Riparian Buffers & Bay Friendly Gardens
These native plants are adapted to growing next to brackish tidal shorelines where occasional tidal flooding, salt spray, and salt accumulation in the soil are present. Riparian forest buffers and planted waterfront gardens next to tidal shorelines can provide water quality filters and storm protection buffers.
Deciduous Trees
- Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – cultivars without seed pods available
- Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
- Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) – edible fruit
- Oaks (Quercus spp.)
Evergreen Trees
- Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
- Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)
- American holly (Ilex opaca) – thorny leaves shed in spring
Shrubs
- Groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia)
- Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
- Wax myrtle (Morella spp.)
- Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
- Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) – weeping varieties available
- Beach plum (Prunus maritime) – edible fruit
Grasses & Vines
- Switch grass (Panicum virgatum)
- Saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens)
- Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
Blooming Perennials
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)
- Marsh mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica)
- Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
- Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
- Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Orange coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Northern & Southern blue flag (Iris versicolor & Iris virginica)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Grass-leaf blazing star (Liatris pilosa)
- Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
For more information see Virginia Cooperative Extension VCE Buffers Fact Sheet and Find Native Plants