Native Plant List for Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
Last updated: September 4, 2026
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 | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | A-W | 40–60 ft | Excellent fall color, red buds and twigs late winter |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | F-P | A | 50–75 ft | Excellent fall color, beautiful large shade tree |
| Yellow Birch | Betula alleghaniensis | F-P | A | 60–75 ft | Does best in cool soils, beautiful bark |
| Black Birch | Betula lenta | F-P | A | 40–55 ft | Golden yellow fall color |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40–70 ft | Modest yellow fall color; seeds attract birds |
| Pignut Hickory | Carya glabra | P-S | D | 50–60 ft | Golden yellow fall color; rapid growth rate |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata | F-P | A | 70–90 ft | Yellow to gold-brown fall color; squirrels eat nuts |
| Atlantic White Cedar | Chamaecyparis thyoides | P-S | A-W | 40–50 ft | Green to bluish-green needle-like foliage |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | F-S | D-A | 30–50 ft | Yellow/orange/mauve fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | F-S | A | 50–80 ft | Golden brown fall color; nuts attract birds & squirrels |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F-P | A | 60–80 ft | Yellow/maroon/purple fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pensylvanica | F-P | A | 50–60 ft | Grows fast, tolerates salt; yellow fall color |
| Red Cedar (Eastern) | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | D-A | 30–40 ft | Good for screening; attracts birds |
| Sweetgum | Liquidambar styraciflua | F-S | A-W | 60–95 ft | Brilliant ylw/orng/scarlet/prpl fall color; fruit litters lawn |
| Tulip-tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 40–95 ft | Attracts hummingbirds/birds/squirrels; butterfly host |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F-P | A | 40–60 ft | Yellow/orange/red/purple fall color; fruit attracts birds |
| Shortleaf Pine | Pinus echinata | F-P | D | 70–90 ft | Dark blue-green needles; seeds eaten by birds |
| Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda | F | D-W | 50–90 ft | Dark green needles; rapid growth; seeds for brids |
| Virginia Pine | Pinus virginiana | F | D | 15–40 ft | Foliage useful for Christmas decor., seeds for birds |
| Sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70–95 ft | Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark |
| Wild Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | D | 50–80 ft | Messy; small, edible berries in summer; attracts birds |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60–90 ft | Brown/red/wine fall color; acorns for birds/squirrels |
| Swamp White Oak | Quercus bicolor | P-S | W | 50–60 ft | Yellow to red/purple fall color |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea | F-P | D | 75 ft | Brilliant scarlet fall color; rapid growth |
| Southern Red Oak | Quercus falcata | P-S | D-A | 70–90 ft | Brown fall color; drought tolerant |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris | P-S | A-W | 60–80 ft | Russett/bronze/red fall color |
| Willow Oak | Quercus phellos | F-P | A-W | 60–80 ft | Yellow to yellow-brown fall color; less mesy oak variety |
| Northern Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60–75 ft | Russett red to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata | F | D | 40–50 ft | Variable fall color; non-showy to golden brown |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina | P-S | D | 50–60 ft | Reddish brown fall color |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | F-P | D-A | 30–60 ft | Yllw flowers (April) clear yllw/orng/pink/scarlet fall color |
| Canada Serviceberry | Amelanchier canadensis | F | A-W | 25 ft | Showy, white flowers (Mar-Jun); edible fruit (Jun-July) |
| Smooth Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis | F-P | D-A | 40 ft | Showy, white flowers (Mar-Jun); edible fruit (Jun-July) |
| Paw Paw | Asimina triloba | P-S | A | 40 ft | Unique fruit resembles & tastes like banana |
