Information on Native Spring Flowering Shrubs in Virginia

Using native plants in your gardens is good for the environment.

Using native plants in your garden helps to avoid the introduction of invasive species that compete with natural flora for resources like space, water and food. In Virginia, many plants have adapted so as to be able to coexist without any dangerous dominance. The Virginia Native Plant Society explains that native plants "are integral parts of...ecosystems, and part of our history and heritage as well." Try using native plants to bring color and vitality to your Virginia garden.

Common Serviceberry

The common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is a perennial shrub that blooms in mid-spring. Its active growth period is in the spring and summer, and after 20 years this plant can grow as high as 25 feet, though its maximum height at maturity is 36 feet. The flowers of the common serviceberry are small and white with green centers. Adapted to medium- and coarse-textured soils, this plant has a medium anaerobic tolerance and can withstand a soil pH of 7.5

Shrubby Saint John's Wort

The Shrubby Saint John's Wort flowers in the late spring.

Offering bright yellow flowers with delicate, stranded petals, the shrubby Saint John's wort (Hypericum prolificum) is a perennial shrub or subshrub. It grows actively in the spring and summer, though its prime period for flowering is in the late spring. It is adapted for any type of soil,--withstanding fine or high coarseness equally well--and has a maximum soil pH of 7.2. Since it is a subshrub, the shrubby Saint John's wort is not a tall plant, reaching only 3.2 feet at maturity.

Moss Phlox

With deep purple flowers that fade to a delicate violet-white color, the moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a delicate and beautiful addition to any collection of native Virginia foliage. This plant grows in the spring, summer and fall, but blooms in the early spring. It is adapted to all soil types, is classified as fire-resistant, and has a maximum soil pH of 7.5. A very short subshrub that is also classified as an herb, the moss phlox only grows about 6 inches high.

Great Laurel

The Great Laurel should not be grown in coarse soil.

The great laurel (Rhododendron maximum) is a perennial tree/shrub with flowers that unfurl from tightly closed pink buds to delicate white petals with matching centers. This tree will grow in the spring and summer, but expect blooms in the late spring. This plant has a low maximum pH of 5.5 and a medium fire tolerance. It should not be grown in fine coarse soils. After 20 years, the great laurel will have attained a height of about 15 feet and, at maturity, can reach as high as 25 feet.

White Meadowsweet

The white meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is a perennial dicot with a star-shaped white flower that is surrounded by tightly curled white buds. Its center is yellow. The great meadowsweet grows in the spring and summer, blooms in the late spring, and has a maximum soil pH of 6.8. It has a high fire tolerance and can be grown in any soil type. The maximum height of this plant is 3 feet.

References

• Virginia Native Plant Society
• Virginia: Natural Heritage
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Plants Database