This publication offers suggestions for creating spring gardens with a patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme using bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and grape hyacinths. It covers bulb selection, planting techniques, site preparation, container gardening, and maintenance tips to ensure vibrant displays. Design strategies for simultaneous blooming and layering are included.

This publication promotes the use of native plants in red, white, and blue garden designs. It explains the ecological benefits of natives, including their adaptation to local soils and climate, low maintenance needs, and role in supporting wildlife such as pollinators and birds. The guide provides practical advice on site assessment, soil preparation, and care, along with extensive tables listing native trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and ornamental grasses suitable for Virginia gardens. These selections enhance biodiversity, celebrate America’s natural heritage, and offer aesthetic appeal while reducing reliance on irrigation and fertilizers.

Soilless substrates are inherently acidic and typically need to be corrected for pH prior to plant production. This is because mineral nutrients are most available within certain pH ranges (5.0 - 6.5). The primary method to increase pH values of soilless media is to apply some form of lime (calcium carbonate base). However, this can become complicated since different soilless media and lime material types will require different rates and activate at different durations. Conducting a lime calibration can be a powerful tool and enable producers to target specific pH values for their plants. This article will guide growers how to properly determine optimal lime rates.

Nursery operations are diverse in that they produce a wide variety of species and cultivars. Despite this diversity, it is a standard practice for outdoor nurseries to use a single substrate composite or unique blend for most of their nursery stock grown. This can be problematic considering different nursery stock can contain a range of water-use requirements and are often placed within the same irrigation zone. Thus, water-related stress imposes challenges in production, resource use, and plant quality. Identifying water use and related stress across nursery stock is important in mitigating plant stress and to produce quality crops more efficiently.

Nursery operations are diverse in that they produce a wide variety of species and cultivars. Despite this diversity, it is a standard practice for outdoor nurseries to use a single substrate composite or unique blend for most of their nursery stock grown. This can be problematic considering different nursery stock can contain a range of water-use requirements and are often placed within the same irrigation zone. Thus, water-related stress imposes challenges in production, resource use, and plant quality. Identifying water use and related stress across nursery stock is important in mitigating plant stress and to produce quality crops more efficiently.

The horticulture specialist team involves a state-wide network of individuals with expertise across multiple horticulture-related topics. We are committed to assisting the Virginia horticulture industry and homeowners in managing or producing high-quality horticultural products that are grown sustainably, efficiently, and safely. The team conducts applied research experiments that are industry-relevant, and we present this information to the industry in the form of extension articles, trade-magazines, workshops, and in-service trainings to homeowners, growers, and Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) Extension agents. Below is a complied resource of Virginia horticulture-related specialists separated by topic areas.