| Redbud (Eastern) | Cercis canadensis | P-S | A | 20–30 ft | Rosy, pink flowers in early spring |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | A | 12–20 ft | Wispy, creamy, white fragrant flowers in May |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6–15 ft | Flat, white flower head mid-spring- not fragrant |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | P-S | D-A | 25–30 ft | White flowers (spring); berries attract birds (fall) |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia viginiana | P-S | A-W | 20–30 ft | 3" creamy, white lemon-scented flowers all summer |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F | D-A | 9–15 ft | Velvety red fruit on female plants;persist into winter |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F-P | A-W | 50 ft or more | Host plant for butterflies |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-S | W | 15–20 ft | Yellow & orange fall color; fruit eaten by birds |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | P-S | A-W | 6–10 ft | Red berries load shrub; eaten by mamals & birds |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | D-W | 3–5 ft | Dependable showy orange/burgandy/purple fall color |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W | 6–12 ft | Creamy, white somewhat fragrant flowers (Jun-Aug) |
| Sweet Pepper-bush | Clethra alnifolia | P-S | A-W | 5–8 ft | Small white fragrant flowers(Jul-Aug); yellow leaves fall |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6–10 ft | Creamy white flowers (May-Jun); no fall color |
| Black Huckleberry | Gaylussacia baccata | P-S | D-A | 12–36 in | Edible fruit- ancestor of blueberries |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | P-S | D-A | 15–30 ft | Fragrant creamy to bright yellow flowers in fall |
| Inkberry | Ilex glabra | P-S | D-A | 4–8 ft | Evergreen shrub; forms suckering colonies |
| Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F-P | A-W | 6–15 ft | Bright-red berries into winter; attracts birds |
| Virginia Willow | Itea virginica | P-S | W | 3–6 ft | Spectacular & long-lasting yllw/orng/crimson fall color |
| Marsh Elder | Iva fruitescens | F | A-W | 8 ft | No fall color; inconspicuous flowers; evergreen |
| Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | P-S | A | 5–12 ft | Evergreen foliage; pink-white showy flowers (May-Jun) |
| Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | S | A | 6–12 ft | Yllw, spicily-fragrant flowers (late winter);red fruit in fall |
| Southern Wax Murtle | Myrica cerifera | P-S | D-A | 15–20 ft | Leaves are fragrant when crushed; olive green in color |
| Northern Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | F | D-W | 5–8 ft | Semi-evergreen; transplants well |
| Pinxter Flower | Rhododendron periclymenoides | P-S | A-W | 4–6 ft | Pale, pink flowers in late May |
| Swamp Azalea | Rhododendron viscosum | F-P | A-W | 2–8 ft | Very fragrant, sticky, white flowers in early summer |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F-P | D | 2–6 ft | Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color |
| Pasture Rose | Rosa carolina | F-P | D-A | 12–36 in | 1" pink flowers (Jun-July) |
| Common Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F | A-W | 5–12 ft | Showy white flowers (July); edible fruit (Sep) |
| Lowbush Blueberry | Vaccinium angustifolium | F | D | 6–24 in | Twiggy shrub, wht flowers (May); red/bronze fall color |
| Highbush Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum | F-S | D-W | 6–12 ft | Excellent fall color; fruit edible for humans/wildlife |
| Arrowwood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | D-A | 5–9 ft | Flowers (May-June); small blue-black berries in fall |
| Possum-haw Viburnum | Viburnum nudum | P-S | W | 5–20 ft | Clusters of small, white flowers (May-July) |
| Black-haw Viburnum | Viburnum prunifolium | F-P | A | 12–15 ft | White flowers (spring); fruit attracts birds; edible |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart-leaved Aster | Aster cordifolius | F-P | A | 1–4 ft | Blue-purple flowers (Aug-Nov) |
| Whte Wood Aster | Aster divaricatus | F-P | D-A | 12–36 in | Clusters of white flowers late summer into fall |
