11 Best Native Plants for Chesapeake, VA

Located in the southwest of Coastal Plain, Chesapeake is blessed with a temperate climate where you can enjoy the outdoors all year round. Additionally, locals can feel at one with nature by taking long walks in the Chesapeake Arboretum. To get the exact same feeling on your very own property, you can transform your backyard by growing the best native plants for Chesapeake. 

Native plant gardens are generally low-maintenance, water-efficient, and highly beneficial in supporting the wildlife habitat. However, it is important to note that not all Virginia-native plants thrive in the Chesapeake area. The following section will list some of the best plants for your native Chesapeake landscape, along with their characteristics. 

• 11 Best Native Plants for Chesapeake

1. Flowering Dogwood
2. Red Maple
3. Eastern Redbud
4. Cardinal Flower
5. Winterberry
6. American Witch Hazel
7. American Beautyberry
8. Black-Eyed Susan
9. Red Chokeberry
10. Common Buttonbush
11. Southern Arrowwood

• How to Choose Native Plants for Your Chesapeake Landscape
• FAQ About Native Chesapeake Plants
• Where to Find Native Plants in Chesapeake

11 Best Native Plants for Chesapeake

Located in South Hampton Roads, Chesapeake lies in USDA Hardiness zones 7b and 8a. The temperature typically varies from 34 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, with muggy summers and cold, windy winters. Chesapeake is not prone to prolonged periods of extreme weather, allowing a variety of plant species to thrive and help boost the local ecosystem.  

1. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5

Flowering dogwood is a small deciduous tree that can also be grown as a large shrub. It is a popular landscape tree that is highly appreciated by many gardeners. Regarded as one of the best native trees, this plant’s blossoms give way to glistening orange-red fruits in the summer. 

Flowering dogwood is a valuable source of nectar and pollen to the area’s wildlife, including a wide variety of birds and butterflies. With no routine pruning necessary, this species is a valuable and low-maintenance addition to your native plant garden. 

Plant type: Tree

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9

Sun: Grows best in part shade but can tolerate full sun

Soil: organically rich, moist, acidic soil 

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Slightly fragrant 

Bloom time: March – June

Water needs: Medium

Mature height: 15 to 30 feet, sometimes reaching up to 40 feet

Maintenance: Low

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) 

Photo Credit: Heng Wang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Red maple is an attractive, fast-growing deciduous tree that is quite popular among homeowners looking to revamp their backyard. In addition to its lovely fall color, it is just as attractive during the winter with its smooth gray bark. Tiny red flowers start to appear in early spring, followed by red fruits. 

During the hot summer months, this tree will provide enough shade to help you enjoy those outdoor naps away from the sun. Red maple requires little pruning, though you may treat it with fertilizers before the leaves emerge. It is perfect as a specimen plant for lawns and roadsides. 

Plant type: Tree

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun, partial shade

Soil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Sweet cherry or almond flower scent

Bloom time: March – April

Water needs: Average

Mature height: 40 to 70 feet

Potential hazards: Toxic to horses

Maintenance: Low

3. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Eastern Redbud, also known as ‘Ace of Hearts’, is a deciduous tree with unique and irregular branching patterns. Reddish-purple flowers cover the bare branches in the spring. This tree has an attractive foliage of heart-shaped, dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. 

Used for shrub borders or as a specimen plant, eastern redbud can provide your native garden with an elegant touch. More importantly, this tree attracts birds, butterflies, and bees. 

Plant type: Tree

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Sun: Full sun or partial shade.

Soil: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil

Duration: Perennial

Bloom time: Spring

Water needs: Keep the soil moist to a depth of 2 to 3 inches; watering schedule depends on your soil type, but you should water about once per week

Mature height: 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35 foot spread

Maintenance: Requires little pruning

4. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Cardinal flower is a magnet for beneficial insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds. From midsummer to early spring, this upright perennial boasts densely packed flower spikes with cardinal red, two-lipped blossom. It also has a foliage of glossy bright green leaves. 

Not regarded as an invasive plant, the cardinal flower plant may self-seed in ideal growing conditions. It works great in butterfly, cottage, and rain gardens. 

Plant type: Flower

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade

Soil: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based

Duration: Perennial

Bloom time: May – October

Water needs: Medium to high

Mature height: 1 to 6 feet

Maintenance: Low

5. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5

With a foliage of dark green leaves, winterberry is a slow-growing deciduous shrub that adds color to your winter landscape. It produces small, greenish-white flowers in late spring followed by cherry red berries. In order to get these berries, you will need to plant both a male and female shrub. The male plant must belong to the same species and bloom at the same time as the female. 

Winterberry flowers have no scent, but are a great pollination source for bees and other beneficial insects. This native shrub is perfect for hedges or as a specimen plant.

Plant type: Shrub

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9 

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Clay, loam, sand, moist, acidic  

Duration: Perennial

Bloom time: April – July

Water needs: Medium to high

Mature height: 3 to 15 feet

Potential hazard: Might be toxic if ingested

Maintenance: Low

6. American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) 

Photo Credit: Pxfuel

American witch hazel is a great addition to your native landscape. Planted as a deciduous shrub or small tree, it produces pale yellow flowers that bloom in fall and early winter. Each flower consists of 4 ribbon-like crinkled petals. The oval, light green leaves turn golden yellow for a colorful and aesthetically pleasing fall foliage. 

