Great Spangled Fritillaries on Butterfly Weed by Mary Lee Epps
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Photo by Mary Lee Epps

Read the Spring 2024 Declaration Newsletter!

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Fall 2023 Declaration Newsletter
Read the latest Fall, 2023 Declaration Newsletter

Skullcap Clearwing Moth by E.M. Truax

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Buckeye Butterfly on Mountain Mint

Read the latest Spring, 2023 Declaration Newsletter

Snowberry Clearwing Moth – Native Honeysuckle
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Snowberry Clearwing Moth – Native Honeysuckle by E.M. Truax

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) at Saunders-Monticello Trail
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Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) at Saunders-Monticello Trail

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Falling Spring Falls near Covington, Virginia
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Falling Spring Falls near Covington, Virginia

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)
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Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Eupatorium at Bull Run

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

Photo by Brigitte Hartke

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News & Updates

• View Brian Yoder's presentation on Native Meadows (slides) (FAQ) 12/21/2024

• Get all the news and updates in the Spring, 2024 Declaration newsletter! Meet our new Chapter President, the Spring potting party and plant sale, lots of events and outings, and much more! 3/13/2024

• Catch up with the Jefferson Chapter in the Fall, 2023 Declaration newsletter! Learn about Ivy Creek Pollinator Garden’s future meadow, our Fall potting party, upcoming events and fields trips and much more! 9/15/2023

• Check out the Spring, 2023 Declaration newsletter! Read about the (unsuccessful) quest for a rare plant, a meditation on February,  light pollution, upcoming chapter meetings and walks, and more! 3/4/2023

• Enjoy reading the Fall, 2022 Declaration newsletter! Learn about the evolution of a meadow, later summer blooms, the unique features and habitats of Maple Flats in August county, the Ivy Creek Pollinator Garden, upcoming chapter meetings and walks, and more! 9/26/2022

• Don't miss reading the Spring, 2022 Declaration newsletter! News about our chapter's upcoming plant sale on April 24, new threats to the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly, upcoming chapter events, and more.  3/10/2022

• Just published: the Summer, 2021 Declaration newsletter!  Read about earthworms, a "new" orange caterpillar on milkweed, White Snakeroot, our spring virtual plant sale, upcoming chapter events and more. 8/29/2021

• The Winter, 2021 Declaration newsletter is now online!  Learn about Common Buckeye Butterfly, the Ivy Creek Pollinator Garden, upcoming chapter events and more. 3/4/2021

• Are you looking for a fun family activity while social distancing? Check out November’s Ivy Creek virtual plant walk with Ruth Douglas. 11/21/2020

• Enjoy the Summer, 2020 Declaration newsletter. Learn all about the stamens, Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly, and upcoming plant walks and meetings. 8/28/2020

• Learn about the Mourning Cloak, a late winter butterfly; Pawpaws in the limelight; and our Native Plant Sale in the Winter, 2020 edition of the The Declaration newsletter.

•  Update your calendar for upcoming local meetings, presentations, lectures, and other events described in the Jefferson Chapter Events Calendar.

•  And keep up with Jefferson chapter activities and discussion on our Facebook Page!

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Inkberry, Ilex glabra
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Inkberry or Gallberry is a great choice for the December Plant of the Month. This handsome broadleaf evergreen shrub typically grows slowly to about 5 – 8’ high and wide and has plenty of winter interest with its small narrowly ovate to lance-like dark green leaves that…... Read more
December 26, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Winged Sumac, Rhus copallinum
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Winged Sumac is a beautiful large deciduous shrub that shines throughout the year but is especially vibrant when it ignites into a fiery crescendo in fall. Typically growing from 7 – 15’ tall, this sumac often spreads into large colonies by root suckers. As fall turns into…... Read more
November 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Sweet or Anise-scented Goldenrod is one of the earliest fall blooming Goldenrods to grace our open areas including open woods, fields, powerline cuts and roadsides each fall. Its golden plumes light up much of the Eastern United States from New Hampshire south to Texas on dry, often…... Read more
September 13, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Cut-leaf Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Common Cut-leaf Coneflower is a tall statuesque late summer-fall bloomer found throughout Virginia and stands above most perennials at heights 5 to 9 feet. Also known as Green-headed, Tall Coneflower, or Wild Golden Glow, it is widely distributed in open floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, seepage swamps, wet…... Read more
August 22, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society The July Plant of the Month, Common Milkweed, is a lovely, robust, herbaceous perennial festooned with showy clusters of flowers from June to August. A member of the Milkweed genus, Asclepias, it often gets a bad rap for its rhizomatous roots that can spread aggressively; however, this…... Read more
July 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus, Opuntia mesacantha
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus is certainly eye-catching when in bloom in late May and June and curious and just plain cool at any time of year. This native evergreen is technically a “shrub” although it grows only 6 – 12” high. It is indeed a member of the…... Read more
June 21, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sundial Lupine, Lupinus perennis
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Every spring I look forward to seeing the lovely lavender-blue spires of Sundial Lupine rising above distinctive pinwheel foliage along sandy roadsides and open woods. Also known as Wild Lupine, this member of the Legume Family is found throughout the Eastern and Central United States. In Virginia…... Read more
May 24, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society A few weeks ago, driving north from Florida, we passed mile after mile of waves of lavender-blue flowers gracing the highway shoulders in South Carolina. We were thrilled to see Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata, creating a gorgeous spectacle along an otherwise barren straight stretch of road. Later…... Read more
May 5, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog

Plant Sale Profile: Mertensia virginica

March 13, 2014

Mertensia virginica is a member of the Borage (Boraginaceae) family. Commonly called Virginia Bluebells, its also known as Virginia Cowslip, Roanoke-bells, Eastern Bluebells and Lungwort Oysterleaf. When the leaves emerge they are a lovely shade of purple, quickly turning a medium green as they increase in size. Although the flowers…