Native Plant List for Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
See Also:
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Plants Native to Maryland for Landscaping [with Pictures]
Plants Native to Virginia for Landscaping [with Pictures]
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Soil Moisture | Heights | Region | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | A-W | 40-60' | M,P,C | Excellent fall color, red buds and twigs late winter |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | F-P | A | 50-75' | M,P | Excellent fall color, beautiful large shade tree |
| Yellow Birch | Betula alleghaniensis | F-P | A | 60-75' | M | Does best in cool soils, beautiful bark |
| Black Birch | Betula lenta | F-P | A | 40-55' | M,P | Golden yellow fall color |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40-70' | M,P,C | Modest yellow fall color; seeds attract birds |
| Pignut Hickory | Carya glabra | P-S | D | 50-60' | M,P,C | Golden yellow fall color; rapid growth rate |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata | F-P | A | 70-90' | M,P,C | Yellow to gold-brown fall color; squirrels eat nuts |
| Atlantic White Cedar | Chamaecyparis thyoides | P-S | A-W | 40-50' | C | Green to bluish-green needle-like foliage |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | F-S | D-A | 30-50' | M,P,C | Yellow/orange/mauve fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | F-S | A | 50-80' | M,P,C | Golden brown fall color; nuts attract birds & squirrels |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F-P | A | 60-80' | M,P,C | Yellow/maroon/purple fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pensylvanica | F-P | A | 50-60' | M,P,C | Grows fast, tolerates salt; yellow fall color |
| Red Cedar (Eastern) | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | D-A | 30-40' | M,P,C | Good for screening; attracts birds |
| Sweetgum | Liquidambar styraciflua | F-S | A-W | 60-95' | M,P,C | Brilliant ylw/orng/scarlet/prpl fall color; fruit litters lawn |
| Tulip-tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 40-95' | M,P,C | Attracts hummingbirds/birds/squirrels; butterfly host |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F-P | A | 40-60' | M,P,C | Yellow/orange/red/purple fall color; fruit attracts birds |
| Shortleaf Pine | Pinus echinata | F-P | D | 70-90' | M,P,C | Dark blue-green needles; seeds eaten by birds |
| Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda | F | D-W | 50-90' | P,C | Dark green needles; rapid growth; seeds for brids |
| Virginia Pine | Pinus virginiana | F | D | 15-40' | M,P,C | Foliage useful for Christmas decor., seeds for birds |
| Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70-95' | M,P,C | Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark |
| Wild Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | D | 50-80' | M,P,C | Messy; small, edible berries in summer; attracts birds |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60-90' | M,P,C | Brown/red/wine fall color; acorns for birds/squirrels |
| Swamp White Oak | Quercus bicolor | P-S | W | 50-60' | M,P,C | Yellow to red/purple fall color |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea | F-P | D | 75' | M,P,C | Brilliant scarlet fall color; rapid growth |
| Southern Red Oak | Quercus falcata | P-S | D-A | 70-90' | M,P,C | Brown fall color; drought tolerant |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris | P-S | A-W | 60-80' | M,P,C | Russett/bronze/red fall color |
| Willow Oak | Quercus phellos | F-P | A-W | 60-80' | P,C | Yellow to yellow-brown fall color; less mesy oak variety |
| Northern Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60-75' | M,P,C | Russett red to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata | F | D | 40-50' | M,P,C | Variable fall color; non-showy to golden brown |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina | P-S | D | 50-60' | M,P,C | Reddish brown fall color |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | F-P | D-A | 30-60' | M,P,C | Yllw flowers (April) clear yllw/orng/pink/scarlet fall color |
| Canada Serviceberry | Amelanchier canadensis | F | A-W | 25' | M,P,C | Showy, white flowers (Mar-Jun); edible fruit (Jun-July) |
| Smooth Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis | F-P | D-A | 40' | M | Showy, white flowers (Mar-Jun); edible fruit (Jun-July) |
