Plant List for Lake Barcroft Resource Protection Area Demonstration Garden at Beach 5

by Betsy Washington

In 2003, Fairfax County designated lands within 100 feet of perennial streams and lakes as ”Resource Protection Areas” (RPA) in order to preserve and protect our waters as they drain into the Chesapeake Bay. Native vegetation is recognized as superior in maintaining the web of life for birds, insects and all other wildlife while retarding erosion, slowing runoff and filtering pollution in the Chesapeake watershed.

Prior to 2006, this shoreline was a mass of highly invasive, non-native plants. In 2006-2007, volunteers of the Lake Community with help from the Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District removed the vegetation, prepared the soil and planted several hundred commonly available native plants. Volunteers continue to assist in the garden and residents are encouraged to assist, enjoy and learn from the Watershed friendly garden.

Signs in the garden identify all of the plants.

These plants, the shoreline protection (bio-logs) and the floating docks were chosen to demonstrate the effectiveness and beauty of native plants and low impact landscaping techniques in and around the RPA.

Funded by the Lake Barcroft Association with contributions of labor and monies from Lake Barcroft residents, a grant from Fairfax Water and the contribution of labor and materials of the Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement District. The grant from FAIRFAX WATER was the impetus for this project.

All Plants Listed are native to the Fairfax County region of Virginia and appropriate for riparian buffer zones, except those denoted by an asterisk* which are native to the SE region.

This list is categorized into Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Perennials, Grasses and Ferns. The plant names within each category are listed alphabetically by botanical name.

All Photographs were taken by Betsy Washington except three photos as noted in Table.

TREES

COMMON & BOTANICAL NAME

PHOTOGRAPH

DESCRIPTION

SOIL & NATIVE HABITAT

SUN/ SHADE

WILDLIFE VALUE

LANDSCAPE USES

NOTABLE CULTIVARS

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Small tree, often multi-trunked, with fleecy white flowers in early April, edible blue fruit in June, showy fall colored.

Dry to moist

Wooded river banks, swamps, rocky slopes

Sun to shade

High:

Songbirds, small mammals, butterflies, pollinators

Understory tree

Specimen, woodland edges, groupings, streambanks

Apple Serviceberry

Amelanchier x grandiflora

Hybrid of A. arborea and laevis)

Small tree with fleecy white flowers in early April, edible fruit in June loved by songbirds, orange to red fall color

Adaptable to many soils

Wooded river banks, swamps, rocky slopes

Sun to Shade

High:

Songbirds, Insects, Humans

Understory tree

Specimen, woodland edge, groupings

‘Autumn Brilliance’

Orange-red fall color, resists disease

River Birch

Betula nigra

50 – 70’ high

Fast growing, often multi-trunked with outstanding exfoliating bark creamy white to salmon.

Prefers damp soils but very adaptable

Along rivers, lakes

Full sun to part shade

Very High:

>400 butterfly moths use, many songbirds and small mammals

Mid-level canopy tree

Specimen, Closely spaced groves, along lakes or streams

Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra

75 - 100' high

Tall, stately tree with narrow crown, long lived and slow growing, gold fall color, hickory nuts

Very adaptable to soils, deep taproot –best to plant small size

Widely distributed

Full sun to shade

Very High:

Insects, butterflies, birds, mammals; host to Luna moth & Hairstreak butterflies

Canopy tree

Saplings are shade tolerant, deep roots and narrow canopy allow underplanting

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

20-35' high

Fast growing, small tree with heart shaped leaves, magenta-pink flowers on bare branches in April, pod like fruit

Adaptable to soils, tolerates high pH

Woodland edges, gaps

Full sun to shade

Songbirds, pollinators

Host for Harry's
Elfin butterfly

Understory tree

Specimen, woodland edge, groupings

‘Forest Pansy’ has red purple foliage,; ‘Covey’ is dwarf weeping tree

White Fringetree

Chionanthus virginicus

15 - 30' high

Large shrub to small tree, white fragrant fleecy white flowers in May, females have blue olive-like fruit in fall, yellow fall color

Adaptable to soils from wet to dry,

Along local streams, lakes

Full sun to shade

Over 30 spp of songbirds use fruit, mammals, pollinators

Understory tree

Woodland edge, specimen, mixed borders, fragrance, by water

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

15 - 40' high

Small tree, with showy white flowers in spring, clusters of red fruit in fall, red-purple fall color

Prefers moist soils; needs watering in droughts

Woodland edges

Full sun to part shade, best with dappled or afternoon shade

High:

43 spp. of songbirds; 117 spp. of butterflies

Understory tree

Woodland edges, specimen

‘Appalachian Springs’ is resistant to dogwood anthracnose, white flowers

Common Witchhazel

Hamamelis virginiana

15 - 30' high

Large shrub to small tree, with fragrant yellow flowers in late fall, yellow fall color

Adaptable to soils from damp to dry and rocky

Widely distributed

Full sun to shade

Attracts many moths and pollinators

Harvester Butterfly

Understory tree

Woodlands, woodland edges, mixed borders

American Holly

Ilex opaca

15 - 50' high

Evergreen tree, spiny leaves and abundant red berries in winter; only females bear fruit

Moist, acidic soils

Sandy woods, above streams

Sun to shade,

One of best shade tolerant evergreens

Many songbirds, pollinators, host to Henry's Elfin

butterfly

Nesting, shelter

Evergreen

Screening for shade or sun, specimens, groupings

'Maryland Dwarf' - slow growth, dwarf mounded habit, 3 - 4' H

'Satyr Hill'- w/ abundant fruit, vigorous grower

Tulip Poplar

Liriodendron tulipifera

100'+ high

Very tall tree with straight trunks, fast growth, fragrant orange-yellow flowers in May, yellow fall color;

Prefers moist soils but adaptable

Along rivers, bottomlands, slopes

Full sun to part shade

Hummingbirds, butterflies, larval food of tiger swallowtails, songbirds, small mammals

Overstory tree

Fast growing, sparse roots allow underplantings

Tupelo or Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

30 - 75' high

Medium to large, alligator hide bark, glossy foliage turns fiery orange-red in fall ; females have nutritious blue fruit

