07 March
8:15 am - 1:30 pm
The Grosse Pointe Garden Center, Inc. founded in 1950, is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to… “Promote Education, Beautification, Horticulture, and Conservation in our community.”
New Plant Introductions for 2026: We welcomed back George Papdelis, owner of Telly’s Greenhouse & Garden Center, who entertained the audience, on February 26, with a delightful presentation on new annuals and perennials. He makes frequent trips to various test gardens and growers to find, what he considers, will be the best performers in our gardens. Telly’s is known for, and prides itself, on carrying the newest and best plant varieties growers have to offer each season for their customers.
Earth, I Thank You: The Garden and Legacy of Anne Spencer. On January 20, 2026, at the Frick Collection, the Garden Conservancy held the New York premiere of this documentary film that explores the historic sanctuary of Harlem Renaissance poet, civil rights advocate, and passionate gardener Anne Spencer. The film celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the Anne Spencer House and Garden Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia. It served as both her sanctuary and a source of inspiration, where creativity and resilience could take root together. Anne Spencer understood that poetry and gardening share the same quiet power: both reward patience, care, and close attention. In her poem “Earth, I Thank You,” she treats the natural world as an active collaborator—an abundant force that nourishes both hand and spirit.
2026 Annual Meeting: Members and guests enjoyed light refreshments followed by a meeting reviewing our 2025 events, electing our officers and Trustees, announcement of the Trial Gardens 2026 competition theme, and reveal of Robert Fionda’s watercolor donated for our 34th Annual Garden Tour. To close the event attendees enjoyed the presentation, Grosse Pointe Garden Center….75 Years and Growing by Alaine Bush in celebration of the Garden Center’s 75th anniversary in 2025.
5th Annual Holiday Floral Workshop: Award-winning floral arranger, Johnese Thibault, returned by popular demand after sold-out workshops over the past several years. This year Johnese demonstrated the techniques involved in creating a lovely arrangement suitable for all three holidays by swapping out various materials. Attendees received hands-on help and critiques, if desired, on their finished arrangements. 
Woodpeckers of Michigan: Rosann Kovalcik, local bird authority and owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, gave a very interesting and informative program on the various species of woodpeckers that can be seen around Michigan and in our own gardens. She explained their feather patterns, habitats, food sources, and more to a very engaged audience.
Veterans Day Breakfast: The Veterans Garden Committee was pleased to attend the War Memorial’s Annual Veterans Day Breakfast on November 11, 2025. The keynote speaker was Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan, who is a Vietnam War veteran and one of only 61 living recipients of the Medal of Honor- our nation’s highest award for military valor in action.
Bats of Michigan: Christina Funk gave a wonderful presentation on October 23 about these fascinating and misunderstood creatures of the night, and the several species found in Michigan. Chrstina is the Lead Naturalist at the Stage Nature Center in Troy, MI. Her passion is helping the public form positive connections with the natural world, of which bats are an important part, and inspiring this and future generations to protect it.
Join or Die: A conversation with Filmmaker Rebecca Davis & Joining Fair held at the War Memorial on October 1. It was an evening of conversation & community action with a live Q&A with co-director Rebecca Davis. The Joiner Fair featured over 60 local clubs, nonprofits, and ways to get involved. The Garden Center participated in the Joiner Fair with a table displaying our many activities. 
Transforming Lives Through Horticulture: was Tuesday, September 23. Featured speaker, Andrew Bunting, Vice President of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society (PHS), leads the utilization of planting and design to promote environmentally sound gardening practices at PHS which he discussed and its positive impact on mental health and improving neighborhoods.
Trial Gardens Awards Tea: Janet Macunovich was our featured speaker at our Tea on September 17. She brought her experience, recommendations, and tips on how to Never Stop Growing: Simplify Gardening to Save Time, Money, and Defy Age. Janet also referred to her article Earthwise Groundwork:Preparing a Great Garden Bed.
The judges’ top three Cottage Garden designs were announced:
Garden Center 2025 College Scholarships: 
Garden Center Board members Jean Azar and Marsha Goan attended Senior Honors Night at both North and South High Schools in May. On behalf of the Garden Center, they presented a $1,500 college scholarship to Madison Hays from
North High who will be attending the University of Michigan. And a $1,500 college scholarship was presented to Brigid Williams from South High who will attend Michigan State University. A third $1,500 college scholarship was presented to Kingsley Donaldson at the Garden Center’s May Board meeting. She will be attending Boston College. Congratulations to all three 2025 scholarship recipients.
2025 Garden Center’s Diamond Anniversary: The Grosse Pointe Garden Center was formed as an organization 75 years ago in 1950. It started out as the Garden and Grounds Committee, to oversee the maintenance of the Alger gardens, for the nascent War Memorial organization formed in September 1949. The committee broke off to become a separate, independent organization in 1950 under existing Chair Vincent DePetris. Representatives from 9 local garden clubs made up the original Garden Center Committee: Garden Club of Michigan, Little Garden Club, GPF&G, Junior League Gardeners, Grosse Pointe Garden Club, Ibex, Grosse Pointe Park Garden Club, The Pointe Garden Club, and Grosse Pointe Woods Garden Club. Each club also donated funds to help finance the newly formed Garden Center. Click here to read the full history.
Garden Club of Michigan Community Award: On June 5, 2024, the Garden Club of Michigan presented its Community Award to the Grosse Pointe Garden Center, accepting on the Garden Center’s behalf was Co-President Candy Sweeny. This award is given in recognition for dedicated efforts which enhance the local environment and improve the community in an impactful way. We thank the Garden Club of Michigan for recognizing the work and educational programs the Garden Center provides for our community as part of our mission. The Garden Center Board of Directors is very appreciative to receive this award.