Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Common throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic, this native boasts graceful arching stems, dainty bell-like flowers, and prominent leaf veins. Its common name may come from resemblance of rhizome scars to the ancient Hebrew seal of King Solomon or from purported “wound sealing properties.”
Land plants have evolved from ten major living lineages, with like plants being grouped together based on whether or not they have vascular tissue and whether or not they have seeds. The two groups of vascular seed plants are the angiosperms (meaning “vessel seeds”) and the gymnosperms (meaning “naked seeds”).
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 the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Information is also given for the Spotted Lanternfly, which feeds on the Tree of Heaven.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Commonly found from creek bottoms to upland slopes throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, Black Gum is noted for its beautiful yellow to orange to scarlet fall foliage. Bees make a flavorful honey from nectar-rich flowers, while many birds and mammals enjoy the juicy fruit.
Our newest resource has information on tasks appropriate to the fall season and year-long practices to encourage and support local wildlife with native plants.
Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
This stately milkweed is at home in moist habitats across much of the United States. It has flat terminal clusters of showy pale pink to mauve flowers in summer, succeeded by interesting fruit (follicles) that split to release seeds on silken parachutes.
