Category Archives: Events

Visit the 2026 Philadelphia Flower Show!

Posted on February 21, 2026 | Leave a comment

Plan now to attend the annual Philadelphia Flower Show from February 28 through March 8, 2026. Although the Pennsylvania Convention Center is only a few hours away, there are several coach bus trips departing from the DC metro area, see below. This year the theme is “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening.” This family-friendly show features beautiful breathtaking floral arrangements, indoor gardens, workshops, and many vendors for great shopping. Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, the Flower Show started 2 years in 1829 and is now the nation’s largest and longest running horticultural event.  Each year features a different theme. In celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening” honors the people, places, and traditions that have shaped gardening in our country.

What is new this year is a reimagined layout that helps you navigate the show through five core experiences: See, Shop, Make, Learn, and Play.

For example: “See” Chadwick and Sons Orchids’ exhibit of the 19 consecutive First Ladies who have had orchids named in their honor; inspiring floral displays from emerging florists; award winning PHS Gold Medal Plants in real garden settings; the Flower Show’s competitive classes that celebrate the creativity and skill of gardeners and designers across a range of horticulture and design categories; the W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences’ exhibit honoring Pennsylvania’s Lenni Lenape people and indigenous roots; displays from four world-renowned designers interpreting the roots, traditions, and resilience of American gardening; and finally the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators’ exhibit of botanical illustrations of native plants and fungi.

“Shop” is shopping at the Flower Show Marketplace with vendors selling live plants, fresh flowers, garden tools, jewelry, and unique gifts.

“Make” is making crafts at Artisan Row such as tea blends, floral hats and tote bags, and pressed flower framed art décor.

“Learn” is to learning to make floral arrangements you can take home with Tu Bloom, Official Botanical Artist of the Grammy ® Awards. Plus, attend the Know to Grow educational sessions where you can learn from experts about gardening topics such as native plants, orchids, and blooming bulbs.

And “Play” is for both children and adults. Young folk can play with Legos or plant seeds at Kids Cocoon, a dedicated safe space for children. In the evening, adults can dress up in fantasy inspired attire sipping themed cocktails when Flowers after Hours transforms the Flower Show in an after dark celebration.

There is plenty to see and do for all ages. Don’t forget the camera/smartphone, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a bag or two to bring your goodies home.

The following are local places where you ride a coach bus to attend the Flower Show in one day.

Green Spring Gardens in Virginia: Monday, March 2, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm or Wednesday, March 4, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, fee and must register.

Smithsonian Associates in DC: Friday March 6, 9:00 am to 8:30 pm, fee and must register.

Homestead Gardens in MD: Tuesday, March 3, 8:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register.

Photos in this article are courtesy of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and are from last year’s show. Shout out to fellow GardenComm member Becca Mathias who took these particular photos — she is a great photographer!

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Fill Up Your February Calendar with More than 100 Gardening Events!

Posted on January 26, 2026 | Leave a comment

Are you shut in the house with all of this snow? Feeling glum? Cheer up! There are more than 100 gardening events in February in the DC metro area and beyond. Many are virtual and many are free. Get out your calendar and plan for a happy garden-filled February!

1, Sunday, Designing Winter Landscapes, 1:00 pm, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

1, Sunday, Lecture: Moon Gardens, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

1, Sunday, Introduction to Composting, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Sunday, Fundamentals of Gardening, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Sunday, Pruning Basics, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

2, Monday, Lecture: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

3, Tuesday, Prepping for a Spring Garden, 7:00 pm, zoom. Hosted by the National Capital Area Garden Club’s Virtual Garden Club. You do not have to be a NCAGC member to attend. The Virtual Garden Club meets via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month. If you are new to the Virtual Garden Club, the first presentation is free but you must register. https://www.instagram.com/dmvgardensvirtually

3, Tuesday, Native Bees of the Northeastern United States, virtual lecture, 10 to 11:00 am, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