Adaptable to soils moist to dry

Widely distributed

Full sun to shade

High:

Songbirds, pollinators, mallards, small mammals

Mid-level canopy tree

Specimen, woodland or lake edge, street tree

‘Wildfire’ –male, quick grower with vivid red new growth, red fall color

Eastern
White Pine

Pinus strobus

75 - 100' high

Large, fast growing evergreen pine with massive horizontally tiered branches, and soft blue green needles

Dry to moist, best on moist, well drained soils

Widely distributed

Full sun

High:

Songbirds, mammals

Evergreen

Fast growing screen, soft textured evergreen

Many dwarf cultivars available

White Oak

Quercus alba

75 - 100' high

Majestic tall, wide-spreading tree, very long lived. Orange- red fall color, acorns

Very adaptable to soils – Damp to dry

Widely distributed

Full sun to part shade

Very High:

Over 500 species of butterflies/moths and many songbirds & small mammals

Canopy tree Specimen, woodlands, superior wildlife value

Bald Cypress

Taxodium distichum

50 - 100' high

Tall, stately, deciduous conifer with fine texture

Russet late fall color

Wet to dry soils, tolerates flooding

Coastal Plain

Full sun to part shade

Waterfowl, marsh birds

Canopy tree

Specimen, near lakes or streams

‘Autumn Cascade’ – dwarf, weeping cultivar

Eastern Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis

75 - 100'Graceful, pyramidal evergreen with fine texture and nodding branch tips, small cones

