Native / natural

Native plants for a natural garden

Perfectly suited to our climate and to environmental ups and downs, native plants are plants you can find today in woodland, in fields and even in our gardens. Many of them were once used to make remedies. Some are still used in medicines.

The advantages of native plants
Choosing native plants for the garden helps preserve these long-established plant species, and also:
• Reduces upkeep: a native plant is one that grows spontaneously in a given area without human intervention. Native plants are adapted to a harsh climate and are able to survive drought. They also withstand our winters and need no protective equipment. Because they are tougher, there is no need to replace them.
• Reduces the use of fertilisers and pesticides. They have good resistance to pest insects and other pathogens. These are species that have always survived their predators.
• Provides food and habitat for wildlife.
• Restores the quality of natural habitats and green spaces in our regions.
• Helps maintain biological diversity: a planting scheme using native plants is a place where wildlife can find shelter and food. Local animals feed on local plants (insects, butterflies, bees, birds). This means greater biodiversity.

ACER campestre

Field maple

This small, very hardy tree with a dense, rounded habit is widely used in country hedges. Fairly slow growing.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: nectar-rich, crafts,marquetry
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

ACER campestre
  • greenish
  • 15m
  • full sun
ACER campestre

AMELANCHIER ovalis

Snowy mespilus

A shrub with white flowers in clusters, followed by blackish-red fruit.

Water: dry
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: berries
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

AMELANCHIER ovalis
  • white
  • 1 to 2.5m
  • full sun
AMELANCHIER ovalis

BUXUS sempervirens

Box

A bushy, slow-growing shrub. Oblong, glossy, dark green leaves. The shrub best suited to topiary.

Water: moderate
pH: alkaline
Soil: stony

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: medicinal, wood
Foliage: woody, evergreen
Flowering period: March to April

BUXUS sempervirens
  • 1.5 to 5m
  • shade to any
BUXUS sempervirens

CALLUNA vulgaris

Heather

Calluna vulgaris is the common heather, very widespread in Europe and Asia, on heaths, woodland edges, in woods and in meadows — all of these different habitats sharing one feature: acid soil.

Water: dry
pH: acid
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest:
Foliage: foliage reduced to scales arranged in 4 ranks along the stem
Flowering period: July to October

CALLUNA vulgaris
  • pink mauve
  • 0.3 to 0.9m
  • full sun
CALLUNA vulgaris

CARPINUS betulus

Hornbeam

A tree with a rounded or egg-shaped crown. Oval mid-green leaves, turning orange-yellow in autumn and staying on the branches until late winter. Green female catkins. The ideal tree for clipped hedges from 1 m to 10 m tall.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: wood
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

CARPINUS betulus
  • 20m
  • shade to any
CARPINUS betulus

CENTAUREA bella

Pink knapweed

A perennial with very pretty, deeply cut grey-green leaves with silvery undersides. Rounded cushion habit. Vigorous and hardy. Pink, nectar-rich flowers from May to July. Very drought resistant — a real camel of a plant.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: medicinal
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: June to September

CENTAUREA bella
  • pink
  • 10 to 20 cm
  • full sun
CENTAUREA bella

CORNUS mas

Cornelian cherry

A vigorous shrub with small yellow flowers on bare branches in late winter, before the dark green leaves develop. The fully ripe red fruits are edible.

Water: moderate
pH: alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: nectar-rich, medicinal, crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: March to April

CORNUS mas
  • bright yellow
  • 2 to 5m
  • any
CORNUS mas

CORNUS sanguinea

Common dogwood

A shrub with green leaves turning red in autumn. In early summer, white flowers in flat, dense cymes. The young shoots are a beautiful orange-red in winter.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: wood
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: July to September

CORNUS sanguinea
  • white
  • 2 to 5m
  • any to full sun
CORNUS sanguinea

CORYLUS avellana

Hazel

A shrub with supple wood. Broad leaves. Hanging yellow catkins in winter. Hazelnuts on the previous year's shoots.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: edible; marquetry; basketry
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: February to March

CORYLUS avellana
  • 1.5 to 4m
  • any
CORYLUS avellana

CRATAEGUS monogyna

Common hawthorn

A thorny tree with a rounded crown and cut leaves. Flat corymbs of fragrant white flowers with pink anthers, followed by glossy deep red fruit. Ideal for hedging.

