Here Comes the Sun! Daffodil Day is just a few weeks away, and I’d like to share this very important information with you...our venue has changed. Due to changes in Norfolk Botanical Garden's construction timeline, Daffodil Day is now being hosted at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach. All other details, as you will note within this Membership News, remain as originally planned. Join us for what promises to be a fantastic display of blooms, an engaging program and a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with other daffodil lovers!
The Historic Garden Week Guidebook is here! As you plan final details for the tour in your own community, I encourage you to make plans to travel and visit other remarkable gardens and homes throughout Virginia. It is a special treat to see the incredible talent and enjoy the warm and welcoming hospitality of fellow GCV members.
And finally, it’s time to plan ahead for Horticulture Field Day. Registration begins this month for an immersive horticultural experience in Colonial Williamsburg and at William & Mary. Gather your friends, book a room and don’t miss the opportunity to explore unique gardens as you tour with noted scholars and horticulturists.
All of the signs are telling us that springtime has arrived in Virginia! Enjoy!
Best,
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Debbie Lewis
GCV President, 2022-2024
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Daffodil Day
March 29, 2023
2-5 p.m.
Jane P. Batten Student Center
Virginia Wesleyan University
5817 Wesleyan Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Free and Open to the Public
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Please note: the location of this year’s Daffodil Day has changed. Daffodil Day will now be held at the Jane P. Batten Student Center on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach.
With each new warm day, it seems spring has sprung early in Virginia. These sunny days have us thinking of one thing: Daffodil Day. Join us to see an abundance of these early bloomers at the Garden Club of Virginia’s Daffodil Day, which carries the theme “Here Comes the Sun.”
As one of the nation’s largest daffodil shows, an estimated 2,000 daffodil stems will be featured, along with 40 floral arrangements and an eye-catching photography show. The horticulture show will be judged by American Daffodil Society judges, the artistic design will be judged by GCV judges and the photography show by GCA/GCV judges.
Daffodils will be showcased in a wide variety of “sunny” floral arrangements that interpret “The Sun King” in the Early French Baroque style; “The Sun Also Rises” in the Phoenix style, “Keep Your Sunny Side Up” in the Casual Contemporary style, and more.
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GCV 101 - Dig In!
March 29, 2023
11 a.m. to noon
Have you wondered how you could promote and participate in the GCV's initiatives? Both new and longtime members are invited to "dig in" to learn about all things GCV. Hear updates from leadership about the GCV's impact across the commonwealth and learn of ways that you can be more actively involved in the GCV's mission.
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Horticulture Field Day
“Unseen Treasures”
A True Gardener’s Horticulture Tour
June 7-8, 2023
Williamsburg
Registration opens Wednesday, March 15
Mark your calendars for Wednesday and Thursday, June 7 and 8 and make plans to spend one or two nights for a fun and informative visit to Williamsburg.
Join other GCV members for unique educational horticulture tours. Topics include: dazzling landscaping, planting and pruning tips, heirloom flowers and vegetables, IPM boxwood blight, topiary shearing demonstrations, champion trees, garden archaeology and more. Visit two GCV Restoration sites: the newly completed Reveley Garden at William & Mary and the historic Bruton Parish Churchyard in Colonial Williamsburg.
Professional horticulture staff-led tours will be held both Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday’s tour will be held from 1-4 p.m. on the campus of William & Mary with refreshments on the patio of W&M President’s home. The tour on Thursday will take place from 9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. and includes Colonial Williamsburg’s “Unseen Treasures” from America’s first restored property and rarely seen 18th-century home gardens.
Registration is limited to the first 150 (GCV members only). Expect significant walking on uneven terrain. Rain or shine.
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Bunny Mellon Style Event
Getting excited about Historic Garden Week’s 90th anniversary this April? Then you won't want to miss a special event co-hosted by the GCV and The Woman’s Club on April 12 at The Bolling Haxall House, 211 East Franklin St, Richmond. Bunny Mellon’s grandson, Thomas Lloyd, and fellow author Bryan Huffman will share stories and design tips from their book Bunny Mellon Style. Four properties with direct connections to Bunny Mellon (Oak Spring, Little Oak Spring, Carter Hall and Apple Hill) will be showcased on the Middleburg tour and the Clarke County tour.
The event takes place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and will include drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $40 for members of the GCV or The Woman’s Club and $50 for their guests/non-members. Purchase of the book Bunny Mellon Style is additional, and the authors will be available for book signing. The Woman's Club and the GCV will share proceeds from the event.