Moist

Cool valleys, above streams; great screen for shade, mountains & piedmont

Part shade to shade

Songbirds, mammals

Shelter

Evergreen

Screening, shade tolerant, susceptible to wooley adlegids

'Cole's Prostrate' small dwarf cultivar reaching only 1 - 2' high

SHRUBS

Sweet Pepperbush *Clethra alnifolia*	6 – 8’ high Deciduous shrub to high with long lasting, fragrant white flower spires July – August, gold fall color,	Prefers moist to damp soils, but adaptable Coastal plain		Full sun to shade		High: Attracts many butterflies, especially swallowtails, skippers, hairstreaks, pollinators	Outstanding for fragrant flowers and butterfly gardens massing, mixed borders, water's edge, woodland edges, along paths, many sizes available	‘Sixteen Candles’ - Dwarf cultivar to 2- 3’ high ‘Ruby Spires’ - Tall cultivar with fragrant pink flowers
Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice *Calycanthus floridus*	5 - 8' high Deciduous shrub with very fragrant small flowers in May-June, smell like pineapple-banana-strawberry, yellow fall color	Moist to dry woodlands Mountains		Sun to Shade		Beetles, other pollinators, small mammals	Fragrant flowers, woodland edges, shrub border, accent	‘Athens’ – very fragrant yellow green flowers ‘Michael Lindsey’ – very fragrant reddish flowers
Silky Dogwood *Cornus amomum*	6 - 12' high Lacy white flowers in June followed by blue fruit in late summer, purplish stems	Moist, acidic soils Forest wetlands, swamps, pond banks		Sun to Part Shade		High Songbirds, waterfowl, mammals, pollinators & butterflies	Naturalizing along woodland edges, wetlands, streams or lakes
Red Twig Dogwood *Cornus sericea*	6 - 12' high Upright stems turn bright red in winter, lacy white flowers in May, white fruit in late summer	Damp to dry soils Swamps in mountains & north		Sun or part shade		High: Birds, pollinators	Colorful winter stems, shrub borders, along lakes, streams, can cut stems back in early spring for best color
American hazelnut *Corylus americana*	8 - 15' high Produces brown to red catkins in spring, light brown, edible nut in leafy bracts in fall, forms thickets	Moist to dry soils Dry woodland edges or floodplains		Part shade		Songbirds, small mammals, edible nut	Naturalizing, woodland edges, hedgerows
Dwarf Fothergilla* *Fothergilla gardenii*	3 - 6' high Upright, wispy shrub with fragrant white bottlebrush flowers in May and orange-red fall color	Adaptable, damp to average soils * Native to damp, sandy soils along SE coast		Sun to part shade		Insects, pollinators	Mixed shrub borders, woodland edges, paths, massing, along streams, lakes
Smooth Hydrangea *Hydrangea arborescens*	3 - 6' high Medium sized hydrangea with showy white flowers through summer, flowers turn green in fall, blooms on new wood	Moist to average soils Shady stream banks of mountains, Piedmont		Sun in moist soils, part shade best, tolerates heavy shade		Pollinators	Mixed shrub borders, woodlands and edges, shade gardens, stream banks, can be cut back in early spring	Several cultivars with large or double flowerheads
Oakleaf Hydrangea* *Hydrangea quercifolia*	4 - 8' high Large hydrangea with large white flowers in early summer, boldly lobed foliage turns red-purple in fall, exfoliating bark	Moist to dry * - Native to woods of AL, GA, MS, TN		Sun in moist soils, part shade best, tolerates heavy shade		Pollinators	Mixed shrub borders, woodlands and edges, massing
Inkberry *Ilex glabra*	3 - 10' high Evergreen shrub with billowy habit similar to boxwood, black berries in fall-winter	Prefers damp to moist soils, tolerates average soils Coastal plain		Sun to part shade		High: Songbirds, woodpeckers, pollinators	Evergreen accent, low screening or hedging, boxwood substitute, by streams, lakes	‘Densa’ – compact, dwarf habit to 4 – 5’ high & wide
Winterberry *Ilex verticillata*	4 - 12' high Large deciduous holly covered with bright red berries through winter Separate male & female plants	Wet to dry soils, adaptable Swamps, stream banks		Sun to part shade		High: Songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals	Winter interest, woodland edges, mixed shrub borders, along streams and lakes and wet areas	'Winter Red' - copious fruit all winter- 8'H; 'Southern Gentleman' = male 'Red Sprite' - dwarf cultivar with large fruit to 4' H; "Jim Dandy = male
Virginia Sweetspire *Itea virginica*	3 - 6' high Mid-sized shrub with arching branches, lightly fragrant white flowers in June; long lasting vivid red fall color	Adaptable but prefers moist to damp soils Swamps, wooded stream banks, flood tolerant		Full sun to shade		High: Songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals, pollinators	Mixed shrub border, massing, bank stabilizer, along streams or lake, for vivid fall color	‘Henry’s Garnet’ – 4 – 5’ high, vivid red fall color ‘Little Henry’-dwarf 3 – 4’ high, similar to above
Mountain Laurel *Kalmia latifolia*	8 - 20' high Beautiful evergreen shrub with showy clusters of cup shaped white blooms speckled with red in May	Needs acidic, well drained but moisture retentive soils Acidic woods, swamp edges		Part shade to shade, tolerates sun w/ moisture		Songbirds, butterflies, small mammals	Understory evergreen shrub, for accent or massing on slopes, above streams, lakes, woodland edges, slopes	Many cultivars
Spicebush *Lindera benzoin*	6 - 12' high Deciduous shrub with very early spring yellow flowers, red berries in fall, spicy foliage	Needs wet to moist soils Moist woodlands, floodplain forest, along streams		Part shade to shade		High: Songbirds, pollinators, host to spicebush swallowtail , Prometheus moth, other butterflies	Understory shrub for woodland edges, damp areas, beside streams or lakes, for early spring bloom
Red Chokeberry *Photinia pyrifolia* (Aronia arbutifolia) old name	6 - 12' high Tall, deciduous shrub, with arching stems, white flowers in spring, glossy red berries in fall - winter, red fall color	Damp to regular acidic soils Forested wetlands, shrub bogs, forests, fields		Sun or Tolerates infrequent flooding Part-shade		Pollinators, songbirds, small mammals	Mixed shrub borders, massing, woodland edges, along streams, lakes	‘Brilliantissima’ Prolific fruit, fiery red fall color
Eastern Ninebark *Physocarpus opulifolius*	5 - 12' high Deciduous shrub with lobed leaves and clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by showy fruit capsules	Very adaptable; dry or damp soils Bogs, forests, stream banks, lakeshores		Sun to full shade		Pollinators, small mammals, waterfowl	Mixed borders, massing, foliage color accent, beside streams, lakes	‘Summer Wine’- compact, cultivar to 5’ high; deep red-purple foliage
Dwarf or Coast Azalea *Rhododendron atlanticum*	3 - 6' high Fragrant white to pink flowers in May, suckers into colonies on sandy soils	Damp, acidic soils Coastal plain & sandy soils		Part Shade to Shade		Hummingbirds, pollinators, songbirds, Shelter	Woodland edges, shady borders, bank stabilizer along streams, lakes in light soils
Pinxterbloom Azalea *Rhododendron periclymenoides*	5 - 12' high Deciduous azalea that forms colonies. Fragrant honeysuckle-like pink blooms in late June, bronze to red fall color	Moist but well drained acidic soils Forests, dry rocky woods, swamps		Part shade		Hummingbirds, butterflies, songbirds, small mammals	Woodland edges, shady borders, massing, stream and lake banks	‘Choptank Rose’ – natural hybrid w/ R. atlanticum –3-4’ high, w/ fragrant pink flowers in May
Choptank Rose Azalea Natural hybrid of R. atlanticum & periclymenoides found in MD along Choptank River	3 - 5' high Deciduous azalea with fragrant light pink flowers in late May, low habit	Damp to normal soils, prefers acidic, sandy soils Coastal plain		Part shade		Hummingbirds, pollinators, waterfowl, small mammals	Woodland edges, shady borders, low massing, stream and lake edges	Choptank Rose
Swamp Azalea *Rhododendron viscosum*	6 - 12' high Deciduous azalea with fragrant white flowers in May, bronzy-red fall color	Wet to normal acidic soils Swamps, bogs, stream edges		Sun to Part Shade		Hummingbirds, pollinators, waterfowl, small mammals	Woodland edges, specimen for fragrance, wet areas, stream and lake edges
Staghorn Sumac *Rhus hirta*	15 - 30' high Deciduous, colonizing large shrub with open, antler-like branching, velvety branches & pyramidal panicles of greenish flowers and fuzzy red fruit	Dry to wet, very adaptable Dry road- sides, banks, fields, forest edges		Sun		High: Songbirds, pollinators, mammals	Naturalizing, challenging sites, woodland edges, suckers into colonies, bank stabilizer, thickets	Tiger Eyes™ Showy, compact cultivar to 6' with soft gold ferny foliage, orange-red fall color, does not spread as much
Early Lowbush Blueberry *Vaccineum pallidum*	1 - 2' high Colonizing, low blueberry with white flowers in spring followed by sweet blueberries in summer, orange – red fall color		Well drained, dry, acidic soils Dry woods and barrens, forms groundcover		Sun to part-shade	High: Songbirds, butterflies, pollinators, small mammals	Naturalizing, woodland or border edges, dry, slopes, bank stabilizer
Possumhaw Viburnum *Viburnum nudum*	6 - 12' high Glossy, smooth leaves turn red-purple in fall, lacy white flowers in June followed by pink and blue fruit in fall, high wildlife value		Damp to normal soils Bogs, swamps – needs extra H₂0 in droughts		Sun to part shade	High: Songbirds, turtles, pollinators	Shrub borders, massing, specimen, woodland edges, stream and lake edges	Best fruiting with several cultivars or native strains
Mapleleaf Viburnum *Viburnum acerifolium*	3 - 6' high Mid-sized deciduous shrub w/ maple-like leaves, pink to red in fall, white flowers in June blue-black fruit in fall		Damp to dry woods, tolerates dry, rocky shade, forms thickets Woodlands		Sun to heavy shade	High: Songbirds, small mammals, box turtles, pollinators, host to spring azure butterfly	Woodlands, naturalizing, spreads into colonies, tolerates dry shade

