We’re always on the hunt for inspiration, indoors and out, so we’re marking up our calendar with these upcoming don’t-miss events for Spring 2017.

Old Saybrook Garden Club’s Gardener’s May Market, May 12 – 13:  Find annuals, perennials, members’ plants, baked goods, gently used gardening tools, and other garden items at this fundraiser on the town green.  Find out more. 

Essex Garden Club’s May Market, May 13:  This sole fundraising event for the club began as a small plant sale across from the Griswold Inn and has grown into a garden extravaganza now held in the Town Park. It features annuals and members’ nurtured perennial plants, herbs, shrubs and fresh-cut flowers, as well as garlic salt, gently-used home and garden treasures, and jewelry.  More info here. 

East Lyme Garden Club May Mart Plant Sale, May 13: Expect a great selection of well-established perennials (lots of hostas) and herbs from member’s gardens. Also, find flowering annuals, veggies,  and hanging baskets. Proceeds are used to maintain East Lyme’s public gardens and provide floral arrangements for Meals on Wheels.  More info here.

Duck River Garden Club Sale, May 12 & 13: This annual fundraising plant sale sponsored by the Duck River Garden Club of Old Lyme features heirloom tomatoes, annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, geraniums, perennials, shrubs and more, at the Old Lyme Shopping Center field on Hall’s Road (near Hideaway Restaurant). More info here.

Trade Secrets, May 13 & 14: Rare Plants and Garden Antiques Sale at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, CT on May 13th. The garden tour for May 14 has sold out. Remember to get tickets early next year!  More info here. 

French Country Market at Killam & Bassette Farmstead, May 13: A specialty market on the move, you’ll find all things vintage, re-purposed, artisan, handmade, baked, farm raised and local.  Find out more. 

Garden Fest Plant Sale at the Florence Griswold Museum, May 19th: Join the Museum’s Garden Gang for a sale of beautiful plants and garden specimens, featuring heirloom perennials, roses, herbs, and succulents. Find out more. 

The Garden Club of Madison’s Annual Plant Sale, May 20: Held on the grounds of the Deacon John Grave House, 581 Boston Post Road on the Saturday after Mother’s Day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain or shine). Profits from the plant sale will benefit the Garden Club of Madison’s Community Beautification Projects. More info here.

Garden Fest at the Florence Griswold Museum, June 9 – June 18: Kick off the garden season with this annual event, a ten-day celebration of the site’s historic gardens, featuring flower shows, lectures, the Garden Luncheon and Garden Fest Plant Sale and more. Click here for the full list of activities.

Gardens by The Sea, Stonington, June 9 & 10: This easy walking tour will feature a hand-picked collection of rarely seen gardens behind the walls and gates of Stonington’s historic properties. Labels will highlight plantings for identification and knowledgeable Garden Club members will be on hand to answer questions. More info here. 

Newport Secret Gardens, June 16 – June 18: tours of the private gardens of some of historic Newport’s most prestigious properties, to benefit the public schools of Rhode Island. Details here. 

Lyme/Old Lyme Auxiliary’s Garden Tour, June 16 & 17: Spend a day wandering the streets of Old Lyme Village and come away with a whole new perspective on what it takes to garden in a village setting. More info here.

Annual CT Rose Society Rose Show at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, June 18: More info here.

Madison Historical Society’s Tour of Remarkable Homes, June 25: Explore five of Madison’s most unique private residences. Each home is remarkable for its age, size, location, or distinctive architecture and landscaping. The homes can be visited in any order and at your own pace. Find out more.

And here’s a list of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days for Connecticut. 

Save the Date for Connecticut Historic Garden’s Day on June 25th.

Upcoming Galas:

Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts’ Annual Arts Ball, June 3: The legendary gala at Lyme Academy College, home to America’s oldest art colony, will focus on our future with an exciting new vision and innovative new directions. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live music and dancing.  Details here. 

Guilford Art Center’s Black & White & Awesome! Gala, June 2: This year Guilford Art Center celebrates its 50th anniversary of creating art and community and its continuing importance as a thriving cultural institution on the shoreline. The gala includes signature cocktails, three-course dinner, dancing with music by the HotHouse Band, a full open bar and live and silent auctions. More info here.

High Hopes Moon Dance,  June 10: Put on your dancing shoes and dance by the light of the moon and join over 600 friends, donors, sponsors and patrons all to benefit the programs and participants of High Hopes. Save the Date for High Hopes’ premiere gala event.  More info here.

A Taste of Tiffany at The Lyman Allyn Museum, May 20: This year’s celebration will support a new permanent exhibition  dedicated to the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany and his connection to New London, CT. The evening’s festivities will feature a silent auction, and a live auction of  fantastic travel and dining opportunities, followed by a seated dinner. More info.