Hidden Gem was established in 2017 on land that was formerly part of Southbury Training School Farm. It consists of 3,600 apple trees grown on 6 acres. Most of the trees were planted in 2017 and 2018. Presently, 32 varieties are grown and more are being added yearly. Some are common varieties that consumers are generally aware of such as Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Courtland and Fiji. Others are either uncommon or antique apples that are not readily available. Examples included varieties such as Esopus Spitzenburg, which was Thomas Jefferson's favorite apple grown at Monticello and a 16th century French Variety, Calville Blanc. There are hilly areas within the orchard however there is a wagon to transport those that may need assistance..

Lockwood Farm, which was purchased in 1910, is named after William Raymond Lockwood, a Norwalk resident who willed his estate to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to "use and apply all the balance or net income in the promotion of agriculture by scientific investigation and experimentation, and by diffusing a knowledge of the practical results thereof...". The original farm was 19.6 acres and since then adjacent lands were purchased enlarging the property to 75 acres. It's official mission is to develop, advance and disseminate scientific knowledge, improve agricultural productivity and environmental quality and protect plants. All produce grown on the farm is donated to the CT Food Bank.

Registration is closed for this event

Speaker: Peter Picone
Practical Ways to Improve Your Backyard for Wildlife

9:30 - Business Meeting
10:00 - Speaker Presentation

When you choose a plant for your property are you considering its “ecological function” and how it complements wildlife habitat? Learn about habitat and what you can do to improve or enhance your yard for songbirds, hummingbirds, reptiles, amphibians and beneficial insects.
Peter Picone is a wildlife biologist at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. He has been working in this field for over 25 years and will share his insights on improving your backyard as a habitat for wildlife. You can make a difference for wildlife in your surroundings by creating an environment to benefit wildlife biodiversity!

Click Here to listen to the recording of the 2025 Semi-annual meeting. You must enter the passcode (case sensitive).

Passcode: #CACj0Ry

The recording will be available until August 10th.

Handouts
Wildlife
Natives List
Invasives List
Meadow

Visit the webpage Presentation & Events Handouts for additional resources.

Situated along the picturesque Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, Connecticut, the Florence Griswold Museum embodies the artistic spirit of its legacy as the home of the Lyme Art Colony. From the impressive Georgian architecture of the home of namesake Florence Griswold, to the light-filled and modern spaces of the Krieble Gallery, to the rolling landscape of our 12-acre site, the Florence Griswold is a truly special place that is privileged to serve as the home of American Impressionism.

Includes self-tour of the museum and guided tour of the grounds.

View the Garden Walks.

Raindate - 7/23/25, 10:30 AM

Registration is closed

Click here to add your name to the lunch reservation list.

The UConn Botanical Conservatory contains one of the most diverse living plant collections at a public academic institution in the US. This outstanding collection is a core unit of the EEB Biodiversity Research Collections and is used extensively for long and short term research projects and for multiple courses at the University of Connecticut. It also play an increasingly important role in conservation of rare species, especially those connected to the research interests of EEB faculty, staff and students.

This is an educational and social opportunity for our members.

SORRY, REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Don't miss CMGA’s Annual Nursery Day Fundraiser on Wednesday, June 11th. Support the CMGA and buy an exceptional variety of plants and grasses.

47 Hartford Avenue, Wethersfield, CT

McCue Gardens is just minutes away from the center of Old Wethersfield which is referred to as “Connecticut’s Most Ancient Towne – deeply devoted to preserving our authentic New England heritage, now over 375 years in the making.” The center of town has many restaurants and businesses, an ancient burial ground and historical museum as well as lovely sidewalk gardens and planters maintained by the businesses and volunteers of the Wethersfield Beautification Trust.

Bruce and Cindy McCue have invited all CMGA Members, MG Interns, and guests to their nursery in charming Old Wethersfield. Founded in 1967 by Bruce when he was still a teenager, today McCue Gardens is a leading wholesale distributor of quality perennials and wildflowers in New England.  In a compact amount of space, they offer an impressive selection of over 1,500 varieties of perennials and a great selection of native and woodland plants.  