Vines

Trumpet creeper *Campsis radicans*	20 - 30' twining vine Vigorous, sometimes aggressive vine with large orange to red trumpet-like flowers in summer	Dry to moist soils Thickets, forest edges, fields, floodplains	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, butterflies	Arbors, tall poles, can spread aggressively by runners, easiest where roots are confined
Virgin's Bower *Clematis virginica*	12 - 15' high Twining deciduous vine with starry white flowers from July - Sept, scrambles over fences, small arbors, shrubs	Dry to moist soils Woods, stream banks, thickets, swamps, fencerows	Sun to shade	Pollinators	Scrambles over large shrubs, fences, trellises
Coral Honeysuckle *Lonicera sempervirens*	6 - 20' high Semi-evergreen twining vine with tubular red flowers from spring through fall, followed by red berries;	Dry to moist soil Woodland edges, fencerows, cliffs, small arbors	Sun to part shade	High: Hummingbirds, butterflies, songbirds, pollinators, small mammals	Excellent vine for small arbors, trellises, fences, scrambling over rocks or banks,
American Wisteria *Wisteria frutescens*	15 - 25' high Twining vine with lightly fragrant blue flowers in May-June and bean like fruitpods	Moist to wet Forests, forested wetlands, swamps, stream banks	Sun to part shade	Pollinators	Outstanding for trellises, fences, arbors, near stream or lakes, not invasive like the Asian species	'Amethyst Falls' - popular form with violet blue flowers and sporadic re-bloom through fall

