• To educate our members in horticulture, floral design, and environmental protection.
• To establish and maintain botanical gardens in the City of Marco Island.
• To educate the community, newcomers and residents to the unique sub-tropical growing conditions of Marco Island.
• To increase knowledge of the enviroment and how to protect it.
• To work for the beautification of Marco Island.
• To further horticultural education and conservation in local schools.
• To provide all members with basic knowledge and skills in floral design and horticulture.
• To stimulate members’ interests and participation in the educational efforts of the club and its fellowship activities.
• To support and further the objectives of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs through District IX.

Welcome to our Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island’s website.  We are delighted to have members and prospective members checking us out!

Our theme for 2025 is “WELCOME ABOARD”.  Each member has potential and skills to bring to Calusa Garden Club. A successful organization needs all members to be “aboard” with its goals.  We become involved in projects that increase our knowledge of horticulture, floral designs, and how to protect our environment.  

Since most of our members are “transplants” from elsewhere who are fortunate enough to call Marco Island home, we strive to show new residents how gardening is vastly different from points north.

We continue to contribute to the betterment of our community through educational programs, Junior Gardening programs, flower shows, scholarships, camperships, and plant sale events, plus others.  Our “Flowers in Public Places” is well received.

As a member of Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs, Inc., there are options to attend Landscape Design School, Garden Study School, Environmental Studies School, and Flower Show School, each of which offers more focused study of specific interests.  Calusa also has members available to help with landscape design. 

We welcome new members.  Member meetings run from October through April. If you believe that you could benefit from as well as contribute to Calusa Garden club please check out our events calendar for the next one.   

Garden Club friends are awesome!

Linda Colombo

President, Calusa Garden Club

Our Calusa Garden Club derives its name from the Calusa Indians who lived in Key Marco and other parts of southwest Florida. Archaeological finds indicate that the Calusas populated this area for over 5000 years.

The Calusas were tall, statuesque people, both brave and skillful. Key Marco provided them a rich harvest from the sea and the land. Freedom from the pressures of searching for food gave them the opportunity to experiment with new technologies, ceremonialism and artistic expression.

The forest provided game and fowl for food, and woods for building and carving materials such as utensils, canoes and religious items. Palms and vines provided fiber for ropes and nets as well as being made into breechcloths for the men.  Women wore apron-like garments of Spanish moss.

Today, the proud Calusa no longer exist. In the 17th and 18th centuries they died in great numbers from disease and in battle with the Spaniards, and later with the English and other Indian peoples. It is thought some survivors might have migrated to Cuba.