WELCOME TO BITTERSWEET GARDEN CLUB

Jefferson City, Missouri

Celebrating 50 Years - 1973-2023

Growing Flowers and Friendships

2023 Programs and Activities

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The 2022 yearbooks were distributed at the December meeting. You can also access the listing of meetings, programs, activities, and committees by clicking the image at the left or clicking this link.
See also the​ "Calendar Tab" above and the "Upcoming Events" column on the right.

Thank you to our
​2022 Garden Tour Homeowners!

SIGN UP to receive notification each spring of upcoming garden tour details. Note: We ONLY send emails about our tour and we DO NOT share our mailing list with anyone...EVER.
Interested in connecting with gardening friends?
​Contact Us to learn more about Bittersweet Garden Club.

​Mark Your Calendars!
Annual Garden Tour
​Sunday, June 25

    The 23rd Annual Bittersweet Garden Tour is Sunday, June 25, 2023. For full details, see our Garden Tour page.

Upcoming Events

Guests are welcome to visit a monthly meeting,
but other activities are member-only functions
​unless otherwise specified.​
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March Bittersweet Meeting

​Thursday, March 16
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.
Program: “To Prune or Not to Prune”
Presenter: Dan Braik
an has owned his own tree business in Columbia, Missouri since 2008 and has been a certified arborist for the past 5 years. Using a photo presentation, Dan will show and discuss proper pruning techniques and how to identify signs of stress, disease, and warning signs of abnormalities and structural defects in our trees and shrubs. We may also have a special guest, former City Arborist for Columbia, to discuss insects and diseases that impact our trees and shrubs.
Inspirational Minute: Marge Talken
Host: Linda Oligschlaeger
Co-Hosts: Carol Bowdoin, Debbie Boyce, Barbara Brennaman, Ginni Griffen, Brenda Hancock, Sandy Hiatte, Jacki Johnson, Chris Krautmann, Rosella Reinkemeyer, Kristi Rhoads, Judy Schepers, Judy Schneider, Niki Schulte, Evie Starr, Jennifer Urich

Brunch & Blooms - Starkenburg, Missouri

Sunday, March 26​
Enjoy one of your favorite brunch beverages (coffee, tea, bloody marys, mimosa, or wine) as you browse the vendors who specialize in garden-related products and items always of interest to ladies. Then enjoy a flavor-filled brunch, including decadent desserts, followed by a learning opportunity with hints on how to get the best blooms from some of our garden favorites.
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Dogwood-Azalea Festival - Charleston, Missouri

Friday & Saturday, April 14 & 15

    We will board a motor coach to Charleston, Missouri to attend the Dogwood-Azalea Festival. In addition to the beauty of magnificent dogwoods and azaleas at peak bloom, the festival includes historic home tours, a plant sale, an arts and crafts bazaar, and many other delights for you to enjoy. You don’t want to miss this trip!
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April Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, April 27 (4th Thursday)
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.

​​Program: “A Passion for Peonies”
Presenter:  Megan Rudroff
We welcome back Megan Rudroff, owner of Rudy Lane Flower Farm, as she takes us on a deep dive into the flower she started her whole farm around – the peony. Megan will explain why she decided on peonies, which varieties she chose, how she plants and maintains them, and of course, how to harvest them at the ideal stage for maximum vase life. She’ll even give a little lesson on the history and geographic distribution of this long-living, much-revered plant.
Inspirational Minute: Linda Oligschlaeger

Host: Sharon Burnett
Co-Hosts: Rosie Chruma, Shelley Chruma, Marla Clark, Nancy Kaiser, Chris Krautmann, Kris Leech, Naydene Quisling, Kristi Rhoads, Jatha Sadowski, Evelyn Samson, Sheila Scott, Susan Stork, Ronda Thompson, Donna Weiss, Marcia Willing

Spring Trip to the Ozarks

Thursday & Friday, May 4 & 5
This two-day trip begins in Mansfield, Missouri where we will visit North America’s largest heirloom seed company, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, which also features trial gardens, greenhouses, a pioneer village, and a huge seed store. We will have lunch here before traveling on to the historic home and museum of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Rocky Ridge Farm. Then we will head to Ozark, Missouri for happy hour at charming Finley Farms, located on the Finley River overlooking the Ozark Mill. It is a picturesque stop for a cocktail, tour of the farm or a visit to the General Store before spending the night in Springfield. On Saturday, we will visit the 113 acre Springfield Botanical Gardens, which features many themed gardens including a Japanese Garden, Butterfly House, and gift shop. After lunch we will make a stop at The Thicket and The Nest, two specialty home décor shops, before making our way home.
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May Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, April 27 (4th Thursday)
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.
Program: “Garden Tour Preparation”
Presenters: Shirley Gassen, Alice Longfellow, and Jennifer Urich
Shirley, Alice, and Jennifer, co-chairs for the Bittersweet Garden Tour, will conduct an informational meeting regarding the 23rd Annual Bittersweet Garden Tour. Signs, tickets and flyers will be distributed.
Inspirational Minute: Cass Bates

Host: Millie Jones
Co-Hosts:  Karen Basel, Linda Block, Jeannine Brickey, Jane Davis, Ginni Griffen, Alice Hansen, Merrilee Holz, Nancy Kaiser, Kathy Laur, Donna Lynch, Jatha Sadowski, Evelyn Samson, Linda Samson, Sue Scott, Cristine West

Local Garden Visits

Thursday & Friday, May 4 & 5
May is one of the best months for local blooms and we have the privilege of visiting two of the most beautiful Iris gardens in our area. We will tour both the Carl and Diane Olson garden (Carl is the president of the Iris Society) and the garden of our own, Shirley Gassen. You are sure to be impressed!
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Bittersweet Garden Club - Jefferson City, Missouri