Iris virginica, Virginia Blue Flag
Photo © 2015 Elaine Mills
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
This native iris, also known as Southern Blue Flag, is a wetland species growing in marshes and meadows from Virginia to Louisiana. Its showy flowers would make a lovely addition to a pond or rain garden.
Find out more about Iris Virginica and see a great video with pollinators . . .
By Mary Free, Certified Master Gardener
Creating Inviting Habitats by Mary Free
One of the resources featured on the poster Pollinator Protection Vital to Urban Agriculture is Creating Inviting Habitats.
This Virginia Cooperative Extension publication examines the habitat requirements for butterflies and birds common to our local area. In fact, most of the plants and wildlife were photographed in Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax, Virginia. Continue reading
Thanks to Jennifer Gagnon, Coordinator, Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program, for letting us reprint this article from 2011. Unforunately, since Jennifer wrote this article, Giant Hogweed has now been discovered in Virginia.
6/21/18 – An update from Jennifer Gagnon – “apparently one of the reported sightings was an intentionally planted hogweed in someone’s garden. The wild sighting turned out to be cow parsnip. SO, for now, as far as we know, it hasn’t escaped into the wild in Virginia.”
Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed)
by Jennifer Gagnon, Virginia Tech
There are many things I haven’t seen in the woods which I would like to see. Like a black bear, or a porcupine (as long as neither hurts my dogs). But one thing I sure DON’T want to see is a certain member of the carrot family, the giant hogweed. This is one carrot you don’t want to eat, people. According to the USDA’s PLANTS Database, this species is not yet established in Virginia; but other sources suggest that it is. Either way, this article should serve both as a warning and an incentive – let’s not allow giant hogweed to gain a foothold in the Commonwealth.
In 2017, 223 Master Gardener (MG) volunteers contributed about 14,500 hours serving Arlington and Alexandria under the auspices of the Virginia Cooperative Extension. They operated the VCE Horticulture Help Desk and staffed plant clinics at the farmers markets in Alexandria, Arlington, and Del Ray as well as at the Arlington Central Library serving 2,232 clients. The six demonstration gardens offered teaching platforms as did the MGNV Website, which posted 129 articles and promoted the Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic reaching 39,611 visitors. 
MGs organized and led over 60 public education classes with some 7,200 contacts. Classes focused primarily on urban agriculture and sustainable landscaping using best management practices for environmentally sound gardening.
Sustainable landscape management helps improve soil productivity and conserves and protects water resources. Through use of native plants, it benefits our local habitat and wildlife, including pollinators. MGs created a poster for use at the 2017 Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit that focused on pollinator protection, which seems especially relevant for this Pollinator Week, celebrated from June 18–24. Continue reading
The following events are scheduled by VCE Master Gardeners in Arlington and Alexandria in July 2018Classes | Wednesday Library Garden Talks | Plant Clinics
Printable Flyer: July 2018 MGNV Flyer
Saturday, July 7, 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Glencarlyn Library Community Garden
300 South Kensington Street, Arlington, VA 22204
Join Extension Master Gardener volunteers in the Library’s Community Garden the first Saturday of each month to learn about a different sustainable gardening topic. The mission of the Glencarlyn Library Community Garden is to provide resources for Arlington residents to learn how to create gardens in both suburban and urban landscapes. The Garden consists of many smaller gardens including herb, shade, sun, tropical, dry, container, and native gardens
Free. Questions? Call 703-228-6414 or email mgarlalex@gmail.com. Continue reading
It’s time to check out the Summer Herb Supplement to the monthly post, Between the Rows – A Guide to Vegetable Gardening for vegetable and herb gardening!
Here you will find additional information on growing and using garden herbs. VCE supports local gardeners with a host of resources, including free classes, plant clinics and this newsletter. Want to know more? Subscribe here to receive future editions.
All the Herb Supplements are available at VCE Garden Guide under Resources on the MGNV site.
Monarda didyma, Scarlet Beebalm, Oswego Tea
Photo © 2015 Elaine Mills
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic)
This member of the Mint family, native to eastern North America, grows in dense clusters along creeks and banks, as well as in thickets and woods. Prized by humans as an aromatic herb, its distinctive ragged red flowers are attractive to a variety of garden pollinators, especially when massed.
