Eastern Screech Owl The screech owl (Megascops asio) is a very common but rarely glimpsed bird. This bird is known by many other common names including little horned owl, scritch owl and shivering owl. Often mistaken for a baby because of its small size, the…
Vultures There are two species of vultures found in Virginia: the turkey vulture and the black vulture. Vultures (some call them buzzards) are scavenging birds that feed on the remains of dead animals. The vulture has been perceived as a loathsome creature because of its…
Wild Turkeys The wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) is a large ground-feeding bird that is related to chickens, quail and pheasants. Turkeys prefer to live in open forests, the edges of forests or wooded swamps. They feed on seeds, grains, acorns and other nuts, berries and…
Brown Pelican During the warmer months, Brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) can be seen flying in V formations over coastal waters or sitting on piers and pilings. Pelicans are large birds with a wingspan of 6 feet. Adults can grow to 4 ½ feet long and…
Bald eagle Our national bird, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of the largest raptors in Virginia with a wingspan of up to 8 feet. The female is larger than the male and can weigh up to 14 pounds. The large size and white…
Arrowwood Viburum Vibernum dentatum Height: 6-12 feet Light: Full sun – part shade Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil Growth Rate: Fast Flower Color: White Foliage Color: Green Fall Color: Red, Purple, Yellow Elegant, tidy shrub with arching branches and overall rounded form. Showy cream white…
Atamasco Lily Zephyranthes atamasca Height: 6-12 inches Light: Sun to partial shade Moisture: Moist, wet, well-drained soil Bloom Time: April – May Flower Color: White Foliage: Basal leaves only Unassuming at first, with grassy foliage and short stature, Atamasco Lilies surprise with their large, fragrant…
Beautyberry Callicarpa americana Height: 5 feet Light: Sun – part shade Moisture: Average-poor soil, wet-well drained Bloom Time: June-July, Aug.-Oct. Flowers: Pale lavender flowers. Hot raspberry pink fruit clusters that persist after leaves fall. Flowers and fruit form on new growth, cut back every few…
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis Height: 5-12 inches Light: Sun to partial shade Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil Bloom Time: March-May Flower Color: White with yellow stamen Foliage: Leaves grow rapidly after flowers die and persist until late summer Bloodroot does indeed have reddish-orange roots (rhizomes) from…
Butterflyweed Asclepias tuberosa Height: 1-3 feet Light: Full sun Soil: Does well in dry conditions. Don’t overwater. Bloom Time: June – September Flower Color: Orange or yellow flowers Foliage: Green Very drought tolerant, this gorgeous orange-flowered milkweed attracts Swallowtail and Monarch butterflies as a nectar…