Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

MG in the Garden

Blooming Red, White, and BLUE

We wrap up our celebration of patriotic color flowers with those that are shades and tints of blue. Some of the pictured flowers may tend more toward a lavender hue, because in nature blue flowers constitute “less than 10 percent of the 280,000 species of flowering plants” according to David Lee, an emeritus professor at Florida International University.

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I See Differently Now

In 2008, I attended a lecture by Dr. Douglas Tallamy about how suburban gardeners can make a significant positive impact on our environment by using native plants. His talk was full of fascinating facts and examples. It spoke to my long-held concern for the problems facing the natural world , and gave me hope that I could actually make a difference just by how I gardened – something I loved doing.

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Small Space Gardening for Pollinators

Homeowners with small yards or apartment dwellers with balconies may wonder what role they can play in supporting pollinators. The good news is that by selecting smaller sizes of woody plants and making creative use of containers, gardeners with limited space can enjoy appealing landscapes that attract a wide variety of these creatures.

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Healthy Bark, Healthy Tree Part 1: Wildlife and Fungi Damage

A vigorous native tree may be host to many insects, which provide food for birds and omnivorous mammals. A stressed tree is most susceptible to pests, fungi, and disease. Trees have numerous ways to protect themselves; in fact bark is their first line of defense. However, trees sometimes need our help. Learn how to identify damage from borers to birds, invasive spotted lanternfly to spongy moth, and deer to voles as well as what to do about it.

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Are You Lichen the Bark? Beautiful Bark

Part 1: Beautiful Bark
Where, beyond snow-covered landscapes, does one search in winter for wonders of the natural world? If one looks carefully at that which winter has laid bare, then the beauty of bark emerges. With no leaves to obscure the view, one can truly appreciate the varying colors, textures, and patterns of deciduous tree barks.

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Nurture Your Soil to Grow Your Best Garden

Gardens with rich, dense and diverse plantings—not bare land—attract and provide food for these organisms. They, in turn, move through the soil, aerating, enriching and making it more porous and absorbent. Whatever your “crop”—perennials, annuals, vegetables or fruits—you can join the growing movement of “soil gardeners” who care for their soil in order to grow better, more successful gardens.

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Maintaining Our Tree Canopy: Ways You Can Help

Thinking of planting more trees? It's not too early to plan for next year!
Both Alexandria and Arlington support the idea of maintaining and increasing the tree canopy of our highly urbanized area, and offer residents assistance through either free or reduced rate young tree. While fall is an ideal time to plant trees, our local governments offer trees sales or deliveries in spring as well. One such program in Arlington requires application by January 7, so we are offering information to help you plan.

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Seeing in the Winter Garden

As the cold of winter approaches, the Glencarlyn Library Community Garden winds down. Shorter days and colder temperatures signal some of the garden perennials that it is time drop leaves and turn brown, while for others it is their time to shine.

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