Video Wednesday: Smithsonian's Pollinator Garden

The Smithsonian's Butterfly Habitat Garden has been re-branded as the Pollinator Garden with new signage and mission. Head gardener James Gagliardi explains the transformation.

Video Wednesday: Golden Streets of DC

The best street plantings in the downtown DC Golden Triangle District were selected this past week by a panel of judges including Washington Gardener Magazine, Smithsonian Gardens, and Ahmed Hassan: Celebrity Landscaper. Here is a video glimpse into the judging process.

The 2016  Winners are:
Fan Favorite - “Stars and Stripes Forever” at 1801 K Street NW.
Best in Design -  "Island in the Sun" at 1901 L Street NW
Sustainability Award - "Pollinators' Paradise" at 1200 19th Street NW

More photos are posted at:
https://www.facebook.com/145383542145752/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1365119740172120

Video Wednesday: Tomato Planting Tips

Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher, Washington Gardener Magazine shares some tomato planting tips -- basically plant deep and don't worry that it is getting late in the planting season -- just get them in the ground ASAP!

Video Wednesday: Turning Black Thumbs Green

I gave this talk last spring as part of the PechaKucha presentations in Silver Spring, MD. The theme of that talk collection was "change." I demonstrate making change happen by attacking the concept of "black thumbs" and providing simple tips on how to make the world a greener place.

If you are not familiar with PechaKucha talks, they are a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images. PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts, etc.

I am going to do an encore of this talk at the upcoming Behnke Garden Party on June 4.

Video Wednesday: Franciscan Monastery Gardens

Enjoy this video of the Franciscan Monastery gardens by intern Seema Vithlani.

We caught it during the only (and brief) afternoon of sun of the past two weeks!

Video Wednesday: Kensington Day of the Book Festival 2016

11th annual. Street festival celebrating the International Day of the Book on Sunday, April 24, 2016.. Over 100 authors, poets, and other participants line Howard Ave in Old Town Kensington, Md. Live music, children's program, author readings, food trucks, and more!

Video Wednesday: A New Curated Video Web Site

Launching earlier this week by Susan Harris of GardenRant.com is a new, ad-free Good Gardening Videos website, with 305 videos selected for accuracy and watchability. Here's the announcement. Please share. http://goodgardeningvideos.org/launch/

Video Wednesday: Green Matters 2016

More than 115 people attended the 2016 Green Matters Symposium on April 8 at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD. The program theme was environmentally friendly landscape design and construction. The event featured seven speakers, including Mary Pat Matheson, president and CEO of Atlanta Botanical Garden, Thomas Rainer, landscape architect and author, and Lori Arguelles, executive director of the Alice Ferguson Foundation.

Video Wednesday: UMD in Bloom

Here is a short and lovely video of spring at the University of Maryland campus arboretum in College Park, MD. I was happy to see this posted as I am organizing a tour of the campus for my garden club (Silver Spring Garden Club) on April 19th. Despite this latest cold snap in the weather, spring has definitely sprung!

Video Wednesday: Rooting DC 2016

Here is a short video of the Rooting DC forum. It is the central meeting ground for individuals and nonprofits looking to grow a healthier food system in the nation’s capital. Find out more at: http://rootingdc.org/ 

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine and photographed/edited by interns Daisy Nji and Seema Vithlani.

Video Wednesday: Luminous Landscapes

Here is a short video on an exhibit of landscape photography running at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. This is the work of Alan Ward. The large format photographs are impressive and really bring you into the landscapes, many of which will be familiar to landscape architecture fans. The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine and photographed/edited by intern Seema Vithlani.

Video Wednesday: Flora Exhibit at the US Botanic Garden

Flora of the National Parks exhibit runs February 18 - October 2, 2016 at the US Botanic Garden's Conservatory West Gallery. Here is a short video created by Washington Gardener Magazine intern Daisy-nelly Nji at the press preview of the exhibit.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, this art exhibit will showcase some of the plant species and communities found throughout the more than 400 national parks. From giant redwoods and aspen forests to endangered Virginia spiraea and water lilies, the national parks contain a diverse representation of the North American flora. Illustrations, paintings, and photography will take you on a tour of the beauty and importance of the American flora.

