Billions of American chestnut trees once shaped life in Appalachia, but a foreign fungus erased them in a matter of decades. Today, only sickly sprouts remain — ghosts of a vanished ecosystem. Sara Fern Fitzsimmons and The American Chestnut … [Read more...]
Kids’ Butterfly Garden: Attract Butterflies & Learn Together
Winged jewels of the air … flutterbys … no matter what you call butterflies, they entrance everyone. Planting a garden to attract them is one of the best ways to get children interested in gardening and nature while introducing them to a bit of … [Read more...]
2025 Year of the Asclepias – National Garden Bureau
FOR IMAGES OF ASCLEPIAS, CLICK HERE Discover the Magic of Milkweed! The great thing about Asclepias (Milkweed) is that there are many different species to choose from and all have a variety of benefits that add value to your garden. Spending … [Read more...]
Spring ephemerals for the garden
Spring ephemerals are shade plants that emerge and flower in late winter and spring and complete their life cycle early, fading away once trees leaf out and the ground dries up. Read More: SOURCE: … [Read more...]
Wildflower Seeds for Fall Planting: Tips and Tricks
As the crisp air of fall rolls in, it’s time to start thinking about wildflower planting. While summer may have been full of colorful blooms, fall is when seasoned gardeners prep for next year’s glory — ever noticed how wildflowers in nature scatter … [Read more...]
Trees of Life – Paw Paw
Paw Paw - Asimina triloba (oh-SIH-min-oh trih-LO-boh Paw Paw, the name based on the Spanish word for papaya, is a small native tree often found near creek banks. Its most outstanding feature is the fruit it produces; with a flavor described as … [Read more...]
New Regional Guide Available!
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...]
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...]