TOP AREA GARDENING EVENTS

Classes, Events, and Plant Shows/Sales

• Saturdays and Sundays, 10am–2pm through October (weather permitting)

Ask an Expert at the Bonsai Pavilion

Volunteers from the Northern Virginia Bonsai Society will be at the Bonsai Pavilion of Meadowlark Botanic Gardens in Vienna, VA, to share their knowledge of the fascinating and beautiful art of Bonsai. Free with garden admission.

• September 21 and 22

Annual Boxwood Symposium

The 2023 Annual Boxwood Symposium will be held this year in Pottersville, NJ. The symposium will include educational lectures about the care and health of boxwood by specialists in the field, and tours of some fantastic private and public landscapes that would normally be difficult to access. Details at americanboxwoodsociety.org.

• Saturday, September 23, 6–11pm

AHS 50th Gala at River Farm

The Gala will be the perfect opportunity to show support for the American Horticultural Society and River Farm: visit the treasured headquarters; connect with fellow supporters; and enjoy a magical evening of good food, drink, entertainment, and conversation. See https://ahsgardening.org/.

• Saturday, September 23, 7pm

Research on Maryland’s Dying Ash Forests by Dr. Andrew Baldwin

The forest canopies of many tidal freshwater forested wetlands in the Mid-Atlantic region are (or were) dominated by ash trees, which have been decimated by the emerald ash borer. In this talk, Baldwin will present research on the dramatic changes in vegetation in ash-dominated tidal wetlands resulting from emerald ash borer damage. Free. Hosted by the Maryland Native Plant Society. Held via Zoom. Register at http://www.mdflora.org/event5304015.

• Wednesday, September 27, 6:30–7:30pm

Garlic–Plant it Now

Are you a garlic lover? Learn about how to plant and when to harvest garlic, plus the history and many types of garlic to choose from. Held at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA. Free, no registration required. Details at https://mgnv.org/.

• Saturday, September 30, 10am–2pm Fall Festival & Bulb Sale

Celebrate fall at the U.S. National Arboretum. Stock up on both favorite and unusual bulbs, shop from a small number of local vendors, and try out free nature-based activities for the whole family. There will be 52 different types of bulbs for sale, from alliums, to irises, to tulips. Many of these bulbs are new to the sale and their supplier, so be the first on your block to plant them. Registration is preferred, but not required, at https://www.fona.org/.

• September 30 to November 12 Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens

From tiny pom-poms to oversized blooms, more than 5,000 chrysanthemum plants in rich colors of yellow, orange, lavender, maroon, and more transform Longwood’s grand conservatory into an autumnal dream. This amazing display is also Longwood’s most challenging exhibition, combining art and horticulture to bring an ancient artform practiced throughout Japan and China to the gardens. Details and tickets at https://longwoodgardens.org.

• Saturday, September 30, 10am–4pm Seed-Saving Basics and Beyond: A Workshop for All Skill Levels

This workshop is the ultimate suburban seed safari. It is geared toward understanding and exploring seed collecting in natural suburban environments. This is an outdoor event in a covered area in Clinton, MD. Fee: $20. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seedsaving-basics-and-beyond-a-workshopfor-growers-of-all-skill-levels-tickets703844356417.

• Sunday, October 1, 1–3pm Urban Agriculture Month

October Urban Agriculture Month in Arlington County, VA, shines a spotlight on the significant role urban agriculture plays in the regional and local food system. The event takes place at the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St.) with speakers and demonstration sessions. For more information, visit: https:// arlingtonurbanag.org/2023-urban-agriculture-month/.

• Saturday, October 7, 10–11:30am

Elevating Your Garden with Unusual Bulbs, Rhizomes, and Tubers

Tired of the same old daffodil and tulip displays? Explore more than 25 of the lesser-known bulbs, rhizomes, and tubers that flourish in our region throughout each season with Washington Gardener Magazine’s Kathy Jentz. Discover how to force bulbs for the holidays and brighten interiors with early spring blooms. You’ll learn design strategies, plant combinations, and growing tips to create a dynamic garden with these unusual yet versatile plants. Fee: $15. Register at activemontgomery.org.

• Saturday, October 7, 11am–3:30pm

Orchid Auction

A wide variety of species and hybrid orchids will be available, including award-winning and best-of plants, all cultivated and grown with great care by National Capital Orchid Society members. Orchid plants and supplies will also be available for sale. The auction is free and open to the public. Held at the Chevy Chase Christian Church, Large Meeting Room, 8841 Kensington Branch Parkway, Chevy Chase, MD. Details at www.ncos.us.

