Potowmack Chapter - VA Native Plant Society

03/16/2026

There are a few seats left for a free screening of "The Extraordinary Caterpillar" at Green Spring Gardens on Sunday, March 22. REGISTRATION REQUIRED and space is limited. Register at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/potowmack-chapter-quarterly-get-together-4/. Social, refreshments, and Native Plant Tour at 1pm, screening of The Extraordinary Caterpillar at 2pm. We will also have a drawing for Four (4) $50 Gift Certificates for our chapter's Monthly Native Plant Sales at Green Spring Gardens.

Watch this space for a special announcement about a free showing of “The Extraordinary Caterpillar”, a film by Jeff McKay featuring Sam Jaffe and the Caterpillar Lab, Doug Tallamy, and David Wagner. REGISTER NOW Potowmack Chapter members and friends will get together for a social gathering and s...

02/08/2026

Want to learn more about native ground covers? Join us with Margaret Chatham on Zoom.
Register at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/native-ground-covers-with-margaret-chatham-via-zoom/.

Join Margaret Chatham to explore some of the options for native ground covers to help shade the roots of your favorite native shrubs and trees and make a soft landing for the caterpillars we hope they’re hosting. REGISTER NOW Margaret Chatham is a Fraser Preserve Volunteer Visitation Committee Mem...

09/09/2025

Join us on Zoom Thursday, September 11 at 7pm! Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/DM9ORwshRx6DR4fZDg275A #/registration.

Alex Thompson will discuss plants and garden designs which can grow and thrive in changing and variable weather conditions via Zoom Video Conference. Choosing the right plants for landscaping and gardening can enhance a property’s resilience to changing weather patterns. NOTE: This program will no...

08/04/2025

Join us for a Nature Journaling walk on Friday, August 8 at Green Spring Gardens from 10am to noon. Free registration at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/nature-journaling-at-green-spring-gardens-with-jen-brown-2-2025-08-08/.

Nature journaling is a fun and relaxing way to get to know our native plants better. Join us on a two hour nature journaling walk at Green Spring Gardens. We will take a short walk along the native plant trail and then settle in for drawing and journaling in your medium of choice. Jen Brown,…

06/09/2025

Saturday, June 14 at 11:00am: Explore native grasses and sedges at Herndon’s Runnymede Park with the Potowmack Chapter Grass Bunch. We’ll walk on level natural surface and paved trails through woods and meadow. Registration is required at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/grasses-sedges-more-at-runnymede-park-with-the-grass-bunch/.

Explore native grasses and sedges at Hernon’s Runnymede Park with the Potowmack Chapter Grass Bunch. We’ll walk on level natural surface and paved trails through woods and meadow. We may see grasses like Broomsedge and Poverty Oat Grass below as well as many others. REGISTER NOW

05/05/2025

Would you like to encourage butterflies in your garden? Many native plants are the larval hosts for these spring visitors. Margaret Chatham will discuss the plants which host larva for an array of local butterflies.

Register for the Zoom Video Conference at 7pm on Thursday, May 8: https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/butterfly-gardening-supply-side-with-margaret-chatham-via-zoom/.

Margaret Chatham will discuss larval host plants for an array of local butterflies. Register Now Margaret Chatham is a Fraser Preserve Volunteer Visitation Committee Member who removes invasive barberry shrubs in winter and wavyleaf grass in summer and knows the preserve intimately. She is also edit...

08/22/2024

Please stop by to see us on Sunday, August 25 from 1-4pm at Oakton Day in the Park!

The VNPS Potowmack Chapter will have a table at Oakton Day in the Park Please stop by and see us!

07/05/2024

VNPS T-Shirts are just right for summer! Featuring the Wildflower of the Year, White Turtlehead, and available in a variety of colors and styles. Browse and order now at https://www.bonfire.com/store/vnps/.

2024 Wildflower of the Year - White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra). The genus name, Chelone, is derived from the Greek word for turtle, because the corollas resemble heads...

07/02/2024

Don't miss our monthly Native Plant Sale at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria on Wednesday, July 3, starting at 10am. More information at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/potowmack-chapter-plant-sale-2024-07-03/.

Plant Sales are held on the first Wednesday morning of the month (April through October) at our propagation beds across the driveway behind the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Our knowledgeable Propagation Bed Volunteers are looking forward to visiting with you and hel...

06/14/2024

Potowmack Chapter members and friends will get together for a social gathering and a walking tour of the Native Plant Trail at Green Spring Gardens on Sunday, June 16, 2024 from 12:30pm until 2:30pm. Meet at the Visitors Center, 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, for light refreshments.

We welcome all chapter members and anyone interested in the native plants of Northern Virginia. Bring your friends!

06/04/2024

Don't miss our monthly Native Plant Sale at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria on Wednesday, June5, starting at 10am. More information at https://vnps.org/potowmack/events/potowmack-chapter-plant-sale-2024-06-05/.

Plant Sales are held on the first Wednesday morning of the month (April through October) at our propagation beds across the driveway behind the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. Our knowledgeable Propagation Bed Volunteers are looking forward to visiting with you and hel...