![]() It will rapidly clamber up and over everything including trees, shrubs and idle husbands. I have it growing in dappled shade on the side of our property where I keep it in check by cutting back the vines periodically. I list this adaptable deciduous vine as a great ground cover because it rapidly carpets an area, provides hiding places for small critters, has beautiful foliage (especially in autumn), supports our sphinx moth caterpillars, and if allowed to climb, produces fruit in sync with fall migrating birds. ![]() Natural Habitat: “Ubiquitous in an extraordinary range of wet to very dry, forested to open habitats tolerant of a range of soil types, tolerant of deep flooding, capable of rooting in deep outcrop crevices and boulder-field interstices that exclude other plants scarce at the highest elevations.”*Ĭomments: Virginia creeper is not for everyone or for everyone’s garden. More Information: Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Host Plant Info: Supports Mid-Atlantic pollen specialist bee Andrena gardineri host to 17 Lepidoptera species. I especially like that golden ragwort supports so many of our insects. My ragworts are growing in fairly shady conditions under a redbud tree and appear happy. Be warned that it will outcompete most other herbaceous plants. Golden ragwort self-sows so vigorously that you don’t have to install many plants initially. I think it’s one of the showiest of the early bloomers. The charming golden ragwort is evergreen and has long-blooming bright yellow flowers that sit high above the basal leaves in late March. Natural Habitat: “Floodplain forests, mesic to occasionally dry-mesic upland forests, seepage swamps, fens, seeps, stream banks, tidal swamps, and moist meadows most frequent and numerous in moderately to strongly base-rich soils.”*Ĭomments: This is the native plant that is most commonly recommended as an alternative to English ivy in shady locations. Host Plant Info: Supports Mid-Atlantic native bee pollen specialist Andrena melanochroa also host to at least 75 Lepidoptera caterpillars including the gray hairstreak butterfly and the grizzled skipper. This species is undeniably more special: it was hybridized with a South American variety to produce the cultivated grocery store fruit we know and enjoy. ![]() Fragaria virginiana is not the weed you typically find in your garden or lawn. The foliage is browsed by white-tailed deer with little detriment to this vigorous plant. Although small, the fruit is deliciously edible and is enjoyed by many of our wild creatures. The tiny white flowers bloom in spring and the fruit develops a short time later. ![]() However, I don’t find it aggressive because it doesn’t outcompete other plants. Natural Habitat: “Mesic to dry upland forests, woodlands, and well-drained alluvial forests more characteristic of old fields, clearings, meadows, pastures, roadsides, and other open, disturbed habitats.”*Ĭomments: Wild strawberry is a wonderful, underused perennial plant that spreads quickly by runners in shade or sun. Light Requirement: Sun, Part Shade, Shade ![]()
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