Falls Church Garden Club
Calendar of events
Meeting Information
We invite speakers with varied perspectives and expertise to our monthly meetings. These events are typically held on the first Monday of each month.
When
Members begin gathering at 6:30 pm to socialize.
The program begins at 7:30 pm.
​
Save the following dates for FCGC meetings in 2026.
-
February 2, March 2, April 13, May 4, June 1, July 13
-
No meetings in August and January
-
September 14, October 5, November 2, December 7
Where
We meet at the Falls Church Episcopal
-
115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church
-
Park in the lot on Broad Street or along East Fairfax Street.
-
From the parking lot off Broad Street
-
Follow the pathway and small sets of stairs to the left around the building.
-
Enter the pair of doors on your right.
-
The meeting room is on your left.
-
-
From East Fairfax Street:​
-
Walk toward the building.​
-
Enter the closest pair of doors.
-
The meeting room is on your left.
-
-
Upcoming Meeting
March 2, 2026
Doors open at 6:30. Meeting starts at 7:30.
The meeting is in person and will be recorded for later viewing.
Topic - Masonry and Stormwater Management: The Unsung Heroes in Your Garden
​
Speaker - Paige Conrad, Owner and Designer and Michele Osinski, Designer, both at Bright Shade Gardens, Alexandria VA
Why Masonry and Stormwater Management?
Properly installed masonry and drainage can make our break your outdoor space.
We have all witnessed overflowing gutters, downspouts at the foundation, grading slopes toward a house, and clogged systems.
Water is the #1 cause of masonry deterioration and can ruin a beautiful garden or lawn if not channeled properly. Not to mention, it can result in costly damage!
Brightshade Gardens has implemented many creative solutions to manage such situations. Here are just a few pictures where we “harnessed the water!”
BrightShade Gardens, Alexandria, VA
www.brightshadegardens.com
BrightShade Gardens is a woman-owned landscape design/install company that has worked for over 15 years in the DMV area. We enjoy designing outdoor spaces to fit the individual needs and wishes of homeowners. Whether it is creating a new garden or enhancing an existing one, building a patio, or coming up with an efficient drainage solution, our vast experience has given us the knowledge to enhance outdoor spaces and make them a personal sanctuary.
​​​​​​​
Paige Conrad,
Owner and Designer
Paige is a native of the great state of OHIO. She completed her BA at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and holds an MBA from The George Washington University. In her first life she was a Contracts Manager supporting NAVSEA. After taking four years off to raise her three kids, she found that she was offering landscaping advice frequently enough that she might want to charge for it. Thirteen years, 5 dump trucks, 1,000+ clients, and an appearance in HGTV magazine later, she has decided what she wants to be when she grows up.
Favorite Plants: ALL Japanese Maples, Camellia, Iris, and American Beautyberry
Michele Osinski,
Designer
Michele is a native Virginian and has lived in the Alexandria area for over twenty years. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Communications.
Michele’s love of plants started at an early age spending summers in Cape Cod, MA admiring the Hydrangea which loves to grow up north. Michele joined BrightShade Gardens in 2016 just before the start of Spring (i.e., landscaping panic!) and probably wonders how we functioned without her. She loves color and spaces that work. Don’t be surprised to find her in your yard with the crew placing plants and making sure your installation is perfect.
Favorite Plants: ALL Hydrangea, Camellia, Coral Bark Maple, and Hellebore
Past Events
February 2, 2026
What's Troubling Your Trees?
Speaker - Annemarie Nagle is a Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostician at Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories in Charlotte, NC
​
December 16th, 2025
Lunch at Hill Crest in The Plains
Lunch followed by browsing the holiday market at Oak Spring in Upperville.
​
November 3, 2025
Garden Art and a Touch of Whimsy​
Speaker - Donald W. Hyatt, Retired Teacher from Fairfax County Public Schools, Botanical Illustrator, and Nurseryman
​​​​
October 16th, 2025
Green Spring Garden Afternoon Tea​
Garden tour featuring the history of Green Springs while viewing the demonstration gardens. The tour was followed by a traditional British afternoon tea inside the Historic House.​​​
October 6th, 2025
Managing Invasive Plants in Your Home Garden​
Speaker - Amy Crumpton, Extension Master Gardener and Virginia Master Naturalist
​​​
September 8th, 2025
Garden Design Tips to Make Your Garden Look and Function Better​​
Speaker- Merrifield Garden Center Designer
September 6th, 2025
Plant Swap
FCGC members met at Roberts Park in Falls Church, 510 Lynn Place.
They brought plants from their gardens and packed lunches. Everyone went home with at least one new plant!
June 14th, 2025
Annual Plant Sale
Due to construction at the Falls Church Community Center, the plant sale, typically held on the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend was held on Father's Day weekend. Members of the public browsed tables filled with plants from the gardens of Falls Church Garden Club members. ​
June 2nd, 2025
Tips for Attracting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects to Your Garden
Speaker - Ann M. Mason, Fairfax County Certified Master Gardener and Retired Science Policy Professional​​​
May 5th, 2025
Gardening As We Age
​Speaker - Mark Dwyer, Garden Manager of the Hospital and Health Services Healing Garden at Edgerton Hospital in Wisconsin. He is also a frequent contributor to publications such as Fine Gardening magazine.​​​
April 27th, 2025
Virginia Historic Garden Week
FCGC members carpooled to Virginia Hunt Country fand toured three historic properties: Ellerslie, Benton, and The Pond House. The tours were followed by lunch outside at a nearby eatery.
​
