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Creating Privacy Screen with Natives
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Date Posted: Mon, Mar 31 - 5:07 pm
- I am finally removing the Japanese privet and coral ardisia that has been growing along our wrap-around porch for 15+ years. What native trees or shrubs would be a good replacement? They'll be on the north side of the house in the shade of a large holly tree, and we'd like them to provide a visual block from a busy road.
- We love to hear that you are planning to plant more natives in your yard! Since your planting site is on the north side of the house and shaded by a large holly tree, the soil is likely to stay on the drier side due to root competition and limited rainfall reaching the ground. Here are some ideas of excellent natives that help create a screen to help get you started: Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera): will create a nice evergreen hedge which might be appropriate for the first 10 feet of the screen. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana): this will create a fairly dense privacy screen. There are dwarf varieties available so you don’t have to contend with the potential of 40 ft tall screen. You could also consider incorporating some flowering plants along the line of evergreens , or plant in front of the hedge: Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia): A non deciduous small tree that would add color and fruit for wildlife. Coastal Plain Service-berry (Amelanchier obovalis): A multiple-trunk tree or shrub, 12 to 25 feet tall. I would also recommend taking a look over these resources, as they may help you pick out plants that are better suited for your particular space and preferences: Plant RVA Natives: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives Virginia Native Plant Society: https://vnps.org/ Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora: https://vaplantatlas.org/
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Finding Natives for a tough spot
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Date Posted: Mon, Mar 17 - 4:33 pm
- Hello! We have a particularly difficult section of our garden in Richmond: it's a sloped spot between the driveway and the house, faces south, has pretty lousy soil, and is shaded by nearby oak tree. The only thing that we've been able to grow there is rosemary; everything else we've tried hasn't made it. Are there any native perennials that might survive?
- That sounds like a tricky spot, but there are some native perennials that could thrive in those conditions! Given that the area is south-facing but shaded, has poor soil, and is on a slope, you'll need plants that are drought-tolerant, shade-tolerant, and able to handle soil erosion. Here are some great Virginia native perennials that might work: Low-Maintenance Shrubs American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) – Handles some shade and poor soil, and has striking purple berries in fall. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – Tolerates shade and provides late fall yellow blooms. Perennials for Shade & Dry Conditions Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – A beautiful, drought-tolerant flower that does well in partial shade. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – A tough native with lovely pinkish-purple flowers in spring. Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea) – Great for erosion control and pollinators, with bright yellow flowers in spring. Ornamental Grasses (For Texture & Erosion Control) Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – Drought-tolerant and provides great fall color. (A favorite of mine!) Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix) – A native grass that thrives in dry shade. Since rosemary has survived, that suggests it’s well-drained soil, possibly a bit alkaline due to the concrete driveway. You may need to amend the soil with compost to help native plants establish, but once they do, they should require little maintenance.
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Wildflower Seedballs
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Date Posted: Fri, Mar 14 - 12:46 pm
- My club, at VCU will be hosting a seed ball making event next week Monday! We were hoping to use wildflowers and other small foliage that should grow with wildflowers native to the capital region. could you share knowledge or knowledge of resources with us? Maybe where we could acquire seeds for cheap/nothing as well as tips on how to go about planting the seed balls?
- Hosting a seed ball-making event is a fantastic initiative to promote native wildflowers and support local ecosystems in the Richmond area. Here's some guidance to help your club prepare: 1. Selecting Native Wildflower Seeds: Choosing species native to Virginia ensures that the plants are well-adapted to the local environment and provide optimal benefits to pollinators and other wildlife. Consider incorporating the following native wildflowers into your seed balls: Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa): A perennial that serves as a host plant for monarch butterflies and blooms from April to September. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A versatile plant that can be annual, biennial, or perennial, attracting birds like the American goldfinch and blooming between June and October. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): This perennial attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, with blooms from June to September. Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve): A perennial that serves as a host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly, blooming from August to October. 2. Acquiring Seeds at Low or No Cost: Virginia Native Pollinator Seed Packets: The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources offers seed packets containing native wildflowers suitable for various regions in Virginia. These mixes are designed to benefit pollinators and enhance local biodiversity. Seed Libraries: In the fall, the Master Gardeners collected many native seeds from the Amelia Street Urban Forest and shared them in the seed library at the Main Branch Richmond Public Library. I haven't checked back recently, but you are welcome to use whatever is left there! There are many other seed libraries around the city, some may have wildflower seeds in them VCU Office of sustainability: If you are not already connected with them, they would potentially be a good resource for helping you source free or low cost seeds. 3. Tips for Making and Planting Seed Balls: This website has two great recipes for making seed balls, one using paper as a base, and the other using soil and flour: https://chicagocommunitygardens.org/2020/04/22/for-earth-day-or-any-day-make-a-seed-bomb/ For planting tips, this will ultimately depend on what seeds you end up getting. Some seeds do best getting planted in the fall in order to go through a cold stratification. And others will be successful if planted this spring. Seed balls can be placed on soil just before rain and the precipitation will help distribute them into the soil and aid in germination. 4. Additional Resources: Plant Virginia Natives (pantvirginianatives.org): This initiative provides comprehensive information on native plants, including where to purchase them and guidance on creating pollinator-friendly habitats. Keep Virginia Beautiful (keepvirginiabeautiful.org): This organization offers resources and initiatives aimed at enhancing Virginia's natural and scenic environment, including distributing wildflower seed packets to promote beautification and support pollinators. Good luck with your seed ball making event! We will keep an eye out around the city for more native flowers to pop up :)
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Learning about native plants
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Date Posted: Thu, Mar 06 - 10:02 pm
- Hi, I am interested in native plant gardening in Richmond VA. Do you offer classes or do you have recommendations for classes on this topic? Thank you!
