A champion tree is the largest known tree of a given species in a particular geographic area. Some champions are very large trees and some champions are rather small. For example, the largest known tree in Maryland, an American sycamore, is more than … [Read more...]
The Walnut Tree: Allelopathic Effects and Tolerant Plants
Allelopathy is a complex phenomenon which Pliny the Elder, a Roman natural science author, first wrote about in 77 A.D. In his writings he noted the toxic effects of black walnut on neighboring plants in the landscape. More: … [Read more...]
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is both a decorative garden annual as well as a useful culinary herb. There are two types of nasturtium; a trailing type (Tropaeolum majus) that can be trained to climb or allowed to spread on the ground and a bush type (Tropaeolum minus) … [Read more...]
Carpenter Bees Xylocopa virginica
People who complain about bumblebees flying about under the eaves of their homes are probably being annoyed by carpenter bees. Carpenter bees resemble bumblebees in both size and appearance, but are not social insects... More … [Read more...]
Garden Trellis Ideas
Maximize space in your garden with trellises. Some crop types—like cucumbers, tomatoes, and pole beans—need the extra support a trellis can provide, and others, like melons and squash, don’t require trellises but can benefit from being lifted off of … [Read more...]
THE SOCRATES PROJECT – Poisonous Plants in Virginia
Tens of thousands of exposures to poisonous plants are reported annually to Poison Control Centers throughout the US, and hundreds of such incidents are reported each year to the Blue Ridge Poison Center in Virginia. More... … [Read more...]
A HANDS-0N WORKSHOP ON POLLINATOR GARDENING!
GET YOUR GARDEN BUZZING! MAKE A HYPERTUFA BEE BATH TO TAKE HOME! JOIN US AT A BEDFORD PUBLIC COUNTY LIBRARY NEAR YOU! Stewartsville (540-425-7008) Saturday, May 4th @ 11:00 a.m. Big Island (540-425-7000) Tuesday, May 14th @ 2:00 p.m. Montvale … [Read more...]
Early Spring Pond Inspections
If you are a pond owner, early spring is a good time to take a walk around your pond and check to see if any maintenance is needed. More... … [Read more...]
Pruning Your Butterfly Bushes
The client called in with concerns about a butterfly bush that was not pruned back over winter. There is no sign of green/growth yet coming from base / roots or on any over-wintered branches. Can it be pruned now? Will there be blooms … [Read more...]
Why Would You Want to Cut a Plant Almost to the Ground?
I can think of a few good reasons for what horticulture calls “coppicing.” The main reason is to rejuvenate a big, old bush. Getting rid of all of the old wood clears space and coerces a plant to get busy growing fresh shoots – or else. … [Read more...]