Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program

06/08/2026

This is Colletes aestivalis a rare native bee! Also called the alumroot cellophane bee, this little lady is a Heuchera specialist, which means she only collects pollen from a specific species (or few species) to feed her larvae.
You probably know Heuchera or coral bells--they are planted everywhere! Unfortunately, this bee does not get pollen from hybrid species. If you want to add coral bells to your garden, consider finding Heuchera americana, the native species.
The bee specimen in this photo was collected in Rockingham County, VA

06/02/2026

June is National Pollinator Month! We have several pollinator-themed events this month! Find one near you: https://ext.vt.edu/lawn-garden/Timely_Topics/2026-pollinator-events.html

Even small actions can make a big difference for these important species. Join us this month in helping pollinators thrive. 🐝🦋🌼

06/01/2026

05/30/2026

The spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) is a 4–10 inch, dark-bodied mole salamander featuring two rows of yellow or orange spots, largely living underground in North American hardwood forests. They are present in most Virginia counties!

Learn more: https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/salamanders/spotted-salamander/index.php

05/29/2026

You've definitely heard of native plants, but native turfgrass?! In addition to questions about removing lawn to install native plants, we often receive questions about native turf options. While there are some types of turfgrass native to North America (and a few that may be native to Virginia), they are not widely suitable replacements for the naturalized species recommended by our turf scientists.

Pictured: Little bluestem--an ornamental grass. Ornamental grasses are different than turfgrasses. Why? Turfgrass's growing points are close to the soil surface and the plant can therefore be regularly clipped.

You can read an explanation of this here: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/articles/2026/native-turfgrass.html

05/28/2026

Poison Hemlock is a common poisonous w**d in Virginia! It looks a bit like Queen Anne's lace or wild parsnip (be careful foraging!) but can grow 6-10 feet tall and has stems spotted or streaked with red or purple.

Poison Hemlock is an herbaceous biennial flowering plant in the carrot family. It grows 6 to 10 feet in height with a smooth green stem often spotted or streaked with red or purple. The leaves are finely divided and lacy, up to 20 inches long by 16 inches wide. It has white flowers that grow in small erect clusters. Each flower develops into a green, deeply ridged fruit that contains several seeds. All parts of this plant have an unpleasant odor. While Poison Hemlock is usually biennial, in favorable locations it may be perennial.

Where it may be found:
Poison Hemlock is a non-native that is very common in Virginia and across the United States. It grows along fence lines, ditches, wet roadsides and meadows.

What part(s) of the plant are toxic:
All parts of Poison Hemlock are extremely poisonous, emit a foul odor and contain the toxin coniine what acts exactly like ni****ne. The juice can cause severe skin irritation. Often, internal poisoning occurs after the victim confuses the Hemlock root with Wild Parsnips, the Hemlock leaves with Parsley, or the Hemlock seed with Anise.

More info on all poisonous plants in Virginia: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/CNRE/CNRE-13/CNRE-13NP.html
More info on poison hemlock: https://extension.psu.edu/poison-hemlock

05/24/2026

Did you know the “petals” on a magnolia flower aren’t actually petals at all?

They’re called tepals.

Most flowers have two separate parts: petals, which are often colorful and attract pollinators, and sepals, which protect the flower bud before it opens. In magnolias, those parts aren’t clearly different from each other — so botanists use the term tepals instead.

Magnolias are considered one of the oldest flowering plant groups on Earth, dating back more than 100 million years. They evolved before bees became widespread pollinators, which is why many magnolia flowers are pollinated by beetles instead. Their thick, sturdy tepals are durable enough to handle crawling beetles without being damaged.

Next time you see a magnolia tree in bloom, take a closer look. Those large, waxy “petals” are part of an ancient floral design that has survived since the age of dinosaurs.

05/23/2026

Poison oak vs poison ivy -- are they the same or different? They are different species in the same family. Both are related to poison sumac and both contain urushiol, which can cause dermatitis.

While poison oak grows as a shrub, poison ivy can grow as a vine and climb up a tree or other structure. Their leaves also look quite different. Poison oak leaves resemble white oak leaves, while poison ivy has leaves in those distinct clusters of 3!

Image text:
Atlantic Poison Oak
Toxicodendron pubescens
Shrub (up to 3ft tall)
Leaves: Resemble white oak leaves
Toxicity: Contains urushiol which can cause severe dermatitis

Poison Ivy
Considered 3 separate species in the genus Toxicodendron
Can be small plants, shrubs, or climbing vines
Leaves: Clusters of 3 leaflets
Toxicity: Contains urushiol which can cause severe dermatitis

05/22/2026

Preserving food at home is a wonderful way to extend your summer vegetable garden's bounty throughout the year, but it is important to follow all recommended safety protocols to avoid illness and spoilage.
Read our article from associate Extension specialist Lester Schonberger to learn more about pickling, canning, dehydrating, and freezing your garden harvests safely ➡️ https://go.vt.edu/upp2o

05/21/2026

A new episode of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation's From the Ground Up featuring Ed Olsen, Extension Master Gardener program director is up now--learn all about container gardening! ➡ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgJ3QVGTiKM