Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

02/21/2021

Update- 2/21/21 Gardens are open with limited trail access. Trails will be reassessed mid-day as temps rise to evaluate the icy conditions.

02/20/2021

Update: 2/20/21 Gardens are open with limited trail access.

02/20/2021

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is open today, February 20, with limited trail/walkway access. #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens

02/19/2021

Nature’s own Chihuly style ice sculpture. #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novaparks #naturesart

02/19/2021

We are still working on clearing ice from the trails and we promise that we will reopen BEFORE pigs fly.

02/19/2021

Please note: Meadowlark Gardens is currently closed due to icy conditions.

02/18/2021

Due to the inclement weather, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is closed today, February 18. Stay safe and warm.

02/18/2021

Please note: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will be closed today, Thursday, February 18, due to icy conditions.

02/17/2021

The raindrops on this cabbage looked light crystals and glitter. There was just no way to see it and not stop to admire nature’s elegant sparkle.

02/16/2021

For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two Hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps?

Have you been spending more time at NOVA Parks this year?

Great news--Two Hours Outdoors is the New 10,000 Steps!

http://ow.ly/AfAy50DBtly

The physical and mental damage inflicted by Covid has doctors, researchers and others racing to tap into nature’s therapeutic effects.

02/15/2021

February has been an icy month so far! Thank goodness the VA Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Program has provided this helpful information.

As many Virginians deal with the results of our weekend ice storms, here are some instructions for dealing with ice or snow damaged trees and shrubs!

The biggest thing to remember? Be patient! As long as a damaged tree does not pose an immediate physical risk, the advice is simple: If you’re unsure about its condition, keep the tree for now.

An excellent guide to dealing with damaged trees, including pruning instructions and how to assess damage: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6867

For trees and shrubs damaged by ice and snow: https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/2015/02/helping-trees-and-shrubs-recover-from-snow-and-ice/

--Image text--
What to do for ice or snow damaged trees:

Don't top your trees!

Some trees can't be saved. If more than half of a tree’s limbs are damaged, the tree is highly unlikely to recover and will likely need to be removed.

Be patient! Trees are amazingly resilient and many recover with proper care and time.

Prune broken branches but don't over prune--leave as many branches as possible.

Be safe! Never cut limbs tangled in power lines. Bent trees and branches larger than 6 inches in diameter should be removed by someone with experience.

02/14/2021

Nature’s perfect Valentines, from Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to you. Happy Valentine’s Day.

02/14/2021

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our guests!

Be sure to stop in at our gift shop for any last minute items that you may need as gifts. Nothing says you’re sweet like fresh Meadowlark Honey!

02/13/2021

Due to weather conditions, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is closed today. #staysafe #icy

02/12/2021

Smithsonian Associates

Keith Tomlinson, our recently retired Garden Manager, has an upcoming Smithsonian Associates virtual series, "Beautiful Destinations: Botanical Gardens of the World." You can register for the 6-part series or just the April 11th program that includes Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. This is an opportunity to see incredible gardens across the global to add to your future travel plans. Use promo code BotGardens to receive Smithsonian Associates member registration rates.

The world’s botanical gardens are museums with living collections that tell unique stories. Escape to six of the most remarkable, as naturalist Keith Tomlinson surveys gardens from Singapore to South Africa, Morocco to Missouri.

Feb. 28 - Gardens by the Bay (Singapore)

Mar. 14 - Le Jardin Majorelle (Marrakech) and Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi (Istanbul)

Mar. 28 - Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Arizona)

Apr. 11 - Brookside Gardens, Montgomery Parks (Maryland) and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (Virginia)

Apr. 25 - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Capetown)

May 9 - Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis)

Tickets: http://s.si.edu/Botanical_Gardens

02/11/2021

Our gardening teams start March 1. APPLY TODAY at novaparks.com.

02/07/2021

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it."
John Burroughs

02/04/2021

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens's cover photo

02/03/2021

Who’s been walking through the snow? #animaltracks #snowyday #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novaparks

02/03/2021

#winterbeauty #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novaparks

02/01/2021

Some great resources to read on this snowy day.

Winter is a great time to do some pruning! Here are all the things Virginians can prune in February!

