Ah, the joy of gardens, flowers and friendships! June for the Garden Club of Virginia was a kaleidoscope of activity as we gathered in Williamsburg for Horticulture Field Day, an incredible immersive horticultural experience; Presidents Day in Richmond, when member club presidents enjoyed exchanging ideas and the camaraderie of others; and, HGW Boot Camp, a fun and informative day for next year’s tour chairmen. The much needed rainfall didn’t dampen the spirit of lily lovers as Dolley Madison Garden Club hosted Summer Fun, the 2023 Lily Show.

A big thank you to the Horticulture Committee, The Williamsburg Garden Club, our member club presidents and the Dolley Madison Garden Club for their hard work, talents and skills to make these special events such a tremendous success.

As we gear up for a flurry of fall activities, the coming summer days provide us with the opportunity to spend quality time with our families and friends and in our gardens. Enjoy!

My best,

Mark your calendar for an exciting new collaboration between the Garden Club of Virginia and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. History Blooms will be a multi-day program at the Museum that weaves together the missions of both organizations and uses artistic floral design to tell the story of Virginia’s history. All clubs are invited to produce a floral arrangement for the event. If your club is able to participate, please let us know by emailing Ann Heller, communications@gcvirginia.org, by July 15. Specific guidance on arrangement style and placement will follow, and attendee registration will open later this summer.

The Garden Club of Virginia is pleased to announce the ‘Nikko Blue’ Hydrangea as the flower of the year for Historic Garden Week 2024. This flower dominates the gardens of Hunter and Lynda Odom whose home was chosen to grace the cover of the 2024 HGW Guidebook. Surrounded by Lake Meade and charming Suffolk, this 1938 Colonial Revival is sited on almost two acres with three unique gardens and more than 100 hydrangeas.

Sept. 18, 2023, 11 a.m.-noon, at the Kent-Valentine House 

Please join world renowned daffodil grower and flower show judge Brent Heath of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, Gloucester, Virginia, for a talk on the use of daffodils as companion plants. Mr. Heath is a long time bulb supplier of GCV Daffodil Test Collections.  Details and Registration. Space is limited.

Developed by the GCV Restoration Committee, this online publication is an informational link between the GCV and historic properties, as well as a connection between the properties themselves. Read the Summer 2023 edition to learn about a historic grist mill, a hard-working magnolia and more.

Each year the Public Relations Society of America recognizes outstanding public relations professionals and their work. Entries are taken for statewide, national and global campaigns, from government entities, non-profit organizations, corporations and agencies. The organization recognizes the most creative and effective communications strategies and tactics happening across Virginia.

We are proud to announce that the Guidebook won an Award of Excellence, the highest honor, in the publications category. Accepting the award on behalf of the Garden Club of Virginia were HGW Marketing and Program Coordinator Terri Lowman, who manages Guidebook advertising, and Whitney Tigani, the graphic designer who supports both the Guidebook and GCV’s Journal. HGW Director and the Guidebook Editor Karen Ellsworth, was unable to attend the ceremony.

Working to conserve the gifts of nature is integral to the Garden Club of Virginia. Like World Nature Conservation Day, we emphasize the need to preserve the environment for future generations. Observe this important holiday by planting a tree where one is needed, choosing natives in your garden, cutting down on use of plastics, conserving water, halting the use of pesticides and growing your own food.

The 65th Annual Conservation Forum will take place on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Irving Theater at The CODE Building in Charlottesville. The topic is EcoLandscaping, and the forum will feature three incredible speakers: Eliza Greenman, Thomas Rainer, and Larry Weaner. Accommodations will be at the Charlottesville Omni, across the street from the forum. Come learn how to unlove your lawn, leave your leaves, rewild and much more from three of Virginia’s leading environmentally-minded horticulturalists. Look for registration to open later this summer.

The Common Wealth Award was established in 1979 to provide an annual grant to promote projects in the interest of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation and education. The two word name Common Wealth was chosen to describe the "wealth" that is "common" to all Virginians.

The following are the 2023 Common Wealth Award Nominees. The recipient will be announced at the Board of Governors meeting in October. Read the Full Descriptions.

The Boxwood Garden Club, The James River Garden Club, Three Chopt Garden Club, and The Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton proposed:

Gabriella Garden Club proposed:

The Garden Study Club and The Martinsville Garden Club proposed:

The Martinsville Garden Club and the Patrick Henry Rose Society present the 47th Annual Rose Show Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023

Piedmonts Arts Center, 215 Starling Ave., Martinsville, VA.

Workrooms open at 6 a.m. Open to the public: 1 - 4 p.m.

This show will consist of horticulture, artistic design and photography. Advance registration is required for artistic design only.

Further information contact Joyce Moorman at moorjoy@verizon.net

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Woman’s Club at the Bolling Haxall House

211 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23219

*Open to the Public and Free of Charge*

This special “Ebb & Flow” Flower Show, hosted by The James River Garden Club, takes its theme from one of Richmond’s greatest assets—the James River—and will feature elements of its unique ecosystem throughout the show. Educational displays by area non-profits will highlight conservation and preservation in and around the river. Visitors will have the opportunity to walk through many creative and fascinating entries in Floral Design, Horticulture, Photography and Botanical Arts. Submissions will come from individuals and clubs of GCA’s Zone VII, which currently numbers 18 clubs and 1,400 members throughout Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The purpose of a flower show is threefold: to set standards of artistic and horticultural excellence; to broaden knowledge of horticulture, floral design, conservation, photography and other related areas; and to share the beauty of a show with fellow club members and with the public. We hope you will come to see these fabulous botanical creations and support the talented people behind them.

The flower show will also include the “River Run Boutique” where visitors will find clothing, jewelry, art, ceramics, and accessories—the perfect place to shop for gifts or a special treat for yourself. Raffle tickets with great prizes will be available at the Welcome Table. Boutique location and hours are same as Flower Show. For more information, please contact Andrea Erda at afishindc@aol.com.

Albemarle Garden Club is proud to present a two-day design forum with nationally acclaimed designer and tastemaker Mark D. Sikes on Oct. 11 and 12, 2023 at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville. Details are provided below.

In conjunction with The Design Forum, Albemarle Garden Club invites all to participate in “The Beautiful Flower Show,” Oct. 11-12, 2023, at The Paramount Theater, 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia.  View the Schedule.

Does your club have an upcoming event you'd like to share with other GCV members? Email Membership News Chairman Edie Hessberg with details.

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