“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”
Algernon Charles Swinburne
|
|
Spring has arrived! Is there anything lovelier than the landscape of Virginia dotted with blossoming red buds, yoshino cherry trees and the majestic dogwood? These are true signs that Historic Garden Week is just around the corner.
What a spectacular show of our early blooming favorites during “Dancing with Daffodils” at Virginia Wesleyan University! Many thanks to the exceptional exhibitors, dedicated judges and hardworking volunteers for producing a remarkably successful event.
And now the buzz is all about the 91st Historic Garden Week. The announcement of our new partnership with Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects makes this year even more exciting! As you put the final touches on your tours, I thank you for all that you do, whether hanging posters on store windows, making name tags, directing traffic or designing beautiful floral arrangements. Your effort makes what we do to preserve the natural treasures of Virginia possible. It is a unique time in the history of GCV’s restoration efforts and we are grateful to you for your loyal commitment to host HGW in your community.
I’ll see you on tour!
My warmest regards,
|
|
Debbie Lewis
GCV President, 2022-2024
|
|
The Path Forward
The Garden Club of Virginia has entered into a partnership with internationally renowned Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (NBW).
The importance of this milestone in the pursuit of GCV's mission cannot be overstated. Throughout our notable history, members have worked tirelessly to support the preservation of Virginia's most remarkable landscapes, ensuring that our natural treasures -- rich in beauty and historical significance -- remain in place for generations to come.
Looking toward our next century, this budding relationship with NBW will bring a fresh and more holistic approach to our preservation work, moving from a focus on suspending spaces in a single place in time to one of more dynamic and relevant preservation of culturally significant landscapes.
Under the visionary leadership of Thomas Woltz, NBW has mastered the art of honoring the past while creating spaces for the present and the future. NBW's work is acclaimed for preserving the assets of cultural heritage sites, and bringing history to life through vibrant, accessible, and sustainable landscapes.
As we fast approach our 91st Historic Garden Week, we join together to embrace a renewed sense of pride as members of the Garden Club of Virginia. The effort involved in producing America's largest open house directly and unequivocally results in the GCV's ability to fund preservation efforts for Virginia's most beautiful and meaningful spaces.
Together with you and NBW, we will secure a broader and more lasting mission impact in the Garden Club of Virginia's second century of work.
|
|
Artistic Design
Flower Arranging Workshop
Pharsalia
May 2, 2024
|
|
“Caps and Jackets laid away, Flower Baskets first of May”
Join the GCV Artistic Design Committee for a day of Flowers, Food, Friends and Fun plus shopping at Pharsalia in beautiful Nelson County. On May 2, we will host two hands-on flower arranging workshops led by floral designer David Pippin. Workshop flowers, a container and lunch will be provided. All we need is you and your clippers! Space is limited. Register Now.
|
|
Horticulture Field Day
Leesburg
June 4-5
|
|
Join the GCV Horticulture Committee and members from across the state for Horticulture Field Day 2024 in Leesburg! Tour downtown private gardens and estates in surrounding Loudoun county. Enjoy a boxed lunch in a historic restored barn and learn from Peggy Singlemann's presentation "Rejuvenating a Mature Landscape," which includes a demonstration on how to sharpen your pruning tools. Details and Registration. $60 per person. GCV members only.
Photo by Missy Janes
|
|
Lily Show
June 18, 2024
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
6000 Grove Ave
Richmond
|
|
Mark your calendars for Lilies in Bloom: Dazzle!
This year’s show features Horticulture, Artistic Design, and Photography. Mary Zocchi, past president of the North American Lily Society, lily judge and member of the Dolley Madison Garden Club, will speak on “For the Love of Lilies.” The show is free of charge and open to the public.
|
|
Native Plant of the Month
The April native plant of the month is the spicebush, Lindera benzoin, a shrub in the laurel family and native to eastern North America. It is especially eye-catching with its yellow flowers in spring, swallowtail butterflies in summer and plump red berries in fall. Reaching heights of 6-12 feet, this plant is best grown in full sun to part shade in average, slightly acid, medium, and well-drained soils. While it has no serious pest or disease issues, the spicebush is sensitive to heat and drought. It is perfect for mixed shrub borders, woodland gardens, naturalized areas, rain gardens, or for mass plantings along ponds or streams.
|
|
Cultivating Conversations |
|
Please join us on April 15 at 5 p.m. for the next session of Cultivating Conversations: Meg French of the Virginia Beach Garden Club will share her knowledge and expertise on native plants and sustainable gardening practices for your home garden. Events are free, but registration is required. Register here.
