For December, there is plenty happening in the gardening world as we get ready for the holidays — over 60 events!. More wreath making workshops than you can shake a stick at plus several holiday open houses, bus trips to Winterthur and Longwood Gardens, and a few gardening lectures sprinkled on top!
1, Friday through 16, on Fridays and Saturdays, Illuminated London Town at Historic London Town & Gardens, 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Walking outdoors, entertainment, and refreshments, register and fee, Historic London Town and Garden, 839 London Town Road, Edgewater, MD. http://www.historiclondontown.org
1, Friday, Workshop: Traditional Holiday Wreaths, 10 to noon and 1 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
2, Saturday, Workshop: Traditional Holiday Wreaths, 10 to noon. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
2, Saturday, Workshop: Contemporary Holiday Wreaths, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
2, Saturday, Wreath sale and holiday open house, 10 to 2:00 pm, free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org
2, Saturday, First Saturday guided walk 10 to 11:00 am, free. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org
2, Saturday, Workshop: Winter Wreath, 9:30 to 11:00 am. Fee and must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
2, Saturday, Holiday Open House, 10-4:00 pm, free. From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm is the poinsettia and greens sale. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, MD. http://www.cylburn.org
2, Saturday, Workshop: Wreath, 10:30 to 11:30 am, fee and must register, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. http://www.meadowlarkgardens.org
2, 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/
2, Saturday, Workshop: Holiday Wreath at Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, 10:00 am, fee and must register. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
2, Saturday, Holiday Home Decorating Tips at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 10:00 am, free and must register. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
3, Sunday, Woodland Architecture (outdoor walk), 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Free for members; fee for non-members. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org
3, Sunday, Holiday Open House, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, free. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, MD. http://www.cylburn.org
3, Sunday, Workshop: Traditional Holiday Wreaths, 10 to noon. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
3, Sunday, Workshop: Boxwood Holiday Wreaths, 1 to 3:00 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
3, Sunday, Family Event, Gardeners’ Holiday Open House at Green Spring Gardens, noon to 4:00 pm. Free admission. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
4, Monday, Bus Trip: Winterthur–A Yuletide Experience, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Fee includes coach transportation, entry fees, and lunch. Must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
5, Tuesday; 6, Wednesday; 12, Tuesday; and 14, Thursday. Candlight Tours in the Mansion, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
5, Tuesday and 6, Wednesday, Workshop: Wreaths, 11:00 am, fee and must register, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, 20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA, http://www.oatlands.org
5, Tuesday, Bus Trip: Longwood Gardens, 10 am to 9 pm, fee includes coach bus, entry tickets, and boxed lunch. Homestead Gardens, 743 West Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD. http://www.homesteadgardens.com
6, Wednesday; 12, Tuesday; and 14, Thursday (and on December 5, Tuesday). Candlight Tours in the Mansion, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
6, Wednesday, Lecture: Plants for Winter Interest by Tony Dove, 7:00 pm, Annapolis Horticultural Society, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD. http://www.annapolishorticulture.org
7, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered in December 8, 12, 14, and 15. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
7, Thursday, Tudor Lights, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Tudor members are free, non-members pay fee. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
7, Thursday, Bus Trip: Longwood Gardens Holiday Lights, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Fee includes motor coach, garden admission and tour. Must register. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
7, Thursday, Create and Sip: Fresh Greens Workshop, 6:00 pm. Gainesville location of Merrifield, fee and must register. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
7, Thursday, Workshop: Wreaths, 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Fee and must register. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, MD. http://www.cylburn.org
8, Friday through 10, Sunday, Christmas Open House and Greens sale, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, free for Ladew members, non-members pay fee. Ladew Topiary Garden, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD. http://www.ladewgardens.com
8, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered in December 7, 12, 14, and 15. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
9, Saturday, Holiday Open House, 10:00 to 3:00 pm. Free. American Horticultural Society, River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA. http://www.ahsgardening.org
9, Saturday, Handmade Christmas ornaments made from natural materials, 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com
9, Saturday, Candlelit Caroling Celebration, 5 to 8 pm. Fee and must register, Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org
9, Saturday, Holiday Open House, 10-4 free. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn.org
9, Saturday, Workshop: Wreaths, 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Fee and must register, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn.org