Water: moderate
pH: acid to neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

CRATAEGUS monogyna
  • white
  • 2 to 4m
  • any
CRATAEGUS monogyna

CYTISUS scoparius

Common broom

A branching woody plant with an upright habit and angular stems that are green and smooth as they age.

Water:
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: Fruit borne in a pod covered with silky hairs
Interest:
Foliage: deciduous
Flowering period: April to July

CYTISUS scoparius
  • bright yellow
  • 1 to 3m
  • full sun
CYTISUS scoparius

ERICA cinerea

Bell heather

All summer long and well into autumn, the commonest of all our heather species turns heaths, clearings and open woodland purple with its myriads of small bell-shaped pink flowers. It is also a very good late-season nectar plant.

Water:
pH:
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit in small egg-shaped capsules
Interest:
Foliage: short, needle-like, in whorls of 3, smooth
Flowering period: June to August

ERICA cinerea
  • pink
  • 30 to 60cm
  • full sun
ERICA cinerea

EUONYMUS europaeus

Spindle tree

This bushy, well-branched shrub fits well into an informal hedge or a country planting scheme. In autumn the deciduous mid-green leaves turn red and the red fruits open to reveal 2 to 4 glossy orange seeds, toxic to humans but enjoyed by birds.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: marquetry; crafts; dye plant
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

EUONYMUS europaeus
  • 1.5 to 5m
  • any to full sun
EUONYMUS europaeus

EUPHORBIA amygdaloides

Wood spurge

A branching perennial with no leaves at the base, with a leathery reddish-brown stem exuding a white latex tinged with pale blue.

Water:
pH:
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit in heart-shaped capsules
Interest:
Foliage: oblong, finely downy, untoothed
Flowering period: April to June

EUPHORBIA amygdaloides
  • greenish
  • 30 to 90cm
  • shade
EUPHORBIA amygdaloides

FAGUS sylvatica

Beech

A majestic tree with a rounded crown. Oval leaves with wavy edges, green, turning coppery in autumn. Can be used for hedging.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: medicinal; edible; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

FAGUS sylvatica
  • 40m
  • shade
FAGUS sylvatica

FRAXINUS excelsior

Common ash

A tree with large black buds and smooth bark that later becomes fissured. Leaves made up of 9-13 lance-shaped leaflets, turning yellow in autumn.

Water: moderate to damp
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: foliage
Interest: medicinal; joinery; cabinetmaking; fodder
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: March to April

FRAXINUS excelsior
  • 25 to 30m
  • any to full sun
FRAXINUS excelsior

HEDERA helix

Climbing ivy

An ivy with small leaves variegated grey-green and silver.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal
Foliage: woody, evergreen
Flowering period: September to October

HEDERA helix
  • greenish
  • 30m
  • any to full sun
HEDERA helix

ILEX aquifolium

Holly

A shrub or tree with purple young stems and dark green, prickly, glossy leaves. Red berries on female plants.

Water: moderate
pH: acid to neutral
Soil: sandy clay or sandy stony

Ornamental feature: red fruit
Interest: medicinal, marquetry, crafts
Foliage: woody, evergreen
Flowering period: May to June

ILEX aquifolium
  • white
  • 3 to 12m
  • shade
ILEX aquifolium

LIGUSTRUM vulgare

Privet

The hardiest and easiest to grow of the common privets. Its flowers are fragrant and its fruits last a long time. Very popular for hedging.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: nectar-rich, medicinal, dye plant
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

LIGUSTRUM vulgare
  • white
  • 2 to 3m
  • any to full sun
LIGUSTRUM vulgare

LONICERA periclymenum

Honeysuckle

This honeysuckle variety produces many fragrant flowers, at first white then yellow, striped with red on the outside, followed by many red fruits.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: wood; nectar-rich; medicinal; dye plant
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

LONICERA periclymenum
  • white
  • 2 to 3m
  • any to full sun
LONICERA periclymenum

LONICERA xylosteum

Fly honeysuckle

This is the honeysuckle of our country hedges. Its flowers are white and its translucent red fruits are very decorative.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: free-draining

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

LONICERA xylosteum
  • whitish
  • 0.7 to 2m
  • any to full sun
LONICERA xylosteum

MESPILUS germanica

Medlar

A large, spreading bushy shrub, the medlar is of interest for its flowers, the autumn colour of its leaves and its curious edible fruits.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: acid to neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; edible; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

MESPILUS germanica
  • white
  • 1.5 to 4m
  • any
MESPILUS germanica

PHALARIS arundinacea

Reed canary grass

This large perennial grass, with creeping rhizomes, has broad leaves with white stripes. In summer, narrow panicles appear, made up of spikelets that are at first pale green and then turn brown.