Payment methods accepted are cash, checks and all major credit cards.

Parking: Easily accessible from I- 91 and the Silas Deane Highway (Route 99), parking is available behind the Church of the Sacred Heart, 56 Hartford Avenue, located directly across the street from McCue Gardens at 56 Hartford Avenue. After parking, cross the street and walk down the driveway to the back of the house and check-in at the CMGA table. See you there!

Download lists to attract bees & butterflies before shopping at our
Nursery Plant Sale Fundraiser

Download additional information

Native Alternatives for Invasives

Plant List Xeriscapes Groundcovers

Informative and fun lecture and workshop for CMGA members only.

Please join us as owner Nancy Ballek McKinnon gives us a demonstration followed by a workshop where you can create your own basket or small container. You may bring your own container or purchase one.

Bring your garden gloves, containers, and plant materials or purchase your items in the garden center store.

Ballek’s has offered a 10% discount on materials purchased for the workshop.

If you receive a “SOLD OUT” message, when attempting to register, click on this button to add your name to the waitlist.

The 2024 CMGA Annual Meeting and Speaker Event will be held virtually on Saturday, November 16, 2024. A business meeting to approve officers, directors, the 2025 budget and meeting minutes will begin at 9:00 AM. All current 2024 CMGA Members are eligible to vote at the meeting.

The meeting will be followed at 10:00 AM by a presentation by Sheryll Durant who will give a one-hour lecture entitled the Kelly Street Garden, followed by a 10-15 minute Q & A period.

Sheryll Durrant is an urban farmer, educator, and food justice advocate. She has been the Resident Garden Manager at Kelly Street Garden since 2016, and is the Food and Nutrition Coordinator for New Roots Community Farm, managed by International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Located in the South Bronx, New York, Kelly Street Garden’s focus is to use food as the entry point to healing a community. The garden functions as a vehicle for addressing generational trauma which has caused many health disparities resulting from systemic racism.

The meeting is free to all 2024 CMGA members. Guests and the public are welcome to join us for the meeting and presentation for a fee of $10 and must register separately.

The presentation will be recorded and available for a limited time to all those who have registered.

Join us for a Members Only tour of the historic gardens at Enders Island. 

One of the highlights of the Enders’ Island gardens are Dahlias. Dahlias come in all shapes, sizes, and colors – and you’ll find over 300 varieties of prize-winning Dahlias throughout the Island. The Enders Island Dahlias have been recognized as one of the largest collections of Dahlias in all of New England.

Registration Required (limit 25)

The tour is free for 2024 CMGA members and interns.

There is no rain date.

“The Beauty of Ornamental Grasses”
Renée Marsh

Business Meeting: 9:15 am - 10:00 am
Speaker Presentation: 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Renée Marsh is a garden designer, an advanced master gardener and a horticulturist. She is the owner of a gardening design business, A Simpler Place, and believes our gardens should be a healthy ecosystem where people, plants, animals and insects are in balance. Doing it right means less chemicals, less maintenance and more enjoyment. Renée teaches gardening classes for the New York Botanical Garden and adult education programs, speaks to many community groups including garden clubs and writes on gardening topics for local publications. In her spare time she works on her 1803 homestead in Shelton, Connecticut.

Registration required. Free to CMGA members and current interns. $10 fee for Non-CMGA members.

No Recording of presentation is available

You will receive an email with a zoom link and passcode prior to the meeting.

Initially created as butterfly and pond gardens, the Meigs Point Gardens credit UConn Master Gardeners for their expansion to 10 themed gardens that are open to tour by  CMGA members and friends.   Registration is limited to 24 attendees, CMGA Members and Interns.

Hammonasset Beach State Park  

 1228 Boston Post Rd, Madison CT

REGISTER HERE

McCue Gardens, wholesale nursery in historic Old Wethersfield, will open for CMGA members and guests for our annual CMGA Nursery Day.  McCue donates 20% of proceeds to CMGA.  They have a great selection of perennials and natives. We hope you will join us, rain or shine!, at McCue Nursery, 47 Hartford Ave, Wethersfield.  No registration required.