![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sTj6Eg1yn9nHAv_-kMu4YQ67rmYRw1XWpjuGvJEYDrnpJ9mjRdiA1cb1Wf4mvLbYQSr0aXEOcTx4GD2o1ijal2B3Vu5Y_vVYV27bO_d0nYPXTCpRgoqzbuvUxGMo8-2C2fAXZJJZ\")
The last thing you want to see is damage caused by annoying backyard pests. Here are a few of the worst in Cincinnati, along with tips on how to control them.
\n","content":"\nYou’ve worked hard and invested time and money to have a beautiful lawn and garden. The last thing you want to see is damage caused by annoying backyard pests. Here are a few of the worst in Cincinnati, along with some tips on how to control them.
\n\n\n\nBillbugs are grayish-black and have a snout or “bill” on their forehead. Adults live in the thatch layer of your lawn and can do some damage, but the larvae are far worse. Adult females lay their eggs in lawns in June. Within a few weeks, the eggs hatch and the larvae begin feasting on the grass as they move to the soil. You’ll start to see the damage in July or August, with discolored grass and brown patches. You also can easily pull up the grass in infested areas.
\n\n\n\nPrevention can start with varieties of billbug-resistant turf. You can use insecticides to kill the adults in May before they lay their eggs. Billbugs are harder to control when they reach the larval stage, but some newer insecticides have proven effective.
\n\n\n\nNot only do chinch bugs eat your grass; they inject it with their toxic saliva which kills it. The damage shows up as yellow patches in your lawn that eventually turn brown. Chinch bugs love dry grass, so watering your lawn properly can help keep them away. Keeping your grass longer can also help, as can aerating in the spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vNM5UWNMh4tyNPVmLbp7UhdQjA5cNEumKHPpyGyYnRG4y6aB0XIytq_Sdjmg-lrIOxail0QOrri1CQMu1UrOa2urZtAOfE9U_aX4AN1PkgVluduPqPG3tfpMtJuKeYrtrxszDSqM\")
These pests annoy you, your pets, and even the squirrels in your yard. Fleas are most active in the summer and can inflict painful bites. Mowing the lawn and getting rid of tall overgrown weeds where fleas like to live can help. You can spray pesticide, but for a nontoxic alternative try nematodes. These small wormlike critters eat fleas in their pupae, larvae and pre-adult forms.
\n\n\n\nMosquitoes can make a backyard barbecue truly miserable. They’re annoying and often deadly since they can also spread disease. Females need water sources to lay their eggs, so one way to control them is to remove standing water from your property. Citronella candles, yellow light bulbs and insect repellent can also help. You can also try mosquito repelling plants such as chrysanthemums, basil, lavender, and marigolds.
\n\n\n\nThis pest does its damage in its larval or caterpillar stage. You’ll first notice lawn damage in the spring when larvae start eating the grass. As the larvae get larger you’ll start noticing larger brown spots in your lawn, often near driveways and curbs. Check for sod webworms by digging in the thatch layer, looking for their silk-lined tunnels. To get rid of them, you need to get rid of the larvae, not the adult moths. If you’re using a pesticide, choose one labeled for effectiveness against them. The larvae feed at night so it’s best to spray in the late afternoon.
\n\n\n\nWhite grubs are the larval stage of several types of beetles, including Japanese and chafer beetles. They attack the roots of your grass, which causes yellow then brown patches. The turf becomes spongy and rolls back like carpet because the roots are gone. Adult females lay their eggs in mid-July, and the larvae can start feeding in August. They move deeper into the soil to survive the winter, move back to the surface in spring to pupate into adults. Then the cycle begins again. Pesticides can help get rid of them from July to mid-September, but you should only treat the affected area and not your entire lawn. Natural alternatives include nematodes (see above) or milky spore.
\n\n\n\nMaintaining a healthy lawn is one of the best ways to prevent insect infestation. If you’re replacing or planting new grass, consider perennial ryegrass. This variety stands up well to kids and pets and contains endophytes, a fungus that repels ground-feeding insects. It won’t get rid of all the bugs but will help control the worst backyard pests in Cincinnati.
\n\n\n\nLooking to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Cincinnati? Visit our Cincinnati Lawn Care page.
