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Spicebush

Spicebush Lindera benzoin – same family as cinnamon, bay laurel and sassafras Height: 6-15 feet Light: Shade to part shade Moisture: Prefers moist soil Bloom Time: March Flower Color: Greenish-yellow; red fruits Foliage: Green that turn yellow in fall; is dioecious Small tree, attractive in…

Sweetshrub

Sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus Height: 65 feet Light: Shade Moisture: Average soil, wet-well drained Bloom Time: April – June Flowers: 1” papery maroon flowers with fruity/spicy scent Spreads by runners. Flower scent varies – melon, pineapple, juicy-fruit or no-scent.

Virginia Bluebells

Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica Height: 1-2.5 feet Light: Part shade to shade Moisture: Moist, wet soil Bloom Time: April – May Flower Color: Pink, Medium blue, violet/lavender Foliage: Herbaceous, blue-green, smooth texture Related to Forget-Me-Nots, Virginia Bluebells have few equals in the color arena: arresting…

Wild Blue Indigo

Wild Blue Indigo Baptisia australis Height: 3-4 feet Light: Sun to part shade Moisture: Dry to average soil Bloom Time: April – May Flower Color: Blue to purple Foliage: Herbaceous Spectacular tall spikes of purple-blue flowers resembling Texas bluebonnets in form, waxy grey-blue rounded leaves…

Wild Columbine

Wild Columbine (aquilegia canadensis) Height: 1-3 feet Light: Sun to part shade Moisture: Dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil (may rot if too wet) Bloom Time: April Flower Color: Red to pale yellow Foliage:Herbaceous Tough, easy to grow perennial with red and yellow dangling blooms…

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Height: 1-2 feet Light: Sun to part shade Moisture: Moist, well-drained soil Bloom Time: April – May Flower Color: Pale pink, deep pink, lilac Foliage: Green. May yellow in hot summers if soil is allowed to dry out Clump forming, Wild…

Wild Quinine

Wild Quinine (Parthenium integrifolium) Height: 2-4 feet Light: Likes full sun Moisture: Drought-tolerant,water regularly, but don’t overwater Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer Flower Color: White/near-white Foliage: Herbaceous Tolerant of drought, sand, and clay soils, Wild Quinine brings a surprise of cool, bright white…

Common Mudpuppy

Common Mudpuppy The common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a medium sized aquatic salamander found in clear lakes and streams of the Tennessee River drainage in Virginia. Mudpuppies have large flat heads, and a short, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Coloration can range from a rusty…

Eastern Hellbender

Eastern Hellbender State Special Concern Federal Species of Concern The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is one of Virginia’s largest salamanders and can be found only in the western part of Virginia. They inhabit clear, fast flowing streams with many large, flat rocks that are…

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Eastern Tiger Salamander State Endangered The eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) is Virginia’s largest mole salamander. Mole salamanders spend most of their life underground and are not commonly observed. As adults, they may reach a total length of 12 inches. Tiger salamanders are described…