Afton and Nellysford will participate in the 80th anniversary of Historic Garden Week in Virginia with two homes open in each location for this well-attended event, this year on April 21 and 22.
Two mountainside homes in Wintergreen’s Stoney Creek area, Hemlock Hill and the Lindquist home, and two locations in Afton, Solliden and Knollwood, offer broad lawns and gardens. The homes are as varied as a restored 1800s log house and a 2006 mountainside home featuring informal gardens of tall tulip poplars, Japanese maple, dogwoods, redbuds, boxwoods, evergreens, hosta, perennials and an herb garden.
Hosted by the Rivanna Garden Club, Charlottesville Garden Club and Albemarle Garden Club, the homes offer gorgeous mountain views, sweeping terrain and unique natural gardens. All four homes and gardens will be open for both days. Hours for the tours are noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
No spike heels, backpacks or pets are allowed and due to the terrain, no vehicles will be permitted to park in the tour area, on the roads or on tour properties. All access to the tour will be by shuttle only. As a courtesy to the gardens’ owners and for participants’ safety, guests are asked to wear flat walking shoes, but not unsecured sandals. Walking will be required and there are some steep slopes. Strollers are not permitted in homes and most garden areas are not stroller friendly.
Tour areas are not handicap accessible and parking and restroom facilities will be provided at parking areas. There are no restroom facilities at the homesites or gardens.
Tickets are required ($40 for the full tour, good both days) to board shuttle buses and to enter homes and gardens. All funds raised benefit the restoration and preservation of historic public gardens in Virginia, such as Monticello, Montpelier, Poplar Forest, and the University of Virginia gardens.
For more information, including a schedule of events, directions, and ticket purchases, visit www.vagardenweek.org.
