West Seattle Garden Club was founded in 1929 by Mrs. Loretta Smith. Meetings were held at the West Seattle Commercial Club in the evenings, changing to daytime meetings in 1933. In 1934 our club flower was chosen: the Tuberous Begonia. By 1940, membership had grown to 287!
Throughout the decades, the club supported projects at the Washington Park and South Seattle College arboretums, put on flower shows and fashion shows, held classes and workshops, and toured regional gardens and nurseries. In 1988 a monthly newsletter was created, which continues today.
In recent years, our speakers have covered topics ranging from drought-tolerant plants to butterflies of the Pacific Northwest. We've learned about bats, bonsai, and growing rhododendrons. We visited Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, toured the lavender farms of Sequim, enjoyed Christmas tea at The Old Goat Farm, and observed the Seattle Japanese Garden's seasonal changes.
The club has provided over $25,000 in scholarships for the Landscape Horticulture program at South Seattle College. For many years, money was raised by participating in the West Seattle Lions Club annual plant sale. Currently, we have a plant sale of our own in the spring, with funds going to several organizations.
Throughout the decades, the club supported projects at the Washington Park and South Seattle College arboretums, put on flower shows and fashion shows, held classes and workshops, and toured regional gardens and nurseries. In 1988 a monthly newsletter was created, which continues today.
In recent years, our speakers have covered topics ranging from drought-tolerant plants to butterflies of the Pacific Northwest. We've learned about bats, bonsai, and growing rhododendrons. We visited Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, toured the lavender farms of Sequim, enjoyed Christmas tea at The Old Goat Farm, and observed the Seattle Japanese Garden's seasonal changes.
The club has provided over $25,000 in scholarships for the Landscape Horticulture program at South Seattle College. For many years, money was raised by participating in the West Seattle Lions Club annual plant sale. Currently, we have a plant sale of our own in the spring, with funds going to several organizations.
