Five Hills Garden Club Meeting Programs for 2024-2025
December 3
Holiday Greens and Wreath Workshop
This is a long-standing tradition of Five Hills. Since 1955, we have made and donated Wreaths and Sprays to local churches and public buildings in the town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. It will put you in the holiday spirit! You will need gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
Horticulture: Remember to bring your donations of fresh greens (no berries or holly please!)
Design: Come to the meeting prepared to create a beautiful wreath or swag.
January 21
Incorporating Native Plants in Garden Design
Renatta Holt from Merrifield Gardens will present on using native plants in landscape design. The dead of winter is a perfect time to dream and plan for spring planting. Ms. Holt discovered her love for landscape design after creating a retreat in her own yard. After developing her personal style, she decided to make a career out of helping people discover their unique style and pursued a degree in landscape design. An avid nature lover, Ms. Holt shows how native plants can successfully be incorporated into the garden landscape.
Horticulture: Bring in and be prepared to discuss evergreen plants from your yard. Design: Create a design using different types of evergreens.
February 18
Gardening for Sustainability
Lindsey Walker, Senior Manager, Education & Community Conservation, Mid-Atlantic Regional Center will speak on the National Wildlife Federation’s work in encouraging residents to garden to sustain wildlife, land, and water to help restore the natural environment. Alongside its grassroots efforts to advocate for clean air, clean water, and ecosystem protection, the NWF works to create new habitat and restore damaged areas through its wildlife gardening and tree planting programs.
Horticulture: Collect pieces of found wood that can be used in a floral design.
Design: Make a design incorporating one piece of found wood.
March 18
Encouraging Sustainability
Locally The Town of Vienna established its Conservation and Sustainability Commission to encourage residents, local businesses, and the local government to undertake conservation and sustainable practices. CSC Chair Christina Caplan and Vice Chair Patricia Esswein will speak about the ways the commission engages in education and outreach, develops community initiatives, and plans and recommends policies and programs to the Town Council. Recent initiatives they will discuss include setting up town composting at the Saturday farmers’ market and efforts to preserve and manage Vienna’s tree canopy.
Horticulture: Bring in an early blooming Spring flower bulb.
Design: Create a teacup or mug design using small Spring flower bulbs.
April 15
Touring and Learning about Azaleas from Barbara Tozzi’s Neighbor
Barbara Tozzi has invited the club to visit her neighbor Joe Klimavicz’s home to tour his azaleas in bloom and is graciously offering her home for our April meeting. Mr. Klimavicz hybridizes azaleas, has named one of his varieties, Barbara Tozzi, and has a magnificent yard to see. He has been breeding azaleas for over 40 years and in 2024 was one of the keynote speakers at the Azalea Society of America Convention.
Horticulture: No Horticulture this month.
Design: No Design this month.
May 20
Sharing Our Bounty – Plant Exchange
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, Plant’s name, Plant’s colors, Plant’s requirements (Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade), and Plant’s details such as Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
June 17
Learning Floral Design from a Professional and Each Other
Paige Canfield from Sumner B. Designs will lead the club in designing floral displays with each table collectively designing its own based on her instructions. Her work often incorporates locally grown flowers and uses sustainable products. Ms. Canfield will supply some flowers; members will be asked to bring in more along with containers. Newbies to design will work alongside more experienced club members to create an arrangement at each table.
Horticulture and Design: In conjunction with Paige Canfield (Sumner B. Designs) bring in flowers and containers to make your own design.
Past Meetings for 2024-25
September 17
Arranging Displays with Natives and Other Locally Grown Flowers
Ellen Frost is the owner of Local Color Flowers, a Baltimore based floral design shop focused on creating personalized arrangements and bouquets from fresh, seasonal, and sustainable flowers grown locally. Ellen has committed her business to using resources responsibly, supporting the local economy, and promoting neighboring farms. She aims to provide an environmentally and socially conscious alternative when purchasing flowers that connects people to the living world around them. Ellen will speak about the benefits of sourcing flowers locally, how to incorporate natives (and why that poses challenges and how some growers and designers are working to make that easier) and the danger of using invasives in design. She will also demonstrate a flower design using local and native plants; her arrangements will be raffled off to lucky winners. Five Hills has extended an invitation to the Ayr Hill Garden Club to attend this program.