| New England Aster | Aster novae-angliae | F-P | D-A | 3–7 ft | Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late sum-fall |
| New York Aster | Aster novi-belgii | F-P | A | 3–4 ft | Flowers purple with yellow centers; bloom early fall |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | F-P | W | 12–24 in | 1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring and summer |
| White Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | P-S | W | 12–36 in | White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall |
| Black Cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 3–8 ft | Long slender clusters of white flowers in summer, fall |
| Dutchman's Breeches | Dicentra cucullaria | S | A | 5–12 in | White and yellow pantaloon-like flowers in spring |
| Shooting Star | Dodecatheon meadia | F-P | D | 12–24 in | 1" flower with 5 lilac, pink, white petals facing backwards |
| Mistflower | Eupatorium coelestinum | F-S | A | 12 in | Attractive lavender flowers bloom in August |
| Common Boneset | Eupatorium perfoliatum | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Flat-top clusters of small white flowers in the fall |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 12–24 in | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Sharp-lobed Hepatica | Hepatica acutiloba | S | D-A | 4–9 in | White, pink, blue, or purple solitary flowers in spring |
| Round-lobed Hepatica | Hepatica americana | S | D-A | 4–6 in | White, pink, blue, or purple solitary flowers in spring |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | S | D | 12–36 in | Grn-purple bell-shped flwrs on leaflss stalk in spring |
| Eastern Rosemallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | F | W | 4–7 ft | 4-6" white-pink flowers, purplish-crimson base sum, fall |
| Dwarf Crested Iris | Iris cristata | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May |
| Virginia Blue Flag | Iris virginica | F-P | W | 12–24 in | Blue sepals curve down; yellow base blooms late spring |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | W | 3–5 ft | Terminal cluster of bright-red flowers 1.5" long in fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | P-S | W | 12–36 in | Elongated cluster of pale drk- blue flwrs summer/fall |
| Lupine | Lupinus perennis | F-P | D | 24–36 in | Spikes of lavender flowers in early summer |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | P-S | A-W | 12–24 in | Nodding, trumpet-like 1" lt. blue flwrs spring/summer |
| Monkeyflower | Mimulus ringens | F | W | 12–36 in | 1" violet flowers in summer and fall |
| Arrow Alum | Peltandra virginica | F-P | D | 12–24 in | Spathe in May to July |
| Moss Phlox | Phlox subulata | F | D | 4–6 in | Trumpet-shaped red, purple, violet, pink, white flwrs |
| Mayapple | Podophyllum peltatum | P-S | A | 12–18 in | 1" sol. white bloom at fork of 2 leaf stalks in spring |
| Solomon's Seal | Polygonatum biflorum | P-S | D-A | 24–36 in | .5" bell-shaped green-white flwrs hang from leaf axils |
| Pickerel Weed | Pontederia cordata | F | W | 2–4 ft | Spikes of bright lavender or blue flowers summer - fall |
| Bowman's Root | Porteranthus trifoliatus | P-S | A | 24–36 in | Narrow white-pink scraggly 5-petal flwrs in early summer |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F-P | D-A | 24–36 in | 2-4" flwr head with 10-20 bright yellow petals, sum-fall |
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis | S | A | 6–12 in | 2" white flowers with yellow centers |
| Lizard's Tail | Saururus cernuus | F-P | W | 12–36 in | Slender raceme of small shite flowers that droops at tip |
| Early Saxifrage | Micranthes virginiensis | F-S | D-A | 4–12 in | 5-petaled white flowers with 10 bright yellow stamen |
| Wild Stonecrop | Sedum ternatum | P-S | A | 4–5 in | Flowers have 4-5 white petals with sharp points in spring |
| Fire Pink | Silene virginica | F-P | D-A | 12–18 in | 1" red flowers with 5 spreading petals, 2-pronged at tip |
| Roughstem Goldenrod | Solidago rugosa | F-P | A | 2–5 ft | Tiny flowers like strings of yellow beads (Aug-Oct) |
| Seaside Goldenrod | Solidago sempervirens | F-P | A | 1–8 ft | 3" clusters bright yellow flwrs from clusters, sum-fall |
