Posts by jnorwood

Antennaria plantaginifolia (Plantain-leaved Pussytoes) is a mat forming groundcover, reaching no more than 6″ tall, that can take some foot traffic. It grows on the sides of roads, in poor to average to dry soil in full to partial sun. Blooming from March to the end of April the cream-colored flowers are fuzzy tufts that…

Polemonium reptans (Jacob’s Ladder) has lovely leaves that are alternate and divided into leaflets. is a ½ to 1½ feet tall perennial wildflower with loose clusters of blue bell-like flowers that have protruding stamens. This plant is visited by many types of bees (including a specialist bee, Andrena polemonii), butterflies, skippers and moths, and Hummingbirds…

Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) is a great groundcover for dappled shade. It likes rich, damp soils and grow from 4 to 12 inches tall with individual leaves reaching three to four inches across. Once established it will spread 6 to 8 inches in all directions yearly, shading out non-native plants. The interesting maroon to purplish-brown…

Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort) makes a very nice groundcover. The flowers look like deep yellow daisies and are in bloom for about three weeks. Not only is this plant beautiful, herbivores rarely eat it because it is toxic. While happiest in moist to wet soils in either sunny or shady sites, it will grow in…

Trillium grandiflorum is known as both large-flowered trillium (the flower spans 3-4” across) or great white trillium. It is one of the showiest trilliums in Virginia. It is a woodland plant commonly found in the mountains and enjoys dappled shade and rich soils. Each flower consists of 3 white petals, 3 sepals, 3 stigmas, 6…

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) is a perennial woodland plant that likes rich moist soils in partial to full shade. The stalks have either one or two large palmate lobed leaves. The blooms are only found on those with two leaves. The plant produces only one white flower which is about an inch across. The foliage dies…

Erythronium americanum (trout lily) common name refers to the mottled appearance of its leaves. It prefers woodland soils that are moist and rich. It blooms in the early spring, appearing under deciduous trees before they leaf out. When young, Erythronium americanum only has one leaf but once it matures it produces two leaves at which…