January Beauties

It has been bloody cold this January in Blacksburg, Virginia. However, even with the unforgiving weather, there are still some plants that look wonderful this time of year. So, there is no excuse for not visiting Hahn Horticulture Garden when it is cold, or any public garden for that matter, because you will always see something shining:)

Probably my favorite plant doin' its thang
right now is Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape-holly. Its lustrous leaves turn a beautiful burgundy about this time of year and it is stunning! A very underrated plant in my opinion.












Most evergreens look nice this time of year anyways but Platycladus (Thuja) orientalis 'Aurea Nana' is looking especially nice, taking on a beautiful burnt orange color. A nice winter surprise!





The always lovely Nandina domestica is in its full-berry glory right now. Even with all the new, fun stuff on the market, don't forget about the classics!




And, keep your eyes out for grasses this time of year. Many retain their vertical form throughout the winter and take on lovely, wheat-y colors. Check out the photos of Panicum virgatum 'Nortwind' and Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' below.












And one more thing, don't forget to appreciate the structure and bark of many wonderful deciduous plants. And, as our woody plants curator, Dr. Alex Niemiera, would suggest, don't be afraid to stroke the bark of any sexy tree you see!

Enjoy the winter people. There is beauty in every season.

Waiting for my orchid to bloom is like...

...being a kid again, waiting for Christmas morning to arrive. It takes FOREVER! Finally, it happened. I returned home to Blacksburg to find my Brassavola x 'Little Stars' at full tilt boogie. The past few years, I wasn't giving it enough sunlight, so no blooms. However, I happen to have some sunnier windows in my current apartment and, TADA, three flower stalks this year! It is so exciting! And, the the blooms are night fragrant so in the evening when I get home from work I am greeted by a sweet, sweet smell.



Unfortunately, one of the three flower stalks up and died on me, but hey, I'll take what I can get. After a few years of no blooms, this is great. If anyone knows why this happens, please share!



P.S This is where I got this little guy: http://www.floradise.com/
P.P.S. For all you geeks out there, I believe this is a hybrid of B. nodosa, a Central and South American native and B. cordata, a Jamaican native.

More ID!

Well, I still haven't identified the plants from the previous post but was able to identify some others from the vault:

This one on the left is Chimaphila maculata, spotted 0r striped pipsissewa. According to Alan Armitage, the leaves are quite refreshing when chewed! Interesting. That is probably why it has another common name of striped wintergreen (not to be confused with the other wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens).



The other photo is of a terrestrial orchid, Goodyera pubescens or downy rattlesnake-plantain. Some folks thought the beautiful white venation on its leaves was reminiscent of markings on rattlesnake skin and the persistent flower structure reminiscent of a rattler's tail. There is evidence indicating its past use as a remedy for snakebites yet my cursory research suggests
G. pubescens was most likely given this indication based on its appearance solely.

For more info on these plants, check out the links below:
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=2620&search=Chimaphila
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=131&search=goodyera
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GOPU
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CHMA3
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/Dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=426

A Walk in the Woods

Every time I go hiking in the woods, I realize just how much I don't know. My camera is loaded with pictures of plants I cannot identify. So, maybe you readers out there can help me. I am going to start posting more images of mystery pants and if you know what they are, feel free to share.

Let's start with these two images. They must be fairly common as I have encountered them almost every time I have ventured into the woods. Looking forward to getting to know them! Happy Hunting!

aaaa....aaaaa....ACHOOOO!!!

So, as it turns out, the mystery plant previously posted is Ambrosia trifida, giant ragweed. Many thanks to Tom Wieboldt, Curator at Virginia Tech's Massey Herbarium, for help on the ID! To all of you allergy and hay fever sufferers out there, this plant is your worst nightmare!

Check out the links below for some additional infomation:

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AMTR
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/giant_ragweed.htm
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=amtr
http://www.biol.vt.edu/digital_atlas/index.php?do=plant&plant=530&search=+trifida

Name that Plant!

Anyone? I am stumped.

Holy Smokes!

Check out the double rainbow that appeared through the clouds at the garden's first "Music in the Garden" concert. A spectacular event made truly unforgettable. Thanks Mother Nature.

P.S. After this photo was taken, the crowd quickly dispersed to find the four pots of gold at the ends of the rainbows.

P.P.S. No word on the booty.