Peg’s Picks: November 2017 Gardening Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

This November there are more than 50 gardening events in the Washington DC Metro area, including many holiday-related workshops and exhibits.

1, Wednesday, Trees Matter Symposium, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD. https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/trees-matter-symposium/

1, Wednesday, Film and Talk: Beatrix Farrand. 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Admission fee, pre-registration required. Walk in registration is based on availability. View documentary and listen to a discussion about pioneering work of landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington DC. http://www.nbm.org

1, Wednesday, Holiday and Winter Containers, 7 to 8:30 pm, Free, advance registration requested. Offered twice, next time is November 4. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

1, Wednesday, Lecture: Bird Friendly Backyard, by Kerry Wixted, 7:00 pm. Free and open to the public. Annapolis Horticultural Society, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org

1, Wednesday, Getting your Garden Ready for Winter, 1:00 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

2, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

2, Thursday, Lecture: Big Dreams, Small Garden by Marianne Wilburn, 7 to 8:00 pm, free and open to the public. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW, Leesburg, VA. Hosted by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/

2, Thursday, Lecture: Glorious Shade: Dazzling Plants, Design Ideas, and Proven Techniques for your Shady Garden. 10:30 am. Fee and must register, book sale offered. Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD.  http://ladewgardens.org/

3, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday 11/2, Tuesday 11/7, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

3, Friday, Special Event: Escape the Botanic Garden. Doors open 6:45 pm, 7:00 to 9:30 pm. Fee and must register.  Conservatory, U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

3, Friday, Turning a New Leaf Conference, all day at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport in Herndon, VA. Fee and must register. Hosted by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council.  http://www.chesapeakelandscape.org/our-programs/turning-a-new-leaf-conference/

4, Saturday, Lecture: 22 things your grandmother never told you about gardening by David Roos, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Free but must register. Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Prince William County. Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA. http://www.mgpw.org

4, Saturday, Holiday and Winter Containers, 2 to 3:30 pm Free, advance registration requested. Offered twice, next time is November 1. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria.  Hosted by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

4, Saturday, Beginner Hands-on Bonsai Class, 2-4 pm. Fee and must register, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

4, Saturday, Rose pruning demonstration, putting your roses to bed, 9:30 to 11:30 am. Free but bring your shears. Hosted by the Maryland Rose Society.  In the rose garden at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn.org

4, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Plan and Plant for spring: Trees and shrubs
  • Gainesville: Landscape Lighting

4, Saturday, Celebrating Natives Fall Garden Tour, self-guided driving tour of five private gardens and two public areas in and around Oxford, MD. These gardens demonstrate varying degrees of commitment to native plantings and use of sustainable practices. Fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

4, Saturday, First Saturday Guided Walk, 10:00 to 11:00 am, free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org.

4, Saturday from 1:30 to 5:00 pm; and 5, Sunday, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, National Capital Area Garden Clubs Inc. District 4 Flower Show. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

4, Saturday, Aki Matsuri, Autumn Festival: Bonsai and Beyond, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. All lectures, tours, and activities are free except for the evening Otsukimi Moon Viewing.  The Moon viewing has an admission fee and registration is required. See the website for the many activities. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC. http://www.usna.usda.gov

5, Sunday, Camellia Celebration, 10:30 am, free to attend with donations suggested to visit the gardens. Must register. Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater, MD.  http://www.historiclondontown.org/

6, Monday, Lecture: Selecting shrubs, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Free, advance registration requested.  Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA.  Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. http://www.mgnv.org

7, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Tuesday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Thursday 11/9, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

8, Wednesday, Webinar: Handmade Holidays Creative Herbal DIY Gifts, 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Fee and must register. Smile Herb Shop. http://www.smileherb.com

8, Wednesday, Williamsburg Style Holiday Centerpiece, fee and must register. The Barn Series at Belle Grove Plantation, hosted by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners. Belle Grove Plantation, 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA. http://www.bellegrove.org  and  http://www.nsvmga.org

