2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

The Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon was hosted this year by Pat Filer at her home in Rapidan. The beautiful weather matched the beautiful views, and were accented with a most delicious lunch. The awards were a plenty and highlighted by the passing of the gavel from outgoing President Bernice Walker to incoming President Mary Jane Shackleford. Mary Jane was presented with a crown of roses, the gavel, and the President's Bowl. This recently recovered bowl was commission from Wedgwood in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Garden Club of America. One bowl was given to each GCA club and the mold was broken. The bowl is passed to each DMGC President.

The day also included a photo show and plant exchange. Members of the photo committee created travel postcards in celebration of upcoming summer travels. For the plant exchange members brought a plant from their personal garden and took a plant. There was quite a variety to choose from. ​

And the Awards Go To...
The Ada Sanford Harvey Mentoring Award
Pat Filer
The Bobbye Davies Novice Flower Arranging Award
Erin Waters
The Dolley Madison Community Service Award
Liz Samra
The Dolley Madison Conservation and Beautification Award
Julia Sandor
The Dolley Madison Garden President's Award
Mary Jane Shackleford
The Jean Ince Flower Arranging Award
Gail Parrish
The Virginia Ewers Queitzsch Horticulture Award
Jane Hammond
The Caroline R. Bresee Horticulture Award
Liz Carter
The John Andrew Hyland Photography Award
Jane Hammond
Certificate of Recognition for Photography Skills
Gail DeBlass
Garden Club of America Years of Service Award
Susie Bresee
The Octavia Arrington Cameron Bowl
Bernice Walker

Thank you!

What an truly amazing and informative afternoon we had at Just Sustainable: a Conservation Forum.

Thank you to our incredible speakers - Claudia West from Phyto Studio and Kirstie Pecci from Just-Zero. Find out more about what they are doing to improve our world by clicking on the links to their organizations.

Thank you to our vendors -
​Original Designs by Maria Pace
Hill House Farm & Nursery
Piedmont Environmental Council
Dolley’s Market
Spelled Ink

And finally, a big thank you to everyone who came out to this event. We hope you walked away inspired.

Looking for a copy of Claudia West's book? Contact Spelled Ink in Orange, VA.

Kudos

​Kudos to Pat Filer who came home with a Blue Ribbon and Best in Show from the GCA show Emerge ‘n Sea in Virginia Beach.
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Lily Committee March Meeting

The Lily Committee gathered on a gorgeous day for friendship and a tutorial on planting lilies in pots. Jane H. provided easy to follow instructions that the committee members put right in to practice. Each member prepared a pot for a few bulbs that they will took home to nurture. DeLane P. added her knowledge of what we should be doing this spring with the lilies we already have in the ground.

​It was so nice to get our hands in the dirt. Even seasoned lily growers appreciated the reminders and tips. We are very fortunate to have such amazing experts within the club. The Lily Committee is looking forward to our next meeting focusing on preparing our beautiful lilies to show!

GCV Horticulture Workshop
Reported by Gail DeBlass

I had the pleasure of attending the GCV Horticulture Workshop in Richmond, held at the Kent-Valentine House. Presented by GCV Horticulture Committee Chairman Patsy Smith and District 1 Director-At-Large Kit Sullivan, the workshop was packed with practical knowledge and inspiration that will allow attendees to take their gardening skills to the next level.

To view Patsy and Kit's tips from the workshop click here.

All photos by Gail DeBlass

Happy Holidays, Happy Holidays
DMGC 2024 Holiday Luncheon

We may have had to brave the elements, but it was well worth the effort to attend this year's Christmas luncheon.

Woodley, home of our gracious host Normie Sanford, was decked out for the holidays!  Gorgeous wreaths welcomed everyone, beautiful holiday arrangements were around every corner, charming Christmas trees gave off a warm glow, and a trombone trio set the mood! If you look up I'll Be Home for Christmas this is what is pictured!