October 15
Sharpening Garden Tools and Sharing Favorites
Daniel Lee of Daniel’s Sharpening Service will sharpen members’ gardening tools on site, while members share their favorite gardening tools. Mr. Lee has a booth at the Fairfax Farmers’ Market, brings his service to homeowners’ associations and other organizations, and offers drop-off or mail-in at his Burke location. He charges from $10 to $20 per tool, depending on size and complexity. While Mr. Lee sets up shop, club members will share their favorite gardening tools and describe how they make gardening easier for them.
November 19
Growing Less Grass
Master Gardener Aimee Martin affiliated with Green Spring Garden will present on growing less grass to support environmental health and biodiversity. Ms. Martin will begin by briefly explaining why traditional turf lawns are not optimal. Drawing from her own family’s experience and that of others, she will offer practical advice on options to reduce and replace nonnative grasses.
PRIOR YEAR MEETINGS
September 19, 2023
Arranging Displays with Natives and Other Locally Grown Flowers
Ellen Frost is the owner of Local Color Flowers, a Baltimore-based floral design shop focused on creating personalized arrangements and bouquets from fresh, seasonal, and sustainable flowers grown locally. Ellen has committed her business to using resources responsibly, supporting the local economy, and promoting neighboring farms. She aims to provide an environmentally and socially conscious alternative when purchasing flowers that connects people to the living world around them. Ellen will speak about the benefits of sourcing flowers locally, how to incorporate natives (and why that poses challenges and how some growers and designers are working to make that easier) and the danger of using invasives in design. She will also demonstrate a flower design using local and native plants; her arrangements will be raffled off to lucky winners. Five Hills has extended an invitation to the Ayr Hill Garden Club to attend this program.
October 17, 2023
Practicing the Fundamentals of Ikebana Design
Our own Noreen Linnemann will demonstrate the art of Ikebana design, drawing on her years-long practice of this ancient Japanese art form. Few schools of floral design infuse as much depth of theory, symbolism, design, tradition, and rich cultural meaning as Ikebana. In her presentation, Noreen will distill her wisdom and the Ikebana tradition into a few key concepts applied to creating simple, exquisite arrangements.
November 21, 2023
Reciprocating with the Soil
Dan Schwartz with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District will speak about why and how we can encourage healthy soil in our gardens and communities. His presentation will include tips on improving the biology of your soil, how this can allow us to garden without the need for supplemental chemicals, and how healthy soil benefits not just the gardener but the entire community. In particular, he will talk about recent and not-so-recent research on deriving medicines from the soil.
December 5, 2023
Holiday Greens and Wreath Workshop
This is a long standing tradition of Five Hills. Since 1955, we have made and donated Wreaths and Sprays to local churches and public buildings in the town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. It will put you in the holiday spirit! You will need gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
January 16, 2024
Creating with the Invasive Cast-Offs
Visual journalist Patterson Clark takes a novel approach to dealing with the refuse of invasive species by turning it into beautiful works of art. He harvests exotic invasive vegetation to extract paper fibers, pigments, and lumber, which converge at a printing press to make art that celebrates the bounty and inherent qualities of alien weeds. Harvesting exotic invasive vegetation from parks, alleys and private land helps make room for the return of native plants and associated animals.
February 20, 2024
Getting Started with Eastern Bluebirds and Helping them Stay
Valerie Kenyon Gaffney, active locally with the Prince William Wildflower Society and two NCAGC clubs and statewide as the President of the Virginia Bluebird Society, will present on the lifecycle of the bluebird. The bright blue breeding plumage of the male, easily observed on a wire or open perch, fluttering down to the mowed grass to capture a grasshopper, cricket or beetle makes this species a favorite of birders. Valerie will describe what led to its decline in population, and what role we can play in supporting bluebirds and attracting them to our backyard and communities.
March 19, 2024
Preparing for a Successful Flower Show — Ready, Set, Go
Our own Deneen Wilson will devote the March program to present on how we are going to bring a successful flower show to fruition. She will begin by outlining the responsibilities of the chairs and all of our members and then go into detail about what judges expect in horticulture and design. For horticulture, she will go over the requirements including selection, staging and placement. For design, she will describe practice, transport, and placement. After her presentation we will all be better prepared for putting on a beautiful April flower show.
April 16, 2024
Five Hills Flower Show (For the Love of Nature)
It’s showtime at last! Now that we have prepped and primped, it’s time for our long-awaited biennial flower show of floral design and horticulture. All members participate in this officially judged show; indeed, there are novice awards for newbies. Members will deliver their floral design and/or horticulture entries the afternoon of April 15th or morning of the 16th, the show will be judged the morning of the 16th, and the show is open for viewing the afternoon of April 16th.