Perennials

Nodding Onion *Allium cernuum*	6 - 24" high Small onion with nodding pink flowers in summer and slender strap-like leaves	Well drained rocky soil Rocky ledges, gravel or wooded slopes, rock gardens	Sun to shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Rock gardens, woodland edges, low meadows
Bluestar *Amsonia tabernaemontana*	2 - 3' high Starry light blue flowers in May top willowy stems, gold fall color	Wet to normal soils Streams, swamps	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Perennial borders, stream or lake edges, damp soils, woodland edges
Hubricht's Bluestar* *Amsonia hubrichtii*	3 - 4' high Native to SW VA and southern plains, slender leaves, stunning gold fall color, & sky blue starry flowers in May	Dry to moist Drought tolerant, meadows, prairies	Sun	Butterflies, pollinators	Perennial and mixed borders, massing, meadows, for spring flowers and fall color
Plaintain-leaf Pussytoes *Antenarria plantaginoides*	6 - 18" high Low, spreading groundcover for dry soils, wooly white flowers resembling kitten's paws in early summer on stalks creeping foliage	Dry Open woods, barrens, ledges	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, songbirds, host to American & Painted Lady butterflies	Excellent groundcover for dry slopes, woodland or path edges, among stepping stones
Wild Columbine *Aquilegia canadensis*	6 - 30" high wildflower with Delicate red & yellow spurred flower, above lacy, divided foliage	Dry to moist Rich rocky woods, cliffs, banks	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators	Rock gardens, woodland edges, above walls, perennial borders	‘Little Lanterns’ – dwarf cultivar 'Corbett' - compact with soft yellow flowers
Wild Sarsaparilla *Aralia nudicaulis*	6 - 18" high Divided leaves and small panicles of whitish-green flowers in spring followed by red to black berries	Rich to dry Woods, adaptable	Part shade to shade	Birds, pollinators	Woodland gardens
Wild Ginger *Asarum canadense*	6" high Low, spreading deciduous groundcover with aromatic heart-shaped leaves and curious nodding brown flowers	Moist soils Rich woods, along streams, tolerates dry soil	Part shade to shade	Self pollinator	Outstanding groundcover for shady gardens or dry woodlands, path edges
Swamp Milkweed *Asclepias incarnata*	3 - 6' high Tall perennial with fragrant pink flowers held in round clusters atop willowy stems, rich in nectar	Wet to moist soils Shrub swamps, marshes, damp meadows	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies love!!! Host for Monarchs Small mammals and other pollinators Deer resistant	Along stream or lakes, damp areas, damp meadows, perennial borders, butterfly gardens
Butterflyweed *Aslepias tuberosa*	1 – 2’ high Showy flat clusters of intricate bright orange flowers, rich in nectar, seedpods filled with silky hairs in fall	Moist to dry soils Dry fields, shale barrens, roadsides – taproot, does not transplant easily	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies love! Larval host food for Monarch butterfly, other insect pollinators, songbird nesting material Deer resistant	Dry, sunny areas, poor soils, meadows, butterfly gardens, drought tolerant,
Beggar-ticks, Sticktight *Bidens frondosa* Photo from: Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society (nswildflora.ca), Copied 3/23/2010	3 - 4' high Annual, w/ leaves on plants topped with small green leafy bracts w/ dull yellow petals, barbed seeds "stick tight" to clothes, weedy	Moist to dry Damp soils along streams, ponds, disturbed areas	Sun to part shade	Songbirds, pollinators	Naturalizing, meadows, can be weedy, along damp areas, streams
False Nettle *Boehmeria cylindrica* Photo from: Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database/USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln.	3 - 4' high Nettle like plant without stinging hairs, toothed pointed leaves and small green spikes of flowers in leaf axils	Moist Damp shady sites, damp thickets, stream edges	Sun to shade	Butterflies, host to Red Admiral, Question mark, and Comma butterflies, pollinators	Naturalizing along damp, shady areas, stream or lake banks
Star Boltonia, False Aster *Boltonia asteroides*	2 - 5' high Tall, aster relative with clouds of starry white flowers a top smooth blue green stems in early fall	Adaptable, wet to dry soils Gravelly shores, sandy thickets	Sun to part shade	Pollinators	Meadows, perennial borders, moist areas along sunny streams, lakes
Marsh Marigold *Caltha palustris*	1 - 2' high Large, bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers above glossy leaves	Wet soils Streams, seeps, swamps	Sun to part shade	Songbirds, pollinators	Damp to wet soils along streams, lakes, showy spring bloom
White Turtlehead *Chelone glabra*	18" - 6' high Late flowering, tall perennial with tubular white flowers like turtleheads in late summer/fall,	Moist to wet Woods streambanks, swamps	Sun to part shade	Larval food source for rare Baltimore Checkerspot, butterflies, pollinators	Meadows, streambanks, woodland edges, best with some shade, spreads slowly
Pink Turtlehead* *Chelone lyonii*	Showy pink tubular flowers atop tall stems in early fall, handsome, glossy ovate leaves	Moist to wet soils Streams, damp woods, meadows in mountains	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators, hummingbirds	Perennial borders, woodland edges, stream or lake edges in moist soil
Green-and-Gold *Chrysogonum virginianum*	6 - 12" high Low spreading groundcover with bright yellow daisy-like flowers in spring & early summer	Moist to dry soil Open woods, rocky soils, tolerates limestone - can rebloom	Sun to Shade	High: Pollinators	Excellent groundcover that spreads by runners, woodland/edgesamong stepping stones
Spring Beauty *Claytonia virginica*	6 - 12" high Small ephemeral with starry pink flowers in earliest spring, forms colonies in moist soil, goes dormant in summer	Damp to moist soils Rich woods, swamps	Part shade to shade	Insect pollinators like ants	Naturalizing in meadows, moist woods, shady gardens
Mistflower, Wild Ageratum *Conoclinium coelestinum*	1 - 3' high Spreading, sometimes aggressive, with fuzzy blue flowers from summer-fall	Wet to dry soils, very adaptable Roadsides, thickets, swamps, streambanks	Part shade to shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Naturalizing, meadows, along streams, lakes, can seed around and spread by rhizomes, bank cover
Threadleaf Coreopsis *Coreopsis verticillata*	6 - 3' high Small bright yellow daisy-like flowers all summer, ferny, threadlike green leaves	Moist to dry soil Roadsides, dry open woods, fields	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Perennial borders, woodland edges, meadows
Wild Bleeding Heart *Dicentra eximia*	6 - 24" high Dainty heart shaped pink flowers dangle on short stalks above ferny foliage	Moist to dry soil Rich woods, cliffs, rocky woods	Part shade to shade	Songbirds, pollinators	Woodland gardens/path edges, shady rock gardens, top of stone walls
Purple Coneflower *Echinacea purpurea*	2 - 4' high Large daisy like flowers with pink-purple ray flowers around an orange cone, coarse toothed leaves	Moist to dry soil Prairies, meadows, perennial borders	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds, goldfinches	Perennial gardens, meadows, massing, naturalizing	Many, many cultivars in a range of colors and sizes
Coastal Joe-pye weed *Eupatorium dubium*	3 - 6' high Domed clusters of mauve-pink flowers in late summer & fall (This species is shorter than others)	Wet to moist Sandy soils, swamps, bogs, swales of coastal plain	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Damp meadows, stream or lake banks, back of perennial borders, butterflies	Other species are similar but taller, all are great plants
White Wood Aster *Eurybia (Aster) divaricata*	6 - 36" high Small woodland aster with small, white daisy-like flowers and heart shaped leaves from mid- summer to fall	Moist to dry Woods	Part shade to shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Woodland gardens, massing, can spread into small colonies, adds late bloom to shade gardens
Wild Geranium *Geranium maculatum*	1 - 2' high Long blooming, heat tolerant with soft mauve flowers from spring to early summer & lobed leaves	Moist to dry Woods	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, songbirds, pollinators	Woodland gardens, path edges, shady rock garden	‘Espresso’ – Mauve flowers with handsome chocolate brown foliage
Swamp Sunflower *Helianthus angustifolius*	3 - 8' high Tall, willowy sunflower with dark centered yellow daisy flowers in fall	Moist to wet soils Streams, swamps; tolerates regular soils	Sun	High: Butterflies, songbirds, pollinators	Back of perennial border, stream or lake edges in damp soils	Many showy hybrids
