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Blog Posts

The Secret Cliques of Plants and Pollinators

OSGF

As habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change threaten insects, birds, and bats, many people are learning that growing native plants can help protect local pollinators. But did you know that not every plant attracts or feeds the same pollinators? Read on to learn how plants appeal to specific groups of pollinators and how you can use this knowledge to plant a thriving pollinator garden.

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categories Biodiversity
tags Biodiversity, Conservation, plants, plant science, pollinators

Rokeby Meadow Restoration: Then and Now

OSGF

In December of 2023, the Biodiversity Conservation Team cleared and seeded two acres of land on Rokeby Farm. This was part of an ongoing project to restore portions of the pasturelands of Oak Spring to native grassland meadows. After clearing, a seed mixture of native perennials, annuals and grasses were sown. The typical period of establishment is two to three years but in just one season there’s already been signs of success— from the initial seed mix of 20-25 species, 18 were recorded!

Click through the photos below to see the progress of the meadow over time in its first year of growth.

Starting from scratch

Early Spring

Summer transitioning to Fall

Throughout the season, Biodiversity Conservation intern, Sarah Krementz helped to conduct vegetation surveys to understand what species were present in the meadow.

All photos by our Head of Biodiversity Conservation, Charlotte Lorick.

categories Biodiversity
tags Biodiversity, biodiversityconservationteam, native plants, meadow, plants

Hiding in Plain Sight: Exciting Plants Found at Oak Spring

OSGF

Cypress-knee sedge (Carex decomposita) and false hop sedge (Carex lupuliformis) are two incredibly rare species in the state, with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)  listing them as at highest risk of being extirpated. This was the product of our Biodiversity Conservation team's ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive snapshot of the species diversity on the property. 

Read on to learn more about the plants and communities previously unknown since the formation of Oak Spring.

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tags Biodiversity, Conservation, plants, PlantStories, biodiversityconservationteam, carex, sedge

From Library to Landscape

OSGF

The landscape of Oak Spring is humming with activity as we step into the final days of summer. Sounds of cicadas buzzing from the trees, grasshoppers darting in the fields, and butterflies flocking to flowers. Some of these insects leap onto the pages of a rare three volume manuscript completed by Moses Harris for the entomologist Dru Drury. Read on to learn more about the partnership between the two and hear from our Ecologist and Collections Specialist, Dr. Rea Manderino.

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tags library, Oak Spring Garden Library, insects

Margaret Stones and Mrs. Mellon

OSGF

Out of the notable interests in Mrs. Mellon’s life, the one that exceeded all others was her love and appreciation for plants. This is of course most embodied in her personal gardens which are a culmination of her ever-evolving design influence and style. This love was also reflected in other aspects such as the touches in her home at Oak Spring and in the collections of her library.  In honor of our founder, Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, this blog we touch on an equally enduring legacy of botanical illustrator Margaret Stones.

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tags botanical art, art, botanicalillustration, women artists, bunny mellon

Mrs. Mellon's Orchids

Julie Olechnicki

Few species of plants have captivated people for centuries quite like orchids. Taking the world by storm, orchids of every size and color are now readily available and can be kept alive by even the most novice gardeners. Thanks to our archives and garden records, we know that Mrs. Mellon also was swept up in the orchid craze. Read on as our Horticultural Apprentice, Julie, dives into the history of orchids and their history at Oak Spring. 

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Comment
tags garden, orchids, bunny mellon, horticulture, PlantStories

Wildflowers of Georgetown

OSGF

The Oak Spring Garden Library holds books from vast parts of the globe. You can take a tour of the flora of Australia, China, Brazil and more. There are other volumes that take the focus to a more local scale, like Wildflowers of Georgetown. This work highlights the spring plants found in Georgetown, DC; some of which are in flower right now across the region. Read below to learn more about this latest digital introduction and to hear from our Head of Biodiversity Conservation on why it’s a gem of a resource.

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tags Oak Spring Garden Library, library, botanical art, flowers, native plants, wildflowers, women artists

Sisters in Botanical Illustration

OSGF

If the Brontë sisters are celebrity siblings of the writing world, then sisters Elizabeth and Margaret Wharton are the unsung stars from the “golden age” of botanical illustration. In honor of Women’s History month we are highlighting two sisters, whose works underscore the importance of women’s place in the formation of botany and scientific illustration. Read on to learn about their contributions and to view these women’s works in full as part of our ongoing digitization project.

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categories Library
tags library, Oak Spring Garden Library, botanical art, Women's history month

Borrowed Scenery

Claire Quinn

The beauty of the landscape can be a source of inspiration for artists, writers, scientists, anyone really. Bigger elements like mountains, rivers or the topography of the Bull Run and Blue Ridge mountains which border Oak Spring can even be incorporated into garden design. Read our latest blog post written by our Horticulture Apprentice, Claire, to learn about the history of a design philosophy which first originated in 17th century China and encourages us to look to the landscape.

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categories Garden
tags guest post, horticulture, garden