Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
In preceding posts in this series, we have considered gardening approaches that can reduce homeowners’ carbon footprints and presented adaptive techniques to assist in dealing with the challenges posed by climate change. Another area of concern is making informed choices about the plants we choose for our gardens
#MGNV Tried and True #NativePlant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Clustered Mountain-mint flowers may be unassuming, but their nectar enticed the greatest number and diversity of pollinators out of 86 species monitored by Penn State over 3 years. Showy, silvery bracts accent the flower clusters. Foliage exudes a strong minty aroma when crushed.
This month, our houseplant expert, Evin Morrison, answers questions about aerial roots and browning leaves.
#MGNV Tried and True #NativePlant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Though indigenous in the Mid-Atlantic to only a few counties in Pennsylvania, Anise Hyssop grows easily throughout in well-drained soil. Purplish flower spikes, which attract pollinators all summer, add a vertical layer to the garden; leaves and seeds add anise flavor to food.
Weed or #NativeWildflower?
Diodia virginiana (Virginia buttonweed) may be desirable as a native ground cover in its natural wet habitats, but in cultivated landscapes from the mid-Atlantic southward, it is considered an aggressive and difficult-to-remove weed. Learn how to identify and deal with it before it becomes (more) troublesome.
#MGNV Tried and True #NativePlant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Commercially valuable as a food crop, this species yields the best blueberries and autumn color when grown in full sun. Due to widespread hybridization, its distribution in Virginia has been difficult to map.
