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...]
CRAPE MYRTLE
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia species) is a handsome, summer-flowering, deciduous small tree or shrub. It is a favorite among Southern gardeners because of its beauty and low maintenance. It has been called the lilac of the … [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...]
Long, Tall Trunk in a Yellow Dress: The Versatile Poplar Tree
With its many delightful qualities, tulip poplar trees deserve renewed consideration from property owners who have sufficient space for planting them. Continued: Source: … [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...]
Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden
Blueberries are an ideal year round addition to the landscape. They have delicate white or pink flowers in the spring, the summer fruit has an attractive sky blue color, and the fall foliage adds great red and yellow colors to the landscape. In … [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...]
About Butterflies
“Splendor awaits in minute proportions” – E.O. Wilson, Biologist The ephemeral beauty of the butterfly and the peculiarity of its life cycle symbolize transformation in nature and the passage of time. In some languages, the word for “butterfly” is … [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...]