![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_5039631314_ddce7f9f0e_c.jpg\")
Idaho is known for its beautiful landscape, which includes mountains, rivers, and valleys. Throughout the terrain grows many native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. So, we researched and compiled a list of Idaho’s most sought-after vegetation. In this […]
\n","content":"\nIdaho is known for its beautiful landscape, which includes mountains, rivers, and valleys. Throughout the terrain grows many native plant species, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. So, we researched and compiled a list of Idaho’s most sought-after vegetation.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCommon yarrow is a flowering plant native to rocky hillsides throughout South and Central Idaho. Its white, yellow, or pink flower clusters sit beside green fern-like leaves. Although it’s deer-resistant, an occasional deer may come for the fresh juicy stems that emerge in spring. Additionally, butterflies and ladybugs love its nectar.
\n\n\n\nAside from its beauty and wildlife support, many homeowners grow yarrow for home remedies that treat indigestion, heartburn, or menstrual cramps. Some people call yarrow “soldiers” or “woundwort” because, during the Civil War, its leaves treated bloody wounds. In addition, Native Americans used yarrow tea to treat headaches and toothaches.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well drained soil, Prefers sandy loams
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Spicey
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Continuous ingestion may cause a skin rash. Some people are allergic to its sap.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Regularly prune and deadhead.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Golden-Currant.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Morefield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nGolden currant is a flowering shrub native to hillsides and river valleys throughout Idaho. It’s an attractive plant that supports local wildlife and is often grown as hedges. In early spring, yellow flowers bloom that will later turn orange. Beside its flowers are light green leaves and orange, black, or red berries. Pollinators feast on golden currant’s nectar, while birds eat its seeds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, organically rich
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Spicy and sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March-July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 – 10 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are non-toxic, but some people get a headache or upset stomach if they eat too much.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Mulch helps them thrive.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/7283693140_bf740f092e_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: born1945 / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nLewis’ mock orange, also called syringa, is Idaho’s state flower. It natively grows throughout North, Central, and Southwest Idaho and is most notable for its fragrant white flowers. The delightful orangey scent attracts many pollinators, such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumble bees.
\n\n\n\nOverall Lewis’ mock orange is a lovely shrub that smells delicious. Its big beautiful flowers are complemented by green oval leaves that turn yellow in the fall and small green fruit. However, be careful if you have sensitive skin because touching it may give you a rash.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, nutrient-rich, and well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, orangey, citrus scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; water in the absence of rain
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4.5 – 9 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: If you have sensitive skin, it could give you a skin rash.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; prune old stems to encourage new growth
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Chokecherry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nChokecherry, or bitterberry, is a native tree with spectacular shade tolerance that forms thickets throughout Idaho. It has attractive clusters of white flowers complimented by red or purple fruit. Although bitter, its fruit is edible and makes tasty jams and sauces. In addition, many animals enjoy snacking on chokecherry fruit through the summer.
\n\n\n\nOverall, chokecherry is easy to grow and maintain, but be aware of its downfalls. Parts of the tree contain toxins that can harm livestock, and its leaves can sometimes cause death when ingested. Additionally, chokecherry is susceptible to insects and diseases.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2-7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist limestone-based, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Bittersweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – Medium, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 – 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Its leaves, bark, stem, and seed pit are poisonous and harmful to livestock.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: The best time to prune is late winter to early spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Big-Sagebrush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nBig sagebrush is an evergreen shrub native to North Central, Central, and South Idaho. Recognized for its silvery leaves, many Idaho homeowners grow it as hedges or groundcover. In addition, some people use its highly flammable branches as firewood.
\n\n\n\nIt is effortless to care for and provides food and shelter for many animals, including sage grouse, antelope, and rabbits. Big sagebrush is exceptionally drought-tolerant and resistant to deer and most pests and diseases. However, it can get root rot from overwatering.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry, rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – November
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, Drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3-15 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are very flammable.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Leave 4-5 sets of new branches when you prune.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Arrowleaf-Balsamroot.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lunar Magpie / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nArrowleaf balsamroot is an herb native to hillsides throughout Idaho, and you can find it in many wildflower seed mixes. Its large yellow flowers typically grow one per stalk and look similar to sunflowers. Beside its flowers are big arrow-shaped leaves that have a striking silvery-green color.