3, Tuesday, Introduction to Plant Science, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Natives at Noon: Rethinking Lawns: Turning Green Carpets into Diverse Ecosystems, noon to 1:00 pm, free but must register. Maryland Native Plant Program of the University of Maryland Extension https://extension.umd.edu/resource/natives-noon-lunch-learn-webinar-series/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Hot Pepper, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Sedum, 2:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

4, Wednesday, Creating your Personal Garden Plan for Year-round Enjoyment, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, fee and must register, four sessions, see website for more information. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

4 and 5, Botanical Revolutions: A Book Talk with Giovanni Aloi, 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, VA and on Thursday, 5 to 7:00 pm, at the District Architecture Center in DC, fee and must register. Oak Spring Garden Foundation https://www.osgf.org/

5, Thursday, Travels @ 12: Sauntering Through the South, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

5, Thursday, Basic Plant ID, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

5, Thursday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About Gardening with Roses, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

5, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Africa Safari in Botswana, 1 to 4:30 pm, fee and must register, Heronswood (as in The Heronswood in Washington State). https://www.heronswoodgarden.org/

5, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Introduction to Everything Orchids, fee and must register, 6 to 7:00 pm, Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/

5, Thursday, Creating a Bird-friendly Native Landscape, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

6, Friday, Longwood Gardens’ Annual Horticulture Symposium, 8 to 4:00 pm, in person and virtual and will be recorded, fee and must register, Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/todays-horticulture-symposium

6, Friday, Designing with Fragrant Flowers and Aromatic Foliage with Christopher Sheridan, 2 to 3:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

7, Saturday, Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, 12:30 to 4:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

7, Saturday, All About Terrariums and Vivariums, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Saturday, Everything You Wanted to Know about Pruning, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

7, Saturday, Lawn Preparation and Care, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

7, Saturday, Tea Blending 101, 2 to 3:00 pm, and on Sunday, February 8, 1 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, will be at two different locations. Cultivate the City https://www.cultivatethecity.com/

7, Saturday, Foliage-Driven Garden Design, 11:00 am to noon, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

7, Saturday, Winter Seeding: Hardy Plants for Pollinators, 10:00 am, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

7, Saturday, Monstera Master: Talk and Book Signing with Darryl Cheng, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

8, Sunday, Understanding Light and Humidity: Helping Plants Thrive in Winter, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Severna Park on Sunday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 9. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

8, Sunday, Tea Blending 101, 1 to 2:00 pm, and on Saturday, February 7, 2 to 3:00 pm, fee and must register, will be at two different locations. Cultivate the City https://www.cultivatethecity.com/

8, Sunday, Lecture: Imperiled and Emboldened Insects, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

9, Monday, Gardening for Birds, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

9, Monday, Matrix Planting for the Home Gardener, virtual, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

9, Monday, Understanding Light and Humidity: Helping Plants Thrive in Winter, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday and Severna Park on Sunday, February 8. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

10, Tuesday, Native Ferns, Mosses and Grasses with Bill Cullina, 7:00 pm, virtual, free for members, fee for nonmembers, Horticultural Society of Maryland https://mdhorticulture.org/

11, Wednesday. A History of Everyday Gardens. 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

11, Wednesday, Indigenous Landscapes of Abundance with Dr. Rosalyn LaPier, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

11, Wednesday, Mini-Forest Revolution: Rewilding Our Communities for Climate Resilience. virtual lecture, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

11, Wednesday, Know to Grow: Memoir of a Seed Saver with Diane Ott Whealy, 5 to 6:00 pm, free for members, fee for non-members, virtual and must register. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society https://phsonline.org/

11, Wednesday, Urban Mammals, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

12, Thursday, Bad Naturalist with Paula Whyman, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

12, Thursday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Ficus, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

12, Thursday, Webinar: Native Ground Covers with Margaret Chatham, 7 to 8:30 pm, free and must register, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/

12, Thursday, Native Gardening for Natural Enemies, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

12, Thursday, Expert Is In: Orchid Care, on site, drop in program, free, 10:00 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Gardens https://www.usbg.gov/

