Native plants for Jefferson County, West Virginia
280 native plants recorded in Jefferson County, West Virginia
The USDA plant database has 500 plants recorded growing wild in Jefferson County. 280 of them are native to the lower 48, and 131 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 165 wildflowers and herbs, 55 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 31 trees, 10 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 100 of them (36%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Field chickweed (Cerastium arvense), Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) and 6 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Jefferson County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 100 | 0 | 180 |
| Half shade | 58 | 42 | 180 |
| Under trees | 28 | 72 | 180 |
| Heavy clay | 67 | 33 | 180 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 70 | 30 | 180 |
| Never watered | 39 | 61 | 180 |
| Stays soggy | 49 | 51 | 180 |
Sun all day in Jefferson County: 100 rated natives
38 wildflowers and herbs, 24 trees, 24 grasses and sedges, 6 shrubs, 4 vines, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Pride of Ohio (Dodecatheon meadia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Jefferson County: 58 rated natives
22 wildflowers and herbs, 19 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 3 vines, 3 low woody plants, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 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 - Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Under trees in Jefferson County: 28 rated natives
13 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 5 trees, 2 vines, 1 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 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 - Beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Flatstem spikerush (Eleocharis compressa) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth - Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Jefferson County: 67 rated natives
30 wildflowers and herbs, 17 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 4 low woody plants, 3 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Jefferson County: 70 rated natives
22 wildflowers and herbs, 22 trees, 16 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 3 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate 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 - Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pride of Ohio (Dodecatheon meadia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid 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 - Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Jefferson County: 39 rated natives
14 trees, 12 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 4 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 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 - Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought 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 - 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 - Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · rapid 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 - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Jefferson County: 49 rated natives
18 grasses and sedges, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 9 trees, 2 low woody plants, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Crimsoneyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Halberdleaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Yellow marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Jefferson County has that most of West Virginia does not
28 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of West Virginia's 55 counties. A few of them:
- Beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata): only here
- Water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile): only here
- Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora): only here
- Water knotweed (Polygonum amphibium): only here
- Openfield sedge (Carex conoidea): only here
- Prairie sedge (Carex prairea): only here
- Rigid sedge (Carex tetanica): only here
- Woolly lipfern (Cheilanthes tomentosa): only here
- Ontario lobelia (Lobelia kalmii): only here
- Short's rockcress (Arabis shortii): 2 counties
Where to start in Jefferson County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Jefferson County gives you the most rated choice (100 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 28 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 180 unrated natives too.