Virginia, located on the East Coast, boasts an abundance of stunning indigenous flora. The state’s diverse topography, including woodlands, open plains, and mountains, offers various plant habitats. In this piece, we’ll discover 30 native flowers, plants, and wildflowers found in Virginia.
Virginia is home to a variety of native plants that are well-adapted to the state’s humid climate, which falls within USDA Growing Zones 5a to 8a. While most areas of the state fall within Zones 6a to 7b, there are some exceptions, such as a small area in the Blue Ridge Mountains that experiences Zone 5 and the eastern coastal tip of Virginia that experiences Zone 8a. Central Virginia is a heavily-forested region that is part of the Piedmont plateau, while Eastern Virginia is primarily comprised of wetland habitats like marshes and swamps.
When referring to Virginia’s native plants, it is important to note that these are plants that were growing in the state prior to the arrival of European settlers in the early 17th Century. Since then, introduced non-native plants have become naturalized in the region. One example of a native plant in Virginia is the American Dogwood.
The American dogwood, also known as the flowering dogwood, is a charming deciduous tree that belongs to the Cornaceae family. These trees can be found all over the Eastern United States and have been officially named Virginia’s state flower since 1918. During springtime, American dogwoods produce clusters of small green flowers surrounded by four white bracts, and in autumn, they bear shiny red berries. Scientifically known as Cornus florida, these trees prefer full sun to partial shade and grow best in USDA zones 5 to 9. Mature American dogwoods typically reach heights between 15 and 25 feet.
The Black-eyed Susan is a beautiful wildflower that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It boasts large flowers with yellow petals and dark brown central cones that bloom from summer through fall. Native to central and eastern North America, this iconic wildflower thrives in zones 3 to 9 and can be found in prairies and open grasslands. Its scientific name is Rudbeckia hirta, and it requires full sunlight to grow, reaching a mature height of 1 to 3 feet. Another stunning wildflower to look out for is the Blazing Star.
Also referred to as prairie feather, Liatris spicata, or blazing star can be found growing in the prairies and meadows across eastern North America. These perennial plants belong to the daisy family and are known for their narrow grass-like leaves and upright stems that grow in clumps. During summer, stunning purple flowers form feathery plumes at the top of the stems, blooming from the top to the bottom. With a scientific name of Liatris spicata and growing zones of 3 to 8, blazing star requires full sun and can reach a mature height of 3 to 6 feet. Another beautiful plant is the butterfly weed.
Butterfly weed is a type of perennial herb that belongs to the milkweed genus within the dogbane family, scientifically known as Apocynaceae. These wildflowers can be found all across North America, especially in prairies and open woodlands, and are jam-packed with nectar for pollinators. With its lance-shaped leaves growing in clumps, it has an upright stem that produces tiny clusters of orange, red or yellow flowers during the summer season. Butterfly weed is a favorite among butterflies and bees due to its nectar-rich flowers. It is also known by its scientific name Asclepias tuberosa and can grow in zones 3 to 9, requiring full sunlight to thrive and reaching a mature height of 1 to 2 feet. Another stunning flower native to Virginia is the Cardinal flower.
The Campanulaceae family is home to the herbaceous perennials known as Cardinal Flowers, which can be found in wetland habitats throughout Central and North America. These stunning flowers boast deep red blooms with five lobes that resemble the scarlet robes of Catholic cardinals, hence their name. Alongside their beautiful flowers, Cardinal Flowers also feature toothed margins on their lance-shaped dark green leaves. Scientifically known as Lobelia cardinalis, these plants love full sun to partial shade and thrive in growing zones 3 to 9. Their flowering season runs from summer to fall, and they can grow to a mature height of around 4 to 5 feet. In addition to the Cardinal Flower, another popular plant is the Christmas Fern.
The Christmas fern is a type of evergreen perennial fern that belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family. This species is typically found in the eastern regions of North America. When grown, the ferns form clusters of glossy, dark green leaves, each consisting of up to 35 pairs of pinnae. Their stems are covered in black or dark brown scales and provide support for the fronds. Scientifically known as Polystichum acrostichoides, these ferns thrive in growing zones 3 to 8, with their flowering season spanning from spring to winter. They prefer partial to full shade and typically grow to a mature height of 1 to 2 feet. Another popular plant native to eastern North America is the Eastern Red Columbine.
The herbaceous perennials from the Ranunculaceae family, commonly known as wild columbines or eastern red columbines, are native to eastern North America and prefer to grow in shady woodlands. Their unique fern-like leaves and red tubular nodding flowers with yellow inner petals and spurs at the back of each flower head make them stand out. These Virginia wildflowers, scientifically known as Aquilegia canadensis, are suitable for growing in zones 3 to 8, flowering from spring to summer. They require full sun to partial shade and can grow up to 2 to 3 ft. Another beautiful native Virginia wildflower is Fire Pink.
