Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Over 40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Annual: Impatiens Capensis (Orange or Spotted Jewelweed)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
The showy flowers of this native annual dangle on slender stalks mid- summer to early fall along stream banks and in open swamps, moist meadows, and marshes throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Water droplets captured on its leaves glisten, giving rise to its common name, Jewelweed. The violent dispersal of seeds from ripe capsules, which burst open upon contact, give it another common name, Touch-me-not.

Featured Glossary word: Annual

Read moreAnnual: Impatiens Capensis (Orange or Spotted Jewelweed)

SHRUB: Viburnum nudum (Possum-haw)

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Sometimes referred to as Wild Raisin because of its dark ripe fruit, this species is the most showy of the native Viburnums with lustrous leaves, multi-colored drupes, and stunning fall foliage. The shrub is indigenous to low woods, swamps, and bogs throughout the region.
Featured Glossary word: Cyme

Read moreSHRUB: Viburnum nudum (Possum-haw)

PERENNIAL: Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root) 

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Elegant, adaptable, easy-to-grow Culver’s-root inhabits stream banks, moist meadows, and prairies in the eastern and central U.S. concentrated in the Great Lakes region. The striking, candelabra-like inflorescences add vertical structure, and the whorled leaves horizontal lines, to the landscape. Flowers attract a myriad of pollinators for about a month in summer.

Featured Glossary word: Whorl

Read morePERENNIAL: Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root)