Our Mission
To study the culture of succulents under local conditions
To strive to use the correct nomenclature for succulents
To demonstrate the use of succulents in landscape and home gardening
To educate and aid the public and SSS members, thereby furthering their knowledge of succulent gardening
To instill respect for and protection of the natural environment
To maintain the buildings and garden grounds for SSS organizational purposes while
promoting the environment, conservation, and beautification through educational programs
Leadership
Jan 2025 – Dec 2026
Elected Officers:
President
Diane Sanguedolce
Vice President
Carrie Newberger
Secretary
position vacant
Treasurer
Pat Becker
History
The Sarasota Succulent Society was started in 1950 by an industrious and interested group of people who knew, worked and studied with Walter G. Sparkman at his home, a small house on 38th Street next to a creek. Mr. Sparkman started many individual gardens in his yard and carefully filled them with succulent plants from around the world–which he studied and watched carefully to see if they could grow in Sarasota.
After his students began to fill the yard with more and more families of plants, he suggested they form a club and buy more property–the lot next door had come on the market. They did so, and when the drainage ditch was dug, along the site of the creek, the rock and sand removed was left in piles on the bank on the Succulent Society property. These rocks and berms were incorporated into the garden and have made a rolling property from a very flat section of west central Florida.
The Succulent Society property runs from 38th Street south to Myrtle and extends from Cocoanut east to the drainage canal. Mr. Sparkman’s depression era style home was awarded a local Historical Designation by the City of Sarasota. We use it as our clubhouse.
Legal Status:
Charitable Organization
“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.”
We have a Scholarship Program for local college students and we regularly offer free educational programs in our garden. Please contact our president for details about the many convenient ways you can make a tax deductible contribution to our efforts.
Support Us
Membership
We would be delighted to have you become a member of the Society! All new members are warmly welcomed, regardless of their prior experience (or lack thereof) with succulent plants.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are always looking for new volunteers to bring fresh energy and new ideas to our organization. Although volunteering is not a requirement for membership, the Society depends 100% on its volunteers to function. As a member, or prospective member, we ask you to please consider helping maintain the vigor of the Society. We think you will find the work enjoyable and personally rewarding.
Donate
Currently, we are raisings funds to erect a fence on the North corner (38th and Cocoanut boundary) and replace many plants lost due to hurricaine damage. We also must update the electrical system in our display house and replace the walls of our toolshed. To this end we must look to friends and others for additional funds to our only income, plant sales. Please help us sustain this wonderful local resource with a tax-deductible gift to the Sarasota Succulent Society.