Native Plants

Our native plants are those that have co-evolved here over centuries with local insects, birds, and other animals. Together, they make the Virginia Piedmont unique.

Because they are fully adapted to our local climate and soils, native plants can thrive in situations where exotic garden plants struggle. Consequently, once established, there should be less need for extra water, chemical applications of fertilizers, or any pesticides, thus protecting water quality by reducing pollutant and nutrient runoff affecting our waterways. Generally, native plants require less maintenance.  

Native plants also support biodiversity by providing the food, pollen, and nectar that form the basis of the food web and healthy ecosystems.  Select a diversity of native plants to provide a wide variety of benefits.  Select plants suited to your existing soil, moisture, sunlight and other site conditions.  Plant choice matters!

By choosing native plants in your landscape, you are not only helping to feed the birds, pollinators and other wildlife, you are creating a healthier place for yourself, your family and your community.

Main points to remember:  

• Choose native plants that are “true” to the species type when possible or available; 
• Site the plant in the correct growing conditions.  Start with a soil test to save yourself time and money (www.soiltest.vt.edu)Avoid invasive exotics (check species status at http://vaplantatlas.org). Invasive plants are those that occur in locations beyond their known historical natural ranges, most often brought to new regions by humans through horticultural or accidental introductions. Invasive plants are those that display rapid growth and spread, allowing them to establish in large areas outside of their natural native range, often secreting chemicals in the soil that discourages our native vegetation and without competitors or pests that keep them in check “at home”. Their rapid growth allows them to overwhelm and displace existing native plant vegetation and outcompete our native plants. Learn to recognize and control invasive species with these resources:

• Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management)
• Invasive Plants Fact Sheets
• A USDA Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants of Southern Forests
• Virginia Dept of Conservation Research’s List of Invasive Plants
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas

Want to learn more about Virginia Piedmont Native Plants?

• Check out the Native Plants resources section
• Download a list of Plants Native to our Northern Piedmont (Updated December 2024)
• Download our site-specific plant lists:
  • Cool Plants for Hot Places
  • Cool Plants for Dry Shade
  • A Carpet for Your Garden
  • Native Plants for Birds
  • Pollinator Demonstration Garden Design and Plant List at The Center at Belvedere. Check out the Pollinator Bookmark. 
  • Every Garden Needs Keystone Plants
• Use the Piedmont Native Plant Database to help choose plants that will thrive in your growing conditions: albemarle.org/nativeplants
• Get a copy of Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens available at area retailers or online
• Native Plant Search Tools
• Plant Virginia Natives
• Follow Plant Northern Piedmont Natives on Facebook for updates on regional plant sales and other events
• See our list of nearby Native Plant retailers and sources for native plants. The Virginia Native Plant Society also has a list of nurseries specializing in native plants and organizations that hold native plant sales

Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Retail Partners

• Blue Ridge Farmers Co-op (formerly Southern States) at Harris Street and Leake Square
• Center for Historic Plants at Tufton Farm
• Eltzroth & Thompson
• Little Bluestem*
• Fifth Season
• Hummingbird Hill Natives*
• Ivy Corner
• Ivy Nursery
• La La’s Garden
• ProTech Farm and Nursery
• Saunders Brothers Farm Market
• Snow’s Garden Center
• The Corner Store, Ruckersville
• The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen*

*Local natives exclusively