“I will never forget that forest of phlox above my head and the happiness they created in me. It was my first awareness in the world of ANY thing. And the tiny seed of a passionate interest that has grown in all directions of the gardening and botanical world.” - Bunny Mellon, on her first interaction with perennials at three years old.
Overview: Join Holly and the Horticulture Staff of OSGF for this in-depth exploration of the herbaceous plants at the heart of Bunny Mellon’s gardens and formal glasshouse. Within these spaces defined by pathways, walls, and woody plants, Bunny nurtured and celebrated the spontaneity of reseeding annuals along with biennials, perennials, and herbs. Spend an incredible week immersed in these iconic environs while learning more about her seasonal plant selections and the horticultural how-to including site prep, planting, and maintenance. We’ll also utilize the property’s production greenhouse and cut-flower garden for hands-on demonstrations. The course concludes with the rare opportunity to visit her immense library devoted to plant science, botanical art, and natural history – the source of education and inspiration that informed her plant choices, gardening style, and lifelong love of horticulture. Accommodations are on site in nicely appointed rooms, and all meals are provided beginning with dinner Monday evening, and concluding with breakfast on Friday. Thursday evening will be a festive gathering of drinks and dinner in the Mellon residence. The entire course is crafted to provide an enjoyable (and unforgettable) learning experience.
Eligibility: Experienced home gardeners, public horticulturists, landscape designers, advanced students and horticultural educators.
About OSGF: The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a philanthropic foundation based at the former primary estate of the late Paul and Rachel Mellon, who were major philanthropists in the U.S. of the arts, humanities, and sciences in the second half of the twentieth century. OSGF is located in the northern Virginia Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains region (ca. one-hour drive from Washington, D.C.). Led by Sir Peter Crane, the Foundation’s inaugural President, OSGF supports residencies for artists and scholars. It is becoming a new center of excellence and stimulation of all things botanical, from fundamental research in plant evolution and conservation, to horticultural and plant conservation practice, to the history and art of plants gardens and landscapes.
Instructor: Holly Scoggins, Ph.D., is Associate Professor Emeritus from Virginia Tech. She recently retired after 20 years in the Department of Horticulture with teaching, research, cooperative extension, and administrative responsibilities. Her current role is Program Manager for NewGen Boxwood, the national brand and subsidiary of Saunders Brothers Inc. – a large grower of quality ornamentals in central Virginia.
Holly earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and her Ph.D. from North Carolina State University. In her career at Virginia Tech, Holly taught Greenhouse Management, Herbaceous Landscape Plants, Ornamental Plant Production and Marketing, and Plant Propagation, and advised countless undergrads. Her research and extension programs focused on the propagation, production, and landscape use of perennials and annuals. Additional work included cut-flower production, pollinator plant evaluation, and field-grown hops. Her passion for teaching and research has been recognized with honors including Professional of the Year from the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, the Academic Award from the National Perennial Plant Association, and multiple teaching awards. Holly served as Director of the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech from 2002 to 2014, overseeing its expansion from 1.5 to 7 acres of teaching and outreach gardens and the construction of the Peggy Lee Hahn Garden Pavilion.
Holly currently serves as President of the national Perennial Plant Association and enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for horticulture at state, regional, and national gardening and professional conferences and symposia. Because she does not have quite enough horticulture in her life, Holly and her husband Joel Shuman run Bee Berry Farm, a you-pick blueberry farm and apiary in southwest Virginia.
Dates and Duration: The course runs for four (4) days beginning 9:00 am Tuesday, August 15, 2023 and ending at 12:00pm on Friday, August 18, 2023. Accommodations and an informal dinner will be available for those participants arriving on Monday, August 14, 2023.
Accommodation and Travel Information: Participants will be accommodated with all meals and private lodging on site at Oak Spring. They will need to bring proper clothing for being in the field (a suggested list will be provided after acceptance).
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the Washington, D.C. area. If flying, please book flights to Dulles International Airport. Closer to the start date, our Programs team will assist with coordinating travel arrangements to the Oak Spring Garden Foundation site, as necessary.
Course Fee: $850 is all-inclusive and covers your full tuition, lodging on-site for four nights in our comfortable suites, and all meals on-site (from dinner on Monday through breakfast on Friday.
Selection Process: Application review will be done by Holly Scoggins and OSGF staff.
Application Deadline: Applications are due by May 15, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST. Applicants will be sent be notified around June 12, 2023.