The Plant Southern Piedmont Natives Campaign is excited to share it’s new guide to plants in our region! “Native Plants for the Southern Piedmont of Virginia” highlights approximately 300 of the native plants found in most of the counties and … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Sassafras albidum
Sassafras albidum - SAS-ah-fras AL-bih-dum; Common Names: Cinnamon Wood, Mitten Tree This is a tree that can be filed under "what's not to like?" Animals· from humans to rabbits, birds, insects and fungi, all love this tree. Natives used it … [Read more...]
5 Hydrangea Mistakes That Produce No Flowers
We are about to enjoy a fabulous hydrangea show this season. Winter can sometimes spell doom for these plants across much of the U.S. but not so this year. Winter was mild with record-breaking warm temperatures in the northeast where gardeners … [Read more...]
Heat and dry weather pose problems for landscape plants
During hot, dry weather, gardeners should water properly and evaluate susceptible landscape plants, according to Virginia Cooperative Extension experts. High temperatures, combined with dry weather, pose a threat to Virginia’s home landscapes. … [Read more...]
7 Easy Vegetable Trellising Methods to Elevate Your Garden
Trellises in the vegetable garden are the unsung heroes! They elevate any garden space to a multi-dimensional and interesting experience. Suddenly, a small garden or a blank piece of ground has hiding places for kids, saves space, adds … [Read more...]
POWDERY MILDEW
Powdery mildew is the name given to a group of diseases caused by several closely related fungi. Their common symptom is a grayish-white, powdery mat visible on the surface of leaves, stems, and flower petals. There are many hosts, and although this … [Read more...]
Five Things You May Not Know About . . . Virginia’s official pollinator
You may have heard Virginia now has an official state pollinator – the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). How, you ask, did the EUROPEAN honey bee get the designation? What about our natives? CONTINUE SOURCE: Master Gardeners of Northern … [Read more...]
Red Mulberry
Red Mulberry Morus Rubra (MOR-us ROO-brah) Your local birds and small mammals will be delighted if you decide to add Red Mulberry to yourlandscape! The blackberry-like fruit will also please the humans in your life. They can be eatenfresh from the … [Read more...]
American Holly
American Holly - Ilex opaca (EE-leks oh-PAY-kah) Common Name(s): American Holly, Holly, Winterberry In the 4 years I’ve lived in Bedford County I haven’t seen any Cedar Waxwings which causes me sadness although this is probably for the best … [Read more...]
Continental Nomads: Monarch Butterflies
At the start of the spring breeding season, Eastern populations of monarchs leave their winter habitat in the oyamel fir forests of Mexico to begin a northward journey that may take up to a month and a half to complete. CONTINUE SOURCE: … [Read more...]