Resources

Lookup native plants that are right for your yard. One of the easiest ways for us to reduce our pollution contribution to the Chesapeake Bay is to replace some of our lawn and typical landscapes with native plants. Native plants have occurred in our region for hundreds of years and are accustomed to local sun, soil, and climate.

National Invasive Species Information Cente. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Aquatic invasive plants include plants and algae that grow partially or entirely submerged in water. This includes plants that are rooted and float freely in the water. Aquatic plants may invade both marine and freshwater environments, including habitats such as wetlands, lakes, rivers, estuaries, coastal zones, irrigation systems, hydroelectric systems, and aquaculture facilities.

Beloved Brook Natives is a woman-owned micro-business in Greene County, Virginia. All of their native forbs, grasses, and vines are local ecotype with seeds, plugs, cuttings, and divisions ethically sourced from the Piedmont Uplands (64c) ecoregion.

These plants are recommended by Extension Master Gardeners for use near black walnut trees and other allelopathic plants (plants that produce chemicals can inhibit growth or even kill the plant). A plant tolerant of black walnut means that it may survive under the canopy of allelopathic plants without being adversely affected by the toxic chemicals that the tree produces. Master Gardeners Northern Virginia (MGNV)

Bona Terra is a small family-run landscaping business and native plant nursery located in Washington, DC. They do not have a traditional brick-and-mortar store. Ordering is done online and pickup is at their office in Northwest DC. Delivery is available for a fee

The Wildflower and Native Plant Gardens at the Brandywine Museum of Art are a living representation of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art's initiative to connect art + environment. Seed collected by volunteers is available through the Brandywine Museum Shop. Seed is also used for the Conservancy's wildflower and native plant propagation program.

Carniola Farms Nursery, located on Maryland’s eastern shore, specializes in native plants, fruiting plants, herbs, and unusual plants. They also operate Arlington Native Plants & Edibles located at 925 N. Madison St. Arlington Virginia 22205. Plants can be purchased at any time of year by appointment.

Chesapeake Bay Native Plant Center is an information resource provided by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

PDF Document: Climate smart native plants for the Northeast (includes Virginia)

Information for businesses including lists of native plants that are suitable for commercial spaces.

Plant NoVA Natives: Growing native plants in containers is surprisingly easy and provides plenty of useful wildlife habitat. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds will happily find your balcony. Imagine the potential if every city dweller with a front stoop or balcony put out containers with native plants!

Homegrown National Park's carefully selected lists of most productive (= Keystone) native plants with a broad range across the Ecoregion (includes the Virginia Piedmont area) and are widely available commercially.

Draper Springs is a small plant nursery located in Draper, Virginia with a focus on native and edible plants.

University of Georgia, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem health's web-based mapping system for documenting invasive plants, insects, diseases and wildlife. Using common or scientific names, you can click on each species to view information, image and references.

The Wild Plant Nursery is a unique resource for ecological restoration in the greater Washington, DC, area. Established in 2001 in Springfield, Virginia, under an agreement with the Fairfax County Park Authority, the nursery is the region's most comprehensive source of local, wild native-plant material (“local ecotypes”). The use of local ecotypes is a standard best practice in ecological restoration because that helps to safeguard genetic diversity and local adaptation in the species planted. The nursery is currently working with about 340 species, some uncommon or rare in the wild in this region. For many of these species, our nursery is the DC area’s only source of production — local ecotype or otherwise.

Ernst Conservation Seeds grows, processes, and sells hundreds of species of native and naturalized seeds and live plant materials for ecological restoration, sustainable landscaping, reclamation, wetlands, and natural resources conservation.

Using fragrant native plants can bring a new dimension to the enjoyment of our gardens! The scents of flowers are present to attract pollinators, but we can appreciate them as well.

Everyone knows that the European honeybee has taken terrible hits in recent years. What is less well known is that the 400+ species of native bees in Virginia are under serious threat from the actions of human beings. Not only are native bees important pollinators of many food crops, they play an essential role in our ecosystem as a whole. Bees and a whole array of less noticeable animals - including many species of flies, ants and beetles - pollinate the majority of the plants we see around us. In other words, they ensure the survival of most of the plant kingdom.

