University of Maryland Extension - Lower Eastern Shore

Ginny's Plant of the Week comes to us from across the pond.

Phlomis tuberosa ‘Amazone’ is a member of the Lamiaceae with the common name of sage leaf mullein, and are native to Great Britain and Ireland. It is an herbaceous perennial that can grow 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate light shade, and prefer to grow in organically rich, fertile moist but well drained soils. Plants have tuber like roots, and a long columnar 4 angled dark red to purple stems. They can bloom from May to July with tiny tubular lavender pink flowers that fit into a dense,
whorled clusters, blooming from the bottom up. Each stem can have up to 8 clusters. In late summer the flowers give way to ornamental seed heads which give texture through the autumn and the winter. When in bloom the flowers provide nectar and pollen to honeybees, native bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The sage green leaves are deeply ridged and can appear quilted. The plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 6-9 and when established
drought tolerant.

They are here! Your 2026 Worcester County Fair Premium Catologs are available at the Extension offices and at many locations throughout the area. For after hours pick up, you can grab one out of the red barn drop box in front of the Worcester office. Spread the word to youth and adult friends. Let's make this the biggest Indoor Entry area in Fair history! You can find the catalog on the website at https://worcestercountyfair.org/. You may enter up to 75 items at http://worcester.fairwire.com/ See less

Protect Your Crops: Wildlife Management Workshop 🌾
Are deer, geese, or groundhogs destroying your fields? Learn how to fight back and manage wildlife damage with the University of Maryland Extension.
🎓 Earn 4 Maryland Pesticide Credits (1A, 10, CORE, PVT)
📞 Accommodations: Email [email protected] or call 410-632-1972 (please request at least two weeks in advance).

Register at 410-632-1972 or go.umd.edu/ohdeer

To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctiK6LIjbwFkrmS-wecN480WkzKq2WaHfh9kZf95KRwtoS8g/viewform

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, s*x, gender identity or expression, s*xual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

Interested in showing livestock at the fair, but are uncertain of where to begin? Come to the County Fair Livestock Orientation at John Walter Smith Park in Snow Hill this evening at 6pm. University of Maryland Extension Staff and 4-H Members will go over everything you need to know and give live demonstrations to show sheep, goats, cattle, swine, poultry, and rabbits at the fair.

ATTENTION: Spots are still available for our Wonders of a 4-H Summer Workshop Series!
June 17th and 18th- The 4-H Wonders of a 4-H Summer at Shad Landing. (9:00 am-3:00 pm) Cost $40.00, Youth age 8-13
June 24th and 25th 2026- The 4-H Wonders of Assateague Island and Marine Science. Location: The Sarbanes Center on Assateague Island. (9:00am-3:00pm) Cost $40.00 Youth age 8-13
June 29th, 30th, and July 1st 2026 - It's Sew Easy to Sew!
Location: 305 Bank Street, Snow Hill Md. (1:00pm-4:00pm) Cost $30.00 Youth age 8-13
July 15th and 16th, 2026 - The 4-H Wonders of Food and Fiber Location: Snow Hill Fire Department-4718 Snow Hill Rd. Snow Hill, MD. (9:00am-3:00pm) Cost $40.00 Youth age 8-13
Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wonders-of-a-4-h-summer-2026-tickets-1984314089859

This week, Ginny is celebrating the flowers of the Tulip Poplar! There was a large Tulip Poplar at the Maryland State House until a hurricane took it down. This year, seedlings of the Tulip Poplar are being planted in many counties to celebrate 250 years of Independence.

Here's Ginny's Plant of the Week to show us that snowballs in May can be a beautiful thing!

Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ or the European Snowball Viburnum has been prized in Europe since the 16 th century as the most recognized viburnum. The plants thrive in moist but well drained soil in full sun to afternoon shade. Plants grow from 10-12 feet tall
and spread 12-14 feet wide with a dense rounded crown. ‘Roseum’ is a sterile cultivar that is spectacular in May when it is covered in large 3 to 4-inch diameter clusters of non-fertile flowers that start out lime green and mature to snow white, giving the plant its
name of Snowball Viburnum. As the flowers mature, they become a light shade of rose which give it its cultivar of ‘Roseum’. Because the flowers are sterile there is no production of fruit, and the plants are often sold as V. opulus ‘Sterile’. The leaves are attached pposite each other on the light gray- brown ribbed stem. Each 3–6-inch green maple shaped leaf has 3-5 lobes and is coarsely toothed with narrow grooved petioles. In autumn the leaves turn and attractive red orange color. There is some susceptibility to bacterial leaf spot, stem blight and powdery mildew, and aphids can damage the
foliage in the early spring. Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 3-8