Latin for Gardeners: April 2020

April’s Native Maryland Plant 
Viburnum acerifolium L.
(vih-BUR-num a-ser-ih-FOH-lee-um)
Common Name: Maple-Leaved Arrowwood

This month marks the beginning of my fourth year writing Latin for Gardeners.  Looking back at the list of plants I’ve discussed I was surprised that I had yet to mention any Viburnum species. This specific one, V. acerifolium, is one of my favorite shrubs, for multiple reasons.  It has great fall color, attracts a diversity of pollinators, is a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly and its dense branches are where I often see birds foraging or nesting.  They also enjoy the black berries that appear in early fall! 

V. acerifolium prefers some level of shade, it will not endure boggy soil or over-watering but will tolerate drier conditions. It occurs naturally in beech-maple forests, thriving in rich deciduous woods, often amongst oak where it benefits from the acidic leaf litter. It’s also tolerant of black walnut toxicity.

Although I have many Viburnum spp. in my yard, I have yet to see the destructive Viburnum leaf beetle. I inspect my plants in spring before they leaf out and if necessary I’ll aggressively prune or treat them. Providing the best possible growing environment allows for a healthier plant which is always the best defense against any plant-eating insect or disease.

V. acerifolium is not found at most garden centers so if you find one and choose to buy it, (and I hope you do), I recommend you purchase the biggest plant you can find!

*Corymb: A flower cluster whose lower stalks are proportionally longer so that the flowers form a flat or slightly convex head.

NOTE: Spring azure photo used with Mary Anne Borge’s permission: https://the-natural-web.org/

~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)

aligmilligan@gmail.com

Latin for Gardeners: March 2020

March’s Native Maryland Plant 
Chrysogonum virginianum L.
(kris-OG-oh-num ver-jin-ee-AY-num)
Common Name: Green and Gold

As I look out at my garden in March it’s not surprising that I see plenty of bare soil, the ground is just beginning to warm and most plants are still dormant.  The evergreen ferns are covering some shady places, and the Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) will be showing their heads any minute, but in many areas I’m aware that no plants will be emerging - I still need to plant, and a lot!  There are places in my yard, and probably yours, where runoff and erosion occur, and those areas are prime locations for native, densely planted groundcovers.

Low-growing and generally easy spreaders, groundcovers are useful on slopes, under trees, and in areas where weed suppression is needed; many of them will flower and some are evergreen. Chrysogonum virginianum is one such plant – it’s a rhizomatic, flowering, easy to find groundcover that keeps its foliage in mild winters.

I have Chrysogonum spp. planted densely under trees and amongst various shrubs, including the now berryless Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). Its star-shaped, 5-petaled yellow flower lights up these areas in spring and summer and the nectar and pollen it produces attracts a variety of pollinators. I find that it takes light foot traffic and blooms longer in moister areas, so I’ll be adding it to a part-shade walking path along my dry riverbed.

As you look out at your garden and prepare for spring rains, you’ll be well rewarded if you plant this useful groundcover where there is bare soil with good drainage. You’ll also be protecting our rivers while increasing biodiversity in your landscape.

Stay tuned – next month we’ll discuss the host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly!

~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)

aligmilligan@gmail.com

Latin for Gardeners: February 2020

February’s Native Maryland Plant 
Pinus strobus L.
(PIE-nus STROE-bus)
Common Name: Eastern White Pine

Evergreen plants are commonly requested by homeowners who are often interested in hiding an unsightly view, creating a level of privacy or simply because they want to see green in their yard year-round.  Given the space and adequate light, Pinus strobus is an evergreen tree that I am happy to recommend for these situations.  This tree is a monoecious¹ conifer² that will thrive in a well-drained sunny location; its soft, flexible needles can be brushed up against without making a scratch and its dense branches provide habitat for birds and other fauna. In my yard I use multiple trees of this species to add privacy from my neighbors – I also get the added benefit of providing a year-round habitat for many birds and insects.

Pinus strobus is the only white pine (5-needled) native to the eastern United States, it is the tallest conifer in eastern North America and is the state tree of Maine and Michigan.  Although it is evergreen it does drop its needles, which acidify the soil and provide excellent weed suppression.

If planted in high pH soil (above 7), white pines may exhibit yellowing of the needles, a sign of iron chlorosis. Adding an acid fertilizer and mulching with shredded oak leaves can help lower the pH, making it more suitable for this beautiful tree to thrive.

¹ Male and female flowers are found on a single individual

² Cone-bearing with needle-like leaves

NOTE: Asian Ladybugs can be distinguished from our native ladybug by looking for a distinctive black ’M’ on its head. They generally have more spots than the native insect, which has four per wing. Asian ladybugs are more aggressive than our native insect and can even ‘bite’.  By knowing how to tell the difference you’ll avoid handling the one that may bite you!

~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)

aligmilligan@gmail.com

Latin for Gardeners: December 2019

Hello Master Gardeners and Watershed Stewards!

It has been another fun year spent learning, reading, studying, photographing and planting Maryland’s native plants.  I’ve learned a lot and I hope you have too.

It’s now time to test your knowledge of the scientific name of the native plants we’ve discussed over the past year.  It’s always best to use the Latin names of plants when you recommend them to friends and the public – there’s only one Latin name for a plant so it avoids confusion and ensures people select the right plant when shopping at nurseries.

The first group of photos show the plants in their winter dress (except one). Can you still recognize them?  Can you guess which photo was taken in May? I’ve given you a few hints but don’t feel bad if you can’t place them all – Latin is not an easy language.  Good luck, or as they say in Latin, “Fortuna!”

Match the number of each plant in winter to the letter of each Latin binomial labeled in the photos of bloom time below.

~ Alison Milligan – Mstr. Gardener/Mstr. Naturalist/Mstr. Watershed Steward

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP)

aligmilligan@gmail.com