Deer-resistant

Brophytes

Acidic, Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Deer-resistant, Full shade, Ground layer, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Part shade, Rocky, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

mosses

mosses, liverworts and hornworts

overview

  • Like ferns, mosses grow from spores.
  • The spores develop green threadlike branches called protonema, rather than true roots. The protonema push into the ground (or in some cases, attach to a surface) and then eventually develop the tiny flat leaves. Thousands of these plants will bunch together to make a single patch of moss. The protonema serve primarily to anchor the moss to the growing surface.
  • Mosses obtain all their nutrients from the air rather than the soil, which is why it is able to grow on rocks!
  • Most mosses will survive periods of drought and quickly regenerate once water becomes available again.
  • As a group, they withstand heat and cold, grow slowly and live a long time.
  • There are four factors that will determine the survival of moss in your landscape: acid soil, shading, sufficient moisture, and humidity.
  • More fast facts: http://www.thegardenhelper.com/mosscare.html
  • Climacium

maintenance

  • Removing leaf litter and any debris – gently
  • Maintaining consistent moisture
  • Weeding
  • Gently walking to encourage growth

Find the full guide here: https://www.mountainmoss.com/pages/moss-gardening-tips

sources

Low and Slow: How to Find (or Buy) Moss (from NY Times)

In most places it remains legal to collect moss on private land (with permission, of course). Research suggests that a log stripped of all moss may take 20 years to grow back fully. Leaving a third of the log untouched, however, may cut the regeneration time to 10 years.

“This is why moss ships well: A week in the mail is nothing. With just three or four minutes of supplemental water, the plants will grow year-round, in nearly any temperature. Mosses didn’t colonize the bare Earth 450 million years ago based on U.S.D.A. hardiness zones.”

East-coast native & ethically ecologically harvested/grown:

-Mountain Moss- Asheville, NC – https://www.mountainmoss.com/collections/all

-Moss Acres – based at the edge of the Pocono mountains – http://mossacres.com/products.asp

– Moss and Stone Gardens – Raleigh, NC-  mossandstonegardens.com

references

Juniperus virginiana

Acidic, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Clay, Deer-resistant, Dry, Dry Meadow, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Overstory, Part shade, Rocky, Sandy, Screening, Tree, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

eastern redcedar

Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)

overview

A moderate to long-lived evergreen tree that is a tough-as-nails pioneer species. The foliage of scale-like needles is attractive but prickly. In late summer and fall, many junipers have blue-green berry-like fruits, which are actually modified cones, that attract birds.

Because they are quite salt-tolerant, they can be used near roads, driveways, and sidewalks.

For a recommended comprehensive overview, please visit: https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-eastern-redcedar/

wildlife value

A significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. The blue fruits on the female trees are consumed by a wide variety of wildlife, including the Cedar Waxwing songbird, which is named for this tree.

Junipers Help Birds Cope with the Cold

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2015/FebMarch/Gardening/Junipers

maintenance

Tolerant of dry, windy conditions once established. Prune in early spring.

Regularly mow or dig out unwanted young seedlings. The seedlings can rapidly take over unmanaged meadows or sites.

The eastern redcedar should be planted a minimum of 500’ away from apple trees as it is also an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a Gymnosporangium pathogen that is destructive to pome fruit trees such as apple, pear, and quince. 

While relatively free of serious problems, they are susceptible to bagworms which should be picked off and destroyed before the eggs hatch. Don’t put the bagworms in the compost. The eggs can live in the compost and hatch out later. Seal them in a plastic bag and put them in the trash or place them in a pail of soapy water so that they drown.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

There are many cultivars of the native species commercially available, though not advised — this is in reference to the “straight” species only.

references

Eragrostis spectabilis

Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Deer-resistant, Dry, Dry Meadow, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Grass, Ground layer, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Moist, Noteworthy blooms, Rocky, Sandy, Wide amplitude

purple love grass

Grass family (Poaceae)

overview

 A warm season perennial grass with an incredible range of seasonal color and texture. 

