Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Garden clubs offer much more than monthly meetings; they create a space for education, camaraderie, and community service. As Karen Wychock, president of the Trevose Horticulture Society (THS), emphasizes, "Gardening is not just about tending to your backyard. It involves everyone; all cultures, all countries. No matter where you’re from, there’s a shared love for watching things grow."
This year’s 95th Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania (GCFP) Convention, hosted by District XI, exemplifies the depth of engagement garden clubs provide. Convention participants will include 11 districts across the state, including 11 GCFP garden clubs in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Karen, chairperson of this year’s convention, describes how planning for this event has been a large undertaken, but well worth it, beginning three years ago.
Themed “A Gardening Revolution,” this convention will take place from April 6-8 at the Alloy King of Prussia DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, adjacent to Valley Forge National Park. Each year, a different district leads this event, rotating responsibility across the state. This year’s convention will feature approximately 16 speakers and welcome around 300 garden club members affiliated with the GCFP.
A highlight of the convention is the opportunity for members to participate in workshops and hear from guest speakers, many of whom are from the local area. Gloria Denoon from Newtown will conduct an origami paper flowers workshop, guiding participants through creating delicate floral designs. Carrie Barron of Montgomery County will lead a session on pressing flowers in circular frames, connecting attendees with botanical preservation techniques.
Sunday evening’s featured speaker, Renee Tucci, a Bucks County Community College floral design educator, will discuss how traditions transform into trends in floral design. As part of her presentation, she will create six floral designs that will be raffled off at the convention. With over 20 years of experience, Renee brings insight into both the artistry and history of floral arrangement.
Additionally, David Heller, owner of Flowers by David in Langhorne, will demonstrate floral design using positive and negative space techniques, incorporating both botanical and non-botanical elements.
Beyond floral design, the convention integrates historical education. Attendees can take trolley tours of Valley Forge National Park, and Carol Spacht of Montgomery County will appear as Martha Washington during the Monday luncheon, sharing insights into colonial-era gardening and history.
One of the most significant benefits of a gardening convention is the chance to connect with others across the state. "We rarely see people from the western side of Pennsylvania," Karen notes, "so it’s always valuable to share ideas, listen to expert speakers, and come together in camaraderie." These conventions promote lifelong learning. "Anytime you attend a workshop or lecture, you gain knowledge that enriches your gardening journey,” explains Karen.
Garden clubs, in general, provide year-round opportunities for education and community engagement. The Trevose Horticultural Society, which meets in Bensalem, has about 65 members throughout Bucks County and beyond. Many of these members will attend the convention. "We’ve seen an increase in membership in the last couple of years," Karen shares. "Our meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested can join us."
One of the club’s key contributions is community service. Many clubs, including THS, host free events such as flower shows and plant sales. In addition, with spring upon us, THS has begun distributing free seeds to its members thanks to a donation from Burpee Seeds in Doylestown. Additionally, garden clubs across the state will receive free seeds at the convention to encourage local gardening initiatives.
"Garden clubs aren’t just about personal gardening; they’re about community impact," Karen explains. "Whether you’re growing on a windowsill or tending to two acres of land, there’s a place for you."
For those interested in learning more, the Trevose Horticultural Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Bensalem Senior Center, and welcomes visitors to attend meetings. More information can be found at www.trevosegardeners.org or on Facebook.
