Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
#MasterGardener #MGNV #Glossary
Dichogamy is a cross-pollination strategy where a flower’s stamens—male reproductive organs—and stigmas—female reproductive organs—mature at different times to prevent self-pollination. In protogyny, flowers are functionally female first and male second. What is the term for the process in reverse—when stamens mature before stigmas?
#MGNV Tried and True #NativePlant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Native to eastern North American* deciduous forests, #WildGinger naturalizes to create a lush ground cover with velvety, heart-shaped leaves. Historically used as a flavor substitute for culinary ginger, consumption today is ill-advised. The Virginia Native Plant Society selected Wild Ginger as Wildflower of the Year for 2010.
As waning winter and early spring bring rising temperatures and daffodil blooms, you may notice tiny white flowers strewn through the lawn—some clustered in clumps; others scattered in dense mats. Plants with horizontal, creeping habit and tiny flowers that may appear to have ten petals are chickweed (Stellaria or Cerastium).
#MasterGardener #MGNV #Glossary
What are the underground stems from which roots and shoots grow?
#MGNV Tried and True #NativePlant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
This charming wildflower’s rose-pink blooms, somewhat resembling phlox, bring bright color to the spring garden, and its foliage is semi-evergreen in winter. It is native to dry forests, barrens, and outcrops in most of the Mid-Atlantic where it tolerates a range of soils.
#mgnv #mastergardener #keystoneplants
Action 3 in our Restoring Nature series emphasizes identifying and adding keystone plants to support the most wildlife species in our landscapes and yards.
