SHRUB: Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Posted on January 22, 2021 by MGNV Webmaster

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Red Sprite’ old fruit and new leaves in April.
Photo © Mary Free
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Red Sprite’ flowers in June.
Photo © Elaine Mills
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Red Sprite’ fruit in September.
Photo © Elaine L. Mills
Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ in October.
Photo © Mary Free
Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ in December.
Photo © Elaine Mills
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Sparkleberry’ fruit in October.
Photo © Elaine L. Mills
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Winter Gold’ fruit in October.
Photo © Elaine L. Mills
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) ‘Winter Red’ fruit in October.
Photo © Elaine L. Mills

This native deciduous holly produces prodigious quantities of plump, red, berry-like fruit (called drupes), which decorate the plant from mid-fall into early spring. ‘Red Sprite,’ a female dwarf cultivar, needs the services of the male ‘Jim Dandy’ to make fruit. Purchase at least two females and one male for a “berry” good show. Learn more . . .

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Protecting Young Trees from Deer

Posted on January 20, 2021 by MGNV Webmaster

By Kirsten Conrad, Extension Agent for Arlington County and the City of Alexandria

Damage to tree bark from deer rubbing their antlers on them. Photo: Christa Rittberg, University of Minnesota Extension

Your young, newly planted trees are very attractive to our healthy white-tailed deer population. Not only are the leaves and tender young growth within easy height for feeding, deer will utilize young trees for rubbing their antlers and do serious damage to the bark and trunk of even newly planted trees.

Protection from wildlife is important for guarding the initial investment of planting. Overall, wildlife protection should be adaptive and based on need, cost, desired effectiveness, installation effort, and ease of maintenance. Continue reading →

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New Public Education Offerings

Posted on January 19, 2021 by MGNV Webmaster

RSVP for Upcoming Public Education Current Classes 

All classes are 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

View New Classes in the Public Education Virtual  Classroom

Sustainable Landscaping Urban Agriculture
Sustainable Landscaping Basics
with Amy Crumpton
 Microgreens
with  Rebecca Halbe
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Word of the Week: Dioecious

Posted on January 18, 2021 by mgnvmmf

dioecious [ dahy-ee-shuhs ] adjective: plant species having male and female reproductive organs on different individual plants

Dioecious Ilex verticillata ‘Red Sprite’ (female) and ‘Jim Dandy’ (male) in October. Photo © Elaine Mills

The majority of plants reproduce via “perfect” flowers, meaning they are complete in themselves, having both male and female organs within the same structure or at least on the same plant (monoecious plants). There is another category, however, the dioecious plants.

Continue reading →

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GRASS: Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Posted on January 15, 2021 by MGNV Webmaster

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) in late winter.
Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) in June.
Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in July.
Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) at the Trades Center, Arlington, Virginia in August.
Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) leaves in September.
Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) spicate racemes in October.
Photo © Mary Free
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) in the MGNV Tribute Bench Garden in October.
Photo © Mary Free
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) seed heads in October.
Photo © Mary Free

Common through most of the Mid-Atlantic Region, Little Bluestem gives a brilliant landscape performance. Tight, erect, spiky bluish-green stems and leaves transition to a sizzling fall display of oranges, reds, yellows and purplish-browns topped by fluffy seed heads that persist into winter. Learn more . . .

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