Planting for Nature’s Best Hope
Teddy Roosevelt stood on the rim of the Grand Canyon in 1903 and, looking out across the country’s 1.2-million-acre National Park, made an impassioned plea to the American people. “Leave […]
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 […]
Lenten Rose
If you ask my favorite flower, I will have trouble answering. It depends on the time of the year, my mood, and if I’m growing it in my own garden. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
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, […]
Vegetable Gardening in Central Virginia: Seed Selection and Starting
Get ready for spring planting in your vegetable garden. Horticulturist Heather Veneziano discusses growing vegetables in our area, with an emphasis on heirloom varieties that grow well in the Richmond […]
Yaupon Holly: The Forgotten Beverage
The yaupon holly shrub looks commonplace. It is not flashy or fancy. It doesn’t even have the prickly leaves we normally associate with hollies. If you walk by it without […]