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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.
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.
Summer is a time that’s bursting with activity. The landscape is full of soaring butterflies, buzzing bees, and a host of birds and other critters. In this guest blog post, written by our Biodiversity Conservation Manager, learn about the creation of the Rokeby Wildlife Garden, which supports Oak Spring’s flora and fauna, and get a few tips on how to start your own wildlife garden.
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.
Bunny Mellon once said “every rock has its purpose” and “every plant has its purpose.” Inspired by French styled parterres, the terraced gardens of Oak Spring are the perfect marriage of the two sentiments. The rock in this case is local fieldstone which was hand laid by Oak Spring’s stonemasons, and the plants are a smattering of herbs and other perennials which were first sprinkled out as seeds by Bunny during the garden's construction. Today, the cracks of the fieldstone spill out with plants that thrive under the beating summer sun. Learn more about the history of the terrace garden and some of the plants that thrive there in this blog.
The gardens we know today are inspiring– the designers who created them took many approaches, influenced by their upbringing, travels, or their inner circles. Many of our modern notable gardens have inspirational roots in gardens from the, some of which were historically designed by women. While many did not receive formal training, it didn’t stop them from convening in their own ways to radically change the way we view gardens today. It’s no easy task to pair this list down to just four, but to usher in National Garden Month, learn about the lives and legacies of several plantswomen.
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.
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.
Plants are such a central part of our lives, it’s unsurprising that they also find their way into our entertainment. For those of us staying in this weekend and in need of a little relaxation and distraction, we’ve compiled a list of eight (mostly family-friendly) films and documentaries in which plants play starring roles.
Humans have used medicinal plants to treat their sniffles for thousands of years. In this blogpost, we list several plants used throughout history to fight the flu.
Plants are used in winter festivities around the world, their bright colors representing a promise of sunlight and spring. In honor of the winter solstice, we compiled a list of ten plants that help us celebrate the shortest day.
