Introducing the Newest MGNV Demonstration Garden: Duncan Library Garden

By Sandy K. Johnson, Extension Master Gardener

An inviting profusion of native plants blooms at the intersection of the James M. Duncan branch of the Alexandria library and the Mount Vernon Community School, delighting children and adults alike as they come and go.

The Duncan Library Garden, located in the heart of Del Ray at 2501 Commonwealth Avenue, is the newest and ninth demonstration garden nurtured by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia. Duncan boasts two pollinator gardens, a native fern display, an herb garden and a dogwood garden with under plantings.

Nectar-rich blossoms of Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Geranium maculatum (cranesbill geranium), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Rudbeckia fulgida (black-eyed Susan or orange coneflower) and more serve as beacons to bees and butterflies. Vernonia noveboracensis (New York ironweed) and various fall asters tempt late summer monarchs before they lay their eggs on the milkweed. Indeed, the garden is a certified way station for the monarch’s migratory route to Central America.

“Our location is such a plus for making us an asset in the community,” says Susan Hepler, a Duncan coordinator. “Part of the school population walks through the gardens twice a day; the Saturday market has many people passing by. Every time we work in the garden, someone says ‘I love this garden,’ ‘What is that beautiful plant?’ or ‘Thank you for all you do.’  People rest on the benches; day care providers bring their charges to snack at the picnic tables. We are so lucky to be in the center of Del Ray.”

Susan, a graduate of the MGNV master gardener Class of 2009, began working at the Duncan garden a decade ago with Sue Tate, Elaina Palincsar, Annie Stat and others, and the gardening squad has grown into an evolving group of 15–20 neighbors and EMGs.

Duncan was nominated to become an MGNV demonstration garden candidate in 2024. Its prime location for public education and outreach was an instant hit with the Board. “The Duncan Library Garden is a few yards from a K–5 elementary school; located in a lively neighborhood of many young families who want to learn about gardens and plants and want their kids to learn as well; and has a welcoming library with a friendly, enthusiastic staff open to collaboration with MGNV,” Susan said.

The library had recently won a Del Ray community award and used some of the money and a grant to update its gardening book collection. In addition, the Friends of Duncan Library gave the grounds committee a generous annual budget to purchase plants, trees, tools, and soil amendments. “This annual pledge also sweetened our case to MGNV to be a demo garden,” Susan said.

Duncan isn’t sitting on its laurels. Susan said Duncan hopes to add a sensory garden, native fern bed, YEP programs, native shrubs to replace burning bushes and barberry, a long-term plan for additional trees, demonstration species plantings of one genus such as dogwoods, and bed redesign reflecting pollinator preferences.

Volunteers are welcome! In addition to Susan, current coordinators are Denise Dieter, Amy Krafft, and Cindy Robertson.

Learn more:

Creating a Monarch Waystation.
Monarchs travel through the Mid-Atlantic Region every year on their way north to breed and on their way south to overwinter in Mexico.

MGNV Demonstration Gardens.
Extension master gardeners have developed and maintain nine demonstration gardens in Arlington and Alexandria, VA.