Shanandoah River State Park by Karen Hendershot
Shanandoah River State Park by Karen Hendershot
Shanandoah River State Park by Karen Hendershot
Check out upcoming Native Plant Sales!
Check out upcoming Native Plant Sales!
Check out upcoming Native Plant Sales!
Downy Rattlensnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
Downy Rattlensnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
Downy Rattlensnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
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2019 Wildflower of the Year: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
2019 Wildflower of the Year: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
2019 Wildflower of the Year: New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
Photo by Betty Truax
Photo by Betty Truax
Photo by Betty Truax
Mountains with Flame Azaleas
Mountains with Flame Azaleas
Mountains with Flame Azaleas
Photo by Nancy Vehrs
Photo by Nancy Vehrs
Photo by Nancy Vehrs
Eupatorium at Bull Run
Eupatorium at Bull Run
Eupatorium at Bull Run
Photo by Brigitte Hartke
Photo by Brigitte Hartke
Photo by Brigitte Hartke
News & Updates
Register now for the 2019 Annual Meeting and Conference in Front Royal on the weekend September 27-29. new
Don't miss all the news and information in the Spring, 2019 Sempervirens newsletter.
VNPS Member Catherine Ledec was named the Fairfax County 2018 Citizen of the Year.
Keep VNPS in your giving plans
VNPS supports conservation of biologic “hot spots”, protects shrinking natural environments across the state and raises awareness and appreciation for our native plants.
This year our fundraiser supports updates to the Flora of Virginia, which will be available in the Flora App as soon as completed. You can be assured that your donations to VNPS go right to the heart of what we are about. Donate Now!
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A Path Into Natives
My interest in native plants probably arose like it did for many of the VNPS readers. I fell in love with what I found out in the wild places; state parks and national forests and the scraps of nature on the edges of farms and developments. I was fascinated by the presence of those native… [Read More]
There Really is a Pyxie-moss!
Pyxie-moss (Pyxidanthera barbulata) is a diminutive coastal plain endemic found only in the eastern portions of the Carolinas, southeastern Virginia, and the pine barrens of New Jersey and adjacent Long Island. It is adapted to frequent fire and minimizes heat damage by forming dense mats that hug the relatively cool ground. It prefers open, sandy… [Read More]
When the “Good Guys” Go Bad: The Role of Native Fauna in the Spread of Invasive Plants
Humans play a leading role in the spread of invasive species. From accidental introductions, like Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), to intentional planting, like tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), we have done an exceptional job of transporting invaders all over the world. Our cars carry seeds and propagules along highways, our boats… [Read More]
The Root of the Problem: Garlic Mustard
It’s a classic tale of being careful what you wish for. As a high school student in Germany I went hiking with my classmates in the early spring woods. As I unpacked lunch, friends gathered knoblauchskraut at the forest edge, and we then added the native herb to our sandwiches. “Ah,” I thought. “If only… [Read More]
Return of the Natives
My daughter, Chrissy, and I had been watching the 200-acre woodlands for months. First the “Land For Sale” sign went up; later the sign was marked “Sold,” then, most ominously, fluorescent orange flagging-tape marked the trees. The lovely wooded site was about to become a shopping center. The year was 2005, and a year… [Read More]
The Awkward Relationship Between Homo sapiens And Planet Earth
I, as do so many of you, present lectures and workshops to a wide range of people in which we are encouraging them to become familiar with the local flora, to plant native plants that require less water, to plant and conserve those species that are important to insects, birds and other animal species, a… [Read More]
Kates Mountain Clover: Trifolium virginicum
Kates Mountain Clover, (Trifolium virginicum) is one of only three clovers that are native to Virginia. First discovered on Kate’s Mountain in West Virginia in 1892 by botanist, John Kukel Small, this plant is known to exist only in four states and in a very specific habitat. In all four states it is listed as… [Read More]
Looking Back: VNPS in 2017
Small but mighty, the VNPS rose up with spirit to meet the challenges of 2017. The members of our Society did not sit around eating bonbons and gnashing teeth over discouraging events last year. Well, maybe there was some gnashing of teeth . . . but in the end, dedicated people got out and got… [Read More]
Finding Fulfillment as a Wildlife Way Station Volunteer
My excitement rose when I first glimpsed the Wildlife Way Station being maintained at the car rest area along I-95 in Dale City. A good-sized plot of land was being cultivated with native plants that were attracting and feeding many of the area’s wild birds and insects — pollinators. Those small flyers have been losing… [Read More]
Botany Without Boundaries at the Tri-State Conference
The Tri-state Native Plant Society Conference at the National Conservation Training Center was a blast this year. From the venue, to the nightly speakers, to the field trips, everything was incredible, which is why I’d like to first extend my gratitude to all those who contributed and worked so hard to make it happen. This… [Read More]