See more about the exibit at: https://www.usbg.gov/exhibits#sthash.3TslCvW1.dpuf

Video Wednesday: Explore America! at the Philadelphia Flower Show

Washington Gardener Magazine has two tours this year going up to the Philadelphia Flower Show. The Philadelphia Flower Show is the oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world. the theme for 2016 is “Explore America.” Guests will discover the range of horticulture in the national landscape, including the rainbow of wildflowers, desert blooms, coastal flora, verdant meadows, fragrant pinelands, and ancient redwoods. The Flower Show will tell the diverse stories that forged the United States with exhibits inspired by the nation’s monuments and places where history happened. “Explore America” will spotlight Independence National Historical Park, Lincoln’s birthplace, Liberty Island, and other sites honoring our national heritage.

The Flower Show attracts non-gardeners as well as die-hard green-thumbed people of all ages. Foodies of all tastes will love the Garden to Table Studio. Participate in the Lectures and Demonstrations series, Gardener’s Studio, and the “Make & Take” workshops. First-time and returning riders will enjoy the welcoming, custom details of our coach service.

The two tours are on different days; from different locations. Here are the details:

~ Wednesday, March 9 from 10am-10pm, leaving and returning to downtown Silver Spring, MD - includes a lunch and is nearby to public transit - see the registration form for more details:

~ Thursday, March 10 from 10am-10pm, leaving and returning to Behnke Nurseries in Beltsville, MD - includes a lunch and has free parking - see this registration form for more details: 

Note: The forms are for printing and mailing along with your payment. They are not interactive online forms.

If you have any trouble printing them out, please send an email to kathyjentz@gmail.com and I can send the forms directly to you. 

Our coaches fill up quickly, so please act fast to reserve your spot with us!

UPDATE: WE are now sold out of seats on both coaches. 

Video Wednesday: Wreath Care and Decorating Tips

How to care for and decorate a fresh wreath with a rustic/country holiday theme.

Video Wednesday: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in November

This video is a montage of photographs by Tom Stovall taken over the past two years around Meadowlark Botanical Gardens during the month of November. They include the seasonal Winter Walk of Lights. Enjoy!

Video Wednesday: Bulb Planting Basics

It is not too late to plant those bulbs! As long as the soil is not frozen, you can dig and get them in. Try to do so by Christmas so they have at least 12 weeks of chilly temps for blooming in the spring.

Here are some planting tips and basics for spring-blooming bulbs including daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus, etc.

Video Wednesday: Holly Shimizu Talks Trees

Holly Shimizu, former head of the US Botanic Garden, took a break during the recent Trees Matter Symposium 2015 to talk to us about her favorite trees.

Video Wednesday: Trees Matter Conference 2015

The fourth annual Trees Matter Symposium, was themed “Trees and the Built Environment.” It took place November 4, 2015, in the Silver Spring Civic Building and was sold out. This year’s event focused on the welfare of trees in developing landscapes, and included six speakers.
   Experts such as Dr. Michael Dirr, founder of Plant Introductions Inc., spoke about the economic and environmental value of trees. Dirr also closed the event with a second talk on top tree selections for surviving in various environments. Keynote speaker and horticulturist Holly Shimizu spoke about how trees change and adapt over time. Dr. Chris Luley, vice president of Urban Forestry in New York, spoke on fungi that affect trees in urban environments. Dr. Kelby Fite, a member of the Barlett Tree Research Lab, covered the importance of root development and proper soil in urban settings.
   The symposium included vendors from places such as the Maryland Native Plant Society, Kelly Landscaping, the Montgomery County Forest Board, and Stadler Native Plants. There was also a speaker book-signing table and door prizes. The event was presented by the Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education Division of Montgomery Parks and Pogo Tree Experts.

Video Wednesday: UDC Urban Agricultural Symposium

A short overview of the UDC Urban Agricultural Symposium, October 2015.

Video Wednesday: Heirloom Mums

Leon A Carrier and Carol Heitmuller Carrier of PlantsMasters in Laytonsville, MD, are growers of specialty cut flowers and selected plants. Here they talk about their heirloom mum selections and growing tips.