\n","title":"Worst Backyard Pests in Cincinnati and How to Control Them","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3136288998357963,"src":"/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/f2cbb/mosquito.jpg","srcSet":"/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/107df/mosquito.jpg 320w,\n/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/293e9/mosquito.jpg 500w,\n/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/f2cbb/mosquito.jpg 800w","srcWebp":"/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/98a65/mosquito.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/67b76/mosquito.webp 320w,\n/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/8df11/mosquito.webp 500w,\n/static/26d787bc3e5f1858ebe8a3d6c96d9589/98a65/mosquito.webp 800w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Worst Backyard Pests in Cincinnati and How to Control Them | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"1b8efa3d-8665-5f24-86c1-df248f59d7ed","slug":"worst-weeds-in-richmond-va","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/richmond/worst-weeds-in-richmond-va/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Bob Greenly has been mowing and caring for lawns since he was 12 years old. His summer job turned into a permanent career after college when he opened his own landscaping company.","name":"Bob Greenly","id":"86622de6-1450-5165-836f-e7397d91491b","path":"/author/bob-greenly/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/38ceb71a8b949ee91fe8f7d81c04ccde?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08edb056-11a9-55f1-a92d-6400a6e86bbc","name":"Richmond","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/richmond/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"}],"date":"August 9th, 2019","excerpt":"Richmond’s mild climate gives weeds plenty of opportunities to invade, often undetected. Here’s a guide to some of the worst weeds in Richmond — and how to control them.
\n","content":"\nWith four mild but distinct seasons, Richmond offers a perfect environment for us to enjoy the great outdoors. It also gives weeds plenty of opportunities to invade, often undetected. Here’s a guide to some of the worst weeds in Richmond and how to control them.
\n\n\n\nFar more insidious than the annual weeds covered above, nutsedge (pictured above) has the unfortunate distinction of being an annual weed, which means that its invasions are not limited to spring or fall. This very aggressive weed requires a long-term strategy to eliminate, so be prepared for a marathon rather than a sprint. Nutsedge thrives in moist areas and can be an indicator that you’re overwatering. Small patches of nutsedge can be eliminated by digging out (to a depth of 10 inches), but larger concentrations will have to be treated with a specific post-emergent herbicide during warm months.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sPdtBA44JjuK6q1NlAvEXcCx5sIRe83_ReXEaluVI576F8l7SYgXZ3i0IqXNvshCSJ9KrdKIZIudDA0Cg_ZtF-7sgHhcdJIklP4SOo0bO-s0MdnlJPLryU8d6Vo9zcwhNddOE7lp\")
Despite our childhood wonder and making wishes blowing on the white poofs of dandelion seeds, this is one noxious weed. What’s more, those “wishes” send airborne seeds far and wide — for miles — much to the dismay of anyone with a lawn. The key to controlling these perennial weeds is to catch them in the spring before they’ve had time to spread. As soon as you spot one in the lawn, take care to pull up the entire plant including the taproot. If you’ve got a dandelion problem, then a broadleaf herbicide applied in the fall can help.
\n\n\n\nA cool-season annual, chickweed is adaptable to almost any condition, although it prefers moist, well-irrigated soil. If it’s allowed to spread, you’ll notice it first by the small white flowers it sends out. You can control it by manually pulling up the plants by their shallow roots as they appear. However, the bare areas they leave in the lawn are an invitation to other weeds. Aeration and reseeding in the early fall can help to fill in any gaps in the turf. Use herbicides as a last resort, only if frequent mowing doesn’t prevent the chickweed from going to seed.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CCHjuWXl8WimgoikEJmEhZYsAaamJFLW3J8vTGXISv7BHsl2FknB7LV7tNf9YWHfQdQsBO4EZX7ppDm8fJCWnMuLBvR24aNg2AyMDB-ePXdxtV-Zs1TT8ehxouOG-bVXX0FHa5Ae\")
Another winter annual, purple deadnettle is part of the mint family that makes its appearance in late March and early April. Mild winter seasons can help these worst weeds in Richmond can get a head start, taking advantage of any gaps in the lawn. Bare spots in your lawn can also be exploited by aggressive summer weeds like crabgrass. Hand weeding is effective for small outbreaks, but applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the fall is the only way to prevent an infestation. Don’t bother treating with herbicide in the spring. Your best course of action is actually to mow regularly to prevent the mature plants from going to seed.
