Native plants for Buchanan County, Virginia
481 native plants recorded in Buchanan County, Virginia
The USDA plant database has 634 plants recorded growing wild in Buchanan County. 481 of them are native to the lower 48, and 74 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 281 wildflowers and herbs, 65 grasses and sedges, 25 shrubs, 20 low woody plants, 65 trees, 25 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 178 of them (37%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 8 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Buchanan County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 178 | 0 | 303 |
| Half shade | 102 | 76 | 303 |
| Under trees | 45 | 133 | 303 |
| Heavy clay | 109 | 69 | 303 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 120 | 58 | 303 |
| Never watered | 79 | 99 | 303 |
| Stays soggy | 68 | 110 | 303 |
Sun all day in Buchanan County: 178 rated natives
60 wildflowers and herbs, 55 trees, 35 grasses and sedges, 14 shrubs, 8 vines, 6 low woody plants. 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 - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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 - 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 - Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Buchanan County: 102 rated natives
34 wildflowers and herbs, 31 trees, 25 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 5 vines, 2 low woody plants. 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 - 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 - 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 - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: slight - Crookedstem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Buchanan County: 45 rated natives
17 trees, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 12 grasses and sedges, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. 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 - Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 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 - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Crookedstem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - Arrowleaf tearthumb (Polygonum sagittatum) vines
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Buchanan County: 109 rated natives
42 wildflowers and herbs, 26 grasses and sedges, 24 trees, 6 low woody plants, 6 shrubs, 5 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 - 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 - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Buchanan County: 120 rated natives
48 trees, 31 wildflowers and herbs, 20 grasses and sedges, 12 shrubs, 6 vines, 3 low woody plants. 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 - 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 - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Buchanan County: 79 rated natives
27 wildflowers and herbs, 27 trees, 10 shrubs, 6 grasses and sedges, 5 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Buchanan County: 68 rated natives
26 grasses and sedges, 23 wildflowers and herbs, 11 trees, 5 shrubs, 3 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 · 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 - Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Purpleleaf willowherb (Epilobium coloratum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Natives Buchanan County has that most of Virginia does not
3 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Virginia's 102 counties. A few of them:
- Tuberous stoneseed (Lithospermum tuberosum): 3 counties
- Mountain goldenrod (Solidago flaccidifolia): 3 counties
- Nodding wakerobin (Trillium flexipes): 4 counties
Where to start in Buchanan County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Buchanan County gives you the most rated choice (178 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 45 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 303 unrated natives too.