Tacoma is the largest city in Pierce County, Washington State. Members of the Tacoma Garden Club live throughout the county: from Spanaway in the foothills of Mount Rainier, to Lakewood on the glacial prairies, to Gig Harbor on Puget Sound. Our community is renowned for its natural beauty, and as a center for art, education,and commerce.

Although Tacoma is situated at a northern latitude, the climate is moderated by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean as it flows into Puget Sound. Gardens flourish in abundant rain, adequate sunshine and mild temperatures (USDA climate zone 8).  The region produces some of the finest rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and rock garden plants. The growing season runs between 200 and 250 days.

The lowlands around Puget Sound and along the coast were once covered with forest, thus native woodland plants like trilliums, Youth-On-Age, and a host of ferns thrive, as do forest-edge trees like vine maples and dogwoods.

The Tacoma Garden Club was organized March 24, 1925, entered The Garden Club of America in April, 1928, and established Non-Profit Status September 25, 1990.

The purpose of the Tacoma Garden Club is to:

• Present programs and provide additional educational opportunities in the fields of conservation, floral arts, horticulture and photography
• Support and maintain the Northwest Native Plant Garden at Point Defiance Park for the education of our members and the community
• Support community gardening
• Cooperate with other horticultural groups or entities as members, participants, or advisors.

Tacoma Garden Club (TGC) works both independently and in conjunction with community organizations to provide a variety of educational opportunities for citizens of all ages.

Upcoming events:

• 2010 TGC Guest Days; check this space for specific information on these opportunities open to the public
• 2010 Docent tours at the NW Native Plant Garden will be offered beginning in April. Check this website and The News Tribune for the specific starting date
• 2011 TGC will be co-sponsoring “Flora and Fine Arts” at the Tacoma Art Museum: Floral arrangements inspired by works of art in the Museum collection
• 2011 In September TGC will produce a Garden Club of America Flower Show: An exhibit of judged floral arrangements, horticultural displays, botanical jewelry, and photos.

Past Events:

• November 2009 “Saving our Gardens, Honoring our Past” with Carolyn Bennett, GCA Zone XII Rep to Garden History & Design
• May 2009 “Growing Inspiration” a Garden Club of America Flower Show held at Lakewold Gardens to help Lakewold celebrate its 20th Anniversary
• January 2009 Fergus Garrett of Great Dixter, East Sussex, England: A public lecture sponsored by TGC
• October 2007 “Winter Color in the Garden”, a lecture by author Barbara Blossom Ashum from Portland, Oregon
• May 2007 “Jardins à la Carte in the Channel Islands, Loire Valley & Normandy” a ladies only tour of gardens organized by TGC members Pamela Andrew and Delphine Briand
• March 2007 “All Season Garden Containers”, a lecture by Kathryn Bamford, TGC member and owner of Bamford and Bamford Pottery in Tacoma, Washington
• October 2006 “Pruning to Rejuvenate an Older Garden”, a lecture by author and founder of PlantAmnesty Cass Turnbull
• June 2006 “Containers by Design”, a public fundraiser, held at Lakewold Gardens
• 2005-2008 The Point Defiance Flower & Garden Show, co-founded by TGC and Metro Parks Tacoma. This annual event showcased grand display exhibits, demonstration lectures, a children’s pavilion, and plant vendors.

Each year the Tacoma Garden Club selects community organizations to receive small grants. For more information and to download the application go to Community Grants

For questions about the Tacoma Garden Club contact (Click on name):
TGC President

For questions about the Northwest Native Plant Garden contact (Click on link):
NWNPG email

This website is maintained by the Tacoma Garden Club, Tacoma, Washington, a member club of The Garden Club of America.

For questions referring to the site itself, contact (Click on name):
TGC Webmaster