Societies in Ontario
Niagara Falls Horticultural Society
District 9
The Niagara Falls Horticultural Society provides a welcoming environment for all who enjoy gardening and is dedicated to nurturing that enthusiasm. We have a full range of friendly gardeners, from aspiring to accomplished, that are always eager to learn more and share with each other. One of the most rewarding aspects is to be contributing to our community while we are doing what we enjoy.
As a member of our Society you will have the opportunity to:
-enjoy admission to our monthly meetings of inspiring, knowledgeable and humorous high-calibre speakers on a wide range of topics.
-participate in monthly & annual flower shows & photo contests.
-attend flower design seminars at no cost.
-attend “Garden Strolls Just for Members”.
-attend OHA horticultural events
-receive discounts at local nurseries - discounts may vary.
-expand your friend base of like-minded gardeners as you share & learn.
-spend your volunteer time contributing services that better our community in activities that you enjoy.
OUR HISTORY
During World War I, garden competitions were held in an older part of Niagara Falls (Silver Town) to encourage people to grow vegetables to supplement food supplies. These competitors inspired two young men, Henry J. Moore, head gardener of Queen Victoria Park, and George Emery, head of the City Parks Department, to organize a Horticultural Society. They invited citizens to a meeting at the Public Library on Victoria Avenue, and on March 27, 1917, the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society was founded.
In those early days much effort was put into educating citizens to clean up and beautify their properties. Hundreds of trees were planted along city streets. Flower beds were planted and maintained by the Society. To continue this great community effort, the Society members now maintain three fire hall beds & the Victoria Avenue Armoury garden.
In 1942, while celebrating their 25th Anniversary, the Society was presented with a Diploma of Merit and the Silver Medal at the Ontario Horticultural Association convention held in Toronto.
The Society also played a leading part in the tree planting at Coronation Park to commemorate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on June 23, 1953.
For over 30 years, extensive gardening programs were carried out in the city's public schools but ended in 1957, when the Society began to sponsor community gardens. Years later, the Niagara Falls Schools in Bloom Program was developed by the Park in the City Committee and the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture. It engaged local students in landscaping and environmental projects. Over 14 schools annually received community support to create, enhance, and maintain gardens, fostering environmental education and community pride. The Society was a proud sponsor of this program.
In 1967, Canada's Centennial Year, the Society celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with a membership of 366. To celebrate the 75th Flower & Vegetable show, a grand proclamation was given by the Town Crier in August 1996.
Inspiring, creative, mesmerizing are all words that can describe the moment you walk into any one of the gardens on the annual Garden Tour. It has become 'the' major fundraising event of each summer since July 1995.
In acknowledgement of it's efforts, the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society was presented with the Environmental Award of the City of Niagara Falls in August 1999.
In 2005, our Armoury Garden on Victoria Avenue was planted with 700 red and white tulips, donated by Veseys, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Holland in WWII.
Thanks to the endless hours that volunteer members put in, the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society is continuing the legacy of the Society's past accomplishments to promote horticultural education in the community with scholarships, greening objectives and assistance with horticultural activities.
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St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church Hall
3428 Portage Road
Niagara Falls L2J 2K4
Map It
$15/adult $2/Youth
| Title | First/Last Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Russ Boles | 905-354-7250 | |
| Vice President | Shannon Boles | 905-329-7929 | |
| Treasurer | Joan Moore | ||
| Secretary | Paul Moore | ||
| Membership | Cathy Bowman |
The Niagara Falls Horticultural Society meets in the evening on the second Thursday of each month from September to May from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
Meet our Speaker Lineup for 2026:
April 9 - Debbie Whitehouse: Niagara Parks Children's Garden | Dig In! A Live Question & Answer with garden experts: Russ Boles, Debbie Cank-Thatcher & Betty Knight
May 14 - Forest Spring Flowers | Aleksia Shoalts
September 10 - TBA
October 8 - | Bulbs in Bloom: A Hands-On Demo | Darrell Bley
November 12 - Pressed Flower Demonstration & Workshop | Devon Elcomb | Pressed in Time Studio
December 10 - TBA
Come Grow with Us 🌱
Membership runs from January - December annually
Annual dues are $15 for Adults and $2 for Youth
Membership enrolment/renewal can be done:
* in person at one of the General Meetings
* online by e-transfer
* by cheque made payable to: Niagara Falls Horticultural Society
Please contact us by email noted on our listing for more information on membership.
| Event Name | Date/Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dig In: A Live Gardening Q&A | Thursday, April 9, 2026 | St. John the Evangelist Church Hall, 3428 Portage Road, Niagara Falls | Join us for an exciting gardening event where four local garden experts are eager to share their wealth of knowledge and answer all your gardening questions! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this meeting is the perfect opportunity to delve into the world of horticulture. Our panel of experts will cover a wide range of topics, from soil health and plant selection to pest management and sustainable gardening practices. Get ready to dig into the dirt and discover new techniques to enhance your garden. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the best and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Bring your questions and a notebook, and prepare to be inspired! Debbie Whitehouse - Chair, Niagara Parks Foundation will also be giving a short presentation on the new Children's Garden being installed at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. ✨Refreshments | Guest Speaker | Flower Show | Draw & Door Prizes✨ |
| Roots to Blooms Community Garden Event, Plant & Bake Sale | Saturday, May 30, 2026 | 9am - 1pm | St. John the Evangelist Church Hall, 3428 Portage Road, Niagara Falls | Join us for a delightful day at the Roots to Blooms Community Garden Event featuring our Annual Spring Plant & Bake Sale, hosted by the Niagara Falls Horticultural Society! This family-friendly event offers a fantastic selection of member-grown perennials, ornamental grasses, and shrubs for purchase - perfect for sprucing up your garden this season. Remember, all transactions are cash only, with proceeds from the sale invested back into beautifying and educating the community through horticultural initiatives. Indulge your sweet tooth with a wide array of homemade baked goods that promise to delight any palate. Additionally, Niagara On-Site Sharpening will be present to ensure your gardening tools are in top condition. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the gardening experts at Country Basket Garden Centre, who will be ready to share insights on the latest trends and answer all your gardening questions. Bring the whole family and enjoy our free kids planting zone and activities. Come by and support a blossoming community effort! |
