Virginia Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Lacewing eggs are on this crape myrtle leaf, with an aphid visible on the foliage as well, in Harrisburg, PA. Lacewings are general predators that can help control scale insects and aphids. Photo by Zach Wittorff, Good’s Tree and Lawn Care. From the University of Maryland Extension TPM/IPM Weekly Report: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/2026-06/26Jun12L.pdf

MASTER GARDENER VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: Are you familiar with native plants that flower during the summer months? In this recorded presentation, “Native Blooms for the Summer Garden,” Extension Master Gardener Elaine Mills describes the characteristics of 35 native perennials, woody plants, and grasses that will provide a continuity of bloom for both beauty and support of local wildlife in your garden from June to even September and October. The video is accompanied by a detailed plant list with links to fact sheets.
https://mgnv.org/mg-virtual-classroom/sl-class-video/native-summer-blooms-2021/

This is an interesting discussion of drought, different kinds of drought, and how you know when it's over.

When is a drought over? In recent months, large parts of the United States have been covered by drought, including my home region of the Southeast. This year’s drought there was caused by a combination of three things: the lack of any significant tropical activity in the US in 2025 (except TS Chantelle in the Carolinas),...

The Wide World of Snake Plants

The snake plant has long been a standout in the houseplant world. While it’s known for being nearly "impossible to kill," and seen more for its function than form, there are many varieties on the market that are far from boring....

http://mgnv.org/houseplants/the-wide-world-of-snake-plants/

The Wide World of Snake Plants Discover unique snake plant varieties that elevate your decor while being easy to care for. Perfect for all plant lovers and home styles!

RESTORING NATURE: In the United States, pet cats kill between 320 million to 1 billion birds each year! The way we care for our cats can make a difference.
• Make indoors welcoming for cats with toys and a cozy spot by the window.
• Train your cat to take walks on a leash as a safe way to enjoy the outdoors.
• Place birdbaths and feeders at least 10 feet away from shrubs or other places where cats may hide.
See page 2.10 of Nature’s Action Guide for more information from the American Bird Conservancy on more solutions for pet cats.
Dogs can also be managed to minimize the negative effect on wildlife with these strategies:
• Don’t allow your dog to roam freely outside of a fenced area.
• Prevent dogs from staring into parts of your property where ground-nesting birds or turtles may live.
• Erect temporary fencing to protect new plantings until they are established.
• Remove and properly dispose of pet p**p.
(Photo of cat at window by Stephanie Wallace, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

BARK QUIZ: Today’s quiz plant is American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). Wide, flat-topped clusters of flowers appear on this shrub in June. These are followed by edible purple-black fruits that appear in drooping clusters from late summer to fall.

Urban Agriculture Events and Resources: June & July 2026

Get vegetable gardening tips and the latest news on urban gardening in Arlington and Alexandria....

http://mgnv.org/urban-agriculture/urban-agriculture-events-resources-june-july-2026/

Urban Agriculture Events and Resources: June & July 2026 Discover essential urban agriculture resources, gardening tips, and events in Arlington and Alexandria to boost your vegetable gardening skills.

BARK QUIZ: The bark of this tall shrub is smooth and brown with obvious warts, becoming shallowly furrowed and rough with age.
Learn the shrub’s identity in this afternoon’s 4:00 p.m. post.

Pop in for Pollinator Month!

Join us at Duncan Library Garden on June 17 for a family event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. - with seed giveaways, butterfly puddlers, and mosquito control tips!

https://mgnv.org/mg-in-the-garden/pop-in-for-pollinator-month/

Word Quiz of the Week

What are the modified leaves found on Monarda and Trillium species called?...

Word Quiz of the Week What are the modified leaves found on Monarda and Trillium species called?