Meeting Programs of Five Hills Garden Club
Meetings take place on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am; arrive by 9:30 am to enjoy some socializing before meeting start. We meet at Vienna Presbyterian Church on the lower level.
In person General Meetings will be held at the Vienna Presbyterian Church. The club must adhere to the church’s mask and food consumption requirements.
When Board and General Meetings are being held virtually via Zoom, the internet link, meeting ID and pass code will be emailed to members the day before the meeting. If a member does not receive this information by 7:00 p.m. the night before the meeting, contact Shelia Creswell by cell phone text or email.
June 21
Installation Luncheon for New Officers
In recognition of New and Departing club officers, all members are cordially invited and requested to attend the Installation Luncheon on Tuesday, June 21 at 11am.
Location will be shared at a later date.
Design: Make an arrangement for our luncheon, a table center piece that you are willing to give to someone in our club.
Board Meeting: June 21, Board Meeting will follow the Installation Luncheon
Calendar:
Fri. June 17 District III Presidents’ Coffee
Fri. June 24 Blooming Hill Lavender Farm Field Trip
September 20
Designing Simply with Betty Ann
Our own Betty Ann Galway will lead a demonstration of quick and easy floral arrangements for the home this fall. Members will help in the demo by bringing in plant materials and containers that Betty Ann can incorporate. Finished arrangements will be raffled off to lucky winners
PAST MEETINGS
September 21, 2021
Growing Autumn Wildflowers for Your Garden: Asters to Witch Hazel
Nancy Vehrs, the President of the Virginia Native Plant Society, will walk us through the delights and benefits of growing native wildflowers in the autumn garden. She will show how a variety of native plants can bring color, form, and life to the fall landscape. Along the way, she will emphasize the importance of native plants and their ecological superiority to traditional garden plants associated with fall.
October 19, 2021
Ramblin’ in Dave’s Shady Garden
Dave Reed, the author of the blog, Ramblin’ Through Dave’s Garden, takes us on a meander of his garden on an acre and a quarter that he has created in Warrenton. Employed by Meadows Farms Landscape department since 1976, Dave uses his garden to test new plant introductions and, as he says in his blog, “Plant as much as the wife will allow”. His garden is designed for “relaxation, contemplation, and wonder” and not necessarily around a master plan. As the trees he has planted have grown to create a canopy, he describes how he has incorporated more shade-loving native plants in his garden and suggests what we might plant this Fall for next Spring.
November 16, 2021
Time-Traveling in the Plant World
Vienna neighbor, fellow gardener, and noted research geologist, Dr. Brian Huber, as he traverses deep time back to the beginnings of plant life on land. Brian, Curator of Foraminifera at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, will lead the remarkable journey, starting almost a half a billion years ago. He will guide our discovery of how the plant world of the past, present, and future connects to all other life on Earth.
December 7, 2021
Holiday Greens and Wreath Workshop
Join your garden friends at the Five Hills annual tradition of wreath making – bringing the Christmas spirit to the Town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. You will need to bring gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club. Remember to bring your donation of fresh greens (no berries or holly please!)
January 18, 2022
Crafting Floral Greetings
Led by our own Lucia Bacon, members will create greeting cards featuring flowers to share with friends and loved ones. As we craft, we will learn about the history of greeting cards and the symbolism of flowers in conveying messages in the Victorian era. Special cards will go to residents of Iliff Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to send wishes of good health and well-being for Valentine’s Day.
February 15, 2022
Creating a Haven for Nature
Ray Smith, Master Naturalist, shares his passion and practice of landscaping in harmony with nature. He will demonstrate how the tenets of the Master Naturalist program can be realized in our own gardens, by showing how his own yard has evolved to support nature in all its forms, with a particular emphasis on landscaping with native plants to benefit wildlife. He will also discuss bluebirds and how to attract them in our yards.
March 15, 2022
Cultivating Nature in Your Garden
Dr. Meghan McGinty will speak on incrementally converting established gardens to native gardens, recent findings about how our gardening impacts biodiversity and how plant selection affects wildlife, and gardening for wildlife throughout the seasons. She will also address the varied microclimates, soil types, and lighting conditions in which we garden, so please come to the meeting with particularly problematic examples
April 20
Observing Nature through Journaling
Lara Call Gastinger, the chief illustrator of Flora of Virginia, shows how she combines science and art to create a sublime journal of the plant world. Using images from her sketchbooks, she describes her own artistic journey, how it evolved to become daily practice, and how it is meant to inspire others to appreciate and conserve our beautiful surroundings. For those who want to take up journaling, she explains how to overcome the “dreaded blank page” and put our observations of nature on paper.
