Putting Down Roots with Native Plants

Flowering Plants (Herbaceous)

• Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
• New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
• Woodland sunflowers (Helianthus divaricatus)

Wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia). Often confused with ragweed, goldenrod supports hundreds of species of insects, birds and other pollinators and thrives in sunny and shady environments. This species is less rampant than others—like the Canada or rough-stemmed species—and easier to manage. It likes loamy or clay-filled soil that is moist or dry.

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is also especially favored by numerous wildlife species. This autumn-blooming plant has showy bluish/purple flowers, thrives in the mid-Atlantic and likes full to partial sun and loamy/moist soil.

Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) is not the heavy-headed giant we often associate with the name. These more delicate flowers are especially attractive to goldfinches who enjoy feeding on this composite’s petals. The plants like partial sun and loamy soil that can be either dry or moist.

Trees

• White oak (Quercus alba)
• Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor)
• Black/Swamp willow (Salix nigra)
• Wild cherry (Prunus serotina)
• Pin/Fire cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

White oak (Quercus alba) is perhaps one of the most important native tree species to the mid-Atlantic region, providing insects and their larvae with food, shelter and habitat. It prefers loamy and sandy soils and full to partial sun. Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) is a great variety if you have more limited space and/or harsher growing conditions for planting.

Black/Swamp willow (Salix nigra) thrives in wetlands, swamps and wet meadows and prefers full to partial sun. It does well in a variety of soil types. This could be a good consideration for areas prone to flooding.

Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) is also called black cherry and rum cherry. One of several native cherry trees, this species produces fruit—attracting and feeding a variety of birds. It thrives in sunny spots with dry or moist loamy soil from New York to Virginia. Pin/fire cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is a good variety for smaller yards.

Grasses and Sedges

• Broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus)
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus) grows well in the mid-Atlantic region and tolerates many soil types but needs full sun. It provides food and cover for wildlife and turns a beautiful reddish/tan color in fall.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) grows in all mid-Atlantic regions and can thrive in wet meadows or marsh areas where it helps control erosion. It grows in clumps and is especially attractive to sparrow species.

Vines

• Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
• Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). Much more colorful than its invasive cousins, this beautiful native vine thrives in many types of soil as well as partial shade.

Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans). This fast-growing, bright red/orange flowering vine does well in a variety of soil types and attracts hummingbirds. Note that this vine is also aggressive and takes work to manage.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Native Plants

Many conventional garden centers and nurseries do not carry native plants or may not have staff that are knowledgeable about native species. The Maryland Native Plant Society lists a variety of trustworthy growers in the mid-Atlantic area. You can often order plants from suppliers online and pick them up or have them mailed directly to you.

If you do purchase plants from conventional garden centers, it’s important to ask whether the retailer or the growers have treated the plants with neonicotinoids. These insecticides are toxic to invertebrates like insects—including beneficial ones. Even if a garden center carries native species it doesn’t mean they have not been treated with these chemicals.

Pesticides and chemical fertilizers also wind up as run-off in our stormwater systems. Eventually these chemicals make their way to rivers, streams, bays and oceans where they can kill wildlife far beyond your yard. Planting native species that produce food and shelter for birds, frogs, lizards, bats and ants will attract them to your yard where they will also eat mosquitoes.

If you’re hoping that your native tree or shrub will feed birds and other pollinators with its berries or other fruit, then you’ll want to know whether the species is dioecious—meaning it relies on at least one male and one female plant to produce fruit. Be sure to do your research in advance.

Some cultivars—species that have been bred by humans to select certain aspects of the original plant’s characteristics—of native species aren’t much different than true natives, but some exhibit different features that may make them unattractive to wildlife.