Take the HGW Virtual Tour
Click on this beautiful photo by Jeff Poole
Henbit and Purple Deadnettle - Food sources for pollinators
These two plants, Lamium amplexicaule and Lamium purpureum, are related to the mint family and are considered by many to be nuisance weeds. But pollinators, especially honey bees and bumble bees, use these plants as food. Henbit provides pollen and nectar while Purple Deadnettle is a nectar source. (Photo of Purple Deadnettle by MS Queitzsch)
These two plants, Lamium amplexicaule and Lamium purpureum, are related to the mint family and are considered by many to be nuisance weeds. But pollinators, especially honey bees and bumble bees, use these plants as food. Henbit provides pollen and nectar while Purple Deadnettle is a nectar source. (Photo of Purple Deadnettle by MS Queitzsch)
Bird Lovers in Virginia are urged to stop using feeders for the next few weeks - Feeder diseases have been increasing across Virginia
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has sounded an alert about the number of cases of disease in finches, seeing record numbers of finches needing care. Diseases observed include mycoplasmosis, salmonella and trichomoniasis. The Center urges bird lovers to stop using feeders at least until April. They encourage planting native plants for more natural food sources. To control disease if you just want to keep using your feeder, a multi-step cleaning is essential. This means cleaning each feeder each week, more frequently is better, by: (1) emptying each feeder and scrubbing each feeder with soap and water, then (2) rinsing, followed by (3) soaking in a 10% bleach solution for 15 minutes, followed by (4) rinsing, and (5) air drying the feeder. These steps will not totally prevent disease.
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Center has sounded an alert about the number of cases of disease in finches, seeing record numbers of finches needing care. Diseases observed include mycoplasmosis, salmonella and trichomoniasis. The Center urges bird lovers to stop using feeders at least until April. They encourage planting native plants for more natural food sources. To control disease if you just want to keep using your feeder, a multi-step cleaning is essential. This means cleaning each feeder each week, more frequently is better, by: (1) emptying each feeder and scrubbing each feeder with soap and water, then (2) rinsing, followed by (3) soaking in a 10% bleach solution for 15 minutes, followed by (4) rinsing, and (5) air drying the feeder. These steps will not totally prevent disease.
Learn the Secrets to a Thriving Wildflower Meadow
The Clifton Institute is offering a zoom presentation about their ongoing survey of native grasslands, AKA "Piedmont Prairie." Tune in on December 10, 7-8 p.m. to learn which native plants thrive in our region. Seed packets of grasses and wildflowers designed from this research are also available. For more information, go to:
https://cliftoninstitute.org/evrplus_registration/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=346
The Clifton Institute is offering a zoom presentation about their ongoing survey of native grasslands, AKA "Piedmont Prairie." Tune in on December 10, 7-8 p.m. to learn which native plants thrive in our region. Seed packets of grasses and wildflowers designed from this research are also available. For more information, go to:
https://cliftoninstitute.org/evrplus_registration/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=346
Beekeeper and honey producer, Diego Decorte, spoke at Monteith about the need to re-establish bee colonies to provide hope for the future of nature and humans. Nature is challenged by the impacts of humans but humans rely on nature - air, water, soil, plants - for survival. Bees are crucial pollinators for the plants humans rely on. Bees need a mix of trees and flowering plants to thrive. Treeless fields do not provide tree pollen which is crucial for bee nutrition. Both nectar (sugars) and pollen (carbohydrates) are key components for healthy bee populations. A diversity of plants is critical to ensure that bees with specialized plant needs are provided for. Honey is a superfood. Its natural properties keep it edible for humans for long periods provided the honey has not been heated. Because pasteurization is a process that can remove some of the benefits of natural honey,the ability to market non-pasteurized honey is important for honey producers.
Winter Garden “not so” Clean-up
This has been a great season for Monarch reproduction, but be careful: many Monarchs still have Chrysalis in progress on your plant material. Give it a few more weeks before you begin garden clean-up. Take a moment, take a breath, and think about all the insects and wildlife that depend on what we consider “garden debris” to make it through the winter.
Most current Landscape Architects and Garden Designers encourage leaving as much spent material standing as possible throughout the winter months to provide cover and food sources for over-wintering insect and bird populations. Try to train your eye to see the architectural beauty of skeletal forms of tall perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia, and leave their seed heads intact for nuthatches, finches and mockingbirds to survive the winter months. Commercial seed is too limited and nutritionally empty to support them through the winter.
So you’re not being lazy - you are doing a very important good to provide essential species survival!