\n\n\n\nParts of arrowleaf balsamroot are edible for people and wildlife. Native Americans ate its seeds, roots, and shoots, and herbivores like deer and elk enjoy its leaves, stems, and flowers. Additionally, birds feed on its seeds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist sandy or gravelly soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild, spicy chocolate
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 8-24 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: They are intolerant to disturbances and don’t transplant well.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: It may need occasional deadheading.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/common-snowberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCommon snowberry is a bushy shrub found in dry prairies throughout Idaho. It has white and pink flowers, dark green leaves, and showy white fruit. Although common snowberry will grow in partial shade, it bears more fruit in full sun.
\n\n\n\nAside from its looks, snowberry is a vital winter food for many animals, including chipmunks and deer. It also nourishes several birds, including songbirds, quail, and pheasants.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Adadbtabe
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Berries, mint, and cinnamon
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 6 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The berries are toxic to humans and some pets.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Early spring is the best time to prune.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rocky-Mountain-Maple.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe Rocky Mountain maple is a dainty tree native to Idaho’s canyons, mountains, and wetlands. Many Idahoans choose the Rocky Mountain maple because it’s attractive and low maintenance. Its yellow and green flowers bloom in the spring, and its shiny green leaves turn breathtaking shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained, rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Strong
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – May
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is moderately flammable and should be at least 50 feet from your home.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Keep the soil moist, especially during summer to avoid scorching leaves.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bush-Penstemon.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Walter Siegmund / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBush penstemon, or shrubby penstemon, is a native herb that is easy to transplant and effortless to maintain. Its showy lavender, blue, and violet flowers sit beside dark green leaves that turn reddish in the fall. It grows wider than tall and attracts moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, sandy or regular garden soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Rose-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 – 16 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is non-toxic, but unhealthy for pets to eat.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Requires little to no maintenance.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bluebunch-Wheatgrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBluebunch wheatgrass is a native cool-season grass found in Idaho’s mountains and valleys. It grows well from seeds and is quick to establish. Both livestock and wildlife enjoy grazing on it. However, it takes about two growing seasons to be strong enough for feeding, and bluebunch wheatgrass never gets the strength to handle heavy grazing.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry rocky soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Drought tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 – 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: It is a mild allergene.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low maintenance
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing native plants for Idaho, please consider the following:
\n\n\n\nThe best native plants for Boise foothills include the following:
● Big Sagebrush
● Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
● Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)
● Netleaf hackberry (Celtis laevigata)
The best native plants for North Idaho include the following:
● Chokecherry
● Golden Currant
● Common Snowberry
● Bush Penstemon
● Bluebunch Wheatgrass
● Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
● Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
● Bunchberry Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)
● Conifer Broomrape (Orobanche pinorum)
In addition to the plants on our list, homeowners in Central Idaho should consider these native plants:
● Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens)
● Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
● Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii Pursh)
● Conifer Broomrape (Orobanche pinorum)
The best native plants for Twin Falls include:
● Chokecherry
● Golden Currant
● Big Sagebrush
● Arrowleaf Balsamroot
● Bluebunch Wheatgrass
● Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
● Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
You can purchase idaho native plants at the following nurseries:
\n\n\n\nAnd you can view native plants at the these nature preserves and gardens:
\n\n\n\nThe best way to maintain a pristine landscape is to hire a lawn care pro near you. Experienced professionals know what it takes for your lawn to thrive. In addition to maintaining the lawn, a lawn care pro can tidy up your yard, trim your bushes, and edge native garden beds. Then, with the time you save, you can visit Yellowstone National Park or Perrine Memorial Bridge.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Cory Maylett / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Idaho","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.4796547472256474,"src":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1789c/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/107df/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/293e9/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/f2cbb/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1789c/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/c26c2/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1dd6e/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/67b76/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/8df11/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/98a65/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/1dd6e/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/dd465ffb81d8eb4c4446fb8e1fe52c07/3cc96/Arrowleaf-balsamroot-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Idaho | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"The best native plants for Idaho are attractive, low-maintenance, and great for the local ecosystem. They include trees, shrubs, and wildflowers."