| Clumping Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | S | A | 6–12 in | Narrow cluster of small white flowers |
| White Trillium | Trillium grandiflorum | S | A | 6–24 in | 2-2.5" white-pink flwr on eraect stalk with broad petals |
| Blue Vervain | Verbena hastata | F-P | A-W | 5 ft | Small flowers crowded on terminal spikes (Jun-Oct) |
| New York Ironweed | Vernonia noveboracensis | F-P | W | 4–6 ft | Purple flowers attract butterflies in summer |
| Marsh Blue Violet | Viola cucullata | F-P | W | 6–12 in | Violet flowers with spurred lower tip blooms spring-summer |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Ferns and Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | S | A | 18–36 in | Tiny fan-shaped fronds held on delicate black stems |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | A-W | 12–24 in | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmundastrum cinnamomeum | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Circular cluster of arching fronds; cinnamon fronds |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2–6 ft | Tiny fan-shaped fronds held on delicate black stems |
| Christmas Fern | Polystich. acrostichoides | S | A | 12–36 in | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenoc. quinquefolia | F-P | A | 30–50 ft | Excellent red fall color; attracts birds; salt tolerant |
| Wisteria frutescens | Wisteria frutescens | F-P | A-W | 30 ft | Scented mauve flowers spotted with yellow |
Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia Grasses
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | F-P | D-A | 4–7 ft | Warm-season;grn/bl-grn leaves;orange/red in fall |
| Broomsedge | Andropogon verginicus | F-P | D-W | 4 ft | Grn leaves & stem turn dark red/purple/orange in fall |
| Bluejoint Reedgrass | Calamagro. canadensis | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Cool season grass; sod-forming |
| Long Hair Sedge | Carex crinita | F-P | A-W | 2–5 ft | Seeds are eaten by waterfowl |
| Sallow Sedge | Carex lurida | F-P | A-W | 12–36 in | Green sedge; low maintenance |
| Pennsylvania Sedge | Carex pensylvanica | F-S | D-A | 12 in | Greens early in spring; fine-leaved clumping perennial |
| Tussock Sedge | Carex stricta | F-P | A-W | 24–36 in | Evergreen; blue flowers; best color in full sun |
| Poverty Oatgrass | Danthonia spicata | F-S | D-A | 30 in | Short-leaved, light green, tufted perennial |
| Virginia Wildrye | Elymus virginicus | P-S | D-A | 36 in | Distinguished by relatively stiff, erect spikes |
| Canada Rush | Juncus canadensis | F-P | A-W | 36 in | Rapid growth; green foliaged flower |
| Soft Rush | Juncus effusus | F-P | A-W | 36 in | Bright green cylindrical stems have no nodes or leaves |
| Rice Cutgrass | Leersia oryzoides | F-P | A-W | 5 ft | Saw-toothed leaf edges can readily tear the flesh |
| Coastal Panic Grass | Panicum amarum | F | D | 12–24 in | Clumping grass; grws well in sand good for beachfront |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | F-P | D-W | 4–6 ft | Bluish cast in summer; reddish fall color |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | F-P | D-A | 2–4 ft | Brt. grn-light blue leaves turn tan/copper/orange/red |
| Woolgrass Bulrush | Scirpus cyperinus | F-P | A-W | 6 ft | Inflorescense wooly-looking when mature |
| Indian Grass | Sorghastrum nutans | F-P | D-A | 12–24 in | Late sum. silky-golden flowering plumes above foliage |
| American Burreed | Sparganium americanum | F-P | W | 24 in | Leaf blades thick, strap-like; spherical bur-like flowers |
| Gama Grass | Tripsacum dactyloides | F-P | A-W | 5 ft | Rich green foliage; distinctive flowers in spring |
| Broad-leaved Cattail | Typha latifolia | F | A-W | 6–10 ft | 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 |
Looking for a nursery that carries native Maryland, Virginia & West Virginia plants?
Browse our native plant nursery directory: Maryland · Virginia · West Virginia
nice that maryland, virginia and west virginia are covered in one starter list. handy if you live near the state lines.
Thank you for the kind words! Wishing you a great growing season. -Plant Native Team