ginkgo trees turning yellow
ginkgo trees turning yellow

Arboretum Project Begins

January 31, 2022 -- stephanie.swaim

A very large section in the eastern end of the arboretum fell out of active management in the 1980s, and has since become covered in invasive buckthorn and autumn olive trees that provide little food for wildlife and crowd out all other plant life. In late January, we began removing 2.5 acres of these trees, beginning the long process of transforming this degraded part of the arboretum into a beautiful, diverse forest.

Backyard Conservationists will Benefit from Blandy Program

Blandy Partners with the Clifton Institute for Local Plant Conservation

Most native seed suppliers carry only the most common and showy native wildflowers, which is just a small subsection of our incredibly diverse flora. In most cases, commercially available plants are sourced from only a few areas and shipped to other parts of the country – a framework that doesn’t preserve local varieties of plants and often produces an inferior product for customers (a milkweed adapted to Minnesota weather might not do well in the warmer climates of Virginia).

Be careful with Boxwoods

Plant Experts from Blandy Experimental Farm Caution Against Using Boxwood Clippings in Holiday Decorating

Plant experts from Blandy Experimental Farm are advising Virginia residents against using cuttings from boxwoods, one of the most popular evergreens for holiday decorating, due to boxwood blight.

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Spotlight

Master Gardeners host Seed Exchange at Blandy Saturday!

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners are hosting their annual Seed Exchange at Blandy this Saturday (January 28th) from 10:00-2:00!

Events

Thursday, February 2nd

  1. Blandy Sketch Group
    • Start time: 12:30pm
    • End time: 03:30pm

    • The Blandy Sketch Group is a dynamic group of artists who work in the visual arts and who all share a love of the natural world as inspiration for their artwork. The Blandy Sketch Group is open to any artist, beginner or professional.  This month, we will be meeting in the Blandy Library.Visit our website for more info- https://blandysketchgroup.wordpress.com/

Saturday, February 4th

  1. Knowing and Growing Boxwood
    • Start time: 10:30am
    • End time: 12:00pm

    • Grown for centuries, boxwood is a familiar shrub in many regions of the United States and Europe. Yet, boxwood is not always well understood. Learn all about box with Lynn Batdorf, retired Curator for the National Boxwood Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum and author of numerous authoritative texts on boxwood. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER: HTTPS://BLANDY.VIRGINIA.EDU/CONTENT/WINTER-PROGRAMS-WORKSHOPS-WALKS

  2. Inclement Weather Date: Hot Chocolate Hike - Wild Winter Wonderland
    • Start time: 02:00pm
    • End time: 03:00pm

    • Inclement weather date for Jan. 21st program. Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean nature goes away! Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate (or tea!) while exploring wild and wonderful winter habitats with a naturalist. Click here for more information and to register: https://blandy.virginia.edu/content/winter-programs-workshops-walks

Tuesday, February 7th

  1. Blandy Photo Club Meeting

Saturday, February 11th

  1. Houseplant Love
    • Start time: 10:00am
    • End time: 11:30am

    • Are you loving your houseplants to death? Learn tips and tricks to keep your houseplants happy and healthy from Blandy’s Assistant Curator for Herbaceous Gardens Carrie Whitacre. Pick out a new houseplant to take home… perhaps a gift for a special someone? Click here for more information and to register: https://blandy.virginia.edu/content/winter-programs-workshops-walks

Saturday, February 18th

  1. Inclement Weather Date: Houseplant Love
    • Start time: 10:00am
    • End time: 11:30am

    • Inclement weather date for Feb. 11th program- Are you loving your houseplants to death? Learn tips and tricks to keep your houseplants happy and healthy from Blandy’s Assistant Curator for Herbaceous Gardens Carrie Whitacre. Pick out a new houseplant to take home… perhaps a gift for a special someone? Click here for more information and to register: https://blandy.virginia.edu/content/winter-programs-workshops-walks

  2. Hot Chocolate Hike - Bodacious Birds