Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

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

TREE: Benthamidia florida – formerly Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Commonly found in the forest understory or as a landscape ornamental, this high wildlife value native with four-season interest is far from ordinary. This beauty serves as North Carolina state flower and Missouri state tree. In Virginia, it is both official floral and arboreal emblems. The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Flowering Dogwood as Wildflower of the Year in 2018.
Featured Glossary word: Petaloid bract

Read moreTREE: Benthamidia florida – formerly Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)

SHRUB: Rhododendron periclymenoides (Wild Azalea)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Wild Azalea is native to moist woods, swamp margins, and stream banks throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region where it thrives in dappled sunlight or high open shade. This shrub’s showy flowers, which bloom just before or as the leaves emerge, make it a great substitute for overused non-native and hybrid azaleas or other traditional spring-flowering species.
Featured Glossary word: Anther

Read moreSHRUB: Rhododendron periclymenoides (Wild Azalea)

Come to Florafest in Potomac Overlook Park and visit the Organic Vegetable Garden!

As part of Florafest at Potomac Overlook Park, Extension Master Gardeners from the Organic Vegetable Garden will lead tours of the garden and be available to discuss all things about vegetable gardening in Northern Virginia. Visitors to the garden can bring their questions to the pop-up plant clinic, and there will be activities for children focusing on seeds, including planting seeds in pots to take home.

Read moreCome to Florafest in Potomac Overlook Park and visit the Organic Vegetable Garden!