\n\n\n\nRemember that most weeds are opportunists who exploit any gap in the lawn and take advantage of issues in that make it easy for them to outcompete turfgrass. The best way to defend your lawn against them is to keep it lush, dense, and healthy. Aeration, good mowing technique, appropriate irrigation, and well-timed fertilization will all contribute to your lawn’s health. A bit of effort spent on maintaining a healthy lawn will save you loads of time spent combatting the weeds.
\n\n\n\nLooking to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Richmond? Visit our Richmond, Va., lawn care page.
\n","title":"Worst Weeds in Richmond, Va.","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.2229299363057324,"src":"/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/1789c/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg","srcSet":"/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/107df/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg 320w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/293e9/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg 500w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/f2cbb/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg 800w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/1789c/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg 960w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/4fb49/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/1dd6e/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/67b76/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp 320w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/8df11/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp 500w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/98a65/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp 800w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/1dd6e/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp 960w,\n/static/226823db4ec72f2e93dae08fcc5a67ac/62477/nutsedge-grass-pixabay.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Worst Weeds in Richmond, Va. | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"d9eec7c3-8636-5c74-95f8-73172b1546ec","slug":"native-plants-for-richmond-va","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/richmond/native-plants-for-richmond-va/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Danielle Bradley is a botanist who experiments with native plants from every region in the U.S. She’s dedicated to companion planting without the use of pesticides. Her own garden is filled with a variety of colors and textures.","name":"Danielle Bradley","id":"7329a804-3158-5b9f-94fc-835a4923557a","path":"/author/danielle-bradley/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a840af9ee5b616963d15a622658e9612?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08edb056-11a9-55f1-a92d-6400a6e86bbc","name":"Richmond","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/richmond/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"}],"date":"August 9th, 2019","excerpt":"Virginia’s rich and diverse ecology almost compels you to incorporate native plants into your landscape. Here is an introduction to a few of the most-colorful.
\n","content":"\nVirginia’s rich and diverse ecology almost compels you to incorporate native plants into your landscape. Local plants offer more support to wildlife, maintain biodiversity, and are adapted to the climate. They require far less care than their exotic counterparts and save you time and money with their minimal demands. Here is an introduction to just a few of the native plants for Richmond, Va.
\n\n\n\nA salt marsh and wetland species, these elegant beauties (pictured above) flower over a long period in the late summer to early fall. The creamy-white flowers have a deep red center and are a favorite of hummingbirds. They put on an impressive show, standing from 3-8 feet tall and performing well in sun or part shade. Rose mallow can be grown easily from seed, and will usually come back each spring after being cut back to a few inches from the ground.
\n\n\n\nThis short-lived perennial thrives in part shade and blooms from April to May. A favorite of hummingbirds, the bright, tubular flowers add vibrant cheer in spring. This lovely native plant for Richmond grows from one to three feet tall and will self-sow seeds each year, so you never need to worry about replanting.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/butterfly-milkweed-asclepias-tuberosa-credit-joshua-mayer-flickr.jpg\")
Of the many dozens of varieties of milkweed, only four are native to Virginia. If you only choose one, Asclepias tuberosa is a good choice, as it’s a host plant for monarch butterfly larvae. This cheerful, orange bloom proliferates from June to August, and keeps a low profile, growing 12-30 inches tall. This is a flexible species, performing well in either sun or part shade and requiring no care to thrive.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GL84XK1PL_IKc5Id96fu9ZGi26UmBmc8x3YMmeiBaEcnuLDiGAIGSIpFrMgnaLtVRgsnuOyJnKiWkC2G9Zmk_-CQuLBDfUc0faFddib0lC46Dx3re5WOxPBvwn9wRiX0ikSyDLad\")
Growing 4-8 feet tall, this is the largest and most impressive native lily in the region. A single plant has been recorded with up to 40 blooms. This lily loves to bask in full sun and bursts into bloom from July to September. The distinctive blooms are impossible to ignore and make great showy cut flowers indoors.
\n\n\n\nIn a region sometimes plagued by deer and rabbits, the Christmas fern offers striking texture in the shade that is resistant to these midnight munchers. It stays green through Christmas, hence the name. This is a perfect plant to use in masses on slopes to prevent erosion. As long as there is some shade, it will perform well and reproduce slowly, over time.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/american-beautyberry-john-pavelka-flickr-1024x768.jpg\")
This deciduous shrub has loose, gracefully arching branches and bright, green foliage. It erupts into stunning clusters of purple berries in fall and winter, providing visual interest and forage for wildlife. American beautyberry performs best in full sun to part shade, making it an ideal understory shrub or edge planting. This small shrub requires almost no maintenance and provides a splash of color when most deciduous plants are going dormant.