Garrett Wildflower Seed Farm, located in Southeastern North Carolina, offers numerous wildflower and grass varieties, as well as several custom mixes

Free and open access to biodiversity data including many plant-related datasets such as iNaturalist Research-grade Observations, The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), International Plant Names Index,

Green Steeze is locally owned with a specialty in sustainable landscaping & conservation support for commercial & residential properties.

Plant NoVA Natives: (Non-comprehensive) Guide showcases the attractive variety of plants native to Northern Virginia selected because they are attractive, relatively easy to find, easy to maintain, and offer many benefits to wildlife and the environment. Print copy can be ordered here: https://www.plantnovanatives.org/buy-the-native-plant-guide-book

Plant NoVA Natives: What you can do for hummingbirds

Website (and app) Allows you to record the plants and animals you observe, contribute to science and connect with fellow naturalists. Can also help you identify plants and animals.

How to develop a plan and remove the invasive plants on your property.

A citizen's guide to the non-native invasive plants that may be lurking in your backyard.

Although there are many non-native plant species that invade our natural areas, the plants listed on this page are particularly problematic in Northern Virginia because they are still sold and planted throughout the area. Consider planting one of the natives we suggest as an alternative to these plants. 

Although there are many non-native plant species that invade our natural areas, the plants listed on this page are particularly problematic in Richmond, VA region because they are still sold and planted throughout the region. Consider planting one of the natives we suggest as an alternative to these plants.

The Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program finds new populations of certain invasive species through methodical surveys as they are starting to invade an area and then eradicates them before they cause serious ecological harm in county parks.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation: There is demonstrable evidence that species on this list pose a threat to Virginia’s forests, marshes, wetlands and waterways.

Most of their current plant offerings are native to the East Coast and Mid West. Izel is a one-stop-shop that consolidates the inventories of wholesale-only growers and retail nurseries. Once you’ve found your ideal species, you’ll have the option to select which nursery you want to fulfill your order

Keystone plants are native plants critical to the food web and necessary for many wildlife species to complete their life cycle. Without keystone plants in the landscape, butterflies, native bees, and birds will not thrive. 96% of our terrestrial birds rely on insects supported by keystone plants. National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia: Native Keystone Plants that support the highest number of caterpillars of Lepidoptera (butterflies, moths, skippers, fritillaries)

Homegrown National Park's carefully select the native plants on these lists based on being keystone species (the most productive), with a broad range across the Ecoregion that includes the Virginia piedmont area, and wide commercial availability.

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes.

Plant NoVA Natives list of Northern Virginia landscape professionals who work almost exclusively with native plants

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Mission: To promote horticultural volunteerism and community improvement through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, by fostering communication, education and fellowship among those involved in the Arlington/Alexandria Extension Master Gardeners Program and supporting and promoting the program and its volunteer educational activities.

Mellow Marsh Farm specializes in the propagation of plant species native to the Southeast. Their plants are grown from seed collected in the Carolinas and Virginia. They focus on providing plant material and native seed mixes that meet specifications for wetland mitigation, stream restoration, stormwater ponds, rain gardens, pollinator habitat

Mid Atlantic Natives is a wholesale, to the trade, grower of native plant species. However, in order to make native plants available to everyone, they welcome orders from anyone interested in native plants

Look up, view a photo and read about the over 7,500 plants which are growing or have been grown in the Kemper Center display gardens (plus selected additions) by scientific name, common name and/or selected plant characteristics.

U.S. Department of Agriculture: Mid-Atlantic regional photographic guide to a broad selection of invasive plants that are often confused with similar native look-alike with a side-by-side, illustrated comparison of the key characters needed to confirm identification.

National Wildlife Federation tool to help find the best native plants to help wildlife. You can search by your Zip code and build a plant list

Virginia Native Plant Society list of nurseries that sell primarily native plants and do not sell invasive species as defined in the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List published by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program.

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.