Since the 1960s, the Fullerton Garden Club (FGC) has had its roots in the city. It all started when a national flower show judge named Maize Jean George moved to Fullerton, realized that there was no garden club in the city, and decided to form one. All these years later, Maureen Bunnell, current President of Fullerton Garden Club, has kept the FGC’s passion for plants, nature and the environment alive with help from her fellow members.

Many friendships have been made over the years at the FGC, which really speaks to the strength of the non-profit’s motto: “plant friends forever; housework whenever.” In fact, Bunnell and the club’s secretary, Linda Jennings, recited this back to me when I interviewed them for this column.

Bunnell said, “We owe a tremendous note of thanks to the following founding members of the FGC: Avva Neil Christlieb, who joined in 1970 and will turn one hundred and three this year, and her sister, Daisy McMasters, who joined in 1974. Other founding members were Susan Crawford and her mother. Susan was the aunt of Linda [Jennings, current club secretary], and she for many, many years arranged wonderful field trips.”

Linda Jennings recalled, “She would scout out places for us to go visit gardens or nurseries, like the Potting Shed in old downtown Orange.  We would go there, and they would treat us like gold. It was really nice. They would share what they had in their store or nursery, and what the hot thing was to put in your garden or whatever, so she really did a great job.”

According to “History of the Fullerton Garden Club” by Avva Neil Christlieb and Daisy McMasters, the FGC originally averaged 25 to 30 members. The club previously hosted plant sales in collaboration with the Friends of the Fullerton Library Book Sale. These plant sales then allowed the club to sponsor projects for a Junior Garden Club at the Fullerton Arboretum. In years past, the FGC has also donated trees and plants to the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary; given aid to the Wilshire Convalescent Home by offering a class in horticulture studies; and contributed many trees and plants for Fullerton Arbor Days that were then planted in public areas throughout the city.

The non-profit has met in various places over the years, from Glendale Federal in Fullerton to Mercury Savings and Loan in La Habra to Sunny Crest Chalet (Residential Living Home) in Fullerton. In 1999, they moved to Oak Hall on the Fullerton Arboretum grounds, and in 2010 to the Arboretum’s Pavilion Classroom.

Christlieb and McMasters wrote, “In 1971, we had a speaker from California State University, Fullerton, who presented the plans for the proposed Arboretum on the CSU campus. In 1974, we dropped out of the Garden Federation program and became chartered members of the Fullerton Arboretum. From that time, the Fullerton Arboretum grew, and we continued to support the Arboretum with our time, money, and effort. We did, however, continue our plant sales at the Fullerton Library. From 1978 to 1979, we worked on the sunroom at the Bradford house in Placentia and landscaped the area. Also, between 1981 and 1987, we prepared and maintained the Victorian Gardens behind Dr. Clark’s home that was moved onto the Arboretum grounds. In 1988, the Arboretum incorporated the Victorian and the Rose Gardens into its care.”

According to Maureen Bunnell, the FGC recently changed its meeting location because while members used to gather at the Fullerton Arboretum, rent went up after the pandemic, and so did the price of parking at the university. Since 2021, the club has met at Fellowship Hall at the First Presbyterian Church (838 N. Euclid Street) on the first Tuesday of the month from September to May. She says that they’ve been happy with the move.

Bunnell said, “It’s a pleasure working alongside such a dedicated and supportive Board. As of 2026, we have fifty-three members representing nineteen cities. Our members support each other and actively support fundraising within the club, which includes recycling, plant sales and card sales. All sales support and enable us to give annual Horticulture scholarships to students attending Fullerton College. Previous fundraising from participating in the Green Scene enabled us to donate to worthwhile causes at the Fullerton Arboretum. Leading up to it, we would have potting parties at different people’s houses. Many of our members are still active in the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum. We don’t need volunteers, but always welcome new members.”

“A few years ago, the Geranium Society was invited to join the FGC,” she said. “We were delighted to welcome them to our club. They have been such an asset and greatly enriched our club. Our Vice President, Karon De Leon, also works very hard enlisting excellent guest speakers at our monthly meetings.”

Apparently, a lot of the club members will share what they’ve learned from their gardens. One member named Pietra Gaw helps to research horticulture tips. She passed along some of these tips to Maureen Bunnell, who told me that fall through mild winter is the best time to plant your fruit trees and shrubs and look through seed catalogs. I learned that cool-season vegetables include the cabbage family, root vegetables, carrots, beets and radishes. She also says to cut back on watering, and to start small and check how the sun moves around your garden during the day.

​Bunnell also recommends visiting local nurseries and seeing where the plants are located, taking note of whether they are in the shade, semi-shade or full sun. She also says that geraniums are colorful most of the year and can withstand the heat. According to her, they are not attractive to wildlife like squirrels or rabbits.

“Start trimming a third of the geranium back in October, then another third back in November; this keeps them strong and healthy,” explained Bunnell, whose favorite plants include geraniums because they really bloom in the spring.

From September to May, the Fullerton Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the First Presbyterian Church located at 838 N. Euclid Street here in Fullerton.

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