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

Look No Further than the Winners of AHS Book Awards

Celebrate great gardening literature by reading the winners of the 2023 AHS Book Awards! Each year, we honor garden-related books published in North America who excel in writing style, authority, accuracy, appearance, and overall quality. The award is presented jointly to both the author and publisher.  

Meet the 2023 winners!  

  • 100 Plants to Feed the Birds by Laura Erickson (Storey Publishing) 
  • American Wildflowers: A Literary Field Guide edited by Susan Barba (Abrams) 
  • A Gardener’s Guide to Botany by Scott Zona (Cool Spring Press) 

Learn more.  

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

Give the Gift of Gardening for Mother’s Day

Wondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day this year? Look no further than an AHS membership! Mom will love exploring over 350 beautiful gardens across the country through our Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP), reading our exclusive, award-winning The American Gardener magazine, attending top-quality AHS webinars and events, accessing vetted educational materials and resources, and taking advantage of discounts on home and garden shows, seeds and gardening literature.  

Membership starts at only $35. Get your gift today.   

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. 

News & Press

An Interview with AHS Board Chair, Scott C. Plein

Please meet Scott Plein, Chairman of the American Horticultural Society’s Board of Directors since July 2022. He has been a wealth of knowledge and advice, providing strategic direction and oversight of the organization and River Farm, AHS’s headquarters in Alexandria, VA.  

 

Scott wants to see “… that we make the AHS a more influential voice and resource to everybody who loves horticulture.” He also wants to promote a horticulture that is both sensitive to ecological concerns and promotes traditional horticultural practices at the same time.  

 

David Ellis, editor of The American Gardener, interviews Plein in the January/February issue of the magazine. Find out about the Board’s key objectives for the AHS, the challenges facing the horticulture industry, AHS’s role nationally and regionally, and the top priorities of River Farm.  

 

Read the full interview.  

News & Press

Save the Date: 2023 AHS Gala

Mark your calendar for the 2023 AHS Gala celebrating 50 years that AHS has called River Farm “home.” The Gala, to be held on September 23rd, 2023 at River Farm, will be the perfect opportunity to show your support for AHS and River Farm, visit our treasured headquarters, connect with fellow supporters, and enjoy a magical evening of good food, drink, entertainment and conversation.