Tag Archives: April

Peg’s Picks: April Gardening Events for Washington DC Metro Area

In addition to these April gardening events, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week will take place from April 23 to 30 across the Commonwealth, http://www.vagardenweek.org; and the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage will take place from April 30 to May 28 in Queen Anne’s, Harford, Talbot, Baltimore, and Charles County, http://www.mhgp.org. Also, the White House Spring Garden Tour occurs one weekend in April, which they have not announced yet as of March 29. This is a free event but first come first serve so monitor their site to find out the date: http://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/tours-and-events.

1, Friday or 2, Saturday. Make and take rain barrels. Learn about rain barrels and receive one with fittings, 10 am to 1:00 pm, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

2, Saturday, Spring Open House, Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD (301) 937-1100, http://www.behnkes.com

2, Saturday, Saturdays in the Garden: Getting Started on a Great Vegetable Garden, hosted by Loudoun County Master Gardeners, 10:00 am to noon, Loudoun County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Ida Lee Park, Leesburg, (703) 777-0373, http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

2, Saturday, Planting Fruit and Berry Plants: Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape, 2:00 pm. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com

2, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening 2: Management and Maintenance, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but register at tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org if have questions. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org

2, Saturday, Starting Vegetable & Herb Seeds Indoors, 9:30-11 am. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 201 5301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

2, Saturday, 30th Annual Lahr Symposium, Native Plants: Good Design, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, fee for symposium. Concurrent native plant sale from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm (no fee to enter plant sale).  U.S. National Arboretum 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002. (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov

2, Saturday, Fair Oaks location of Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture on Container Gardens, 10:00 am. At the Gainesville location, free lecture on Spring Lawn Care at 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

2, Saturday, 7th Annual Spring Garden Party, 9 to 4 pm. Community Forklift, 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston, MD 20781; http://www.communityforklift.org

3, Sunday, Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture on Water Gardening, at 1:00 pm http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

3, Sunday, Early Spring Show-Stopping Plants, 12:30-2 pm. Takes place in the gardens; wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Fee, register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 287 6601 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

5, Tuesday, April 5, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Presented by the Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free, must register at tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE.  If have questions, call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org

6, Wednesday, Growing Superfoods. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

7, Thursday, Herbs: Heirlooms from the Past, Grown Today at Smithsonian Gardens. 7:00 pm.  Learn about culinary herbs from Smithsonian Gardens Horticulturist, Erin Clark. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, NW Leesburg. Free. Sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners. http://www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org

7, Thursday, Top to Toe cooking demonstration (sweet potatoes and beets) by the Cook Sisters. Also presented again on April 28. 12:00 to 12:45 pm and repeated at 12:50 pm. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

8, Friday, Green Matters Symposium, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

8, Friday, 10 to noon for AHS members and noon to five for public. And on 9, Saturday, 10 to 5 for public. Spring Garden Market at River Farm, home of the American Horticultural Society. Non-members pay $5 to park car but can be applied to new AHS membership. 7931 E. Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. http://www.ahs.org

9, Saturday, Waterwise Gardening.10:30 a.m. to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Rd., Alexandria 22304. Free but must register at mgnv.org. If have questions, call 703-228-6414 or email to mgarlalex.org.

9, Saturday, Salad Bar Containers, 10:30 am to noon. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.mgnv.org

9, Saturday, Tomato Grafting, 10:00 am to noon, Presented by the Friends of the National Arboretum. Fee and must register. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov

9, Saturday, Growing Beautiful Roses, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

10, Sunday, Shade Gardens, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 1:00 pm. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

10, Sunday, Planting Fruit and Berry Plants: Choosing the Right Plants for Your Landscape, 2:00 pm. Free lectures at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center but must register, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

10, Sunday, Caring for Fruit and Berry Plants: Pruning, Feeding and Spraying, 11:00 am. Free lectures at Behnke Nurseries Garden Center but must register, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

10, Sunday in the Organic Vegetable Garden, 1-4 pm. Potomac Overlook Park, 2845 Marcey Rd., Arlington 22207. Master Gardeners will be in the garden to answer questions about organic gardening, including controlling pests and diseases without the use of chemicals. Free; no registration necessary. For questions, telephone 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com. http://www.mgnv.org.

12, Tuesday, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen St., Alexandria 22314. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email to mgarlalex.org. http://www.mgnv.org.

13, Wednesday, Container Gardens for Edibles. 7:00 pm. Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

13, Wednesday, Top to Toe, Cooking with beets and sweet potatoes, presented by the Cook Sisters. Brookside gardens staff to explain plant anatomy. Noon to 1:30 pm. Fee; must register. Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902; (301) 962-1470 http://www.brooksidegardens.org.