This has been a great season for Monarch reproduction, but be careful: many Monarchs still have Chrysalis in progress on your plant material. Give it a few more weeks before you begin garden clean-up. Take a moment, take a breath, and think about all the insects and wildlife that depend on what we consider “garden debris” to make it through the winter.
Most current Landscape Architects and Garden Designers encourage leaving as much spent material standing as possible throughout the winter months to provide cover and food sources for over-wintering insect and bird populations. Try to train your eye to see the architectural beauty of skeletal forms of tall perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia, and leave their seed heads intact for nuthatches, finches and mockingbirds to survive the winter months. Commercial seed is too limited and nutritionally empty to support them through the winter.
So you’re not being lazy - you are doing a very important good to provide essential species survival!
Invasive Plant alerts!
Giant Hogweed has been sighted in several parts of Virginia with 2 serious cases reported in Fredericksburg. It is a member of the wild carrot family native to Asia and can reach heights of 6-10 feet or more. It looks like a giant Queen Anne's Lace. It is highly toxic! Do not touch, pull, brush against, or weed-whack this plant. Do not try to remove this plant by yourself. Direct contact with this plant sensitizes the skin to the sun and leaves 3rd degree burns. If you see or suspect this plant, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. For more photos and information you can visit www.vainvasivespecies.org/species/giant-hogweed. (Photo is by Robert Videki, Doronicum Kft.)
Spotted Knapweed , a non- toxic invasive plant, has been sighted in Orange County. It is an invasive biennial in the aster family that is commonly found along farm lanes, woodland roads, and fields. It releases a toxin that prevents other nearby plants from growing and impairs native flora. Removing this plant before seeding is crucial. This plant may be pulled or weed whacked while flowering but before seed sets.
Giant Hogweed has been sighted in several parts of Virginia with 2 serious cases reported in Fredericksburg. It is a member of the wild carrot family native to Asia and can reach heights of 6-10 feet or more. It looks like a giant Queen Anne's Lace. It is highly toxic! Do not touch, pull, brush against, or weed-whack this plant. Do not try to remove this plant by yourself. Direct contact with this plant sensitizes the skin to the sun and leaves 3rd degree burns. If you see or suspect this plant, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. For more photos and information you can visit www.vainvasivespecies.org/species/giant-hogweed. (Photo is by Robert Videki, Doronicum Kft.)
Spotted Knapweed , a non- toxic invasive plant, has been sighted in Orange County. It is an invasive biennial in the aster family that is commonly found along farm lanes, woodland roads, and fields. It releases a toxin that prevents other nearby plants from growing and impairs native flora. Removing this plant before seeding is crucial. This plant may be pulled or weed whacked while flowering but before seed sets.
Save the Bees: Avoid Neonicotinoids in your yard and garden
Neonicotinoids (or neonics) are insecticides that use neuro-active ingredients to affect the central nervous system of insects to cause death. Neonics include acetamiprid, clothianidin, imadacloprid (one of the most widely used of the neonics), nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoam. The most comprehensive study to date of the impact of neonics, completed this year in Europe, concluded that neonicotinoids are devastating to both honeybee and native bee populations. Neonics can be found in seeds and plants sold at many stores and gardening centers and in many products, including non-organic products used to treat roses. Neonic residues can persist in plants and soil for up to six years and are poisonous to pollinators that are essential to our ecosystem and economy. Some pollinators, like the monarch caterpillar, may die after only two or three bites of neonicotinoid treated plant.
Garden Club of America Calls For Action to Restrict Neonicotinoids.
On May 5th, 2017, the GCA’s executive board asked the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to restrict neonicotinoid use in the US. The letter stressed the importance of pollinators and their role in society. GCA, concerned that consumers lack awareness of the impact of neonics on pollinators and neonic residues in plants they purchase, called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take action to regulate neonics. The goal is to stop plant distributors from using neonicotinoids, or at a minimum, to require labeling if neonics have been used to treat a plant so that a buyer can make an informed decision.
Neonicotinoids (or neonics) are insecticides that use neuro-active ingredients to affect the central nervous system of insects to cause death. Neonics include acetamiprid, clothianidin, imadacloprid (one of the most widely used of the neonics), nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, and thiamethoam. The most comprehensive study to date of the impact of neonics, completed this year in Europe, concluded that neonicotinoids are devastating to both honeybee and native bee populations. Neonics can be found in seeds and plants sold at many stores and gardening centers and in many products, including non-organic products used to treat roses. Neonic residues can persist in plants and soil for up to six years and are poisonous to pollinators that are essential to our ecosystem and economy. Some pollinators, like the monarch caterpillar, may die after only two or three bites of neonicotinoid treated plant.