Water: damp
pH: acid to neutral
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: panicle
Interest: ornamental
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: June to July

PHALARIS arundinacea
  • 0.2 to 1.2m
  • any to full sun
PHALARIS arundinacea

PRUNUS avium

Wild cherry

This is the wild cherry that produces small cherries, also known as geans. It is covered in white cup-shaped flowers in early spring, and its foliage takes on fine autumn tints. The wild cherry is a large, handsome, fast-growing tree that produces timber often used in cabinetmaking, for furniture and for musical instruments.

Water: moderate to damp
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; edible; cabinetmaking
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

PRUNUS avium
  • white
  • 25m
  • any
PRUNUS avium

PRUNUS spinosa

Blackthorn

This thorny, fast-growing bushy shrub or tree works wonders in a defensive country hedge. A multitude of white cup-shaped flowers appear before the leaves. They are followed in late summer by bloomy blue-black fruits, edible but bitter to the taste. Only after the first frosts, when they are bletted, can they be eaten. Blackthorn is the ideal shrub to attract birds (among others), offering them both board and lodging.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: edible
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: March to April

PRUNUS spinosa
  • white
  • 1 to 4m
  • any to full sun
PRUNUS spinosa

QUERCUS petraea

Sessile oak

An imposing tree. Its leaves take on a beautiful golden colour in autumn. Its acorns are almost spherical.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: free-draining

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

QUERCUS petraea
  • 35m
  • any
QUERCUS petraea

QUERCUS pubescens

Downy oak

This is the truffle oak found in the Périgord and the Vaucluse, and it is also a forestry species used to stabilise banks and embankments. Its specific name means "hairy" in Latin, referring to its downy young shoots and buds.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not stony or rocky

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; structural timber
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

QUERCUS pubescens
  • 7 to 15m
  • full sun
QUERCUS pubescens

QUERCUS robur

Pedunculate oak

This is the oak of our European forests. Its dark green leaves are more or less deeply lobed and its acorns are much enjoyed by animals.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: free-draining

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; joinery; cabinetmaking
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

QUERCUS robur
  • 30m
  • full sun
QUERCUS robur

RHAMNUS frangula

Alder buckthorn

This bushy, deciduous shrub grows slowly. The oval, glossy dark green leaves turn red in autumn. Tiny green flowers appear in late spring. They are followed in October and November by small fleshy spherical fruits, red, turning black as they ripen, and enjoyed by birds.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: wood
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

RHAMNUS frangula
  • white greenish
  • 1.5 to 4m
  • any
RHAMNUS frangula

RIBES uva Crispa

Gooseberry

What a pleasure it is to bite into a gooseberry freshly picked from the bush.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: nectar-rich, edible, medicinal
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: April to May

RIBES uva Crispa
  • greenish reddish
  • 0.5 to 1.2m
  • any
RIBES uva Crispa

RUSCUS aculeatus

Butcher's broom

Fairly slow growing, this upright, compact shrub, which looks like a small holly, is happy in more or less shady woodland. It produces toxic red berries that last well in arrangements. They can also be dried. It is a protected plant in the wild.

Water: moderate
pH: acid to neutral
Soil: sandy and clay

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal
Foliage: woody, evergreen
Flowering period: September to April

RUSCUS aculeatus
  • 50 to 90cm
  • shade
RUSCUS aculeatus

SALIX caprea

Goat willow

A small weeping tree. Oblong, slightly wavy leaves with a curved tip, bright green above and greyish beneath. Grey, silky catkins with yellow anthers appear before the leaves.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: catkin
Interest: medicinal, nectar-rich, basketry, dye plant
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: March to April

SALIX caprea
  • 3 to 12m
  • full sun
SALIX caprea

SALVIA pratensis

Meadow clary

A perennial with branching stems bearing panicles of claw-shaped blue to violet flowers. Oval, dark green leaves.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: ornamental
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: May to July

