Native plants such as Yarrow, Milkweed, Black Chokeberry, and Bald Cypress trees have traits uniquely adapted to the local conditions such as climate, soil, when it rains—if it rains—seasonal changes and even the local wildlife.
As winter’s chilly doldrums fade and we enter the planting season, you might be thinking about going native. As in native plants. I’m here to tell you, it’s easy.
When you think about native plants, keep in mind that here in coastal Virginia you have plenty of options. Dozens of options, easily. And that’s just in the “herbs” category.
Native plants are those that evolved in a specific region and spread without known human involvement. Essentially, it’s plants that were here and thriving before Europeans set foot on the continent.
Definitely it’s before the seed companies started developing super plants that are genetically modified to withstand all manner of heat, drought, flood, bug, rust, mildew, disease and anything else. (If you’re like me, you might be thinking, “I’d like to get my hands on just one of those kinds of plants.”)
What are Native Plants?
Native plants are those that are at the base of living landscape. They have traits uniquely adapted to the local conditions such as climate, soil, when it rains—if it rains—seasonal changes and even the local wildlife.
In many regards, they’re everyone’s friend. They might be food or shelter for other species and local animals and often they’re essential for animal survival. They’re survivors, which is perhaps the best trait of all.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) lists 3,200 plant species in Virginia. Of these, about 600 have been introduced since John Smith and company landed at Jamestown in 1607. Of these 600 plants, about 90 are considered invasive. If you’re like me, you may think all 90 are living in your yard and garden at any given moment.
The DCR has a website that walks you through native plants with a list of hundreds of native plants specific to our coastal plain. The coastal plain runs from the Northern Neck, where DCR says the terrain is “somewhat hilly and well-drained,” all the way to south of the James River.
The DCR’s list of native plants is extraordinary. Honestly, I had no idea. From Achillea millefolium (common yarrow) to zizania aquatica (wild rice), there’s a native plant for everyone and everywhere.
Where to Begin
When I started looking into native plants, there were more than a few shockers. Here’s an example. When I say “vine,” what comes to your mind? My mind tends to go to very dark places because of my experience in trying to de-vine sections of my mother-in-law’s overgrown landscape. It remains a sweaty, dangerous, never-ending battle I seemingly have lost.
But to see 10 vines on DCR’s list of native plants is, well … I honestly don’t know what to do with that. I’m even repeating it out loud, “Vines are good.” I did see wisteria frutescens (Atlantic wisteria) on the list, and I do have a soft spot for those lovelies.
But to help pick native plant winners, I turned to my local expert. Kenny Weakland is general manager of Green Planter’s Landscape & Garden Center in Gloucester. He knows his plants and installs lots of landscapes on the Northern Neck and elsewhere.
Many people are turning to native plants, he said. From newcomers to experienced gardeners and landscapers, every year more customers are asking him about native plants.
What to Get
He has some go-to native plants in his stock. Let’s start with Asclepias syriaca, or milkweed. Weakland loves it simply because Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on it and it’s the only host plant for the iconic butterfly. This is especially important because Monarch butterflies are listed as endangered.
When it comes to what’s right for your plot, Weakland says to consider the land. Is the area you have in mind for native plants sunny or shady, near freshwater or saltwater? Does it have soil that drains easily or has more clay? The Northern Neck, for example, typically has more clay in the soil compared to the Middle Peninsula.
For native grasses, Weakland favors broomsedge and little bluestem. For shrubs, Weakland recommends winterberry, from the holly species. He also likes goldenrod, a fall bloomer. Others he recommends include American beautyberry, with its striking purple clusters favored by birds and deer, and chokeberry with its dark berries.
“The berries are still on them and I’m amazed,” Weakland said of his chokeberry shrubs.
For native trees, Weakland recommends black gum, bald cypress, dogwood, white oak or sweet magnolia.
Here’s another tip: in addition to your local nursery or garden center, you can find native trees for purchase on a Virginia Department of Forestry website at buyvatrees.com.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation | dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nativeplants
Green Planter’s Landscape & Garden Center | 2290 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes | 804-642-7505
