Flower & Garden Festival
April 16 & 17
The town of Leesburg morphs into a garden at its 26th annual Flower & Garden Festival this month. Patrons can expect to be surrounded by nature’s splendor with flowers of all kinds as well as an assortment of heirloom vegetables, but there is more to this event than stems and seasonal veggies from over 130 vendors. There will be food, art, music on the main stage, a wine and beer garden and opportunities to learn through craft and garden exhibits, a landscape design competition and children’s activities.
Historic Garden Week
April 23-30
For the last week in April, more than 250 gardens, residences and historic landmarks across Virginia are open to the public to explore and be inspired. If you don’t want to travel, though, there are many opportunities in Northern Virginia in places such as Old Town Alexandria, Middleburg, Falls Church, Arlington and Fredericksburg. In Alexandria, tour five homes on April 23 with refreshments to follow at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Middleburg offers two tours, April 24 and 25, with four homes within the Crooked Run Rural Historic District and Mosby Heritage Area. Falls Church and Arlington tours showcase all that is possible with urban gardens April 26 as patrons explore two registered historic homes and architectural gems in the Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Arts and Crafts and Victorian genres. And drive down to Fredericksburg on April 26 to walk through the centuries during a tour of a home owned by a former governor that was turned into a Civil War hospital and is now a private residence, ending the day with some tea and refreshments.
Oatlands Mansion and Garden Tour
Resumes April 1
After the winter closure, Oatlands opens back up to the public for all to enjoy either the self-guided or interpretive guided tours of the 1700s-era plantation. Outside patrons can take in the rolling pastures, terraced and herb gardens and reflecting pool, while inside they can learn about the families who resided at the mansion circa 1804 or take the Enslaved Community tour focusing on the Carter Family, the largest slave owners in Loudoun County during the late 1800s.