}}},{"node":{"id":"1e622faf-6c21-5480-a056-b45f6c30e91f","slug":"best-native-plants-maine","path":"/lawn-care/maine/best-native-plants-maine/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Descendant of the Fulani tribe, Gettysburg-obsessed Marine Corps brat, and lover of all things writing and editing, Andréa Butler has penned articles for Sesi magazine and sites, such as LivingSocial, Talbot Digital, Xickle, and Rachel Ray. Andréa holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Kent State University.","name":"Andréa Butler","id":"dae2e109-3ba9-5073-a19a-e341e567190e","path":"/author/andrea-butler/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c671545b46efb40d2596d32a775f26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"47799b4c-dc00-522b-9249-ee471c0c0d49","name":"Maine","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/maine/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"The Vacationland is homeland to you; even still, you need not venture far to appreciate your state’s natural beauty. Inspired by the Wild Gardens of Acadia, your latest project is cultivating a bed of native plants in your own Maine landscape. To start you off on this quest, we’ve gathered 11 best native plants for […]
\n","content":"\nThe Vacationland is homeland to you; even still, you need not venture far to appreciate your state’s natural beauty. Inspired by the Wild Gardens of Acadia, your latest project is cultivating a bed of native plants in your own Maine landscape. To start you off on this quest, we’ve gathered 11 best native plants for Maine, just waiting to take root near you.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nannyberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe flashy white flowers of this perennial bloom in May, followed by an autumn to winter season of color-changing leaves and berries— leaves turn burgundy while the edible berries go from green to yellow to red to deep blue. Perfect for growing as a natural privacy screen or specimen plant, this drought- and pollution-tolerant native attracts caterpillars, moths, birds, and other pollinators but repels deer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub or small tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 10 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; glossy, dark green leaves turn burgundy in fall; too much shade may cause milder
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium; prune after flowering and water regularly until established; no need to fertilize
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pagoda-Dogwood-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michele Dorsey Walfred / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nNamed for its resemblance to a pagoda temple — its branches grow in similarly structured horizontal layers — the pagoda dogwood produces perfumed, white blooms and blue or purple berries in spring and summer, respectively. Plant it as a specimen tree, or pair it with maples, beeches, birches, or serviceberries.
\n\n\n\nOffering year–round interest, as well (the leaves turn yellow, red, and orange in autumn), this native selection is tolerant of pollution and attracts all kinds of pollinators. Keep a lookout though, as it’s susceptible to canker, twig blight, and leaf spot.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub or small tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, nutrient-rich, acidic; sandy, loamy, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low; water regularly until established and then only during drought
\n\n\n\nMature height: 12 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; turn red, yellow, and orange in fall
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Common](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Common-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAs Maine is the final summer destination for monarch butterflies’ annual migration from Mexico, common milkweed is an especially important native plant that can help fight the decline of these butterflies’ populations. This native wildflower provides a place for monarchs to lay their eggs and gives off round, ball-like clusters of purple or pink flowers each summer.
\n\n\n\nSince common milkweed spreads swiftly via rhizomes, it’s best planted in naturalized areas, so it doesn’t become invasive in your traditional garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweetly scented
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Oval, green leaves with hairy underside; release milky substance when crushed
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nThis native selection, ideal as a garden mass planting for displays of fall color brought on by pink or purple ray flowers surrounding a yellow center, is perfect for attracting various pollinators.
\n\n\n\nAble to thrive in a range of soil types, New England aster is pretty low maintenance when it comes to water needs; it likes things moist but can tolerate some dry soils. To keep this tall-growing flower on the shorter side, prune stems in early summer. If provided the right amount of sunlight, water, and overall care, this plant can live up to 10 years.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, acidic, clay, sandy, loamy; poorly-drained clay soils may cause aster wilt
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer, autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green leaves
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; vulnerable to powdery mildew. Cut back stems in mid-summer to avoid staking and to produce more flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"closoeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Northern-Bayberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis wide-growing, rounded shrub generates inconspicuous gold, yellow, or green blooms in spring. Come summer and through the following spring, whitish-gray berries grow from the stems, providing a food source for birds. The fruits’ waxy finish is also used in candles and soaps.
\n\n\n\nNorthern bayberry can live up to 30 years and is best used as a specimen plant, hedge, or foundation plant. It’s excellent at preventing erosion and is resistant to deer, salt, drought, heat, compacted soil, and seasonal flooding, so it’s easy for beginners to grow.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 6
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, rocky, acidic; well-drained with high organic matter
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Whole plant scented when crushed; peppery and woody scent
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low; water regularly until established
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 12 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous to semi-evergreen; fragrant, dark green, shiny leaves
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bearberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrew Curtis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nDrought-tolerant, this low-growing groundcover is a prime pick for a xeriscaped yard. In mid-spring, pink, bell-shaped flowers will spring forth, while summer sees the emergence of red berries that last through fall.
