Win a one-year membership to the Azalea Society of America in the February 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

 For our February 2025 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a one-year membership to the Azalea Society of America (ASA) and their local chapter (a $30 value).

   The Azalea Society offers membership to anyone with an interest in azaleas, from home gardeners, collectors, and students to plant professionals. Local chapters have social activities, garden tours, meetings, and plant sales featuring unusual varieties. National conventions have garden tours, talks by well-known azalea authorities, plant sales, and opportunities to make and renew friendships. The Azalean, the ASA’s quarterly journal, has timely, informative articles about azalea culture, hybridizing, propagation, garden design, new introductions, and chapter activities. This Azalea Society website (https://azaleas.org/) is the source of information about azaleas.

   To enter to win the membership, send an email by 5:00pm on February 28 to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com with “Azalea Society” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the February 2025 Washington Gardener issue and why. Please include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on/about March 1. Replies might be published. 

Monday Thoughts: “Plants bestow many things upon us, but the first must be wonder.” ~ David Domoney

“Plants bestow many things upon us, but the first must be wonder.” 

~ David Domoney

GardenDC Podcast Episode 229: Mahonia Reexamined

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Mark Weathington, Director, and Tim Alderton, Research Technician, JC Raulston Arboretum, all about Mahonia. The plant profile is on Hardy Cyclamen and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Unique Basil from Christy Page of Green Prints.

Tim Alderton (left) and Mark Weathington (right) with Mahonia 'Golden Cascade'

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 140: Daphne, Edgeworthia, and Relatives

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-140-daphne.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 6: Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/gardendc-podcast-episode-6-spring.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 179: Why Winter Garden

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/01/gardendc-podcast-episode-179-why-winter.html

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

This episode is archived at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Mahonia-Reexamined-e2v5oh7

Show Notes: 01:21: Introducing Mark Weathington and Tim Alderton of JC Raulston Arboretum 01:59: “Anything new going on with you personally or professionally in the last two years?” Kathy asks Mark 02:40: Was Tim born with chlorophyll in his veins and a green thumb? 04:08: Introducing JC Raulston Arboretum (https://jcra.ncsu.edu/) 05:56: “What made you choose the Mahonia topic?” Kathy asks Mark 07:07: Kathy asks Tim about the positive attributes of Mahonia 10:37: The physical attributes of Mahonia 13:52: Relations to the Barberry Family 15:20: Kathy asks for Tim’s recommendations on pruning mahonia 18:41: Is Grape Holly edible? Mahonia plant parts and uses 20:51: Mahonia deer-resistance 21:43: Tim talks about disease and pest issues in Mahonia 23:38: “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz 25:36: Mark talks about his favorite southwestern Mahonia (gracilis) 27:35: Mark and Tim talk about their favorite Asian Mahonias (gracilipes) 30:22: ‘Soft Caress’ cultivar, effects of cold temperatures on blooms (Mahonia narihira) 32:36: How much watering Mahonias need and drought-tolerance 34:10: What direction the new Mahonia coming to the market are taking… 36:59: Kathy asks Tim about rare Mahonias 38:05: Mark talks about Berberis microphylla 38:47: How JC Raulston visitors react to Mahonia 40:29: Mark and Tim give advice on Mahonia and care 43:01: How to contact Mark, Tim and JC Raulston Arboretum 44:23: Mark and Tim’s recent plant obsessions 46:42: “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight 48:06: Hardy Cyclamen Plant Profile 50:05: What's new in the garden this week? 51:31: Local gardening events in the Washington DC area 53:40: The Last Word by Christy Page: “The most unique types of Basil you’ve never tried” 58:06: How to support the GardenDC Podcast

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• GoodPods: https://goodpods.app.link/u3gtlpybILb
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edit and Show Notes: Skylar Drew

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

February 2025 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine: Winning Photos, Mangave, Sweet Peppers, and much more…

The February 2025 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is posted and archived online at:  

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/01/january-2025-issue-of-washington.html

 

Inside this issue:

·         17 Award-winning Garden Photos

·         How to Care for Winter-Damaged Azaleas

·         Flip Those Tiles: Grow More Bulbs

·         Can Pomegranates Grow in the DMV Region?

·         Wax Ivy Houseplant

·         Mad About Mangave

·         Using Fireplace Ashes in the Garden

·         Winter-hardy Weeds’ Distinctive Rosettes

·         New Gaillardia Lunar® ‘Eclipse’ Blanket Flower

·         Time to Start Sweet Peppers from Seed

and much more…

Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the March 2025 issue are due by March 5.

 

>>  Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: https://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm

Video Wednesday: Mangave Plant Profile

Mangave (Agave macroacantha) is an evergreen, tender perennial succulent that come in a variety of leaf patterns and colors from blue to green to red and purple. They are hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit so will need to be taken inside or given winter protection in areas with colder winters. They are a cross between the agave plant and a manfreda. The spines at the tips are not as sharp as the ones on agave are. Mangave are deer- and rabbit-resistant. They prefer full sun and to be planted in well drained, gritty soil. They produce flowers when they are between 2 to 7 years old. In general, Mangave are Monocarpic plants, Meaning that they flower once, produce seeds, and then die. They are drought-tolerant, once established, but regular waterings can encourage faster growth. Trim off any brown or damaged foliage near the base of the leaf. Propagate them by carefully removing and repot the pups or offsets that are produced. Mangave: You Can Grow That! The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine. Audio, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz Video and Editing by Madison Korman Footage shot at Brookside Gardens and the US Botanic Garden ➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!) ➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out ➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE ~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com ~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener ~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/ ~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine ~ Podcast: GardenDC If you liked this video, we think you will like these other Plant Profiles:

~ Prickly Pear Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/09/prickly-pear-plant-profile.html ~ Hens and Chicks Succulents (Sempervivum) Plant Profile https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/07/plant-profile-hens-and-chicks.html

Pin this for later!

Monday Thoughts: “Still under some snow cover, but both I and the birds know that spring is really here already.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Still under some snow cover, but both I and the birds know that spring is really here already.” 

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

GardenDC Podcast Episode 228: Reducing Runoff with Rain Gardens

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Peggy Singlemann, host of Virginia Home Grown, VPM/PBS TV, all about Rain Gardens. The plant profile is on Florist's Cyclamen and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Seeds of Joy from Christy Page of Green Prints.

Reach out to your local Chesapeake Landscape Professional Certified Designers for assistance with designing your own Rain Garden.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 80: Bay-Wise Landscapes

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/10/gardendc-podcast-episode-80-bay-wise.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 201: Watering Tips

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/07/gardendc-podcast-episode-201-watering.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 165: Gardening and the Weather with Margaret Roach

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-165-gardening.html

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

This episode is archived at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Reducing-Runoff-with-Rain-Gardens-e2utpsv

Show Notes will be posted here after 2-18-2025.

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• GoodPods: https://goodpods.app.link/u3gtlpybILb
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Interview Edit and Show Notes: Skylar Drew

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!