Naturally found in rocky, sandy and dry habitats, Virginian Prickly Pears are hardy and prefer full sun and dry soil. Their Scientific name “humifusa” means “sprawling” referring to Virginia Prickly Pear’s habit of spreading out along the ground to form a unique flowering ground cover.

Virginian Prickly Pear, scientifically known as Opuntia humifusa is a native perennial evergreen succulent shrub in the cactus family! In early summer they sends out large yellow blooms. In fall flowers ripen to edible purple to red fruits that are loved by critters and humans alike!

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Identification Tips:
📏3’-5’ high
📐1-2’ spread
☀️Full to part shade
💧Most soils
🌸Long blooms from May to August
🌼Composite flowers
💜Narrow purple petals
🪻Petals are long and dip low
🍦Cone shaped dark-purple center disc

Identification Tips:
📏2’-4’ high
📐2-4’ spread
☀️Full to part shade
💧Medium moisture
🌼Blooms August through September
🍃Composite flowers
🌻6-12 Yellow ray florets
💜Dark-purple brown center disc
🌿Serrated elliptic leaves

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Identification tips:
🍃Rossetts of long narrow evergreen leaves
💜Bright to light purple flowers attop vertical stem
🌸Blooms in spring and early summer
🌿Spread through stolons
🌳Grow in shale woodlands or roadsides

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Swordleaf Phlox is a beautiful herbaceous perenial endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of Western Virginia and in Southwest West Virginia. Naturally found in shale woodlands, woodland edges and road banks.

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False Blue Indigo also has deep taproots making it tolerant to periods of drought. Not only can False Blue Indigo handle drought but they are also tolerant to salt, poor soil, clay, rocky soil, deer and bunnies. Plus, False Blue Indigo’s soft green leaves and purple blooms are a showstopper!

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False Blue Indigo is a clump forming native herbaceous perennial. Our favorite characteristic of False Blue Indigo is for its ability to form shrub-like structure in the garden. In spring False Blue Indigo blooms vibrant bluish-purple flowers that attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

✨ Delicate clusters of star-shaped flowers
🦋 Pollinator-friendly – attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds
🌱 Thrives in shade with rich, medium soil
🌼 Deer-resistant and easy to grow

Pawlonia. Nasty, fast growing invasive. Don't wait to remove it. You may need to use the "cut and paint" method of herbicide treatment.

🌳Host plant to numerous pollinators including the imperial moth (Eacles imperialis)

🌳Prefers fertile, sandy to loamy soils

🌳Tolerant of drought, dry soils and air pollution once established

🌳Often planted as shade trees and along streets

Gorgeous!!!

🌳Red fruits feed a wide variety of birds and mammals

🌳Strong wood that is prized for carving

🌳State flower of Virginia and North Carolina

🌳What is often referred to as the Dogwood “flower” is actually a cluster of small true flowers that are surrounded by four petal-like bracts

🍃Fruits can last until winter

🍃Leaves turn a gorgeous red in fall

🍃Often used as a border planting