VDF says Throwing Shade was a success!

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry says its Throwing Shade VA program continues to grow in popularity.

This spring, approximately 3,500 customers purchased more than 10,500 native trees and shrubs at 31 participating nursery locations across Virginia.

This was an increase of nearly 3,000 plants over last year.

Now in its fourth year, the program offers a $25 discount on eligible native trees valued at $50 or more, encouraging homeowners to incorporate native species into their landscapes.

Native plants are better adapted to Virginia’s environment and provide important food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Four new nurseries joined the program this year, expanding participation to new regions across the Commonwealth.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Celebrate our country’s 250th with Virginia Legacy Oaks

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

In celebration of next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is also offering seedlings from some of the oldest white oaks in Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) has identified and is propagating ancient legacy white oaks from across the Commonwealth, with many trees being as old as the country’s founding.

To commemorate the trees’ historical significance and keep their stories alive, the DOF is propagating collected acorns.

A description and photo of the parent tree will be included with each seedling delivery.

DOF nurseries grow a variety of pine, spruce, and dozens of hardwood species for establishing timber stands, wildlife habitats, stream bank stabilization, and other uses.

They also offer several seedling packs tailored for specific characteristics, such as fall colors, pollinators, and wildlife.

Augusta Nursery Manager Josh McLaughlin noted that DOF has been growing quality seedlings for over a century, with proceeds from purchases reinvested directly into the nursery operations.

McLaughlin also expressed excitement about offering three new native species this year, with plans to expand inventory based on customer demand.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Throwing Shade VA update

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is proud to announce a successful Throwing Shade VA program!

Nearly 8,000 native trees and shrubs were planted across Virginia this spring through the DOF’s popular Throwing Shade VA program.

This year, 7,782 native trees and shrubs were planted, up from 5,500 last year and just over 1,500 in the program’s first year.

The program supports water quality and wildlife by promoting native species.

The program is funded through Virginia’s water quality improvement program.

The DOF reimburses participating nurseries.

Most of this year’s planting activity occurred near urban areas like Richmond, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley.

Popular choices included Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Sweet Bay Magnolia, and Highbush blueberry.

DOF’s Urban Forestry Coordinator Molly O’Liddy says the program is growing steadily, from just three nurseries in 2023 to 15 this year, and all plan to return in 2026.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Throwing VA shade program

You spoke and they listened, the Throwing VA Shade Program has expanded their program for discounts on native trees with two local nurseries.

The Seven Bends Nurseries in Winchester and Strasburg are joining Woodstock Gardens from now through May 1, retail customers can
receive $25 discounts on select native trees and shrubs (valued at $50 or more) from the nurseries.

Throwing Shade VA Program incentivizes Virginians to plant native species of trees and shrubs, which provide water quality benefits and offer an important source of food and habitat for wildlife and pollinators.

Not only can native species meet any landscaping objective, they require less maintenance and little to no fertilizer.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Throwing shade VA program

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is partnering with three Virginia nurseries to launch a new pilot program featuring discounts on native trees and shrubs.

“Throwing Shade VA” helps nurseries promote native trees through customer discounts of $25 on eligible trees valued at $50 or more.

Incentives to purchase native species of trees and shrubs, which are adapted to their natural environment and thus more likely to thrive.

Native plants offer environmental benefits than ornamental species and provide food and habitat for wildlife, especially essential pollinators.

Three nurseries responded to DOF’s request for participation in the pilot program.

Burke Nursery & Garden Centre (Burke), Woodstock Gardens (Woodstock) and Coastal Landscapes & Nursery (Virginia Beach) all volunteered to participate.

The program is funded through state water quality improvement funds, the DOF is using to reimburse the participating nurseries for the
discounts.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Seedlings for sale

The Virginia Department of Forestry is accepting seedling orders from Virginia landowners.

With over 60 years of research behind their inventory for the best suited for Virginia soil and climate.

Orders are being accepted from now until later April.

Shipping will begin in February, once the ground has thawed.

They have available a wide selection of bare root seedlings, and specialty
seedling packs to meet specific goals like fall colors, buffers, or pollinator and wildlife habitat.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Front Royal community helps restore ecosystem

The Town of Front Royal’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, local community groups, and volunteers came together to plant a 200 meter section of Happy Creek’s riparian buffer in November.

Volunteers planted 450 young seedlings of seven different varieties of native shrub species that were approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.

The section of Happy Creek between South and Short Street was selected as a high priority area due to the abundance of invasive and undesirable vegetation that had begun to take over.

ESAC member and local conservation biologist Justin Proctor spoke on the value of these native plants reminding us that they “are adapted to handle our local climate and soils… build back our beneficial insects and pollinators, provide food for wildlife… stabilize riverbanks and help clean out pollutants.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Winchester helps bring back native thistle

The City of Winchester’s Arborist Jordan Herring and retired Shenandoah University professor and wetlands expert Woody Bousquet are assisting the US Fish and Wildlife Service with a new project.

They are working together to help bring back native thistles.

Native thistles are an important part of the ecosystem, especially for pollinators and birds.

They have been disappearing rapidly due to habitat loss and indiscriminate weed control efforts.

Native thistles are often mistaken for the invasive Canada thistle which also leads to their removal.

Three native thistle seeds are being collected for the project including pasture, field, and swamp.

Abrams Creek in Winchester is a great source for swamp thistle but the project is still in need of pasture thistle.

If you are interested in learning more about this project or would like to submit native pasture thistle seeds, contact Kathleen Patnode at 814-357-1735.

To learn more about the importance of native thistle, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Gardening in the Valley Symposium

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Master Gardeners Association is hosting the Gardening in the Valley Educational Symposium at Shenandoah University’s Henkel Hall today from 8 am to 4 pm.

The symposium will feature guest speakers on topics like attracting pollinators,natural remedies in pet health care, educational public gardens, and more.

Tickets are still available for purchase and all proceeds benefit their scholarship fund.

For more information or to purchase your ticket, head to nsvmga.org.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.