\n\n\n\nAdding to the year-round interest are the dark green leaves that turn burgundy from fall through winter. This native plant, which can live up to 20 years, is also resistant to salt and pollution and can work well in an ornamental, butterfly, rock, or winter garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2 to 6
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, acidic; can be dry or moist but no standing water; susceptible to yellowing leaves if not acidic enough
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Autumn leaves/pine
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Early spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 8 inches
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen; glossy and round, turns from green to burgundy in autumn
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Arbutin in foliage hinders melanin production/can lighten skin
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; tolerant of drought, salt, and pollution
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red_Columbine_3630187830-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nFrom spring through summer, this perennial produces downward-hanging, umbrella-shaped blossoms that are red and yellow. Post-bloom, red columbine reseeds on its own and goes dormant as some of its leaves turn pink or purple before falling off. Although this plant has no noticeable aroma, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators are drawn to its nectar. Red columbine is a great accent plant for rock gardens and coastal sites, as it is salt-tolerant. Duskywing caterpillars and columbine leafminers feed on the leaves, but don’t cause any actual harm to the plant’s health.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, silt, or sandy soil that’s well-drained, moist, dry-ish
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Weekly or whenever soil is completely dry
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Blue-green leaves grow in groups of three
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Moderately flammable/risk of fire
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; deadhead blooms as needed, cut back in late summer
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Northern-Bush-Honeysuckle.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nUnlike the nonnative, “true” honeysuckle plants, Northern bush honeysuckle is not invasive and has no scent. It does, however, have similar trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers that grow in pairs or triplets. Drought-resistant, it serves well as a privacy screen or mass planting and can endure dry and seasonally flooded conditions. Northern bush honeysuckle attracts a variety of pollinators, including bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Not particular; grows in range of soil types and withstands dry and seasonally flooded soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Burgundy spring new growth; pointy leaves become green and copper as they mature; turns yellow-orange or reddish-purple in fall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Berries are mildly poisonous to humans.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; prune in late winter
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scarlet-Elder.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Algirdas / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nScarlet elder (aka red elderberry) produces memorable white, floral-scented, cone-shaped blooms that can thrive in wet soil, full sun, and partial shade. This plant’s calling card also includes clusters of red berries, which serve as food for several species of birds.
\n\n\n\nNaturally able to manage erosion, scarlet elder makes for a fantastic hedge when planted alongside other shrubs, like winterberry and witch hazel. It also draws its fair share of pollinators.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Flowers have floral scent; leaves have unpleasant, stinky odor when crushed
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; water well in the absence of rain
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 9 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green with serrated edges and hairy underside
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Seeds are poisonous; raw berries are toxic
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium; prune to contain spread
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rosebay-Rhododendron.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: SB Johnny / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nRosebay rhododendron grows nicely in shade gardens and as border plantings underneath heavily canopied areas of hemlocks, pines, and maples. This broadleaf evergreen boasts dark, blue-green leaves that curl up to protect themselves from cold weather and prominent pink, white, or lavender flowers that grow in bell-shaped clusters.
\n\n\n\nBest as an ornamental planting in a cool, shady yard, this native perennial is not OK with drought, heat, or salt and is susceptible to canker, crown rot, root rot, powdery mildew, and leaf spot, to name a few.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full shade or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, acidic, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 35 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen; leathery feel; dark, blue-green in color
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans, pets, horses, and other animals if ingested.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis attractive shrub, which bears white flowers, dark red berries, and green leaves, is a favorite of racoons — they love feasting on the ripened berry clusters. Also edible to humans, the fruits have been described by many as dry and “astringent.” However, taste is much improved when dried or cooked and turned into wine, jams, or jellies. Be careful not to eat the seeds, though; they are toxic. Chokecherry serves as a host to Eastern tent caterpillars, and when crushed, the twigs emit an unsavory, bittersweet smell.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, limestone-based, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Unpleasant bittersweet smell when twigs are crushed
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; oval, bright green in color; serrated edges
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring to summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Leaves, bark, stem, and seed pit are poisonous/harmful to livestock
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low; prune late winter to early spring
\n\n\n\nStart by assessing the conditions of your property, including the amount of sun it gets, the type of soil, and the existing plant life. Then, find out what specific native plants will be the best fit, considering what purpose you’d like each plant to have (specimen, groundcover, traditional garden, etc.).
\n\n\n\nFor oodles of inspiration, look for ideas at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden, Viles Arboretum, or the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House and Gardens, among others.
