Standing tall like nature’s pink-and-white candles, the obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a striking native of NoVA’s meadows and stream banks. Its tubular blooms, which appear from late summer into early fall, attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees with their nectar-rich flowers. Beyond its beauty, this plant helps support pollinator populations and stabilizes soil with its spreading roots. Interestingly, its name comes from the curious way each flower can be gently pushed into a new position on the stem—where it obediently stays.

As autumn fades and frost begins to settle, winterizing your native garden becomes a gentle act of care rather than cleanup. Leaving seed heads, stems, and leaf litter in place provides vital shelter and food for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects through the cold months. This natural approach enriches the soil as organic matter breaks down and supports a healthier ecosystem come spring. Interestingly, many native bee species overwinter inside hollow stems—so what looks “messy” is actually a hidden sanctuary for next year’s pollinators.

Creeping quietly across Virginia’s forest floors, wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius) is a deceptively graceful invader. Its delicate, wavy leaves and late-summer blooms give rise to sticky seeds that easily cling to animals, clothing, and shoes—spreading it rapidly through woodlands. This invasive grass forms dense mats that smother native plants, reduce biodiversity, and alter natural habitats. Interestingly, it was first discovered in Maryland in the 1990s and has since advanced steadily southward, outcompeting native understory species along the way.