Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Tuesday - September 01, 2009
From: Glen Allen, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Shrubs
Title: Shrubs for house landscaping in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like suggestions for types of shrubs to be planted in front of my house.ANSWER:
Mr. Smarty Plants suggests that you visit the Recommended Species page on our webpage and select your state from the map or the pulldown menu. This will give you a list of commercially available native plants suitable for landscapes in Virginia. You can then use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to limit the results by choosing 'Shrub' from the GENERAL APPEARANCE option. You can also add your choice for other criteria (e.g., under LIGHT REQUIREMENT and/or SOIL MOISTURE). Since I don't know what the light and moisture parameters for your yard are, I will suggest a few shrubs with a variety of growing requirements. You can check those against your site's conditions. You can also see for yourself if there are other possibilities in the Recommended Species list.Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea) is a small (up to 3 ft.) with small white flowers in the spring.
Cornus alternifolia (alternateleaf dogwood) is described as a large shrub or tall tree (up to 35 ft.). It has white flowers that make berries that attract birds.
Kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel) is a large evergreen shrub (12-20 ft.) with pink flowers in the spring.
Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush) is a 6-12 ft.shrub with aromatic leaves.
Rhododendron calendulaceum (flame azalea) is 6-12 ft tall with showy orange flowers.
Robinia hispida (bristly locust) grows up to 8 feet tall with pinkish flowers in the spring.
More Shrubs Questions
Caterpillars attacking mountain laurel in Marble Falls TX
August 27, 2009 - What are the caterpillars that eat up our mountain laurel? Nothing left but a few stems.
view the full question and answer
Shrub with thorns, black fruit and citrus fragrance in Michigan
September 19, 2014 - I'm not sure that my plant is a native, but I'm hoping to find some answer. There is a small patch of roadside shrubs on my property which I've been unable to identify. They have simple opposite ...
view the full question and answer
Are Desert Willow Leaves Fragrant?
June 11, 2015 - I have a pink Desert Willow and have noticed that the leaves are fragrant; no flowers are yet present. I cannot find any sites that agree with this finding? Is this unusual?
view the full question and answer
Erosion control on partially shaded slope
November 27, 2010 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Atlanta, GA. My house is on a hill, and I am beginning to have erosion at my backyard porch (concrete slab, on the corners especially). The soil is mainly red clay, a...
view the full question and answer
Oak leaf hydrangeas from Edwardsville IL
August 13, 2012 - Hello,
I live in West Central Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) and I am considering planting several Oak leaf Hydrangea's in my yard. The location where I would like to plant them is und...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |