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By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Milkweeds are wildly popular in many gardens but most of us grow only two or three species, including Butterflyweed and Swamp Milkweed and possibly Common Milkweed. There are thirteen species of milkweed in Virginia and one of my favorites blooms in late May and June, Redring or…Read more

By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society The cheerful flowers of our native Common Blue Violet are one of the most anticipated signs of spring, bringing joy to both gardeners and pollinators alike. Blooming from March to June, with occasional rebloom in fall, our Common Blue Violet reaches only 3 – 8” tall with…Read more

By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Plantain-leaved Pussytoes is one of our most charming perennial groundcovers and begins blooming this month with fuzzy white, tufted flower heads that resemble the toes or paws of kittens. Other names for this appealing groundcover are Pussytoes, Everlasting, Mouse Ears, Ladies’ Tobacco, and even Dog Toes. Who…Read more

By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Chapter One of the earliest signs of spring is the bloom of the Round-lobed Hepatica or Liverleaf, Hepatica americana. The lovely small flowers of this woodland wildflower look fragile but this hardy perennial blooms in the face of winter often as early as February. An array of…Read more

We were so excited to host our first annual Membership and Business Meeting on October 15, 2025 at the Fredericksburg Branch Library Theater!  It was a chance to celebrate the revival and expansion of our local chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Every good celebration begins with food!  And boy did we have food!… The post Events: Annual Membership and Business Meeting – 2025 appeared first on VNPS Central Rappahannock Chapter.Read more

Mike and Pat Worsham shared this great story of how adding just one potted butterfly milkweed in a sunny spot provided monarch habitat.  Even if you don’t have much space, you can still make a difference! Here’s an easy way to plant natives and create your own small butterfly garden. All you need is a… The post Grow: Tiny Garden? No Problem! appeared first on VNPS Central Rappahannock Chapter.Read more

Our chapter is official and it is time to get out the word! The Tree Fredericksburg Native Plant Festival on September 28, 2025 was the perfect opportunity to set up a table and reach out to like-minded folks! But first we were lucky enough to hear Karen Tavakoli and Alonso Abugattas speak.     Our… The post Outreach: Tabling Time – Tree Fredericksburg Native Plant Festival appeared first on VNPS Central Rappahannock Chapter.Read more

Our final garden tour of the season found us at the home of Jeanne and Will Hartzell.  It was a fantastic opportunity to visit a property that meets HOA approval in the front yard and fully embraces native plantings in the back.  The Hartzells are 7 years into transforming their extraordinary site from farmland to… The post Grow: Native Plant Garden Tour Hartzells – Three Tours in One! appeared first on VNPS Central Rappahannock Chapter.Read more