What are natives? For more information, refer to field guides and publications About the Native Plants for Conservation, Native species evolved within specific regions and on local natural history for color, shape, height, bloom times Restoration and Landscaping Project dispersed throughout their range without known and specific wildlife value of the plants that grow in your This project is a collaboration between the Virginia Depart- human involvement. They form the primary region. Visit a nearby park, natural area preserve, forest or ment of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Native component of the living landscape and provide wildlife management area to learn about common plant Plant Society. VNPS chapters across the state helped to fund the 2011 update to this brochure. food and shelter for native animal species. associations, spatial groupings and habitat conditions. For Native plants co-evolved with native specific recommendations and advice about project design, The following partners have provided valuable assistance animals over many thousands to millions consult a landscape or garden design specialist with throughout the life of this project: of years and have formed complex experience in native plants. The Nature Conservancy – Virginia Chapter • Virginia and interdependent relationships. Our native fauna depend on native flora to Tech Department of Horticulture • Virginia Department of What are non-native plants? provide food and cover. Many animals Agriculture and Consumer Services • Virginia Department Sometimes referred to as “exotic,” “alien,” or “non- require specific plants for their survival. of Environmental Quality, Coastal Zone Management indigenous,” non-native plants are species introduced, Program • Virginia Department of Forestry • Virginia intentionally or accidentally, into a new region by humans. Department of Game and Inland Fisheries • Virginia Native Benefits of native plants Over time, many plants and animals have expanded their Department of Transportation Using native species in landscaping ranges slowly and without human assistance. As people reduces the expense of maintaining began cultivating plants, they brought beneficial and cultivated landscapes and minimizes the favored species along when they moved into new regions likelihood of introducing new invasive or traded with people in distant lands. Humans thus species. It may provide a few unexpected became a new pathway, enabling many species to move Plants benefits as well. into new locations. for Conservation, Native plants often require less water, fertilizer and Restoration & Landscaping pesticide, thus adding fewer chemicals to the landscape What are invasive plants? and maintaining water quality in nearby rivers and streams. Invasive plants are introduced species that cause health, Fewer inputs mean time and money saved for the gardener. economic or ecological damage in their new range. More than 30,000 species of plants have been introduced to the Native plants increase the presence of desirable wildlife, United States since the time of Columbus. Most were such as birds and butterflies, and provide sanctuaries for introduced intentionally, and many provide great benefits to these animals as they journey between summer and winter society as agricultural crops and landscape ornamentals. habitats. The natural habitat you create with native plants Some were introduced accidentally, for example, in ship can become an outdoor classroom for children, or a place ballast, in packing material and as seed contaminants. Of for you to find peace and quiet after a busy day. these introduced species, fewer than 3,000 have naturalized For more information Native plants evoke a strong sense of place and regional and become established in the United States outside Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation character. For example, live oak and magnolia trees are cultivation. Of the 3,500 plant species in Virginia, more than Natural Heritage Program strongly associated with the Deep South. Redwood trees 800 have been introduced since the founding of Jamestown. 