Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
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.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Low maintenance and showy, Trumpet Honeysuckle blooms intermittently until frost with coral flowers and red fruit present together. “Sempervirens” refers to the plant’s evergreen habit, particularly in the South. Virginia Native Plant Society selected Trumpet Honeysuckle as Wildflower of the Year in 2014.
Since 2020, the Sunny Garden has more than tripled in size and community impact. We owe our thanks to a dedicated leadership team, which, with the support of Arlington County, has transformed a weedy, invasive, semi-forested parkland adjacent to the garden’s original footprint into several native-themed garden beds. Inspired by the recent changes, the garden’s team continues to dream of future evolution, including a multi-method composting station and even a fruit tree grove.
