wildflower project
What better way to educate on something than to capture its beauty?
Approximately 3,200 species of flowering plants in SW Virginia — we’ve got 11 of them on this site.
Virginia is known as a state that has many beautiful wildflower species that are important to everyone living here. They are necessary in maintaining the ecosystem around them — a crucial food source for pollinators, the right ones can even be healthy for humans to eat! As we see more development in SW Virginia, more and more people are moving here who aren’t familiar with the native wildlife and plant their yards and gardens with non-native plants. This increases the risk of invasive species and environmental disruption, when, alternatively, native flowers could be planted that survive, benefit, and (objectively) look better than non-native species.
In addition to a description of the plant, the bloom period, benefits, and location will be listed.
Why It Matters
Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Brought to North America for food and medicine in the 1600's, this Eurasian flower has since been naturalized across every continent except Antarctica. It offers medicinal benefits as well as a vital food source for spring pollinators. Early spring - early fall | Everywhere except Antarctica
Common Dandelion SeedHead
Creasy Greens (Barbarea Verna) One of the first signs of spring in the Appalachian area, these greens offer a bitter taste with a peppery kick that comes with a density of vitamins A and C.
Golden Ragwort (Packera Aurea) This flower grows in xanthic swathes across the banks of Southwest Virginia; offering no medicinal purposes, this flowers purpose lies in its beauty and ecology. April-Early May | Eastern North America
Foam Flower (Tiarella Cordifolia) One of Appalachia's most elfish flowers. The pattern of its flowers resemble that of hyacinth though it is not as toxic. 4-6 weeks between April and early June | Eastern U.S. and Canada
Common Blue Violet (Viola Sororia)
Kidney-Leaved Violet (Viola Renifolia)
Downy Yellow Violet (Viola Pubescens)
Thymeleaf Bluet (Houstonia Serpyllifolia)
Patch of Thymeleaf Bluets
Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)
Field Pussytoes (Antennaria Neglecta)
Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus Bulbosus)
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
White Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.
Purple Garden Phlox (Phlox Paniculata) One of the phlox species native to Southwest Virginia. It has been historically used as a blood purifier and treatment for skin conditions. Mid-spring-Early Fall | Central and eastern U.S.