804-786-7951 characterize the Pacific Northwest. Saguaro cacti The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/nativeplants.shtml call to mind the deserts of the Southwest. currently lists more than 100 of these species as invasive. In the United States, invasive species cause an estimated For a list of nurseries that propagate Buying and growing $120 billion in annual economic losses, including costs to native species, contact: native plants manage their effects. Annual costs and damages arising Virginia Native Plant Society More gardeners today are discovering the benefits from invasive plants alone are estimated at $34 billion. 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Unit 2 of native plants and requesting them at their local Boyce, VA 22620 garden centers. Because of this increased demand, 540-837-1600 | [email protected] Native plants vs. invasive plants retailers are offering an ever-widening selection of www.vnps.org Invasive plants have competitive advantages that allow vigorous, nursery-propagated natives. them to disrupt native plant communities and the wildlife For a list of nurseries in a particular Once you’ve found a good vendor for native plants, dependent on them. For example, kudzu (Pueraria montana) region of Virginia, contact: the next step is choosing appropriate plants grows very rapidly and overtops forest canopy, thus The Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association for a project. One of the greatest benefits shading other plant species from the sunlight necessary for 383 Coal Hollow Road of designing with native plants is their their survival. A tall invasive wetland grass, common reed Christiansburg, VA 24073 adaptation to local conditions. However, it (Phragmites australis ssp. australis), invades and dominates 540-382-0943 | [email protected] is important to select plants with growth marshes, reducing native plant diversity and sometimes To search for species in VNLA member catalogs, visit: requirements that best match conditions eliminating virtually all other species. www.vnla.org/search.asp in the area to be planted. Invasive species can marginalize or even cause the loss of If you’re planning a project using native species. With their natural host plants gone, many Illustrations courtesy of native plant species, use the list in this insects disappear. And since insects are an essential part of The Flora of Virginia Project. brochure to learn which plants grow in the diet of many birds, the effects on the food web become Illustrators: Lara Gastinger, Roy Fuller your region of Virginia. Next, study the far reaching. Habitats with a high occurrence of invasive and Michael Terry. To learn more, visit: minimum light and moisture requirements plants become a kind of “green desert.” Although green and www.floraofvirginia.org for each species, noting that some plants grow healthy in appearance, far fewer native species of plants and Virginia Coastal Plain well under a variety of conditions. Many of the animals are found in such radically altered places. recommended species are well-suited to more than one of these categories.

9/2011 Scientific Name Common Name Uses Light Moisture Scientific Name Common Name Uses Light Moisture W H C D S P F L M H W H C D S P F L M H Virginia Herbs Vines Achillea millefolium common yarrow • • • • Bignonia capreolata crossvine • • • • • • Ageratina altissima white snakeroot • • • • Campsis radicans trumpet creeper • • • • • Coastal Amsonia tabernaemontana blue star • • • • • Celastrus scandens climbing bittersweet • • • • • • Anemone quinquefolia wood anemone • • • • • Clematis virginiana virgin’s bower • • • • Anemonella thalictroides rue anemone • • • Decumaria barbara climbing hydrangea • • • • • • Plain Aquilegia canadensis wild columbine • • • • • • Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina jasmine • • • • • • • • Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit • • • Lonicera sempervirens trumpet honeysuckle • • • • Aruncus dioicus goatsbeard • • • • Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia creeper • • • • • • Asarum canadense+ wild ginger • • • • Passiflora incarnata Purple passionflower • • • • • • Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed • • • • • • Wisteria frutescens Atlantic wisteria • • • • • Virginia’s Coastal Plain Asclepias syriaca+ common milkweed • • • • • extends from the sands Asclepias tuberosa butterfly weed • • • • • Shrub & Small Trees Baptisia tinctoria yellow wild-indigo • • • • • Alnus serrulata hazel alder • • • • • • • of Virginia Beach west to Bidens cernua+ nodding beggar-ticks • • • • • • • • Aronia arbutifolia red chokeberry • • • • • • Boltonia asteroides* aster-like boltonia • • • Aronia melanocarpa black chokeberry • • • • • • • the fall line. Formed by Caltha palustris marsh marigold • • • • • Baccharis halimifolia high tide bush • • • • • • Chamaecrista fasciculata+ partridge pea • • • • Callicarpa americana American beautyberry • • • • • marine sediments eroded Chelone glabra white turtlehead • • • • • Castanea pumila Allegheny chinkapin • • • • • • • Chrysogonum virginianum green and gold • • • • Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea • • • • • • from the Appalachian Chrysopsis mariana Maryland golden aster • • • • • • Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush • • • • • Highlands, the Coastal Cimicifuga racemosa black cohosh • • • • Clethra alnifolia sweet pepper-bush • • • • • • • Clitoria mariana Maryland butterfly pea • • • • • Cornus amomum silky dogwood • • • • • • Plain varies in topography Conoclinium coelestinum blue mistflower • • • • • • Crataegus crus-galli cockspur hawthorn • • • • • • • Coreopsis lanceolata longstalk coreopsis • • • Eubotrys racemosa fetterbush • • • • • from north to south. In the Coreopsis tinctoria golden tickseed • • • • • Euonymus americanus American strawberry-bush • • • • Coreopsis tripteris tall coreopsis • • • • • Gaultheria procumbens wintergreen • • • • • • north, the Northern Neck is Coreopsis verticillata threadleaf coreopsis • • • • • Gaylussacia baccata black huckleberry • • • • • • • somewhat hilly and well- Desmodium paniculatum narrow-leaf tick trefoil • • • • Gaylussacia frondosa dangleberry • • • • • • • Equisetum hyemale horsetail • • • • • • Hamamelis virginiana witch hazel • • • • • • drained. On the Middle Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus Joe-pye weed • • • • • • • Hydrangea arborescens wild hydrangea • • • • Eupatorium perfoliatum common boneset • • • • • Ilex decidua deciduous holly • • • • • • Peninsula and Lower Pen- Helenium autumnale sneezeweed • • • • • • Ilex glabra inkberry • • • • • • • Helianthus angustifolius narrow-leaf sunflower • • • • • • • Ilex verticillata winterberry • • • • • • • insula, hills are less steep. Helianthus decapetalus ten-petaled sunflower • • • • • • Ilex vomitoria yaupon holly • • • • • • • Helianthus divaricatus woodland sunflower • • • • • Itea virginica Virginia willow • • • • • • South of the James River, Heliopsis helianthoides oxeye sunflower • • • • • • • Iva frutescens marsh elder • • • • • the landscape levels off to Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa round-lobed hepatica • • • • Kalmia latifolia mountain laurel • • • • • • Heuchera americana alumroot • • • Leucothoe axillaris coastal dog-hobble • • • about a 1-degree slope to- Hibiscus moscheutos Eastern rosemallow • • • • • Lindera benzoin spicebush • • • • • Iris prismatica slender blueflag • • • • • Lyonia lucida shining fetterbush • • • • • ward the ocean. In places, Iris virginica Virginia blue flag • • • • • Morella caroliniensis Southern bayberry • • • • • • • Kosteletskya virginica seashore mallow • • • • Morella pensylvanica Northern bayberry • • • • • • • streams cut easily through Lespedeza capitata round-head bush clover • • • • Myrica cerifera Southern wax myrtle • • • • • • • the sands, gravels and Liatris pilosa var. pilosa grass-leaf blazing star • • • • • • • Rhododendron atlanticum dwarf azalea • • • • Lilium superbum Turk’s cap lily • • • • • Rhododendron periclymenoidespinxter flower • • • • • • clays to form well-devel- Lobelia cardinalis cardinal flower • • • • • • Rhododendron viscosum swamp azalea • • • • • • Lobelia siphilitica great blue lobelia • • • • • • Rhus copallinum winged sumac • • • • • • oped ravine systems, and Lupinus perennis lupine • • • • Rosa carolina