CONTACT US AT: vistagardenclub@gmail.com or carolynvgc@gmail.com
click here for: VGC Scholarship Application
The Vista Garden Club has been in existence since 1930. We are a group of 100+ men and women who love gardening. We are members of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Pacific Region Garden Clubs, Inc., the California Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Palomar District. We have membership in the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens (Brengle Terrace Park) and the San Diego Floral Association.
We meet the first Friday of each month at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center- back building (Brengle Terrace Park, Vista) with a morning tour or workshop followed by a fingertip luncheon and the meeting starts at noon. An educational presenter follows a short business meeting. Visitors are always welcomed.
Our Meetings for the Year July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
September 4:Kathryn Blankinship, “GROWING AND CARE OF CAMELLIAS” Kathryn has been a Master Gardener since 2014 and is a docent at the San Diego Botanic Garden. She is QUEL certified (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper). Kathryn will tell us how to select, plant, shape and fertilize camellias as well as how to successfully show them.
October 2: Jeff Moore, Solana Succulents. “FABULOUS SUCCULENTS” Jeff Moore of Solana Succulents is a prolific author of books on succulents including dudleyas, agaves and aloes. His 20-year old store in Solana Beach is known for its rare and wonderful selection of succulents. Jeff will talk to us about the care and selection of these wonderful plants.
November 14: The 2026 Fall Fundraiser Luncheon will be held at Gloria McClellan’s Park Terrace Café in Brengle Terrace Park, Vista. A delicious luncheon will be served at noon, followed by a festive afternoon featuring opportunity drawings with items generously donated by members and local businesses. This is one of the Vista Garden Club’s two annual fundraising events, where members and guests come together to support the Club’s programs, scholarships, and community projects while enjoying an afternoon of fun and fellowship.
December 4: Silvia Slemmer, “HOW TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS AND SONG BIRDS TO YOUR YARD” Silvia has been a backyard wild bird enthusiast for over 35 years and has owned Wild Birds Unlimited in Carlsbad for over 15 years. She will share with us how to attract and feed hummingbirds and other wild birds in your yard, as well as give us tips on how to deter rodents and prevent ants from going to nectar feeders.
January 8: Ben Gill, “PROTEAS” Ben, known throughout the industry as “The Protea Guy,” has been a grower and consultant on proteas for over 40 years. He will share his knowledge of this unusual plant, which originated in South Africa, and tell us what is required to grow it successfully.
February 5: Al Klein, Botanic Wonders, “CREATING BONSAI FROM SUCCULENTS” Al Klein is well known to our club and succulent lovers throughout California. With over 30 years of experience, Klein is celebrated for cultivating rare and exotic plants, particularly “fat plants” (caudiciforms), cycads, and succulent bonsai. These unusual plants are treasured by many garden enthusiasts, and creating bonsai using these plants is especially intriguing. Al will show us how to do it!
March 5: Sharon Reeve, “GARDENING FOR SAN DIEGO NATIVE BEES” Sharon is a talented Master Gardener, with a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science in Ecology. She will present information on some of the common native bees you are likely to see in your garden, what plants to plant and how to make your garden more attractive and inviting to bees.
April 2: The 1:45 program will be Vista Garden Club members highlighting our May Flower Show.
May 1-2: Our 91st Annual Flower Show at Jim Porter Recreation Center, Brengle Terrace Park. This is our gift to the community. We will also sell plants members have grown all year as well as garden art created by our members. This free Flower Show event is open Saturday, May 2 at noon for our plant and garden art boutique sale. The Flower Show will open to the public after judging at 2 pm. The show closes at 5 pm. On Sunday, the Flower Show, plant and garden art boutique sale opens from 10 am – 5 pm.
June 4: The 1:45 program will be an overview of our Flower Show and presentation of awards.