One way that Behnkes encourages customers to include more native plants in their gardens is by sharing with them our favorites.  So click on the links below to find out WHY we love these shrubs, trees and vines that are native to our region.

SMALL TREES

• Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) should be better known than it is.  We think the problem may be its unappealing common name.

• Dogwoods (Cornus florida) are probably already known to you but this article will make you appreciate it even more.

• Green Hawthorn, Crataegus viridis, is the "king of winter".

• Pawpaws (Asimina triloba) aren't just native; they produce fruit you can eat.

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) a small tree with big rewards, can fit in any garden.

• Redbud (Cercis canadensis), according to writer Natalie Brewer, has beauty, ease and versatility.

• Stahorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) has amazing fall color.

TALLER TREES

• Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is great for the birds.  Gorgeous to the human eye, too.
  
  
• Canadian Hemlocks CAN still be grown, are one of the few conifers that can take shade.
  

SHRUBS

• Fothergilla is native to just south of here, in the mountains.
  
  
• Smooth Hydrangeas, like the 'Annabelle' variety, put on a really impressive show.
   
• Inkberry holly is evergreen!
  
  
• Bottlebrush Buckeye forms whole colonies covering shady sites.
  

• Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is native to nearby North Carolina and a big favorite throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  Four-season interest!

• Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) is the perfect size for almost any garden.  Here's another article that recommends Itea, and a photo of 'Little Henry'.

• Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) steals the show in the winter garden.
  
  
• 'Winterthur' Viburnum is a three-season wonder for small gardens.
  

VINES

• American Wisteria is more manageable than the Asian type.
  
  
• Crossvine has stunning orange flowers and is our region is evergreen.