A flower-filled night: American Horticultural Society’s 2024 gala

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A flower-filled night: American Horticultural Society’s 2024 gala
Long-time board member Marcia Zech receives the AHS Gold Medal award from current Board Treasurer, Tim Conlon. (Photo/Chris Bishop)
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By Kim Davis

Alexandria’s historic River Farm, renowned for its rich history and stunningly beautiful gardens nestled on the banks of the Potomac River, was the scene of a festive black-tie dinner and dancing celebration hosted by the American Horticultural Society on Saturday, raising money to support the Society’s many gardening and sustainability programs and River Farm operations.

This year’s gala was co-chaired by two beloved Alexandrians: Skipp Calvert, a long-time member of the AHS Board of Directors, and Lauren Bishop, a Hunting Creek Garden Club member and an award-winning realtor with McEnearney Associates in Old Town.

“[Lauren and I] are pleased to be part of a proud tradition that inspires gardeners and horticulturists and helps encourage healthy and beautiful communities as we continue to ensure the health of our planet for future generations,” Calvert said. “We hope tonight’s event will inspire others to support this important cause.”

The AHS was founded in 1922 as a nonprofit gardening organization. Its mission is to inspire a culture of gardening and horticultural practices that create and sustain healthy, beautiful communities and a livable planet. Proceeds from the evening fund AHS initiatives, including its Lifelong Learning programs, which assist gardeners in increasing their knowledge of horticulture through virtual educational sessions with gardening experts and a self-paced online course.

Historic River Farm, home to the locally based AHS, dates to the 18th century and has been associated with many significant historical figures, most notably George Washington, who once owned River Farm. The farm features a range of historical and contemporary gardens used for educational programs and events related to horticulture.

“We believe that learning is a collaborative experience that creates peer and mentor relationships and celebrates collective interests and values. Our programs unite gardeners across the nation, both virtually and in person,” Suzanne Laporte, AHS president and CEO, said.

The celebration commenced on the historic grounds of scenic River Farm with sweeping views of the Potomac as guests enjoyed specialty cocktails accompanied by gourmet passed hors d’oeuvres. Guests mingled and were serenaded by the jazz trio, Little Big Band, from Maryland. The festivities continued under a tent adjacent to the historic home where 230 guests enjoyed a gourmet three-course dinner.

The highlight of the evening followed with the Society’s honoring of two horticulture veterans for extraordinary contributions to the field. AHS Board Member Marcia Zech was honored with the Society’s Gold Medal Award, the Society’s highest award for outstanding service.

A member of the Board of Directors for 13 years, Zech served as chairman of the Board immediately after River Farm was saved from the threat of sale in 2021. A devoted gardener, she has played a pivotal role in championing the Society’s mission, ensuring its financial sustainability and safeguarding its historic River Farm headquarters.

“Marcia was one of five board members involved in ‘Saving River Farm’ in 2021,” Laporte said. “Her visionary leadership assisted River Farm in preserving its headquarters, securing its future in this community for generations to come.”

Laporte praised Zech’s generosity and commitment to supporting AHS and River Farm, noting her generous personal contributions to the cause. According to Laporte, Zech has gifted more than $6 million to the AHS over a number of years. Of that, $5 million was recently given to establish an endowment as she leaves the board.

Zech follows in the footsteps of philanthropist Enid Haupt, who donated $1 million to AHS in 1971 to save River Farm from being purchased by the Russian Embassy, which was considering buying the property at the time. Haupt’s charitable contribution stipulated that all 26 acres remain open to the public.

Zech was also honored with a special presentation by Ronda Veroeven, representing the American Daylily Society, a nonprofit providing information to gardeners about the care and cultivation of Zech’s favorite flower.

“The American Daylily Society is proud to announce the naming of a new daylily cultivar, genus Hemerocallis Marcia Zech, in honor of her love of daylilies and her outstanding commitment and service to the field of horticulture,” Veroeven said.

Jim Nau, who was honored posthumously, was the 2024 recipient of the AHS’s highest horticulture accolade, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, for his lifetime contributions to the field. A revered figure in the horticultural world, Nau spent his 37-year career at the Ball Horticultural Company, where he excelled as a plant expert, writer, speaker, historian and garden designer. He was the author of many books, most notably the “Ball RedBook” and the “Ball Culture Guide.”

Nau died in 2023. His sister, Cheryl Bergren of Des Moines, Iowa, accepted the honor on Nau’s behalf.

“[Nau] would have been so excited and humbled to receive this award and to be honored by his peers,” Bergren said. “Jim never had a job; he had a calling. He was always seeking to learn something new while on his lifelong journey. His love of developing and encouraging students to study horticulture and agronomy never ceased. He lived this journey to the very end of his life.”

According to Laporte, the gala raised $225,000, and donations are still being processed.

For more information about the AHS and the organization’s work, visit ahsgardening.org.

The writer is a member of the Hunting Creek Garden Club and formerly served as both president and vice president of the club.

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