Native plants for Albemarle County, Virginia
1,032 native plants recorded in Albemarle County, Virginia
The USDA plant database has 1,479 plants recorded growing wild in Albemarle County. 1,032 of them are native to the lower 48, and 251 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 577 wildflowers and herbs, 193 grasses and sedges, 47 shrubs, 55 low woody plants, 113 trees, 47 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 369 of them (36%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 20 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Albemarle County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 369 | 0 | 663 |
| Half shade | 227 | 142 | 663 |
| Under trees | 126 | 243 | 663 |
| Heavy clay | 253 | 116 | 663 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 233 | 136 | 663 |
| Never watered | 153 | 216 | 663 |
| Stays soggy | 173 | 196 | 663 |
Sun all day in Albemarle County: 369 rated natives
122 wildflowers and herbs, 97 grasses and sedges, 93 trees, 28 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 13 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Albemarle County: 227 rated natives
75 wildflowers and herbs, 63 trees, 59 grasses and sedges, 14 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Albemarle County: 126 rated natives
42 trees, 37 wildflowers and herbs, 36 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Albemarle County: 253 rated natives
95 wildflowers and herbs, 73 grasses and sedges, 48 trees, 15 shrubs, 13 low woody plants, 9 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Albemarle County: 233 rated natives
76 trees, 63 wildflowers and herbs, 55 grasses and sedges, 22 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 8 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Albemarle County: 153 rated natives
50 trees, 38 wildflowers and herbs, 27 grasses and sedges, 21 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Albemarle County: 173 rated natives
68 grasses and sedges, 63 wildflowers and herbs, 24 trees, 10 shrubs, 4 vines, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Bluntleaf bedstraw (Galium obtusum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Stiff marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Albemarle County has that most of Virginia does not
8 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Virginia's 102 counties. A few of them:
- Plains lovegrass (Eragrostis intermedia): only here
- Lanceleaf grapefern (Botrychium lanceolatum): 3 counties
- Bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis): 3 counties
- Stalkless yellowcress (Rorippa sessiliflora): 4 counties
- Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita): 4 counties
- Purple bergamot (Monarda media): 5 counties
- Redwhisker clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra): 5 counties
- White heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides): 5 counties
Where to start in Albemarle County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Albemarle County gives you the most rated choice (369 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 126 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 663 unrated natives too.