Washington DC weed control
If you live in Washington, D.C., you know there is more to the District than just politics. There is also a lively cultural and culinary scene including such attractions as the Smithsonian, National Zoo, United States National Arboretum, Rock Creek Park, and historic Georgetown, with its beautiful architecture and abundance of shops and restaurants.
But what to grow in D.C.?
For those whose interests extend to the beautification of their lawns and gardens, there are so many decisions to make as to what to include for that perfect landscape. Headquartered in Washington D.C., the United States Botanical Gardens has plenty of knowledge and first-hand experience when it comes to what grows in the area.
The experts at U.S.B.G. recommend using native vegetation as much as possible. This helps to ensure that what you plant is already adapted to the local climate. To get you started, let's take a look at some examples of native vegetation for you to consider planting in three categories: wildflowers, shrubs and small trees.
Native Wildflowers
Common dittany (Cunila origanoides)
This species produces lilac flowers in fall that can open on frosty mornings. Leaves can be crushed to be used as potpourri.
Anise-scented goldenrod (Solidago odora)
Sun-loving plant that also thrives in dryer ground. This beauty is also useful, as its leaves are often incorporated into herbal tea.
Rattlesnake plantain (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Attracts pollinating insects and provides veined foliage that is grayish green in color. The flowers are round, white and bloom in summer.
Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve 'Bluebird')
Late summer brings violet-blue petaled flowers with bright yellow centers. Lovely to look at blue, green foliage also draws birds and butterflies.
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Vibrant orange flowers break forth in clusters starting at the end of and into the beginning of fall. Not only does it attract butterflies, it even provides a home for monarch larvae.
Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
Spring brings ice-blue blooms and fall features vibrant yellow foliage. This is a real stunner for your garden.
Crested iris (Iris cristata)
Creeping small iris that loves dry, wooded conditions. Spring brings an explosion of lilac, blue or lavender blooms.
Bowman's root (Gillenia trifoliata)
This perennial has a shrubby look and provides foliage in the fall that displays rich red/purple tones. In the spring look for star-shaped white flowers.
Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
Classic perennial with late-blooming gold/yellow flowers that pop against foliage that is a vibrant dark green.
Native Shrubs
Southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
This light green colored evergreen is low maintenance and thrives in low-quality soil. Crush the leaves to produce a fragrance likened to eucalyptus. Wax covered berries form on females of the species.
Dwarf witch alder (Fothergilla gardenii)
This versatile dwarf ornament grows at a slow pace, but is worth the wait. The unique creamy, honey-scented white brush-like flowers herald spring. In fall, the colors of its foliage are magnificent shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple.
Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
The bees and butterflies will flock to this shrub. Summer brings White-to-pink small, spikey and sweet-smelling blooms. From autumn till winter the pepperbush shows dark brown seed capsules.
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima')
This deciduous shrub blooms white in April. The plentiful red berries survive through the winter.
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Early spring and late summer bring clustered white blooms shown off by bright green foliage. Bark from mature shrubs peels to reveal colorful red-to-light brown bark underneath, especially noticeable in winter.
Shrubby St. John's wort (Hypericum prolificum)
All that glitters in the garden are golden blooms against the dark green foliage of this well-adapted shrub. Works well in almost any garden.
Mountain azalea (Rhododendron canescens)
The abundant and sweet-smelling blooms in spring and adaptability to wet or dry conditions make this a top choice for your D.C. garden. The mountain azalea is known as the most common and showiest of the native azaleas found in the southeast and mid-Atlantic.
New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)
This shrub is small but mighty. It provides white flowers in spring and needs no fertilizer due to its ability to fix its own nitrogen. As its name suggests, you can also use its leaves to make caffeine-free herbal tea.
Native Small Trees
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)
Sassafras features light green foliage that transforms in fall from yellow to orange and then a vibrant red. If that weren't enough, green-yellow female blooms generate hanging clusters of stunning red and black fruit.
Red buckeye (Aesculus Pavia)
Hummingbirds love the dark red flowers that follow the large leaves that form in spring. Because of the clustered formation, buckeyes work well as screens.
American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
Birds and small mammals feast on the seeds of this lovely tree. Delightful reddish foliage in the fall adds a depth of color.
Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
The wide popularity of this small tree stems from its lovely pink spring blooms. However, its bark and reddish fall foliage are also horticultural eye candy.
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
The redbud boasts edible flowers in the spring that are preceded by attractive leaves that come forth during the maturation of the legume fruits.
Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
Cups of cream-colored blooms show up well against the green leaves in the first part of summer. In the fall, fruits mimicking conifers and their visible red seeds also add beauty.
Chalkbark maple (Acer leucoderme)
Low maintenance and gorgeous fall foliage put this tree high on the list. Its name comes from the light-colored smooth bark that manifests with maturity.
There's nothing worse than ugly weeds to mar the beauty of your Washington, D.C. garden and monopolize your time. The solution is to utilize Lawn Love's lawn services to eradicate those weeds and help with anything else that needs attention in your lawn and landscape.
