Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Garden Profile: Simpson Park Demonstration Garden

Simpson Park Demonstration Garden is an urban garden and haven for people, pollinators and wildlife. Seventeen garden beds showcase a diverse range of native plants and trees, ornamental perennials, and unusual specimens. Our garden demonstrates best horticultural practices including attracting pollinators, conserving water, pest control by natural means and thoughtful landscape design. Features include scented, shade, pollinator, tufa rock gardens and several mature tree specimens. The garden evolves throughout the seasons and years.

#PollinatorWeek

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PERENNIAL: Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly-weed)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Butterfly-weed is one of the showiest native wildflowers. Summer waves of orange blossoms brighten open fields, woods, and waysides. Later, spindle-shaped fruit (follicles) pierce the air in shades of green, yellow, brown. When follicles split open, the seeds’ silky threads glisten in the sun. The Virginia Native Plant Society selected Butterfly-weed as Wildflower of the Year in 1992.

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Green Community Celebration and Tour

Green Community Celebration and Home & Garden Tour
Get ideas and inspiration to help build a greener community in Arlington on Sunday, June 4, 1-4pm!
Visit green homes, gardens and community spaces throughout Arlington
Join us for a Green Community Celebration at Shirlington Library Plaza.
The 20th annual Green Home and Garden Tour will showcase green homes, green renovations, and watershed-friendly gardens in Arlington. Sneak a peek at sustainable features, including energy efficient technologies, solar energy, water-saving technologies, rain gardens, native plants, wildlife habitat and more.

The simultaneous Green Community Celebration at Shirlington Library Plaza will feature electric vehicles, exhibits and family-friendly fun!

This event is sponsored by Arlington County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management, EcoAction Arlington, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Arlington Public Libraries.

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Rules of Propagation

If you’ve fallen in love with houseplants, the best kept secret is that once you have them you can basically make as many as you want. There’s no need to rush back to the store and buy more as long as you’re willing to give the ones you already own a trim.

Propagation is the practice of dividing or cutting a “parent” plant into smaller pieces to create even more plants. Many gardeners fill their flower beds by dividing perennials, or by taking cuttings from woody plants like roses. The same principle applies to your houseplant

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The Last Word

Earlier this month, Geranium maculatum (wild or spotted geranium) was a featured Tried and True Native Plant Selection. The word protandrous described its flowers. Learn how protandry, and the related words protogyny and dichogamy, are important to cross-pollination by clicking on this link to go directly to the Illustrated Glossary page.

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