Check out all of our pruning resources, including calendars for pruning your shrubs, deciduous trees, and evergreens:

🌹 Shrub pruning calendar:
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-462/430-462_pdf.pdf

🌹 Shrub pruning guide: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-459/430-459.html

🌳 Deciduous tree pruning calendar:https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-460/430-460_pdf.pdf

🌲 Evergreen pruning calendar:https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/430/430-461/430-461_pdf.pdf
W

--Chart text:

February Pruning, best time to prune:

Shrubs:
Abelia
Arborvitae
Beautyberry
Boxwood
Butterfly bush
Chastetree (Vitex)
Cherrylaurel (Prunus)
Clethria, Summersweet
Cotoneaster, Deciduous
Cotoneaster, Evergreen
Crepe Myrtle
Dogwood, Redtwig
Eleagnus, Thorny
Euonymus, Deciduous
Euonymus, Evergreen
Gardenia
Hibiscus, Rose-of-sharon
Holly, Deciduous
Hydrangea, summer-blooming
Hypericum, St Johnswort
Juniper
Nandina
Osmanthus, Holly
Photinia
Pittosporum
Privet, Deciduous
Privet, Evergreen
Potentilla
Rose
Smoke Tree
Spirea, Summerblooming
Sumac
Yew

Evergreen Trees:
Arborvitae
Atlas Cedar
Deodar Cedar
Chamaecyparis
Fir
Holly (evergreen)
Juniper/Red Cedar
Leyland Cyprus
Magnolia, Southern
Oak, Live

(Note that many evergreens seldom need pruning except to remove multiple leaders & dead and broken branches)

Deciduous Trees:
Alder
Crepe Myrtle

02/01/2021

Due to icy conditions, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will be closed today, Monday, February 1st.

01/31/2021

Let it snow!! Do you accept the Mini Snowperson Challenge?! Share your masterpieces in the comments. (Pictured: Petunia and Basil Merriwether)

01/31/2021

When purple just can't get any more purple-ER!
Thank you to the Garden Club of Fairfax for its donation funding the pansies throughout Meadowlark.

01/31/2021

Due to inclement weather, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will be closed today, Sunday, January 31.

01/30/2021

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens's cover photo

01/30/2021

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

01/23/2021

Potomac Overlook Regional Park

Our staff would like to say a big thank you to our friends over at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for loaning us their adorable Veiled Chameleon and Bearded Dragon this winter! We enjoyed caring for these lovable critters as much as our visitors enjoyed seeing and learning about them! If you’re like us and can’t get enough of “Dude” the Chameleon and “Sweetie” the Bearded Dragon, be sure to stop by their home at Meadowlark and say hi to them! NOVA Parks

01/21/2021

Support one of our parks by purchasing one of these cool shirts or sweatshirts!

Are you looking for some warm winter wear? Love the birds of prey of Potomac Overlook Regional Park? We have you covered! We are kicking off our Raptor Campaign for our park’s 50th Anniversary, which you can support by ordering your very own Raptor Supporter shirts! The proceeds raised from sales will go towards the renovation of our bird of prey enclosures! You can find more info on our campaign and how to order your shirts at the link below. Our campaign ends on Wednesday, February 10th and proceeds go towards a great cause, so be sure to snag your shirt ASAP!

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/potomac-overlooks-50th-anniversary-raptor-campaign?side=front&type=1&zoom=false NOVA Parks

01/19/2021

We're down to our last two nights of Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights.

Come out tonight to enjoy a peaceful stroll through the magical lights.

Tickets: http://ow.ly/GYZ850DcoPZ

01/15/2021

Tonight is a great night to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the lights at Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights!

Tickets: http://ow.ly/NNnu50D9t3Z

#happinesshere #fridaynightlights #winterwalkoflights #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novaparks

01/13/2021

Take a mid-week break and re-charge at Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights!

We have several tickets available for tonight's show.

Tickets: http://ow.ly/oVzq50D7oMe

#happinesshere #winterwalkoflights #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novparks

01/12/2021

The end of the Winter Walk of Lights is closing in for the season. If you have not seen the show this season be sure to get your tickets now! An absolutely wonderful show with minimal crowds.

Get your tickets here
https://www.novaparks.com/events/winter-walk-of-lights

01/12/2021

Take a break tonight and enjoy a peaceful walk through the lights at Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights.

Tickets: http://ow.ly/tfaA50D6jCC

#happinesshere #winterwalkoflights #meadowlarkbotanicalgardens #novaparks