SALVIA pratensis
  • purple
  • 30 to 80cm
  • full sun
SALVIA pratensis

SAMBUCUS nigra

Elder

A fast-growing shrub with white-pithed stems. Green leaves with 5 or 7 leaflets, giving off a strong smell when crushed. Creamy white flowers in broad, fairly flat terminal cymes. Small red then black fruits. Birds are very fond of them. They are made into jams and wine. The flowers have many medicinal properties.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: rich in nitrogen

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: edible, medicinal
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: June to July

SAMBUCUS nigra
  • white
  • 2 to 10m
  • full sun
SAMBUCUS nigra

SEDUM acre

Biting stonecrop

A carpet-forming perennial. A high density of spreading shoots covered with tiny, pale green succulent leaves, bearing flowering stems. Tiny yellow flowers in flat terminal clusters.

Water: moderate
pH: moderate to damp
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: ornamental
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: June to July

SEDUM acre
  • yellow
  • 8 to 20 m
  • any to full sun
SEDUM acre

SORBUS aria

Whitebeam

The whitebeam is a delight. This tree, with its many attractions, deserves to be used more. Its white spring flowers and orange-red autumn fruit are already two important assets. Add to that its leaves, silvery on the underside: when the wind stirs them, waves of green and silver run across its crown. Its fruits are enjoyed by birds and other animals. They can also be eaten bletted, made into jams and distilled into spirits.

Water: dry
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May

SORBUS aria
  • white
  • 3 to 8m
  • full sun
SORBUS aria

SORBUS aucuparia

Rowan

A tree with leaves made up of dark green leaflets, turning yellow or red in autumn. White flowers in corymbs, followed by orange-red fruit in autumn that lasts a long time.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: acid
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; cabinetmaking; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

SORBUS aucuparia
  • white
  • 5 to 15m
  • any to full sun
SORBUS aucuparia

SORBUS torminalis

Wild service tree

A tree with leaves that are smooth on both sides, the blade having 5-9 deep lobes and taking on fine autumn tints. White flowers with spreading petals. Fruit speckled with brown.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: fruit
Interest: medicinal; crafts
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May

SORBUS torminalis
  • white
  • 5 to 15m
  • any to full sun
SORBUS torminalis

TEUCRIUM chamaedrys

Wall germander

This Teucrium is ideal for difficult, sunny and very dry ground.

Water: dry
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: nectar-rich, medicinal
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: July to September

TEUCRIUM chamaedrys
  • purple
  • 7 to 20m
  • full sun
TEUCRIUM chamaedrys

ULEX europaeus

Gorse

A very spiny evergreen woody plant with a bushy habit and almost continuous flowering, peaking in spring, giving off a scent of coconut.

Water: moderate to damp
pH:
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: hairy pods that expel tough, lens-shaped seeds when ripe
Interest:
Foliage:
Flowering period: October to June

ULEX europaeus
  • golden yellow
  • 1 to 4m
  • full sun
ULEX europaeus

VIBURNUM lantana

Wayfaring tree

A shrub with grey-green leaves and rounded cymes of white flowers with prominent yellow stamens, followed by clusters of bright red fruits, later black.

Water: dry to moderate
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: medicinal; basketry
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

VIBURNUM lantana
  • white
  • 1.5 to 4m
  • any to full sun
VIBURNUM lantana

VIBURNUM opulus

Guelder rose

A vigorous, bushy shrub. Lobed leaves, green turning red in autumn. Flat cymes of white flowers, followed by large globular, glossy red fruits. It takes its place well in a country hedge.

Water: moderate to damp
pH: neutral to alkaline
Soil: rich in nutrients

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: medicinal; basketry
Foliage: woody, deciduous
Flowering period: May to June

VIBURNUM opulus
  • white
  • 2 to 4m
  • any to full sun
VIBURNUM opulus

VINCA minor

Lesser periwinkle

Periwinkle is a common plant in cool woodland, where it can form wide carpets thanks to its creeping stems, which are covered early in the season with small violet-blue flowers of a shade so distinctive that the plant gave its name to the colour.

Water: moderate
pH: neutral
Soil: not specific

Ornamental feature: flower
Interest: ornamental
Foliage: perennial
Flowering period: March to May

VINCA minor
  • purple
  • 0.3 to 2m
  • shade to partial shade
VINCA minor