American Alumroot *Heuchera americana*	1 - 3' high Handsome boldly lobed leaves, mottled with silver & maroon, tiny whitish-green flowers atop single stalk in late spring	Adaptable with well drained soils, Rich woods, rocky slopes, ledges	Part shade to shade	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Outstanding foliage plant/groundcover for woodland gardens, shady rock gardens, slopes, walls	Several cultivars selected for showy foliage, parent of many garden hybrids with colorful foliage
Hairy Alumroot *Heuchera villosa*	1 - 2.5' high Soft, velvety, boldly lobed foliage, creamy white flower spikes in late summer/fall	moist to dry soils, heat tolerant, Damp rocks, rich woodland slopes	Part shade to shade	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Outstanding foliage plant/groundcover for woodland gardens, wooded slopes, prefers moist soil	‘Autumn Bride’ – popular with velvety gray green leaves and showy creamy white flower spikes in fall
Scarlet Hibiscus* *Hibiscus coccinea*	6 - 8+' high Tall, statuesque with showy red flowers atop tall willowy stems and finely cut leaves	Moist to wet Swamps, marshes along SE coast, probably naturalized in SE VA	Sun	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Back of perennial border, damp to wet areas along streams, lakes	Many popular hybrid cultivars
Rose Mallow *Hibiscus moscheutos*	3 - 6' high Shrub -like, stately perennial, with large showy white or rose flowers in late summer, showy seedpods	Wet to moist soils Fresh to brackish tidal and nontidal marshes of coastal plain	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds	Perennial gardens, rain gardens, moist to wet soils along streams/lakes
Jewelweed *Impatiens capensis*	1.5 - 4' high Tall annual that seeds around prolifically in damp spots, spurred, orange spotted flowers, succulent stems	Moist to damp soils n Near water, streams	Part shade to shade	High: hummingbirds, songbirds, butterflies, pollinators	Annual that naturalizes in damp, shady areas along streams, lakes - can seed aggressively	Seedpod explodes with contact to propel tiny seeds, Sap is remedy/prevents poison ivy
Crested Iris *Iris cristata*	6" high Creeping iris with blue crested flowers in spring, only 6" high, groundcover	Moist to dry soils Open woodlands	Part shade		Excellent low groundcover iris, needs open site in sun or part shade
Blue flag *Iris versicolor*	3 - 4' high Blue flowers in May-June, atop tall stems, sword like foliage	Wet to moist Damp meadows, shores, swamps, streams; tolerates flooding	Sun to part shade	Songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals, pollinators	Perennial gardens, edges of ponds, streams, tolerates shallow water
Blazing Star, Gayfeather *Liatris spicata*	2 - 5' high Tall perennial with willowy leaves and spikes of feathery mauve flowers in summer	Moist to dry Moist meadows, open areas, perennial garden	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, songbirds, pollinators	Perennial borders, meadows, damp soils along streams, lakes	‘Kobold’ – shorter compact cultivar with showy flowers
Canada Lily *Lilium canadense*	2 - 6'+ high Tall, stately lily topped with showy orange trumpet like flowers in summer	Moist to wet Woods, moist meadows	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, songbirds	Tall, elegant lily for cool woods, thickets, meadows, prefers deep soils
Cardinal Flower *Lobelia cardinalis*	2 - 4' high Tall, perennial with very showy spikes of tubular red flowers in late summer-fall, self sows in disturbed areas	Moist to wet Marshes, wooded swamps, streambanks	Sun to part shade	High: Hummingbirds love, butterflies, songbirds, pollinators	Perennial borders, damp meadows, stream or lake edges, seeds lightly in disturbed or non-mulched moist soils	Parent of many popular garden cultivars and hybrids
Great Blue Lobelia *Lobelia siphilitica*	2 – 3’ high Similar to above, but shorter and with spires of showy blue tubular flowers in late summer-fall	Moist to wet Moist woodlands, meadows, swamps	Sun to shade	High: Hummingbirds love, butterflies, songbirds, pollinators	Perennial borders, woodland edges, damp soils along streams, lakes, seeds lightly	Parent of many popular cultivars
False Solomon’s Seal *Maianthemum (Smilacina) racemosa*	1 - 3.5' high Gracefully arching stems topped with creamy white plumes in late spring to early summer, red berries in fall	Moist soils Woodlands, bluffs	Part shade to shade	Songbirds, pollinators	Woodland gardens, great foliage texture with ferns, low groundcovers
Creeping Meehan's Mint *Meehanii cordata* Photo from: Stefan Bloodworth, http://www.wildflower.org /gallery/result.php?id_image=19044	6 - 9" high Creeping deciduous groundcover with tubular lavender blue flowers in late spring with heart shaped leaves	Moist Woodland soils	Part shade	Pollinators	Great creeping groundcover for woodland gardens, shady stepping stones
Virginia Bluebells *Mertensia virginica*	1 - 2.5' high Lovely clusters of tubular pink to blue flowers in early spring; spring ephemeral - goes dormant in summer; interplant with ferns or foliage plants	Moist to wet Rich woods, floodplains	Part shade to shade	Pollinators	Rich woodland gardens, damp soils along shady streams, goes dormant in summer, interplant with ferns, other foliage plants
Partridgeberry *Mitchella repens*	3 - 6" high Tiny, creeping, evergreen groundcover with tiny tubular white flowers and red berries	Dry acidic Woods Perfect creeping, evergreen groundcover for dry, acidic shade	Part shade to shade	Songbirds and small mammals	Evergreen, creeping groundcover for dry, acidic woods, along edges, paths
Beebalm, Oswego Tea *Monarda didyma*	2 - 5' high Tall, spreading perennial with showy red flowers in summer and aromatic foliage, used in herbal teas; spreads by rhizomes	Moist to wet Creek banks, floodplains, meadows - can spread quickly via rhizomes	Sun to part shade	High: Hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators, herbal uses Deer resistant	Perennial borders, moist meadows, woodland edges, naturalizing, spreads vigorously by rhizomes	Many popular hybrids and cultivars, look for mildew resistant forms
Wild Bergamot *Monarda fistulosa*	1.5 - 5' high Similar to above but with mauve-pink flowers, aromatic foliage, tolerates drier soils; spreads by rhizomes	Moist to dry Fields thickets, forest edges	Sun to part shade	High: Hummingbirds, songbirds, pollinators, herbal tea Deer resistant	Perennial borders, meadows, tolerates drier soils, spreads by rhizomes	Many hybrid cultivars in a range of colors
Allegheny Spurge* *Pachysandra procumbens*	6 - 12" high Semi-evergreen groundcover with mottled leaves , pinkish flowers	Dry to moist From mountains of SW VA and south*	Part shade to shade	Pollinators	Excellent semi-evergreen groundcover for woodlands, shade, spreads slowly
Golden Ragwort or Groundsel *Packera (Senecio) aurea*	1 - 2.5" high Spreading groundcover with handsome rounded leaves and gold, daisy-like flowers in spring and early summer	Moist to wet Fields, woods, floodplains	Sun to shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Handsome, spreading groundcover for moist woodlands, damp soils
Beardtongue *Penstemon digitalis*	1 - 4' high Tubular, foxglove-like white flowers with violet veins, in late spring to early summer – heat tolerant, best species for SE	Moist to dry, well drained soils Open woods, meadows	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Perennial borders, woodland edges, meadows, rock gardens	‘Husker’s Red’ – popular cultivar with white flowers and maroon foliage
Hairy Beardtongue *Penstemon smallii*	1 - 2.5' high Smaller beardtongue with hairy foliage and soft pink tubular flowers in late spring-early summer	Well drained to dry soils Rocky slopes, ledges, rock gardens	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Rock gardens, above walls, well drained soils along wooded edges
Woodland Phlox or Wild Sweet William *Phlox divaricata*	6 - 1.5' high Semi-evergreen woodland phlox with fragrant soft blue flowers for long period in late spring	Moist to dry soils Rich woods along streambanks, but fairly drought tolerant	Part shade to shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Outstanding, semi-evergreen groundcover for woodland edges, paths, bank stabilizer in partial shade, tolerates dry shade	Several popular cultivars with colors from blue to pink to white
