Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is an invasive forb that has become widespread throughout much of the United States, including Virginia. It has invaded the understory of some forests and become the dominant plant, thereby greatly reducing the … [Read more...]
Plants For Pollinators: Violets
Violets are often bemoaned as “weeds” when found in lawns, and otherwise impugned for their tendency to easily reseed and spread. With their heart shaped leaves and cheery blue flowers, violets aren’t really bad guys – in fact they are the host plant … [Read more...]
Invasive Pests
Invasive pests (plants, insects, diseases, and others) cause enormous economic damage, as well as environmental damage. These displace or destroy beneficial and native plants and animals, reduce biodiversity. The annual economic cost is estimated … [Read more...]
Pretty, portable pollinator gardens: Top 10 plants for pollinator-friendly containers
“Pollinator gardens provide food for bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, and other helpful species,” says Diane Blazek, Executive Director at National Garden Bureau (NGB). “In turn, they pollinate the vegetables that produce our food. They really are … [Read more...]
How to Grow and Care for Beardtongue (Penstemon)
The plantain family (Plantaginaceae) gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuable Penstemon genus, which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to … [Read more...]
Herb Festival to be held at Moneta Farm
The annual Herb Festival at Moneta Farm and Home Center will be back again in this year, with the return of all of the events that have made the festival so special over the years. The festival will be held rain or shine on May 6 from 10:00 until … [Read more...]
Wineberry
Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)-- sometimes called wine raspberry-- is an invasive shrub that creates prickly, impenetrable thickets. Introduced to North America in the 1890s as breeding stock for raspberries, wineberry displaces native vegetation, … [Read more...]
How to prevent seedling damping off
Seedlings infected by damping off rarely survive to produce a vigorous plant. Quite often a large section or an entire tray of seedlings is killed. CONTINUE SOURCE: University of Minnesota Extension … [Read more...]
10 Best Plants & Flowers to Use for Tea
There is nothing better than drinking a delicious cup of tea. Except, drinking a cup made from plants grown in your own garden. CONTINUE SOURCE: National Garden Bureau … [Read more...]
Get in the Zone: Two Truths (and a Lie) about Zone Maps
Have you ever returned from a trip, determined to recreate that tropical vacation vibe in your northern backyard? Or maybe you hope to grow lilacs, like those that filled the vase on your grandmother’s kitchen table—but aren’t sure they’ll flourish … [Read more...]