August 24, 2020 Fall Phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a showy perennial forb native to most of the central and eastern United States. There are actually 13 different Phlox species native to Virginia according to The Flora of Virginia, P. paniculata being one of the more common ones. It prefers full sun to part shade as well as loamy soils but […]

August 19, 2020 Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis, V. gigantia, V. glauca) is a tall perennial forb in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). There are many different species of ironweed across the United States, but the most common in Northern Virginia are New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis), Giant Ironweed (V. gigantea) and Broadleaf Ironweed (V. glauca). Ironweed grows tallest in moist conditions, but […]

August 10, 2020 Purpletop Grass (Tridens flavus) is a perennial, warm season grass native to central and eastern regions of the United States. It is adapted to shallow, infertile soils and can often grow along roadsides or in open woodlands.  Purpletop is a bunchgrass that typically grows between 2 to 6′ tall with narrow, glossy green leaves up to 2′ long. […]

August 5, 2020 Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is arguably one of the more striking wildflowers with its bright red blooms. This perennial plant has a wide native distribution and is found throughout much of the US and parts of Canada and as far south as parts of South America. It blooms in Virginia in late summer. It can grow up […]