Shrubs

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Learn About Specific Shrubs

• Aronia melanocarpa, Black Chokeberry
• Callicarpa americana, American Beauty-berry
• Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush
• Clethra alnifolia, Sweet Pepperbush, Summersweet
• Euonymus americanus, Strawberry Bush
• Fothergilla gardenii, Dwarf Fothergilla, Witch Alder
• Hamamelis virginiana, Witch Hazel
• Hydrangea arborescens, Wild or Smooth Hydrangea
• Ilex glabra, Inkberry
• Ilex verticillata, Winterberry
• Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire
• Kalmia latifolia, Mountain Laurel
• Lindera benzoin, Spicebush
• Physocarpus opulifolius, Ninebark
• Vaccinium corymbosum, (Northern) Highbush Blueberry
• Viburnum prunifolium, Black Haw

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Where to See These Shrubs in Our Demonstration Gardens

Many of these recommended plants can easily be seen in person at local public gardens. The following gardens feature native plants and are designed and maintained by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria.

Glencarlyn Library Community Garden
300 S. Kensington Street, Arlington, Virginia 22204

Features:
Native plants suitable for a container garden, shade garden, or scented garden

• Callicarpa americana, American Beauty-berry in the 3rd Street Garden
• Clethra alnifolia, Sweet Pepperbush, Summersweet in the Fence Garden, possibly C. acuminata
• Fothergilla gardenii, Dwarf Fothergilla, Witch Alder in the Woodland Garden
• Ilex glabra, Inkberry in the 3rd Street Garden
• Ilex verticillata, Winterberry on the patio and in the 3rd Street Garden
• Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire on the patio and in the 3rd Street Garden
• Lindera benzoin, Spicebush in the 3rd Street Garden
• Vaccinium corymbosum, (Northern) Highbush Blueberry v. angustifolium ‘Top Hat’ in the Woodland Garden

Shade Demonstration Garden at Bon Air Park
850 N. Lexington Street  Arlington, Virginia 22205 (near the shelter)

Features:
Native plants that thrive in morning shade and partial sun

• Hamamelis virginiana, Witch Hazel in the top W
• Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire in section 8C

Simpson Park Demonstration Garden
420 E. Monroe Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22301 (next to the YMCA parking lot)

Features:
Native selections for waterwise gardening and host plants for butterfly gardens

• Cephalanthus occidentalis, Buttonbush in the Butterfly Garden

Sunny Demonstration Garden at Bon Air Park
850 N. Lexington Street, Arlington, Virginia 22205 (at the end of the parking lot)

Features:
Sun-loving perennials and shrubs that thrive despite  excessive humidity or drought

• Ilex verticillata, Winterberry near the parking lot by BonAir Rose Garden
• Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire next to the fence under the White Oak
• Lindera benzoin, Spicebush behind the mulch pile and bench

Other Local Public Gardens Where These Shrubs May be Seen

The Potomac Overlook Native Plant Garden, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207, next to the demonstration Organic Vegetable Garden maintained by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, has a variety of shrubs. The garden is maintained by Audubon at Home, the Virginia Native Plant Society, and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

• Hamamelis virginiana, Witch Hazel in section 20
• Lindera benzoin, Spicebush in section 7
• Physocarpus opulifolius, Ninebark in section 8 and
• A relative of Viburnum prunifolium, Black Haw in section 9.