pasture rose • • • • • • Maianthemum racemosum false Solomon’s seal • • • • • Salix humilis prairie willow • • • • tidal rivers widen as the Mimulus ringens monkeyflower • • • • Salix sericea silky willow • • • • • Monarda fistulosa wild bergamot • • • • • • • Sambucus canadensis common elderberry • • • • • • topography flattens. The Monarda punctata Horse-mint • • • • Stewartia malacodendron* silky camelia • • • • Eastern Shore, separated Nymphaea odorata American water lily • • • • • Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry • • • • • • • • • Oenothera fruticosa sundrops • • • • • • Vaccinium stamineum deerberry • • • • from the mainland by the Opuntia humifusa Eastern prickly-pear • • • • • Viburnum dentatum Southern arrow-wood viburnum • • • • • • • Packera aurea+ golden ragwort • • • • • • Viburnum nudum possum-haw viburnum • • • • • Chesapeake Bay, exhibits Peltandra virginica arrow arum • • • • • • Viburnum prunifolium black-haw viburnum • • • • • • Penstemon laevigatus smooth beardtongue • • • • • relatively little topography Phlox paniculata summer phlox • • • • • Medium Trees Podophyllum peltatum+ mayapple • • • • • • Amelanchier arborea downy serviceberry • • • • • • across the uplands extend- Polemonium reptans Jacob’s ladder • • • • Amelanchier canadensis Canada serviceberry • • • • • • ing from the Atlantic on the Polygonatum biflorum Solomon’s seal • • • • • Aralia spinosa devil’s walkingstick • • • • Pontederia cordata pickerel weed • • • • • Asimina triloba paw paw • • • • • • east to the bay on the west. Pycnanthemum incanum hoary mountain mint • • • • Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam • • • • • Pycnanthemum tenuifolium narrow-leaved mountain mint • • • • • • • Cercis canadensis Eastern redbud • • • • • From white sand beaches Rhexia virginica Virginia meadow-beauty • • • • Chionanthus virginicus fringetree • • • • Rudbeckia hirta black eyed Susan • • • • • • Cornus florida flowering dogwood • • • • • • • of the barrier islands, to Rudbeckia laciniata cut-leaved coneflower • • • • • • Crataegus viridis green hawthorn • • • • • • • tidal freshwater marshes, Rudbeckia triloba three-lobed coneflower • • • • • • Ilex opaca American holly • • • • • Sagittaria latifolia broadleaf arrowhead • • • • • Magnolia virginiana sweetbay magnolia • • • • • • to blackwater swamps, Salvia lyrata+ lyre-leaf sage • • • • Morus rubra red mulberry • • • • • • Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot • • • Ostrya virginiana Eastern hop-hornbeam • • • • to upland mixed hard- Saururus cernuus lizard’s tail • • • • • Persea borbonia redbay • • • • • • Saxifraga virginiensis early saxifrage • • • • • • Prunus americana American wild plum • • • • wood and pine forests, the Sedum ternatum wild stonecrop • • • • Rhus glabra smooth sumac • • • • • • Senna marilandica Maryland wild senna • • • • • Rhus typhina staghorn sumac • • • • • Coastal Plain has a diverse Solidago caesia bluestem goldenrod • • • • • • Salix nigra black willow • • • • • array of habitats for many Solidago odora sweet goldenrod • • • • • • Viburnum rufidulum rusty blackhaw • • • • Solidago pinetorum+ pineywoods goldenrod • • • • • Large Trees native plant species. Solidago puberula downy goldenrod • • • • • Acer negundo ash-leaf maple • • • • Solidago rugosa+ rough-stemmed goldenrod • • • • • Acer rubrum red maple • • • • • Solidago sempervirens seaside goldenrod • • • • • • Betula nigra river birch • • • • • • Symphyotrichum concolor Eastern silvery aster • • • • • Carya cordiformis bitternut hickory • • • • • • Symphyotrichum cordifolium heart-leaved aster • • • • • Carya glabra pignut hickory • • • • • • Symphyotrichum novi-belgii New York aster • • • • • • Carya ovata shagbark hickory • • • • Symphyotrichum pilosum frost aster • • • • • Carya tomentosa mockernut hickory • • • • • Tradescantia virginiana+ Virginia spiderwort • • • • • • Chamaecyparis thyoides* Atlantic white cedar • • • • • • Vernonia noveboracensis New York ironweed • • • • • • Diospyros virginiana persimmon • • • • • • • • Viola cucullata marsh blue violet • • • • • • Fagus grandifolia American beech • • • • • • Viola pedata bird’s foot violet • • • • • Fraxinus americana white ash • • • • • Yucca filamentosa common yucca • • • • Fraxinus pensylvanica green ash • • • • • • Zephyranthes atamasco Atamasco lily • • • • • • Juglans nigra black walnut • • • • • Ferns & Fern Allies Juniperus virginiana Eastern red cedar • • • • • • Recommended Uses Adiantum pedatum maidenhair fern • • • • Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum • • • • • • • Asplenium platyneuron ebony spleenwort • • • • Liriodendron tulipifera tulip poplar • • • • • W = Wildlife Athyrium asplenioides Southern ladyfern • • • • • Nyssa aquatica water tupelo • • • • • • H = Horticulture & landscaping Botrychium virginianum rattlesnake fern • • • • • Nyssa sylvatica black gum • • • • • • Oxydendrum arboreum sourwood • • • C = Conservation & restoration Dennstaedtia punctilobula+ hay-scented fern • • • • • Dryopteris intermedia evergreen wood-fern • • • • • • • Pinus echinata shortleaf pine • • • • D = Domestic livestock forage Onoclea sensibilis+ sensitive fern • • • • • • Pinus serotina pond pine • • • • • • Osmunda cinnamomea cinnamon fern • • • • • • Pinus strobus white pine • • • • • Osmunda regalis royal fern • • • • • Pinus taeda loblolly pine • • • • • • Minimum Light Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas fern • • • • Pinus virginiana Virginia pine • • • Requirements Thelypteris palustris marsh fern • • • • • Platanus occidentalis sycamore • • • • • Woodwardia virginica+ Virginia chain fern • • • • • • • Prunus serotina wild black cherry • • • • • S = Shade Quercus alba white oak • • • • • • P = Partial sun Grasses, Sedges & Rushes Quercus bicolor swamp white oak • • • • • Agrostis perennans autumn bentgrass • • • • • • • Quercus coccinea scarlet oak • • • • • F = Full sun Andropogon glomeratus bushy bluestem • • • • • • Quercus falcata Southern red oak • • • • • • • Andropogon virginicus broomsedge • • • • • • • Quercus laurifolia swamp laurel oak • • • • • • Moisture Requirements Arundinaria tecta switch cane • • • • • • • Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak • • • • • Carex crinita long hair sedge • • • • • • • Quercus muehlenbergii chinkapin oak • • • • L = Low moisture Carex lurida sallow sedge • • • • • • Quercus nigra water oak • • • • • • M = Moderate moisture Carex pensylvanica Pennsylvania sedge • • • • • • • Quercus palustris pin oak • • • • • • • Carex stricta tussock sedge • • • • • • Quercus phellos willow oak • • • • • • • H = High moisture Chasmanthium latifolium+ river oats, spanglegrass • • • • • • Quercus prinus chestnut oak • • • • • Danthonia sericea silky oatgrass • • • • • • Quercus rubra Northern red oak • • • • • • • Danthonia spicata poverty oatgrass • • • • • • • Quercus stellata post oak • • • • • Some species are marked Dichanthelium clandestinum deer-tongue • • • • • • • • Quercus velutina black oak • • • • • with the following footnote Dichanthelium commutatum variable panicgrass • • • • • • • Quercus virginiana live oak • • • • • symbols: Dulichium arundinaceum dwarf bamboo • • • • • • Robinia pseudoacacia black locust • • • • Elymus hystrix bottlebrush grass • • • • • • • Sassafras albidum sassafras • • • • • + May be aggressive in a Elymus virginicus Virginia wild rye • • • • • • Taxodium distichum bald cypress • • • • Juncus canadensis Canada rush • • • • • • Tilia americana American basswood • • • garden setting Juncus effusus soft rush • • • • • • Leersia oryzoides rice cutgrass • • • • • • * Due to the rarity and sensi- Panicum amarum coastal panic grass • • • • • tivity of habitat in Virginia, Panicum virgatum switch grass • • • • • • • • Saccharum giganteum giant plumegrass • • • • • • • these species are recom- Schizachyrium scoparium little bluestem • • • • • • • • mended for horticultural use Scirpus cyperinus woolgrass bulrush • • • • • • • Sorghastrum nutans Indian grass • • • • • • • • only. Planting these species Sparganium americanum American bur-reed • • • • • in natural areas could be Tridens flavus redtop • • • • • • • • detrimental to the survival Tripsacum dactyloides gama grass • • • • • • • • Typha latifolia broad-leaved cattail • • • • • of native populations. Zizania aquatica wild rice • • • • •