A (Buck)Thorny Situation:
The Journey From Buckthorn to Forest
Take a drive along the north part of the Loop Road at Blandy and you’ll get to see the towering pines of the Arboretum, pass by our community garden and artistic bee wall and see milkweed and native grasses hosting insects and birds in the successional fields. But less than half a mile from the parking lot, you’ll soon enter an entirely different landscape – a quiet tunnel of dense green vegetation that the Blandy staff colloquially refer to as the ‘buckthorn forest.’

Landscape Improvement Project for
Peetwood Pavilion Is Underway
With a breathtakingly beautiful view of the Native Plant Trail meadow and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Peetwood Pavilion for Environmental Education has become one of the most popular locations at Blandy since it first opened in 2005. Located about 50 yards east of the visitor parking lot, Peetwood Pavilion is primarily used for Blandy’s K-12 school programs. Over the winter it’s received a major facelift, funded with the support of the University of Virginia’s Arboretum and Landscape Committee as well as the Foundation of the State Arboretum.

How Do You Take a Hike and Read a Book
at the Same Time? You go on a StoryWalk®
For a few weeks this winter, walkers on Blandy’s Native Plant Trail had the opportunity to enjoy the simplicity of reading a good book in nature. Laminated pages from the children’s book Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner were attached to wooden stakes and installed along the NPT walking path. Placed about 40 paces apart, the pages told a story over less than a half-mile walk that encouraged visitors to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time.

Join Us for the VolunteerBlandy! Program
Kick-Off on Saturday, April 2nd
If you're looking for your own way to give back to Blandy, we invite you to come meet members of our friendly staff and current volunteers at our VOLUNTEER BLANDY event on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Blandy's Peetwood Pavilion (just a short walk from our Visitor Parking Lot).

"We All Live Downstream"
Spring Brings Flocks of Fourth Graders Back to Blandy
They’re baaaaaaack!

As soft leaf buds are expanding and spring flowers are blooming, our environmental educators are welcoming students and teachers back to Blandy for field investigations. This spring, we are excited to be back in person conducting scientific observations and studies with students from kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade!

It's a Blandy Tradition! Shop For Plants for Your Garden
at the 32nd Annual Garden Fair
We’re looking forward to seeing you (and your mom!) at Garden Fair 2022 on Mother’s Day weekend. We will be back at the spacious Clarke County Fairgrounds (890 W. Main Street, Berryville, VA) for our 32nd Annual Garden Fair.

Visit Gardens Across the Country for Free
With Your FOSA Member Benefit

As the temperature warms up and things start blooming, are you itching to visit some of the beautiful gardens around your home or while you’re travelling? One of the benefits of your current FOSA membership card is the Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP), which gives you special admission privileges and discounts at 345+ participating gardens throughout North America as part of the AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program.

Pictured above: Scout, one of our favorite dogs who is currently serving as an assistant to Brandon Fox, Blandy's Buildings Superintendent.
We love it when you bring your four-legged friends to Blandy!
But please remember:

  • Pets are welcome but must be leashed at all times.

  • Owners must clean up after their pets.

It's that simple. Thanks for helping make Blandy a safe, welcoming space for pets and humans!
Visit our website for a detailed job description.