In spring, the small plant forms a loose open mound of blue-green blades. 

http://hoffmannursery.com/plants/details/eragrostis-spectabilis

In summer, foliage is topped by delightful clouds of rosy-purple spikelets. 

In autumn, foliage develops a bronzy red sheen and seed ripens to a soft beige.

wildlife value

Hosts caterpillars of the Zabulon skipper.  Birds forage on the seed but foliage is not palatable to deer.

maintenance

This species is a fairly short lived perennial that will reseed to replenish the population.  If seeding is undesirable, deadhead after flowering.  In garden situations, cut dead foliage to the ground in early spring to make way for new growth.

In disturbed fields, this grass competes with weedy and exotic species and survives detrimental cultivation practices.  Plants are also salt tolerant enough to flourish on roadsides that receive winter salt. 

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Cirsium pumilum

Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Deer-resistant, Dry, Dry Meadow, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Ground layer, Mesic, Noteworthy blooms, Perennial, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

pasture thistle

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

overview

A biennial species (meaning it lives for 2 years) that spends its first year as a basal rosette and flowers the summer of the next year. It has one main stem and a few large, 2-3″ fragrant inflorescences.

Pasture thistle is an uncommon garden plant that’s fun to grow regardless of the pokey spines. It’s a shorter species that is better suited for gardens than taller species.

wildlife value

The nectar is valued by butterflies, bees and beetles who do the dirty work of pollination so that finches and chickadees can enjoy thistle seed throughout the fall and winter. Host to 27 Lepidoptera (butterfly & moth) species.

maintenance

Can look weedy so beware not to remove the plants unintentionally before bloom. It will reseed but usually not too aggressively. When handling thistle, it is advisable to wear gardening gloves as this plant has prickly-parts not just on the leaves but also on the stem.

NOTE: Many of the commonly seen thistles like bull thistle and Canada thistle are introduced and considered invasive.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Rudbeckia hirta

Acidic, Attracts birds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Average, Clay, Deer-resistant, Dry, Dry Meadow, Food source, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Ground layer, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy blooms, Part shade, Perennial, Rocky, Sandy, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

Black-Eyed Susan

Aster family (Asteraceae)

overview

an adaptable perennial with flexible lance-shaped leaves.  Plants are topped by showy yellow daisy-like flowers in summer.  The blooms are 2-3” across with bright yellow rays surrounding a dense chocolate brown cone. 

wildlife value

Blossoms attract native bees, pollinating flies, beneficial wasps and butterflies. Caterpillars of Silvery Checkerspot Butterflies forage on the foliage and seeds are consumed by goldfinches.  Foliage is not particularly palatable to deer and other herbivores.

Monarch butterfly on Rudbeckia hirta

maintenance

This species is considered to be among the most drought tolerant  Rudbeckia spp.  Plants are fairly disease resistant except for occasional mild bouts of powdery mildew. 

It can be fairly short lived but reliably self-sows especially in open soil.  In good cultural situations, seedlings will bloom the first year.

Goldfinches enjoy the seeds

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Ostrya virginiana

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Clay, Deer-resistant, Food source, Full shade, Full sun, Good for urban sites, larval host, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Part shade, Tree, Understory, Wet, Wide amplitude

Hop Hornbeam

Hazelnut family (Corylaceae)

overview

a small to medium-size understory tree with a generally rounded crown, shaggy bark and leaves that look very similar to birch leaves. Catkins, appearing in April, are followed by hops-like seed pods in summer that persist until winter.

wildlife value

Food source for songbirds and small mammals. Possible host plant for the Red-spotted purple and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies.

maintenance

It is not sensitive to drought but will not tolerate flooding. Resistant to disease, wind, ice, and most stresses of urban living. Notoriously sensitive to salt. Slow-growing.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Packera aurea

Acidic, Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Deer-resistant, Full shade, Full sun, Good for urban sites, Ground layer, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy blooms, Noteworthy foliage, Part shade, Perennial, Wet, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude

golden ragwort

Aster family (Asteraceae)

overview

A wide-amplitude mounding perennial with shiny heart shaped basal leaves. In spring clusters of golden-yellow daisies rise above the foliage on sturdy stems. Valued for its ability to thrive in moist shady locations, naturalize rapidly and produce a long and profuse spring bloom.

wildlife value

Several species of small bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies and pollinating flies seek nectar and pollen from the flowers.  Larval host of Northern Metalmark Butterfly caterpillars. The foliage is toxic to most herbivores. 

