About Us

A Brief History

The original organization was called The Perennial Society. An invitation to the first meeting in Jan. 1989 appeared in the Neighbors section of Madison Newspapers. This idea was conceived by M. L. Mancheski, who acted as the organizer and group leader. Steve Lesch and Pamela Mather served as directors until officers could be elected and bylaws written and approved. The original membership of 44 has now expanded to nearly 400 members.

Steve Lesch served as the first president followed by John Cannon. Frank Greer, the current president, started our newsletter, Perennial Notes, in April of 1994. The newsletter has become an eagerly anticipated publication and is filled with information about upcoming events, articles about former trips, favorite plants, garden tips and other member and garden related information.

The present members of the board are:
President - Frank Greer
Vice President - Jane Gahlman
Recording Secretary/Olbrich Liaison - Terri Maliszewski-Kane
Treasurer - Diane Scharkey
Membership - Jane LaFlash
Board Members at Large - John Cannon, Ruth Cadoret, Bill Hoernke, Conrad Wrzesinski, Ed Lyon, Susan Robertson & Jeannette Golden
Co-Chairs Travel Committee - Ed Hasselkus
Ways and Means -
Web Master - Rita Thomas
Publications - Stephanie O'Neal

From its inception, the organization has had two main goals. The first is to further educate our members about perennials, their care, upkeep and use in good garden design. This is done through regularly scheduled educational programs and trips to area gardens and businesses. Our second goal is to promote the use of perennials as plantings throughout our growing community.

Monthly meetings are held at Olbrich Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM (social hour beginning at 6:30 PM). Generally speaking, meetings are held monthly from August to April. During the gardening season, many tours of local gardens are arranged for members, bus trips are offered as day trips and over long weekends, and an exciting biannual trip overseas is arranged.

We are a very active group and have a lot to offer the novice gardener as well as the professional.