May 17
How Does your Garden Grow?
How Does Your Garden Grow? Bring plants to share, and get new ones, as a part of our annual plant exchange. This favorite event is a chance to enhance your garden and knowledge of gardening. Please bring your labeled plants to include: Your Name (so we know who it came from), Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements of Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade, Plant’s details if Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc. Location: We will meet in the home of Anne Nelson who has once again generously offered her home to host this general meeting and plant exchange.
September 15, 2020
From Farmer’s Market To Your Table
Jonathan Bardzik, DC-based cook, author, and story teller, will share his joy in the kitchen through easy, seasonal, farm and garden-fresh recipes – for us to enjoy and share with special people in our lives.
October 20, 2020
Growing Your Own Groceries
Nursery growers offer insights into how to successfully grow your own groceries in ways that do not break your back or your bank and can be an esthetic addition to your yard. Niraj Ray, founder of Cultivate the City, demonstrates how to use food scraps to jump start your garden and offers tips for propagating successfully. Ray also describes how Cultivate the City is nurturing urban gardening with its programs to address food needs and healthy eating in our wider community.
November 17, 2020
Designing Gardens as Habitats that Protect Life
Marisa Scalera, the landscape architect at the Smithsonian Gardens, speaks to the importance of plants in our lives highlighted in a Smithsonian-wide exhibition on protecting habitats. The presentation emphasizes the interconnection and fragility of our natural world and our role in caring for it.
January 18, 2021
Trees: Virginia Department of Forestry
Trees can shelter us from the trauma of stress if we step up as stewards to protect and use our natural resources wisely. Jim McGlone, Urban Forest Conservationist with the Virginia Department of Forestry, will speak about his office’s work to nurture our forests today and for generations to come. He will distinguish native, nonnative, and invasive species and what can be done to promote a healthy natural environment for flora and fauna. Jim’s territory spans Northern Virginia and includes advising homeowners on how they too can contribute to this effort and how Virginia’s initiatives can help.
February 16, 2021
Looking at the Garden Holistically
Gardener, artist, and columnist Karen Rexrode takes a look at holistic ways to garden with tips that help the gardener and the environment function on a higher level of wholesomeness. Topics she will cover include new concepts in planting styles, using plants as green mulch, and exploring German and Japanese examples of permaculture
March 16, 2021
Flower Show Prep
Five Hills judges will go over our flower show schedule to be held Virtually on our April meeting date. We will review the schedule, give you tips and answer any questions you may have in horticulture or design.
April 20, 2021
It’s Showtime!
Our delayed Flower Show, A Virtual Flower Show is to be held in lieu of our regular meeting. We need your participation to make this a success!
May 18, 2021
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Bring plants to share, and get new ones, as a part of our annual plant exchange. This favorite event is a chance to enhance your garden and knowledge of gardening. Please bring your labeled plants to include: Your Name (so we know who it came from), Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements of Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade, Plant’s details if Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
June 15, 2021
Going into Summer with a Refresh
As we approach the summer season when it is too hot outside for folks and flora, Ronnie Levay will walk us through how to create refreshing floral designs with a grocery store mixed bouquet, leaves and twigs on hand, and a simple vase. Ronnie will demonstrate how to harden off store bought flowers so that they last longer and assemble what you already have available to make a centerpiece for the summer.
September 17, 2019
Birdsong Pleasure Garden; the Story of Its Creation
Lesley Mack, the co-owner of an amazing three-acre private garden, “Birdsong Pleasure Garden”, will guide us through her garden, sharing practical advice on everything gardening. Check out Trip Advisor, Luray VA to read about the garden and see its 5.0 rating!
October 15, 2019
Vertical Gardening Made Easy
Kathy Jentz, a frequent contributor to “The Washington Gardner”, a highly regarded publication and web site, will share her secrets of vertical gardening. Kathy will detail the benefits of vertical
gardening and inspire us to create our own vertical gardens.
November 19, 2019
Just in Time For Thanksgiving
Our very own Betty Ann Galway will lead us in a “Members’ Floral Design Workshop”. Betty Ann will share her expertise in floral arranging, and how to prepare and preserve pumpkins in home arrangements. You will need a small hollowed out pumpkin (opening less than 6 inches) and a ½ block of oasis – flowers will be provided. Feel free to bring greens and dried materials.