May 21, 2024
Plant Exchange
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, Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements (Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade), and Plant’s details such as Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
June 18, 2024
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 June 18 at 11 am.
September 17, 2023
Arranging Displays with Natives and Other Locally Grown Flowers
Ellen Frost is the owner of Local Color Flowers, a Baltimore-based floral design shop focused on creating personalized arrangements and bouquets from fresh, seasonal, and sustainable flowers grown locally. Ellen has committed her business to using resources responsibly, supporting the local economy, and promoting neighboring farms. She aims to provide an environmentally and socially conscious alternative when purchasing flowers that connects people to the living world around them. Ellen will speak about the benefits of sourcing flowers locally, how to incorporate natives (and why that poses challenges and how some growers and designers are working to make that easier) and the danger of using invasives in design. She will also demonstrate a flower design using local and native plants; her arrangements will be raffled off to lucky winners. Five Hills has extended an invitation to the Ayr Hill Garden Club to attend this program.
October 17, 2023
Practicing the Fundamentals of Ikebana Design
Our own Noreen Linnemann will demonstrate the art of Ikebana design, drawing on her years-long practice of this ancient Japanese art form. Few schools of floral design infuse as much depth of theory, symbolism, design, tradition, and rich cultural meaning as Ikebana. In her presentation, Noreen will distill her wisdom and the Ikebana tradition into a few key concepts applied to creating simple, exquisite arrangements.
November 21, 2023
Reciprocating with the Soil
Dan Schwartz with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District will speak about why and how we can encourage healthy soil in our gardens and communities. His presentation will include tips on improving the biology of your soil, how this can allow us to garden without the need for supplemental chemicals, and how healthy soil benefits not just the gardener but the entire community. In particular, he will talk about recent and not-so-recent research on deriving medicines from the soil.
December 5, 2023
Holiday Greens and Wreath Workshop
This is a long standing tradition of Five Hills. Since 1955, we have made and donated Wreaths and Sprays to local churches and public buildings in the town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. It will put you in the holiday spirit! You will need gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
January 16, 2024
Creating with the Invasive Cast-Offs
Visual journalist Patterson Clark takes a novel approach to dealing with the refuse of invasive species by turning it into beautiful works of art. He harvests exotic invasive vegetation to extract paper fibers, pigments, and lumber, which converge at a printing press to make art that celebrates the bounty and inherent qualities of alien weeds. Harvesting exotic invasive vegetation from parks, alleys and private land helps make room for the return of native plants and associated animals.
February 20, 2024
Getting Started with Eastern Bluebirds and Helping them Stay
Valerie Kenyon Gaffney, active locally with the Prince William Wildflower Society and two NCAGC clubs and statewide as the President of the Virginia Bluebird Society, will present on the lifecycle of the bluebird. The bright blue breeding plumage of the male, easily observed on a wire or open perch, fluttering down to the mowed grass to capture a grasshopper, cricket or beetle makes this species a favorite of birders. Valerie will describe what led to its decline in population, and what role we can play in supporting bluebirds and attracting them to our backyard and communities.
March 19, 2024
Preparing for a Successful Flower Show — Ready, Set, Go
Our own Deneen Wilson will devote the March program to present on how we are going to bring a successful flower show to fruition. She will begin by outlining the responsibilities of the chairs and all of our members and then go into detail about what judges expect in horticulture and design. For horticulture, she will go over the requirements including selection, staging and placement. For design, she will describe practice, transport, and placement. After her presentation we will all be better prepared for putting on a beautiful April flower show.
April 16, 2024
Five Hills Flower Show (For the Love of Nature)
It’s showtime at last! Now that we have prepped and primped, it’s time for our long-awaited biennial flower show of floral design and horticulture. All members participate in this officially judged show; indeed, there are novice awards for newbies. Members will deliver their floral design and/or horticulture entries the afternoon of April 15th or morning of the 16th, the show will be judged the morning of the 16th, and the show is open for viewing the afternoon of April 16th.
May 21, 2024
Plant Exchange
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, Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements (Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade), and Plant’s details such as Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
June 18, 2024
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 June 18 at 11 am.
September 20, 2022
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
October 18, 2022
Creating a Healthy Environment for Raptors
Liz Dennison, founder of the nonprofit Secret Garden Birds and Bees, will share her expertise on raptors and the role they play in ecosystems by introducing us to these magnificent animals in person. Her all-volunteer organization works with wildlife rehabilitators, falconers, naturalists, biologists, and beekeepers to share their love of nature and wildlife with our communities. In addition to different species of owls and hawks, Liz will bring Pippin, a young American Kestrel, the newest addition to the Secret Garden. She will show how these birds all play a significant role in keeping our environment healthy and how we can help them thrive in our increasingly human world.
