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Green Spring Gardens 4603 Green Spring Road Alexandria, Virginia 22312 703-642-5173 Green Spring Gardens is a "must visit" for everyone in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. It's a year-round gold mine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. It's an outdoor classroom for children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It's also a museum, a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with colonial origins. There's something here for everyone: a wooded stream valley with ponds, a naturalistic native plant garden, over 20 thematic demonstration gardens, a greenhouse filled with tropicals, and a well-stocked horticultural reference library. Visit the Garden Gate Plant Shop and our two gift shops, where you'll find gift ideas ranging from books and gardening gloves to china and wind chimes. Green Spring will educate, inspire, and delight you. The gardens are always changing, so come back often for new ideas. Normal Hours Weekdays Normal Hours Weekends Winter Hours* Weekdays Winter Hours* Weekends 9-4:30 Sat 9-4:30, Sun 12-4:30 9-4:30 Sat 9-4:30, Sun 12-4:30 *Winter Hours = January, February, December Green Spring was donated to Fairfax County in 1970 by editor and publisher Michael Straight. Straight purchased the property in 1942 and made several modifications to the 1784 historic house and accompanying gardens. The landscape around the Straight home was that of a 'gentleman farmer' and was used primarily for entertaining. Designed by Beatrix Farrand, the gardens included boxwood hedging, roses, and perennial borders. Green Spring Gardens serves Fairfax County residents and visitors by advancing the awareness and practice of gardening. The gardens and educational programs at Green Spring focus on practical landscaping techniques appropriate for the Washington metropolitan area. Additional programs emphasize the historical influences on the land and Fairfax County residents' role in preserving cultural resources. The site includes a horticulture center, library, demonstration gardens, historic landscape and buildings, plus a wooded stream valley with ponds. Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Gardens Gardens featuring a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and vegetables provide ideas and inspiration for the home gardener. Horticulture Center Visit the greenhouse and shop for plants, gardening tools (staff favorites) and other useful gardening items in the Horticulture Center Shop. The Green Spring Library is open daily; the non-circulating library features horticulture books and magazines, plant society newsletters and a community kiosk filled with information about local horticultural events. For hours and more information, call 703-642-5173. Historic Green Spring Families occupied and adapted the Green Spring landscape and buildings from the late 1700s until the mid 20th century. Today visitors can view changing art exhibits, enjoy tea with a tour or program, and shop in the unique museum shop. For hours and more information, call 703-941-7987.