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Cypress-knee sedge (Carex decomposita) and false hop sedge (Carex lupuliformis) are two incredibly rare species in the state, with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) listing them as at highest risk of being extirpated. This was the product of our Biodiversity Conservation team's ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive snapshot of the species diversity on the property.
Read on to learn more about the plants and communities previously unknown since the formation of Oak Spring.
Few species of plants have captivated people for centuries quite like orchids. Taking the world by storm, orchids of every size and color are now readily available and can be kept alive by even the most novice gardeners. Thanks to our archives and garden records, we know that Mrs. Mellon also was swept up in the orchid craze. Read on as our Horticultural Apprentice, Julie, dives into the history of orchids and their history at Oak Spring.
Yuletide abounds with celebrations and decorations for the season. Whether they are bundled in a wreath on our door or standing out amongst the dormant landscape, evergreens are the shining stars of the winter season. Evergreens like pines, fir, spruce, and holly are common staples this time of year and represent the promise that spring and the green it brings will return again. Read below to learn about how some of our common holiday greenery came to be and learn about the science behind how some of these plants remain evergreen.
The western hemisphere is currently in the final stages of fall– trees in the landscape have reached dormancy and much of the garden has been tucked away for winter. On the other side of the globe, countries in the southern hemisphere are awaiting the arrival of summer and with it a beautiful array of flowers. Read on to take a botanical tour through the plants of the Southern Hemisphere without ever having to set foot in an airport.
As we enter into late summer, the landscape and gardens of Oak Spring are lush and green. There are a few exceptions emerging right now however that defy all our assumptions of what a typical plant looks like. These opportunists are dependent on other plants (or in some cases mushrooms) to get their nutrients and thus don’t produce chlorophyll. In our latest blog, read about some weird and fascinating parasitic plants that thwart conventions in order to survive.
Happy first day of Spring! As winter’s grip fades, we turn to the forest floor to marvel at the spring ephemerals that are beginning to emerge. These native plants pack a lot of beauty into a small timeframe and have historically been used in traditional medicine. Celebrate the vernal equinox and read about four short-lived wonders.
The world of plants is a vast one. There are an array of no-so-linear characters, some might be obvious, some subtle. Learn about the bendy, curvy, snaking and twisting nature of plants in our latest blog.
January 22nd is the date of the Lunar New Year for 2023. Read on to learn more about the plants of the Lunar New Year and how they play an integral role in the celebrations.
The month of December is always a time of year for celebration, reflection, and connecting with loved ones. This holiday, learn about a few traditions celebrated around the world and the ways plants inform these traditions.
Cyclamen have existed since around the time of the philosopher Theophrastus. Read about how we are growing one of Mrs. Mellon’s favorite flowers to keep our garden and greenhouse lively during the colder months.
Excruciatingly astringent when unripe, the American Persimmon is a treat for people and wildlife alike when eaten at just the right time of year. Read all about the history of one of our most fascinating native fruit trees.
Read about the American Chestnut - once, one of our region’s most ancient and important trees, before it was wiped out by a blight in the early twentieth century - and current efforts to restore it.