The Photography Committee presented a wonderful display featuring photographs of holiday decorations. Copies of our Tomatoes for the Table cookbook was on hand for last minute shopping - with several hors d'oeuvres from the book available to sample (yes, anything with bacon, please!). Members of the  Horticulture Committee even added a splash of their own fine holiday specimens.
  
Carla Passarello spoke on behalf of the Nominating Committee and presented our new slate of officers. We were then honored to hear from the new GCV President, Kris Carbone, who was our special guest. Ms. Carbone was so gracious throughout the morning taking time to speak with every one of our members. Then lots of delicious food and more conversation. 

Thank you Normie for opening your home and organizing lunch. Thank you to the members who provided the arrangements (Bravo! Pat Filer, Anne Cantrell, and Normie). Thank you to Kris Carbone for driving through torrential rain to be with us. And, of course, to the talented trombone trio. This was truly a lovely way to wrap up the year.
- Happy Holidays!  

Zone VII Annual Meeting

Bernice, DeLane, Carla, Jane, and Mary Jane attended the GCA Zone VII meeting in Charleston, West Virginia, and reported having a marvelous time. About 10 Dolley Madison members sent entries. Here are the results:
Horticulture:
- Liz Carter - 2nd
- Catherine Gillespie - 2 First's, 2 Second’s
- Carla Passarello - 1st, 2 Second’s, 2 Third’s
- Jane Hammond - 1st, 2 Third’s, Honorable Mention,
  GCA Clarissa Willemsen Horticulture Propagation Award
- Our pumpkin came in 3rd place. 
Botanical Arts:
Marjorie Macdonald - 3rd place
Floral Design:
Mary Jane Shackelford - Honorable Mention
Photography: 
Jane Hammond - 2nd place
 Congratulations to all our winners!

DMGC Annual Potluck Picnic

​The DMGC Annual Potluck Picnic was held on a perfect late September afternoon at Old Mill Farm, the home of Mary Jane Shackelford. There wasn't a bug in sight! The potluck selections were amazing. It was hard not to take one of everything, especially the desserts! In addition to the great food and conversation the Horticulture Committee brought in a few gorgeous selections and the Photography Committee exhibit featured images of zinnias. All of which reminded us that summer is not quite over. Thank you Mary Jane for your hospitality!

DMGC Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon

On a beautiful June day the DMGC membership meet at the home of Julia and Doug Sandor for the Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon.  First Vice President Gail Parrish, along with President Bernice Walker, presented awards to some of our outstanding members for the work they have done this past year.  Following the awards ceremony members enjoyed a delicious lunch and tour the Sandor's home - gorgeous!  Many thanks to the Sandors for their hospitality.

​2023-24 Award Winners
The Bobbye Davies Novice Flower Arranging Award - Linda Goodwin
The DMGC Conservation and Beautification Award - Carla Passarello
The DMGC Daring Dana Award - Heather McCullough
Jean Ince Flower Arranging Award - Pat Filer
The Virginia Ewers Queitzsch Horticulture Award - Susan Aiello
The Caroline R. Bresse Horticulture Award - Jane Hammond
The Octavia Arrington Cameron Bowl - Anne Cantrell
The John Andrew Hyland Photography Award - Gail DeBlass
Garden Club of America Years of Service Awards
Bernice Walker - 50 Years
Maggie Neale - 35 Years
Mary Zocchi - 25 Years
Special Recognition Awards
Bernice Walker
Gale Martin

Happy Holidays
from the Dolley Madison Garden Club

​DMGC members gathered to celebrate the end of a busy year and the wonderful friendships that continue to grow. Beautiful holiday arrangements, ​fabulous food,
​and a trombone trio set the mood.
We were honored to have the new GCV President,
​Kris Carbone, as our special guest.

From our homes to yours, DMGC members
wish you Happy Holidays!

The Dolley Madison Garden Club would like to thank
those who made Historic Garden Week 2024 possible.

Happy Summer!  