\n\n\n\nThis is but a small sample of the many species native to our area. For a more comprehensive list, explore some of the resources provided by the state. Remember, a native landscape is one that gives more than it takes, providing you with more time spent enjoying your yard than maintaining it.
\n\n\n\nLooking to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Richmond? Visit our Richmond. Va., lawn care page.
\n\n\n\nMain image credit: Paul VanDerWerf, Flickr
\n","title":"Native Plants for Richmond, Va.","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.0788461538461538,"src":"/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/1789c/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/107df/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg 320w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/293e9/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg 500w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/f2cbb/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg 800w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/1789c/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg 960w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/82d62/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.jpg 1122w","srcWebp":"/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/1dd6e/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/67b76/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp 320w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/8df11/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp 500w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/98a65/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp 800w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/1dd6e/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp 960w,\n/static/d5ff8271db12da7450ed01417db7ad89/ab6ed/rose-mallow-credit-Paul-VanDerWerf-Flickr.webp 1122w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Native Plants for Richmond, Va. | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"6ba29152-fc73-502b-8a6c-d72e769a7d6d","slug":"a-guide-to-summer-lawn-care-in-virginia-beach","path":"/lawn-care/virginia/virginia-beach/a-guide-to-summer-lawn-care-in-virginia-beach/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jill Ramone is a landscaper who specializes in designing sustainable yards for busy homeowners. She prides herself on using eco-friendly products to control weeds and pests.","name":"Jill Ramone","id":"4c71091e-0a16-561f-8bdf-528214955c18","path":"/author/jillramone/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0caf6c31bc9563a294dd509633a793c6?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"ddd20ffd-f767-55d6-8823-27520167ef7e","name":"Virginia","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/"},{"id":"9107cea5-e99b-514c-a5cb-295305a7d651","name":"Virginia Beach","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/virginia/virginia-beach/"}],"date":"August 9th, 2019","excerpt":"A great looking Virginia lawn doesn’t happen overnight. It takes work and adjustments, discovering just the right thing needed for thick, green grass.
\n","content":"\nA great looking Virginia lawn doesn’t happen overnight. It takes work and adjustments, discovering just the right thing needed for thick, green grass. Each season has its own requirements to keep your yard in tip-top shape and summer’s no different. With a few simple steps and this guide to summer lawn care in Virginia Beach, your lawn will hold up through the heat and humidity.
\n\n\n\nA Virginia Beach lawn is hard to maintain if you don’t start with the right type of grass.
\n\n\n\nGrass has two major types — cool-season grasses, suited to Northern climates, and warm-season grasses, bred to thrive in the Southern heat. The state of Virginia is in the “transition zone” where both can be grown, but each will have challenges. Warm-season grasses will struggle in the winter, while cool-season grasses will wilt in the summer.
\n\n\n\nHowever, Virginia Beach’s climate is moderated by the ocean, so it rarely gets bitterly cold. In addition, it has sandy soils. Both those conditions mean warm-season grasses are the better choice, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
\n\n\n\nSo, the experts recommend a warm-season grass like Bermuda, Bahia, or Zoysia have strong roots and the ability to tolerate drought. However, the cool-season fescue remains the most-dominant grass type.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9Kt4OrHtGmwhVVVi0vJhB6QUlx_Q22P9zDVbDpVF69Zl7eXzD50J7Tbv_ABitXg2gn5PkN3P6WOHkgJvxIXP2FQhcOrpIyizcEaUs206KR05iONT3c9Rr-9VvEGwMU5mN_IqLNuH\")
Regular mowing is one of the most important things you can do for a healthy lawn. Doing it right creates a low-maintenance yard that also resists drought. The correct mowing height depends on the type of grass you plant. Mowing to the proper height makes the turfgrass thicker and promotes deep root growth. It also helps the grass stand up better against weeds and environmental stresses. Also, never cut more than one-third of the top at one time.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass: 1 to 1 1/2 inches
\n\n\n\nBahiagrass: 2 to 4 inches
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass: 1 1/2 to 3 inches.