  • Northern Metalmark butterfly

maintenance

Naturalizes into large colonies in optimum growing conditions. If desired, remove flowering stems after bloom/seed dispersal. Basal foliage evergreen unless winters are harsh. 

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
X Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Polystichum acrostichoides

Acidic, Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Deer-resistant, Fern, Food source, Full shade, Good for urban sites, Ground layer, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Part shade, Rocky, Wet, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

Christmas fern

Shield Fern family (Dryopteridaceae)

overview

 A robust, leathery perennial fern boasting 1-2 ft. glossy, lance-shaped green fronds year-round. The fronds grow in clusters from a crownless rootstock and range from 1-2 ft. in length, and have medium to coarse texture. As its name suggests, fronds remain green through the holiday season, and then die back as new fronds expand in spring.

wildlife value

Food source for ruffled grouse, chipmunks, and box turtles.

Primarily found in woodlands, box turtles can be found in meadows or grasslands during wet seasons. Above, an eastern box turtle rests near the edge of woodlands in Loudoun County, Va., on May 4, 2018. Box turtles can live to be over 100 years, though disease and predators often limit their lifespan. If you find one crossing a road make sure to move it out of danger in the direction it was already traveling.

maintenance

 Remove any winter-damaged fronds. In a garden, new plants should be installed after the last frost, and leaf mulch around the plants will help protect them and hold in moisture. Consider planting at an angle to help combat potential crown rot problems which can occur in poorly drained soils.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
X Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Onoclea sensibilis

Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Average, Clay, Deer-resistant, Dry, Fern, Full shade, Good for urban sites, Ground layer, larval host, Low-Elevation Dry to Dry-Mesic Forest, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Part shade, Rocky, Sandy, Wet Meadow, Wildlife habitat

sensitive fern

family

overview

A perennial fern with broad, almost triangular fronds, which contrast with the lacy appearance of many ferns.  The fronds emerge individually from a spreading rhizome, sometimes forming colonies. The infertile leaves emerge from the ground after the threat of frost has passed. Pale red fiddleheads emerge in the spring.

wildlife value

 Relatively low. Several insects or larvae feed on the plant including the sawfly Hemitaxonus dubitatus, and larvae of Papaipema inquaesita (Sensitive Fern Borer Moth).

maintenance

No maintenance required. Damaged fronds may be cut.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
X Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
X Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references

Carex tribuloides

Acidic, Alluvial Floodplain Forest, Attracts birds, Clay, Deer-resistant, Food source, Good for urban sites, Grass, Ground layer, larval host, Low-Elevation Mesic Forest, Mesic, Moist, Noteworthy foliage, Part shade, Wet, Wet Meadow, Wide amplitude, Wildlife habitat

blunt broom sedge

Sedge family (Cyperaceae)

overview

Lighter green blades extend from this medium-statured wetland sedge. An occasional to frequent sedge of floodplain forest.  In summer, spikelets appear on shaggy foliage, and seed clusters follow.

  • Spikelets appear June-July.
  • Seen growing next to a creek.

wildlife value

Sedges are an important larvae host for various moths, skippers and butterflies. Grasshoppers and other invertebrates will feed on them and waterfowl and many songbirds will eat the seeds. 

maintenance

This sedge actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool. Can be cut to the ground during late winter before new growth is initiated. This sedge is unpalatable to deer.

sources

Availability Vendor Website 
Earth Sangha (VA) https://www.earthsangha.org/
Hill House Farm & Nursery (VA) http://hillhousenativeplants.com/plant_list
Nature By Design (VA) http://www.nature-by-design.com/plantlist2019.html

X		 Chesapeake Natives, Inc. (Region) http://chesapeakenatives.org/plant-list/

references