| Paw Paw | Asimina triloba | P-S | A | 40' | M,P,C | Unique fruit resembles & tastes like banana |
| Redbud (Eastern) | Cercis canadensis | P-S | A | 20-30' | M,P,C | Rosy, pink flowers in early spring |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | A | 12-20' | M,P,C | Wispy, creamy, white fragrant flowers in May |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6-15' | M,P,C | Flat, white flower head mid-spring- not fragrant |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | P-S | D-A | 25-30' | M,P,C | White flowers (spring); berries attract birds (fall) |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia viginiana | P-S | A-W | 20-30' | P,C | 3" creamy, white lemon-scented flowers all summer |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F | D-A | 9-15' | M,P,C | Velvety red fruit on female plants;persist into winter |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F-P | A-W | 50+' | M,P,C | Host plant for butterflies |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Soil Moisture | Heights | Region | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-S | W | 15-20' | M,P,C | Yellow & orange fall color; fruit eaten by birds |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | P-S | A-W | 6-10' | M,P,C | Red berries load shrub; eaten by mamals & birds |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | D-W | 3-5' | M,P,C | Dependable showy orange/burgandy/purple fall color |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W | 6-12' | M,P,C | Creamy, white somewhat fragrant flowers (Jun-Aug) |
| Sweet Pepper-bush | Clethra alnifolia | P-S | A-W | 5-8' | C | Small white fragrant flowers(Jul-Aug); yellow leaves fall |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6-10' | M,P,C | Creamy white flowers (May-Jun); no fall color |
| Black Huckleberry | Gaylussacia baccata | P-S | D-A | 1-3' | M,P,C | Edible fruit- ancestor of blueberries |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | P-S | D-A | 15-30' | M,P,C | Fragrant creamy to bright yellow flowers in fall |
| Inkberry | Ilex glabra | P-S | D-A | 4-8' | C | Evergreen shrub; forms suckering colonies |
| Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F-P | A-W | 6-15' | M,P,C | Bright-red berries into winter; attracts birds |
| Virginia Willow | Itea virginica | P-S | W | 3-6' | C | Spectacular & long-lasting yllw/orng/crimson fall color |
| Marsh Elder | Iva fruitescens | F | A-W | 8' | C | No fall color; inconspicuous flowers; evergreen |
| Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | P-S | A | 5-12' | M,P,C | Evergreen foliage; pink-white showy flowers (May-Jun) |
| Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | S | A | 6-12' | M,P,C | Yllw, spicily-fragrant flowers (late winter);red fruit in fall |
| Southern Wax Murtle | Myrica cerifera | P-S | D-A | 15-20' | C | Leaves are fragrant when crushed; olive green in color |
| Northern Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | F | D-W | 5-8' | C | Semi-evergreen; transplants well |
| Pinxter Flower | Rhodo. periclymenoides | P-S | A-W | 4-6' | M,P,C | Pale, pink flowers in late May |
| Swamp Azalea | Rhododendron viscosum | F-P | A-W | 2-8' | M,P,C | Very fragrant, sticky, white flowers in early summer |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F-P | D | 2-6' | M,P | Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color |
| Pasture Rose | Rosa carolina | F-P | D-A | 1-3' | M,P,C | 1" pink flowers (Jun-July) |
| Common Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F | A-W | 5-12' | M,P,C | Showy white flowers (July); edible fruit (Sep) |
| Lowbush Blueberry | Vaccinium angustifolium | F | D | 6"-2' | M | Twiggy shrub, wht flowers (May); red/bronze fall color |
| Highbush Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum | F-S | D-W | 6-12' | M,P,C | Excellent fall color; fruit edible for humans/wildlife |
| Arrowwood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | D-A | 5-9' | M,P,C | Flowers (May-June); small blue-black berries in fall |
| Possum-haw Viburnum | Viburnum nudum | P-S | W | 5-20' | M,P,C | Clusters of small, white flowers (May-July) |
