Plant Ridge & Valley Natives

2nd edition coming by the end of November

3859D89F-985C-44E3-834D-12F7BE97FBA0_1_105_c
Native Plant Production: Collection, Storage,
and Propagation Workshop
Watch here
IMG_4224
75C1B56B-FD90-4957-87F1-CA4A377E1222_1_105_c
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News & Updates

• Want to stay in touch with everything going on? Sign up for our newsletter! Free, no membership required.

• Save the date! Fall 2024 plant swap will be held in Bridgewater October 19, 2024.

•The statewide annual meeting of the Virginia Native Plant Society will be held Sept. 20-22 at Massanetta Springs, in Harrisonburg.

•Native Gardening 101: Fall Maintenance & Planning Ahead, September 7, 2024, 10-12. Cost: $10 for the series

•Guided Walk on the Madison Run Fire Road June 20, 2024, 10-1. Free; registration required.

•Guided walk & potluck social at Sunnyside Retirement Center June 9, 2024, 3-6:30 p.m. Registration required; space is limited.

•Native Gardening 101 webinar June 8, 2024, 10-12. Cost: $10.

• Our annual plant sale will be Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Earth Day Staunton, 11-3.

• Don't miss our Plant & Seed Swap and Chapter Meeting on Sunday, October 22, 2023. View details, location, and more information.

• Orders for the new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide are now shipping. Order your printed Guide now. 5-31-2023

• The new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide is available for pre-order. Update May 11: We expect to ship the guide to pre-order customers by the end of May. 5-11-2023

• It’s official! On Monday September 12, 2022 the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society was unanimously reinstated by the VNPS Board!

• In July 2022 we formed a Steering Committee to revive the Shenandoah Chapter (1987-2017). The committee includes Anna Maria Johnson (Coordinator), Elaine Smith (from the former chapter), Isaac Matlock, and Lora Steiner. View more details in our announcement of the Shenandoah Chapter Reboot. For more information, please contact Anna Maria Johnson at shenandoahchapter@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

Join

Become a Member:
Support Our Mission.

Donate

Support VNPS with
your donation today.

Upcoming Events

Find Field Trips, Meetings, Programs and Plant Sales.

Find a Chapter

Get involved in your
local VNPS chapter.

Winged Sumac, Rhus copallinum
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Winged Sumac is a beautiful large deciduous shrub that shines throughout the year but is especially vibrant when it ignites into a fiery crescendo in fall. Typically growing from 7 – 15’ tall, this sumac often spreads into large colonies by root suckers. As fall turns into…... Read more
November 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Sweet or Anise-scented Goldenrod is one of the earliest fall blooming Goldenrods to grace our open areas including open woods, fields, powerline cuts and roadsides each fall. Its golden plumes light up much of the Eastern United States from New Hampshire south to Texas on dry, often…... Read more
September 13, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Cut-leaf Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Common Cut-leaf Coneflower is a tall statuesque late summer-fall bloomer found throughout Virginia and stands above most perennials at heights 5 to 9 feet. Also known as Green-headed, Tall Coneflower, or Wild Golden Glow, it is widely distributed in open floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, seepage swamps, wet…... Read more
August 22, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society The July Plant of the Month, Common Milkweed, is a lovely, robust, herbaceous perennial festooned with showy clusters of flowers from June to August. A member of the Milkweed genus, Asclepias, it often gets a bad rap for its rhizomatous roots that can spread aggressively; however, this…... Read more
July 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus, Opuntia mesacantha
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus is certainly eye-catching when in bloom in late May and June and curious and just plain cool at any time of year. This native evergreen is technically a “shrub” although it grows only 6 – 12” high. It is indeed a member of the…... Read more
June 21, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sundial Lupine, Lupinus perennis
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Every spring I look forward to seeing the lovely lavender-blue spires of Sundial Lupine rising above distinctive pinwheel foliage along sandy roadsides and open woods. Also known as Wild Lupine, this member of the Legume Family is found throughout the Eastern and Central United States. In Virginia…... Read more
May 24, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society A few weeks ago, driving north from Florida, we passed mile after mile of waves of lavender-blue flowers gracing the highway shoulders in South Carolina. We were thrilled to see Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata, creating a gorgeous spectacle along an otherwise barren straight stretch of road. Later…... Read more
May 5, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain: Winter Woodland Orchid
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society One of my favorite sights while walking in winter woodlands are the beautiful evergreen leaves of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Goodyera pubescens. This eye-catching beauty is one of our most common woodland orchids and instantly recognizable by its exquisitely etched leaves with an intricate network of fine white…... Read more
March 17, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog

Plant Ridge & Valley Natives

2nd edition coming by the end of November

3859D89F-985C-44E3-834D-12F7BE97FBA0_1_105_c
Native Plant Production: Collection, Storage,
and Propagation Workshop
Watch here
IMG_4224
75C1B56B-FD90-4957-87F1-CA4A377E1222_1_105_c
previous arrow
next arrow

News & Updates

• Our annual plant sale will be Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Earth Day Staunton, 11-3.

• Don't miss our Plant & Seed Swap and Chapter Meeting on Sunday, October 22, 2023. View details, location, and more information.

• Orders for the new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide are now shipping. Order your printed Guide now. 5-31-2023

• The new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide is available for pre-order. Update May 11: We expect to ship the guide to pre-order customers by the end of May. 5-11-2023

• It’s official! On Monday September 12, 2022 the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society was unanimously reinstated by the VNPS Board!

• In July 2022 we formed a Steering Committee to revive the Shenandoah Chapter (1987-2017). The committee includes Anna Maria Johnson (Coordinator), Elaine Smith (from the former chapter), Isaac Matlock, and Lora Steiner. View more details in our announcement of the Shenandoah Chapter Reboot. For more information, please contact Anna Maria Johnson at shenandoahchapter@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

Join

Become a Member:
Support Our Mission.

Donate

Support VNPS with
your donation today.

Upcoming Events

Find Field Trips, Meetings, Programs and Plant Sales.

Find a Chapter

Get involved in your
local VNPS chapter.

Winged Sumac, Rhus copallinum
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Winged Sumac is a beautiful large deciduous shrub that shines throughout the year but is especially vibrant when it ignites into a fiery crescendo in fall. Typically growing from 7 – 15’ tall, this sumac often spreads into large colonies by root suckers. As fall turns into…... Read more
November 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Sweet or Anise-scented Goldenrod is one of the earliest fall blooming Goldenrods to grace our open areas including open woods, fields, powerline cuts and roadsides each fall. Its golden plumes light up much of the Eastern United States from New Hampshire south to Texas on dry, often…... Read more
September 13, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Cut-leaf Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Common Cut-leaf Coneflower is a tall statuesque late summer-fall bloomer found throughout Virginia and stands above most perennials at heights 5 to 9 feet. Also known as Green-headed, Tall Coneflower, or Wild Golden Glow, it is widely distributed in open floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, seepage swamps, wet…... Read more
August 22, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society The July Plant of the Month, Common Milkweed, is a lovely, robust, herbaceous perennial festooned with showy clusters of flowers from June to August. A member of the Milkweed genus, Asclepias, it often gets a bad rap for its rhizomatous roots that can spread aggressively; however, this…... Read more
July 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus, Opuntia mesacantha
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus is certainly eye-catching when in bloom in late May and June and curious and just plain cool at any time of year. This native evergreen is technically a “shrub” although it grows only 6 – 12” high. It is indeed a member of the…... Read more
June 21, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sundial Lupine, Lupinus perennis
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Every spring I look forward to seeing the lovely lavender-blue spires of Sundial Lupine rising above distinctive pinwheel foliage along sandy roadsides and open woods. Also known as Wild Lupine, this member of the Legume Family is found throughout the Eastern and Central United States. In Virginia…... Read more
May 24, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society A few weeks ago, driving north from Florida, we passed mile after mile of waves of lavender-blue flowers gracing the highway shoulders in South Carolina. We were thrilled to see Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata, creating a gorgeous spectacle along an otherwise barren straight stretch of road. Later…... Read more
May 5, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain: Winter Woodland Orchid
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society One of my favorite sights while walking in winter woodlands are the beautiful evergreen leaves of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Goodyera pubescens. This eye-catching beauty is one of our most common woodland orchids and instantly recognizable by its exquisitely etched leaves with an intricate network of fine white…... Read more
March 17, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog

Plant Ridge & Valley Natives

2nd edition coming by the end of November

3859D89F-985C-44E3-834D-12F7BE97FBA0_1_105_c
Native Plant Production: Collection, Storage,
and Propagation Workshop
Watch here
IMG_4224
75C1B56B-FD90-4957-87F1-CA4A377E1222_1_105_c
previous arrow
next arrow

News & Updates

• Our annual plant sale will be Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Earth Day Staunton, 11-3.

