Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic
Learn more about specific trees:

Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) leaves in October. Photo © 2014 Elaine Mills
- Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
- Aesculus pavia (Red Buckeye)
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)
- Asimina triloba ([Common] Pawpaw) new 2020!
- Betula lenta (Sweet or Black or Cherry Birch)
- Betula nigra (River Birch, Red Birch)
- Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory) new 2020!
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
- Chionanthus virginicus ([White] Fringetree, Old Man’s Beard)
- Cornus alternifolia (Alternate-leaf or Pagoda Dogwood)
- Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
- Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn) new 2020!
- Ilex opaca (American Holly)
- Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar)
- Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple) new 2020!
- Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)
- Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay or Swamp Magnolia)
- Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum, Sour Gum, Black Tupelo)
- Ostrya virginiana ([Eastern] Hop-hornbeam, Ironwood)
- Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood)
- Pinus strobus (Eastern White Pine)
- Prunus serotina ([Wild] Black Cherry) new 2020!
- Quercus alba (White Oak)
- Sassafras albidum (Sassafrass)
- Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress, Baldcypress)
- Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae, Northern Whitecedar)
Small Trees Make Big Canopies
Check out this 202o intern project to increase the tree canopy in Arlington County!
Where to See These Trees 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
- Acer rubrum (Red Maple) in the Memorial Garden
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) in the NE quadrant of cemetery
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) in 3rd Street Garden
- Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar) in the Cemetery and Woodland Garden
- Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum, Sour Gum, Black Tupelo) in the Memorial Garden and Carlin Hall Grounds
- Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) in the 3rd Street 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
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) in section 2C
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) in section 1W
- Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree) in section 8C
- Ilex opaca (American Holly) in section 8w
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
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Princess Diana’ in Princess Diana bed - Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) in the Butterfly Garden
- Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) in the garden
- Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) in the 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
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) in the Bon Air Rose Garden nearby
- Chionanthus virginicus (White Fringetree) One near hollies & one near theparking lot
- Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) in the row between nearby Bon Air Rose Garden and tennis courts
- Quercus alba (White Oak) at Lexington Street
Other Local Public Gardens Where These Trees 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 trees. 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
Features:
- Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) is in section 2
- Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) are in section 2
- Ilex opaca (American Holly) in section 21
- Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar) is in the garden
- Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) is in section 4.