\n\n\n\nMaine’s climate includes super cold and snowy winters, with lows hovering around 15 degrees, and mild summers, with highs averaging around 70 degrees. The entire state falls within hardiness zones 3 to 6.
\n\n\n\nOther native planting options include (but are not limited to):
\n\n\n\nIn Maine, September is the ideal time to plant natives, when not planting from seed. This allows the already-sprouted plants to establish a root system in time for winter dormancy. If planting from seed, wait until December, as this is the time when plant self-seeding naturally occurs.
Planting natives has a number of benefits, including:
● being noninvasive
● preserving biodiversity
● being naturally adapted to soil/weather conditions
● providing shelter/food for wildlife and pollinators
● using less water
● requiring less fertilization (if any)
The only turfgrass native to Maine is red fescue; however, there are a variety of native ornamental grasses you can try:
● switchgrass (panicum virgatum)
● yellow prairie grass (sorghastrum nutans)
● Canada wild rye (elymus canadensis)
● little bluestem (schizachyrium scoparium)
Maine is home to approximately 1,500 native plants, and the Wild Seed Project is a popular destination for learning about and purchasing various species of native trees, wildflowers, vines, shrubs, and grasses. Search its native plant finder for details.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, local lawn care professionals can provide yard care assistance via mowing, trimming, and edging the landscape. We have trusted lawn care pros in Scarborough, Wells, and many other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Maine","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1789c/Chokecherry-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/107df/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/293e9/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/f2cbb/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1789c/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/c26c2/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1dd6e/Chokecherry-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/67b76/Chokecherry-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/8df11/Chokecherry-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/98a65/Chokecherry-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1dd6e/Chokecherry-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/3cc96/Chokecherry-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Maine | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ready to grow a more pollinator-friendly, eco-conscious garden? Here, we’ve rounded up a list of 11 best native plants for Maine to get you started."}}},{"node":{"id":"52ed8f94-f8d9-5d2d-af15-b15ec425e7f5","slug":"best-native-plants-oregon","path":"/lawn-care/oregon/best-native-plants-oregon/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Austin Geiger is an avid reader and writer. He has loved to read and write from a young age, and does both daily. His favorite subjects are fantasy and comedy, and he despises run-on sentences.","name":"Austin Geiger","id":"69bc552e-2c03-5c38-acc7-562e86f2a201","path":"/author/austin-geiger/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5baab15ab5786cfd4d2372bb580f441c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"b01c7937-99d7-5473-926c-97b8b9c1c454","name":"Oregon","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/oregon/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"Native plants are a beautiful low-maintenance option if you’re looking to introduce some new flora to your landscape. They’re also beneficial to your local ecosystem and the pollinators that call your area home. Picking out the right ones, however, can be a little tricky. Here are some of the best native plants for Oregon to […]
\n","content":"\nNative plants are a beautiful low-maintenance option if you’re looking to introduce some new flora to your landscape. They’re also beneficial to your local ecosystem and the pollinators that call your area home. Picking out the right ones, however, can be a little tricky. Here are some of the best native plants for Oregon to help you choose your new backyard blooms.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll discuss:
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/800px-Mahonia_aquifolium.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Meggar / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a new plant for your Oregon landscape, there’s none better than the state flower. Oregon grape, also called holly-leaved barberry, is a low-maintenance and drought tolerant evergreen shrub with gorgeous yellow flowers that attract several varieties of pollinators such as honey bees and butterflies. It grows edible berries in the early fall, which are a good food source for local birds.
\n\n\n\nOregon grape is a very hardy plant. It has reasonable water needs and can grow in just about any soil type. It prefers partial sun, so plant it in an area where the sun won’t be beating down on it 24/7, but don’t give it full shade, either. This plant makes a great hedge or ground cover as well as a nice addition to a pollinator garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flowering Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: All. Acidic or neutral pH; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Honey
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Mid spring to winter
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pacific-Bleeding-Heart-Dicentra-formosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\nPacific bleeding heart is an Oregon native wildflower, one with stunning bell-shaped pink flowers. This flower is low-maintenance and a great attractor for pollinators, butterflies and hummingbirds especially. It looks great in flower beds or containers and is a wonderful addition to a pollinator garden.