12, Thursday, Virtual Plant Clinic, 2:00 pm, webinar, free and must register. Also on February 26. Merrifield Garden Center. https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

12, Thursday, Travels @ 12: A Month of Beautiful British Gardens and Places, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

13, Friday, GreenScapes Symposium, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register. In person but will be recorded so those who cannot make it can view online. Brookside Gardens.  https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

14, Saturday, Spring Garden Maintenance,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

14, Saturday, Mounted Staghorn Fern Workshop, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, fee and must register. At Severna Park on Saturday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 16, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

14, Saturday, 8th Annual Prince William Native Plant Symposium, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, hosted by the Prince William Wildflower Society, https://vnps.org/

15, Sunday, Lecture: Colonial Seed Exchange, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

16, Monday, Evergreens: Not Just Pine Trees and Christmas Ferns (walk at Great Falls Park), 9:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/

16, Monday, tickets for the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, which is from April 18-25, will go on sale on Monday, February 16. The schedule is online and the guidebooks will be available at local public places soon (see website for more information). https://gcvirginia.org/historic-garden-week/

16, Monday, Mounted Staghorn Fern Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday, February 16, and Severna Park on Saturday. February 14, 2 to 3:30 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

17, Tuesday, Botanical Drawing I: Methods and Materials, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

17, Tuesday, Virtual Lecture: The Disappearance and Persistence of Bees, 7 to 8:00 pm, free but registration requested, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library https://loudounwildlife.org/

17, Tuesday, Webinar: Hellebores and Dependable Groundcovers, noon, virtual, free but must register, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

17, Tuesday, The Secret Lives of Geophytes, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

17, Tuesday, Munstead Wood and Gertrude Jekyll, virtual lecture, 10 to 11:00 am, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

18, Wednesday, Indoor Seed Starting for Edible Plants, 7 to 8:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

18, Wednesday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register. Also offered on Friday February 20. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

18, Wednesday, Webinar: Plants That Go the Distance, 7:30 to 8:30 pm, free and must register, Melinda Myers https://www.melindamyers.com/

18, Wednesday, Introduction to Plant Science, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

18, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Friday, February 20; Wednesday, February 25; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

18, Wednesday, Trial Garden Highlights: Solidago (Goldenrod) with Sam Hoadley, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

19, Thursday, orders for the 2026 Native Seedling Sale opens at 10:00 am, see website for more information https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

19, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Approaching Design from an Ecological Perspective with Rebecca McMackin. 1 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Margaret Roach’s Awaytogarden https://awaytogarden.com/garden-2-0-eco-focused-winter-webinars-start-1-29/

19, Thursday, Travels @ 12: Seoulful Gardens and More in South Korea, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

19, Thursday, Lecture: Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky, 5:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

20, Friday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February 18; Wednesday, February 25; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

20, Friday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register. Also offered on Wednesday, February 18. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

21, Saturday, Edible Gardening,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

21, Saturday, Reliable Plants for Elevated Gardens, 11:00 am to noon, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

21, Saturday, Orchid Care, noon to 2:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

21, Saturday, Onsite Floral Design: Timeless Blossoms, 10:00 to 11:00 am and 1:00 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

21, Saturday, Lecture: Spring Vegetable and Herb Gardening, 10:30 to 11:30 am, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

21, Saturday, Winter Symposium and Rare and Unusual Plant Auction: Gardening with Gusto, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, in person and virtual, fee and must register. JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

21, Saturday, Principles of Pruning, 10:00 am, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

21, Saturday, Plant Partners: The Art of Planting Design, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

22, Sunday, Essential Tools for Gardeners, noon to 2:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

22, Sunday, Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Your Houseplants,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Severna Park on Sunday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 23. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

23, Monday, Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Your Houseplants,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday and Severna Park on Sunday, February 22. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

23, Monday, A Garden Design Primer, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

24, Tuesday, The Many Uses of Mycelium, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

