NELLY HOUGH MEMORIAL GARDENING COURSE 2025
❖ Five Tuesdays - September 9, 16, 23, 30 & October 7
❖ Beginning at 10 AM until approximately 12 PM
❖ Adults only - Space is limited - Early registration is recommended
Albemarle Garden Club will present, as it has for over seventy years, the Nelly Hough Memorial Gardening Course, named in memory of one of Charlottesville’s most renowned and beloved garden designers. Mrs. Hough taught an annual gardening course during the 1940s and ’50s that started many of our area’s next gardeners on their way. Mrs. Hough believed that Fall is the best time to plan and prepare for the next year’s work in the garden.
The Nelly Hough Course draws its inspiration from Mrs. Hough’s work and is designed for participants of all levels of experience who wish to gain and to share insights into the rewards and challenges of gardening. Topics will include trees, shrubs, and perennial flowers, as well as general horticulture and garden design. Programs are held weekly at homes and locations in the Charlottesville area.
A registration fee of $175.00 to the Albemarle Garden Club goes directly to our Community Projects Fund. Each year Albemarle Garden Club presents civic grants based on the club’s stated purpose to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and to restore, improve and protect the quality of the environment through programs and actions in the fields of conservation, civic improvement and education. Some of the recent and/or ongoing projects funded by proceeds from the course include support for: the Bog Garden at Washington Park, the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, James River Association, Piedmont Environmental Council; and support for both ARC Natural History Camp and Nature Camp.
DATES AND PROGRAMS:
SEPT. 9 Bloom to Bottle Tour – From Flowers to Honey Wine
Christine is the founder and head flower farmer of Wayflowering, a regenerative flower farm co-located with Thislerock Mead Company. Christine is dedicated to nurturing local ecosystems and creating a safe haven for honeybees. As a social enterprise, Wayflowering also provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals displaced by violence. Christine will guide us through her chemical free, no-till cutting gardens, sharing insights into her sustainable farming practices and the thoughtful processes behind her work.
SPEAKER: Christine Mahoney, Founder & Farmer, Wayflowering
LOCATION: Thistlerock Mead and Wayflowering Flower Farm , 3075 Gables Run Rd., Charlottesville VA 22902
SEPT. 16 Botanical Garden of the Piedmont - from Design to Creation
Join Executive Director Jill Trischman-Marks as she highlights the many benefits of a public garden in Charlottesville and Central Virginia. She will share the award-winning landscape and architectural plans that will be implemented starting in the spring of 2026. Guided tours of the Garden will be offered, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes that can handle muddy or wet conditions.
SPEAKER: Jill Trischman-Marks, Executive Director, BGP
LOCATION: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, 950 Melbourne Rd., Charlottesville VA 22901
SEPT. 23 Stories of Garden History at UVA
John, a recent retiree of the University of Virginia’s Landscape department has witnessed and helped shape the transformation of Grounds over five decades. John will share stories, reflections, and insights from his half-century of service, offering a unique and personal perspective on the University's history and community.
SPEAKER: John Sauer, UVA Gardener and Groundsman
LOCATION: Home of Pam Edmonds, 85 Farmington Dr., Charlottesville VA 22901
SEPT. 30 Farm to Table - Creative Design, Harvest and Cuisine
With over 17 years of experience leading the landscape initiatives at Keswick Hall, Yara offers insight into the creation and cultivation of a local garden that provides fresh produce and vibrant flowers for both the estate and its acclaimed restaurant, Marigold.
SPEAKER: Yara Acker, Head Gardener and Director of Landscape Management, Keswick Hall
LOCATION: Oakdale Farm, 4785 Louisa Road, Keswick VA 22947
OCT. 7 Know Your Trees; How to Care for Them and How They Care for You
Michael Abbot is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with an MS in Forestry. As arborist and manager of Barlett Tree Experts, Michael is a familiar face around town. His talk will explore the basics of tree identification and best practices for maintaining healthy trees while inspiring a deeper connection to the trees in your own gardens and community.
SPEAKER: Michael Abbott, Bartlett Tree Experts
LOCATION: Upper Bundoran, the home of Tracey Hedrick, 1701 Bundoran Drive, North Garden VA 22959