Spring Flower Gardening Event Calendar 2019 in Charlottesville Virginia

My front flower bed earlier in the season.

Instead of finishing my taxes, I'll divert my attention to SPRING. It's such a wonderfully lovely time of year, I had to sneak this blog post in. My garden has transformed from the yellow's of Daffodils and Forsythia to the pink's of Crab Apple and Redbud. With each passing Spring day my view from my back deck develops. Shades of green darken and dots of white and red trees appear. I never tire of the seasons.

Love this sweet garden view on Rugby Road.

I try to reserve April and May for Gardening Events. These months are super busy and it's my time to be selfish and take time out to explore gardens and reunite with plants. I've even invited the local Facebook plant group over to my house this year for a morning coffee and plant swap. The pressure is on to tidy up the yard, not to mention finish my taxes. YIKES! I hope the gang is not expecting a manicured yard, I'm more of a plant collector than a landscaper. Should be fun meeting like minded garden lovers that I've gotten to know from posting comments online.

My front flower bed, it's Daffodil season!

The first main local gardening event of the season will be kicked off this weekend on April 13. Hosted by The Piedmont Master Gardeners, Through the Garden Gate is held the second Saturday of each month during gardening season from 9 - 12 for the exception of August.

The annual Jefferson chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society will have its sale at the Ivy Creek Nature Center on Saturday, April 27, 1 - 3. It's a wonderful sale with tons of plants and tons of buyers! Come early if you really want to be selective. Native plants benefit our local insect population!

Maybe Trisha will motivate me to go HGW VA.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia also kicks off on April 27 and continues until the following weekend on May 4. I've yet to decide on a garden location to visit. This is the first year that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with finishing our garage and getting started on renovating the basement so my mother can move in. I might take a breather this year (the first in probably 8 years) and skip this main event.

The Piedmont Master Gardeners will also have their  main event on Saturday May 4th, 10 - 2 under the Stonefield Shopping Plaza tent (this is a new location). Their annual plant sale is awesomely amazing. Another great place to pick up a special and unique plant from many different local plant expert groups.

Sweet Daffodils in my garden.

This week I'll be heading out at 6 am to take a stroll through the Sarah P. Duke Gardens before my annual doctor trip to Duke. Might as well make the visit interesting! Can't wait to finally see these gardens. I conveniently booked an appointment mid April.

HAPPY SPRING and get out and smell not only the roses but all the flowers!

~Rebecca

Rush to get to the Levy Lions, quick detour to the North Carolina Arboretum

NC Arboretum, up with the dog walkers

Rushing as fast as we could to hopefully end the quest to find the missing pair of Levy Lions, we were thwarted once again. Attempting to get to our destination before sunset we still had another 30 miles to go. We were not going to make it and after a horribly exhausting day getting stuck in traffic for hours, we were forced to grab a hotel room at 9 pm in Asheville, North Carolina.

Lovely yellow Magnolia tree

I blindly booked a room on my phone based on good reviews. I had no idea where it was located - just somewhere in Asheville. Missteps snowballed as we attempted to check into the wrong hotel but miraculously the right hotel was conveniently 4 miles from the North Carolina Arboretum! Exhaustion was not going to keep me in bed the next morning and we arrived when the Arboretum doors opened at 8 am!

NC Arboretum Visitors Center lined with tulips & ranunculus

We were scheduled to see the lion statues at noon so we had a few hours to roam the tranquil forests and landscaped grounds! I'm not sure which I was more excited about, lions or trees. After all this is the NC Arboretum, this is not a forest you just drive-by without stopping. I can't believe that I had originally planned our trip to do such a ghastly thing!

It was a tad bit early in the season as many plants were only thinking about unfurling leaves and bursting open blossoms. But no matter the time of year, there is always something interesting to see; mountain views, majestic trees, thick forests, babbling brooks, stonework, and even bonsai plantings.

Frederick Olmsted,father of American Landscape Architecture

The Arboretum is located at the end of the road after leaving fits of traffic and shopping malls which makes this peaceful place even more special. Each day our protected forests are being walled in by roads and businesses, or just plain greed. In Virginia we have protesters camping out in equally as majestic trees to stop pipelines from destroying privately owned land and our national forests. Imminent domain is used to seize ANY property for "justifiable public good". These last three words can be construed to suit business interests and PROFITS.

Prominent sculpture of butterfly wings and chrysalis

I wonder if those in the business of tree destruction have a soul? The feeling one gets in quiet places among spring ephemerals, walls of trees, and trickling brooks is worth fighting to preserve. Even 20 years ago I thought it unimaginable that our national forests would fall prey to corporate greed. Times have changed and people are nearly going to war to save what soon could all be trashed. Make note, the door has OPENED WIDER.

