Every flower blooms in its own time

The Planting Crew - Cliff Lawrance, Hannah Lawrance, Trudy McMillan, Bob Williams, Sandi Senneker, and Daphne Schuyler at the NCPL Waterford branch. 

Brenda Moser

Advocate Correspondent

It’s amazing what a difference some flowers and a bit of elbow grease can do to improve not only the scenery around us but also one’s spirits.

I’m sure all of us have heard that old saying, “Take time to stop and smell the flowers” to encourage us to slow down and appreciate the simple and beautiful things in life. If you don’t have a green thumb or maybe you don’t have the space to plant flowers you can simply take a stroll right here in Waterford and enjoy the fruits of others’ labour.

The Waterford and District Horticultural Society was established in 1957 and is driven by volunteers and their passion for gardening and civic improvement. They are a member of OHA (Ontario Horticultural Association) and are dedicated to fostering a love for gardening, community beautification and taking care of our environment and surroundings. Their mission revolves around education and engagement, community and involvement, fundraising and support, and environmental stewardship. They host monthly meetings (except July and August) at Waterford United Church, 7 p.m., and host guest speakers, offer tours, flower shows, workshops, farm and garden tours and demonstrations. If you are interested in becoming a member the cost is just $10 per person per calendar year.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of their members they are able to maintain gardens in four different parks around Waterford – Waterford Ponds, gardens on Alice Street, gardens at Bloomsburg and the Bridge Park. Their newest project is at the recently renovated Waterford Public Library. Over the next few weeks, we can watch these gardens flourish and add beauty to our town and surrounding community.

Future goals of the Society include increased membership, a stronger social media presence, community awards, sustained community awareness/engagement, more events and fundraisers and possible workshops open to the public for such projects as terrariums and seasonal urns. The choices would be varied.

This summer the Waterford Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Horticultural Society in an initiative dubbed ‘Red and White Summer 2025’! It is community project to celebrate our love for Canada. Local merchants have jumped in to show their support and display the red-and-white in outdoor planters and window displays. They are also encouraging Waterford residents to plant red and white in their flower beds and flood Waterford in Canadian pride!

There is also another reason for this initiative… the Waterford Heritage Agricultural Museum (WHAM) will soon be hosting a one of a kind display of hand-crafted red and white commemorative Canada quilts. Check www.norfolkheritage.ca to view any updates for the arrival of the exhibit. You can also stop by the museum at 159 Nichol Street, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure you have time to check out their current displays while you are there! There is parking available during the Nichol St. construction.

To keep up the beautification efforts of Waterford and District Horticultural Society funds are needed to purchase plants, flowers, shrubs… whatever is needed. To raise funds, they participated in Seedy Saturdays plant sales and a merchandiser fundraiser. On Sept. 2, they will host their annual Flower Show at Waterford United Church.

The Society moved to a governing committee in 2025. Trudy McMillan is the director, chairperson is Bob Williams, secretary is Hannah Lawrance and treasurer is Sandi Senneker. Their email address is WaterfordSociety@gmail.com. New members are always welcome and it’s not necessary to have ‘a green thumb.’ After all, what could be better or more satisfying than adding colour and life to our already beautiful Waterford landscape?