We invite you to also review the recording of March's segment of Cultivating Conversations, “Keeping Up With Our Conservation Fellows.” In it, presenters Rebecca Townsend and Sarah Hellewell share details of previous fellows and their work, discuss impacts of their research and provide insights into the value of the GCV Conservation Fellowship Program.
|
|
It’s almost here, and the word about Historic Garden Week is spreading nationwide! Tickets purchased so far represent guests from 40 states and six countries. A group of 44 staff and members from the Smithsonian organized a group to attend the Oak Spring tour. Many of you may remember the bus full of 35 women from a Dallas garden club last year. They are back again and purchased state passes, so be on the lookout for them!
Reminder: Online ticketing is on VAGardenWeek.org. State passes – which normally sell for $300 – are now $200 through an exclusive promotion with Flower magazine. Purchase yours now!
|
|
Winter Challenge
Thanks to the talented ladies who entered photographs in our Winter Challenge. Please use the links below to view them and to learn from the judges’ comments. We offer special congratulations to Kathy Allen from the Huntington Garden Club in Newport News for winning Best in Show with her unusual photograph of a rare "Pinto" deer.
The Lily Show
The lilies will be dazzling this year in Richmond! The schedule for the Lily Show has been posted on the GCV website, so please look through your photo library for shots from previous years, or start looking to buy lilies to create the perfect shot for this year.
Get a Head Start!
Remember to photograph daffodils and lilies when they are in bloom in your area for next year's shows. Typically, the photography show deadline is before either flower is blooming widely across the state, so please capture them now and stock your portfolio for current and future shows.
|
|
Horticulture Award of Merit
The GCV Horticulture Committee is pleased to announce three recipients of the 2024 GCV Horticulture Award of Merit. This award was established in 1960 for individual members of the Garden Club of Virginia who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in the community at large.
2024 Recipients:
Peggy Cornett, Rivanna Garden Club
Kit Sullivan, The Boxwood Garden Club
Suzi Worsham, Leesburg Garden Club
June 1, 2024, Award Nominations Deadlines
Proposals for all awards should be sent to Ann Heller, GCV Communications Coordinator, 12 E. Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219 or electronically at communications@gcvirginia.org, by June 1, 2024.
Contact Conservation Awards Chairman Marie Thomas with any questions.
|
|
New GCV Apparel
Show your GCV spirit while you run errands, gather for Historic Garden Week or just need an extra layer. The vest ($80) is versatile and flattering. The hats and visors ($25) are great for when you’re on the go. Available online on our Shop Page, select events and at the Kent-Valentine House.
|
|
The Elizabeth River Garden Club
|
|
Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is an international speaker, interior designer, author, and and specialist in restorations.
Tickets are available at elizabethrivergardenclub.org.
To learn more about Lady Henrietta visit spencer-churchilldesigns.com.
All proceeds go to The Elizabeth River Garden Club’s local community projects.
|
|
Upcoming Events of Interest |
|
American Daffodil Society Annual Show
The largest daffodil show in the world is held once every eight years in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Thousands of daffodils will be on display, accompanied by daffodil floral designs, photography exhibits, a boutique, and all things daffodil.
Show hours:
Thursday, April 10, 2-7 p.m.
Friday, April 11, 9 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location:
Hyatt Regency Dulles-Luray Ballroom
2300 Dulles Corner Blvd
Herndon, VA 20171
|
|
The 84th Richmond Rose Show
Richmond Rose Society’s 84th Rose Show will be held on May 18-19, 2024, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228.
The show will include horticulture and photography. There will also be a hands-on workshop on making an arrangement with roses on Saturday afternoon.
The Facility opens to exhibitors at 7 a.m. on May 18.
As always, Richmond will provide light refreshments to exhibitors. Exhibitors and judges have free admission to the gardens.
The show will be open to the public on Saturday, May 18 from 1 - 4 p.m. and on Sunday, May 19 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Entrance to the show is included with regular garden admission (admission is free with your ARS membership card).
Photo by Don Williamson
|
|
May 25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday
Arlington Rose Foundation
Annual Rose and Photography Show
Merrifield Garden Center-Fair Oaks
12101 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA.
Exhibitors compete in more than 40 categories of horticulture and photography excellence. Exhibitors may place entries on Friday, 3-5:30 p.m. or Saturday, 7-10:15 a.m. Judging commences at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
For winning entries, over $1,600 in gift certificates, cash, functional garden products and decorative items will be awarded. Experienced and Novice exhibitors are welcomed.
The show is open to the public 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.
Rose bouquets will be given to new members.
Show chairman: Pam Powers (arfinformation@aol.com)
|
|
 |
The Garden Club of Alexandria
Shannon Campagna
Deborah Keefe
Amy Moyer
The Garden Club of Fairfax
Wendy Noe
The Garden Club of Gloucester and Mathews
Robert Fraser
Kelly O'Toole
Laura Roy
Helen Van Orden
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