Tiered gardens guarded by Levy Lions, designed by F. Olmsted

I was sad to leave the magical forest environ but a short drive took us to an amazing spot where the Levy Lions have stood waiting to be found for all to read about. Sunday I will reveal the amazing details about the lions!

~Rebecca 

Leave the Leaves

Beautiful Fall on Forsythia Hill.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire... Beautiful Fall colors... Cozy beside a roaring wood stove... Warm homemade Apple Pie topped with a luscious ball of Vanilla Ice Cream. Fall activities that makes the loss of Spring Daffodils and Summer flowers not so bad. Six months of no roaring lawn mowers and whirling string trimmers.

Jethro = Leaf disposal system

But wait, my senses are elevated only to be snuffed out by the roar of leaf blowers, more lawn mowing, and fumes from leaf burning. Unfortunately mechanical devices have turned a moment of convening with nature into one of hurry and frustration. Mainly I leave the leaves, but rake some into flowerbeds, the chicken yard, or add to the compost pile. Chickens like nothing better than to peck and scratch in a big pile of fresh crunchy leaves.

Underground Burn Pit that I get to see and smell.

Apparently leaf burning is a contagious endeavor as it seems once one neighbor is doing it, others get in on it. Heaven forbid should a leaf be allowed to drop without its prompt removal. I love the sound of leaves beneath my feet and the free fertilizer. If we allow nature to tend to the leaves, our planet will behave as it is intended. Read about the natural cycle from Trees for Life.

This fire was left to burn all night. 

I can get away from the noise but burning yard waste is another matter all together. Closing all windows and doors is not enough protection from the stench. It's perfectly legal in Albemarle County to burn yard waste (and even though it is listed as illegal, the fire dept said burning construction material was fine as long as not painted or treated wood). Unlimited sized Burn Pits are also legal in this county.

Clear blue sky, what our lungs need.

Fires are problematic when they are left to burn overnight allowing smoke to linger. An unmanned simmering fire is the worst fire, releasing toxins over a long period. One would think our county to be more progressive by not permitting the burning of leaves that can add such benefit to nature. Instead we are harming nature and causing a nuisance.

How much pollution is a little leaf burning contributing? Read it here... a lot. There is an interesting site that shows the air quality live. The second most significant form of biomass burning in the US is the burning of leaves. Burning a ton of leaves will produce 117 pounds of carbon monoxide, 41 pounds of particulates (easily absorbed by the lungs), and at least 7 highly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( Battelle, Friedman).

Little Spring Crocus happy in the leaves.

If you can't stand leaving the leaves for nature, you can mulch the leaves with your racket maker, mowing them into smaller pieces that will decompose literally before your eyes or ditch the mower and get a workout, raking like a mad man, spreading the leaves all around so they decompose faster.

-Rebecca

Historic Garden Week - Richmond VA Gardens

Whimsical garden on Kanawha

This week during Historic Garden Week in Virginia, we spent the day visiting 8 homes in Richmond, VA. The beautiful gardens and homes kept us entertained so we didn't notice the chill in the air.

Garden Club of Virginia Headquarters

We started our tour at the Garden Club of Virginia Headquarters at the incredible Kent Valentine House. Located downtown nestled in massive Southern Magnolia Trees that predate the house (1845)! This antebellum mansion was saved from the wrecking ball by the club in 1971 and spurred preservation in that part of Richmond. Completely furnished by members, it hosts wedding receptions and events.

Hydrangea

The bulk of the tour focused on the historic secluded Chatham Hills neighborhood located just minutes from the Country Club of Virginia.  Most homes were built in the 1920s so there are many majestic trees in a park like setting with plenty of privacy. This time of year offers Spring colors of pastels with touches of fresh green growth. It's a beautiful time of year to celebrate a new season.

Richmond's version of a "pool house" - WOW.

My favorite garden on the tour was the whimsical 7 Kanawha Road. We spent over an hour looking at the statuary, wall of masks, and plantings located right on top of the Kanawha Canal and behind what once was a pool house for a nearby mansion. We had a good laugh over Richmonders definition of a pool house as this was most definitely the biggest pool house on the planet.

Red Poppy w/ Pansies in the background

The last garden that we visited, 129 Brookschase Ln, obviously belonged to a plant collector because of all the plant varieties in the yard. I loved the shrub collection, Poppies and herb bed.  My favorite, must have plant, on the tour, was a Sinocalycalycanthus or Sweet Shrub Hybrid.  I also fell in love with a beautiful Holly that was planted at several homes along the tour coated with big yellow spring pom pom blossoms.

