The American Horticultural Society (AHS) hosted its highly anticipated annual gala at River Farm Sept. 21 in an evening filled with joy and celebration.
Co-chaired by Lauren Bishop, Realtor with McEnearney Associates and Skipp Calvert, a longtime member of the AHS Board of Directors, the event brought together 230 attendees from across the country to honor two luminaries and raise over $225,000 to support AHS’s outreach and educational programs and the stewardship and preservation of its River Farm headquarters.
With sweeping views of River Farm’s gardens overlooking the Potomac River, guests were treated to an exquisite cocktail reception featuring signature libations and the melodic tunes of jazz trio The Little Big Band. Following, guests enjoyed a sumptuous multi-course dinner created by Design Cuisine Catering, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the 24K band.
Marcia Zech was awarded the prestigious AHS Gold Medal for her unwavering dedication and transformative impact on the AHS. A member of the AHS Board of Directors for 13 years, Marcia has been instrumental in championing the mission of the AHS, ensuring its financial sustainability, and safeguarding its historic River Farm headquarters. In 2021, her commitment was exemplified by a monumental $1 million donation to stabilize the organization after she and four other board members averted the sale of the historic property. She retired from the AHS Board this year.
In a tribute to her enduring legacy, Tim Conlon, Board Treasurer, announced that Marcia has established the AHS Endowment with a $5 million gift to ensure the long-term financial health and stability of the AHS. The donor-restricted endowment will remain vested with the goal to increase it to $10 million. Inspired by Marcia’s donation, Jane Diamantis, a former AHS Board member, and her husband George have made the first additional contribution to the Endowment with a $75,000 gift.
Beyond her substantial financial contributions, “Marcia’s passion, strategic vision, wisdom, encouraging words, and kindness are what make her legendary,” explained Suzanne Laporte, President and CEO of the AHS. “She has shown great leadership in so many ways.”
Adding to the evening’s enchantment, the American Daylily Society surprised Marcia when they unveiled a new daylily cultivar named Hemerocallis Marcia Zech, celebrating her profound love for these flowers and her outstanding commitment and service to the field of horticulture. Guests were delighted to receive an assortment of daylilies as a keepsake.
The gala also honored the late Jim Nau with the esteemed Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, AHS’s highest horticultural honor, presented posthumously in recognition of his lifetime achievements. Nau’s career spanned 37 years at Ball Horticultural Company, where he was revered as a plant expert, writer, historian and garden designer. His pioneering work in plant variety trialing led to significant breakthroughs, including identifying Wave® petunias, and he authored key publications like The Ball Culture Guide and Ball RedBook. Nau’s legacy includes mentoring over 100 interns and spearheading organizations such as the All-America Selections, among many other achievements.
Nau passed away in June 2023. His award was accepted by his sister, Cheryl Bergren who movingly expressed, “He didn’t have a job. He had a calling,” encapsulating Jim’s profound dedication to his craft and his inspiring legacy that continues to resonate within the horticultural community.
Closing the program, Calvert and Bishop raised their champagne flutes for a toast. The evening culminated in spirited dancing beneath the stars, embodying not only a celebration of horticultural excellence but also a heartfelt community united by their love of gardening and passion for River Farm.
Additional notable attendees included local officials State Senator Scott Surovell and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, Mount Vernon Director of Horticulture and Livestock Dean Norton, and celebrity Monte Durham. AHS Board Members attending included: Doug Barker, Skipp Calvert, Tim Conlon, Amy Golden, Scott Plein (Chair), Holly Shimizu, and Philip Tabas.
Founded in 1922, the nonprofit American Horticultural Society (AHS) is one of the most respected and longstanding member-based national gardening organizations in North America. The Society’s membership includes more than 22,000 aspiring, new, and experienced gardeners, plant enthusiasts, and horticultural professionals, as well as numerous regional and national partner organizations.
Through its educational programs, awards, and publications, the AHS inspires a culture of gardening and horticultural practices that creates and sustains healthy, beautiful communities and a livable planet. AHS is headquartered at River Farm, a 25-acre site overlooking the Potomac River that is part of George Washington’s original farmlands in Alexandria, Virginia. www.ahsgardening.org