Beyond The Green - GCA Annual Meeting

Lilies in Bloom: dazzle!
The GCV annual lily show was held June 17-18th at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Richmond. It was a tough year as lilies in central Virginia were pretty much past their prime by the time the show rolled around. DMGC still had multiple entries AND multiple winners (if I missed anyone let me know so I can update):

Linda Goodwin, Gail Parrish, and Pat Filer - The Eugenia and David Diller Award for Best Individual Artistic Arrangement
Linda Goodwin, Gail Parrish, and Pat Filer - The Mentor Award for Best Mentor-Novice Partnership Arrangement
Jane Hammond - Claire Smithers Mellinger Award for Exceptional Visual Appeal Reflecting the Spirit of Photography

Artistic Design Ribbons
Linda Goodwin, Gail Parrish, and Pat Filer - 1 Blue
Mary Jane Shackleford - 1 Yellow

Horticulture Ribbons
DeLane Porter - 1 Blue, 3 Reds 

Photography Ribbons
Gail DeBlass - 1 Honorable Mention
Jane Hammond - 1 Blue
Mary Queitzsch - 1 Blue, 1 Red

5 Steps to Documenting a Garden
We were so lucky to be able to visit Rocklands, the home and gardens of Bruce and Jacqueline Gupton.  Gail Babenew, who documented Rocklands for The Smithsonian Archives of Gardens, put together a comprehensive manual on the process she went through. It will serve as an incredibly helpful manual for anyone undergoing the process of documenting a garden.

Following Gail's presentation Bruce Gupton took the group on a tour of not just the English, French, and Italian gardens, but the car garage, wine cellar, and the first floor of their home.  He had entertaining stories about the process of creating the gardens, facts about the history behind many of the objects both inside and out, and even a history of the license plate collection in his garage. Such and interesting and fabulous journey the Gupton's have been on. After Bruce dashed off to catch a flight Jacqueline took the group up to the 18th century watch tower and answered questions.

A huge thank you to the Guptons and Gail B. for such an inspiring day!  Oh and soon to come a new Japanese garden - think Matisse and red bridges.  

Daffodil Day 2024
Dancing with Daffodils
Held on March 27th at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, this year's Daffodil Day was a great show for DMGC!
Artistic Design
Pat Filer not only won Best in Show for an Individual Arranger but also The Decca Gilmer Frackelton Award and the Tri-Color.
Horticulture
Bridget Bryant - 4 Blues, 2 Reds, 5 Yellow, 7 White, HM
Suzie Bresee - 3 Blues, 1 Red, 2 White, HM
Catherine Gillespie - 3 Blues, 3 Reds, 1 Yellow, 8 White, HM
Jane Hammond - Special award ADS for Best Miniature  Container, 10 Blues, 2 Reds, 5 Yellow, 4 White, HM
Photography
Jane Hammond received a 1st place and Mary Queitzsch a 2nd place.
Also...
Virginia Daffodil Society Show, Lewis Ginter, Richmond
3/23/24
Jane Hammond - 6 Blues, 1 Red, 2 Yellow, 1 White, HM

Happy Birthday President Madison!
In celebration of James Madison's birthday (March 16th) the Dolley Madison Garden Club presented this beautiful wreath of daffodils at Montpelier. The restoration of the Dupont-era garden at Montpelier is a beneficiary of the proceeds raised from Historic Garden Week ticket sales.

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Interactive Photography Workshop with Claire Mellinger

Hosted by the Photography Committee, March's meeting began with many tasty treats, beautiful horticulture exhibits, and a viewing of images by Committee members. The exhibit, Architectural Details of Orange County, included images in both black and white and color. While there was no "winner" the meeting's speaker, GCA Photography Judge Claire Mellinger, offered comments for all of the images. 

Mellinger then presented to an audience of DMGC members and the general public, a comprehensive overview of what makes a great photograph. Mellinger's high energy, funny, and self-deprecating approach made the process accessible to everyone. Following the presentation she took the audience outside to snap a few pictures of arrangements she brought and offered one-on-one assistance.