The fire pink is a type of herbaceous perennial that is native to central and eastern regions of North America. These stunning flowers belong to the carnation family, scientifically known as Caryophyllaceae. With their bright red color and five notched petals, fire pinks are truly a sight to behold. They have lance-shaped leaves and their stems are covered in short, sticky hairs, which give them their nickname of scarlet catchfly. Fire pinks grow best in zones 4 to 8 and require full sun to partial shade. They typically bloom from spring to summer and can grow to be 2 to 3 feet tall. Another beautiful perennial to consider is the foam flower.
Foam flowers belong to the Saxifragaceae family and are considered as herbaceous perennials. They are primarily found in eastern North America and can continue to grow all year round in mild climatic conditions. These captivating plants produce clusters of stunning heart-shaped leaves that are glossy in texture, which eventually turn a reddish-brown hue in autumn. Meanwhile, during spring and summer months, small spikes of pink flowers emerge above the leaves, adding more beauty to their appearance. Their scientific name is Tiarella cordifolia and they mature up to one foot in height. They thrive in partial to full shade and usually flower from spring to summer. Another popular plant native to Virginia is Green and Gold.
Green and gold, also referred to as golden knee or gold star, is a delightful herbaceous perennial belonging to the daisy family. This vibrant plant can be found flourishing in shady woodlands throughout the eastern United States. Its eye-catching triangular dark green leaves with serrated edges make it an attractive addition to any garden. As spring rolls in, slender stalks emerge from the plant, bearing bright yellow star-shaped flowers that gleam like rays of sunshine. Chrysogonum virginianum is the scientific name for this charming plant, which thrives in growing zones 5 to 9. Partial shade is necessary for its optimum growth, and it can mature up to a foot in height. So, if you’re looking to add a pop of color to your garden, green and gold should certainly be on your list!
Furthermore, Jack-in-the-pulpit is another fascinating plant that deserves a mention. It’s a native North American wildflower that belongs to the Arisaema family. This unique and intriguing plant prefers shady, moist woodland areas and is famous for its distinctive spathe-and-spadix flower structure. Jack-in-the-pulpit’s scientific name is Arisaema triphyllum, and it’s found in growing zones 4 to 9. It’s charming to look at and adds a touch of whimsy to any garden with its distinctive shape and coloration.
Jack-in-the-pulpit is a unique perennial that bears orchid-like flowers and has hooded green spathes with purple stripes. These spathes encase small purple or green flowers on a spadix. The glossy leaves of this plant are split into three leaflets, and it belongs to the arum family (Araceae) and is native to central and eastern North America. It thrives in woodland habitats that are shady. Scientifically known as Arisaema triphyllum, it grows best in growing zones four to nine, with its flowering season being spring. It requires partial to full shade and can grow up to a mature height of one to two feet. Another native Virginia perennial that is worth noting is Joe-Pye Weed.
Joe-Pye weed is a delightful plant belonging to the aster family and is native to central and eastern North America. This beautiful herbaceous perennial thrives in damp woodlands and prairies and can be found flourishing in gardening zones 4 to 9. The plant boasts tall, upright stems, adorned with large, rounded clusters of tubular pink or purple flowers that have an enchanting vanilla-like scent. The flowers bloom above foliage which comprises of spear-shaped leaves with serrated margins. Joe-Pye weed’s scientific name is Eutrochium purpureum, and it typically blooms from summer until fall. To grow this beauty, you’ll need to provide it with full sun to partial shade, and it can reach a mature height of 5 to 8 ft.
Mayapples, also known as American mandrakes, are perennial plants that belong to the Berberidaceae family. They can be found in shaded woodlands throughout eastern North America and are characterized by their slender stems bearing one or two large, palmate umbrella-like leaves. While flowering stems produce white cup-shaped flowers with yellow stamens, mayapples with only one leaf do not produce flowers. Their scientific name is Podophyllum peltatum and they grow in zones 3 to 9. Mayapples require partial to full shade and can reach a mature height of 1 to 2 ft. Another plant commonly found in this region is the New York Ironweed.
The New York ironweed is a type of herbaceous perennial that boasts tall, greenish-purple stems. Its stems host long, thin leaves that alternate on the stalk. Throughout the summer and into the fall, clusters of up to fifty soft, purple flowers bloom at the top of the stems. These lovely perennials are native to different areas of North America, including Virginia, and belong to the daisy or aster family. They thrive well in damp environments that have open habitats. With the scientific name Vernonia noveboracensis, these plants typically grow in zones 5 to 9 and require full sun exposure. When fully grown, they can reach heights of four to six feet. Lastly, another Virginia perennial worth mentioning is the Partridge Berry.
