Scientific name: Lindera benzoin Crush a leaf. Smell it. Love it. Features: tolerant of dense shade grows well under black…
Silky Willow
Scientific name: Salix sericea This plant has a very high wildlife value (similar in value to oak trees). I’ve only…
Pokeberry
Scientific name: Phytolacca americana L. Growing up, I always thought of pokeberry as a weed because everyone told me it was…
Pitch Pine
Scientific name: Pinus rigida We planted this baby pitch pine, and then relocated it to a place where it will…
Prickly Pear Cactus
Scientific name: Opuntia humifusa This prickly pear cactus was given to us by a neighbor, and freshly planted in the…
Shortleaf Spikesedge
Scientific name: Kyllinga brevifolia Found some in the back yard. Seems to like part shade. It’s a native (according to…
Small-Flowered Crowfoot
Scientific name: Ranunculus micranthus It’s native and a prolific spreader. The deer occasionally eat it. I’ve been using it as…
Creeping Phlox
Scientific name: Phlox stolonifera An early spring bloomer, this groundcover won’t tolerate a lot of foot traffic, but it’ll come…
Nimblewill
Scientific name: Muhlenbergia schreberi A delicate and wispy native grass that is most hated by all lawn lovers. However, if…
Common Blue Violet
Scientific name: Viola sororia In searching for more information about this beautiful native plant, I found a lot of false…
Wild Senna
Scientific name: Senna marilandica We got this from a neighbor when it was just a few inches tall just a…
Blanket Flower
Scientific name: Gaillardia One of the most rewarding things about native plant gardening is watching what you planted come back…
Common Milkweed
Scientific name: Asclepias syriaca This stuff has been growing to almost 6 feet in height, and spreads readily. It has…
Scarlet Bee Balm
Scientific name: monarda didyma Ours grew to 4 feet tall before blooming. Very striking in the garden, and for the…
Mayapple
Scientific name: Podophyllum peltatum Yes, people will think they grow into apple trees when you talk about them, but no,…
Blue-Eyed Grass
Scientific name: Sisyrinchium Blue-eyed grass is not a true grass. It has delicate little flowers, short stature, stays green for…
Wood Sorrel
Scientific name: Oxalis stricta From what I’ve read, this one is native. I’ve found that it’s not nearly as aggressive…
Virginia Knotweed
Scientific name: Persicaria virginiana Also known as “Jumpseed”, Virginia Knotweed benefits ducks, other birds and small animals (according to internet…
White Avens
Scientific name: Geum canadense This is a volunteer. It’s growing happily in a semi-shaded spot in the back yard. I…
piedmont azalea
Scientific name: Rhododendron canescens. We got this azalea in fall of 2019, and had no idea it would have such…
Jacob’s Ladder
Scientific name: Polemonium This one is a cultivar. Seems to like moister soil than where we planted this, but it’s…