Floradise Orchids Field Trip

A big thank you to Suzanne Aiello who organized our field trip to Floradise Orchids in Gordonsville.  What a gem!  The variety of species was outstanding and the owners were so generous with their time in answering all of our questions.  No one left empty handed.  If you haven't visited they are easy to find on Rt. 15 going in to Gordonsville. 

December Meeting - Christmas Luncehon

The holiday spirit filled the air as we gathered together for a Christmas luncheon.  The Exchange Cafe provided an intimate venue and a delicious meal.  To add to the Christmas vibe, Pat Filer provided charming holiday centerpieces for each table - thank you Pat.  Of course, the best part of the gathering was the opportunity to chat with friends.  Thank you to our hostesses Jane Hammond and Mary Queitzsch for organizing such a delightful event.
Merry Christmas to All!

September Meeting - DMGC Zinnia Show

A break in the heat provided DMGC members with a wonderful late summer morning for our first meeting of the new year.  The inter-club Zinnia Show was the main event with numerous entries in Horticulture, Artistic Design and Photography. Members were able to experience preparing entries for a show and receiving feedback in a fun and stress-free environment.

Pat Filer and Annie Vanderwarker walked attendees through what judges look for in Artistic Design as well as tips on how to improve their arrangements. Jane Hammond explained judging guidelines and standards for Horticulture and threw in some tips of her own on presenting an impressive bloom. Bernice Walker provided her own experiences regarding the range of attributes the same variety of zinnia can produce. Photography entries would receive their feedback at a later date from photography judge Claire Mellinger.

Special thanks to Catherine Gillespie for hosting the meeting. 

Wander - Discover - Be Inspired

Dolley Madison Garden Club Hosts
​Historic Garden Week
​April 20, 2024, 10am-5pm

The Blue Ridge Mountains surround four unique properties under conservation easements featured on this year’s tour in Greene and Madison counties – Orange County’s neighbors.  Meadows, native plants, organic flower and vegetable gardens, pollinator-attractive and wildlife friendly native flowers and trees round out this conservation-oriented tour. 

Ticket Sales

Online: www.vagardenweek.org 
Locally:
The Arts Center in Orange - 129 East Main Street, Orange
The Laurie Holliday Shop - 123 South Main Street, Gordonsville
The Market at Grelen - 15091 Yager Road, Somerset
*Tickets purchased locally will include a wristband that gives access to all five tour sites.

Photos of homes and gardens by Carla Passarello; photos of Rosebrook by Susan Austin Roth and Jim Hurley, owners.

Thank you to our local advertisers!

The following businesses are offering day of tour lunches:

Exchange Cafe

Maybelle's Market

Prince Michel Vineyard & Winery

The Market at Grelen

Picnic lunches can be enjoyed at the BlueRidge School and DuCard Vineyards.

Photography Workshop Venue Change:
Orange County Historical Society
130 Caroline Street, Orange, VA

DMGC 104th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony

On June 13, 2023 the DMGC held their 104th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony honoring members of the DMGC as well as the community.  Awards Chair Mary Queitzsch hosted the event and presented awards with outgoing President Jane Hammond. At the end of the ceremony Jane handed the gavel over to incoming President Bernice Walker.

Incoming DMGC President Bernice Walker accepts the gavel from outgoing President Jane Hammond.

