Resources

Using native plants in the home landscape can be an excellent method for controlling erosion The deep root systems of native grasses and the spreading lateral roots of sedges are particularly effective at holding the soil and keeping it from washing away. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Plants recommended by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia for use in gardens that have shade for part to most of the day.

Plants recommended by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia for use in sunny gardens.

Knowing how susceptible a plant is to deer browsing will help you mitigate deer damage in your landscape. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (MGNV)

U.S. Department of Agriculture: : Plant List of Attributes, Names, Taxonomy, and Symbols The PLANTS Database provides standardized information about the vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and lichens of the U.S. and its territories. It includes names, plant symbols, checklists, distributional data, species abstracts, characteristics, images, crop information, automated tools, onward Web links, and references. This information primarily promotes land conservation in the United States and its territories, but academic, educational, and general use is encouraged.

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Nature by Design is a full Service Native Plant Nursery and Garden Center. They offer free delivery to all Alexandria mailing addresses and all Northern Virginia locations inside the Beltway

Plants that have been documented as invasive species in Arlington. Known invasive plant species should not be planted as part of any Arlington County sponsored project. List is periodically reviewed by the Arlington County, Virginia, Invasive Plant Coordinator.

This list is not regulatory but serves as an educational reference informing those with concerns about non-native invasive plants in the City of Alexandria and vicinity, including taking action to prevent the further spread of these species by not planting them and controlling them where they occur on private property. Revised May 2023

Regularly updated list of periodic native plant sales in Northern Virginia maintained by Plant NOVA Natives

The Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council (MAIPC) includes federal, state and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, industry, academia, and individuals from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The council coordinates regional efforts to gather and share information on the identification, management and prevention of invasive species, provide training and volunteer opportunities and to identify research needs.

Plant NOVA Natives is the all-volunteer, joint marketing campaign of a grand coalition of non-profit, governmental, and private groups, all working to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia. Our strategy is to encourage residents as well as public and commercial entities to install native plants as the first step toward creating wildlife habitat and functioning ecosystems on their own properties.

Fairfax County brochure on common invasive or non-native plants in nurseries and their native substitutes

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District - Plants that are recommended for erosion control. All are native, and most are good for moist, shaded conditions, which are often the conditions found in eroding yards. 

The Reston Association’s Board of Directors updated the invasive plant ban in June, 2016 to include all the plants on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Heritage Program’s invasive plant list. Even though many of these plants can be purchased at nurseries and garden centers they are detrimental to our environment

Root 11 is a native plant nursery located in Lexington, Virginia, dedicated to growing and promoting Virginia’s native plants – specifically those from the Ridge and Valley & Blue Ridge Mountain ecoregions. Plants are available to purchase at pop-up sales, markets, and online for local pickup.

Located in Upton, Kentucky, Roundstone Native Seed has been growing and supplying high quality regionally adapted Native Seeds to the eastern United States for over 20 years.

Plants whose native habitats are coastal dunes or saltwater/brackish water marshes and/or those that can tolerate salt spray from roadside salt applications. Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (MGNV)

List of seedling sales and giveaway in Northern Virginia maintained by Plant NOVA Natives

App by iNaturalist that uses the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you.

Located in Berryville, Virginia, Seven Bends Nursery focuses on sustainable horticulture and ecosystem based landscaping.

National Invasive Species Information Center. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Terrestrial (land-dwelling) Invasive Plants include non-native plants that grow in non-aquatic habitats, including agricultural fields, rangelands, forests, urban landscapes, wildlands, and along waterways. Terrestrial invasive plants include trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and herbaceous plants.

A design-and-build ecological landscaping company.

Contains detailed descriptions and photographs of 4,630 plants that grow in and around North Carolina. A great number of these plants also are found in Virginia

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Located in Frenchtown, New Jersey, Toadshade Wildflower Farm started in 1996 to make native wildflowers, particularly perennials, more easily available. 

University of Delaware, Research Magazine

This is not an exhaustive list of native trees and shrubs that support our native bees, but these are some of the most recommended. This list was shared with Plant NOVA Natives by Dr. Sam Droege of the USGS Bee Lab.

These plants adapt to drier, well-drained sites and can tolerate local rain shortages. Most thrive in sun and heat, although a few prefer locations with some shade. Some also grow well in exposed areas or on slopes. Master Gardeners Northern Virginia (MGNV)

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia: These plants help control storm water runoff and ponding by absorbing excess moisture. They are well-suited to conditions in rain gardens, in low spots that collect water, near downspouts, or along water’s edge. Master Gardeners Northern Virginia (MGNV)

Find native plant species that suit your needs. This project is a collaboration between the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Native Plant Society.

Virginia Firescapes: Firewise Landscaping for Woodland Homes. Piedmont Master Gardeners

Use this form to report suspected new invasive species infestations

Invasive plant species; retail sales, penalty, delayed effective date January 1, 2027. Invasive plants sold by retail establishments; signage requirements - No retail establishment shall sell or offer for retail sale for outdoor use a plant that is an invasive plant species unless such retail establishment posts in a conspicuous manner on the property located in proximity to each invasive plant display signage identifying such plant as invasive, educating consumers regarding invasive plant species, and encouraging consumers to ask about alternatives. For purposes of this subsection, "invasive plant species" includes this species.

Early detection species are not yet widely established in Virginia but are known to be highly invasive in habitats similar to those found here. The nine species currently identified as early detection species were assessed using the DCR Invasive Species Assessment Protocol.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) tool allows you to search by Characteristic or Name and helps you choose the perfect native plant species to transform your design into a thriving reality.

The Virginia Native Plant Society (VNPS), founded in 1982 as the Virginia Wildflower Preservation Society, is a nonprofit organization of individuals who share an interest in Virginia’s native plants and habitats.

Riparian buffers support a variety of plants and animals, particularly plants that are adapted to periodic flooding or saturated soils. Riparian forest buffers consist of four vegetation zones. Zone 1, the emergent vegetation zone, is permanently to semipermanently flooded and often dominated by grasses, sedges, rushes and other herbaceous plants. Zone 2, the riverside thicket, may be seasonally to temporarily flooded and is often characterized by emergent aquatic species, shrubs and a few tree species. Zone 3, the saturated forest, has soils that are saturated to poorly drained. Zone 4, the well-drained forest, is also known as upland forest and has dry soil. Zones 3 and 4 are dominated by trees but also contain shrub and herb layers in the understo. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Native Plant Society.

App created by Virginia Tech that can narrow the list of potential tree or shrub species based on your GPS location and simple questions about the tree or shrub.

Located in Hamilton, Virginia, Watermark Woods was established in 2014 with the goal of making native plants more readily available to the people of Loudoun County

Located in Floyd, Virginia, Wood Thrush is dedicated to discovering, growing, and promoting rare and unusual plants that are native to the Appalachian region.

Located in Berryville, Virginia, Yellow House Natives is a native perennial nursery with approximately 3,000 plants made up of 60 or so varieties that are all natives