News from the State Arboretum of Virginia

Greetings from the State Arboretum of Virginia

Welcome to the first all-electronic version of Arbor Vitae, the newsletter of the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia. This is the Spring 2011 edition.

New Lab Will Transform Blandy

When the University of Virginia first set up shop at Blandy, they made a decision that has stayed with us to this very day. They used the lower floor of the Quarters building (what we now think of as the east wing of the Quarters) as a laboratory for the scientists and students at Blandy. The Quarters, of course, was never designed as a lab, but generations of Blandy Farmers have made the best of it for over 80 years.

First Seed Exchange Features

Dozens of Gardeners And 150 Varieties of Seeds

Anxious to get an early start on spring, gardeners gathered at the Arboretum on Saturday, January 29, for the first Blandy Spring Seed Exchange. The exchange was coordinated by Our Shop Manager Kathy Clark and Buyer Sharon Mesa.

Kathy and Sharon were looking for an idea for a late winter seasonal event to create buzz and promote Our Shop. The idea to hold a seed exchange was born on January 30 2009, which just happened to be National Seed Swap Day. The nationwide event began with the Washington Garden Seed Exchange in 2006. The event was so successful that other communities began holding seed swaps each year on the last Saturday of January.

Spring Public Programs Begin to Blossom

With spring around the corner, Blandy's 2011 public program series will soon begin. We offer illustrated talks in the library, walks on our grounds, trips to favorite destinations, and more.

We begin March 23 with a look at Virginia's Big Trees program. This dovetails with last year's program on the state's Remarkable Trees. After a library presentation, we will walk outside to look at some champion trees, then have a demonstration on how these trees are measured.

Boys of Summer

Blandy Director Dave Carr, second from right, spent a week in February at Cincinnati Reds Fantasy Baseball Camp in Goodyear, AZ. Dr. Carr is pictured with his father Ralph Carr, far left, along with former Padres and Reds pitcher Chris Welsh and former Reds pitching great Jim Maloney. Carr played center field and catcher, and batted .300 for the week including a single off former Reds pitcher Jack Billingham in the game against the pros. The week was a 50th birthday present to Carr from his wife Judy.

Garden Fair is May 7 & 8

The Foundation's huge Mother's Day Weekend plant sale is set for May 7 & 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days.

Garden Fair features dozens of high-quality vendors with fine items for the home and garden. The cost is $10 per car, so bring the entire family and enjoy free kids' activities 10-4 Saturday and Noon to 4 Sunday.

Garden Fair is underwritten by BB&T.

For more information call 540-837-1758.

Preview Night is May 6

Join us Friday, May 6, at Garden Fair Preview Night

for shopping, light snacks and spirits. All vendors will be open!

5 to 7:30 p.m.
Advance Tickets $20 per person
At the Door $25 per person

0.6007677543186181

Editor's Note

Thank you for supporting the State Arboretum of Virginia. This e-newsletter helps you stay informed about news and upcoming events at the Arboretum. Please use the links at the right to join our mailing list or to forward this email to a friend who might enjoy learning about the Arboretum and our programs here.

Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia

400 Blandy Farm Lane | Boyce VA 22620

540-837-1758 | www.virginia.edu/blandy

In This Issue

Blandy Seed Exchange

Spring Public Programs

Garden Fair May 7 & 8

Save the Date

Join us June 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. for the FOSA Annual Meeting. George Ohrstrom II, founder of the Downstream Project, will provide an overview and update of this local clean-water initiative. A Membership Picnic will follow the
presentation, complete with burgers, hot dogs, and live music. This event will be FREE for all members. More information will be coming your way soon, but be sure to mark your calendars now.

Change is Coming from Panera Bread

Have you ever saved your loose change for a long time and then counted it up one day to find you have saved quite a bundle? Well, that is what Panera is doing for Blandy!

New Additions

Hit Shelves of

Blandy Library

Next time you walk into the Blandy library, things may look familiar, but take a closer look and you will see changes and improvements.

Where Is

That Tree?

If you've been at Blandy this winter, you've probably seen Maria: survey flags, winter hat, steaming mug of tea, long map unfolding in the wind as she walks, her gloves clutching pen and clipboard.

Garden for the Community Needs a Hand

Efforts will soon begin to expand Blandy's Community Garden! Plans call for tripling the size of the garden in order to add 18 new plots, bringing to 26 the total number of groups, families, and individuals who can participate.

Follow-up Links

Our Shop on the Web

Follow Our Shop on Twitter

Welcome New

FOSA Members

Eric Angevine, Charlottesville

The Barns of Rose Hill,

Berryville

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Bjelland,

Belfast ME

Ms. Karina Bjelland,

Washington, D.C.