Plant and Weed ID
Learn more about specific plants, weeds, diseases, etc.
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: Goldenstar, a Native Garden Groundcover
Common name: Goldenstar Botanical name (genus and species): Chrysogonum virginianum Plant family: Asteraceae Plant Description Plant size: 6 to 12 inches tall Plant Life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Green Plant Type: Semi-evergreen Bloom color: Yellow Bloom time:...
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: The Evergreen Verdure of Christmas Fern
Common name: Christmas Fern Botanical name (genus and species): Polystichum acrostichoides Plant family: Dryopteridaceae Plant Description Plant size: 1 to 2 feet Plant life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Evergreen, vibrant green Plant type: Evergreen Bloom color:...
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: Virginia Bluebells, A symbol of Winter’s Thaw and Spring’s Arrival
Name and Classification Common name: Virginia Bluebell Botanical name: Mertensia virginica Plant family: Boraginaceae Plant Description Plant size: 2 to 3 feet Plant life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Green Plant type: Herbaceous Bloom color: Violet-blue to lavender...
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: The Majestic Iris Versicolor
Name and Classification Common name: Blue Flag Iris Botanical name (genus and species): Iris versicolor Plant family: Iridaceae Plant Description Plant size: 2 to 3 feet Plant life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Green Plant type: Herbaceous Bloom color: Violet-blue...
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Name and Classification Common name: Bloodroot Botanical name (genus and species): Sanguinaria canadensis Plant family: Papaveraceae Plant Description Plant size: 6-12 inches in height Plant life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Green, with distinctive lobed leaves...
Exploring Maryland’s Native Flora: First to Bloom After Winter’s Thaw, Hepatica nobilis
Name and Classification Common name: Hepatica (many others) Botanical name (genus and species): Hepatica nobilis Plant family: Ranunculaceae Plant Description Plant size: 3-7 inches in height Plant Life cycle: Perennial Foliage color: Dark Green, with lobed leaves...
Weeds | Yellow Nutsedge
Yellow Nutsedge Info Yellow nutsedge is a common summer weed. New seedlings and plants sprout from May-July. Yellow nutsedge is a perennial weed and has a triangular stem that is typical for plants in the sedge family. Yellow nutsedge forms tubers or "nutlets"...
Definitive Guide for Pruning Hydrangeas
When and how should you prune your hydrangeas? Keep reading for the complete hydrangea pruning guide.“When should I prune my hydrangeas?” This is a question that I hear all the time. Many people claim that hydrangeas do not flower the year after they are pruned. You...
Weed ID: Bittercress
Bittercress is a common weed throughout the year. However, it is easy to spot in early spring and fall when most other weeds are still dormant. Bittercress, Cardamine hirsuta L., is commonly found in lawns and flowerbeds in our area. While bittercress starts small,...
Turfgrass Disease – Brown Patch
Brown patch is a turfgrass fungal disease that is pretty self explanatory. Brown patches appear in the lawn when temperatures remain 70F and higher. What is Brown Patch? As stated above, brown patch is a fungal disease. It affects all types of turfgrass. However, some...