The Trees in You: Poems about the boundaries of self & other
Jenna van de Ruit
Her World: Visit our blog to read Jenna van de Ruit’s submission, “The Trees in You: Poems about the boundaries of self & other.”
Blog Posts
10 Must-Read Women Nature Writers
Emily Ellis
To celebrate Women’s History Month and our new The World in Her Words series, we’ve compiled a list of ten must-read women writers whose work explores plants, nature and the environment, ranging from historical to contemporary.
Read MoreTrophic Cascade: Restoring My Connection to the Natural World
Phoebe McIlwain Bright
Her World: Visit our blog to read Phoebe McIlwain Bright’s submission, “Trophic Cascade: Restoring My Connection to the Natural World,” an essay about encountering wolves in Montana and human interactions with apex predators.
Read MoreConneaut
Catharina Coenen
Visit our blog to read Catharina Coenen’s submission, “Conneaut,” a meditation on names and place in the Pennsylvania wilderness. This piece was originally published in The Split Rock Review.
Read MoreBattling Invasive Plant Species
OSGF
In honor of Invasive Species Awareness week, members of our Arboriculture, Conservation, and Landscapes team discuss some of the methods they use to combat these pervasive plants.
Read MoreThe World's Sexiest Plants (Part II)
Emily Ellis
From aphrodisiacs, to deceptive orchids, to flowers that have an uncanny resemblance to our anatomy, plants have an undeniable allure. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by reading our 2021 list of the World's Sexiest Plants.
Read MoreAlice Ball and the Chaulmoogra Tree
Emily Ellis
To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re sharing the story of chemist Alice Ball, whose work with the chaulmoogra tree brought about history’s first viable treatment for leprosy.
Read MoreFantastic Orchids
Emily Ellis
To celebrate the opening of “Orchids: Attraction and Deception” at the Barry Art Museum, we wrote about several fascinating orchids species that are featured in the illustrations we loaned to the exhibition.
Read MoreImmune-Boosting Plants
OSGF
Looking to give your immune system a boost this cold and flu season? In this blogpost, we explore the histories and uses of several amazing immune-boosting plants grown at our Biocultural Conservation Farm (recipes included!)
Read MoreReading Peach Tree Lane
Emily Ellis
Ecologist Michael Gaige, the leader of OSGF’s “Reading the Landscape” short course, takes us for a walk down Peach Tree Lane (the old carriage road that leads to the Main Residence), pointing out unique features along the historic path.
Read MoreA Botanical Legend: William Curtis and his Botanical Magazine
Emily Ellis
Read about William Curtis, born on this day in 1746, and his legendary botanical magazine.
Read MoreHelping Birds Through the Winter
Emily Ellis
To celebrate National Bird Day, we’re highlighting a few simple ways you can make your yard or garden a haven for birds this winter.
Read MoreForaging for Holiday Décor
Emily Ellis
Gathering winter greenery to use in holiday decorations is a longstanding tradition at Oak Spring. Read the stories behind some of the plants we use in our traditional wreaths.
Read MoreThe World Beneath Your Feet (Part II): A Tale of Three Soils
Emily Ellis
Read about the soil management of three different spaces in and around Oak Spring’s formal garden.
Read MoreThe World Beneath Your Feet (Part I)
OSGF
In observance of World Soil Day, assistant gardener Jordan Long discusses the process of revitalizing the soil in Oak Spring’s potager garden, and why healthy soil matters.
Read MoreOak Spring Garden Foundation Announces 2021 Fellows
OSGF
Learn about the 2021 recipients of our Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence, our Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study, our Fellowship in Plant Science Research, and our Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology.
Read MoreFour Native North American Crops to Try This Season
Emily Ellis
Read about four indigenous North American crops growing at Oak Spring’s Biocultural Conservation Farm.
Read MoreMeet our Fellows: Maddison Colvin's Eden(s)
Emily Ellis
Read about one of our 2020 Eliza Moore Fellows, whose work explores humankind’s visual, aesthetic, and cultural responses to gardens.
Read MorePoppies and Remembrance
Emily Ellis
Read the story of how the common poppy (papaver rhoeas) came to be a symbol of military remembrance.
Read MoreThe plants that help us say good-bye
Emily Ellis
Read about some of the plants used around the world in ceremonies and celebrations for the dead.
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