News & Press

Participate in National Seed Swap Day

Celebrated annually around the end of January, National Seed Swap Day is a great opportunity for gardeners to explore new plants, save money on seeds, support biodiversity, and encourage heirloom cultivation. Kathy Jentz, editor and publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, came up with the idea to start Seed Swap Day. The first official event was held on January 26, 2006. Now, the seed swap has gone national, and it is celebrated across the country, bringing gardeners together and celebrating the power of community nationwide.

This is a great time to begin gathering seeds, since spring planting season is almost upon us. Many gardeners prefer to start their seeds inside before planting outdoors, so attending a seed swap can help you get a head start on spring garden planning. For more information about the holiday, visit the National Seed Swap Day website. Local gardeners or garden centers will likely have information about any swaps in your area.

If you plan on attending an event to celebrate, be sure to do your research beforehand. Some seed swaps have rules for how seeds are transported and handled, and it is important to abide by them. Happy gardening!

News & Press

50 Year Celebrations Continue with River Farm Anniversary Picnic on August 24

The American Horticultural Society will celebrate 50 golden years at its beloved River Farm headquarters with the River Farm Anniversary Picnic featuring live music from the band, Soulfire. The community picnic will be held on Thursday, August 24, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and is FREE and open to the public.

Guests are encouraged to pack a blanket and picnic basket with food and beverage favorites and find a comfortable spot on River Farm’s welcoming lawn where relaxing will never be easier. As the sun lowers on the historical property, you will enjoy the music, stunning gardens, and spectacular views overlooking the Potomac River.

While River Farm is most widely known as part of George Washington’s farmland, its exciting, memorable history with the AHS is truly one for the books. 50 years ago, a generous philanthropist, Enid Haupt, donated the purchase price of River Farm to the AHS. This gift saved River Farm from being sold to Russian diplomats during the Cold War of the 70’s and ensured River Farm as the home to the AHS in perpetuity. In 2020, River Farm once again was saved from being sold thanks to the rallying cries of the community and the terms of Haupt’s agreement. The River Farm Anniversary Picnic celebrates these joyous occasions, all the memories in between, and the future of River Farm as a local and national treasure.

Save the Date! In addition to the Anniversary Picnic, the AHS is celebrating its 50th golden anniversary at River Farm at its annual gala. This year’s theme, Simple Pleasures of the Garden, features renowned interior and garden designer Charlotte Moss. The event will be held on September 23, 2023. Details and tickets can be found at www.ahsgala2023.org. More exciting details coming soon!

News & Press

Deadlines Approaching for NCYGS Early Bird Registration and Scholarships

Join us at the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, July 12-15 in Knoxville, Tennessee, for an invigorating and educational experience where you will connect with gardening educators from around the country and learn new ways to bring the joys of gardening into your classrooms and communities. The 31st Annual Symposium, hosted by the University of Tennessee and UT Gardens – Knoxville, will feature 30 engaging sessions, eight field experiences, and limitless bonding amongst like-minded peers.

We are thrilled to be able to offer scholarships to defray the cost to attend, thanks to the generosity of Ball Horticultural Company and the University of Tennessee. There are three scholarship categories based on demonstrated financial need, commitment to children’s and youth gardening initiatives, and work with underserved and/or Title I populations.

Photo Credit: Jonah Brown

Ball Horticultural Scholarship Fund – open to those who self-identify as Black, Indigenous and/or as a Person of Color
University of Tennessee Scholarships – open to Tennessee residents and UT students
National Children & Youth Garden Symposium Scholarships – open to all
symposium attendees.

Important Dates:
May 12 – Deadline for Early Bird Registration.
May 27 – Deadline for Scholarships.
June 10 – Deadline for Hotel Group Discount Online Reservations.
June 28 – Deadline for Online Registration.

We hope you join us for the 2023 NCYGS, one of the country’s longest-running, most prestigious gardening conferences for youth educators. Leveraging a proven train-the-trainer model, the Symposium has cultivated thousands of educators across the country who return to their communities inspired, invigorated, and motivated to educate a new generation about the importance of gardening.

News & Press

Conversations with Great American Gardeners

The American Horticultural Society is pleased to announce the return of its national speaker series featuring current and past winners of the Great American Gardeners Awards and Book Awards. Since 1953, the AHS has been using these award programs to recognize and celebrate horticultural champions that represent the best in American gardening. This dedicated webinar series will provide an additional spotlight on these outstanding individuals.

In a lively and engaging conversational format, speakers will share their knowledge and experience with our event host, Holly Shimizu, gardener to gardener. Holly is a nationally recognized horticulturist with a rich background in public gardens and garden communication. At the end of the discussion, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Wednesday, May 10 at 7pm ET
Dr. Doug Tallamy, University of Delaware
Winner of the B.Y. Morrison Communication Award (2018)

Wednesday, June 14 at 7pm ET
Ira Wallace, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Winner of the Paul Ecke Jr. Commercial Award (2019)

Wednesday, August 23 at 7pm ET
Dr. Lucinda McDade, California Botanic Garden and Claremont Graduate University
Winner of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award (2021) 

The series is free. RSVP required.

News & Press

New Directions in The American Landscape Virtual Education Series

AHS is once again proudly sponsoring the New Directions in The American Landscape (NDAL) Virtual Education Series this spring, March through April. Registration will be open and recordings will be viewable for three months after each live session date. CEU’s available (APLD, LA CES, NOFA). Registration is now available.

News & Press

Colonial Williamsburg Garden Symposium

We are thrilled to be co-sponsoring this year’s incredible Colonial Williamsburg’s 76th Annual Garden Symposium: Digging the Garden: Horticulture, History & Archeology, to be held April 27-30. Join renowned horticulturists, archaeologists, historians, and guest experts as they examine best practices through an historical lens, using the past to inform the present and future

Guest Speakers include:

Keynote Speaker Lady Xa Tollemache, English garden designer and Gold and Silver winner of London’s Chelsea Flower Show
Mark Laird, author, renowned garden historian, and historic landscape consultant
Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg’s Director of Archaeology
Charlie Nardozzi, nationally-recognized garden writer, speaker and radio and TV personality
Daria McKelvey, American Horticultural Society’s Emerging Horticultural Professional Award Winner and Supervisor of the Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical
Kerry Mendez, author, speaker, garden and design consultant, and Gold Medal Winner–Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Joanne Chapman, Colonial Williamsburg’s Director