The Newfoundland Horticultural Society (NHS) was formed in 1962. However its origins are much older. Newspaper accounts indicated a similar Society existed here in the mid 1800’s.
Our mandate is to encourage gardening for anyone with an interest in plants, and to become a member, as meeting other gardeners is of great value. The society aspires to promote gardening in the community and to make greener choices. We are also reaching out to a broader audience through the internet to provide information that will be of interest to all, especially Northern gardeners.
The Society aims to provide interesting and informative programs, and to create learning opportunities for members through a wide range of activities:
Holding meetings for lectures, discussions, demonstrations and workshops.
Organizing excursions to gardens, gardening centres and other places of interest.
Organizing horticultural shows.
Providing a lending library.
Promoting an exchange of plants, bulbs and seeds.
Publishing a regular newsletter.
Arranging garden visits.
Plant sales called “Bring & Buy” are held at spring and fall meetings. This gives members a unique opportunity to obtain less common plants. The Society also sometimes arranges bulk purchases that can be offered to members.
The library contains a wide selection of books, magazines and pamphlets that can be borrowed at our monthly meetings.
Details of meetings are published in the ‘Down to Earth’ monthly newsletter and it is e-mailed, or mailed to members. The illustrated newsletter has valuable information on a wide range of gardening topics for both novice and experienced gardeners.
From spring to fall there are visits to private gardens of members and non-members. Our group reaches out to other gardening groups or like minded people in the region, such as exchange visits with the Garden Club of Conception Bay South. Through cooperation with MUN Botanical Garden (MUNBG) our annual Spring Flower Show is held in late May, and summer show ‘Newfoundland Blooms: a Floral Extravaganza’ is held in July. These events are free showroom exhibits for public viewing.
Many of our members enjoy the opportunity to stage and run a show, and to meet the general public and old friends, and to take part in garden related volunteer opportunities.
NHS also collaborates with MUNBG and Friends of the Garden (FOG) to host an annual fundraiser in July - the Mystery Garden Tour. See the Mystery Garden Tour 2019 webpage for additional information on this self-guided tour of 10 private gardens located in St. John's, Mt. Pearl and neighboring communities.