This weekend: 15th annual Daylily & Wine Festival at Andre Viette's Nursery

What a beautiful setting for the 15th annual Daylily & Wine Festival held on the grounds of nationally known master gardener Andre Viette's Farm and Nursery in Fishersville, Virginia!

Experience fields of beautiful daylilies against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stroll the pathways through flowers and shrubs and trees ... sit in the shade and take in the beauty of the central Shenandoah Valley's rolling countryside.

Sponsored by the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce, the festival will take place on Saturday, July 16, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 17, 2011, from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m.

Listen in as Andre Viette broadcasts his nationwide radio show, "In The Garden." Take in seminars on gardening, landscaping, culinary tips, and more. Over twenty wineries will offer wine tastings. Bring an appetite to enjoy fine food from area restaurants. Be entertained by jazz musicians in the outdoor setting ... check out artisan and crafter booths. There's even fun and entertainment for the kids!

For ticket prices and directions as well as additional information, check out the official website for the 15th Annual Daylily & Wine Festival.

Daylily and Wine Festival with Andre Viette this weekend

Sip wine and stroll the world-renown gardens of horticulturist, author, and lecturer Andre Viette at this weekend's 14th annual Daylily and Wine Festival. With the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains in the background, the festival has been a long-time summer tradition in the central Shenandoah Valley, showcasing the Viettes' extensive gardens as well as some of Virginia's finest vineyards.

Two days of music, wine and beer tastings, seminars, workshops, gourmet food from area restaurants, a variety of artisans and crafters, children's activities, live radio coverage from Mr. Viette's garden, and much more are planned from 9-5 on Saturday and noon-5 on Sunday. The weather forecast is for hot and sunny, perfect for a weekend of fun.

Mr. Viette offers over 3,000 varieties of perennial plans in acres of gardens at his home and nursery. The fields of blooming daylilies at this time of year entice artists to set up easels and capture the beauty.

A beloved member of the area, Mr. Viette has contributed to the community in many ways over the years, teaching horticultural courses for almost 30 years at Blue Ridge Community College as well as hosting his radio show, "In The Garden," that is heard in four states and the District of Columbia every Saturday morning. He has opened his gardens to various fund raisers over the years including the annual Daylily and Wine Festival.

If you want to attend, the festival will take place today and tomorrow, July 17 & 18, at Andre Viette's Farm and Nursery located just minutes off I-64 and I-81 in Fishersville, Va. More information can be found at the Daylily & Wine Festival website.

Cone flowers are blooming ... and other Shenandoah Valley flowers

A perennial favorite, the cone flowers are blooming in the Shenandoah Valley.

They are also a favorite with the bumble bees.

Yellow day lilies are blooming. Andre Viette's "Daylilly Festival" was last weekend with hundreds of varieties of the flower he calls the easiest to grow because they do not need constant maintenance. Also perennials, they come back year after year. As the bulbs multiply, they can be split and shared with friends.

Orange day lilies are beginning to fade.

Summer annuals keep blooming and blooming with the help of a little plant food and lots of watering....

After losing all the peaches to a late frost in 2007, the trees are loaded this year. The peaches are small ... but very sweet.

Hot summer days demand constant watering of summer annuals.

The wave petunias love the sun as long as they are watered daily.

Photos by SWAC Girl