\n\n\n\nIf your lawn is dry, water it or wait for rain before cutting. Mowing parched grass stresses the turf by exposing it to the wind and sun.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zx62tJ30i-O-bkkh_NrPb4LgtdpUzxpwXaap5rC1ebC1TJP74vcl-vur8cX_Qp36i03HEMnSyPOqLJU2nFwaGtcJ1bxkhWR9rsrjjaY2TfHDYpsNb3JmV9mK9bUEZL9jLEov5DFc\")
When you mow regularly, and the grass isn’t too tall, the volume of clippings left behind aren’t enough to warrant raking. Nor should you. Clippings left after mowing act as a fertilizer. They decompose, leaving water and nutrients behind in your yard. Clippings are rich in nitrogen and can reduce both the need for chemical fertilizer and the risk of the chemicals burning the lawn. It’s also better for the environment. There are, however, a few instances where it’s better to bag the clippings. Rake when the grass is wet, or you waited too long between mowings. Pick the clippings up if you need them for your compost pile. And definitely, don’t leave the clippings behind if you have spots of disease in the lawn. Bag them up and throw them away to prevent spreading the disease to other areas of your yard.
\n\n\n\nYour lawn will survive a Virginia Beach summer without a lot of watering, except during severe drought conditions. But this guide to summer lawn care in Virginia Beach recommends watering about an inch per week in dry weather. The best time is early morning. Watering during the heat of the day will put stress on the lawn, and much of the water will evaporate. When water is needed, water deeply to encourage deep grass roots.
\n\n\n\nIf you’d like more information about lawn care and landscaping, visit our Virginia Beach lawn care page.
Even though there aren’t any watering restrictions for Virginia Beach, the city asks you to be smart about the way you use your water outdoors.
\n","content":"\nVirginia Beach is one of the lucky metropolitan areas when it comes to lawn watering. Watering restrictions in Virginia Beach are pretty much nonexistent. A representative of the public utility says Virginia Beach has plenty of water. But the truth isn’t quite as simple as that, and the city asks people to follow a list of water conservation recommendations. Here’s a little bit of the history behind this, along with the city’s conservation recommendations.
\n\n\n\nThe biggest drought of the last century took place in 1930. The United States Geological Survey says that was one of the most severe droughts recorded in the state. Things dried up again in 1938-1942, and 1962-1971 and other years, like in the 1980s More recently, a milder drought hit Virginia in 2002.
\n\n\n\nToday, Virginia Beach pumps in millions of gallons a day from Lake Gaston. That abundant water supply allows the city to skirt water restrictions. But this didn’t come without a court challenge from the state of North Carolina, where part of the lake is located. Virginia Beach prevailed, but the water supply is a hard-fought resource, and the city promotes conservation.
\n\n\n\nThe city of Virginia Beach has a list of recommendations for outdoor and indoor water use on its website. Those recommendations include watering your lawn in the early morning. Morning watering is also best for the grass since it allows the roots time to soak up the water before the heat of the day. Watering during the day wastes water and watering at night leaves the lawn vulnerable to disease and fungus. The city also recommends replacing some of your grass with mulched garden beds and choosing native plants, which are adapted to the climate of Virginia Beach. Other common-sense tips include aiming your sprinklers away from driveways and streets and towards your grass.
\n\n\n\nThe bottom line is that you can water as much as you want and when you want, and the city of Virginia Beach is not going to come after you. Even though there aren’t any watering restrictions for Virginia Beach, the city asks you to be smart about the way you use your water outdoors. Save the water for a rainy day … or rather several dry days when we really need it!
\n\n\n\nWant more information about lawn care and landscaping in Virginia Beach? Visit our Virginia Beach lawn care page.
Native plants are low-maintenance and beautiful, adding color to your garden without guzzling a lot of water. Here are five of the favorite native plants for Virginia Beach.
\n","content":"\nIf you take long walks or bike rides in First Landing State Park, you can’t help but admire over 550 miles of luscious greenery. It might give you the urge to spruce up your backyard with new native trees, shrubs, or flowers. However, it may surprise some that not every plant native to Virginia is native to this coastal city. This article will help you explore the best native plants for Virginia Beach, along with their attributes, such as water and sun exposure needs.
\n\n\n\nNative plants provide significant benefits, such as boosting the local ecosystem, attracting beneficial insects and pollinators–– even helping some endangered butterfly species fight for survival.