24, Tuesday, Vegetable Gardening, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Conserving the Remnant Grasslands of Virginia, 7:00 pm, free and must register, Sustainability Matters https://www.sustainabilitymatters.earth/

25, Wednesday, Style and Purpose in the Native Garden: Using Cues to Care, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Flowering Houseplants, 7:30 pm, free but must register, Melinda Myers https://www.melindamyers.com/

25, Wednesday, Vanilla Is So Black with Derek Haynes, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual, free but must register, New England Botanic Garden https://nebg.org/

25, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February 18; Friday, February 20; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

25, Wednesday, Unraveling Botanical Names, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

25, Wednesday, Virtual Lecture: Let Nature Win: The Pollinator Victor Garden Revolution with Julie Borneman of Watermark Woods Native Plants, 7 to 8:00 pm, free but registration requested, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library https://loudounwildlife.org/

25, Wednesday, Flower Arranging at Home, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Distinctive Ornamental Grasses, virtual lecture, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

25, Wednesday, Basic Color Theory for Gardeners, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Urban Berms, 6 to 9:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Winter Webinar Series: The Emperor’s Western Maze and the Making of a Global Garden in China, Part II: The Maze: Jesuits, Emperors, and the Invention of the Western Style Gardens in China, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Garden Conservancy https://www.gardenconservancy.org/

26, Thursday, Designing a Beautiful Life: How Spaces and Gatherings Shape Our Stories, 5:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

26, Thursday, Look and Learn: Repotting Orchids, on site, drop in demonstration, free, 10:00 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Gardens https://www.usbg.gov/

26, Thursday, Virtual Plant Clinic, 2:00 pm, webinar, free and must register. Also on February 12. Merrifield Garden Center. https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

26, Thursday, Insect Identification and Management, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Fundamental of Garden Design, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Introduction to Urban Ecology, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

27, Friday, Virtual Lunchtime Tour: Winter-Blooming Bulbs, noon to 12:30 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

27, Friday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February18; Friday, February 20; and Wednesday, February 25. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

27, Grow Your Own: A Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening (Part I) 10:00 am to 11:30 am, free, zoom, must register, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia https://mgnv.org/

27, Friday, Gardens Illustrated: The New Beautiful with Stephanie Mahon, 2 to 3:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

27, Friday and February 28, Saturday, Galanthus Gala, Friday is virtual and Saturday is virtual and in person. Must purchase ticket. At the Friends Meeting House, Downington PA. https://brandywine-cottage.square.site/

28, Saturday, Creating Pollinator Gardens,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

28, Saturday, Why Houseplants Shouldn’t Be So Hard, with Sol Soils, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. At Davidsonville on Saturday morning and Severna Park from 2 to 3:00 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

28, through March 8, PHS Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, tickets required, see website for prices and times. https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show

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Seed Swaps: Fun Way to Get New Seeds!

Posted on January 4, 2026 | 2 comments

It is that time of year again — seed swaps! National Seed Swap Day is Saturday, January 31, 2026. This is celebrated annually on the last Saturday in January. Seed swaps are a great way to obtain new seeds, share your favorite seeds, and attend a fun event. A seed swap can be as simple as friends getting together to share seeds they saved from the previous gardening season to an all-day planned event with speakers, door prizes, and refreshments.

Seed swaps can be a vehicle to teach others how to save seed, the importance of seed diversity, heirloom seeds, and other aspects of gardening. Some events exchange more than seeds. Tables may be set up to collect used gardening books, magazines, tools, pots, and nursery catalogs. Some may expand their definition of seeds and allow bulbs, rhizomes, and cuttings. Others include related activities such as learning to make handmade seed envelopes.

Each seed swap is different but usually organizers have established guidelines for the seed such as the type of container to use, the number of seed in each bag, and the information required on the label. Organizers should clarify if commercial seed packages or hybrid seeds are accepted. Although swaps do not want seeds from invasive plants, the organizers should clarify the definition of an invasive plant in their area.