8, Wednesday, Lecture: Season Review and Winter Interest in the Garden, 7 to 8:30 pm. Free; registration is not necessary. Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria. Hosted by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia and in partnership with Alexandria Beautification Commission.  http://www.mgnv.org

9, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, and Friday 11/10.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Specialty Mums, 2:45 pm. Fee is included in suggested donation. Also offered on Thursday, 11/2, Friday 11/3, Tuesday 11/7, and Thursday 11/9.  Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

10, Friday, Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, ends Sunday January 7. Tickets required, fees and times vary. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA.  https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

11, Saturday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm; and 12, Sunday, 9:30 to 4:30 pm. Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting Clinic, free but for a fee Carol Allen will repot your orchid for you. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

11, Saturday, Free lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: The Thanksgiving Table
  • Gainesville: The Art of Pruning
  • Merrifield: Color and Interest in the Winter Garden

11, Saturday, Meet Marta McDowell, author of The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: Bringing the Landscapes of Laura Ingalls Wilder to Life. Fee and must register, fee includes the book which can be signed by Marta. 2:00 pm. Hosted by the American Horticultural Society, River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA.  http://www.ahsgardening.org

11, Saturday, Make a Symbolic Dried Christmas Wreath, 10:00 am to noon. Fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

11, Saturday, Herbal Cordials, Vinegars, and Cocktails, 2:00 to 4:00 pm., fee and must register. Smile Herb Shop, 4908 Berwyn Road, College Park, MD. http://www.smileherb.com

14, Tuesday, Lecture: Relationship between Trees and Other Living Things by Cheryl Corson, 7:15 pm, free and open to the public. Capitol Hill Garden Club, the Northeast Library, 330 Seventh Street, NE, Washington DC. http://www.capitolhillgardenclub.org

14, Tuesday, Lecture: Restoring Nature’s Relationships at Home by Doug Tallamy, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Open to the public, Horticultural Society of Maryland members are free, non-members pay a fee. Hosted by the Horticultural Society of Maryland. Vollmer Center, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn or http://www.mdhorticulture.org

15, Wednesday, Lecture: The Humane Gardener: Nurturing Habitat for Wildlife by Nancy Lawson, 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Free and open to the public, book signing included. Takoma Horticultural Society, Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD.  http://www.takomahort.org

17, Friday, Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

18, Saturday, Floral Workshop, Thanksgiving Table Arrangement, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

18, Saturday, Soup ‘n Walk, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org

18, Saturday, Mixed Winter Container, 10:00 to 11:30 am, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

18 Saturday, lectures at 10:00 am at various locations of Merrifield Garden Center, no registration necessary. See website for street addresses. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Fair Oaks: Designing a Small space for Outdoor Living
  • Gainesville: Holiday Wreath Workshop (fee and must register)
  • Merrifield: Decorating Your Home for the Holidays

18, Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and 19, Sunday, noon to 4:00 pm., Christmas Open House. On Saturday at 11:00 lecture on Holiday Sweets, for this must register and pay a fee. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

21, Tuesday, Thanksgiving Centerpiece, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

23, Thursday, through January 1. Seasons Greetings Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden, free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov

24, through 26, Friday through Sunday, Holiday Open House at all three locations, with Santa. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

24, Friday until January 1, Winter Display and Garden Railway Exhibit in South Conservatory. Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

25, Saturday, Behnke Christmas Open House, free. All day and from 10:30 to noon there will be a workshop on decorating your own fresh green Christmas wreath, must register and pay fee for this. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/

25, Saturday, Make a Christmas Fairy Garden, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com

28, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor. 12:45 pm. Fee included in suggested donation. Also offered on 11/30. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Thursday, Workshop: Traditional Holiday Wreaths, fee and must register, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

30, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor. 12:45 pm. Fee included in suggested donation. Also offered on 11/28. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC.  http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org

Continuing display of Desert Mums at Brookside Garden’s South Conservatory, until November 26 (Conservatory is closed on November 13). Free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

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