Winter blooming camellias are showcased at Eden Gardens State Park in FebruaryCamellias, the showy bush with large, colorful winter blooms, was the focus of the most recent meeting of the Seagrove Garden Club as the organization continues its 62nd year.
Margaret Morrison, a Walton County master gardener and a board member of Friends of Eden Gardens, shared details about proper growing conditions, pruning and propagation of camellias at the group’s January meeting at Pazzo Italiano in Santa Rosa Beach to prepare members for the annual Camellia Festival and plant sale held Feb. 7 at Eden Gardens State Park.
“We have had such a fantastic first half to the year,” said Seagrove Garden Club president Marie Spafford. “I’m really excited about what 2026 holds, especially as we continue to make a difference in our community.”
In mid-February, Seagrove Garden club members will tour Coastal Blue Farms/Nursery in Freeport and enjoy a “winter picnic” in the event center, catered by Emerald Coast Catering.
The 62nd Seagrove Garden Club season began in September with a presentation about 30A Tiny Library, a passion project spearheaded by club member Victoria Sellers, followed in October by a fabulous holiday floral demonstration by Kirby Holt, owner of Blossom, a floral and gift shop in downtown Chipley.
The garden club closed 2025 with its annual Gifting & Giving fundraiser. The November lunch, along with an additional club donation, raised $11,000, which was distributed to local charities to benefit children and families in need of food, clothing, housing and other needs during the holiday season.
Organizations receiving donations included St. Vincent de Paul Society, Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Chapel at Crosspoint, Simple Faith, Point Washington Medical Clinic and the Muscogee Nation.
Spafford is completing the second year of her club presidency. New officers joining the leadership team in September were Judy Clark and Carolyn Dzelzkahns as co-treasurers. Eileen O’Grady continues as vice president and Carolyn Lohmiller handles club secretary duties. Patsy Powell is the club parliamentarian and Kathy Martin handles financial reporting.
Long-time member Cora Brettel revived the club’s Charity of the Month effort last year by encouraging members to donate diapers, pet food and supplies, toothbrushes, women’s personal care items and healthy snacks to local non-profits. Brettel made sure all donations were delivered each month to Caring & Sharing, Alaqua Animal Rescue, Shelter House, Food for Thought and Path of Grace.
“Our monthly meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at different venues,” Spafford said. Community involvement includes the weekly Flower Shuttle program and monthly charity donations.
Looking forward, Michael Smith of Artistic Designs Unlimited in Mariana will talk about floral design in March. In April, members will learn about using native plants to attract birds from Ron Houser of the Bay County Audubon Society and participate in the club’s annual plant exchange. May’s meeting is being planned.
Visitors to Ascension Hospital Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach, the nearby Ascension Cancer Center, Genesis Care and residents of three assisted-living facilities enjoy the weekly handiwork of Seagrove Garden Club members who create dozens of personal flower arrangements created with donated flowers.
Organized in 1963 in South Walton County, Fla., Seagrove Garden Club is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit. The club’s early focus on sharing the culture of coastal flowers and experiences has evolved into a mission of giving back to the community through flowers and monetary support. Since becoming a tax-exempt organization in 2019, the club has raised more than $86,000 to support charities in Walton, Bay and Okaloosa counties. For more information on Seagrove Garden Club activities and membership, please visit the group’s Facebook page.
