday May 11, 6-8pm at the center.  RSVP 322-5547

 Kids of all ages are invited to a Pooh Picnic sponsored by the Garden Education Center in the Montgomery Pinetum from 12-3pm on Sunday, May 20th.  The 100 acre woods will come alive with live animal presentations, famed storyteller Lu Ann Adams marvelous tales, a bug adventure hunt with horticulturist Lisa Beebe, plus other activities to keep things hopping! Picnic lunch, wine for the grown ups and family portraits to remember the day will cap off the first of many 50th anniversary celebrations for the GEC!To save a place, call 869-9242

The Garden Education Center of Greenwich is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing interest, appreciation and involvement in horticulture, nature and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. For information on GEC programs and classes, please call:203-869-9242 or email us at:gec@gecgreenwich.org

Gardening expert Ken Druse will explore the roots of peoples’ need to garden, as he shares his vision of gardening and the many experiments he’s conducted in his ongoing partnership with nature.    His groundbreaking book, The Natural Garden, initiated a design movement that continues to grow in popularity today.  His many other books–16 to date– on everything from the passion of gardening to the science and art of plant propagation continue to garner him awards from  prestigious organizations including the American Horticultural Society, Garden Club of America and Garden Writers Association of America.  Program starts at 10am, Thursday, May 10, followed by lunch at The Garden Education Center.

 The Garden Education Center of Greenwich is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing interest, appreciation and involvement in horticulture, nature and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. For information on GEC programs and classes, please call:203-869-9242 or email us at:gec@gecgreenwich.org

Meet the connoisseur of tomato growers, William Alexander (April 25)…then take a walk on the wild side, complete with picnic as you explore the Pomerance and Montgomery estates (April 28)  

 No one knows better than author Wm Alexander the trials and tribulations of raising “home grown” tomatoes. Alexander’s tales of battle with the local wildlife, wanton weather, and available help make for an entertaining and often hilarious respite from your own garden chores.

Saturday’s picnic in two of Greenwich’s most appealing parks offers a perfect spring outting for the whole family.  Town of Greenwich Conservation Director Denise Savageau and local botanist Darrin Duling will guide the exploration and introduce the ecology and natural history of these fascinating sites.   Bring a blanket; picnic provided. 

The Garden Education Center of Greenwich is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing interest, appreciation and involvement in horticulture, nature and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. For information on GEC programs and classes, please call:203-869-9242 or email us at:gec@gecgreenwich.org

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April 9, 10-1pm introduces students to the art of decoupage.  In this class you’ll transform a terra cotta pot into a decorative planter you’ll be proud to use and show off!  Materials list provided at registration.

Classes are limited so sign up today! 

April 10, 10-4pm workshop for more experienced  decoupagers will transform ordinary placemats into objets d’art using Flemish Masters botanical prints.  Specialty papers will also be available for purchase, or students may bring their own. 

The Garden Education Center of Greenwich is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to developing interest, appreciation and involvement in horticulture, nature and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. For information on GEC programs and classes, please call:203-869-9242 or email us at:gec@gecgreenwich.org