NATIVE GARDEN SPOTLIGHT: Virginia Sweetspire in Bloom

​Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) is blooming in the native garden at the Crofton Community Library, bringing bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden in abundance.

Its fragrant white flower spikes are especially popular with native bees and butterflies. A beautiful swallowtail butterfly was recently spotted visiting the blooms, highlighting the important role native plants play in supporting local wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

Native plants like Virginia sweetspire provide valuable nectar sources throughout the season while adding beauty, fragrance, and seasonal interest to the library garden.
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Visitors are invited to stop by and enjoy the garden as it comes alive with summer pollinators.

PROGRAM: A Timeless Escape: Gardens and Grandeur at Winterthur

​Members enjoyed a delightful day exploring Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, nestled in the rolling hills of the Delaware Valley. The excursion combined natural beauty, American history, and enjoyable fellowship in one of the region’s most treasured destinations.

The visit began with a narrated tram ride through the estate’s 60-acre garden, where seasonal blooms, shady woodlands, and carefully designed landscapes reflected the horticultural vision of Henry Francis du Pont. Along the way, members learned about the history and development of Winterthur’s renowned gardens while taking in the stunning scenery. After the tram tour, members enjoyed time walking the grounds, exploring the gardens up close and appreciating the estate’s natural beauty at their own pace.

Tucked within the grounds of Winterthur, Enchanted Woods is a whimsical three-acre children's garden designed to spark imagination and exploration. Shaded by majestic oak trees, this fairy-tale landscape features charming attractions such as a thatched Faerie Cottage (currently under construction), a giant Bird’s Nest, winding woodland paths, and hidden spaces that invite visitors of all ages to discover, play, and dream. Unlike a traditional playground, Enchanted Woods blends natural beauty with storytelling, creating a magical environment where creativity flourishes and every turn feels like stepping into a storybook.

Exciting news from the Blue Bird Trail at the Crofton Community Library. One of the five newly installed bluebird boxes now has an active nest with five eggs inside. The occupied box is located in the Pollinator Garden and is currently the only box on the trail with eggs this season. The garden’s native plants, open space, and insect population provide an ideal habitat for Eastern Bluebirds. Visitors are encouraged to observe quietly from a respectful distance as we continue to monitor the nest and share updates throughout the season.

SUSTAINABLE GARDENING: Heat-Tolerant Natives for Pollinators

​May brings longer days and warmer temperatures — an ideal time to strengthen your landscape with hardy native plants that thrive through the summer and support local pollinators.

Native flowers like purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) bloom beautifully from late spring through summer, providing nectar for bees and butterflies while needing minimal extra water once established. These tough perennials handle heat and dry spells well, helping you conserve water naturally.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make irrigation more efficient. Healthy, diverse native plantings also attract beneficial insects that help keep pests under control, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
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By planting thoughtfully in May, you’re building a sustainable landscape that can handle summer’s challenges while staying vibrant and full of life.

Under the leadership of Pollinator Pathway Project Chair Lauren Toomey, garden club members spent several hours at the Naval Academy Dairy Farm helping separate native plant seedlings and transplant them into larger pots. Joining Lauren were members Yuki Adams, Laura Austin, Nancy Percivall, and CVGC President Margo Antonelli, who worked together to support the ongoing efforts of RePollinate Anne Arundel.

RePollinate Anne Arundel is a partnership between the Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy and the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners. The program focuses on growing and distributing native plants that support bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators while helping improve the local environment. Volunteer efforts such as these help prepare thousands of native plants for gardens and restoration projects throughout Anne Arundel County.