Meet Elle Belcheff, WTGC’s New President

Every gardener has a story about how it all began. For our new president, Elle Belcheff, that story starts with her grandmother.

Long before Elle learned the names of perennials or understood why one plant flourished while another struggled, she learned something even more important. She learned that gardens are places where people come together. Her grandmother, a longtime member of the West Trenton Garden Club, shared that gift with her, and those early days spent gardening together planted seeds that continue to grow today.

"I think before I really understood gardening," Elle recalls, "I understood spending time with my grandmother."

Today, Elle tends the same flower garden her grandmother once cared for, preserving both the plants and the memories they hold. Her grandmother passed away in early 2024, making this new chapter especially meaningful. Becoming president of the West Trenton Garden Club is an accomplishment she knows would have meant a great deal to the woman who first inspired her love of gardening. "She was definitely my biggest supporter," Elle says.

Many of us have already gotten to know Elle through her herb presentation, her work on the Spring Plant Sale, and her willingness to pitch in wherever help is needed. She brings enthusiasm, curiosity, and a calm confidence to everything she does, qualities that have made her a natural fit for leadership.

As she begins her presidency, Elle has chosen a theme that beautifully reflects both her gardening philosophy and her personal journey: Eternally Rooted. The phrase reflects the lasting connections that shape our lives—our families, our gardens, our community, and the friendships we cultivate along the way.

When Elle moved to Ewing, joining the garden club felt like coming home. She was looking for people who shared her interest in gardening, and she found much more than that. She found friendships.

"The club feels more than a club," she says. "To me, it has more of a family sense."

That feeling will resonate with many of our members. Whether we're preparing for a flower show, working together at Birmingham Park, organizing the plant sale, or just catching up before a meeting begins, the friendships we build are every bit as important as the gardens we grow. Elle hopes to preserve that spirit while helping the club welcome new members and new ideas.

One of the themes that came up during our conversation was "playfulness." Elle smiles when she talks about it, hinting that she has a few ideas for future meetings but isn't ready to give away the surprises just yet. It's clear that she enjoys learning, and she hopes our meetings continue to be places where members can learn something new, laugh together, and leave inspired.

She would also like to see more people discover what the West Trenton Garden Club has to offer. Thanks to improvements to the club's website, newsletter, and community outreach, more people are finding us than ever before. Even so, Elle believes there are many gardeners in our area who simply don't realize the club exists. As she puts it, "We're becoming more known, the more things we do." It's an observation that reflects her practical optimism. Continue doing good work, stay visible in the community, and people will find us.

Gardening inspiration seems to follow Elle wherever she goes. During a recent trip to Spain and Portugal, she found herself noticing how flowers and gardens blended naturally into everyday life. Balconies overflowed with color, flowering vines softened the edges of stone buildings, and beautifully maintained plantings seemed to appear around every corner. Like many gardeners, she returned home with a head full of ideas.

Members who attended her presentation on herbs last year probably won't be surprised that lavender is her favorite. She loves its fragrance and calming qualities, and she enjoys sharing it with others. It also happens to have been her grandmother's favorite, making it a plant with special meaning. In the kitchen, rosemary earns top honors for its rich flavor and versatility.

As plans begin for next spring's plant sale, Elle is already thinking ahead. One thing she's learned is that our members and customers have a real affection for hanging baskets, so expect to see even more of them next season, along with additional potted varieties that have become favorites in recent years. Like everything else she approaches, the goal is simple: build on what's already working well while continuing to make each year a little better than the last.

After spending time with Elle, it's easy to understand why so many members are excited to have her leading the West Trenton Garden Club. She respects the traditions that have made this organization such a special part of our community, and she also sees opportunities to keep it growing in thoughtful and welcoming ways. She understands that gardening is about much more than flowers and landscapes. It's about sharing knowledge, building friendships, serving the community, and putting down roots that continue to grow for generations. In many ways, that's exactly what Eternally Rooted is all about.

We are delighted to welcome Elle as our president and look forward to the next two years under her leadership. With strong roots, fresh ideas, and a genuine appreciation for the people who make this club so special, the future of the West Trenton Garden Club is in very good hands.