YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A STANDARD FLOWER SHOW NEAR YOU!

The purposes of a Standard Flower Show:  to educate club members and viewing public. To stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design. To provide an outlet for creative expression. To convey to the community objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Standard Flower Shows are a wonderful part of garden club activity.  Flower shows give us the opportunity to see the finest specimens of local horticulture - flowers, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and floral designs and educational and special exhibits.

Right now, garden clubs across the United States are hosting flower shows that are free and open to the public. Mark your calendars now to attend these right here in the National Capital Area Garden Club region during the month of April, May and June:

April 8 & 9 in Alexandria, Virginia:

April 16 in Great Falls, Virginia:

April 21 in Arlington, Virginia:

Don't forget the Washington Daffodill Show in Fairfax April 21 and 22!

And in Vienna, Virginia on Sunday, April 24:

And beginning April 1 at the U.S. National Arboretum, designs by Ikebana International:

And May 3:

And June 11, District I is hosting a District Flower Show in Fort Washington, MD:

And in June - June 23 (1-4pm) & 24 (10am-3pm) at Strathmore Mansion, Rockville, MD:

I'll be sure to add our other Garden Club Standard Flower Shows for Spring when I hear about them!

4 Fabulous Reasons to Visit the U.S. National Arboretum: Eaglets, Cherry Blossoms, Arbor House and Ikebana!

That's right! Eaglets, cherry blossoms, Arbor House and Ikebana! And that's just the start of the U.S. National Arboretum's Spring Season!

Planning to come into D.C. in the coming weeks for some eaglets? Cherry blossoms?  Then plan a morning or afternoon at the U.S. National Arboretum, a garden delight right here in our National Capital Area Garden Clubs region!  Bring your wife, husband, children, grandchildren, and friends!

I'm sure you've heard about two bald eaglets hatching at the arboretum - real time cameras in the lobby let us know what's going on with the new family.

There's something breathtaking about raining pink and white petals of cherry blossoms against blue skies. And if the Tidal Basin is too crowded but you don't want to miss peak blossom time, our U.S. National Arboretum has a wonderful, wide range of flowering cherries.  Take their self-guided tour introducing other great flowering cherry trees.

And do plan to visit our National Capital Area Garden Club's gift shop, ARBOR HOUSE, right across from the Arboretum's parking lot and entrance for a lovely selection of gifts, books, garden products, items  and toys for junior gardeners and so much more.

And beginning April 1 through April 17, a wonderful exhibition by Ikebana International.  Do be sure to visit the Arboretum's incredible bonsai collection and gardens and landscapes. There's so much to see at the U.S. National Arboretum.

For more information on the U.S. National Arboretum, 3501 New York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002  202-245-2726, and visit their website at www.usna.usda.gov

For more information about National Capital Area Garden Clubs' activities, including our            Arbor House Gift Shop, visit our website at www.ncagardenclubs.org