Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium x. marianum, a hybrid of V. fuscatum and V. formosum), are versatile native shrubs or small trees which provide four seasons of interest in eastern Virginia. They can grow 10 feet or more in height, often with several trunks. Young branches are light green with a zigzag pattern which is more obvious in winter after leaf fall.
Read MoreBur-marigolds (Bidens laevis and Bidens cernua) are native wildflowers found in wet places and shallow fresh water. These two species are very similar, but should not be confused with the marigolds planted in many of our flower beds–those are a completely different-looking, non-native plant.
Read MoreThree-nerved (Coastal) Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium dubium) is one of our many native plants that are unjustly considered weeds simply because of their common name. For gardeners, this is one of the more useful of several local species of Joe-pye-weed because it only grows to total height of about three or four feet.
Read MoreCardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a strikingly beautiful wildflower found along stream banks and in bogs and swamps. The unbranched plant grows up to four feet in height with dark-green toothed leaves.
Read MoreCinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) is a large graceful fern which grows in shady wet areas. It typically attains a height of about 3 feet, but can reach 5 feet in favorable environments.
Read MoreHairy Skullcap (Scutellaria elliptica) is a striking native wildflower. It grows 12 to 18 inches in height with oval or elliptical leaves and has hairy stems which rarely branch.
Read MoreMaple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is a deciduous shrub which is relatively common in our forests.
Read MoreVirginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) is one of the most beautiful of the native spring ephemerals that has been introduced into our area. Although it does not grow naturally in the Northern Neck, it is found throughout much of the rest of Virginia, including the Middle Peninsula.
Read MoreVirginia Dwarf Trillium (Trillium pusillum var.virginiana), the only native trillium in the Northern Neck, is an exceptionally attractive small wildflower that grows naturally in Lancaster County. There are many different kinds of trillium but this one is unique because of its small size of only about 7 or 8 inches in height at maturity.
Read MoreYucca are usually associated with arid regions and many different kinds are found there. Common Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) is native to the southeastern U.S., especially in sandy coastal soils, dry woods and other open, sunny areas.
Read MoreSycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a familiar native tree, distinguished by its unusual, exfoliating red to gray bark exposing lighter colored white or cream inner layers. It is unique in the drama of its winter presence, especially when found in groves along waterways.
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