Spring Blooms and History Shine During Garden Week in Warren County

Garden lovers, history fans, and curious visitors are in for a treat this spring as the Garden Club of Warren County hosts its annual Historic Garden Week Tour on Saturday, April 26.

This popular local event is part of Virginia’s statewide Historic Garden Week, a week-long celebration running from April 26 through May 3, 2025. Organized by the Garden Club of Virginia, the event features private landscapes, historic homes, and public gardens across the state during peak spring bloom. More than 1,000 floral arrangements, created by club members, will enhance each tour location.

Historic Garden Week dates back to 1927, when a flower show raised $7,000 to help save historic trees at Monticello, planted by Thomas Jefferson. Today, the event is the only statewide house and garden tour in the country, coordinated by 48 member clubs and supported by more than 3,400 volunteers.

“We like being one of the first tours,” said Bonnie Baker, local organizer and member of the Garden Club of Warren County. “It’s a way to showcase the beauty of our area and bring people together through flowers, history, and community spirit.”

Three Special Homes, Each with a Story

This year’s Warren County tour features three unique homes that highlight the region’s charm, heritage, and horticultural beauty.

The first is Riverside, located at 1315 Old Winchester Pike. Construction began in 1835 and took ten years to complete. Major James Richard purchased it in 1849 and has remained in the same family ever since. Current homeowner Ashby O’Malley is a third-generation member of the Garden Club of Warren County. During the Civil War, the home briefly served as a hospital.

The second home is Druid Hill, built in 1872 and located at 1 Druid Hill Drive, across from Skyline Middle School. Its current owners have worked to preserve the home’s historic feel while making tasteful updates, including a sunroom, greenhouse, spa, and renovated kitchen.

The third home, known as the Piazza House, was built in 2000 and is located at 61 Milldale Valley Court. Designed by the current owner, the home features a breathtaking garden created by his late wife, a professional horticulturist and landscape designer. Club members describe it as truly unforgettable, with vibrant koi ponds, cascading waterfalls, and more than 50 colorful handmade birdhouses nestled throughout the landscape. In preparation for this year’s tour, the homeowner added a special touch—planting 800 tulips to welcome visitors in full spring bloom.

“It took my breath away,” said Baker. “It’s truly one of the most beautiful gardens I’ve ever seen.”

More Than a Tour — A Full Garden Experience

The tour headquarters will be at the Riverside property where several activities and demonstrations will take place throughout the day.

Visitors can learn about native plants and invasive species from Master Gardeners of the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Club members will demonstrate floral arranging techniques, and an arborist from Bartlett Tree Services will be giving away free tree saplings.

At the Druid Hill home gardening educator and author Rich Sankovich will lead presentations on raised bed gardening—a growing trend among home gardeners.

Locally made garden totes will be available for purchase at the headquarters, and music from a youth string quartet from Mountain View Music School will add to the festive garden atmosphere.

A Cause That Blooms Beyond the Garden

While the tours are a chance to enjoy spring scenery, the event supports a broader mission. Proceeds from Historic Garden Week help fund restoration and preservation efforts for Virginia’s historic public gardens. The Garden Club of Virginia also offers graduate-level research fellowships in landscape architecture, furthering its commitment to education and conservation.

Visitors can buy tickets for the Warren County tour alone or purchase a discounted statewide pass for access to all 29 tours across Virginia. The self-guided tours allow guests to explore homes in any order, and organizers encourage visitors to make a full day of it—enjoying downtown Front Royal for shopping and dining in between stops.

The tour also brings a strong economic impact. Each year, Historic Garden Week generates an estimated $13 million in tourism spending across the state.

“We’ve even had visitors from Ireland and the UK come for our tour,” said Baker. “It’s a special opportunity to share what makes our community so unique.”

Local Support Makes It All Possible

This year’s tour is supported by community sponsors including Sharon Maddox of Maddox Funeral Home, Beth Waller of Keller Williams, Bret Hrbek of Edward Jones, and Bill Powers of State Farm Insurance. The Visitor Center and the Heritage Society also helped make the event a success.

The Garden Club of Warren County is always happy to welcome new members. Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, there’s a place for everyone who enjoys gardening.

“If you love to dig in the dirt, come talk to us,” Baker said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gcvirginia.org. Updates can also be found on Facebook at The Garden Club of Warren County (Virginia).

Looking ahead, Historic Garden Week will continue its tradition in 2026 from April 18–25, and in 2027 from April 17–24.