Garden Club of Jacksonville welcomed more than 2,000 people for Blooms Galore & More during the April 7-8 weekend.

Garden Club members donated more than 1,300 plants for the Sprout Sale, which attracted plant-lovers from near and far. The Green Market featured nearly 20 vendors in the Ballroom and Courtyard, selling plants, honey, soap, bird accessories, artwork, jewelry, and more.

More than 175 guests attended the Preview Party on April 7, which gave them the first pick of plants and vendor offerings, along with a glass of wine, live music by Andy Toomey, an amazing charcuterie spread, and food truck offerings from Village Bread Café Food Truck. The Container Contest was a hit with beautiful creations from members of our garden circles. A raffle featured prizes donated by vendors and Garden Club members.

The fun continued on April 8 when Blooms Galore & More opened to the public with more vendors, family fun activities at Budding Gardeners, and delicious food by Aunt Greg’s Southern Eats.

Preview Party photos by Josean Rosario

Special thanks goes out to the Rose Garden Circle for their beautiful decorations at the Preview Party and to all of the volunteers who worked throughout the weekend.

The Garden Club of Jacksonville thanks these generous sponsors:

  • Specialty Insurance Services
  • Tiffany & Chuck Davis
  • Liberty Landscape Supply
  • Foxy Foliage
  • Dr. Jack & Mrs. Bonnie Sipe

Container Competition

Fourteen fabulous dish gardens were featured in the Container Competition. Attendees voted for their favorites, and the winners were:

  • First place: For the Birds, Bobi McGinnis, Grove Park Garden Circle
  • Second place: Garden by the Sea, Gloria Salmon, Daylily Garden Circle
  • Third Place: Hummingbirds’ Delight, Beth Leavitt, Rose Garden Circle

The winners won $100 gift cards from Phillips Garden Store, Liberty Landscape Supply, and Foxy Foliage.

Sprout Sale

The plant sale featured hundreds of plants propagated by Garden Club members. Volunteers from UF|IFAS Duval County Extension Center answered questions about gardening and provided information about Florida-Friendly Landscaping™.

Budding Gardeners

At the Budding Gardeners area, families made their own wind socks, visited rabbits from Bebette’s Bunny Rescue, lounged on some hay bales. Dozens of families participated in a scavenger hunt that took them throughout the Garden Club’s campus. Once they completed their mission, each child received a plant to take home.

Look for more events here!