Garden Phlox *Phlox paniculata*	2 - 4' high Popular perennial with clouds of fragrant flowers in mauve-pink atop tall stems in summer	Moist soils Rich, open woods, meadows, streambanks	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Perennial gardens, meadows, woodland edges	Many popular cultivars available in many colors ‘David’ – pure white, mildew resistant; ‘Bright Eyes’ – light pink with rose eye
Creeping Phlox *Phlox stolonifera*	6 - 12" high Low, creeping phlox with light blue to pink flowers in late spring	Moist, rich Woods	Part shade to shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Excellent, creeping groundcover for woodlands, edges, along paths	Many cultivars in a range of colors
Moss-pink, Moss Phlox *Phlox subulata*	6 - 12" high Low, cushions of evergreen, needle-like foliage prolific showy flowers in early spring	Dry soils Rock crevices, ledges, sunny banks, rock gardens - thrives on neglect	Sun	Moderately High: Butterflies, pollinators	Tough evergreen groundcover for sunny rock gardens, above rock walls, slopes	Many, many cultivars with flowers from rose to pink, white, blue and bicolor
Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead *Physostegia virginiana*	1.5 - 3' high Showy spikes of tubular pink to mauve flowers in late summer, atop rigid stems, spreads by rhizomes	Moist to dry Moist open areas, streambanks, may spread aggressively in moist, rich soils	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators	Perennial gardens, naturalizing, meadows, along streams, woodland edges Can spread vigorously by rhizomes	Several available; ‘Miss Manners’ – white flowers less spreading
Mayapple *Podophyllum peltatum*	6 - 24" high Handsome mottled, umbrella like leaves with hidden white flower beneath in late spring, small, apple like fruit, goes dormant in summer	Moist soils Rich woods	Part shade to shade	Edible fruit (rest of plant toxic), small mammals, turtles	Excellent foliage groundcover for woodlands, moist shady areas, spreads by rhizomes, goes dormant in summer
Solomon’s Seal *Polygonatum (Actaea) biflorum*	1 - 4' high Handsome woodland groundcover with arching stems and pairs of dangling white flowers along stems	Moist to dry soils Woods, adaptable	Part shade to shade	Pollinators, songbirds	Excellent for woodland gardens, combined with ferns, low groundcovers
Bowman's Root *Porteranthus trifoliatus*	1.5 - 4' high Starry white flowers in May-July atop handsome divided foliage	Dry to moist Woods	Sun to shade	Pollinators	Perennial borders, woodland edges, meadows
Orange Coneflower *Rudbeckia fulgida*	1 - 3' high Bright yellow daisy like flowers with brown eyes in summer	Dry to moist soils Open areas; adaptable	Sun	Moderately High: Songbirds, pollinators, butterflies	Perennial borders, massing, meadows
Three-lobed Coneflower *Rudbeckia triloba*	1 - 4.5' high Small gold daisy like flowers with black cones from summer through fall, self sows and spreads	Dry to moist Fields, meadows	Sun to part shade	Moderately High: Songbirds, pollinators, butterflies	Naturalizing, meadows, woodland edges, spreads about by seed
Wild Petunia *Ruellia humulis*	1 - 3' high Lavender blue flowers from late spring thru summer, atop 1 - 2' plant, seeds around abunantly	Dry to moist Roadsides, meadows, thickets	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Naturalizing, meadows, seeds about freely
Lyre-leaf Sage *Salvia lyrata*	6 - 24" high Tubular violet flowers on wiry stems from basal rosette of leaves	Dry to moist Upland woods, meadows, thickets, among rocks	Sun to part shade	Butterflies, pollinators	Naturalizing, among rocks, stepping stones, woodland edges, dry slopes
Wild Stonecrop *Sedum ternatum*	6" high Starry white flowers in late spring atop creeping stems with dainty, succulent leaves	Moist soils Among rocks, ledges, cliffs	Part shade to shade	Pollinators	Creeping groundcover for shady gardens, shady rock gardens, among stepping stones
Bluestem Goldenrod *Solidago caesia*	1 - 3.5' high Small yellow flowers along stem from Aug. - Oct. with low arching bluish- purple stems	Dry to moist Rich deciduous woods	Sun to Full shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds, small mammals	Woodland edges and partly shaded gardens, late season bloom
Rough-stemmed Goldenrod *Solidago rugosa*	2 - 6' high Showy, arching sprays of tiny yellow flowers Aug. - Nov., , spreads into large clumps	Dry to wet Fields, woods, floodplains, roadsides	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds, small mammals	Cultivars in perennial borders, meadows, naturalizing, woodland edges	'Fireworks' - compact cultivar to 3' high w/ showy flowers, great garden plant
Indian Pink* *Spigelia marilandica*	1 - 3' high Deciduous with bright red tubular flowers tipped in yellow May - July	Moist woodlands Native to Mountains*	Sun to part shade	Hummingbirds, pollinators	Woodland gardens, perennial gardens with light shade
Nodding Ladies Tresses *Spiranthes cernua*	6 - 24" high Delicate orchid with small white fragrant flowers -Aug. - Nov., strap-like leaves	Moist to wet soils Native to meadows, bogs, streambanks	Sun to part shade	Pollinators	Bog gardens, damp edges of ponds, lakes, damp meadows, woodland edges
Celandine Poppy *Stylophorum diphyllum**	1 - 2.5' high Clumps of lacy, lobed leaves are topped by large yellow, poppy like flowers from April - June; fuzzy seed pods, seeds itself around	Moist soils in rich woods, easy to grow Mountains of SE*	Part shade to shade	Pollinators, songbirds	Naturalizing in woodland gardens, spreads by seed, may go dormant by late summer
Smooth Aster Symphyotrichum laeve (formerly Aster)	1 - 5' high Aster with clouds of violet blue flowers Aug. - Oct. and smooth glaucous stems, upright, neat habit	Moist soils Forest edges, open areas, meadows, garden borders	Sun to part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Outstanding for perennial gardens, meadows, woodland edges, late season bloom	'Bluebird' - top rated cultivar in Mt. Cuba aster trials, showy flowers, great foliage, no diseases
New England Aster *Symphyotrichum novae-angliae*	1 - 6' high Common aster with violet blue flowers Aug.-Oct., tall billowy habit	Moist soils Open woods, meadows, seasonal wetlands, shores	Sun to Part shade	High : Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Naturalizing, meadows, perennial borders, can spread, may need to be pinched back by 1/2 in June or staked	'Purple Dome' dwarf cultivar to 2' H with purple flowers
New York Aster *Symphyotrichum novi-belgii*	1 - 4' high Smaller aster w/ blue violet flowers from Aug.-Oct.	Moist to wet soils Meadows, shores, thickets	Sun to Part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Perennial borders, meadows, damp soil along streams	Many dwarf cultivars such as Woods Dwarf
Calico Aster *Symphyotrichum laterifloris*	2 - 4' high Tiny white flowers with yellow to reddish eye on spreading stems Aug - Oct. Plants form airy clumps often with horizontal stems	Dry to moist soils Meadows, thickets, roadsides	Sun to Part shade	High: Butterflies, pollinators, songbirds	Naturalizing, meadows, perennial borders	'Lady in Black' purple bronze leaves with tall graceful sprays of tiny white flowers
Foamflower *Tiarella cordifolia*	6 - 18" high Evergreen heart-shaped leaves with mottled leaves and spikes of starry white flowers in May-June. Can be spreading or clump forming Great ground- cover for shade	Moist soils Rich moist woods, rocky wooded slopes, streambanks of mountains	Part Sun to Shade	Pollinators	Outstanding groundcover for woodland gardens, shady perennial borders, looks great in masses	Many showy cultivars - some spreaders ('Jeepers Creepers') & clump formers ('Pink Bouquet', 'Pink Brushes )w/ showy flowers
Spiderwort *Tradescantia virginica*	1 - 3' high Fleshy stems, strap- like leaves with clusters of 3-petalled, blue to purple flowers - May - July	Moist soils Woods, roadsides, shale outcrops	Sun to shade	Pollinators	Perennial gardens, naturalizing, meadows, woodland edges	Many hybrids available in a range of colors
Great Bellwort *Uvularia grandiflora*	1 - 3' high Woodland perennial with arching stems and twisted yellow bell-like flowers in spring, 2' tall	Moist soils Rich woods	Part shade to shade	Pollinators Rhizomes and young shoots may be eaten, substituted for asparagus	Woodland gardens, shady borders, great foliage, blooms
Common Blue Violet *Viola sororia*	6 - 12" high Common violet with blue purple flowers atop low heart shaped leaves, Seeds about, spreading groundcover for tough or low maintenance areas	Dry to moist Woods, swamps, thickets	Sun to shade	Insect pollinators, violets host of fritillary butterflies, small mammals, songbirds	Woodlands, lawns, can spread vigorously in lawns, damp soils, excellent groundcover for tough sites where it can spread