\n\n\n\nIf you plant bleeding heart, keep in mind that all parts of it are mildly toxic. Touching it may irritate the skin, and if consumed in large amounts, it can do some harm. Make sure to keep pets and small children away from this flower.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, or chalk. Acidic or neutral pH; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Floral
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Mid spring to mid summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Causes skin irritation on contact; poisonous if ingested in large quantities
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Red-Alder-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris Light / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nRed alder is a deciduous broadleaf tree native to Oregon. It has lovely oval-shaped green foliage and grows cones similar to pinecones. This tree can grow up to a mighty 50 feet tall, making it a good centerpiece for your backyard, or can be planted at the edge to provide some shade. Red alder does well in just about any soil and is low-maintenance, even if its water needs are a bit high.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 10
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: All; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: None
\n\n\n\nSeason of Interest: Year-round
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 40 to 50 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: May irritate allergies
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Red-Flowering-Currant-Ribes-sanguineum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed flowering currant is an Oregon native shrub with dark green leaves, beautiful tiny pink flowers that pollinators love, and edible berries that attract birds. It’s a low-maintenance plant that tolerates many different soil types, handles either full or partial sun, and has reasonable water needs. This currant is a great edging plant and makes a good addition to a wildlife or pollinator garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flowering Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: All; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, rosemary
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Early spring to autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 5 to 12 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; the berries are edible
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nootka_rose_and_hip_5984947163.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Leslie Seaton / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-2.0
\n\n\n\nDespite its name, Nootka rose is not a flower. It’s a deciduous shrub native to Oregon, one with beautiful bowl-shaped pink flowers that attract many different pollinators. It grows edible fruit called hips, which bring in local birds.
\n\n\n\nNootka rose is a low-maintenance shrub with good water and sun needs, and it can handle many different soil types. It’s a great edging plant for your property border, though it tends to spread, so make sure it doesn’t take over. It’s a great choice for a pollinator or wildlife garden since many birds and small mammals like to nest in it.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flowering Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: All; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Roses
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 5 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; the fruit it grows is edible
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/15037160035_4ed81031c8_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nVine Maple is another Oregon native shrub, one that’s low-maintenance, has only moderate water needs, and handles either full or partial sun. It has nice green leaves that turn into stunning orange, red, and yellow in the fall. Vine Maple also has tiny purple and white flowers that give way to winged fruit, which attracts many different birds and small mammals.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to use Vine Maple in your landscape, it may be best to use it as an ornamental plant. It’s quite a large shrub, and some specimens will grow tall enough to be considered small trees, so if you can get a big enough plant, you can also use it wherever you would a tree.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flowering Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay or loam; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Maple
\n\n\n\nSeason of Interest: Mid spring to autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 15 to 25 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fawn-Lily.jpg\")
Fawn lily is an Oregon native wildflower with gorgeous upside-down yellow flowers. It’s low-maintenance, can grow in a wide variety of soil types, and likes partial sun. This flower attracts a multitude of different pollinators, including bees, moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which makes it a fantastic choice for a pollinator or wildlife garden.
\n\n\n\nFawn lilies go great in flower beds and containers, and their small size makes them an especially good candidate for window boxes. If you plant them, remember that, like all lilies, they are deathly toxic to cats, so keep any feline friends you have out of the garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: All; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Floral
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Mid to late spring
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 8 inches to 1 foot
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: Toxic to cats
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nOceanspray, also known as ironwood, is an Oregon native flowering shrub with gorgeous clusters of tiny white flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It’s low-maintenance, has low water needs, tolerates many different soil types, and handles either full or partial sun. If you want to use it in your landscape, it makes a good hedge or ornamental plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flowering Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: All; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Floral
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Late spring to summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; the fruit is edible
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pearly-Everlasting.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Franco Folini / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nPearly everlasting is a perennial wildflower native to Oregon. It grows clusters of tiny white flowers that are very attractive to pollinators. This plant is low-maintenance, can handle full or partial sun, and has good water needs. Pearly everlasting looks wonderful in flower beds or containers and goes great in a pollinator or wildlife garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, loam, or sand; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Musky
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Mid summer to autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential Hazards: None; this plant is edible
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Oregon-Sunshine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as golden yarrow or woolly sunflower, Oregon sunshine is an Oregon native perennial wildflower. Its beautiful yellow flowers are very attractive to many different kinds of pollinators. It’s also a very hardy and low-maintenance plant that doesn’t need a lot of water and can handle either full or partial sun.