| Black-haw Viburnum | Viburnum prunifolium | F-P | A | 12-15' | M,P,C | White flowers (spring); fruit attracts birds; edible |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Soil Moisture | Heights | Region | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart-leaved Aster | Aster cordifolius | F-P | M | 1-4' | M,P,C | Blue-purple flowers (Aug-Nov) |
| Whte Wood Aster | Aster divaricatus | F-P | D-A | 1-3' | M,P | Clusters of white flowers late summer into fall |
| New England Aster | Aster novae-angliae | F-P | D-A | 3-7' | M | Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late sum-fall |
| New York Aster | Aster novi-belgii | F-P | A | 3-4' | C | Flowers purple with yellow centers; bloom early fall |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | F-P | W | 1-2' | M,C | 1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring and summer |
| White Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | P-S | W | 1-3' | M,P,C | White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall |
| Black Cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 3-8' | M,P,C | Long slender clusters of white flowers in summer, fall |
| Dutchman's Breeches | Dicentra cucullaria | S | A | 5-12" | M,P | White and yellow pantaloon-like flowers in spring |
| Shooting Star | Dodecatheon meadia | F-P | D | 1-2' | M | 1" flower with 5 lilac, pink, white petals facing backwards |
| Mistflower | Eupatorium coelestinum | F-S | A | 1' | M,P,C | Attractive lavender flowers bloom in August |
| Common Boneset | Eupatorium perfoliatum | F-P | A-W | 2-4' | M,P,C | Flat-top clusters of small white flowers in the fall |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 1-2' | M,P | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Sharp-lobed Hepatica | Hepatica acutiloba | S | D-A | 4-9" | M | White, pink, blue, or purple solitary flowers in spring |
| Round-lobed Hepatica | Hepatica americana | S | D-A | 4-6" | M,P,C | White, pink, blue, or purple solitary flowers in spring |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | S | D | 1-3' | M,P,C | Grn-purple bell-shped flwrs on leaflss stalk in spring |
| Eastern Rosemallow | Hibisicus moscheutos | F | W | 4-7' | M,P,C | 4-6" white-pink flowers, purplish-crimson base sum, fall |
| Dwarf Crested Iris | Iris cristata | P-S | A | 4-8" | M,P | Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May |
| Virginia Blue Flag | Iris virginica | F-P | W | 1-2' | P,C | Blue sepals curve down; yellow base blooms late spring |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | W | 3-5' | M,P,C | Terminal cluster of bright-red flowers 1.5" long in fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | P-S | W | 1-3' | M,P,C | Elongated cluster of pale drk- blue flwrs summer/fall |
| Lupine | Lupinus perennis | F-P | D | 2-3' | M,P,C | Spikes of lavender flowers in early summer |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | P-S | A-W | 1-2' | M,P | Nodding, trumpet-like 1" lt. blue flwrs spring/summer |
| Monkeyflower | Mimulus ringens | F | W | 2-5' | M,P,C | 1" violet flowers in summer and fall |
| Arrow Alum | Peltandra virginica | F-P | D | 1-2' | P,C | Spathe in May to July |
| Moss Phlox | Phlox subulata | F | D | 4-6" | M,P | Trumpet-shaped red, purple, violet, pink, white flwrs |
| Mayapple | Podophyllum peltatum | P-S | A | 1-1.5' | M,P,C | 1" sol. white bloom at fork of 2 leaf stalks in spring |
| Solomon's Seal | Polygonatum biflorum | P-S | D-A | 2-3' | M,P,C | .5" bell-shaped green-white flwrs hang from leaf axils |
| Pickerel Weed | Pontederia cordata | F | W | 3-6" | P,C | Spikes of bright lavender or blue flowers summer - fall |
| Bowman's Root | Porteranthus trifoliatus | P-S | A | 2-3' | M,P | Narrow white-pink scraggly 5-petal flwrs in early summer |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F-P | D-A | 2-3' | M,P,C | 2-4" flwr head with 10-20 bright yellow petals, sum-fall |
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis | S | A | 6-12" | M,P,C | 2" white flowers with yellow centers |
| Lizard's Tail | Saururus cernuus | F-P | W | 1-3' | M,P,C | Slender raceme of small shite flowers that droops at tip |
| Early Saxifrage | Saxifraga virginiensis | F-S | D-A | 4-10" | M,P,C | 5-petaled white flowers with 10 bright yellow stamen |
| Wild Stonecrop | Sedum ternatum | P-S | A | 4-5" | M,P,C | Flowers have 4-5 white petals with sharp points in spring |