• Sunday, October 8, 2–4:30pm Rose Bush Auction & Rooting Workshop

Lively rose bush auction, followed by a hands-on rooting workshop hosted by the Arlington Rose Foundation. Members, free. Non-members, $18, which will include all membership benefits through 2023. Held at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA. Details at https:// www.arlingtonrose.org/.

• Wednesday, October 11, 2–3pm

A Life of Learning in the Garden with Holly Shimizu, Exec. Dir. Emerita,

United States Botanic Garden

Looking to create a garden that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and values that incorporates herbs, natives, and more? Whether you’re starting fresh

(with lots of goals) or reimagining an existing property (with some distinct challenges), designing a garden is a process, starting with a look inward at your wants and needs…and outward at your site and surroundings. Shimizu will share design considerations, practical ideas, and how-to’s that enable you to create a successful organic garden that reflects your personal style. Held in person at AHS headquarters at River Farm 7931 East Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA. Fee: $15 AHS members/$20 nonmembers. Register at https://ahsgardening.org/lifelong-learning/.

• Wednesday, October 11, 7–8:30pm

HarvestShare’s Monthly Talk: Looking Back to Grow Forward

Another season in the garden is coming to a close. Special guests, Keegan Clifford and Washington Gardener Magazine’s Kathy Jentz, will share their perspectives on this season’s ups and downs. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from these local experts and share your own experiences so we can all grow forward together in the garden. Free. Held via Zoom. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvestshares-monthly-talk-looking-back-togrow-forward-tickets-719767653427.

Looking Ahead

•October 21–22

Lilyhemmer 2023

The 28th fall daylily festival is held in Camp Hill, near Harrisburg PA. Speakers include Ellen Laprise, Don Wolf, Rich Howard, and Peter Donato presenting Steve Todd’s hybridizing program. Peter Donato will show the daylilies of the future. A buffet dinner is included in the registration fee and there is a huge plant raffle, silent auction, and great daylilies for auction.

Note that there is a reduced registration rate for first-time attendees, who each also get a great daylily plant. All details and registration information is at http://ahsregion3.org/Page/LILYHEMMER_2023_FALL_DAYLILY_FESTIVAL.

• Friday October 27, 6:30–8:30pm

Foodie Fridays: Food is Freedom

In the U.S., food and farming have a long history of being tied to freedom— and enslavement. For the final Foodie

Fridays of 2023, speakers will discuss the power rooted in food and farming. Susan Cook will share the story of her fourth great aunt, Alethia Tanner, and how growing food was her pathway from enslavement to freedom. Gardener and edible activist Vanessa Pierre will discuss her advocacy work and how gardening continues to empower communities. Held at Josiah Henson Museum and Park. Fee $10, includes light refreshments, drinks, and a ticket to the museum. Register at https://montgomeryparks.org/events/foodie-fridaysfood-is-freedom/.

• Saturday, October 28, 11am–2pm Garlic Planting Party & Poetry Slam

Fall planting, crafts, and a youth poetry competition in Washington Youth Garden at the U.S. National Arboretum. Details coming soon.

• Thursday, November 30, 6:30-8pm Garden

Book Club Meeting

We will discuss Orchid Muse: A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers by Erica Hannickel. You can order it new or used at our Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3Yoo42b or at our Bookshop store: https://bookshop. org/a/79479/9780393867282. In the December 2022 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine, reviewer Jim Dronenburg wrote, “... even if you never intend to have, wear, or grow an orchid, it is a fascinating read.”

The Washington Gardener Magazine’s Garden Book Club meets quarterly via Zoom and is free and open to all. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkc-ygrzMiH9z6ekl2ip3w n8PLuyFrG9r9.

Event Listing Updates

See updated event listings on the Washington Gardener discussion list. Join by emailing WashingtonGardenersubscribe@googlegroups.com

How to Submit Events

To submit an event for this listing, email washingtongardenermagazine@gmail. com with “Event” in the subject line.

Our next deadline is October 5 for the October 2023 issue, for events taking place after October 15. o

The Urban Garden: 101 Ways to Grow Food and Beauty in the City is all about small-space gardening solutions!

By Kathy Jentz and

Teresa Speight

Published by Cool Springs Press/Quarto Homes

Order it today at: https://amzn.to/3yiLPKU

GardenDC Podcast

The GardenDC podcast is all about gardening in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic area. The program is hosted by Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener Magazine, and features guest experts in local and national horticulture. The latest episodes include interviews with experts on Garden Myths, Begonias, Wild Bees, and Adaptive Gardening. You can listen online at https:// washingtongardener.blogspot.com/ or on Spotify, Apple, etc. o