November 15, 2022
Introducing Purple Martins to Our Yards
Mike Bishop, a naturalist instructor with the Fairfax County Park Authority, will describe the work of the Northern Virginia Purple Martin Initiative, a nonprofit organization he founded to establish purple martin colonies in our area. Purple Martins are native swallows with a high tolerance for humans, chattering songs, aerial acrobatics, and insect-eating habits that make them one of the most beloved songbirds in the region. They are considered synanthropic, having developed an association with humans over time and benefit from living closely to them. Through years of generational imprinting and nesting the eastern species has made a complete transition from nesting in the wild to relying on human provided nesting sites. Humans in turn benefit from these agile insect hunters that capture and consume a variety of winged insects.
December 6, 2022
Holiday Greens and Wreath Workshop
This is a long-standing tradition of Five Hills. Since 1955, we have made and donated Wreaths and Sprays to local churches and public buildings in the town of Vienna. Come ready to work and create with fresh greenery. It will put you in the holiday spirit! You will need gloves, clippers and fresh garden greens. All other supplies are furnished by the club.
January 17, 2023
Growing Beautiful Native Plants Year-Round
Leah Brooks, the Public Programs Assistant at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, will present virtually via Zoom on growing native plants year-round. She will share information on a variety of wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and vines that are ideal for home gardens and provide color, texture, ecological services, and seasonal interest all year long.
Mt. Cuba is a non-profit botanical garden located in Hockessin, Delaware, near Wilmington, in the gently rolling hills of the Delaware Piedmont. A field trip is planned on October 3, 2023.
February 21, 2023
Gardening for Wildlife
Alice Sturm, the Garden Program Manager at the Audubon Naturalist Society, will describe strategies that create habitats to attract and nurture pollinators and birds in our gardens. In her presentation she will explain how principles of ecological gardening underlie the work and enjoyment of nature-friendly habitats. The Audubon Naturalist Society, seeks to inspire area residents to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment.
March 21, 2023
Putting Conservation into Practice
Matt Bright, the Conservation Manager at Earth Sangha, will describe the nonprofit founded in 1997 by his parents with its mission of conservation as a psychological, social, and ecological practice. Earth Sangha is committed to restoring native ecology and helping people develop healthier connections to the lands and waters around them. Locally it operates a volunteer-based program to propagate native plants, restore native plant communities, and control invasive alien plants. Its Wild Plant Nursery is the region’s most comprehensive effort to propagate native plants directly from local forests and meadows. Farther afield on the island of Hispaniola, it operates with its partners the Tree Bank Hispaniola to propagate local native trees, conserve tropical forest, and promote sustainable agrocological practices.
April 18, 2023
Tea
Our own hostesses with the “mostest”, Lura Marshall and Eve Anderson, will bring their talents and tea sets to organize a superb tea for our April program. Hostesses will provide tea sandwiches and desserts; member can contribute Teacup floral arrangements which will be raffled off to lucky winners. In addition, Hillary Coley, owner of Dominion in Purcellville, will speak about the growing and harvesting of teas and provide samplings of teas from her company.
May 16, 2023
Plant Exchange
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, Plant’s Name, Plant’s Colors, Plant’s requirements (Sun, Part-Sun, Part Shade, Shade), and Plant’s details such as Deer Resistant, Heat Tolerant, Perennial, Spring to Frost, etc.
June 20, 2023
Raising Honeybees and Supporting Plants
Rita Romano, a mental health practitioner, will take us on her personal adventure as a backyard beekeeper. She will explain how she got started a decade ago and how she has cultivated her interest in beekeeping and native plants that attract and sustain bees. Throughout her presentation, she will emphasize native Virginia plants that she grows in her pollinator garden.
September 19, 2023
Life-Cycling with Monarchs and Native Bees
Our own Gail Gile, a retired elementary school teacher, will share the lessons she imparted to her students on the fascinating life cycles of monarch butterflies and native bees. She will show how she encourages the survival of monarchs by aiding in their development from eggs to fully developed butterflies ready to migrate South. Gail will also describe how native bees develop through life stages and how they help pollinate our environs.
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, 2022
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, 2022
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.
June 21, 2022
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.
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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