If you are interested in attending a seed swap, ask your local county extension agent or Master Gardeners if they know of seed swaps in your area. If you live in the DC metro area, Kathy Jentz, publisher of the Washington Gardener Magazine and founder of National Seed Swap Day, will host a seed swap at Green Spring Gardens in Virginia on February 7, 2026; and Brookside Gardens in Maryland on January 31, 2026. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. For Green Spring Gardens, register here and for Brookside Gardens register here.

If you are interested in starting a seed swap, visit a few first to see the range of activities that could take place and the number of volunteers required. Read Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffery and the Seed Savers Exchange’s article on How to Organize a Seed Swap. This online article also links to a presentation that Kathy provided at the 2024 Seed Savers Exchange’s conference entitled “Growing Together: Sharing Seeds, Skills, and Stories.” Seed swaps are fun and you come home with plenty of seeds to get you started for the 2026 gardening season.

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Start off 2025 With a Bang! Sign Up for Gardening Events!

Posted on January 2, 2025 | Leave a comment

Start off 2025 with a bang! It is easy to learn more about gardening in the DC metro area, we always have so many events, lectures, and workshops. Below are more than 70 for January 2025.  There will be more in the spring and summer. Some of these are free, some require a fee, and many are virtual.

This list of gardening events is posted every month on Pegplant.com under the Monthly Events tab but if you would like to have it in your inbox, just subscribe to Pegplant’s Post Gardening Newsletter. This is a free gardening newsletter for the DC metro area. All you have to do is enter your email address at the Pegplant website on the right rail.

January 2025

1, Wednesday, Plant Studio: Landscape Design History for Beginners, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Wednesday, Intro to Composting, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Wednesday, Plant Studio: Plant Science, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

2, Thursday, Kokedama Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

2, Thursday, The Expert Is In: Carnivorous Plants, onsite, drop in program, 10:00 am to noon, free, no registration necessary. U.S. Botanic Garden https://usbg.gov/

4, Saturday, Nature’s Pharmacy, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

4, Saturday, Succulent Wall Planter Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register, all store locations, Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

4, Saturday, Carnivorous Plant Basics and DIY Bog Gardens, 1:00-2:30 pm, fee and must register, Plants Alive! https://plantsaliveshop.com/

6, Monday, Plant Structure, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Tuesday, Potting 101 Online Workshop, 6 to 7:30 pm, free and must register for link, The Sill https://www.thesill.com/

7, Tuesday, Disease Identification and Management, 6:15 to 8:15 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Tuesday, Soil Science I: Physical Properties, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Tuesday, Landscape Design History, 6:15 to 9:15 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Tuesday, Introduction to Therapeutic Horticulture, 4 to 6:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Tuesday, Tipsy Tuesday Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

7, Tuesday, Botany for Gardeners, live webinar, series of four evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

8, Wednesday, Soil Science for Gardeners, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

9, Thursday, Designing with Bulbs, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

9, Thursday, Assisted Migration: A Solution to Combat Climate Change in Gardening, 7 to 8:30 pm, Zoom, free but must register to get link. Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/events/

9, Thursday, Cocktails & Conversations: Warming Climate, Wild Weeds, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, free and registration required, Conservatory Garden Court of the U.S. Botanic Garden, Must be at least 21 years old https://usbg.gov/

9, Thursday, Annual and Perennial Garden Maintenance, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

9, Thursday, Succulent and Sangria Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

10, Friday, Ask the Experts about Monstera (houseplant), 11:00 am to noon, virtual lecture, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

10, Friday, Ask the Experts about Seed and Plant Shopping Tips, 3:00 pm, virtual lecture, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

10, Friday, Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

10, Friday, Gardening with Native Plants, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

11, Saturday, Growing Gourmet Mushrooms Indoors, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

11, Saturday, Virtual Lecture: Sustainable Gardens in a Changing Climate, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register, Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

11, Saturday, New Year, New Plants: Intermediate level plant care class, 1 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Ballston Quarter location of Rewild Plant store https://www.rewilddc.com/

11, Saturday, Mini Moss Pole with Hoya Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in all store locations, fee and must register, Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

