In addition to welcoming visitors for the Virginia Garden Club’s Historic Gardens Week tours, the Town of Hillsboro will offer its own celebration of spring April 19-22 for its annual Gardens in The Gap programs.

“We are honored that the Garden Club of Virginia selected Hillsboro to be on their prestigious Historic Garden Week tours this year and thankful to the residents who’ve opened their properties,” said Mayor Roger Vance. “In collaboration with the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation, we’ve coupled the Historic Garden Week tours with our annual Gardens in The Gap for a great weekend of activities.” 

The town’s events will be built around the theme of “An Appalachian Spring,” with a special focus on the importance of native plants to ecological balance and resiliency. 

On Friday, April 19, the Eat, Drink & Be Literary! lecture series features internationally renowned horticulturist and author Rick Darke. Thelandscape design consultant, author, lecturer, and photographer isbased in Pennsylvania and known for blending art, ecology, and cultural geography in the creation and conservation of livable landscapes. His projects include scenic byways, public gardens, corporate and collegiate campuses, mixed-use conservation developments, and residential gardens. Darke served on the staff of Longwood Gardens for 20 years, and in 1998 he received the Scientific Award of the American Horticultural Society.

At noon Saturday, the town will formally dedicatee Hope’s Garden, an all-native plant public garden located behind the 1760 Lawson-Goodrich House, future site of The Gap visitor center. The garden was inspired by Doukénie Winery matriarch Hope Bazaco, who died in January at age 99. On Sunday and Monday, Hope’s Garden will be only open to Historic Garden Week ticket holders. 

During the weekend there also will be a garden, crafts and plant market and free self-guided tours of Hillsboro’s native-plant streetscape and historic sites. The Spring Garden, Crafts & Plant Sale will be ongoing throughout the weekend on the Old Stone School grounds with vendors and exhibiters including Gardens in The Gap sponsors Southern States and Tree Movers. Food trucks during the weekend will include Ford’s Fish Shack, Kovi Kitchen, Pattie Party and Moo Thru, and The Gap Bar will offer local wines and Old 690 craft beers.

A special free Appalachian Spring Concert featuring the Furnace Mountain Trio, starts at 5 p.m. Saturday. 

The weekend also features a formal High Tea on Sunday presented by the Hillsboro Preservation Foundation. There will be two seatings, with musical accompaniment by the dulcimer and strings ensemble The Dulcetones. 

“The HPF is delighted to again partner with the Town to present this elegant tea and support the creation and development of Hope’s Garden as part of our mission to preserve landscapes and landmarks in western Loudoun,” said President Paul Hrebenak.

Tickets for the Friday lecture and the tea seatings, as well as complete information about the weekend are available at OldStoneSchool.org.