Rear of home on Kanawha Road.

The icing on the cake are the breathtaking Floral Arrangements designed by Club members. It was a beautiful tour and garden club volunteers were welcoming and kind.  I can't wait to see where next year takes me!  More photos will be posted on my tumblr blog.

-Rebecca

Fall Trip to Scottsville, VA

Last week Hurricane Sandy was slated to batter the East Coast so the girls decided to hit the road to see the colorful leaves before they were all blasted off the trees.  We headed South of Charlottesville to the quaint town of Scottsville, Virginia.  It was a scenic drive down Highway 20 with lovely hillsides covered in glorious yellow and orange with a few splashes of red.

First stop was to travel on the last poled ferry in the United States, The Hatton Ferry.  This was the final weekend of the season to catch the ferry trip from Albemarle County to Buckingham County.  Ironically, the water level was so low (pre-Sandy) that we could only venture halfway across the James River.  Regardless, it was a lovely day and our ferry driver was a wonderful guide, born nearby, which allowed him to share a bit of local history while we enjoyed our ride.  The ferry has operated for 140 years and is still in motion thanks to the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society.

Next we strolled downtown Scottsville.  It reminds me so much of my old small town residence of Pulaski.  Like many small towns, the economy has really done a number on it but we did find one great shop, the recently opened Scrumpcious Sweet Shoppe.  Ohhhh, and Ohhhh, and Ohhhh does it ever have great cupcakes!  I was really happy to see they provided samples and man did that hook me into wanting MORE.  The White on White was the best, the Chocolate on Chocolate was no slouch.  Creamy rich icing and a soft buttery cake.  It has been a long time since I've had such a good sweet.  The reviews on the Chocolate Cake with Mint icing were mixed.  I loved it and wanted more but my friend didn't like the icing because it was Spearmint and not Peppermint.  I personally loved the surprise and love Spearmint!  The Pumpkin Cupcake was excellent but I still liked the sample White on White the best.  I WANT MORE.


Ivy coated Mennonite Church, Schuyler, VA

After devouring our sweets we were off  to Schuyler, Virginia where the creator of " The Walton's", Earl Hamner, grew up.  His home still stands as do several beautiful churches tucked into the landscape.  The Walton's Museum was closed already (darn those cupcakes) but several interesting structures remain in Schuyler.  The Mennonite Church covered in Ivy is a treasure.  We were invited in for a service by the local Non-denomenational Church group but we were trying to make it home before dark so had to pass. 


Darling Rockfish Post Office, outside Schuyler, VA.

The little Rockfish U.S. Post Office is now closed but the darling little structure still remains.  It is so sad to think this community no longer has it's little Post Office open.  Such a gem and I can imagine quite the "community center" when it was up and running.

We zipped up 29 N back to reality, but it was a nice venture back into the country, little traffic, a lot of wildlife, and little noise.  Just how I like it.

-Rebecca

Lewis Ginter BOGO

A great winter time deal at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia goes through the end of February.  Yesterday my husband and I enjoyed a day roaming the gardens for half off.

I love gardens no matter what time of year it is.  Lewis Ginter shows off their plantings best features year round.  My husbands favorite plant was a massive Loblolly Pine back in the Dwarf Conifer section.  I went to see the Daffodils.  It was a bit early but there were some early blooming varieties that were quite lovely.  Especially a patch of miniature yellows with a cup no larger than my pinky fingernail.

Also showing interest were multicolored Hellebore's, pink Cherry trees, Witch Hazel, Magnolia, various berried plants and shrubs, Daffodils, and Crocus,   Winter allows visitors to better view a variety of birds not only in the garden but in the ponds and lakes.  There were some beautiful Geese enjoying diving for fish and floating gracefully.  The Conservatory, a relatively new element at Lewis Ginter, is always in full bloom.  Currently showing are lovely displays of spring bulbs and a wing full of incredible Orchids.

There were also two impressive exhibits, one inside and one outside.  In the Library, Seeing Trees: Photographs by Robert Llewellyn (the last day was Sunday) and outside behind the Conservatory the massive,  Diamonds in the Rough stick sculpture by Patrick Dougherty; a Meadowmorphosis.  Children were especially enjoying the outside exhibit.

We had a relaxing day once again at Lewis Ginter.  This Tuesday the discussion will continue in Charlottesville concerning the possible addition of a Botanical Garden to McIntire East.  Let's hope it's a major part of this City owned park land.  Check out my NEW Garden Lovers Calendar on my blog for upcoming Charlottesville gardening related events.

-Rebecca