14, Thursday, Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Walter Reed Recreation Center, 2909 16thSt. S, Arlington 22204. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex.org. http://www.nvmg.org

16, Saturday, 10 to 6; and 17, Sunday, 10 to 5. The 26th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Free event in Leesburg, VA. See website for more information. http://www.flowerandgarden.org

16, Saturday, Let’s Talk Dirt: The History of our Soils and How to Amend Them, 2:00. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com

16, Saturday, Miniature Gardens, free lecture at Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center. 10:00 am. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

16, Saturday, Vegetable Gardening 101. 11:00 am-12:30 pm. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 283 5701 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

16, Saturday, Edible Landscape Design. 1:30-3 pm. Fee; must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 203 3301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

16, Saturday, Perennial Foliage: Stripes and Splashes, Dots and Dashes by Stephanie Cohen, 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Sponsored by the Friends of the National Arboretum, fee and must register. U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov

17, Sunday, Spring Color with Shrubs, Free lecture at the Gainesville location of Merrifield Garden Center, 1:00 pm. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

18, Monday, Composting Basics, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Presented by Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Free but must register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex.org. Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., Arlington 22206. http://www.nvmg.org

18, Monday, Edible Gardening in Challenging Spaces, 8:00 pm. Presented by Meredith Shepherd, owner of Love & Carrots. Sponsored by the Silver Spring Garden Club; open to the public. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902.

20, Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Edible Landscaping and Fruit in the Garden. Part of the Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

20, Wednesday, Pruning Workshop. 7:30 to 9:00 pm at the DC Library, Takoma Park Branch, 415 Cedar Street, NW Washington DC. Sponsored by the Takoma Horticultural Club. Free and open to the public. http://www.takomahort.org

22, Friday, Open House at U.S. Botanic Garden: Celebrate Earth Day, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Free; no pre- registration. http://www.usbg.gov

23, Saturday, Sustainable Landscapes: A Field Day for Landscape Professionals, 8:30 am to noon. Meet in the Visitor Center but is outside; dress appropriately. Fee and must register, U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; (202) 245-4523. http://www.usna.usda.gov

23, Saturday, Friends of Carlyle House Garden Day Herb & Craft Sale, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, free but there is an admission fee to enter the Carlyle House (actual site of the Mansion House Hospital featured in the PBS drama Mercy Street). 121 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria 22314; (703) 549-2997

23, Saturday, and 24, Sunday Landscaping with Native Plants and their Benefits, 2:00 pm. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com

23, Saturday, 1:30-2:30 pm. The Right-size Flower Garden: Simplify Your Outdoor Spaces with Smart Design Solutions and Plant Choices. Talk by author Kerry Ann Mendez; book signing to follow. Fee and must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 287 3301 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

23, Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; and 24, Sunday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Annual Herb and Plant Sale at Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land, 1400 Quincy Street, NE Washington DC 20017. http://www.fmgg.org

23, Saturday, Exciting Perennials, Gainesville, 1:30 pm Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

24, Sunday, Great Annuals for Your Garden, Gainesville, 1:00 pm. Merrifield Garden Center, free lecture. http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com.

24, Sunday, Earth Day Festival at Brookside Gardens, free, no registration required, come at 9:00 am to help with planting projects or come for festival from noon to 4:00 (301) 962-1429. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD. http://www.brooksidegardens.org

24, Sunday through 26, Tuesday, 70th Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium, “Gardens We Call Home: Insights from the Trailblazers and Trendsetters.” Co-sponsored by the American Horticultural Society and the Garden Club of Virginia, fee and must register, contact Michele Moyer, conference registrar, (757) 565-8937. http://www.history.org/conted

24, Sunday, Creating a Pollinator Garden, 11:00 am. Free, must register. Behnke Nurseries Garden Center, 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100. http://www.behnkes.com

25, Monday, Vegetable Gardening 2: Management and Maintenance, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Presented by the Northern Virginia Master Gardeners. Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria 22304. Free but must register tinyurl.com/RegisterVCE. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex.org. http://www.nvmg.org

27, Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Water, Irrigation, Ollas & Rain Barrels. Part of the Wednesdays in the Garden Series, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center volunteers and Master Gardeners. Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free and no need to register. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

28, Thursday, Top to Toe cooking demonstration of sweet potatoes and beets by Cook Sisters. 12:00 to 12:45 pm and repeated at 12:50 pm. Free. U.S. Botanic Garden, 245 First Street, SW Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-8333. http://www.usbg.gov

29, Friday, Garden Talks with Master Gardeners: Planting Trees and Shrubs, 1:30-2:30 pm. Fee and must register online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring using code 290 289 3501 or call 703-642-5173. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA 22312.

29, Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm for FONA members only and 1:00 to 4:00 pm for the public. Also on 30, Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for the public. Friends of the National Arboretum Garden Fair and Plant Sale (note new location, will be at the Grove of State Trees parking lot). Free admission. U.S National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002.  http://www.fona.org/gardenfair

30, Saturday, Springfest, (Fairfax County’s official Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration). All day free event. The Workhouse at Lorton Arts, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. http://www.springfestfairfax.org

30, Saturday, Alexandria Earth Day, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lenny Harris Memorial Fields at Braddock Park, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA. http://www.mgnv.org

30, Saturday, Montgomery County Greenfest, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, free. Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD.  http://www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

Peg’s Picks: April Garden Events in the Washington DC Metro Area

In addition to these April gardening events, the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week will take place from April 18 to 25 across the Commonwealth. For more information, read my article posted March 29.

Saturday April 4, 11:00 and Sunday April 5 1:00 Garden Talk: Your Edible Garden, Behnkes Nursery; free but must register; 11300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD; (301) 937-1100; http://www.behnkes.com

Friday, April 10, noon to 1:00 pm, Helen Yoest speaking on Plants with Benefits, U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 245 First Street SW, Washington DC 20024; (202) 225-833. free but must register. http://www.usbg.gov

Friday, April 10, Garden Talk: Edibles & Ornamentals, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. fee and must register. Also Saturday, April 11, 9 am to 1 pm, Grand Opening of the Garden Gate Plant Shop, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria 22312 (703) 642-5173 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Friday through Sunday, April 10-12, Colonial Williamsburg’s 69th Garden Symposium; (757) 565-8937, fee and must register; http://www.history.org/conted april 10-12

Saturday, April 11, 9-noon, Saturday in the Garden: Companion Planting, taught by VCE Prince William Master Gardeners Teaching Garden at Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136, free but must register (703) 792-7747; e-mail master_gardener@pwcgov.org. http://www.mgpw.org

Friday, April 10, 10 to noon open to AHS members and open to the public noon to 6:00 pm, Saturday, April 11, 10 to 6 pm open to the public, American Horticultural Society’s Spring Garden Market, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308; (703) 768-5700; http://www.ahs.org, free but $5 parking if not an AHS member

Saturday, April 11, 10 to noon, Tomato Grafting Demonstration, $15 or $12 if FONA (Friends of the National Arboretum) member, Register at FONA site; class at the National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20002; e-mail lrietkerk@fona.org or call (202) 544-8733 for more information. http://www.fona.org and http://www.usna.usda.gov

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, Mighty Microgreens by Wendy Kiang-Spray, Takoma Horticulture Club, 7328 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD; free and open to the public http://www.takomahort.org

Saturday, April 18, 10 to 6 and Sunday, April19, 10 to 5, 25th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival in Historic Downtown Leesburg, VA; (703) 777-1368; $3.00 suggested donation http://www.flowerandgarden.org

Saturday, April 18, Montgomery County Master Gardeners’ Grow It Eat It Open House 9:00 to 1:30, Agriculture History Farm Park, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855; free, mc.growit@gmail.com and http://www.extension.umd.edu/growit

VCE Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia host a series of classes, free but must register (703) 228-6414 or e-mail mgarlalex@gmail.com; http://www.mgnv.org

  • Saturday, 4/18, Square Foot Gardening, 11-12:30 Burke Branch Library, 4701 Seminary Road, Alexandria
  • Monday, 4/20, 7-8:30 pm, Ornamental Edibles in Landscapes, Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford Street, Arlington
  • Sunday, 4/26, 1-3 pm, Bees and Butterflies for Every Garden: How to Attract Pollinators to Your Home Garden, Simpson Park Gardens, E. Monroe Avenue at Simpson Park, Alexandria
  • Monday, 4/27, 7-8:30 pm, Plan, Plant and Use Herbs, Burke Branch Library
  • Monday, 4/27, 7-8:30 pm, Design Considerations for Sustainable Gardens, Fairlington Community Center

Friday, April 24, 10-1 FONA members only and 1-4 pm, open to the public. Saturday, April 25, 9-4 pm, open to the public. Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) Garden Fair and Plant Sale, National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE Washington DC 20002. http://www.fona.org and http://www.usna.usda.gov

Saturday April 25, Northern Alexandria Native Plant sale, 1701 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA 22302; 571-232-0375; http://www.northernalexandrianativeplantsale.org

Saturday, April 25, 9-6; Sunday, April 26, 8-4 Herb and Plant Sale with garden tours on Saturday at 11 am and noon, Franciscan Monastery, 1400 Quincy Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017; free. http://www.fmgg.org.

