Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

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Rudbeckia Fulgida Banner July 2022
Rudbeckia fulgida (orange coneflower). Photo by Mary Free

Regional Gardens

REGIONAL GARDENS: The United States Botanic Garden Celebrates 200 Years

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) in Washington, DC marked its 200th anniversary in 2020. Then, in February of this year, the USBG opened a two-part major exhibition, “Deeply Rooted, Branching Outward,” giving visitors an opportunity to examine historic images of the garden and learn about plant exploration through the years, as well as to discover how the garden works today. Unfortunately, celebratory events planned for the anniversary have been cancelled because of the pandemic restrictions. Learn more about the garden through this informative article.

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REGIONAL GARDENS: Green Spring Gardens

This October marks the 50th anniversary of Green Spring Gardens, a public park in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, whose landscaping and educational programs focus on practical horticultural techniques appropriate for home gardeners in the Washington, DC area. The Gardens had originally scheduled a large celebration to mark the milestone but the in-person event has been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, learn all about this local treasure in this informative article by Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills.

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Regional Gardens: Winterthur Garden

Explore Winterthur Garden through the eyes of Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills. Winterthur is an excellent destination for a day trip or weekend away from Northern Virginia. The former estate of Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969), a horticulturalist and renowned collector of antiques, houses an important collection of Americana and features 60 acres of formal and naturalistic gardens.

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Regional Gardens: Chanticleer Garden

Regional Gardens: Chanticleer Garden

Chanticleer Garden, located in Wayne, Pennsylvania, about a three-hour drive from northern Virginia, is a wonderful destination for gardeners and non-gardeners alike. With its stately buildings, broad lawns, and wide vistas, Chanticleer Garden (Chanticleer) retains the feel of the private estate it once was, while serving as a demonstration garden with more than 5,000 plants.

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Regional Gardens: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

This 95-acre property, operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA), features a wide variety of planted beds, three lakes, four gazebos, and special plant collections, which are linked by multiple walking paths and surrounded by lovely forested hills. Numerous benches and seats are located throughout the garden, allowing visitors to relax and enjoy both garden details and panoramic views.

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