9, Saturday, Workshop: Herbal Wreaths, 10 to noon, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
9, Saturday, Workshop: Wreaths with Historic Greenery, 1:30 to 3:30 fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
9, Saturday, Workshop: Natural Holiday Ornaments, 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
9, Saturday (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) and 10 Sunday, (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) Orchid Diagnostic and Repotting clinic, free but if need orchid repotted, will do for a fee. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Road, Beltsville, MD. http://www.behnkes.com/
9, Saturday, Decorating with Fresh Greens, 10:00 am, free. Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
9, Saturday, Refresh Your Home for the Holidays, 10:00 am, free. Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. See website for street address. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com
10, Sunday, Workshop: Herbal Wreaths, 10 to noon, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
10, Sunday, Workshop: Wreaths with Historic Greenery, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, fee and must register. Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW, Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
10, Sunday, Floral Design Workshop: Williamsburg Centerpiece, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring
10, Sunday, Holiday Open House, 10-4:00 pm, free. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Maryland. http://www.cylburn.org
12, Tuesday, Workshop: Faux Mini Tree Arrangement, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com
12, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered in December 7, 8, 14, and 15. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
12, Tuesday, and 14, Thursday (and December 5 & 6). Candlight Tours in the Mansion, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
12, Tuesday, Workshop: Festive Wreaths, 10 to 11:30 am, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
12, Tuesday, Lecture: Holly Shimizu on Great Gardens of Japan, 7:30 pm. Members of Maryland Horticultural Society are free, non-members pay a fee but open to public. Hosted by the Maryland Horticultural Society at Vollmer Center Auditorium, Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, MD. http://www.cylburn.org and http://www.mdhorticulture.org
13, Wednesday, Workshop: Festive Centerpieces 10:00 to 11:30 am fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
14, Thursday, Workshop: Mini Tabletop Christmas Tree, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com
14, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered in December 7, 8, 12, and 15. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
14, Thursday, (and December 5, 6, and 12). Candlight Tours in the Mansion, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, fee and must register, Tudor Place, 1644 31st Street NW Washington DC. https://www.tudorplace.org/
14, Thursday, Holly Daze: Stroll through the Garden of Lights outside and then come inside for paired wine and cheese with dessert and make holiday ornaments. 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Fee and must register. Fee includes refreshments, ornament to take home, and admission to Garden of Lights. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
15, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Holiday Décor, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered in December 7, 8, 12, and 14. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
16, Saturday, Workshop: Williamsburg Candle Centerpiece, 10:00 am to noon, fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com
16, Saturday, Holiday Floral Design, 10 to noon and 1 to 3 pm. Fee and must register. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
18, Monday, Bus Trip: Longwood Gardens, fee and must register. Different departing times and places, see website. Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. http://www.adkinsarboretum.org
19, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 21, 22, 26, 28 and 29. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
21, Thursday, Workshop: Fresh Flower Christmas Wreath, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, fee and must register. Willow Oak Flower and Herb Farm, 8109 Telegraph Road, Severn, MD. http://www.willowoakherbs.com
21, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 19, 22, 26, 28 and 29. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
22, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 19, 21, 26, 28, and 29. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
26, Tuesday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 19, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
28, Thursday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 19, 21, 22, 26, and 29. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
29, Friday, Gardener’s Focus: Bones of the Winter Garden, 12:45 pm, fee is included in suggested donation to enter Hillwood. Also offered on December 19, 21, 22, 26, and 28. Hillwood Museum and Garden, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW Washington DC. http://www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Don’t forget these holiday attractions at botanical gardens
Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Garden Court, Vienna, VA. Outdoors, walk through, requires admission ticket. https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights
Brookside Gardens’ Garden of Lights, outside, walk through, admission fee, check website for times. Winter display and garden railway exhibit in South Conservatory and winter display at North Conservatory, both are indoors and free. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. Indoors and free. http://www.brooksidegardens.org
Seasons Greenings Exhibit at U.S. Botanic Garden, theme is Roadside Attractions, free, indoors. 100 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington DC. http://www.usbg.gov/plan-your-holiday-visit