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Montgomery County Master Gardeners - Maryland

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Montgomery County Master Gardeners - Maryland

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider. https://go.umd.edu/EOP Accommodation request, consult your local UMD Extension Office.

As trained volunteers of the University of Maryland Extension, we educate County residents on safe, effective, sustainable practices for healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.

10/31/2026

Bats are not the world’s most beloved creatures. Mostly night animals, they’ve become a symbol of Halloween—associated with vampires, death and general ghoulishness. Sure, a few bat species do, in fact, feed on animal blood. Some bats have a face only a biologist could love. And yes, bats can be reservoirs of disease. But in their more than 50 million years on Earth, these maligned creatures have developed some admirable qualities, too.

In honor of spooky season, here are seven bat facts you may not know. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/7-spooky-bat-facts-right-in-time-for-halloween/

10/28/2026

Boltonia is a member of the aster genus that is a native to the Eastern U.S. Its flowers are about 1 inch in diameter and are white or purple. Except for a few cultivars, most Boltonias are even more unkempt-looking than asters and are best used in a wildflower or meadow landscape. However, Snowbank is a recommended cultivar that has a more ‘controlled’ habit of growth. Boltonia is also known as False Aster, False Chamomile, and White Doll's Daisy. Photo: NCSU Plant Database - NC State University

10/27/2026

Helianthus angustifolius, also known as narrow-leaf sunflower or swamp sunflower, is a native perennial in the aster family. Swamp sunflower is a large, erect plant that can grow up to 8 feet tall with blooms of yellow daisy-like flowers in late summer into fall.
The flowers of H. angustifolius provide nectar to pollinators from late summer until the first frost. It is also a host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot, Gorgone Checkerspot, Bordered Patch, and Painted Lady butterfly caterpillars. The seeds, when left to stand on dead flower heads, provide winter food sources for birds such as ruffed grouse, songbirds, quail, mourning doves, and even small mammals. Members of the genus Helianthus also support a variety of specialized bees, including long-horned bees, sweat bees, and leafcutter bees. (Penn State Extension)

10/27/2026

Spooky Maryland Plants

Devil’s Walkingstick (Aralia spinosa)

One only needs to take a quick look at this tree to see how it earned its common name. Large, sharp thorns surround the trunk, sometimes at lengths over half an inch. Despite its dark name and prickly exterior, this tree is a force for good: native, deer-resistant, and easy to grow, providing flowers for native pollinators and fruit for mammals and birds. A champion in the National Big Tree Program (the largest known in the state) of this species inhabits Baltimore County. (photo credit Devils Walkingstick by Megan Barger) via Maryland Dept of Natural Resources

10/25/2026

Leaf yellowing on evergreens happens every year as the old leaves shed, but in some years it is more noticeable. Different evergreen species shed old leaves in spring or fall; white pine trees, for example, shed old needles in fall. The pine needles in the canopy interior (closer to the base of the branch) turn yellow and drop off. Shedding can also occur on rhododendrons and other evergreen shrubs, which is normal for this time of year. Photo: William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International,

10/25/2026

Spooky Maryland Plants
Doll’s-Eyes (Actaea pachypoda)

Present on almost every list of creepy plants, this weirdo (we mean that as a compliment!) produces a shiny white fruit with a black center. Birds happily eat the fruit, spreading this plant through seeds in their droppings, while rabbits avoid them. The other common name, baneberry, gives a clear warning about the toxicity of this fruit to humans. This plant is not the only toxic species to have “bane” in the common name, as exemplified by dogbane (family Apocynaceae) and wolfsbane (Aconitum genus). Doll’s-Eyes (Actaea pachypoda) White Baneberry by Thomas Quine
(via Maryland Dept of Natural Resources)

10/25/2026

Spooky Maryland Plants
Ghost Flower (aka Ghost Pipe, Monotropa uniflora)

A commonly spotted plant on woodland hikes all over Maryland, this hauntingly pale and unique flower is blessed with a lack of chlorophyll, explaining the absence of green. Also called co**se plant, it shrivels and blackens as it ages, but not until it has completed its parasitic cycle of draining the life out of surrounding fungal networks. Indian Pipe. Photo by Julie Bradbury
(via Maryland Dept of Natural Resources)

10/24/2026

A rain garden is a planted, bowl-shaped landscape feature designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff from a defined hard surface such as a roof or pavement. Water is held in the garden temporarily to let it soak in gradually. Our RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program offers money back to help with rain garden installation costs.

Visit RainScapes.org for more information.

10/22/2026

Black rat snakes may still be hatching in October. These harmless baby snakes are not black at hatching but are a light gray with dark brown rectangular markings down the back. Photo credit of Juvenile Central Ratsnake: Scott A. Smith

10/22/2026

Many different spiders like jumping spiders, yellow house spiders, wolf spiders may enter homes. They can wander indoors through or around windows, doors, and cracks. Caulk cracks around doors and windows, especially those at ground level. Most spiders are shy and harmless to humans. Normally, they will not attempt to bite unless accidentally trapped or held. They are beneficial by feeding on nuisance insects, and killing spiders should be avoided if possible.

Address

18410 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD
20855

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(301) 590-2836

Website

http://go.umd.edu/mcmg

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