The East Row Garden Club, which was founded in 1996, is a non-profit, nonpolitical organization for residents of Newport that promotes gardening through education and volunteer support. The East Row Garden Club educates members about gardening, provides a social atmosphere and sponsors projects that beautify the East Row Historic District and the City of Newport.

Each year, on the fourth weekend in June, the club sponsors the annual East Row Garden Walk in the East Row Historic District, the second largest historic district in Kentucky. When the homes were built — from 1860s to 1930s — land in the heavily populated, urban community was at a premium (in terms of both space and price), and the Queen Anne, Italianate and other architecturally significant homes were built long, narrow and tall. Likewise, most gardens are narrow and small. Of course, the charming front yards are easily viewed, but nestled on the sides and in the back of the historic homes are gardens hidden from public view by century-old brick walls, ornate iron fences and other structures.

A portion of proceeds from the walks — and through ongoing efforts of many volunteers — have allowed the club to make financial donations to several charitable organizations in Newport, complete a formal garden at Third and Park Avenue and assist with community-wide beautification efforts including new gardens at Fourth Street School.

The Purple Coneflower

The club adopted the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), as its official flower. The coneflower is a hardy perennial with flowers arranged individually on sturdy, elongated stems with drooping lavender, purple or peach petals surrounded with an iridescent reddish orange, coned center. It is prominently featured in the East Row Garden Club’s logo and publicity materials, is also the official flower for the City of Newport.