11, Saturday, If You Build It, They Will Come: Understanding and Improving Garden Soils, 9 to 3:00 pm, virtual presentation, fee and must register, JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

13, Monday, Gut Health: The Key to your Immune System, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

14, Tuesday, Introduction to Plant Science, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

14, Tuesday, Kokedama Moss Balls Workshop, 7:00 pm, fee and must register, Shaw location of Rewild Plant Store https://www.rewilddc.com/

15, Wednesday, Reading Trees at Carderock (walk), 10:30 am to 1:00 pm, fee and must register, Nature Forward https://natureforward.org/

15, Wednesday Pruning and Grooming Houseplants Workshop, 6 to 7:30 pm, online, free and must register for link, The Sill  https://www.thesill.com/

15, Wednesday, Flower Arranging at Home, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

16, Thursday, Reception, Book Signing and Book Talk with Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, fee and must register, Oak Spring Garden Foundation https://www.osgf.org/

16, Thursday, Discovering the Secrets of Milkweed Hybridization, 7 to 8:00 pm, Zoom, free, John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/events/

16, Thursday, Finding Inspiration Where You Look: Ideas, Tips and Tricks from Smithsonian Gardens, free webinar, noon to 1:00 pm, register for link, Smithsonian Gardens https://gardens.si.edu/

16, Thursday, Basic Plant ID, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

16, Thursday, Botanical Latin, 10:30 to 12:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

16, Thursday, Intro to Herbal Medicine, 6:00 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

17, Friday, Ask the Experts About New Plants for 2025, 1:00 pm, virtual lecture, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

18, Saturday, Rockery Madness at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories and Arboretum, 10:00 am to 11:30 am, virtual presentation, free for Piedmont chapter NARGS and Friends of JC Raulston Arboretum, nominal fee for others, JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

18, Saturday, Plant Parenthood, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, fee and must register, Plants Alive! https://plantsaliveshop.com/

18, Saturday, Kokedama: The Art of Crafting Living Mossballs, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

18, Saturday, Houseplant First-Aid Kit Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, in all store locations, fee and must register, Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

19, Sunday, Winter Lecture: Green Spring Goes to Great Dixter, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

21, Tuesday, Power of the Line: Angles and Curves Create a Dynamic Garden, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, virtual lecture, fee and must register, JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

21, Tuesday, Tipsy Tuesday Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

22, Wednesday, Fundamental of Form (flower arranging), 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

22, Wednesday, Perennial Plant Combinations, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

23, Thursday, Jellyfish Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

23, Thursday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 1 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register. Also offered on Friday January 24, 10:30 am to noon. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

24, Friday, Succulent and Sangria Terrarium Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

24, Friday, Plant Science Conversations: Evolution of Parasitic Plants, virtual, noon to 12:30 pm, free and registration required, U.S. Botanic Garden https://usbg.gov/

24, Friday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register. Also offered on Thursday, January 23, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

25, Saturday, Kokedama Workshop, 6:30 pm, fee and must register, Plant House in Alexandria https://planthouse.us/pages/alexandria-va-location

25, Saturday, Skip the Soil: Intro to Hydroponics, 10:00 am, fee and must register, Cabin John location of Rewild Plant Store https://www.rewilddc.com/

25, Saturday, Air Plant Terrarium workshop, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register, Plants Alive! https://plantsaliveshop.com/

25, Saturday, Pressed Flowers 12:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Plants Alive! https://plantsaliveshop.com/

25, Saturday, Miniature Hanging Terrarium Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, in all store locations, fee and must register, Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

25, Saturday, Bird Box Building, 9:00 am to noon, fee and must register, Oak Spring Garden Foundation https://www.osgf.org/

25, Saturday, Winter Symposium: Plants with Benefits: Plotting a Purposeful Garden, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register, JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

25, Saturday, A Garden Design Primer, 11:30 to 1:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Saturday, Pruning: How, When, and Where, 10:30 to 2:30 pm online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Saturday, Intro to Landscape Design, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Saturday, Garden Talk: Easy Garden Makeover Tips, 10:30 to 11:30 am, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