Garden Club of America Calls For Action to Restrict Neonicotinoids.
On May 5th, 2017, the GCA’s executive board asked the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture to restrict neonicotinoid use in the US. The letter stressed the importance of pollinators and their role in society. GCA, concerned that consumers lack awareness of the impact of neonics on pollinators and neonic residues in plants they purchase, called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take action to regulate neonics. The goal is to stop plant distributors from using neonicotinoids, or at a minimum, to require labeling if neonics have been used to treat a plant so that a buyer can make an informed decision.
Remember the November Dolley Madison Bulb Workshop hosted by Jane Hammond?
Member Carla Passarello shared a photo of her blooming bulbs. Share photos of your bulbs too by emailing your photo to dmgc.pr.comm@gmail.com.
Member Carla Passarello shared a photo of her blooming bulbs. Share photos of your bulbs too by emailing your photo to dmgc.pr.comm@gmail.com.
Garden Club of America
Honorable Mention: Trillium grandiflorum
Nominated by Carla Passarello and DeLane Porter of the Dolley Madison Garden Club, Zone VII
DeLane Porter
DMGC Horticulture Chairman
Tradescantia virginiana, spiderwort, is one of Virginia's most renowned native herbaceous plants. If we had a state plant, as 35 other states do, T. virginiana should be our chosen symbol. It is only fitting this plant was selected to enhance the posters for the DMGC 2016 Conservation Forum. After all what other native Virginia plant has as much history and is recognized in so many gardens around the world?
The American Indians used T. virginiana to treat a number of conditions, including stomachaches, kidney ailments, female problems and cancer. The plant's leaf was smashed and applied to insect bites and stings. (Spiderwort was once believed to be a cure for a poisonous spider that later proved to be harmless, therefore the common name, spiderwort) The seeds were crushed into a powder and used as a snuff for nosebleeds. Additionally, leaves were tossed for salads and seeds roasted for soups and breads. The Jamestown settlers learned of the significance of this plant and soon cultivated spiderwort in their gardens. By 1629 this plant flourished in John Tradescant's famous garden, the "Ark" located on the south side of the Thames. Tradescant the Elder, "official" gardener to King Charles I, was a subscriber to the Virginia Company and a friend of Captain John Smith. It is believed T. virginiana was shipped from Virginia to England in Captain John Smith's sea chest. This plant quickly became an ornamental favorite in the seventeenth century and is now propagated in many parts of the world. John Tradescant the Elder and his son, John the Younger, were both famous gardeners and plant collectors. In 1648 Carl Linnaeus, the father of binomial nomenclature, renamed this genus to honor these English naturalist and explorers.
This hardy plant shares many characteristics with the daylily. The one inch three-petaled flower, bright bluish-purple, can be found in wooded areas, beside streams and in fields from southern Canada to northern Argentina. This perennial plants flowers from May to October with seeds ripening between August and October. The blossoms are short lived but new flowers develop daily during he blooming period. The plant grows to approximately 1 to 1.5 feet with unique leaves that wrap around the stem. The plant prefers moist alkaline soils with shady conditions. The flowers attract butterflies and bumble bees. Even though T. virginiana is a common wild plant, it is cultivated for borders and container gardening.
NOVEMBER BULB WORKSHOP AT MAPLE RUN FARM
Dolley Madison's Jane Hammond held a bulb workshop attended by members of Dolley Madison Garden Club and Charlottesville and Rivanna Garden Clubs. The theme of the workshop was "making bulb lasagna" - layering bulbs that bloom at different times in the same container to enjoy a spring season of successive blooms. Bulbs included varieties of narcissus, crocus, muscari, allium, tulip, and chionodoxa.
Dolley Madison's Jane Hammond held a bulb workshop attended by members of Dolley Madison Garden Club and Charlottesville and Rivanna Garden Clubs. The theme of the workshop was "making bulb lasagna" - layering bulbs that bloom at different times in the same container to enjoy a spring season of successive blooms. Bulbs included varieties of narcissus, crocus, muscari, allium, tulip, and chionodoxa.
Member Annie Vanderwarker's Blue Ribbon winning floral arrangement in the Garden Club Of Virginia Daffodil Show 2021. Congratulations Annie! Congratulations also to member Jane Hammond for her Red Ribbon winning photograph in "Change is Stirring. See the virtual show at Daffodil Day 2021.
Annie Vanderwarker's BlueRibbon Arrangement
Jane Hammond's Red Ribbon photograph
Email: dmgc.pr.comm@gmail.com
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