Spotlight Page
Join us during the Ginkgo Gold weekends of October 26th and 27th and November 2nd and 3rd, and Sponsor a Ginkgo Tree on the spot for $100. Volunteers will be in the Ginkgo Grove to help you pick a tree, claim it with a named tag, and take a photo by your sponsored tree.
Don't miss our 2nd Festival of Art and Nature. Visit Blandy to witness nearly 100 artists paint your favorite scenes Plein Air, September 18th - 20th. Then join us for our public festival September 21st complete with an art show and sale, food trucks, music, family art tables. Learn more!
Each summer, undergraduate and graduate students, and university faculty gather for a program of focused study on a diversity of research projects in an environment that few other institutions can offer. At the conclusion of the summer season, students share their work at the Annual Summer Research Forum.
We tend to make a pretty big deal about milkweed here at Blandy Experimental Farm. During the growing season, you will likely see several posts from us featuring this group of plants and their amazing ability to support pollinators. Milkweed attracts more than just pollinators to Blandy, though. Scientists interested in milkweed ecology also flock to Blandy in the summer to take advantage of the field station for their research. One such researcher, Cameron Morris, an undergraduate from the College of William and Mary, shares their approach to the questions they hope to answer this summer.
Milkweed is the sole host plant for the caterpillars of the beautiful, threatened monarch butterfly and efforts to preserve this butterfly have brought this once overlooked plant into the public consciousness.
UPDATE: Keep an eye on the weather this weekend if you have your heart set on experiencing "Murmuration." The exhibit will be taken down if rain seems likely, as moisture may damag
Shop nearly 60 vendors for the very best selection of native plants, annuals, perennials, herbs, trees, shrubs, garden tools, nature-inspired crafts and more. Food, music, children’s activities, and educational opportunities too! Tickets $10/car in advance, $15/car at the gate.
Amidst Virginia's diverse ecological landscape, one encounters a captivating and transient spectacle: the emergence of native spring ephemerals. As winter gives way to spring, these delicate wildflowers emerge from the forest floor, adding vibrant colors to the awakening ecosystem.
A portion of our Native Plant Meadow was burned Friday. Click to learn more.
The Arboretum’s Conifer Collection looks great year-round! Find out all about conifers from around the world, and visit the State Champion Japanese Umbrella Pine!
It's a magical time of year at Blandy Experimental Farm! Arboretum staff spent several days preparing and collecting materials for our Holiday Workshops and creating a winter wonderland of festive
The Ginkgo Grove undergoes a magical transformation each Fall as the leaves transition from green to gold. Here's what the Ginkgo Grove looks like today (Thursday, November 9th).
Although we think the ginkgoes look great year-round, their moment of golden glory has passed for 2023. Most of the trees are bare. The leaves have faded to a dull tan color.
The Ginkgo Grove undergoes a magical transformation each Fall as the leaves transition from green to gold. Here's what the Ginkgo Grove looks like today (Monday, November 6th).
The Ginkgo Grove undergoes a magical transformation each Fall as the leaves transition from green to gold. Here's what the Ginkgo Grove looks like today (Thursday, November 2nd).
Leaves are falling quickly, forming a golden carpet underfoot. A few trees are still holding onto their leaves.
The best time to see golden ginkgoes at Blandy is usually late October - early November, although there is some variation in timing from year to year.
Stay tuned to our website, Facebook, and Instagram for regular updates on the state of the Grove, and check out this important information on our website as you plan your visit: https://blandy.virginia.edu/fall-2023-ginkgo-info
Plein Air at the Arboretum 2023 is the State Arboretum of Virginia's inaugural plein air event. This four-day event begins on Wednesday, Se
A wall comes alive with a frenzy of digger bees! Come check out the action. Click for more information.
A sign of spring on a wintery day! The winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is blooming along the stone wall on Dogwood Lane.
Milkweed is the sole host plant for the caterpillars of the beautiful, threatened monarch butterfly and efforts to preserve this butterfly have brought this once overlooked plant into the public consciousness.
More than 300 gardens participate in the Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) with the American Horticulture Association. One of the benefits of your current FOSA membership is special admission privileges and discounts at participating gardens throughout North America.
With a breathtakingly beautiful view of the Native Plant Trail meadow and the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Peetwood Pavilion for Environmental Education has become one of the most popular locations at
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 fo
Blandy arborist Chris Schmidt warns that boxwood clippings can spread boxwood blight fungus in recent article in The Winchester Star.
That's all, folks! As of Thursday, November 11th, 95%+ of the trees in the Ginkgo Grove have dropped their leaves. We can look forward to enjoying the austere beauty of the Grove over the coming winter months.
Here's what the Ginkgo Grove looks like Monday, November 8th. It's been a strange fall for our ginkgoes. We estimate that ~50-75% of the ginkgo leaves have fallen, many while still green in color. Could a warm October followed by 5 consecutive days of low temperatures be to blame?
The winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) has emerged from the cold ground, letting us know spring is on the way despite a snowy, cold forecast.
Blandy is proud to introduce our new Director of Scientific Engagement, Dr. Ariel Firebaugh. Blandy's Director of Public Programs, Dr. Steve Carroll, retired last October. We decided to reimagine the position, and the name change reflects the evolution of public programming that occurred during Steve's tenure.Blandy is proud to introduce our new Director of Scientific Engagement, Dr. Ariel Firebaugh. Blandy's Director of Public Programs, Dr. Steve Carroll, retired last October. We decided to reimagine the position, and the name change reflects the evolution of public programming that occurred during Steve's tenure.