As a fun fact, the American witch hazel is the species from which medicinal witch-hazel extract is made. 

Plant type: Shrub, tree

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

Sun: Full sun, partial shade, shade

Soil: Clay, loam, sand

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Sweetly scented

Bloom time: September to December

Water needs: Average

Mature height: 15 to 20 feet

Maintenance: Prune in spring to control its shape and size. 

7. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)

Photo Credit: Virginia State Parks staff / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Perfect as a specimen plant, American beautyberry is an easy-to-grow perennial with showy, magenta-colored fruits. These showy berries may persist even after the leaves have fallen. For the best possible fruit production, consider planting these shrubs in groups. As a bonus attribute, the American beautyberry is hurricane wind resistant. 

Plant type: Shrub

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7to 11

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Loam, Sand

Duration: Deciduous perennial 

Fragrance: Citrus

Bloom time: Summer

Water needs: Low (one inch per week)

Mature height: 4 to 8 feet

Maintenance: Low

8. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Photo Credit: Pxfuel

Black-eyed susan and purple coneflower come from the same plant family, but differ in their appearance and color. This native flower’s name is derived from the dark brown center of its daisy-like flower head. 

Black-eyed Susan attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators due to the nectar found in its flowers. It is important to note that it can become aggressive if given too perfect an environment and insufficient competition. This native flower performs very well in landscapes, butterfly gardens, or as cut flowers. 

Plant type: Flower

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun

Soil: Clay, sand, loam, acidic, moist, well-drained

Duration: Depending on growing conditions can act as a biennial, annual, or short-lived perennial

Fragrance: Sweet

Bloom time: Spring, summer, early autumn

Water needs: Average (moderate drought tolerance)

Mature height: 1 to 3 feet

Maintenance: Low

9. Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) 

Photo Credit: Katja Schulz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Red chokeberry is a tall, multi-stemmed shrub with a foliage of glossy dark green leaves that turn red in the fall. It produces white to light pink flower clusters along its branches. In late summer, these flowers are followed by red berries that persist well into winter. 

Red chokeberry is an excellent addition to your native landscape with high wildlife value. It is a source of nectar and pollen to native bees and butterflies. Additionally, this plant’s fruits are an excellent food source for a variety of songbirds and migratory birds. 

Plant type: Shrub

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9

Sun: Full sun, partial sun

Soil: Clay, loam

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Sweet-scented

Bloom time: February – May

Water needs: Average

Mature height: 5 to 10 feet

Maintenance: Low

10. Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Photo Credit: The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Common buttonbush is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that boasts spherical flower heads from early summer to early fall. In addition to being a great plant to your native garden, this species is often used to restore wetlands, control erosion, and create wildlife habitats. 

Common buttonbush attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. It is perfect for rain and cottage gardens. 

Plant type: Shrub

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-11

Sun: Full sun, partial shade

Soil: Loam, sand

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Dried flowers and leaves smell like freshly-mown grass

Bloom time: June – September

Water needs: Average, high

Mature height: 5 to 12 feet

Maintenance: Low

11. Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)

Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Southern arrowwood is a vigorous, deciduous shrub with creamy-white flowers that bloom from late spring to late summer. The flowers are followed by blue-black berries that are devoured by birds and small mammals. Additionally, southern arrowwood is very attractive to birds, butterflies, and native bees. This native plant is a must for bird gardens. 

Plant type: Shrub

USDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 8

Sun: Full sun, partial sun, shade

Soil: Clay, loam, sand

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: Musty, unpleasant scent

Bloom time: May – July

Water needs: Average

Mature height: 6 to 10 feet

Maintenance: Low

How to Choose Native Plants for Your Chesapeake Landscape

As mentioned above, Chesapeake lies in USDA hardiness zones 7b and 8a. Though all of these plants are native to the area, not all of them might be suitable for your yard. 

Before purchasing any of these native plants, you should double-check on your property’s soil type, exposure levels, and water availability as a starting point. Each of these factors can affect the plant’s growing ability in your backyard. 

FAQ About Native Chesapeake Plants

Where to Find Native Plants in Chesapeake

The great thing about native plants is that they are not so hard to find. Plant species native to Chesapeake will grow naturally in forests, national parks, wetlands, and even near your own property. 

Fortunately, there are several nurseries and garden centers that sell native plants to help with your backyard transformation. Not only do they sell plants, but they also have the knowledge to answer questions regarding native species and how to grow them properly. 

Below are some local nurseries and native plant centers:

• Southern Branch Nursery
• Pinewood Farms
• Greenbrier Farms

For more information on wildflowers, wildlife service, and native plant sales throughout the state of Virginia, visit the official webpage of the Virginia Native Plant Society. 

If the backyard chores are taking up too much of your fun time, hire a local lawn care professional to handle the yard’s mowing, trimming, and edging. 

Main Image Credit: Pxhere