26, Sunday, Winter Lecture: Pleasure Gardens, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

26, Sunday, Makers and Plants Market, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, free admission, Plants Alive! https://plantsaliveshop.com/

27, Monday, Fundamentals of Gardening, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

29, Wednesday, Fundamental of Style (flower arranging) 10:30 am to 3:00 pm, online. fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

29, Wednesday, Virtual Lecture: Unraveling Botanical Names, 6 to 7:30 pm, fee and must register, Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

29, Wednesday, Longwood Reimagined Lecture Series: From Dream to Reality, 6:30 pm, virtual lecture, fee and must register, Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/

30, Thursday, Interactive Orchid Q&A Online, 11:00 am to noon, free and must register, U.S. Botanic Garden https://usbg.gov/

30, Thursday, Herbalism: Beyond the Basics, 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

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Seed Swaps: Fun Way to Get New Seeds!

Posted on January 4, 2024 | Leave a comment

It is that time of year again — seed swaps! National Seed Swap Day is Saturday, January 27, 2024, the last Saturday in January. Seed swaps are a great way to obtain new seeds, share your favorite seeds, and attend a fun event. A seed swap can be as simple as friends getting together to share seeds they saved from the previous gardening season to an all-day planned event with speakers, door prizes, and refreshments.

Seed swaps can be a vehicle to teach others how to save seed, the importance of seed diversity, heirloom seeds, and other aspects of gardening. Some exchange more than seeds; tables may be set up to collect used gardening books, magazines, tools, pots, and nursery catalogs. Some may expand their definition of seeds and allow bulbs, rhizomes, and cuttings. Others include related activities such as learning to make handmade seed envelopes.

Each seed swap is different but usually organizers have established guidelines for the seed such as the type of container to use, the number of seed in each bag, and the information required on the label. Organizers should clarify if commercial seed packages or hybrid seeds are accepted. Although swaps do not want seeds from invasive plants, the organizers should clarify the definition of an invasive plant in their area.

If you are interested in attending a seed swap, ask your local county extension agent or Master Gardeners if they know of seed swaps in your area. Check out my monthly list of local gardening events for seed swaps in the Washington DC metro area.

If you are interested in starting a seed swap, visit a few first to see the range of activities that could take place and the number of volunteers required. Read Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffery and download the Seed Savers Exchange’s 8-page handout on how to organize a seed swap. Happy #seedswapday!

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Season’s Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden

Posted on November 17, 2023 | Leave a comment

Model of the U.S. Capitol Building

Here is something to do with the family during the holidays. “Season’s Greenings” is back at the U.S. Botanic Garden in DC. The exhibit will run from Thanksgiving Day, November 23, through New Year’s Day, January 1, 2024, and closed on Christmas, December 25. This holiday display is both indoors and outdoors.

Outdoors, G-gauge model trains will circulate through displays of pollinators made from plant parts. These scenes will range from oversized models of native U.S. flowers, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds to an orchid bee pollinating a vanilla orchid flower, a chocolate midge pollinating a cacao flower, a lemur pollinating a traveler’s tree flower, and more! The trains will run between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day.

Inside the Conservatory, holiday decorations will include nearly 2,000 colorful poinsettias and the Garden’s collection of DC monuments and landmarks, such as the U.S. Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial, all made from plant parts. Recent additions to the collection will return, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the U.S. Botanic Garden’s historic 1800s Conservatory and Palm House interior, and the National Gallery of Art East Wing.

A gift store managed by the Friends of the U.S. Botanic Garden and local DC small business Rewild will offer botanically themed gifts for purchase in the Conservatory’s West Gallery. Zeke’s Coffee will offer coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks for sale near the trains on select days.

Lincoln Memorial

The Conservatory is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, the gated outdoor gardens are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, and the Terrace Gardens and Bartholdi Gardens are open dawn to dusk daily. The Garden will be closed December 25. Tickets are not required to view the trains or any part of the U.S. Botanic Garden. The trains will run between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day and may not operate during inclement weather.