2023 AWARDS
GCA MEMBER YEARS OF SERVICE CERTIFICATES
50 Years of Service - Alice Smith
25 Years of Service - Joanna Davies

DOLLEY MADISON GARDEN CLUB AWARDS
ADA SANFORD HARVEY MENTORING AWARD
Bernice Walker
BOBBYE DAVIES NOVICE FLOWER ARRANGING AWARD
Gail Parrish
CAROLINE R. BRESEE HORTICULTURE AWARD
Jane Hammond
DOLLEY MADISON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Michael Collins Rapidan Institute
DOLLEY MADISON CONSERVATION AND
BEAUTIFICATION AWARD
Julia Sandor
DOLLEY MADISON GARDEN CLUB DARING DANA AWARD
Linda Goodwin
JEAN INCE FLOWER ARRANGING AWARD
Annie Vanderwarker
JOHN ANDREW HYLAND PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD
Heather McCullough
VIRGINIA EWERS QUEITZSCH HORTICULTURE AWARD
Carla Passarello
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Linda Goodwin

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
DeLane Porter
Mary Lew Sponski
Jane Hammond

Images from DMGC Zinnia Show
September 13, 2023

Images from the Summer Fun Lily Show
June 20-21, 2023

DMGC members Pat Filer and
Annie Vanderwarker
​present a floral arranging workshop.

Spring Arrangements

Summer Arrangements

Spring Arrangements

2022 Historic Garden Week
Our 2022 tour was a tutorial on classic garden design. Visitors toured an Italian garden, an Asian garden, a French and English garden and a typical Virginia piedmont farm garden.
​​
 Tre Sorelle - Designing the Italian Garden
​Head Gardener Barry Grain explains that “within... Italian Renaissance gardens, the use of water, statuary, symmetry, topiary, formal hedging, and focal points are all key.” Balance and symmetry were essential to creating a sense of manmade order.

 Windrock - A contemporary garden for a talented arranger
All the essential elements of design are evident at Windrock: color, texture, balance, rhythm, movement, proportion. In addition to the variety of perennials and bulbs, the landscape is a veritable arboretum, featuring unique and sculptural species and cultivars of trees and shrubs. It all serves to provide a wealth of beautiful material for use in floral design. 
Photo by Carla Passarello

​GREENWAY - Gardens in the early 1900s
Gardens at the end of the 1890s and early 1900s, were started around the house for enjoyment and beauty. Boxwoods were planted to create garden areas. Over the century and into current times, garden beds expanded to include flowers of many species, shrubs, trees, herbs and lilies. 
Pastoral beauty at historic Greenway Farm in Madison Mills, a Madison family property - photo by Carla Passarello

​The Garden at Bassett House - Elements of Japanese garden design
 “Japanese garden design is not just a style of landscaping. It is an art deeply rooted in a way of thinking and feeling about our place in nature.” (David Slawson) 
​
A (Japanese) garden is a place for contemplation. There are few flowers, and evergreens are preferred to deciduous plants, creating a sense of timelessness and anchoring the garden in every season. There are four essential elements used in a Japanese garden: rocks, water, plants and ornaments. Curves and Zigzags evoke the mysterious “hide and reveal” principle important in Japanese aesthetic; structures aid contemplation and symbolism exists in paths, rocks, ornaments and pruned shapes.

Thanks to our 2022 local advertisers!

Take the HGW Virtual Tour Click on this beautiful photo by Jeff Poole

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Henbit  and Purple Deadnettle - Food sources for pollinators
These two plants, Lamium amplexicaule and Lamium purpureum, are related to the mint family and are considered by many to be nuisance weeds. But pollinators, especially honey bees and bumble bees, use these plants as food. Henbit provides pollen and nectar while Purple Deadnettle is a nectar source.  (Photo of Purple Deadnettle by MS Queitzsch)

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Bird Lovers in Virginia are urged to stop using feeders for the next few weeks - Feeder diseases have been increasing across Virginia
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has sounded an alert about the number of cases of disease in finches, seeing record numbers of finches needing care. Diseases observed include mycoplasmosis, salmonella and trichomoniasis. The Center urges bird lovers to stop using feeders at least until April. They encourage planting native plants for more natural food sources.  To control disease if you just want to keep using your feeder,  a multi-step cleaning is essential. This means cleaning each feeder each week, more frequently is better,  by: (1) emptying each feeder and  scrubbing  each feeder with soap and water, then (2) rinsing, followed by (3) soaking in a 10% bleach solution for 15 minutes, followed by (4) rinsing, and (5) air drying the feeder. These steps will not totally prevent disease. 