\n\n\n\nIn this article
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"colorful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nUnlike many other milkweeds, this bushy perennial has no milky sap. Butterfly milkweed has clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These flat, umbel flowers produce seed pods in the fall. Butterfly milkweed grows naturally in canyons, hillsides, prairies, and open woods. In addition to working great as cut flowers, this native plant is a suitable choice for cottage or butterfly gardens.
\n\n\n\nA great nectar source for birds and insects, butterfly milkweed is critical to the survival of monarch and zebra swallowtail butterflies. So when working on your new landscape, consider this plant to help reverse their fortune.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-76.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: rockerBOO / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCardinal flower is a popular, upright perennial that can add a vertical interest to the landscape. This native plant’s boasting flower spikes are densely packed with cardinal red, two-lipped blossoms that bloom from midsummer to early fall. Cardinal flower may self-seed in ideal growing conditions, and fortunately, is not an invasive plant.
\n\n\n\nIt can easily thrive in cottage, wild, and butterfly gardens. This beautiful native flower is a magnet for beneficial insects and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nNote: Ingesting this plant may cause discomfort.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, part shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1-6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Ingesting this plant may cause discomfort.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Inkberry-Holly.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Elsa Spezio / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nInkberry holly is a dioecious, slow-growing broadleaf shrub that is easy to grow. The name ‘inkberry’ comes from the dark fruits this native plant produces. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce these fruits. Inkberry holly has smooth leaves, distinguishing it from other common hollies found in nature. This versatile plant can thrive around landscape ponds or water features, and can be used to form shrub borders.
\n\n\n\nIt is important to note that the leaves and berries can be toxic to humans and pets.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater: High
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – April
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, small tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Ingestion may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other illnesses in humans
\n\n\n\n![\"white](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fall-Phlox.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kor!An (Корзун Андрей) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nWith many visually stunning colors, the fall phlox is a popular choice among homeowners. It may be planted in groups, perennial borders, or single specimens. Fall phlox has a stout, smooth stem that holds narrow leaves. The sweetly fragrant flowers can bloom throughout the summer until early fall. Just to add further beauty to your garden, the blossoms sway attractively in the breeze. Garden phlox, a common name for this perennial, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nThis native plant needs good air circulation to grow and thrive. During the hot summer months, consider adding mulch to keep the root area cool.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nFragrant: Pleasant sweet scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – October
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"eastern](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/eastern-redbud-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: BETTY / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as the ‘Ace of Hearts’, the eastern redbud is a deciduous tree with a dome-shaped canopy. It is aesthetically pleasing, and can add elegance to gardens or other outdoor spaces. It has a foliage of heart-shaped, dark green leaves that turn shades of yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nDark red flowers cover the unique and irregular branches in the spring. These cheerful blossoms are on display for 2 to 3 weeks. Attracting birds and butterflies, eastern redbud can be used for shrub borders or as a specimen plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – May
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nMature size: 20 – 30 feet tall with a 25 – 35 foot spread
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Contains the toxin saponin but isn’t considered toxic because it usually doesn’t cause harm when ingested
\n\n\n\n![\"Sweetbay](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sweetbay-magnolia-800px-famartin-ccsa40.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe sweetbay magnolia is a slow-growing plant that can be grown as a slender tree or as a multi-stemmed shrub. It has solitary, lemon-scented, white flowers that appear in late spring and bloom sporadically throughout summer. As part of its handsome foliage, this native plant produces cone-like fruits with bright red seeds. Sweetbay magnolia is known to attract birds, making it another beneficial plant for the local ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Lemon-scented
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10 to 35 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/coral-honeysuckle-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jo Naylor / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nTrumpet honeysuckle is a medium-sized, semi-evergreen climber with tubular flowers that open to reveal yellow throats, mainly produced from early spring to early summer. These flowers will give way to bright red berries in late summer to early fall. Trumpet honeysuckle will happily cover fences, walls, and even pergolas for a pretty display. One of the showiest of the vining honeysuckle, this species attracts bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nFun fact: The leaves make a decoction for sore throats and coughs.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Climber
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – June
\n\n\n\nMature size: 8 to 15 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Smooth-Alder.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nSmooth alder, with its densely branched canopy and multi-stemmed trunks, can be planted as either a deciduous shrub or small tree. It has a foliage of glossy green leaves that turn yellow-brown in the fall. However, its most distinctive feature can be seen in early to mid spring. During this period, the long, pale yellow male catkins dangle like Christmas decorations near the bore branch tips. In turn, the catkins release pollen that attaches several insects.
