Greetings!
It has been a busy first few weeks for Andrea Butler as we have welcomed her as executive director of the Garden Club of Virginia. During this time Andrea has familiarized herself with the GCV staff, organizational structure, budget planning, mission and goals for the future. Meetings are ongoing with members of the Board of Directors, committee chairmen, member club leaders and community partners. Andrea looks forward to supporting the leadership of the Garden Club of Virginia, getting to know our membership and helping to guide the GCV into a successful second century. Read the press release.
We have lots of news and updates to share as we look forward to spring. While we will miss being together for Daffodil Day, the creativity of our committees and the overwhelming response from participants will combine to offer a fabulous virtual show. Zoom meetings and webinar workshops continue to be popular and your comments and feedback are appreciated.
The Historic Garden Week guidebook will be available at distribution sites and digitally very soon. You will be excited and proud of the safe and careful way that tours have been planned with more than 100 private gardens and dozens of historic properties featured.
The Garden Club of Virginia is ready to Spring Forward
and Open the Garden Gates
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Missy Buckingham
GCV President, 2020-2022
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Tour Updates
For all of us in the Garden Club of Virginia, spring means Historic Garden Week. This year is testament to members' exceptional creativity and enthusiasm in planning “tours with a twist.” With more than 100 private and public gardens and landscapes open this year throughout the commonwealth, what a wonderful opportunity to highlight sustainable gardening, native plants and long-time GCV conservation efforts.
The Historic Garden Week Committee has made the decision to allow tour teams to open interior spaces, if they desire to do so, using current COVID-19 protocols set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each of the tour teams represented for HGW 2021 has gone to extraordinary lengths to put into place appropriate precautionary measures in all locations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for our members, volunteers, homeowners and visitors.
A handful of clubs have made formal requests to the Board of Directors to not participate in hosting a tour this year. Citing COVID-related issues, from homeowners not wishing to participate to concerns about not having enough hostesses, these clubs have been asked to do their best to support other tours. HGW Region Representatives and GCV Directors-at-Large are working to connect host clubs with members from non-host clubs seeking assignments. This collaboration between member clubs to provide as much woman-power as possible is greatly appreciated.
Good News From the Governor
As a result of our participation in an Event and Venue Leaders Group that has been providing information and recommendations for special events for nearly a year, Gov. Northam announced on Feb. 24 that outdoor restrictions would be increased from 10 to 25 people. This positive news allows many tours to increase their capacity in the coming weeks should they want to do so. Through the timed ticketing system that was put in place to support this spring’s tours, be assured that tours are adhering to current guidelines. Learn more and read the Amended Executive Order.
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Our new aprons are a great way to identify you as part of the GCV team during Historic Garden Week or anytime. $30 each. Purchase online.
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Spring Forward 2021 will make its virtual premier on April 1 featuring Artistic Design, Photography, and an educational horticulture exhibit.
Opportunities are still available to register for Botanical Arts and Needlepoint with a deadline of March 7. Please visit the Daffodil Day website for information and to register.
Mark Your Calendar
Daffodil Day registration opens: Now through March 7
Deadline for image submission for Artistic Design & Photography: March 15
Judging: March 18-20
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The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club regretfully cancelled the 2021 Lilies in Bloom that was scheduled for June 15.
They look forward to hosting the show in 2022.
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Conservation and Beautification |
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Legislative
Club Conservation Chairmen. Mark your calendars. A follow up to the 2021 Legislative Workshop held in January will be presented by the GCV C&B Legislative Subcommittee on Thursday, March 18 at 5 p.m. Chairmen and C&B Committee members are encouraged to attend and celebrate 2021 General Assembly environmental successes. This Zoom will also provide opportunity to learn about issues that may take “a little longer” to achieve. Hear about “what’s new” too. GCV General membership may be updated by their club conservation chairmen, and after the Session has concluded all may check for a summary on the GCV Conservation webpage.
Save River Farm
This just in from the 2021 General Assembly: a budget amendment of $2m from the general fund to go to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority towards the purchase and conservation of River Farm in the City of Alexandria has been approved.
Thanks to all of you who advocated on behalf of this preserved landscape in Northern Virginia. Currently offered for sale, it is hoped that River Farm might be sold to the local Parks system so that the public may continue to enjoy and learn from this pristine natural environment.
Conservation and Environmental Fellowship
The 2021 deadline for applications is March 26, at 5 p.m. The 2021 Fellow will be awarded and announced on April 15. The C&E Fellowship is being publicized to all four-year accredited Virginia colleges and universities. It was established in 2014 to support research in conservation and environmental studies that will directly impact the Commonwealth of Virginia. For information on past recipients visit the Fellowship page on the GCV website.
Learn More about the Natural World
Consider ways you and your club can raise awareness of issues affecting people, birds, animals and the (native) plants that sustain them. For more information about Virginia Wildlife Conservation, please visit the Department of Wildlife Resources: To learn more, also visit their Wildlife Information and Environmental Services page. For a list of Virginia’s rare plants, birds, animals and natural communities, visit the Department of Conservation and Recreation/Department of Natural Heritage. The more we know, the more we commit to support “ECO” - ecology, conservation and observation of our natural world.
Club Speakers
In need of an environmental speaker? Consider a member of the Conservation and Beautification Committee to Zoom or meet with your club.