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Learn the Secrets to a Thriving Wildflower Meadow
 The Clifton Institute is offering a zoom presentation about their ongoing survey of native grasslands, AKA "Piedmont Prairie." Tune in on December 10, 7-8 p.m. to learn which native plants thrive in our region. Seed packets of grasses and wildflowers designed from this research are also available. For more information, go to: 
 https://cliftoninstitute.org/evrplus_registration/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=346

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Beekeeper and honey producer,  Diego Decorte, spoke at Monteith about the need to re-establish bee colonies to provide hope for the future of nature and humans.  Nature is challenged by the impacts of humans but humans rely on nature - air, water, soil, plants - for survival. Bees are crucial pollinators for the plants humans rely on.  Bees need a mix of trees and flowering plants to thrive. Treeless fields do not provide tree pollen which is crucial for bee nutrition. Both nectar (sugars) and pollen (carbohydrates) are key components for healthy bee populations. A diversity of plants is critical to ensure that bees with specialized plant needs are provided for. Honey is a superfood. Its natural properties keep it edible for humans for long periods provided the honey has not been heated. Because pasteurization is a process that can remove some of the benefits of natural honey,the ability to  market non-pasteurized honey is important for honey producers. 

Winter Garden “not so” Clean-up
This has been a great season for Monarch reproduction, but be careful: many Monarchs still have Chrysalis in progress on your plant material. Give it a few more weeks before you begin garden clean-up. Take a moment, take a breath, and think about all the insects and wildlife that depend on what we consider “garden debris” to make it through the winter. 
Most current Landscape Architects and Garden Designers encourage leaving as much spent material standing as possible throughout the winter months to provide cover and food sources for over-wintering insect and bird populations.  Try to train your eye to see the architectural beauty of skeletal forms of tall perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia, and leave their seed heads intact for nuthatches, finches and mockingbirds to survive the winter months. Commercial seed is too limited and nutritionally empty to support them through the winter. 
So you’re not being lazy - you are doing a very important good to provide essential species survival!

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Invasive Plant alerts! 
Giant Hogweed has been sighted in several parts of Virginia with 2 serious cases reported in Fredericksburg. It is a member of the wild carrot family native to Asia and can reach heights of 6-10 feet or more. It looks like a giant Queen Anne's Lace. It is highly toxic! Do not touch, pull, brush against, or weed-whack this plant. Do not try to remove this plant by yourself. Direct contact with this plant sensitizes the skin to the sun and leaves 3rd degree burns. If you see or suspect this plant, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. For more photos and information you can visit www.vainvasivespecies.org/species/giant-hogweed.  (Photo is by Robert Videki, Doronicum Kft.)

Spotted Knapweed , a non- toxic invasive plant, has been sighted in Orange County. It is an invasive biennial in the aster family that is commonly found along farm lanes, woodland roads, and fields. It releases a toxin that prevents other nearby plants from growing and impairs native flora. Removing this plant  before seeding is crucial. This plant may be pulled or weed whacked while flowering but before seed sets.

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​Save the Bees: Avoid Neonicotinoids in your yard and garden
 Neonicotinoids (or neonics) are insecticides that use neuro-active ingredients to affect the central nervous system of insects to cause death. Neonics include acetamiprid, clothianidin, imadacloprid (one of the most widely used of the neonics), nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoam. The most comprehensive study to date of the impact of neonics, completed this year in Europe, concluded that neonicotinoids are devastating to both honeybee and native bee populations. Neonics can be found in seeds and plants sold at many stores and gardening centers and in many products, including non-organic products used to treat roses. Neonic residues can persist in plants and soil for up to six years and are poisonous to pollinators that are essential to our ecosystem and economy. Some pollinators, like the monarch caterpillar, may die after only two or three bites of neonicotinoid treated plant. 
                                 