\n\n\n\nAlders support 255 species of caterpillars, and can provide food and shelter for wintering, breeding, and migrant birds. All of these positives make the smooth alder a terrific addition to your Virginia Beach landscape.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average, high
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – April
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Virginian-Witch-Hazel.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSimilar to the smooth alder, the Virginian witch hazel can thrive as a deciduous shrub or small tree. It has sweetly-scented, pale yellow flowers that bloom in fall and early winter. Each flower consists of 4 golden ribbon-like petals. The smooth, broadly oval leaves will turn yellow in the fall, providing you with a colorful fall foliage. Overall, the Virginian witch hazel is a great addition to your native plant landscape.
\n\n\n\nFun fact: this is the species from which medicinal witch-hazel extract is made.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub, tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness Zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nSun exposure: Full sun, partial shade, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Average
\n\n\n\nBloom time: September – December
\n\n\n\nMature size: 15 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/beautyberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tony Alter / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWith its showy flowers and fruits, American beautyberry is another popular choice among homeowners. It is easy to grow and perfect as a specimen plant in your backyard. The best fruit production occurs when the shrubs are planted in groups. These showy berries may persist even after the leaves have fallen, and will most probably be devoured by hungry birds. To encourage flowering, consider pruning the stems in late winter to early spring.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, Sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Citrus
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4-8 feet
\n\n\n\nVirginia Beach, part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8. You should consider this before planting any new flowers, shrubs, or trees in your backyard. Additionally, professional gardeners and landscapers use this information to avoid planting non-native plants that will neither thrive nor benefit your local environment.
\n\n\n\nThe type of soil, exposure, and water needs are some of the major attributes you should always double-check on. If your landscape has the wrong type of acidic soil, is too shady, or suffers from harsh winters, even Virginia-native plants that cannot withstand such conditions may fail to establish themselves.
\n\n\n\nPawpaw is one of the largest edible trees in North America. Not only is it relished by us humans, but by many species of wildlife such as deer and raccoons. The pawpaw tree does not have distinguishing features, so you may end up walking past one without even noticing!
\n\n\n\nThe next time you’re walking around the local woods in late summer or early fall, keep an eye out for this tree and enjoy its fruit when it is just ripe.
\n\n\n\nBelieve it or not, there are some plants that grow all too well in the area. They grow so well that they are deemed invasive and damaging to your property. Growing Virginia-native plants is not just about boosting the local ecosystem, but also about preventing non-native species from invading the native ones or damaging your property.
\n\n\n\nAccording to the Virginia Department of Forestry, these are some of the worst invasive plants that you should avoid or help get rid of:
\n\n\n\nVisit the homepage of Virginia Native Plant Society at vnps.org to learn more about invasive plants, cultivars, and hybrids of native plants in Virginia Beach.
\n\n\n\nThe name might already sound familiar to most of you. The poison hemlock is arguably the most dangerous plant in Virginia Beach, if not all of North America. It is a highly toxic biennial with an unpleasant smell. The symptoms can start to appear rather quickly, and simply touching the plant can be enough to poison both humans and animals. All parts of the plant are dangerous, and symptoms can range from vomiting to seizures to respiratory failure.
\n\n\n\nYou should be extremely careful around this plant, as there is no antidote for hemlock poisoning. If you spot one in or around your property, you can contact local professionals to safely get rid of it.
\n\n\n\nVirginia has several native plants. To learn more about plants native to Virginia’s Capital Region, Northern Virginia, and Southeast Virginia, visit our guide to Virginia’s native plants.
\n\n\n\nMother nature is the obvious place to begin. You can spot native plants in the local woods, and sometimes near your own property. The second option is to look for nurseries or wildflower centers that specialize in selling native plants. Additionally, these local nurseries or centers can provide you with plenty of useful tips on how to maintain your native plant garden.
\n\n\n\nBelow are some plant nurseries and garden centers in Southeast Virginia where you can find native plants:
\n\n\n\nKeep your yard in tip-top shape so your native plant garden can shine. If you feel more comfortable hiring pros, contact a local lawn care professional who can maintain the yard’s hedges, turfgrass, and autumn leaves.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: GREEN HILL, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA / JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
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