The Shenandoah Valley has historically experienced periods of drought during its history from woodlands to grasslands to what is now predominantly agriculture. As our climate changes at a more rapid rate, it is expected that drought periods will be longer and occur more frequently. Plants native to dry and well-drained areas of the Valley and Ridges have evolved to withstand extended dry periods. Below is a list of some of the native plants which have demonstrated tolerance to extended dry conditions.
FERNS
Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
eastern hay-scented fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
WILDFLOWERS
black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
bloodroot Sanguinaria Canadensis
blue mistflower Eupatorium coelestinum
butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
dwarf crested iris Iris cristata
early meadow rue Thalictrum dioicum
eastern prickly pear Opuntia humifusa
foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
heart-leaved Alexander Zizia aptera
heart-leaved aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium
hoary mountain mint Pycnanthemum incanum
gayfeather, or dense blazing star Liatris spicata
white trillium Trillium grandiflorum
wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa
wild columbine Aquilegia canadensis
wild stonecrop Sedum ternatum
woodland phlox Phlox divaricata
GRASSES, RUSHES & SEDGES
big bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Indian grass Sorghastrum nutans
little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica
purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis
sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula
SHRUBS
American hazelnut Corylus Americana
mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia
New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus
sweet-fern Comptonia peregrine
Vaccinium (once established)
Viburnums- Viburnum dentatum, V.acerifolium, V. cassinoides, V. prunifolium
TREES
black gum Nyssa sylvatica
chokecherry Prunus virginiana
downy serviceberry Amelanchier arborea
eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
eastern white pine Pinus strobus
flowering dogwood Cornus florida
fragrant sumac Rhus aromatic
hickory (shagbark, mockernut) Carya ovata, C. alba
ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
oaks (black, chestnut, n. red, white) Quercus
persimmon Diospyrus virginiana
sassafras Sassafras albidum
staghorn sumac Rhus typhina
witch hazel Hamamelis virginiana
