Native PlanT Tour

Tour Guidelines:

• Be respectful of people's property and privacy and only visit sites during specified hours.

• Do not pick flowers, collect seeds, or take cuttings (etc.) without express owner permission.

• Feel free to take photos and tag #ridgeandvalleynativeplants or #shenandoahchapter

• Owners may be out and happy to show you around or may choose to stay inside. Please be respectful and do not disturb homeowners who choose not to lead tours.

• If owners are not present, you may show yourself around the indicated yard or meadow. 

• Look for a Ridge & Valley Native Plant Tour sign at each location. 

Host sites on the tour are not perfect or pristine. They are real examples of some of the ways native plants can be used in a landscape. We hope these tours will attract both native plant enthusiasts eager to see what others are doing, novice gardeners, and those interested in learning more about natives. Each tour we hope to showcase a range of planting stages and types, including small urban gardens, fully landscaped yards, those in transition from conventional to native, reclaimed meadows, and everything in between. 

Some locations have hosted before. Visiting the same location year to year can be interesting to watch a young garden mature over time. Or you may opt to only visit sites new to you. Either way, we hope you choose to join us to enjoy time with fellow plant enthusiasts and gain inspiration!

Host sites should ideally:

• Be 60-70% native species or more

• Have no intentionally planted exotic invasive species

• Have intention/plans or be in the process of working to eradicate exotic invasive species

• Be predominantly plants native to the ridge and valley region of Virginia based on state/county level of the Virginia Flora

• Use no pesticides

• Gardens and meadows in the 40-60% native range are welcome if they are in transition towards more native plants

If you are interested in hosting for a future tour, or have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at ShenadoahChapter[at]gmail.com.