Garden Club of America Calls For Action to Restrict Neonicotinoids. 
​On May 5th, 2017, the GCA’s executive board asked the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to restrict neonicotinoid use in the US. The letter stressed the importance of pollinators and their role in society. GCA, concerned that consumers lack awareness of the impact of neonics on pollinators and neonic residues in plants they purchase, called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take action to regulate neonics. The goal is to stop plant distributors from using neonicotinoids, or at a minimum, to require labeling if neonics have been used to treat a plant so that a buyer can make an informed decision.

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Remember the November Dolley Madison Bulb Workshop hosted by Jane Hammond? 
​Member Carla Passarello shared a photo of her blooming bulbs. Share photos of your bulbs too by emailing your photo to [email protected]. 

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​Garden Club of America
Honorable Mention: Trillium grandiflorum
Nominated by Carla Passarello and DeLane Porter of the Dolley Madison Garden Club, Zone VII

DeLane Porter
DMGC Horticulture Chairman

Tradescantia virginiana, spiderwort, is one of Virginia's most renowned native herbaceous plants.  If we had a state plant, as 35 other states do, T. virginiana should be our chosen symbol.  It is only fitting this plant was selected to enhance the posters for the DMGC 2016 Conservation Forum.  After all what other native Virginia plant has as much history and is recognized in so many gardens around the world?

The American Indians used T. virginiana to treat a number of conditions, including stomachaches, kidney ailments, female problems and cancer.  The plant's leaf was smashed and applied to insect bites and stings. (Spiderwort was once believed to be a cure for a poisonous spider that later proved to be harmless, therefore the common name, spiderwort) The seeds were crushed into a powder and used as a snuff for nosebleeds.  Additionally, leaves were tossed for salads and seeds roasted for soups and breads.  The Jamestown settlers learned of the significance of this plant and soon cultivated spiderwort in their gardens.  By 1629 this plant flourished in John Tradescant's famous garden, the "Ark" located on the south side of the Thames.  Tradescant the Elder, "official" gardener to King Charles I, was a subscriber to the Virginia Company and a friend of Captain John Smith.  It is believed T. virginiana was shipped from Virginia to England in Captain John Smith's sea chest.  This plant quickly became an ornamental favorite in the seventeenth century and is now propagated in many parts of the world.  John Tradescant the Elder and his son, John the Younger, were both famous gardeners and plant collectors.  In 1648 Carl Linnaeus, the father of binomial nomenclature, renamed this genus to honor these English naturalist and explorers.
     
This hardy plant shares many characteristics with the daylily.  The one inch three-petaled flower, bright bluish-purple, can be found in wooded areas, beside streams and in fields from southern Canada to northern Argentina.  This perennial plants flowers from May to October with seeds ripening between August and October. The blossoms are short lived but new flowers develop daily during he blooming period.  The plant grows to approximately 1 to 1.5 feet with unique leaves that wrap around the stem.  The plant prefers moist alkaline soils with shady conditions.  The flowers attract butterflies and bumble bees.  Even though T. virginiana is a common wild plant, it is cultivated for borders and container gardening.


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NOVEMBER BULB WORKSHOP AT  MAPLE RUN FARM
Dolley Madison's Jane Hammond held a bulb workshop attended by members of Dolley Madison Garden Club and Charlottesville and Rivanna Garden Clubs. The theme of the workshop was "making bulb lasagna" - layering bulbs that bloom at different times in the same container to enjoy a spring season of successive blooms. Bulbs included varieties of narcissus, crocus, muscari, allium, tulip, and chionodoxa. 

 Member Annie Vanderwarker's Blue Ribbon winning floral arrangement in the Garden Club Of Virginia Daffodil Show 2021. Congratulations Annie!  Congratulations also to member Jane Hammond for her Red Ribbon winning photograph in "Change is Stirring.  See the virtual show at Daffodil Day 2021. 

Annie Vanderwarker's BlueRibbon Arrangement

Jane Hammond's Red Ribbon photograph