Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
The Glencarlyn Library Community Garden coordinators have created a new series of short videos about locally invasive plants and native alternatives. This month's post is on Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei).
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Often dominant in the canopy, the State Tree of Maryland supports 80 birds/mammals and about 534 Lepidoptera species. The largest recorded US specimen, the 500-year old Wye Oak, was felled in Maryland in 2002. VNPS honored White Oak as Wildflower of the Year in 2011.
Roots are the “hidden half” of plants, the underground structures that link them to the earth. Every plant seed contains an embryonic root, the radicle, which is the first part of the plant to emerge during germination. It burrows into the ground, becoming the primary root, which anchors the seedling.
Just like us, sometimes our plants need a little support. Whether you just want to encourage a plant to climb rather than trail or you need a brace to keep it from tipping over, there are quite a few ways to prop them up and give them a hand. With so many options and tools out there, how do you know which one to pick for your plant?
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Native to southeastern coastal areas, Dwarf Fothergilla shines three seasons of the year. Spring brings sweetly-scented, white bottlebrush flowers. Its summer dress is a pretty green. Fall leaf color is spectacular, turning exquisite shades of yellow, orange or red that brighten woodland gardens.
Enjoy another entry in our series of short form thoughts on gardening and gardeners.
