Late Winter in the Nation's Capital - A post by Thea McGinnis

Every time I think spring is going to break through, it snows!  School is cancelled.  We sit home, mostly, reading our seed catalogues.  I did get out last week, however, when my best friend from third grade came into town.

We toured two historical homes: Tudor Place( here) and ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tudor_Place) in Georgetown, which is a lovely home with historic connections from George Washington on into the twentieth century.  It also boasts a lovely garden.

Hillwood's cutting garden in late winter - they just turned the soil

The other home was Hillwood, a garden I've featured here (here) before.


Even though it was brisk the day we visited, we couldn't resist a stroll into the gardens. They've turned the dirt on the cutting garden but there's not a lot of action yet...except in the Orchid green houses.







Yowza! Enjoy!  Thea

It's Flower Show Time In Our National Capital Area - Mark Your Calendars! A post by Thea McGinnis

The purpose of an NGC 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 communicate NGC, Inc. goals and objectives

Last month, National Capital Area Garden Clubs held Flower Show School Course I.  Over 30 garden club members from National Capital area, Maryland, and Virginia attended, with 23 future

student judges taking the final exam.

NGC Design Instructor, Jackie Davis

I think that is a very healthy sign for our organization.  The two expert National Garden Club Instructors were, frankly, fantastic.  Sue Kirkman from Kentucky, and Jackie Davis from Pennsylvania, had an incredible amount of information to convey to our students. They each explained, in great detail, flower show procedures and aspects of judging horticulture and design. In my opinion, Flower Show School is the most challenging of the excellent courses of study and certification offered by NGC.


Another indicator of organizational health - and the fun part -  is the clubs and districts that will host an NGC flower show this spring.  Flower shows are free and open to the public. I'll post more site specifics as I get the information. Here's the list so far - mark your calendars!

April 5, 2019 - District II will host a Standard Flower Show at River Farm in Alexandria, VA.

May 8, 2019 - Tanta Cove Garden Club will host a Small Standard Flower Show, "Sing A Song of Spring," at the home of Shirley Nicolai in Fort Washington, MD. (1:30 - 3:00 p.m.)

May 16, 2019 - Rock Spring Garden Club will host a Horticulture Specialty Flower Show, "Poetry In the Garden," at Little Falls Presbyterian Church, Arlington, VA. (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.)

May 22, 2019 - Manassas Garden Club will host a Standard Flower Show.

June 6, 2019 - The Garden Party and Friendship Garden Clubs will host a Small Standard Flower Show.

Leave a comment if you want to know more details about NCAGC garden shows happening this spring.  And if your club or district is hosting a show - let me know!  T