By Julie Reardon

Though at press time, warm spring weather isn’t here yet, by the time you read this it will be, and spring flowers will be in blooming in the Blue Ridge. There’s nothing like the green, green new grass framed by dogwoods and redbuds as the backdrop for an enjoyable day in the country. April is the month of garden tours, antiques and crafts fairs, horse racing over fences, and other outdoor activities.

Pack a tailgate and take in a spring race meet at several locations in the hunt country in the coming weeks. April is when the upcoming stars of the steeplechase circuit really show their stuff. In addition to the point to point circuit (cheaper admission, closer to the action), there are several bigger, fancier meets including the Middleburg Spring Races or the annual see-and-be-seen affair where horses are secondary to the parade of people, the Virginia Gold Cup. You might enjoy a horse show or event at Morven Park north of Leesburg, which has something going on each weekend in April (www.morvenpark.org).

Antiquing is a favored pastime of visitors to the Blue Ridge. In addition to the many roadside shops, the big antiques fairs and crafts shows make their spring debut this month too—check out two of the larger ones in Leesburg at the end of the month.

Garden tours allow you a peek at how the other half lives. Some of the finest houses and estates in Fauquier and Loudoun counties open their doors to the public during historic garden week in Virginia this year. A total of over 120 private homes and gardens across the state will be part of 29 distinct tours taking place April 27 through May 3, 2025. Every year, the properties that are opened and the tours offered are different, making each year a unique touring experience. “Not only is HGW an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Virginia’s homes and gardens, but it’s also a significant economic driver to the state’s economy,” explains Virginia Gillock, Historic Garden Week’s Chair. “After recently completing a third study with our consultants at Chmura, we are thrilled to announce the cumulative economic impact over the last 55 years of this fundraiser to be $679 million,” Gillock shares. “Since 1920, the Garden Club of Virginia’s mission has been focused on conservation, restoration, and the love of gardening,” says Kris Carbone, the GCV’s President. “We hope to encourage future generations to build on this heritage,” Carbone continues.

From recreating an 18th-century garden at Stratford Hall to restoring a walk and statuary at Belmont, the home and studio of Impressionist painter Gari Melchers – a full diversity of gardens is represented. This year, Clarke County, Front Royal/Warren County and the grand Morven estate in Albemarle County are open Saturday April 27^th. Other homes in Albemarle around Charlottesville open their doors April 28^th along with homes in the Middeburg area that are open the 28^th and 29^th. The daffodils and bulbs in bloom along with flowering shrubs and trees in the spring make even the plainest house come alive but the ones on the tours must be seen to be appreciated. Getting there in spring is half the fun as the fields are dotted with new foals and calves.

The full schedule including how to get tickets for some/all of the open houses can be found on gcvirginia.org/historic-garden-week/