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 2026 – Dec 2028
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
This year we have two projects to work on. The first is to work on a garden bed that once had much shade and is now a full sun area. Not only will this take installing new sun-loving plants, but we are also redoing some of the terraces and pathways.
The second project focuses on the exterior maintenance of the cottage. This includes cleaning, scraping the siding (repairing if necessary), replacing one or both doors, and painting the exterior of the cottage.
As both projects are currently in the planning stages, they are expected to occupy much of the year.