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.
Echinacea pallida
Plant of the Week...
...or the pale purple coneflower is a lovely herbaceous perennial native. These plants are easily grown in well drained soils in full sun to part shade, and the taproot is tolerant to heat, humidity, drought and poor soils. The pale purple coneflower has narrow dark green leaves that grow 4-10 inches long, lightly covered with hairs and an entire or smooth edges. The tall slender stems that hold the flowers 2-3 feet high above the foliage are also lightly covered with hairs. The large 3–4-inch fragrant flowers have pale purple ray petals that cascade gracefully downwards and surround the spiny center cone that is filled with coppery orange fertile flowers. These beautiful flowers will provide blooms from June to July, then add a flower every now and then until autumn. The flower provides nectar for both hummingbirds and butterflies, while the foliage provides food for the Ottoe-skipper larva. Pale purple cone flowers prefer not to be deadheaded because later in the summer the seed heads attract the Goldfinches and other small birds. There are no serious insects or disease problems. Occasionally the Japanese beetle will feast on the flowers and foliage and leaf spot can sometime be a problem.
Ginny Rosenkranz
