The Garden Club of Virginia’s Martinsville-Henry County chapters took over the Bassett Train Station Event Center on April 30 to make it their tour headquarters as part of Historic Garden Week in Henry County and Martinsville. Schools, organizations, and vendors were invited to showcase their wares while keeping to the floral theme. Factory Roast, a coffee truck, and the Bustique were also invited to set up outside the train station to offer unique shopping options to visitors.
“The beginning of Historic Garden Week dates to 1927, when a flower show organized by the Garden Club of Virginia raised an impressive $7,000 to save trees planted by Thomas Jefferson on the lawn at Monticello.
The Garden Club of Virginia operates as a non-profit organization comprised of 48 member clubs and 3,400 volunteers. Proceeds from Historic Garden Week fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia’s historic public gardens and provide graduate-level research fellowships,” says the Garden Club of Virginia’s website.
Regina Flora, a master environmentalist with the Dan River Basin Association, had an educational table set up to teach the public about bears, butterflies, and bees. The display featured preserved insects along with a real bear skin for the public to view.
“They are all natives and we want to protect the native species here in Virginia.”
Flora said that they are encouraging the public to plant more Monarch-friendly plants, as the butterflies are endangered.
“Monarchs must have milkweed, there are several types of milkweed that grow in this area.”
Milkweed is the only plant that the breed will lay its eggs on and that Monarch caterpillars can feed on.
Robin Humlan of Just Call Granny had a table where she provided information about the organization. Humlan said the event had a good turnout for the group and helped them make some “good connections.”
Danielle Atwood, who owns Lavender SereniTea, LLC, had a table displaying various sizes and designs of teacups, saucers, and pots. Atwood’s business focuses on setting up remote tea parties and she attended the event to:
“help people become more aware of small businesses in Martinsville Henry County.”
Those who bought tickets could go on a garden tour through several local gardens and historic locations. Plants were also for sale from the Magna Vista Horticulture Club, which directly benefited the club.
