Peggy Singlemann, former horticulturist of Maymont, is a master of green living. After nearly four decades at Maymont, she helped shape it into a world-class arboretum. She continues her passion for plants as the co-host and co-producer of Virginia Home Grown on Virginia Public Media. In a recent conversation, she discussed the importance of native plants and the need to reduce monocultures in landscapes to create a vibrant and sustainable environment. Singlemann highlighted the American holly as an underrated plant, perfect for attracting birds in the winter.
She shared her go-to website for information, Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott’s research from Washington State University, which provides science-based facts on gardening myths and hacks. Singlemann’s love for botanical gardens extends to the Baroque-style tiered gardens of Isola Bella in Stesa, Italy, and the bulb display at Keukenhof in the Netherlands. To revitalize your garden with native plants, resources like the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Invasive Plant List and the U.S. Forest Service’s “Native Plant Alternatives” webpage can help you identify invasives and find native plant alternatives.
Singlemann’s wealth of knowledge and passion for gardening continues to inspire others to make sustainable choices in landscaping and embrace the beauty of native plants. Her legacy at Maymont lives on, and her expertise in horticulture remains a valuable resource for anyone looking to create a more eco-friendly garden.
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