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Guidebook
Ticket Sales
Historic Garden Week Endorsed as a Virginia Green Travel Event
GCV is dedicated to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices in all it does, and our efforts have not gone unnoticed. As GCV’s largest event, Historic Garden Week has made a substantial effort to minimize its environmental impact, and is now being recognized by the Virginia Green Travel Alliance—a coalition including Virginia’s Tourism Corporation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, State Parks and Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association—as an event encouraging green practices in tourism. This endorsement will serve to draw added attention to our mission-driven sustainability efforts, and support the work we are already doing to reduce the environmental footprint of our tours.
Thank you for your continued commitment to environmentally sound practices within and beyond the GCV.
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Judges Workshop
On Monday, March 6, the Artistic Design Committee is holding a Flower Show Judging Workshop at Kent-Valentine House. In-person participation registrations are full, but please join the workshop via Zoom from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and continuing from 1:30-2:30 p.m. We will demonstrate design styles featured in the Daffodil Day flower show, and discuss judging protocols, testing, and the elements and principles of design. The workshop is open to judges, student judges and any GCV member interested in artistic design.
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GCV Awards: Nominations Due June 1, 2023 |
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The Conservation Awards Committee seeks nominations for the Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for Conservation and the Conservation Educator Award. The Dugdale Award is presented to an organization, industry or individual, not a GCV member or GCV member club. The Conservation Educator Award recognizes an individual or organization that promotes the ideals of conservation through education. The work of the nominee must support the GCV’s mission.
Proposals for both awards should be sent to Ann Heller, GCV Communications Coordinator, 12 E. Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219 or electronically at communications@gcvirginia.org, and must be received by June 1, 2023.
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Winter Photo Challenge
Thank you to all who entered the 2023 Winter Photo Challenge. Please look for the “winning” photographs in the April Membership News.
Photo by Edie Hessberg
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Kent-Valentine House: It’s Your House, Too
The Kent-Valentine House in downtown Richmond is not only the GCV’s Headquarters, but it’s also your house. From baby showers to wedding receptions and cocktail parties, the KVH is available to Garden Club of Virginia members and their sponsored guests. “It’s such a beautiful setting,” notes Executive Director Andrea Butler, adding, “GCV members are so lucky to have access to the KVH. Private events can become extra special. Our staff looks forward to working with you to make your events as turnkey as possible.”
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Historic Garden Week enthusiasts from 27 states have purchased Guidebooks and are busy planning their trips to Virginia. Garden clubs from Dallas, Natchez, Miss., Memphis, Washington state, South Carolina and Maryland have purchased HGW state passes and Guidebooks for their groups, and can’t wait to be inspired, educated and welcomed by you, our gracious volunteers. |
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Lily Show
Orange
June 20-21, 2023
Hosted by Dolley Madison Garden Club
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The 65th Annual Conservation Forum will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Lynchburg, at the Academy Center of the Arts Warehouse Theater. The topic is EcoLandscaping. Come learn how to unlove your lawn, leave your leaves, rewild and much more.
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The Garden Club of the Northern Neck is seeking applications for 2023 grant proposals for the restoration of historic gardens, conservation and preservation of natural resources, beautification of the area, and promotion of horticulture and education related to natural resource conservation. Grant proposals are available to individuals and nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations. To request an application, contact betsystanley1472@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is March 15. Awardees will be notified in May and checks will be presented at the club’s May meeting.
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featuring
Caspari of Charlottesville, Virginia and Paris
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Country Club of Petersburg
10 a.m. Silent Auction and Social Time
11:45 a.m. Caspari’s Presentation
12:45 p.m. Seated Luncheon
Ticket price: $45
For tickets, contact: Sally Seward
(804) 586-5868
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Our Shop features fun and useful GCV and Member Club items. Shop Now.
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The Ashland Garden Club
Kim Monroe
Jennifer Young
Dolley Madison Garden Club
Erin Waters
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The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
Lindsay Dickinson
Holly Morby
Mary Underwood
Three Rivers Garden Club
Robin Daniels
The Williamsburg Garden Club
Glenda Lindsey
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club
Donna Downing
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Our Mission:
To conserve the gifts of nature, to restore and preserve historic landscapes of the commonwealth, to cultivate the knowledge and love of gardening, and to lead future generations to build on this heritage.
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