- Hi there! We’re thrilled to hear about your passion for growing native plants! Every small effort makes a big difference in supporting our environment, and you’re taking a wonderful step in that direction. While we don’t currently offer classes or workshops, we hope to provide those opportunities in the future. In the meantime, I’d love to share a few helpful resources with you: 1. Lewis Ginter has two upcoming classes on the topic of native plants listed on their website: March 15th: Beginner Native Perennials for the Home Garden https://www.lewisginter.org/event/beginner-native-perennials-for-the-home-garden/ April 19th: Container Gardening with Native Plants https://www.lewisginter.org/event/container-gardening-with-native-plants/ 2. The Virginia Native Plant Society has a lot of resources available, for both members and non-members, including this archive of videos: https://vimeo.com/vnps 3. This is a resource about native plants local to our area that is available for free download: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives 4. The City of Richmond is fortunate to have several native plant beds behind Amelia Street School. In google, you can find them by searching "Amelia Street Urban Forest". Google should take you to several beds that are outside of the fenced playground area. And there is also a large bed inside the playground area that you are welcome to wander through outside of school hours. We hope to be able to offer various workshops in this space in the future, you can follow @ameliastreeturbanforest and/or @rva_mastergardeners on instagram to stay in the loop about any future opportunities happening in this space. 5. If you are interested in having a home consult with a master gardener and you live within the City of Richmond, email us at rvamastergardeners@gmail.com to see about getting connected to a master gardener directly. Happy gardening!
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Fruit trees for shade
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Date Posted: Wed, Feb 12 - 1:52 am
- Hello! We have an empty corner in our yard that I'd like to fill with a fruit-bearing tree. This side of the house is north-facing and has several tall oaks creating lots of shade. Would a pawpaw work in this environment? Do you have other native tree suggestions? Thanks!
- Hello! A pawpaw tree (Asimina triloba) could be a great option for your north-facing yard with shade from tall oaks. Pawpaws are native understory trees, meaning they naturally grow in forested environments with limited sunlight. They can thrive in partial shade, but for the best fruit production, they benefit from a few hours of dappled sunlight. In deep shade, they may grow more slowly and produce less fruit. We want to point out that pawpaws prefer moist, well-drained soil. In nature, they are often found in fertile bottomlands, along riverbanks, and in the understory of hardwood forests, where the soil retains moisture but does not stay waterlogged. If you choose pawpaws, it’s best to plant at least two for cross-pollination, as they are not self-fertile. Other native fruit-bearing trees and shrubs that do well in shade include: Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – A small native tree that tolerates partial shade and produces sweet, blueberry-like fruit. American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – This tree can handle some shade but fruits best with at least partial sun. It takes several years to begin producing fruit but is a hardy and rewarding choice. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) – A shrub that thrives in moist, partly shaded areas and produces berries loved by both people and wildlife. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) – A native tree that tolerates some shade and produces small, dark fruits that attract birds and can be used in jams and jellies. Here is a great resource from another Virginia master gardener unit that you can reference: https://fairfaxgardening.org/shade-fruits/ Let us know if you have any additional questions.
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Native landscaping
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Date Posted: Fri, Dec 06 - 4:13 pm
- Hello! I'm interested in making my property more sustainable by adding wildflower meadows and native plantings to support the wildlife. I am located in Manakin Sabot. If there are any book resources or other websites you would recommend I would greatly appreciate it. I am an architect by training and have considered getting more of an education in landscape design and horticulture to help make the biggest impact on our community through my projects, both at home and for others. Thanks so much!
- Hello! We love your passion for bringing more wildflowers and natives to your yard. A few resources for you to look into: Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ and any books by Doug Tallamy. There is a guide for Native Virginia plants that you can reference: https://www.plantvirginianatives.org/plant-rva-natives. Lewis Ginter often offers classes about landscaping and natives and they currently have some spring classes available for sign up on their website. Moulton Hot Natives is also a very knowledgeable resource and a great place to get plants and seeds: https://moultonhotnatives.square.site/ Whenever you are in the city, I suggest driving by Amelia Street School. Behind the school are several different beautiful native beds that may give you some inspiration! I hope these resources will help get you started and you will have fun and learn a lot along the way!
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Is my new maple tree healthy?