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Winter Tree Exhibition
What an outstanding turnout for this first ever GCV non-judged photography exhibition. More than 200 photos were collected from members in all six GCV districts. These photos are stunning. Applause and thanks to all who participated. The committee will continue to offer opportunities to develop photography skills and ways to show them off. Stay tuned for our next fun photo adventure.
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Seed Starting
Can you think of a single reason not to start seeds this month? It’s a magic and thrilling endeavor from start to finish. What can be grown from seed vastly expands the
possibilities offered at local nurseries, garden centers and farmers markets. Even if you only have one sunny south- facing windowsill to work with, you can fairly easily produce a satisfying crop of zinnias, cosmos, lettuces and more.
Seed starting kits, ranging from the small and simple to the more elaborate, can be found at local garden centers and ordered online. There are many different grow lights and shelving systems available. Some gardeners set up a basement seed starting operation without too much difficulty or expense. If you choose to wait to start the seeds until after the last frost, you may find it easier to grow seedlings in a pot and later place them when they are maybe 6 inches tall in their garden sites. This method tends to make is easier to remember their daily watering and where they are planted. The crows are also hopefully more challenged to haul the more rooted babies out of the soil.
Consider using the remainder of our cold, bleak winter to start some seeds, whatever they are. You will love to reap the seeds you sow.
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The Garden Club of Virginia has begun its second century of service and is meeting today’s challenges with the same strength, creativity and innovation that were the hallmarks of our first 100 years. Your many generous gifts of time, talent and resources are much appreciated and vital to GCV’s future.
Changing the Landscape of Virginia offers a glimpse into GCV’s stewardship of all its resources while also sharing the many ways that you may help. Please consider a gift to GCV’s Annual Fund or designate another category for your support. Together we can ensure our long rich legacy for a 2nd century of service.
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Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award Finalists
This award provides funding to member club conservation or environmental protection projects that will serve as a catalyst for community action within the commonwealth.
2021 Finalists
Albemarle Garden Club: “Stream Restoration Education at McIntire Botanical Garden”
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club: “Roundabout Meadows”
The Lynchburg Garden Club & Hillside Garden Club: “Roadside Biodiversity Native Perennial Beds”
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National Walk in a Park Day is March 30.
Enjoy a walk in a park near you.
Virginia has a new State Park.
Machicomoco (Gloucester County) is the 40th Virginia State Park.
Keep Virginia Beautiful
Working towards their mission to end littering, improve recycling and beautify communities, KVB is hosting Shiver in Virginia, a month-long effort to clean up a 2021 mile path around the state. Join in the challenge by picking up trash and doing “beautiful things” like recycling, composting and planting native plants. It is a great opportunity to make a difference in your community.
Everyone who registers for Shiver in Virginia will receive a free parking pass for any Virginia State Park.
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Laura Anne has documented inspirational gardens and gorgeous flowers from her trips with the Decorative Arts Trust. We may not be able to travel now, so enjoy living vicariously through these wonderful slideshows!
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The Plant RVA Natives Campaign, of which The James River Garden Club is a partner, is excited to be collaborating with other campaigns across the state to offer a series of 12 webinars - six this spring and six this fall. The webinars will guide you through why and how to turn your home garden into a beautiful retreat for your family and a native habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Kick-off on March 5, 6:30-8 p.m.
Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy, renowned author of Nature's Best Hope.
Tallamy will share simple steps that each of us can take to reverse declining biodiversity and explain why we are nature’s best hope.
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The Virginia Beach Garden Club has enjoyed monthly Nature Walks in First Landing State Park. With 20 miles of trails, there are endless opportunities to explore the cypress swamps, salt marshes, maritime forests, freshwater wetlands, dunes, and bay shorelines. The club Conservation chairman has organized the walks and is ready with apps (ISeek and INature) on her phone to help identify local flora and fauna. It has been a great way to appreciate the beautiful park and fun conversations during the long months of quarantine.
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GCV and club merchandise is available on the Shop page of the GCV website.
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The Ashland Garden Club
Tayloe Thomas
The Lynchburg Garden Club
Ali Cox
Liz Davidson
Christie Hooper
Margaret Gulley
Laura Ramsey
The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
Anne Darron
Catherine Moss
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We want to hear from you! What is going on in your clubs and communities? What fun and creative ways are you finding to stay connected during this time of social distancing? Please share with us by contacting Membership News Chairman Molly Ill at mollyill.vb@gmail.com.
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Mark Your Calendar (All dates are subject to change.)
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March 5 - Basic Editing Workshop with Edie Hessberg
March 7 - Daffodil Day Registration Closes
March 8 - Horticulture Committee Meeting
March 8-12 - HGW Region Meetings
March 9 - Common Wealth Award Committee Meeting
March 12 - Conservation Awards Committee Meeting
March 15 - Deadline for image submission for Artistic Design & Photography
March 16 - Artistic Design Challenge Class
March 18-20 - Daffodil Day Judging
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March 19 - Photography Committee Meeting
March 22 - Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
March 24 - Conservation and Beautification Committee Meeting
March 31 - Deadline to submit club vote for Bessie Bocock Carter Award
April 1 - Daffodil Day (Virtual) Reveal
April 7 - Finance Committee Meeting
April 8 - Historic Garden Week Committee Meeting
April 17-24 Historic Garden Week in Virginia
April 28 - Restoration Committee Meeting
April 29 - Development Committee Meeting
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