Wednesdays in the Garden, led by Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) volunteers and VCE Master Gardeners, these gardening sessions are Wednesdays,7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA; (703) 228-5990, free. http://www.library.arlingtonva.us/events/garden-talks

  • 4/1: Superfoods for Health: Learn to Grow and Cook Them
  • 4/8: Spring into Gardening: Transplanting, Direct Planting, and Readiness
  • 4/15: Edible Landscaping and Fruit in the Garden
  • 4/22: Container Gardens for Edibles
  • 4/29: Water, Irrigation and Rain Barrels

Merrifield Garden Center, free lectures on weekends at Fair Oaks (FO), Gainesville (G), and Merrifield (M). http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com

  • Saturday, April 4, 10 am FO: Amazing Container Gardens and G: Maintaining a Healthy Lawn
  • Sunday, April 5, 1 pm G: Miniature Gardens
  • Saturday, April 11, 10am G: Spring Blooming Trees & Shrubs
  • Sunday, April 12, 1 pm G: The Big World of Conifers
  • Saturday, April 18, 10 am G: Getting started with Vegetables
  • Sunday, April 19, 1 pm G: Great Annuals for your Garden
  • Saturday, April 25 1:30 pm G: Exciting perennials
  • Sunday, April 26, 1 pm G: Container Gardens with Pizzazz

Tour Homes and Gardens During the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week

Oatlands in Leesburg, photo courtesy of GCV

Oatlands in Leesburg, photo courtesy of GCV

Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV), Historic Garden Week (HGW) is an opportunity for the public to tour almost 250 private homes and gardens and historical sites in Virginia. “Historic Garden Week has raised millions of dollars for the restoration of public gardens across Virginia,” noted HGW Chairman Alice Martin. “Tour proceeds are used to enhance Virginia’s landscape.” For 82 years, the grounds of Virginia’s most cherished historic landmarks including Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the Executive Mansion in Richmond have been restored or preserved using proceeds from this statewide house and garden tour. The beginning of HGW dates to 1927 when a flower show organized by the GCV raise $7,000 to save trees planted by Thomas Jefferson on the lawn at Monticello. A non-profit organization, the GCV is comprised of 47 member clubs and 3,400 volunteers. Proceeds from the annual HGW fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historical gardens and provide graduate level research fellowships for building comprehensive and ongoing records of historic gardens and landscapes in the Commonwealth.

Old Town Alexandria, photo courtesy of GCV

Old Town Alexandria, photo courtesy of GCV

This year there will be 31 tours hosted by volunteers at local GCV member clubs. The GCV has member clubs in 6 regions: Northern Virginia, Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Virginia, Capitol Region, Shenandoah Valley/Central Virginia, and Southern Virginia.  For example, in the Northern Virginia Region, there will be tours in Old Town Alexandria, Leesburg, Clifton-Fairfax Station, Warrenton, Front Royal-Warren County, and Winchester on various days between April 18 and 25.  “It’s the largest ongoing volunteer effort in the state,” said Karen Miller, HGW Director and Editor of the Guidebook. “In addition to the amazing interiors and gardens on display, the GCV volunteers will create over 2,000 spectacular floral arrangements to decorate rooms open to the public. Most of the flowers will come from their very own gardens.”

Front Royal--Warren County, photo courtesy of GCV

Front Royal–Warren County, photo courtesy of GCV

The schedule is available online at http://www.vagardenweek.org and tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at numerous locations or in advance. Tours are held rain or shine. Properties can be visited in any order. Also available is the Guidebook, a 240-page, beautifully illustrated publication produced to support the event. The Guidebook can be downloaded, purchased online, or picked up free at designated public places. The Guidebook has descriptions of the tour sites, directions, refreshments, special activities in the area, and other places of interest which usually include historical sites that can be toured at other times of the year (for future reference). The Guidebook is a snapshot of the touring area; it lists names of the sponsoring Garden Club member organizations; area information such as Chamber of Commerce & historical societies; and advertisements from local businesses such as garden centers, antique stores, and restaurants.

For more information, e-mail at historicgardenweek@gmail.com or call (804) 644-7776. The website is http://www.vagardenweek.org. GCV has done an excellent job of providing information and photos on their web site plus they are present on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.