About Us
A Little History...
Organized in June 1913, the Garden Club of Orange & Dutchess Counties is proud to be one of the twelve founding clubs of the Garden Club of America (GCA).
The Garden Club of Orange & Dutchess Counties along with the Garden Club of America have been pioneers in the environmental field, land use, water resources, pollution reduction, and a leader in historic preservation, civic planting and horticulture, including rare plant propagation and plant exchanges.
Our membership has grown over the years. Our club has taken tours of famous American gardens, shared knowledge with each other, attended lectures, and advocated for important legislation supporting nature and the environment. We have also initiated and supported many projects including the Jane Colden Native Plant garden at Trailside at Bear Mountain State Park, the 1810 Garden in Warwick, the Beatrix Farrand Garden restoration in Hyde Park and many others.
A highlight of our activities is hosting Flower Shows. Flower Shows combine artistic vision, horticultural mastery, engineering, and sophisticated craftsmanship to create a brief but brilliant display of beauty in time. There is always a time when the Show is open to the public. Our last Flower Show was in May of 2023. We will begin planning the next one soon.
Our Members
Learn. Support. Grow.
Spanning all of Orange and Dutchess Counties in New York, we have a wide variety of members from a multitude of backgrounds. From home gardeners, conservation experts, landscape designers and even elected officials to farmers, chefs and florists, we represent a broad range of interests but are connected by our love of Mother Nature and her flora.
Meet Our Current President
Karen Strain Smythe
Karen has been a member since 2015, was elected President in June 2023. Karen is a Dutchess County native. She grew up in Poughkeepsie and now resides in Red Hook. Her mother, Anne P. Strain, became a member of the Garden Club of Orange & Dutchess Counties in 1967 and was elected President in June 1989. Karen is both proud and honored to be following in her mother's footsteps.
The Garden Club of Orange and Dutchess Counties.
Founding Member of the Garden Club of America • Organized 1913 • Incorporated 1965
