Apr 19th, 2021
English Ivy: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
Have you ever looked along a highway and observed all the trees covered in vegetation from trunk to branches? It was most likely English ivy (Hedera helix), the final of […]
Read MoreSarah Coffey
About Sarah Coffey
Sarah Coffey is a Horticulture Research Intern at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. She is excited to learn hands-on horticulture and to share her project on invasive plant species with the community. Sarah studied environmental science at Stetson University and agroforestry at Virginia Tech and is grateful for the opportunity to begin her professional career at the Garden.
Apr 12th, 2021
Japanese Honeysuckle: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
Our Dirty Dozen plant of the week is Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). This ornamental vine is still widely available in the horticultural trade, even though it has invaded all of the […]
Read MoreApr 9th, 2021
Feed the Birds with Native Plants
Whether you enjoy bird watching or you like to feed the birds, native plants are a great way to attract them to your yard! Should We Use Bird Feeders? So […]
Read MoreApr 5th, 2021
Elaeagnus: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
For this week’s Dirty Dozen plant, we have a triple threat: autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and thorny olive (Elaeagnus pungens). All three Elaeagnus species are invasive, […]
Read MoreMar 29th, 2021
Cogon Grass: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) is considered one of the top ten worst invasive plant species in the world. Even with its less-than-stellar reputation, it is a popular ornamental plant. Though […]
Read MoreMar 26th, 2021
Italian Arum: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
Our “Dirty Dozen” plant of the week is Italian arum (Arum italicum). Even though Washington is the only U.S. state to officially recognize arum as invasive, our horticulture staff have […]
Read MoreMar 4th, 2021
Nandina: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week, we are highlighting invasive Nandina domestica, commonly known as nandina, heavenly bamboo and sacred bamboo. Despite the name, this member of the Dirty Dozen is neither a true […]
Read MoreFeb 13th, 2021
A Lesson Learned: The History of Horticulture & Invasive Plants
Invasive Plants: How did They Get Here? If you’ve been reading our “Dirty Dozen” blog series, you’ve probably noticed a recurring theme in several of the articles: many invasive plants […]
Read MoreFeb 6th, 2021
Tree-of-Heaven: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week we are featuring tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) as our “Dirty Dozen” plant. While this tree may have been used in folk medicine or even as an insecticide, it is […]
Read MoreFeb 1st, 2021
Oriental Bittersweet: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week’s Dirty Dozen plant is oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). Since it is still available in the horticultural trade, we hope that the following information will convince you not to […]
Read MoreJan 24th, 2021
Porcelain Berry: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week’s featured member of the “Dirty Dozen” is Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata, commonly known as porcelain berry or amur peppervine. Most horticulture staff agree that this is the most […]
Read MoreJan 15th, 2021
Chinese Privet: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week’s featured member of the “Dirty Dozen” is Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Though several southern states, including Virginia, have recognized this plant in their invasive species lists or laws, […]
Read MoreJan 12th, 2021
Mulberry Weed: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
This week’s “Dirty Dozen” plant is mulberry weed (Fatoua villosa). In recent years, we have observed this plant creeping into our garden beds at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. So far, […]
Read MoreJan 4th, 2021
Japanese Stiltgrass: A “Dirty Dozen” Plant
Last week, we shared that we will be covering the top 12 worst invasive plant species that we encounter at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden — the “Dirty Dozen,” This week, […]
Read MoreDec 22nd, 2020
Invasive Plants: The “Dirty Dozen”
Meet the Plants Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing 12 of the most problematic invasive plants that you’ll encounter in Central Virginia. Unfortunately, we also have to […]
Read More