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Date Posted: Sun, Oct 20 - 1:26 pm
- Good morning! I am reaching out in regard to a maple tree I recently ordered. I am concerned that we may have been sent an unhealthy tree. It arrived with a lot of dead leaves, including many of the "baby" leaves at the top of the tree, and spots on many of the larger leaves. There is also a wound on the bark where the stake rubbed it, and the trunk is not straight. Since I don't have much experience with trees, I am unsure whether the tree will bounce back, or whether this is indicative of larger issues, and we should refrain from planting. Any insight you can offer would be greatly appreciated! I can only upload one photo through this form, but am happy to email more if needed. Thank you so much!
- Hello! Thank you so much for reaching out to the Richmond Master Gardeners for help with your new tree. From what I have read, the trunk will likely correct itself as it grows so it shouldn't be too worrisome that it isn't straight right now. Reaching out to the grower you purchased fromm is always a good idea to see what information they are able to share about their trees. From the picture you sent, I think your new tree may have some maple spider mites. These can be common in trees coming from a nursery setting and can often be easily controlled when planted in a healthy environment. Here is a helpful site with more information about spider mites: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/maple-spider-mite-oligonychus-aceris-shimer-acariformes-tetranychidae I've also reached out to the Richmond Tree stewards to see if they have any other helpful information to pass along about your new tree and I will reach out to you via e-mail if I get anything new from them!
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Tree Girdling
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Date Posted: Tue, Oct 08 - 11:35 pm
- I have what appears to be a very intense girdling root situation happening with my ruby red falls (red bud cultivar). The top of the tree died off entirely this year so I cut the dead part off (about 1 ft) earlier in the spring and just now decided to check the roots. It did produce a lot of leaves and appears to be in just ok health, but is not thriving by any means. Is this tree salvageable? Any suggestions?
- Thanks for reaching out to the master gardeners for help with your tree. I've sent your photo to a handful of other master gardeners in our group so that we can have a few opinions to share with you. Overall, we do not see serious concern for girdling in the photo that you sent. If you are seeing girdling that we can not see (maybe on the other side of the tree) you could always cut those roots away taking care to not cut into the stem/trunk of the tree. Your heavy pruning of the tree earlier this year could certainly be a cause of the abnormal growth you saw this year. From your photo, it does appear that your tree may have been planted too deep. You could pull a lot of the soil back from the tree in order to create a more shallow planting and see if this helps to improve the health of your plant. If ultimately the tree does not survive and you are looking to replace it, we would recommend going with a straight species like Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
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Fig & Cherry trees
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Date Posted: Fri, Sep 06 - 11:33 am
- Planted two fig trees (brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago) and a cherry tree (sweetheart) in mid July that have really been struggling recently. I’m wondering what diseases they might have and would love advice on how to treat them. Thank you! Hardy Chicago fig picture attached
- Fig and cherry trees can be a bit sensitive to grow, especially when planted in the heat of summer. The best time to plant is typically in May, or if you are eager to get them in the ground you can plant larger saplings in the fall. Thank you for including the picture, its helpful to see what you are seeing. It's possible the browning you are seeing is related to environmental stress (transplanting, summer heat, etc). However, it also seems likely that your plant is suffering from fig rust, a common issue for fig trees that is caused by a fungal pathogen that can impact the health of the tree if not managed properly. Fig rust symptoms are worse during hot, wet, humid weather in late summer. Fig rust starts out as small, yellowish or reddish spots on the upper side of the leaves. As the disease progresses, these spots may turn brown and become surrounded by a yellow halo. On the underside of the leaves, you may see small, rust-colored pustules, which contain the fungal spores. Fig rust is caused by the fungus Fusicladium effusum. This pathogen thrives in warm, humid conditions and can spread rapidly if the environment is favorable. There are a few things you can do to try to control the fungus from a cultural standpoint that focus on reducing the time that leaves are wet in order to stop spore germination and infection. This includes: avoid overhead irrigation and water at the base of the plant instead, do not plant the trees in shady areas, regularly weed to help keep humidity around the tree lower, and avoid planting in areas that flood or have free-standing water after rainfall. It's also important to remove and destroy any downed leaves from near the plant to remove the fungus.
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Fruit tree grafting
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Date Posted: Tue, Jul 23 - 10:36 pm
- Good Day! I am curious about fruit tree grafting. Specifically I am wondering about grafting fruit trees onto existing non-fruiting rootstock in my yard. Does that work? Are there parameters to making it work, as in, will it work but only with specific rootstock? My yard has some well established trees including some invasive mulberry. I would hope that the mulberry could be used, but I am also hopeful for the rest. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
- This is a great question! We are only aware of fruit trees being grafted onto rootstock of a similar species. For example, blueberries on to other blueberries, pawpaws on to other pawpaws, etc. We're still looking into this for you to see if we can find any example about grafting onto non-fruiting rootstock. If we do find information that supports this, we will follow up with an e-mail to you. In the mean time, you could try reaching out to fruit growers who may be more equipped to answer your question. A couple that come to mind that could be good resources for you is Agriberry here in Richmond and Edible Landscaping in Afton VA. Good luck!