In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in native landscaping. Native plants have grown in a particular region for thousands of years and, as such, have adapted to the humidity, weather, and soil conditions that characterize their ecosystem. Figuring out which regions plants thrive in is made easy with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, among other benefits. Ensure your garden supplies food year-round with native plants that bloom in succession, from spring to summer and fall. Here is a list of 10 common native plants to help you get started!
#1. Arrowwood Viburnum
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) produces white flowers in late spring before giving way to blue-black, berry-like drupes. In the fall, its foliage turns to colorful shades of red, orange, and yellow.
This shrub, native to Zones 2-8, prefers full to partial sunlight and moist, well-drained soil. It can reach a height and spread of 6 to 12 feet.
#2. Bee Balm
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) blooms slender, tubular flowers in the summertime in white, pink, red, lavender, or purple colors. Growing well in Zones 3 to 9, this perennial earns its name because it’s attractive to bees and because rubbing a leaf on a bee sting immediately relieves the pain.
Moist soil and dry, non-humid conditions in full sun to partial shade are best. At its mature size, the plant can become 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
#3. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is named after the dark brown center of its daisy-like flower head. This perennial, hardy in Zones 3-9, blooms in the summertime.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, reaching a height of 4 feet and a spread of 2 feet.
#4. Blazing Star
Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) has flower heads that feature tiny star-like blossoms arranged on a stem to resemble a bottle brush. The pure species of this perennial has bright purple flower spikes, but pink and white cultivars are also available.
This plant grows well in Zones 3-9 and in full sun and medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It blooms from summer to early fall and can reach 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
#5. Buttonbush
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is characterized by its spherical pincushion blossoms packed with dense clusters of white tubular flowers. This shrub, native to Zones 4-9, has flowers that appear in summer, with each flower lasting around 4 days. Once the flowers fade, they develop small, brown, button-like seed balls, serving as a source of food for various birds.
This native plant needs full sun to partial shade and moist soil to grow successfully. It can reach a height of 6 feet and a width of 12 feet.
#6. Common Milkweed
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a perennial that appeals to butterflies, especially the monarch butterfly. In fact, monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on its leaves. Without the milkweed, there’d be no monarch butterflies.
In early to mid-summer, clusters of pink-purple flowers appear. Common Milkweed, native to Zones 2-8, should be planted in well-draining soil set in full sun. At its mature size, it can become 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
#7. Ninebark
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) gets its name from its unique exfoliating bark, which peels back to reveal reddish to light brown layers. Its pink or white flowers bloom in late spring to summer. In the fall, the small red fruit ripens, and the green leaves change to more vibrant colors.
Native to Zones 2-8, this shrub needs full sun or partial shade and clay or loamy soil to grow successfully. It can reach a height of 10 feet and spread of 8 feet. Impressively, Ninebark can reach maturity in just one single growing season.
#8. Purple Coneflower
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) features dusky purple daisy-like flowers with prominent orange centers. It’s the most popular variety of Coneflower, which also comes in pink, white, yellow, orange, and red. Coneflower’s long bloom period, self-seeding habit, and drought tolerance make it a favorite among gardeners.
Well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade are best for this perennial native to Zones 3-9. It blooms from summer to early fall and can become 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
#9. Red Twig Dogwood
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea syn. C. stolonifera) provides four-season interest with white flowers in spring followed by white berries, reddish-purple fall foliage, and bright red stems in winter.
While it can grow in partial shade, the stem color is typically more vivid when grown in full sun. This fast-growing shrub does well in Zones 3-8 and moist soil, and can reach a height of 9 feet and width of 12 feet.
#10. Showy Goldenrod
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) produces feathery plumes of dense yellow flowers atop red stems. This gorgeous native wildflower is often blamed for hay fever allergies, but this is simply not true as the pollen is too heavy to be transported by wind; the likely culprit is Ragweed.
Goldenrods flourish from late summer to mid-fall in Zones 3-8. Having well-drained soil is a must for this perennial, which can tolerate sandy, rocky, and clay soils. It can grow to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
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Sometimes, all it takes is re-envisioning your current space, and other times, a new home with a larger yard is just what you need. Make the process of buying or selling your home as stress-free as possible with a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side. The Massey Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties is here to help! Call us today at (618) 791-5024 or (618) 791-9298, or get started by viewing our current listings.
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