Welcome to the University of Maryland Extension (UME) of Worcester County which is part of a statewide, non-formal education system within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. This partnership also includes support from USDA as well as the county government. The Worcester County UME faculty and staff provide a broad range of outreach through workshops, seminars, classes, clinics, newsletters, consultations, and media efforts.
The Worcester County Fair Guide is now available!
Join us for a fun-filled day at the county fair, featuring a variety of events and activities for all ages! The fair kicks off at 4:30 PM with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a series of exciting contests, live music performances, and delicious foods. Don’t miss the agricultural exhibits, kids’ activities, and indoor 4-H and open exhibits and demonstrations.
Magnolia grandiflora
Plant of the Week...or Southern Magnolia can grow 60-80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide, which is often too large a plant for many landscapes. Fortunately, there is a wonderful dwarf cultivar Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ that grows 15-20 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. ‘Little Gem’ thrives in full sun to part afternoon shade and prefers to grow in organically rich, moist, well drained soils. Like many of the Magnolia grandiflora cultivars, ‘Little Gem’ is moderately salt tolerant, growing comfortably near the ocean and tidal rivers and near roads that get salted during snowy weather. Plants are cold tolerant in USDA zones 7-8 and only slightly tolerant of urban pollutions. Plants are upright multi-stemmed dense pyramidal evergreens with glossy dark green leaves that are bronze brown on the underside. The fragrant 3–6-inch waxy white flowers grow at the tips of the branches spreading out and blooming from spring into the late summer. Magnolias are pollenated by beetles who were around before bees were, so the petals are thick enough to handle the weight of the larger pollinators. The light lemony scented flowers mature into cone like spherical fruiting clusters in the autumn. When the fruiting clusters mature, they release individual red- rose colored seeds that are suspended on slender threads. ‘Little Gem’ fits into small landscapes and courtyards as a specimen, and can also be used in a tapestry hedge or as a screen. The bright red seeds are enjoyed by native birds in the autumn into winter. Insect and disease pests can include scale and deer browsing. Although the leaves are evergreen, they do fall in the early spring when the new foliage emerges. Th leaves can be left as a mulch or removed if necessary. Pruning such be accomplished in spring or early summer to allow the plants to heal the wound while actively growing.
Ginny Rosenkranz