Grasses

Pennsylvania Sedge *Carex pennsylvanica*	6 - 12" high Fine textured, low grass-like plant, with mounding habit	Dry to moist Wooded slopes, dry sandy or rocky woods	Part to full shade	Songbirds and waterfowl	Woodlands, shady banks, rock slopes Lawn substitute for shady areas
River oats, *Chasmanthium latifolium*	2 - 4' high Airy, bamboo-like foliage, ornamental seed heads dangle from arching stems in fall	Dry to moist Streambankswet woodlands	Sun to part shade	Songbirds	Woodlands, along streams, rivers, bank stabilizer; can spread aggressively by seed in moist soil
Switchgrass *Panicum virgatum*	3 - 5' high Adaptable, medium sized grass, with airy flowers and seedheads, gold to red in fall.	Dry to wet Adaptable -grows in marshes, wet meadows, open woods, prairies, dunes	Sun to part shade	Songbirds, sparrows, waterfowl, small mammals	Ornamental grass for massing, perennial borders, bank & slope stabilization; prevents erosion	'Shenandoah' - compact to 3', turning vivid red in late summer-fall 'Heavy Metal' - 4-5', blue-green, narrow upright habit
Soft Rush *Juncus effusus*	1- 4' high Evergreen, grass-like rush, forming architectural clumps . Bright green, round stems, and clusters of brown flowers from sides of stems.	Moist to wet Tolerates flooding to 12", fresh marshes, shrub swamps, wet meadows	Sun to part shade	Songbirds, waterfowl, small mammals	Edges of streams, ponds, rain gardens, tolerates shallow flooding

Ferns - Most ferns are deer resistant

Northern Maidenhair Fern *Adiantum pedatum*	1 - 2' high Deciduous clump forming fern with wiry black leaf stalks divided into fan shape with fronds radiating like fingers on a hand. Lovely and delicate.	Moist Moist woods, rocky shady sites	Part shade to shade	Moist woodlands, slopes, shady rock gardens, calcium rich soils
Lady Fern *Athyrium filix-femina*	1 - 3' high Classic deciduous fern with graceful fronds, green or red leaf stalks	Moist to wet Woods, banks of streams, sandy bogs	Part shade	Woodlands damp streambanks, bogs
Cinnamon Fern *Osmunda cinnamomea*	2 - 5' high Large, deciduous arching fern with cinnamon colored spore bearing fronds in spring	Moist to wet Woods swamps, bogs, streamsides, also drought tolerant	Sun (with moist soils) to shade	Damp to wet soils along streams, ponds, bogs
Christmas Fern *Polystichum acrostichoides*	6" - 2' high Evergreen fern with leathery simple green fronds, very adaptable clump former	Dry to moist Woods, thickets, steep, rocky slopes	Part shade to shade	Woodlands, dry slopes, damp edges of streams, shady rock gardens, outstanding groundcover for shade
New York Fern *Thelypteris noveboracensis*	1 - 2.5' high Fine textured deciduous fern which spreads into colonies, good spreading groundcover	Moist to wet Forested wetlands dry to damp woods	Part shade to shade	Damp to dry woods, streambanks, spreads into large colonies in moist soils