By Laurie McMinn, Historic Grounds Supervisor
Winter Berries
There will be plenty of festive berries and unusual greenery from the Cemetery grounds available at our Wreath Making Workshop on November 29. Pictured above are Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) and Winter Berry (Ilex verticillata).
Boxwood Blight
Cylindrocladium buxicola or boxwood blight is a very serious concern for the large collection of boxwood in the Cemetery, and homeowners should also be aware of the signs of this fungal disease. There are very few practical (and economical) chemical applications to control this disease. If you are planning to use boxwood to decorate this holiday season, be sure NOT to compost any of it in your yard, and place it in sealed plastic bags for disposal.
Here is an excellent resource for more information about boxwood blight: Best Management Practices for Boxwood Blight in the Virginia Home Landscape
Removed Vitex negundo open up the view into the Shrub Garden. Ants went scurrying from their home in the rotted deadwood.
Vitex Removed
After removing the damage to the two Vitex (Chastetrees) in the Shrub Garden, the remaining branches ativan rendered them unsalvageable even with careful pruning. A volunteer vitex seedling has established itself in the daffodil display area; life goes on in the Cemetery.
Departing Shot
When arriving for Candlelight Tours just before sunset, I captured this spectacular backlit view of the Confederate Section maples.
