Friday/April 21
Washington Blooms at River Farm. Friends of River Farm Plant Sale, Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Growing Wildflowers. Observe spring wildflowers in the Native Plant Garden, learn their nicknames and scientific names, and how to incorporate them into your garden. Fee: $11 10-11 a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Saturday/April 22
Ford Nature Center Open House. A day of family events that includes live bluegrass music, ongoing nature-oriented activities for children, hourly Heritage Walks on the history of Dora Kelley Nature Park, and a special presentation by EcoVoce. Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. Families, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave.
Historic Garden Tour of Alexandria. This 73rd annual tour features five privately-owned Old Town homes and gardens, two historic churches and four historic properties. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 703-329-6935 or visit www.VAGardenweek.org.
Garden Day and Herb Sale. Admire the garden at its prettiest and shop for herbs grown at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St. Admission $4, $2 for children, and included in the Historic Gardens Tour ticket. Visit www.carlylehouse.org or call 703-549-2997.
The Supporting Cast: Plants that Hold a Garden Together. Karen Rexrode, former owner of Windy Hill Nursery, shares information about the plants she relies on to keep a garden exciting through deer attacks, humid summers, dry spells, soggy springs and insect infestations. She looks beyond flowering capabilities and concentrates on long-lasting attributes. Fee: $11. 10-11a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Birds, Blooms and Breakfast. Join an early morning bird walk with a breakfast to follow. Bring your own binoculars and field guides and search the skies for migratory birds. 7.30a.m. at Historic Green Spring House, 4603 Green Spring Road. Reservation only. For reservations, call the Historic Green Spring House at 703-941-7987.
Sunday/April 23
Garden Days Tea and Tour. Learn about the tea customs of the 19th century while enjoying a special blend of tea and period confections. Seatings at noon and 2 p.m. at Woodlawn, the home of George Washington’s adopted granddaughter, at 9000 Richmond Hwy. $25 includes tea and tour of Woodlawn, $5 additional for tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Reservations required; Call 703-780-4000, Ext. 33. Repeats April 30.
Spring Wildflower Walk. Discover the beauty of native foliage and grasses during this guided tour of the Virginia Native Plant Trail. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. 1-3 p.m. Historic Green Spring House, 4603 Green Spring Road. Reservation only. For reservations please call the Historic Green Spring House at 703-941-7987.
Pond Dip: Meet at our frog pond to join the interpreter in dip netting to see what's waking up in the water. 1-2 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385. Repeats April 30.
Craft Corner: People of all ages are welcome to join us at the Visitor Center to make a craft to take home. 3-4 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385. Repeats April 30.
Monday/April 24
Hilltop Golf Outing to benefit UCM and Good Shepherd Housing. Teetimes start at 9 a.m. at Hilltop Golf Club in Alexandria. For more information contact Denise Hayden at 703-768-7106, Ext. 338 or via e-mail at gfrantwriter@ucmagency.org.
Friday/April 28
Yoga in the Garden. Improve strength, balance and flexibility with flow yoga (a series of yoga poses performed in a continuous motion) practiced in the garden. Gloria Ronk, certified yoga instructor, stretches sore muscles and centers our bodies. These classes keep the gardener's body, mind and spirit healthy. At the end of the class the instructor explores other elements of yoga: meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques. This will be an introductory level class. Classes will be held outside, in the garden, weather permitting. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes; bring a beach towel or yoga mat to class. Fee: $25 for three part session. 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173. The other two classes will be held on Fridays, May 5 and 12, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Saturday/April 29
Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 3601 Valley Drive. Twice-yearly neighborhood sale with native-plant nurseries selling perennials, shrubs and trees for shade and sun. Visit http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen or call Scott Knudsen at 703-671-8416.
Birding by the Bay: Join our interpreter on Bay View Trail to see birds like Bald Eagles and Osprey, and a number of different Songbirds as well. 9-11 a.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385.
Colonial Games: Meet in the Picnic Area to play games that children used to play in colonial times. 1-2 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385.
Wildflower Walk: What's Blooming at Mason Neck State Park? Find out weekly on this wildflower walk. 3-4 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385.
Washington Blooms at River Farm. Spring Garden & Bulb Tour, 10 a.m.; Family Day at River Farm, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Workshop: Working with Bamboo. The workshop begins with a discussion of bamboo's uses, harvesting techniques, and its physical properties. Then participants work on one of several bamboo projects to take home and use in their own garden. The projects are approximately 6'x3'; bring appropriately sized vehicles for transporting projects home. All supplies and tools will be provided. Fee: $25. 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Sunday/April 30
Garden Days Tea and Tour. Learn about the tea customs of the 19th century while enjoying a special blend of tea and period confections. Seatings at noon and 2 p.m. at Woodlawn, the home of George Washington’s adopted granddaughter, at 9000 Richmond Hwy. $25 includes tea and tour of Woodlawn, $5 additional for tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House. Reservations required; Call 703-780-4000, Ext. 33. Repeats April 23.
The Art of Floral Design. Professional floral designer Tina Svenson uses flowers and foliage from the gardens here at Green Spring to demonstrate the basics of artful floral arrangement. 1-3 p.m. Historic Green Spring House, 4603 Green Spring Road. Reservation only. For reservations call the Historic Green Spring House at 703-941-7987.
Pond Dip: Meet at our frog pond to join the interpreter in dip netting to see what's waking up in the water. 1-2 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385. Repeats April 23.
Craft Corner: People of all ages are welcome to join us at the Visitor Center to make a craft to take home. 3-4 p.m. Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Road, Lorton. Call 703-339-2385. Repeats April 23.
Saturday/May 6
Workshop: Container Gardening with Succulents.
Growing tips, cultivar selection and design suggestions will be discussed. Then class participants create a container garden featuring succulents. Plants, soil and containers provided. Fee: $48. 10-11:30 a.m. at Green Spring, 4603 Green Spring Road. Call 703-642-5173.
Gardening Days at Mount Vernon. George Washington’s Estate and Gardens are their most beautiful through May 7. Herbalist Betsey-Ann Golon demonstrates 18th-century gardening techniques; guided landscape tours offered at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily. Famous garden and gift sale, featuring heirloom plants, some from Mount Vernon, open daily. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Included in admission of $13, $12 for seniors, $6 for students, with ages 5 and under free. Visit www.mountvernon.org or call 703-780-2000.