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

Make a Donation

Photo of the month:

As the sun sets at River Farm, a full moon rises over the Potomac River.

What's New at the AHS

AHS Members Only Seed Exchange
The seed catalog and order form for the American Horticultural Society’s 2009 Seed Exchange are now available on the AHS website. Thanks to the generous donations from our members, corporations, and organizations, this year the exchange includes 218 selections—a 33 percent increase from 2008. The Seed Exchange has been a member favorite for 50 years and to celebrate the golden anniversary of the Seed Exchange, the first 300 members to submit their orders will receive complimentary ‘Pot of Gold’ Swiss chard seeds from the exchange’s 2009 sponsor Renee's Garden. Seed orders may be submitted until March 3, 2009. To save trees, the seed catalog is available online; however, if you would prefer to have a copy mailed to you, please call (703) 768-5700 ext. 115 or send an e-mail to jgagliardi@ahs.org.

Upcoming Webinars
This year, the AHS is offering four new online seminars to its members free of charge. The first will be on March 11 with garden designer Julie Moir Messervy talking about “Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love.” Registration will open in the members-only area of the AHS website on February 10. In the members-only area, you can also sign up to receive invitations to this and other upcoming webinars.

Traveling with the AHS
If you’re looking to escape winter’s chill with a tropical adventure, there’s still time to join the AHS on a trip to Costa Rica from February 19-27. For more information, call (573) 881-6316. Other exciting destinations for 2009 include the Netherlands, Florence, and Chile. Visit the AHS website for itineraries and more details.

New Issue of The American Gardener
The January/February issue of The American Gardener is now available online and is also on its way to AHS members in the mail. It contains articles on hot new plants and trends for 2009, pruning deciduous shrubs, starting a successful edible garden, and much more. It also includes the 2009 AHS Member Guide, complete with lists of flowers shows, gardens, and arboreta that offer free or discounted admission to members. And be sure to check this issue for the new members-only password for the website, which takes effect on February 2. If you’re not a member or would like to renew your membership to make sure you receive The American Gardener, please click here.

National Children and Youth Garden Symposium
For anyone interested in getting young people into gardening, mark your calendars to attend the 17th annual AHS National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, from July 23-25, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. Hosted by Cleveland Botanical Garden, the symposium’s theme is “Common Ground: Gardens for a Greener Tomorrow.” Registration will open on April 15.

Youth Programs Coordinator Position
The AHS is currently accepting applications for a full-time Youth Programs Coordinator.This position provides unique opportunities to develop youth gardening programs for the AHS’s River Farm headquarters and to work on national initiatives including the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium, the Growing Good Kids Book Awards, and online resources.

What's Growing On

By James Gagliardi, AHS Horticultural Coordinator

Now is the perfect time to reflect on the garden in 2008 and decide where a spectacular specimen plant is needed. For inspiration and to see the newest plants, I gleefully look through the catalogs overflowing from my mailbox. Additionally, online plant catalogs have made finding that perfect plant even easier. You can search for plants based on specific characteristics you want with tools like Plant Search from Monrovia. On the other hand, if you already know the perfect plant but have trouble finding a source for it, I suggest Plant Scout at Dave’s Garden, which searches more than 150 top mail order vendors. You can also get some ideas by browsing the AHS’s Seed Exchange Catalog, from which members can order a selection of annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and vegetables.