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Forms and Fees Subject to Change July 1CURRENT FEE SCHEDULE
FEMA's Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate MapsVIEW HERE
Visit VDH Website to Learn More About the Potomac River Sewage SpillClick Here
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Native Plants and Invasive Species Resources
Native plants are species that naturally occur in a region and have adapted to local soils, climate, and wildlife over time. Because they are well suited to Virginia's growing conditions, they typically require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance while providing important benefits such as improving water quality, reducing erosion, and supporting pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Invasive plants, on the other hand, are non-native species that spread aggressively and outcompete native vegetation. Without natural controls, invasive plants can quickly dominate landscapes, reduce biodiversity, degrade wildlife habitat, and negatively impact ecosystem health. Removing invasive plants and replacing them with native species helps restore healthy ecosystems, protect natural resources, and create more resilient landscapes.
Protect Water Quality
Native plants play an important role in protecting streams, rivers, wetlands, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Their extensive root systems help absorb and filter stormwater before it reaches local waterways.
Conserve Water
Native plants typically require less watering once established because they are adapted to local climate conditions. Their drought tolerance helps conserve water, reduce irrigation needs, and lessen demand on local water supplies.
Support Wildlife
Native plants provide food, shelter, nesting habitat, and breeding areas for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Many native insects have evolved alongside specific native plant species and depend on them to complete their life cycles.Native plants are well suited to Virginia’s climate, soils, and growing conditions. Because they are adapted to the region, they often require less maintenance, fertilizer, and watering once established.
Native plants also provide important ecosystem benefits, including:
- Food and habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife
- Reduced erosion and improved soil stability
- Support for local biodiversity
- Reduced spread of invasive pests and plant species
- Lower long-term maintenance needs
When selecting native plants, choose species that match the conditions of the planting area. Consider:
- Sunlight and shade
- Soil moisture
- Mature plant size
- Distance from buildings, sidewalks, driveways, and other impervious surfaces
- Potential mess from fruit, seeds, or leaf drop
- Wildlife you would like to support or attract
Native plants generally have a higher chance of survival, but they should still be planted in areas where they can tolerate the site conditions.
To better support wildlife, look for plants that flower, especially species with early or late bloom times that provide food for pollinators when fewer resources are available. Trees, shrubs, and plants that produce nuts, berries, seeds, or foliage can also provide food for birds and other wildlife.
The Importance of Native Plants
Expand all- Protect Local Water Quality
Native vegetation can help:
- Reduce stormwater runoff
- Improve infiltration of rainwater into the soil
- Filter pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, oil, and sediment
- Stabilize soil and reduce erosion
- Protect streambanks and shorelines
When rain falls on paved surfaces, rooftops, or compacted lawns, it often flows quickly into storm drains and nearby waterways. Native plants help slow down and absorb rainfall, allowing water to soak into the ground where natural processes can remove pollutants before they enter streams and rivers.
- Conserve Water
Native plants generally require less supplemental watering than non-native ornamental plants once they are established. Because they are adapted to local rainfall patterns and weather conditions, native plants are often more resilient during periods of drought and can thrive without frequent irrigation.
Reducing outdoor water use helps conserve valuable water resources and can lower water bills for homeowners and businesses. Landscapes that require less irrigation also reduce the demand placed on local water supplies, particularly during hot summer months.
- Support Wildlife and Pollinators
Native plants can provide:
- Nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Seeds, berries, nuts, and foliage for birds and wildlife
- Nesting and shelter opportunities
- Habitat that supports healthy ecosystems and biodiversity
For the greatest wildlife benefit, consider planting a variety of species that bloom throughout the growing season and produce food sources such as berries, seeds, and nuts.
- Reduce Maintenance and Chemical Use
Because native plants are adapted to local growing conditions, they often require less maintenance than non-native species once established. Native plant landscapes may require:
- Less watering
- Less fertilizer
- Fewer pesticides
- Reduced mowing and maintenance
Using fewer fertilizers and pesticides also helps protect local water quality by reducing the amount of chemicals that can be carried into storm drains and waterways during rain events.
- Build More Resilient Landscapes
Native plant communities are better equipped to withstand Virginia's changing weather conditions, including drought, heavy rainfall, and temperature fluctuations. Their deep root systems help improve soil health, increase water infiltration, and make landscapes more resilient over time.
By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance environment that supports wildlife, conserves water, and helps protect Prince William County's natural resources.
Invasive plants are non-native species that can spread rapidly and outcompete native plants. Many invasive plants have few natural controls in the areas where they are introduced, allowing them to take over landscapes, forests, streambanks, and other natural areas.
Invasive plants can:
- Crowd out native plants
- Reduce habitat quality for wildlife
- Alter natural ecosystems
- Increase erosion in some areas
- Damage or kill trees
Vining invasive plants such as English ivy or kudzu can blanket, strangle, or girdle trees, eventually weakening or killing them. While some invasive plants may provide food for wildlife, they are often not as beneficial or nutrient-rich as native plant species.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List, which identifies invasive plants that threaten Virginia’s forests, grasslands, wetlands, and waterways.
Virginia Invasive Plant Species List:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/nh-invasive-plant-list-2024.pdfiNaturalist is a helpful tool for learning more about plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms. Users can upload photos to help identify species and learn whether a plant may be native, non-native, or invasive.
iNaturalist can be a great starting point for plant identification, but users should confirm results with trusted resources when making planting or removal decisions.
iNaturalist:
https://www.inaturalist.org/