American Horticultural Society

Perennial Plant Conference (Swarthmore, PA)

Join speakers, horticulture professionals, and garden enthusiasts for our in-person conference in the Lang Performing Arts Center.

Peak of Spring Migration Bird Walk (Boyce, VA)

We’re close to the peak of spring migration! Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr to spy on neotropical migrants. We hope to see vireos, wrens, gnatcatchers, orioles, buntings, grosbeaks, and more!

Wildflower Walk at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area (Boyce, VA)

Learn to recognize our spring wildflowers in their native habitat. Scout for trilliums, orchids, and other spring wildflowers alongside Blandy’s Assistant Curator for the Native Plant Trail Jack Monsted.

Spring Wildflower Walk (Boyce, VA)

Discover Virginia’s spring wildflowers! Tour the woodland section of the

Native Plant Trail with Blandy’s Assistant Curator Jack Monsted. Scout for trilliums, bluebells, and other “spring beauties” as you learn all about the natural history of these fascinating flowers.

2024 Garden Fair at Blandy Experimental Farm (Boyce, VA)

The Garden Fair is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Foundation of the State Arboretum, the nonprofit that supports Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum’s varied collections and public education programs. Join more than 50 vendors and thousands of other plant and nature enthusiasts from across Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren and Loudoun Counties and far beyond, up to a 300-mile radius attend this fun event each year to purchase the best selection of native plants, annuals, perennials. herbs, trees, shrubs, garden tools and related items. Food, music, kid’s tent and educational opportunities. Event held rain or shine. Advance tickets are good for both days!

Lifelong Learning: BTS Tour: River Farm in Alexandria, VA (Member Exclusive)

Delve deeper into the northern-most of George Washington’s five properties in this behind-the-scenes tour of River Farm, the American Horticultural Society Headquarters.

Lifelong Learning BTS Tour: Glen Echo, MD (AHS Member Exclusive)

Join renowned horticulturists and landscape designers for tours of their home gardens!

Bees: Foragers in Woody Habitat (Hockessin, DE)

Pollinators in the woods? Explore the many ways wild bees nest and forage in woody habitats. Most native bees are solitary and have long evolutionary relationships with our beloved wildflowers and provide important pollination services which ensure the stability of many of our favorite fruits, nuts, and vegetables. In the northeastern US, up to 1/3 of our wild bee species prefer and rely on forest habitats. Some are specialized to only collect pollen and nectar from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in rotting logs and in leaf litter deep in the woods.

Discover the Hidden Life of Flowers (Hockessin, DE)

Learn why flowers look and behave the way they do, why certain plants are placed in certain families, how flowers attract pollinators, and how pollination works. Teri Dunn Chase regales with amazing and entertaining stories from the era of plant hunters. Savor breathtaking photographs by Robert Llewellyn as Teri explains his “image-stacking” technique.

Gardening with Nature in Mind (Hockessin, DE)

Eco-friendly gardening works with nature, not against it. Learn how to simplify your gardening tasks, maximize your soil’s potential, and reduce water usage while supporting pollinators and local wildlife. Save time, energy, and resources using native plants to create beautiful, environmentally sound landscaping.