By Pam Henman
For a second year, Historic Oakland Foundation (HOF) has partnered with the Georgia Daffodil Society (GDS) to present Daffodil Day, a springtime celebration of Oakland Cemetery’s ubiquitous heirloom bloom.
Free and open to the public, Daffodil Day will be held on Saturday, March 19 from 10:30am to 4:00pm, and the afternoon will feature areas of interest and activities for all ages and expertise levels. Daffodil Day includes garden walks, presentations, a cut flower display, dialogue with local daffodil and gardens experts, and a craft and story time area for kids.
Presenters include Sara Van Beck, a lifelong gardener widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost daffodil authorities. Van Beck authored the comprehensive tome, Daffodils in American Gardens: 1733-1940, and is the American Daffodil Society’s Historics Committee chair. Betsy Abrams, award-wining gardener and member of the Georgia Daffodil Society will also present, alongside gardener Adam Martin, who is a member of the Southern Garden History Society and Georgia Perennial Plant Society.
GDS will host an “Ask the Expert” table for novice gardeners to get advice on best practices, and Oakland Cemetery’s Visitors Center and Museum Shop will include many plant- and garden-related items, including autographed copies of Van Beck’s book. Daffodil Day also gives visitors an opportunity to view Oakland Cemetery’s recently opened Beaumont Allen Greenhouse, the cemetery’s first functioning greenhouse on site in more than 40 years.
“Oakland is honored to showcase rescued historic daffodil collections from across north Georgia, and we encourage the public to come learn about one of the South’s oldest and toughest spring flowers at one of the city’s unique historic landmarks,” said Sara Henderson, director of gardens at HOF.
Daffodil Day is one of several springtime garden events upcoming at Oakland Cemetery, which is hosting a springtime plant sale on April 9. All proceeds from Daffodil Day will benefit the gardens at Oakland Cemetery, which is maintained through a partnership between HOF and the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation.
For a Daffodil Day schedule and full listing of gardens events, visit www.oaklandcemetery.com.
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