| Fire Pink | Silene virginica | F-P | D-A | 1-1.5' | M,P | 1" red flowers with 5 spreading petals, 2-pronged at tip |
| Roughstem Goldenrod | Solidago rugosa | F-P | A | 2-5' | M,P,C | Tiny flowers like strings of yellow beads (Aug-Oct) |
| Seaside Goldenrod | Solidago sempervirens | F-P | A | 1-8' | C | 3" clusters bright yellow flwrs from clusters, sum-fall |
| Clumping Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | S | A | 6-12" | M,P | Narrow cluster of small white flowers |
| White Trillium | Trillium grandiflorum | S | A | .5-2' | M,P | 2-2.5" white-pink flwr on eraect stalk with broad petals |
| Blue Vervain | Verbena hastata | F-P | A-W | 5' | M,P | Small flowers crowded on terminal spikes (Jun-Oct) |
| New York Ironweed | Vernonia noveboracensis | F-P | W | 4-6' | M,P,C | Purple flowers attract butterflies in summer |
| Marsh Blue Violet | Viola cucullata | F-P | W | 6-12" | M,P,C | Violet flowers with spurred lower tip blooms spring-summer |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Ferns and Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Soil Moisture | Heights | Region | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | S | M | 18-36" | M,P,C | Tiny fan-shaped fronds held on delicate black stems |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | A-W | 12-24" | M,P,C | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | F-P | A-W | 24-48" | M,P,C | Circular cluster of arching fronds; cinnamon fronds |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2-6' | M,P,C | Tiny fan-shaped fronds held on delicate black stems |
| Christmas Fern | Polystich. acrostichoides | S | A | 12-36" | M,P,C | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenoc. quinquefolia | F-P | A | 30-50' | M,P,C | Excellent red fall color; attracts birds; salt tolerant |
| Wisteria frutescens | Wisteria frutescens | F-P | A-W | 30' | C | Scented mauve flowers spotted with yellow |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Grasses
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Soil Moisture | Heights | Region | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | F-P | D-A | 4-7' | M,P | Warm-season;grn/bl-grn leaves;orange/red in fall |
| Broomsedge | Andropogon verginicus | F-P | D-W | 4' | M,P,C | Grn leaves & stem turn dark red/purple/orange in fall |
| Bluejoint Reedgrass | Calamagro. canadensis | F-P | A-W | 2-4' | M | Cool season grass; sod-forming |
| Long Hair Sedge | Carex crinita | F-P | A-W | 2-5' | M,P,C | Seeds are eaten by waterfowl |
| Sallow Sedge | Carex lurida | F-P | A-W | 1-3' | M,P,C | Green sedge; low maintenance |
| Pennsylvania Sedge | Carex pensylvanica | F-S | D-A | 1' | M,P,C | Greens early in spring; fine-leaved clumping perennial |
| Tussock Sedge | Carex stricta | F-P | A-W | 2-3' | M,P,C | Evergreen; blue flowers; best color in full sun |
| Poverty Oatgrass | Danthonia spicata | F-S | D-A | 30" | M,P,C | Short-leaved, light green, tufted perennial |
| Virginia Wildrye | Elymus virginicus | P-S | D-A | 3' | M,P,C | Distinguished by relatively stiff, erect spikes |
| Canada Rush | Juncus canadensis | F-P | A-W | 3' | P,C | Rapid growth; green foliaged flower |
| Soft Rush | Juncus effusus | F-P | A-W | 3' | M,P,C | Bright green cylindrical stems have no nodes or leaves |
| Rice Cutgrass | Leersia oryzoides | F-P | A-W | 5' | M,P,C | Saw-toothed leaf edges can readily tear the flesh |
| Coastal Panic Grass | Panicum amarum | F | D | 1-2' | C | Clumping grass; grws well in sand good for beachfront |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | F-P | D-W | 4-6' | M,P,C | Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | F-P | D-A | 2-4' | M,P,C | Brt. grn-light blue leaves turn tan/copper/orange/red |
| Woolgrass Bulrush | Scirpus cyperinus | F-P | A-W | 6' | M,P,C | Inflorescense wooly-looking when mature |
| Indian Grass | Sorghastrum nutans | F-P | D-A | 1-2' | M,P,C | Late sum. silky-golden flowering plumes above foliage |
| American Burreed | Sparganium americanum | F-P | W | 2' | M,P,C | Leaf blades thick, strap-like; spherical bur-like flowers |
| Gama Grass | Tripsacum dactyloides | F-P | A-W | 5' | M,P,C | Rich green foliage; distinctive flowers in spring |
| Broad-leaved Cattail | Typha latifolia | F | A-W | 6-10' | M,P,C | Cylindrical flower mid-late sum.; fresh/dried arrangements |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
