News & Press

Participate in the AHS Annual Fund Donor Match Challenge

‘Tis the giving season with the American Horticultural Society! This year, we are bringing back our annual Donor Match Challenge where our Board of Directors and CEO have pledged to match every single donation 100% through December 31 until we reach our $55,000 goal! This matching opportunity will allow us to continue our important work to foster excellence, innovation, and passion in gardening.

Your gift supports:

Lifelong Learning – Twenty-one newly launched, online programs cover a range of topics from Landscape Stewardship and Designing with Nature to Gardening for Well-Being.
National Children & Youth Gardening Symposium – Our annual gathering unites educators nationwide to innovate around connecting children with gardens and the natural world.
Online Horticultural Resources – Our website allows the public to access the latest horticulture information and best practices to assist in gardening journeys at all levels.

Don’t miss this chance to maximize your impact on the American Horticultural Society and gardening in America. Donate today and double your impact.

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

AHS’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Scott Plein Featured on Cover of The Mount Vernon Gazette

Scott Plein, the AHS Chair of the Board of Directors, is featured on the cover of this week’s issue of The Mt. Vernon Gazette! Learn about his continued commitment to AHS, River Farm, and innovation in horticulture. From an early age, Scott developed a love for gardening and the environment, which has shaped his career. His professional trajectory exemplifies his passion for bridging the natural and human worlds. Plein joined AHS’s board in 2021 and assumed the role of chairman in 2022. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering dedication, insightful guidance, and enthusiastic support as he leads our organization and River Farm to new heights and celebrate our 50th anniversary at River Farm.

News & Press

This week is National Pollinator Week!

Happy National Pollinator Week! (June 19-25)

Supporting a natural ecosystem is something that home gardeners can do to combat loss of plant and animal species, from planting for pollinators, to getting to know your insect friends and foes, to creating bird-friendly winter gardens.

Last year, we compiled a variety of how-to articles about attracting pollinators, distinguishing beneficial insects from garden pests, and creating wildlife habitats for you from past issues of our bimonthly member magazine, The American Gardener. Check out our pollinator resources and find out how you can support the environment within your own garden!

Celebrate National Pollinator Week by making your garden welcome to a diversity of pollinators— and help create a healthier, more bountiful community for all. For additional ideas and a list of Pollinator Week activities near you, visit www.pollinator.org.

News & Press

Meet Mercedes Bryant – AHS’s new Director of Travel Studies

Drum roll, please, as we introduce our new Director of Travel Studies, Mercedes Bryant, an educational travel professional specializing in experiential learning, citizen science, regenerative travel, and cultural exchange. She brings a wealth of experience having studied and worked in France for six years, taking the opportunity to explore far and wide throughout Europe. She then managed the travel programs at the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic. We are excited for her to bring her love for creating immersive educational adventures to our AHS members!

News & Press

AHS in the News!

Learn more about our President and CEO, Suzanne Laporte, in The Washington Gardener. In a two-page profile, Suzanne talks about her past, present and future and her connection with the AHS and River Farm. Embracing the organization’s synergy and growth, she stated, “Right now, our goal is to engage more people with AHS and with gardening. To do that, we are planning new programs. We’ll be increasing gardening resources and the ways we deliver them.” Read the full article here.

AHS and River Farm were put in the spotlight in USA Today’s special edition of Go Escape the Northeast. Highlighting gardens in the Northeast, the story’s introduction leads with information about the AHS’s dynamic Reciprocal Admissions Program of 345 partner gardens across the country and River Farm, the precious historic headquarters of the AHS. Read the full story here.

News & Press

Read the May/June Issue of The American Gardener!

The May/June edition of The American Gardener magazine is out!

Debuting in this issue is the first installment of “Garden Destinations,” which replaces our former “RAP Gardens in Focus.” This regular new department will highlight the garden attractions of cities throughout North America. We start with Buffalo, New York, notable for its Garden Walk event, billed as “America’s largest garden tour,” where hundreds of homeowners across the city open up their gardens to visitors. 

Also in this issue, you’ll find feature articles including a profile of evening primroses (Oenothera spp.) and their relatives, many of which have evening-blooming flowers that attract pollinators (and most of which are native); a design-focused piece on how gardeners can create a natural garden using commonly available regional natives; an article on growing grapes in home gardens, with descriptions of several different kinds of grape varieties; Marianne Willburn’s essay on why keeping garden journals is important; and a photo-driven piece on how to design and plant beautiful summer containers even in regions with challenging weather/climate conditions.

In addition, you can read about the news at AHS, take a look at book reviews, and find something to do this summer in our regional happenings.

AHS MEMBERS log in here to view the digital edition. You will also receive a print version in the mail.

If you are not a member of AHS, join and become a member to read the entire issue online, and also receive 6 printed issues a year plus many other wonderful benefits.

News & Press

Meet Katie Tukey – AHS’s new Director of Development and Engagement

We’re thrilled to have Katie Tukey join the AHS team as the Director of Development and Engagement. Katie is a trained horticulturist with extensive experience in fundraising. Katie worked in horticulture with Walt Disney World’s Epcot, Longwood Gardens, and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and in development, she worked with Bowdoin College, the National Philharmonic Orchestra, and most recently the Levine School of Music in DC.

Please feel free to reach out to Katie and say hello! She can be reached at ktukey@ahsgardening.org / (703) 768-5700 ext. 144.

News & Press

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day reminds us to look at the beauty around us and to do our part in sustaining it. One of the many ways we can contribute to sustainability is by having sustainable gardens. Healthy soil, water usage, supporting animals and insects, selecting plants that are compatible with the environment, and using environmentally friendly gardening tools are all ways to become more sustainable. Let’s grow a greener future together!

News & Press

Volunteer to Remove Invasives at our AHS Headquarters

Looking for a volunteer opportunity this spring? River Farm is looking for volunteers to help remove invasive overgrowth. Join AHS staff and other fellow volunteers on April 22, May 6, and May 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

You DO NOT need to have horticultural experience.

You DO NOT need tools. AHS will provide them.

You DO NEED to wear sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeves. AHS has limited availability of gloves.

Contact Jack Greenfield with question and to RSVP: jgreenfield@ahsgardening.org / (703) 768-5700 ext. 133.