Partridge berries are a type of evergreen shrub that can be found growing in central and eastern North America. These shrubs belong to the coffee family and are known for their creeping habit, rarely growing taller than 3 inches. With their shiny dark green leaves and yellow midribs, partridge berry shrubs are easy to identify. They also produce pairs of pink or white flowers with four petals during the spring and summer months. Known scientifically as Mitchella repens, these shrubs thrive in partial to full shade and can be grown in growing zones 3 to 8. Looking for another unique plant to add to your garden? Consider the stunning Shooting Star!
Shooting stars, which are part of the primrose family, are perennial plants that get their name from their star-shaped flowers. These flowers come in pink or white and have five petals that curve back like a shooting star. Although they are beautiful, they only bloom for about a month. Shooting stars are native to eastern North America and can be found in woodland areas. They have rosettes of long, lance-shaped leaves at their base. Scientifically known as Dodecatheon meadia, shooting stars grow best in growing zones 4 to 8 and flower from spring to summer. They can thrive in full sun or full shade and typically grow to be between 1 to 2 feet tall.
The North American woodland plant known as Solomon’s seal is a beautiful herbaceous perennial belonging to the asparagus family. This plant is native to central and eastern North America and has rhizomes that bear scars that resemble the seal of the biblical King Solomon. The stalks of this perennial wildflower arch gracefully and are adorned with elongated leaves, while clusters of greenish-white flowers hang from the stems in late spring. Small bluish-purple fruits follow the flowers. Scientifically known as Polygonatum biflorum, it grows best in zones 3 to 7 and prefers partial to full shade. The flowering season for this striking plant is from spring to summer, and it can grow to a mature height of 4 to 5 feet. Another flowering plant to look out for is the Springbeauty.
Also referred to as Virginia springbeauty, these perennial plants belong to the Montiaceae family and are commonly found in deciduous woodlands across central and eastern North America. With grass-like, narrow lanceolate leaves, the springbeauty is a trailing plant that produces small pink or white star-shaped flowers with pink veins during the spring season. In Zones 4 to 9, this low-growing plant makes for excellent ground coverage. Its scientific name is Claytonia virginica, and it grows well in full sun to partial shade, reaching a mature height of 6 to 10 inches.
Another noteworthy plant is the sweetshrub.
Sweetshrubs, also referred to as spicebush, are deciduous shrubs belonging to the Calycanthaceae family. These petite shrubs boast smooth stems and leathery, dark green oval-shaped leaves. Come springtime, sweetshrubs exhibit isolated reddish-brown or reddish-purple blooms. Sweetshrubs primarily grow in deciduous woodland habitats throughout the southeastern United States. Their fruity fragrance becomes more intense during hot weather. The scientific name of sweetshrubs is Calycanthus floridus, which grows in zones four to nine. These shrubs require full sun to full shade and can reach a height of six to twelve feet when mature. Lastly, Trout Lily is another flowering plant that’s worth mentioning.
Trout lilies, also called yellow trout lilies or yellow dogtooth violets, are a type of flower native to the central and eastern regions of North America. These beautiful flowers belong to the Liliaceae family and can be found thriving in damp woodlands and wetland habitats.
The trout lilies found in Virginia are particularly unique, with elliptical leaves marked by bronze patterns. During the springtime, each leafless stem produces a single large yellow flower, with petals that sweep backward and are speckled with a faint purple hue.
Known scientifically as Erythronium americanum and able to grow in zones 3 to 9, these flowers prefer partial to full shade and typically reach a height of 4 to 6 inches when mature. Another stunning flower to look out for is the Turk’s Cap Lily.
The Lily family is home to the American tiger lilies, also known as Turk’s cap lilies. These striking flowers are characterized by their large orange-red petals that curl back and are adorned with purple spots. Additionally, Turk’s cap lilies have whorls of lance-shaped leaves. They are typically found in wetlands throughout central and eastern regions of North America and thrive in Zones 5 to 8. Scientifically known as Lilium superbum, they bloom during the summer months and require full sun to partial shade. When fully grown, Turk’s cap lilies can reach heights between 4 to 8 feet. Another beautiful flower, Virginia Bluebell, is also worth mentioning.
The Virginia bluebell is a type of herbaceous perennial belonging to the borage family known as Boraginaceae. These stunning flowers are typically found in moist habitats throughout eastern North America and are a popular choice for those seeking to add some natural beauty to their gardens.
The Virginia bluebell is characterized by clumps of grayish-green oval-shaped leaves that usually grow in dense clusters. During the spring, these wildflowers produce nodding, trumpet-shaped pink flowers that quickly change color to a pale blue or violet. The flowers themselves are borne on smooth, leafless stems.
For those interested in growing Virginia bluebells, they thrive best in partial to full shade. They typically reach a mature height of 1 to 2 feet and are most commonly found growing in growing zones 3 to 9.
