Founded in 1931, the club’s mission was the “advancement of gardening and stimulation of interest in the preservation and enhancement of the natural beauties of Gates Mills.” Nearly a century later, that mission still feels very much alive.

Today, the Garden Club includes more than 130 members brought together by a shared appreciation for gardening, conservation, education, and civic involvement. While many residents recognize the club for its beautiful flower boxes hanging from the Chagrin River bridges, the organization’s reach extends far beyond seasonal plantings.

If you’ve walked through the Arboretum, attended the annual plant sale, admired a Fourth of July parade float, or noticed fresh flower arrangements around the Village, chances are the Garden Club had a hand in it.

Current co-presidents Jane Lindmark and Marie Tani say the club’s strength comes from its members.

“What makes this garden club stand out is definitely our members, who bring many talents, creativity and energy to our club,” they shared. “We are all volunteers who work together and get major projects done.”

One of those projects is the ongoing restoration of the historic Gates Mills Arboretum, originally established by the Garden Club in 1935 as a wildflower preserve along the Chagrin River. Working in partnership with the Village, the club is helping restore native woodland areas through invasive species removal, improved paths and stairways, and new native plantings designed to benefit the community for generations to come.

“Being able to stroll through native woodland in the heart of the Village will benefit the community for generations to come,” Jane and Marie explained.

The club is also deeply involved in education and outreach. Members help students at Gates Mills School plant and maintain the school garden, where children grow vegetables and flowers from seed. In the fall, students even make pesto from the garlic and basil they’ve grown themselves.

Beyond that, the Garden Club awards scholarships to students pursuing horticulture and environmental studies, organizes roadside cleanups, and maintains a community garden that donates produce to local food pantries.

One thing many residents may not realize is that the Garden Club also owns and maintains Esquire’s Cottage, a historic property and barn situated on nearly five acres. The gardens there are used for programs, workshops, flower shows, and community events throughout the year.

“The gardens grow in the same heavy clay that we all have around here and are completely open to wildlife,” they said. “They showcase what is possible to grow beautifully in Gates Mills.”

Through the Garden Gate Tour
That spirit of sharing and inspiration is perhaps best reflected in the club’s beloved biennial Through the Garden Gate Tour, returning June 19 and 20.

Held every two years, the self-guided tour gives visitors the rare opportunity to explore private gardens throughout Gates Mills and a neighboring village. Garden Club members are stationed throughout the tour to answer questions and provide insight into each landscape.

For those looking for an elevated experience, “The Grand Tour” offers a docent-led motorcoach tour complete with a luncheon at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club.

“The gardens are an absolute delight,” Jane and Marie shared. “Each homeowner expends enormous amounts of effort to make their garden tour-worthy, and after all that, is enthusiastic to show and talk about their garden.”

As Gates Mills celebrates its bicentennial this year, the Garden Club stands as one of the Village’s longest-running and most impactful civic organizations.

“At its heart, the Garden Club is about neighbors working together to care for the place they love,” Jane and Marie said.

That spirit feels especially important right now. In a world that often moves quickly, gardening asks people to slow down, pay attention, and invest care into something that grows over time. In many ways, that reflects the Village itself.

And as residents walk through the Garden Tour this June, they won’t just be seeing beautiful gardens. They’ll be experiencing another chapter in the ongoing story of Gates Mills and the people who continue helping it flourish.

For those interested in learning more, attending a meeting, or becoming involved, the Gates Mills Garden Club welcomes new members and volunteers. Information about the club, upcoming events, and Garden Tour tickets can be found at thegatesmillsgardenclub.com or on Instagram at @GatesMillsGardenClub.