\n\n\n\nOregon sunshine is a very versatile plant. This flower looks great in flower beds, containers, or window boxes. It’s a great choice for a pollinator garden, a xeriscaped landscape, or any area where you can’t get other plants to grow.
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full to partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam or sand; well-drained but moist soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Floral
\n\n\n\nBloom Time/Season of Interest: Late spring to mid summer
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing new plants for your landscape, the first thing to consider is the environmental conditions it has to offer. If your yard is sunny, for example, you need to be careful not to get plants that do best in the shade. Take note of every condition that would affect your plants and look for ones that match them.
\n\n\n\nOne of the most important aspects is the soil. Composition, pH, and drainage are important for a plant’s health. If you don’t know what kind of soil you have, find out and then look for plants that would grow well in it.
\n\n\n\nAnother good criterion is Oregon’s USDA Hardiness Zone. The Hardiness Zones are used to measure the average minimum temperature in a certain area. Oregon is within zones 4b to 9b, which means that its average minimum temperature is between 30 degrees and negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Any plants native to it will likely fit this zone, but you should check anyway to avoid headaches down the road.
\n\n\n\nAll of the plants on this list are native to Northern, Southern, and Western Oregon. Only Oregon grape, Pacific bleeding heart, red alder, red flowering currant, and vine maple are not native to Eastern Oregon.
If given the right environmental conditions and nutrients, it’s entirely possible that native plants can start to take over your landscape and push others out. Thankfully, it’s a simple matter of making sure those plants don’t spread.
Some Oregon native plants to watch out for are red elderberry, mock orange, bitter cherry, and western sword fern.
If your landscape’s environmental conditions don’t match those of the plants you want, you can try to change them within reason. For example, if your landscape is too shady for your sun-loving Douglas fir, you can cut down some of the branches on other trees that are blocking the sun.
If it’s a small enough plant, you can also put it in a container where you can completely control all the conditions to help them thrive. You likely won’t be able to do this with trees such as dogwoods, madrones, or Oregon white oak, however, there are varieties of large plants and native trees, like Oregon crabapple, that are small enough to fit in pots.
If you’re looking for new native plants for your landscape, a good place to start is your local natural areas. Take a hike through natural parks, like Crater Lake National Park, Willamette Valley, or the Cascades, and take note of some of the native flora you see. To keep from upsetting a delicate ecosystem, however, do not take plants directly from the wild.
\n\n\n\nIn order to ethically and safely obtain native plants, purchase from nurseries endorsed by the Native Plant Society of Oregon. They can help you find beautiful native plants such as manzanitas, serviceberry, columbines, and evergreen huckleberry.
\n\n\n\nIf you need more general lawn care or landscaping help, contact a lawn care professional near you. We have trusted landscaping professionals in Portland and other cities throughout the state that can handle your outdoor needs.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Red-flowering currant / Peter Stevens / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Oregon","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/1789c/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/107df/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg 320w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/293e9/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg 500w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/f2cbb/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg 800w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/1789c/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg 960w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/c26c2/Red-Flowering-Currant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/1dd6e/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/67b76/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp 320w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/8df11/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp 500w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/98a65/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp 800w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/1dd6e/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp 960w,\n/static/db42955d23fbb119976f02dd7d26d59f/3cc96/Red-Flowering-Currant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Oregon | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Native plants are an important part of your local ecosystem. Here are some of the best native plants for Oregon landscapes."}}},{"node":{"id":"f4017392-1394-5b65-b76a-b45b37c6def4","slug":"best-native-plants-michigan","path":"/lawn-care/michigan/best-native-plants-michigan/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tatiana Barrie is a writer with a background in law and tech, passionate about environmental sustainability and animal welfare. When she’s not writing, Tatiana enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and traveling the world.","name":"Tatiana Barrie","id":"8c60c769-47b8-542b-b658-4947278b51c5","path":"/author/tatiana-barrie/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2efff47c9ef277fa369b6224bb184e40?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"75fb394d-179e-5e85-92bb-a24a339af8a6","name":"Michigan","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"Tired of out-of-state friends boasting about their lush gardens while your plants struggle with Michigan’s unpredictable weather? Here’s the solution: native plants. Michigan is home to a wide variety of native species that thrive in its unique climate. In this article, we’ll show you the best native plants for Michigan yards, whether you’re looking for […]
\n","content":"\nTired of out-of-state friends boasting about their lush gardens while your plants struggle with Michigan’s unpredictable weather? Here’s the solution: native plants. Michigan is home to a wide variety of native species that thrive in its unique climate. In this article, we’ll show you the best native plants for Michigan yards, whether you’re looking for vibrant and hardy wildflowers, shrubs, or trees.
