The Southern magnolia is native to the Southeastern United States but adapts easily to other parts of the county and is also planted throughout the world. This tree belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and is considered one of the most beautiful flowering native trees among the earliest flowering plants.  Imprints of its flowers were found on fossils dating back 100 million years ago.

The Southern magnolia is so well-liked in the South that it was named the State tree for both Mississippi and Louisiana.   

The Southern magnolia is an evergreen shade tree with a slow to moderate growing habit … Read More

Text and Images by
Rodney Kemerer
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member

As the digital age pours down upon us like so much acid rain we slowly begin to realize what we are losing in exchange for instant communication. Yes, we get the message, text or email, but what we don’t get is what makes us unique. The warm hand and heart of being human. If dogs could receive texts I’m sure they would say, “No thanks, I like my head patted and a ‘good boy’ .”

One of the many victims of the digital age is the long tradition of exchanging … Read More

 Julia and hay bales

By Julia Klein (a real Beverly Hillbilly)
Past President and Friends of Robinson Gardens Member

In 1976, my parents purchased a 52-acre farm located five miles from their home in Waynesboro, PA. My dad was a country doctor who delivered three generations of babies in a small Pennsylvania town, and he was drawn to the farm environment where he could watch all kinds of things grow. 

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Each month, we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful.

This month, we spotlight Francine Pam, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Member. Francine was a founding faculty member (5th grade) at Brentwood Lower School from 1995 to 2018 where she taught Friends members Patti Elias’ children and Kerstin Royce’s … Read More

Autumnal Musings

Seasons come and seasons go,
Fall is now upon us.
The air is clean and crisp and cool. 
Children have returned to school.

Spiders weave their intricate webs
In hope of catching a juicy morsel. 
The male crickets chirp and chirp endlessly,
While devouring a multitude of greenery.

The mourning dove flies to and fro its safe and cozy nest
To make a home for its mate to roost, 
As well as, to sleep and to rest.
New life will come. The birds will depart.

The cycle of life returns again.
Creation at its very best.
I feel … Read More

Victoria Kastner

What a joy it was to hear the eloquent and vivacious author and noted historian Victoria Kastner speak about her latest book, Julia Morgan: An Intimate Biography of the Trailblazing Architect on October 1, 2024, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Victoria highlighted the interesting similarities between Julia Morgan’s garden designs for San Simeon and the garden themes and plantings at Robinson Gardens: two elaborate Mediterranean gardens, created only eight years apart. 

Victoria’s reverence for Morgan is obvious and well-deserved. The first woman licensed to practice architecture in California, Morgan went on to leave a remarkable 700 creations, including … Read More

Steven Keylon and Patty Elias

President of the Friends Lynn Whitaker and Archive Chair Patty Elias organized a magical and brilliant membership celebration at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on October 17, 2024. Spectacular autumnal arrangements by florist extraordinaire George Martinez of George’s Garden greeted the distinguished guests as they entered the Robinson estate in the late afternoon. The fall-themed arrangements decorated the cocktail tables and other areas on the Great Lawn, enhancing the Gardens’ beauty everywhere you looked.

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The attendees happily mingled while the caterer JR … Read More

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” — landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations.

This month, we are featuring florist Yana Polshina of Vespera Florals. At the 2024 Garden Tour, she decorated the Morning Room, which was a veritable delight with multiple bouquets, one more beautiful than the next! Yana chose a particular pink orchid in an arrangement to complement the painting of Virginia … Read More

From left to right: Co-chairs Patricia Cowett and Elaine Stein

On September 21, 2024, the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club met again at The Virginia Robinson Gardens, this time to enjoy a dissection of the lives of Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford as described in great detail in the book, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks: The Most Popular Couple the World Has Ever Known by Booton Herndon. We discussed how the loss of their fathers early in life may have had a profound influence on their personalities and indeed the roles they played on screen and stage. 

Virginia Robinson … Read More

From time to time, we highlight “Our Garden Tour Stars” — landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations.

This month, we are featuring florist PattiSue of Xoxo PattiSue. At the 2024 Garden Tour, she decorated the Master Bedroom beautifully with stunning arrangements of soft-hued romantic roses. Her floral designs enhanced the feminine ambience in the room while in a corner, a mannequin, “dressed” with roses, foliage, and shawls … Read More