Native plants for Nelson County, Virginia

895 native plants recorded in Nelson County, Virginia

The USDA plant database has 1,240 plants recorded growing wild in Nelson County. 895 of them are native to the lower 48, and 180 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 504 wildflowers and herbs, 153 grasses and sedges, 45 shrubs, 53 low woody plants, 102 trees, 38 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 316 of them (35%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Bride's feathers (Aruncus dioicus) and 14 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Nelson County

Sun all day in Nelson County: 316 rated natives

102 wildflowers and herbs, 85 trees, 80 grasses and sedges, 22 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 11 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. 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
4. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. 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 Nelson County: 190 rated natives

63 wildflowers and herbs, 56 trees, 46 grasses and sedges, 10 low woody plants, 9 shrubs, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
4. 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
5. Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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

Under trees in Nelson County: 103 rated natives

36 trees, 30 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 3 vines, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Nelson County: 212 rated natives

75 wildflowers and herbs, 62 grasses and sedges, 44 trees, 13 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 7 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. 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 Nelson County: 195 rated natives

67 trees, 55 wildflowers and herbs, 41 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 7 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. 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
3. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Nelson County: 132 rated natives

45 trees, 37 wildflowers and herbs, 18 shrubs, 17 grasses and sedges, 9 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
4. 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
5. 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
6. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. 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 Nelson County: 145 rated natives

59 grasses and sedges, 51 wildflowers and herbs, 21 trees, 8 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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

Natives Nelson County has that most of Virginia does not

6 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Virginia's 102 counties. A few of them:

• Tall cinquefoil (Potentilla arguta): 2 counties
• Gray alder (Alnus incana): 4 counties
• Bigfruit hawthorn (Crataegus macrosperma): 4 counties
• Swamppink (Helonias bullata): 4 counties
• Virginia quillwort (Isoetes virginica): 5 counties
• Sessilefruit arrowhead (Sagittaria rigida): 5 counties

Where to start in Nelson County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Nelson County gives you the most rated choice (316 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 103 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 579 unrated natives too.