ELORA – The Elora and Salem Horticultural Society turns 170 this year, making it one of the oldest in the province and even older – by half a century – than the Ontario Horticultural Association that oversees it.
Jude Dowling is the secretary and historian for the local club, and she notes its history reflects the changing societal norms of the times and a growing appreciation for gardens, flowers, agriculture and the environment.
The Elora Horticultural Society was formed in 1850, when Elora was still a fledgling community itself.
“There were 400 people in the village, and it was a real pioneer community,” Dowling said. “They held horticultural shows, showcasing flowers and vegetables. Considering this was a farming community, it says something that they cared about ornamental flowers too.”
The club was founded by Charles Clarke, a merchant who later became Speaker of House in the provincial legislature, and Walter Newman, who built the first greenhouse in Elora.
Over time, the society started to decorate the village with flower beds and that led to competitions for the best lawns and gardens.
In 1926, the first women were elected to sit on horticultural society boards across the province, and by 1945, the majority of board members were women.
“Now it’s almost all women,” Dowling said, “unless we drag our husbands along.”
During the First World War, horticultural societies concentrated on growing food and that continued during the Depression and the Second World War.
Dowling said the club still takes care of community flower beds, but as membership has declined, so have the number of beds they take care of.
But to encourage members, “we hold a Great Gardens competition each year … where judges select the 12 best visually attractive front gardens,” in Salem and Elora, she said. The club holds monthly meetings during the winter, hosts guest speakers, and maintains an active Facebook page with photos and information about events.
This year, due to COVID-19, club members couldn’t tend to their community beds until mid-June, “so everything is overgrown and we’re scrambling to catch up,” Dowling said.
But the Elora and Salem Horticultural Society is still a vibrant group, still seeking members, and still here to help its community.
“We want to encourage gardeners, no matter what their experience,” she said. “With gardening, you never stop learning.”
