We’re always on the hunt for inspiration, indoors and out, so we’re marking up our calendar with these upcoming don’t-miss garden events for Spring 2024.

22nd Annual Friends of Hammonasset Plant Sale, 5/9 – 6/2, Thursdays – Sundays, 9am – 5pm, Located at Hammonasset Beach State Park entrance on Route 1, Shop for hanging baskets, perennials, 4” annuals, flats of bedding plants and vegetables. Proceeds benefit work with the Meigs Point Nature Center and other projects at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

The Garden Club of Madison’s Annual Plant Sale, 5/18, 9am – 1pm, Held at the Deacon John Grave House, 581 Boston Post Road, on the Saturday after Mother’s Day (rain or shine). Profits will benefit the Garden Club of Madison’s Community Beautification Projects. Choose from a wide selection of herbs, flora, shrubs, and local perennials.

Duck River Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, Old Lyme, 5/10 & 511. Find native pollintors, hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs at this highly anticipated annual sale.

Seed and Soil Flower Farm ~ Flower Summer Subscriptions, 6/10 – 8/24, A women-owned local small business, Seed and Soil Flower Farm offers 8-week subscriptions throughout the summer starting in June. Their flowers are grown right here in Chester CT. They also offer small event and single orders if you are looking to elevate any get-together, from Mother’s Day celebrations to casual summer gatherings.

The Common Good Garden is Open ~ and they love Volunteers!, Tuesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays, Volunteer with Common Goods Gardens and help provide produce to Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. Common Good Gardens has been working to provide naturally grown produce and collaborate with local farm stands to collect their surplus and minimize food waste.  In 2022, they delivered over 19,300 pounds to Shoreline Soup Kitchen’s and Pantries.

Friends of Harkness Annual Plant Sale, 5/18, 9am – 1pm, The Annual Plant Sale will be held in the Carriage House Courtyard featuring plants from the Plant Group, Heliotrope, Camp Harkness and Harkness gardens.

Hollister House Garden Summer Events, Until August 24, Join Hollister House Garden for a variety of events and workshops exploring the fundamentals of gardening, landscaping, and featured artists and florists. Dates, times, and reservation prices all vary by event, so be sure to check out their full list of offerings this season.

Trade Secrets, Garden Tours & Community Events, 5/18 and Trade Secrets Rare Plants and Garden Antiques Sale, Sunday, 5/19 at Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT. Both events rain or shine. Tickets sell fast! 

Mystic Garden Club Plant Sale, 6/1, 9:30am – 2:30pm, Whether your garden is sunny or shaded, there will be a wide selection of plants available to suit your environment. Shop plants donated from the club’s members, and make sure to stop at the Gardener’s Boutique to find native plants. All proceeds are used to support the library.

Estate Walk, CT Trails Day at the Hillstead Museum, 6/2, 11am – 12pm Explore the magnificent Hillstead Estate. Enjoy guided walks from the hilltop gardens to the pond, fields and barn while enjoying the splendid views. Registration opens May 8.

20th Annual CT Open House Day 2023, 6/8, Entering its 20th year, Connecticut Open House Day is a cherished tradition occurring every second Saturday of June. With over 200 sites across the Nutmeg state throwing their doors open to the public, this event, orchestrated by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, highlights the diverse tapestry of history, art, culture, and natural wonders that Connecticut has to offer.

Old Saybrook Historical Society House & Gallery Exhibit Tour, Opening 6/17, The 2024 House & Exhibit Gallery Tour will open for the summer season in June, offering group or special appointment tours. The Hart House will open to visitors starting 6/22. For group or special appointment tours, please call 860-395-1635 or email contact@saybrookhistory.org with your tour request details.

CT Historic Gardens Day at Harkness Memorial State Park, 6/23, 10am – 2pm, Explore the Harkness Garden, Mansion, and Eolia Estate to celebrate CTHG! Bring a picnic and after your tours enjoy the spectacular views of Long Island Sound from the sweeping Great Lawn. All proceeds from Mansion tours and Gift Shop sales support Friends’ programs at the Park.

Madison Historical Society’s Tour of Remarkable Homes, 6/23, 11am – 4pm Explore 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.

Newport Secret Gardens, 6/28 – 6/30, 10am – 4pm Tours of the private gardens of some of historic Newport’s most prestigious properties, to benefit the public schools of Rhode Island. 

And here’s a list of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days for Connecticut., featuring guest lectures, workshops, and open gardens around CT.

Save the Date for Connecticut Historic Garden’s Day on June 23rd, Choose from tours of the 14 participating gardens in CT Historic Gardens Day. View the list of all gardens to see each event’s time.

Upcoming Galas:

15th Annual Garden Luncheon at the Flo Gris Museum, Friday, June 14, 2024, 11am to 3pm. The Museum’s annual Garden Luncheon is a joyful and beloved event to welcome spring with flowers, food, and fancy hats!

Goodspeed Gala, 6/18 5:30 pm. Celebrating 40 years of their Terris Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals is hosting both a live and silent auction alongside dinner and live entertainment. Choose from a wide variety of RSVP packages to secure your seat.

CT River Museum’s Riverfare, 6/6, 6pm – 9pm The unofficial kickoff to Summer on the Shoreline, CRM’s annual fundraiser RiverFare is a gourmet food and drink tasting event on the Museum’s riverfront lawn. Tickets and additional information will be available soon on the CT River Museum site.

Groundbreaking Gala at The Lyman Allyn, 6/1, The gala is one of the Museum’s largest fundraising events. This year’s spring gala will celebrate the initial phase of the Lyman Allyn Park project. Guests will enjoy cocktails, music, auctions, and a seated dinner under twinkling lights on the Museum lawn. Funds raised will support museum operations and educational programs.

50th Anniversary Big Barn Bash at High Hopes, 6/8, 5pm – 11pm, Join High Hopes as they celebrate their 50th anniversary with an evening of mingling, dinner, dancing, and auction offerings. Reflecting on the past and embracing a bright future, this event is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser.