Green Springs Gardens and Horticultural Center
A trip to Green Springs Gardens isn’t just a delight to the eyes. Along with 20 themed gardens, ponds and a greenhouse, patrons can also take advantage of the horticultural reference library, on-site shops, museum and historic house. There are also scheduled workshops and events that take place that will teach you how to care for your Metro-D.C. area-specific garden and lawn.
River Farm Gardens
The headquarters of the American Horticultural Society and a farm that once belonged to George Washington is situated on 25 acres of landscape that overlooks the Potomac River in Alexandria. You can stroll the grounds, or for a small fee take a guided tour.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Tucked away in Vienna there are 95 acres of beauty with unique native plants, ornamental gardens and an atrium with tropical gardens. Meander through the entire campus, through forests, over lakes and make sure to stop at the Korean Bell garden and the on-site log cabin. In April you’ll be able to take in sprouting daffodils, tulips, magnolias, wildflowers and more than a handful of others.
Oatlands Historic House and Garden Tour
After the winter closure, Oatlands is now open 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, terraces, herb gardens and a reflecting pool, while inside they can learn about the families who resided at the mansion circa 1804. Guests can also embark on the Enslaved Community tour, which focuses on the Carter Family, the largest slave owners in Loudoun County during the late 1800s.
West Virginia Botanic Garden
Morgantown’s gem is the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens and the 82-acre park that features wooded areas, rolling hills, small streams and a sparkling pond at the center. The garden is perfect for birdwatching; you may even see a song sparrow or the indigo bunting.
Ladew Topiary Gardens
Meander 22 acres of creatively-shaped vegetation, named by Architectural Digest as one of the world’s 10 most incredible topiary gardens. This beautiful oasis of horticultural sculptures was created by self-taught gardener Harvey Ladew in the early 1900s. There are more than 100 plants that engage the imagination like running dogs, a hunter on his horse, swans floating atop hedges and also traditional showings. But there is more than just the topiaries. Ladew is home to multiple gardens of roses, irises and color-schemed gardens with white and yellow florals, plus more than 20 additional themed gardens. You can also explore the butterfly house, take a walk in nature or tour the manor house.
Brookside Gardens
Taking the afternoon to explore the 50 acres of this award-winning garden is a practice in simple pleasures that are often forgotten about in our day-to-day lives. Tucked in as part of Wheaton Regional Park, the offerings of the garden area are plentiful with distinct gardens full of azaleas, butterflies and roses plus specific areas for aquatic plants, Japanese-style flora and fauna, rain gardens, a space specifically landscaped with children in mind, trails and a woodland walk. The formal gardens include spaces for perennials, yew, maples and a fragrance garden. Also on the property are two conservatories and a visitors center with a horticultural library. It’s a plant enthusiast’s oasis.
And don’t forget to mark these dates on your calendar for some local inspiration:
Spring Garden Market at River Farms
April 13-14
Stock up on gardening gear and plants at this annual event held by the American Horticultural Society. There will be vendors from all over the Mid-Atlantic region selling plants, seeds, decor, books and botanical-themed art, along with Master Gardeners on hand to answer any of your questions. A food truck will be nearby to offer sustenance, and an art show will be held in the Estate House. Kids and leashed-pets are welcome.
Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival
April 21-22
The town of Leesburg morphs into a garden at this festival, where patrons can expect to be surrounded by nature’s splendor via flowers of all kinds and an assortment of heirloom vegetables, but there is more to this event than stems and seasonal veggies. There will be food, art, music on the main stage, a beer garden and opportunities to learn through craft and garden exhibits, a landscape design competition and children’s activities.
Historic Garden Week Tour
April 21-28
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, Great Falls, McLean, Vienna, Arlington and Fredericksburg. In Alexandria, tour five homes on April 21 with refreshments to follow at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Middleburg offers two tours, April 22 and 23, with four homes in Upperville and Paris. Fredericksburg, showcasing Smithfield Plantation and six private homes, and the three-home Great Falls/McLean/Vienna tours happen on April 24.
Hollin Hills House & Garden Tour
April 28
450 midcentury modern homes designed by renowned architect Charles Goodwin make up the Hollin Hills community just south of Old Town Alexandria and for one day each year more than a handful of homes open their doors for tours. This year 10 homes will be on display during this self-guided walking tour.
Del Ray House and Garden Tour
May 12
This is an on-year for the Del Ray community. Every other year homes are opened up to the community for tour-goers to peek in and explore the home and gardens kept by residents of this tight-knit community. Proceeds from the tour go to funding an annual $1,000 donation to The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria; any funds collected over that amount will go toward beautification of the neighborhood parks.