Our Projects
Civic Beautification Projects
BGC members contribute time and expertise creating and maintaining public gardens throughout Chittenden County.
Gardens at Wheeler Homestead
1100 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT
Includes: The Butterfly Garden & Grandma & Grandpa’s Garden
The Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden was established in 2002 and is shaped like a butterfly. Planted with perennials, annuals, and herbs It provides an opportunity to educate the public on how to attract butterflies and their larvae to the garden.
Grandma & Grandpa’s Gardens
The Grandma & Grandpa’s Garden was established in 2002 by the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont (FGCV). The garden of heirloom shrubs, perennials, annuals and vegetables is planted and maintained by members of the BGC along with Master Gardeners. Harvested vegetables are donated to the Food Shelf on Dorset Street.
Every Wednesday through October 10 am - 2 pm (or any amount of time that works for you!)
Location: 1100 Dorset Street, South Burlington, VT
Hope Lodge
16 Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
Hope Lodge is a home away from home for cancer patients. Hope Lodge has been a BGC project since 1990. BGC members plant and care for the meditation garden, surrounding gardens, window boxes, and planters on the site.
Meet in the gardens once a month May - October
Ronald McDonald House
16 Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
The Ronald McDonald House is a residence for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital. Since 2009, BGC members have planted and maintained three garden areas on the property.
Meet in the gardens once a month May - October
Annual Projects
Bouquets for Birchwood
Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare
43 Starr Farm Rd, Burlington, VT
Bouquets for Birchwood originated in winter, 2021. COVID required Birchwood residents to be quarantined in their rooms without visitors. BGC members donated flowering plants or bouquets on winter day, and continue to provide flowers one day each winter to bring joy to residents and staff.
Planting at Birchwood Terrace
Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare
43 Starr Farm Rd, Burlington, VT
Birchwood Terrace is a nursing and rehabilitation center. Every spring, BGC members donate and plant vegetables and flowers in Birchwood’s raised beds and containers. This activity provides beauty and an opportunity for rehab patients to increase their strength and endurance by maintaining flowers and vegetables.
Holiday Flower Arrangements
Chappell’s Florist
1437 Williston Rd, Burlington, VT
Every November and December, BGC members are invited to create beautiful holiday floral arrangements for themselves at Chappell’s Florist in South Burlington.
Valentine Day Cookies
Burlington Garden Club member bakers bake heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's Day for Meals on Wheels for our area and for the Food Shelf on Dorset Street.
This tradition began in 2014, spearheaded by current Burlington Garden Club past president Jan DeSarno. Over the years, Jan and her granddaughter Sophia and grandson JD expanded their Valentine cookie endeavor to include the South Burlington Food Shelf. Each year, twelve club member volunteers bake over 300 heart-shaped cookies that are delivered to Age Well and the South Burlington Food Shelf.
Youth Project:
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Art Poster Contest
The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the importance of understanding wildfire prevention, gardening, nature conservation, environment, and wildlife. A yearly poster contest sponsored by the National Garden Club (NGC) and the U.S. The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is held for grades 1-5. A third grade student from Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington was the 2025 winner for New England Regional & Honorable Mention for the National Garden Club.
