The American Horticultural Society at River Farm

7931 E Boulevard Drive

Alexandria, VA 22308

Phone: (800) 777-7931

Fax: (703) 768-8700

www.ahs.org

Join or renew now!

Links:

AHS Seed Exchange

Reciprocal Admissions Program

AHS Heat Zone Map

AHS Books

Youth Gardening

Photo of the month:

The persimmons at River Farm display their beautiful colors as they begin to ripen.

What's New at the AHS

Gifts of AHS Membership
We know the holidays can be hectic, and we’d like to help by making your shopping a little easier –AHS memberships make great gifts for all those hard-to-shop-for people on your list. When you give a gift of membership, we will send a personalized card to the recipients letting them know that their membership card and first issue of The American Gardener are on the way. Also, since the AHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, a portion of your gift is tax-deductible. To order, call (703) 768-5700 ext. 140 or click here.

New Issue of TAG
The November/December issue of The American Gardener is hot off the presses and on its way to AHS members. If you’re looking for gift ideas for the gardeners in your life, check out this issue’s handy gift guide as well as the Green Garage department’s selection of innovative, useful tools we especially liked this year. As winter sets in, discover how to bring the garden indoors with terrariums and get suggestions for plants that show off striking stems during the colder months. And as always, you’ll find plant profiles, garden book reviews, timely horticultural news and events, and much more. If you’re not a member or would like to renew your membership to make sure you receive The American Gardener, please click here. Also, please note that due to a printing error, it has come to our attention that some copies of the November/December issue were assembled incorrectly. If you receive a bad copy, please email membership@ahs.org for a replacement.

Travel Study Updates
Looking to explore gardens across the world? Mark your calendars now to join the American Horticultural Society on one of the 2009 Travel Study destinations such as Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Italy, and Chile. The AHS Travel Study Program’s upcoming trips will explore a diversity of gardens highlighting landscape design, local flora, and culture. We are also planning several exciting domestic destinations for 2009 so stay tuned! For more information, click here.

Proposals for Educational Sessions Wanted
Be a part of the 2009 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium as a presenter of an educational session. We are seeking proposals for presentations on how gardens bring together diverse communities and foster curiosity, wonder, beauty, understanding, and acceptance. Educators, garden designers, parents, volunteers, and children's gardening advocates of all ages are encouraged to submit proposals. Deadline for receipt of proposals is December 15, 2008. Next year’s symposium, hosted by the Cleveland Botanical Garden, will take place on July 23-25, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information about the Symposium and the Call For Sessions, click here.

Vendors Wanted for Spring Plant Sale
The American Horticultural Society is looking for new vendors for its plant sale and garden market taking place from April 16-18, 2009. A variety of spaces are available for vendors with products related to gardening. Contact James Gagliardi at jgagliardi@ahs.org or (703) 768-5700 ext. 115 for more information.

Fashion Show at River Farm
Please join us for a fashion show and luncheon at River Farm on Friday, December 19 at 11 a.m., presented by the fashion design students of the Art Institute of Washington. Fashions featured will be a mix of modern and vintage looks for the holidays and all seasons. Vintage pieces will be auctioned throughout the afternoon. Reservations are required and space is limited, so please contact Sharon Grant at (703) 768-5700 ext. 114 for tickets.

The Holidays at River Farm
From December 1 to January 16, River Farm’s grounds and estate house will feature lights, poinsettias, and other festive holiday decorations. On December 6 at 7:30 p.m. come and enjoy a concert of seasonal favorites as well as folk and Celtic music performed by Jody Marshall, Andrea Hoag, and Paul Nahay. Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended. Tickets are $20 for AHS members or $25 for non-members. To register, call (703) 768-5700, ext. 114. We also invite you to join us for our holiday party on December 11 at 6 p.m. as we celebrate the accomplishments and successes of 2008 with food, music, and general merriment. Please RSVP by December 8 by calling (703) 768-5700 ext. 114.

River Farm Events Rentals
Why not take advantage of the festive holiday decorations and host a gathering at River Farm?  Events booked and held by February 28, 2009, will receive a 25 percent discount on the cost of the rental.  For more information about rentals, click here.

Toys for Tots
This holiday season, River Farm will be a collection site for Toys for Tots, an organization that gives toys to needy children in the United States. If you would like to make a donation, please drop off unwrapped, new toys in the collection box in the estate house by December 16.

What's Growing On at River Farm

Open year round, River Farm is a place of beauty and inspiration for visitors during every season. Right now, maples, ginkgos, sweetgums, and oaks are creating a vibrant canopy across the AHS’s 25-acre headquarters on the Potomac River. The colors are just as stunning among some of our native shrubs including the rich bronze-purple oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), the brilliant red-purple Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’), and the unbeatable mixture of yellow, orange, crimson, and maroon of fothergilla (Fothergilla major) [pictured]. River Farm is open to the public Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on national holidays.