December 3, 2019
Holiday Greens Workshop
Join your garden friends at the Five Hills annual tradition of wreath making – bringing the Christmas spirit to the Town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. You will need to bring gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
Horticulture: Remember to bring your donation of fresh greens (no berries or holly please!).
January 21, 2020
Unique and Spontaneous
Floral Designs Jeanne Ha, co-founder of DC Metro Flower Design School and co-owner of Park Florist, one of the oldest florists in the DC area, will demonstrate her amazing skills and creativity. Jeanne will daze and amaze us with her love and knack for flower arranging. A silent auction of her designs will follow.
February 18, 2020
The Soulful Gardner
Heather Zindash will show us how gardening brings people, plants and horticulture together to enhance our overall health and well-being. Learn to view our gardens as therapeutic, restorative and meditative – places to relax and connect to ourselves and the rest of the world.
September 18, 2018
Gardening on the Verge Kirk Brown, is a high energy and entertaining garden speaker. He is best known for his impersonation of John Bartram. But he has a new topic, “Gardening on the Verge,” that he is excited to present. It’s about gardens and changing life-styles.
Horticulture: Bring in a specimen from your garden in a proportional green bottle. Label it correctly. Suggestions include Mums, Asters.
Design Theme: Back to School. Designers Choice
October 16, 2018
Winterizing your Garden Sharon Stickell, a landscape specialist from Merrifield Garden Center, will share her gardening expertise, developing a winter checklist to ensure that our gardens produce colorful flowers in the spring.
Horticulture: Autumn Leaves Make an arrangement using autumn leaves.
November 20, 2018
Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and other Backyard Wildlife David Mizejewski, a naturalist and television host with the National Wildlife Federation, will talk about creating beautiful natural spaces to enjoy and share with birds, bees, and butterflies. He will detail the process to have our gardens recognized as official “Certified Habitats”. http://naturalist.nwf.org
Horticulture: Tick Tock Change Your Clock! Make an arrangement using branches with berries.
December 4, 2018
Holiday Greens Workshop
This is a long-standing tradition of Five Hills Garden Club. Every year since 1955 we have made and donated wreaths and sprays to local churches and public buildings in the Town of Vienna. It will put you in the Holiday Spirit! Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. You will need to bring gloves and clippers. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
Horticulture: Remember to bring your donation of fresh greens (no berries or holly please!).
January 15, 2019
Climate Change Affecting Nature and Our Gardens
Sara Via, a professor and climate change specialist for UMD, will tell us about the effects of climate change and how they significantly impact gardens and home landscapes. We’ll learn strategies for adapting to change and improving our chances for gardening success. https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/earth-friendly/climate-change-and-gardening
Horticulture: Let it Snow! Make an arrangement using Snowdrops.
February 19, 2019
Gardening Tools
Members will bring in their favorite tools to share. A vendor will be invited to highlight the market’s latest and greatest “high tech” tools.
Horticulture: Windowsill Art Bring in a ‘Windowsill Art’ arrangement.
March 19, 2019
Garden to Vase
Watch and learn, from your own “Five Hills Five”, how to create and appreciate easy in-home
designs right from your garden.
Horticulture: Wearing of the Green Make a green corsage and wear it home.
April 23, 2019
In the Garden with Joe and his Azaleas
Joseph Klimavicz, a well-known azalea expert and boundless energy gardener, will explain the “Klimavicz Hybridizing Project”, his search for the perfect plant. After his presentation, Joe will open his garden to members, an opportunity not to be missed. http://www.nv-asa.org Click on “Legacy Project”
Horticulture: Earth Day! Bring in a deer resistant plant.
May 21
Plant Exchange
A perennial club favorite! We get together every year at a member’s home to share the bounty of our own gardens. We love exchanging and bringing home new plants from our seasoned and green garden club friends. Please bring your labeled plants to include: Your Name (so we know who it came from), Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements of Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade, Plant’s details if Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
Anne Nelson has once again generously offered her home to host this general meeting and plant exchange.
Horticulture: Plants To Remember You By Bring plants from you garden to exchange with club members. They will be happy reminders of our friendships.
June 18
End of Year Meeting
Barbara Tozzi has generously offered to host our June general meeting in her beautiful garden and around the pool.
Horticulture: June Wedding Make a wedding bouquet.
Fall Floral Design Workshop
Contact Us
Five Hills Garden Club
Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St NE, Vienna, Virginia 22180, United States
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