The Garden will offer extended evening hours on three Thursdays: December 14, December 21, and December 28. The Conservatory and train display will be open until 8:00 p.m. these evenings, with live seasonal music to enjoy while exploring the holiday displays and plants in the Conservatory.

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Looking for Great American Gardener Nominations

Posted on August 7, 2023 | Leave a comment

Nominations are open now for the 2024 Great American Gardener Awards! Every year, the American Horticultural Society celebrates outstanding achievements, encourages excellence, and inspires innovation in the art and science of horticulture through its Great American Gardeners Awards program. Six categories of awards will be recognized in 2024. Nominations will be accepted through September 29, 2023. Visit the American Horticultural Society website for a nomination form.

I have been a member of the American Horticultural Society for a long time. I enjoy reading their magazine, The American Gardener. This non-profit education organization was founded in 1922 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious gardening organizations. The American Horticultural Society is dedicated to sharing with all Americans the critical role of plants, gardens, and green spaces in creating healthy, livable communities and a sustainable planet. Their headquarters, called River Farm, is in Alexandria, VA, and is open to the public. They have beautiful gardens with a splendid view of the Potomac River. If you are not a member, join today!

The following are the awards categories.

Liberty Hyde Bailey Award: Given to an individual who has made significant lifetime contributions to at least three of the following horticultural fields: teaching, research, communications, plant exploration, administration, art, business, and leadership.

Emerging Horticultural Professional Award: Given in the early stages of an individual’s career, this award recognizes significant achievements and/or leadership that have advanced the field of horticulture in America.

Garden Stewardship Award: Given to a public garden that embraces and exemplifies sustainable horticultural practices in design, maintenance, and/or programs.

Horticultural Innovation Award: Given to an individual or company whose innovations have made the field of horticulture more sustainable and accessible to all.

Marc Cathey Award: Recognizes outstanding scientific research that has enriched the field of horticulture.

Jane L. Taylor Award: Given to an individual, organization, or program that has inspired and nurtured future horticulturists through efforts in children’s and youth gardening.

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A DC Gem: Lotus Flowers and Water Lilies at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

Posted on July 1, 2022 | 1 comment

Before the pandemic, I visited the annual water lily and lotus festival at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. The free, family event was all day long in July.  I arrived early to park nearby but there was a shuttle that ferried people from the metro station and other parking lots. The music had already started. There was a stage with a band, plenty of picnic tables, and paper lotus-shaped lanterns strung from trees. People from several local organizations were setting up tables to either inform the public of their organization, offer crafts for kids, sell or make the paper lanterns, try lotus tea, and other activities. Many families brought coolers to eat lunch. Later I spied several food trucks parked on the street. There was a small gift shop, plenty of bathrooms, and very informative rangers. There also were volunteer from the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens distributing brochures. Continue reading →

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Multiply Your Holiday Cactus Through Cuttings

Posted on April 15, 2022 | Leave a comment

stem cuttings twisted off holiday cactus plant

This spring is a long, wet spring, the kind that prevents you from getting out in the garden. Frustrated? Take heart, we can still garden indoors. Now is a great time to taking cuttings of your holiday cactus. It should be done blooming now and cuttings are a great way to make many more plants to give away as gifts. Continue reading →

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Historic Garden Week Is Back — Tour Virginian Homes and Gardens

Posted on March 27, 2022 | Leave a comment

Eyre Hall on the Eastern Shore, photo by Diane Ginsberg

Historic Garden Week is back! The last time I wrote about this great event was in 2019, before the pandemic. Although some gardens were open last year, this year Historic Garden Week is back full scale. Starting Saturday April 23 through Saturday April 30, 2022, you can tour private and public gardens throughout the commonwealth of Virginia. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV), Historic Garden Week (HGW) is an annual event for the public to tour almost 200 private homes and gardens and historical sites in Virginia. Continue reading →

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