In summary, the Virginia bluebell is a beautiful flower native to eastern North America, perfect for adding a touch of natural beauty to any garden setting.
If you’re looking for a beautiful and versatile rose to add to your garden, look no further than the Virginia rose! These lovely shrubs are native to eastern North America and can be found in a variety of habitats. While they grow wild, they can also be cultivated in Zones 3 to 8.
One of the things that makes Virginia roses so attractive is their dark green leaves and hairy stems, which are adorned with curved thorns. Come summer, these roses put on a show with their open pink flowers and bright yellow stamens.
If you’re thinking of adding Virginia roses to your garden, keep in mind that they prefer full sun to partial shade and can reach heights of 4 to 6 ft when fully mature. So why not give these elegant native roses a try?
The Virginia spiderwort, belonging to the Commelinaceae family, is a type of herbaceous perennial that can be found on wooded slopes throughout the eastern United States. These plants tend to grow in clusters with leaves that are lance-shaped and arching. During late spring to summer, Virginia spiderworts produce beautiful clusters of blue flowers that have three petals, although each flower only lasts a day. However, these blooms are replaced by new ones, ensuring a continuous cycle of colorful flowers. The scientific name for the Virginia spiderwort is Tradescantia virginiana and it can thrive in growing zones four to nine. Light requirements are partial to full shade and mature height ranges from one to three feet.
Virginia waterleaf, a member of the borage family, is a type of herbaceous perennial that can be found in wooded regions throughout eastern North America. Its distinct features include palmate leaves comprising five to seven leaflets with white spots resembling water droplets in young leaves. Furthermore, it produces clusters of tiny, bell-shaped flowers that come in pale purple or white colors. This Virginia native wildflower typically grows up to 1-2 feet and flourishes best in partial shade. As for the scientific name, it is Hydrophyllum virginianum. Its flowering season lasts from spring to summer, and its suitable growing zones are between 4 to 8.
Wild bergamot, also commonly referred to as bee balm, is a type of herbaceous perennial that belongs to the mint family. It’s originally from North America and can grow well in Zones 3 to 9. The plant has grayish-green lance-shaped leaves with toothed edges and can form large clumps. During the summer and fall season, wild bergamot will produce clusters of up to 50 tubular flowers in shades of pink or purple. Its scientific name is Monarda fistulosa, and it prefers full sun to partial shade. When fully grown, wild bergamot typically reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet. Additionally, another type of wildflower known as wild bleeding heart may be of interest.
The wild bleeding heart is a lovely forest flower that belongs to the Papaveraceae family. These types of flowers are perennial herbs and are found in the Appalachian Mountains, particularly in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. With its greyish-green fern-like leaves and nodding heart-shaped pink or reddish-purple flowers, the wild bleeding heart is a sight to behold. Its unique feature is its inner petals that protrude and resemble blood drops. The wild bleeding heart’s scientific name is Dicentra eximia, and it thrives in growing zones 3 to 9. It blooms from spring to summer and prefers partial shade. When mature, this plant can grow up to 1.5 feet tall. Another beautiful forest flower is the wild geranium.
Wild geraniums, also known as spotted cranesbill, are delightful herbaceous perennials that belong to the Geraniaceae family. These charming woodland wildflowers can be found in various parts of eastern North America. Wild geraniums feature lovely lilac or pink flowers with faint red veins on their petals. These cup-shaped blooms emerge from clusters of large palmate leaves that have three to five lobes. Scientifically known as Geranium maculatum, these plants are ideal for growing in USDA zones 3 to 11. They bloom in spring and summer, and require full sun to partial shade to thrive. Once fully grown, they can reach a height of 1 to 2 feet. Another lovely herbaceous perennial to consider is wild ginger.
Indigenous to deciduous woodlands throughout the eastern region of North America, wild ginger is an herbaceous perennial that belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family. These Virginia natives are characterized by their velvety kidney-shaped leaves which grow in clumps and spread through rhizomes. Each leaf can be as wide as six inches. The plant produces small purplish-brown flowers that bloom between the leaves during springtime, releasing a sweet fragrance.
Botanically referred to as Asarum canadense, this plant thrives in growing zones 4 to 6, with a flowering season in spring and partial to full shade light requirements. Its mature height ranges from 6 to 12 inches.
Another noteworthy plant is the Yellow Trillium.
Yellow trilliums, also known as wood lilies, are perennial plants that belong to the Melanthiaceae family. These beautiful flowers can be found growing in woodland areas throughout the southeastern United States. In the spring, they bloom with vibrant yellow flowers consisting of three petals and emit a pleasant lemony scent. The petals are accompanied by three leaf-like bracts adorned with greenish-gray spots. With a scientific name of Trillium luteum, yellow trilliums typically thrive in growing zones 4 to 8 and require partial to full shade. At maturity, they can reach a height of 12 to 16 inches.