• Don't miss our Plant & Seed Swap and Chapter Meeting on Sunday, October 22, 2023. View details, location, and more information.

• Orders for the new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide are now shipping. Order your printed Guide now. 5-31-2023

• The new Plant Ridge & Valley Natives Guide is available for pre-order. Update May 11: We expect to ship the guide to pre-order customers by the end of May. 5-11-2023

• It’s official! On Monday September 12, 2022 the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society was unanimously reinstated by the VNPS Board!

• In July 2022 we formed a Steering Committee to revive the Shenandoah Chapter (1987-2017). The committee includes Anna Maria Johnson (Coordinator), Elaine Smith (from the former chapter), Isaac Matlock, and Lora Steiner. View more details in our announcement of the Shenandoah Chapter Reboot. For more information, please contact Anna Maria Johnson at shenandoahchapter@gmail.com. You can also connect with us on our Facebook Page.

Join

Become a Member:
Support Our Mission.

Donate

Support VNPS with
your donation today.

Upcoming Events

Find Field Trips, Meetings, Programs and Plant Sales.

Find a Chapter

Get involved in your
local VNPS chapter.

Winged Sumac, Rhus copallinum
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Winged Sumac is a beautiful large deciduous shrub that shines throughout the year but is especially vibrant when it ignites into a fiery crescendo in fall. Typically growing from 7 – 15’ tall, this sumac often spreads into large colonies by root suckers. As fall turns into…... Read more
November 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Sweet or Anise-scented Goldenrod is one of the earliest fall blooming Goldenrods to grace our open areas including open woods, fields, powerline cuts and roadsides each fall. Its golden plumes light up much of the Eastern United States from New Hampshire south to Texas on dry, often…... Read more
September 13, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Cut-leaf Coneflower, Rudbeckia laciniata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Common Cut-leaf Coneflower is a tall statuesque late summer-fall bloomer found throughout Virginia and stands above most perennials at heights 5 to 9 feet. Also known as Green-headed, Tall Coneflower, or Wild Golden Glow, it is widely distributed in open floodplain forests, alluvial swamps, seepage swamps, wet…... Read more
August 22, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society The July Plant of the Month, Common Milkweed, is a lovely, robust, herbaceous perennial festooned with showy clusters of flowers from June to August. A member of the Milkweed genus, Asclepias, it often gets a bad rap for its rhizomatous roots that can spread aggressively; however, this…... Read more
July 20, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus, Opuntia mesacantha
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Southeastern Prickly-pear Cactus is certainly eye-catching when in bloom in late May and June and curious and just plain cool at any time of year. This native evergreen is technically a “shrub” although it grows only 6 – 12” high. It is indeed a member of the…... Read more
June 21, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Sundial Lupine, Lupinus perennis
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society Every spring I look forward to seeing the lovely lavender-blue spires of Sundial Lupine rising above distinctive pinwheel foliage along sandy roadsides and open woods. Also known as Wild Lupine, this member of the Legume Family is found throughout the Eastern and Central United States. In Virginia…... Read more
May 24, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society A few weeks ago, driving north from Florida, we passed mile after mile of waves of lavender-blue flowers gracing the highway shoulders in South Carolina. We were thrilled to see Lyre-leaf Sage, Salvia lyrata, creating a gorgeous spectacle along an otherwise barren straight stretch of road. Later…... Read more
May 5, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain: Winter Woodland Orchid
By Betsy Washington, Northern Neck Native Plant Society One of my favorite sights while walking in winter woodlands are the beautiful evergreen leaves of Downy Rattlesnake Plantain, Goodyera pubescens. This eye-catching beauty is one of our most common woodland orchids and instantly recognizable by its exquisitely etched leaves with an intricate network of fine white…... Read more
March 17, 2024
Source: VNPS Blog