\n\n\n\nNot only do native plants make your backyard look like a slice of Pure Michigan paradise super easily, but they also offer many benefits:
\n\n\n\nHere’s what we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Buttonbush-Cephalanthus-occidentalis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe common buttonbush is the perfect addition to any yard near one of Michigan’s lakes or rivers. If you’re nestled along the shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, this shrub will have no trouble adapting to the cooler climate and thriving in the moist soil. If you live near the waters of Lake Michigan, such as in Grand Haven or Holland, this plant will also handle the region’s warmer temperatures with ease.
\n\n\n\nThe common buttonbush is a real showstopper with its unique, spherical white flowers that bloom from June to September. It’s also super versatile and easy to care for. It can grow up to 12 feet tall, so you can place it in the back of a garden bed or as a standalone shrub. However, it may require regular pruning to maintain its shape and prevent it from becoming too large and unruly.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Dried flowers and leaves smell like freshly-mown grass
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 12 ft
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans, pets, and other animals if ingested.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/29347368572_e80467e365_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nKnown for its stunning violet-blue flowers, which bloom from late summer to early fall, the smooth blue aster can be grown anywhere in Michigan. From the rocky soils of the Upper Peninsula to the sandy and loamy soils of the Lower Peninsula, this hardy plant can thrive in a range of environments. It can also adapt to different pH levels, from acidic to slightly alkaline conditions.
\n\n\n\nFor the best flowering display, it’s recommended to provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, so avoid planting it under, so avoid planting it under dense shade or in areas with limited sun exposure. It’s also essential to plant it in an area with good air circulation. This will help prevent the buildup of moisture around the leaves, which can lead to fungal growth.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"dark](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/American_elderberry_Sambucus_canadensis1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rison Thumboor / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nAmerican Black Elderberry is a shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall, with clusters of white flowers that bloom in early summer, followed by dark purple-black berries in late summer or early fall. It’s not only an attractive plant, but also a highly adaptable option. It doesn’t matter if you’re up north in Marquette dealing with colder temperatures or down in Ann Arbor enjoying milder conditions; this plant can thrive in both the Upper Peninsula and the Southern Lower Peninsula.
\n\n\n\nPlus, it’s not picky about soil, so whether you’ve got sandy soil near the Great Lakes shoreline or clay-rich dirt in the heart of Detroit, this plant will feel right at home. Plus, its ability to withstand drought and resist pests means it won’t require a lot of maintenance, making it a great choice for those who want to spend more time enjoying their garden than tending to it.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4a to 10b
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Tolerates a wide variety of wet to dry soils but prefers rich, moist, slightly acid soil.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time (or season of interest, if it doesn’t bloom): May to July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 5 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Raw fruit is inedible to people
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Regular pruning to remove suckers from base of plant
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nThe New England aster is most commonly found in the northern Lower Peninsula and the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. These regions’ well-drained sandy, loam, and clay-rich soils and moderate temperatures allow them to establish strong roots and produce abundant blooms.
\n\n\n\nIt’s a tall, upright plant that typically grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet. Its leaves are lance-shaped and toothed, while its flowers are daisy-like and range in color from pink to purple to blue.
\n\n\n\nGenerally, it’s a healthy, low-maintenance plant that’s not prone to many pests or diseases. However, it’s susceptible to Lygus bugs, so make sure to regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation and use insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or other natural pesticides to control them.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loamy
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer – early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/15326239332_0d1576a4f0_k-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nShowy goldenrod is a versatile plant that can thrive in a variety of Michigan landscapes, but it’s particularly well-suited to the northern and southern regions of the Lower Peninsula. The area’s varied soil composition, ranging from the sandy dunes along the shoreline of Lake Michigan to the fertile loam in the inland areas is the perfect environment for this plant to grow.
\n\n\n\nShowy goldenrod is a low-maintenance plant that can grow up to 5 feet tall and is adorned with bright, golden-yellow flower clusters that bloom from late summer through fall. It’s also deer-resistant, which is a huge advantage if you live in cities with deer overpopulation problems, such as Ann Arbor or Lansing.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3a to 8b
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rocky, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Mild
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: July to September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Medium flammability. Mildly poisonous to some herbivores.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low to Medium; May have to divide it every 2 years for size management.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Boneset.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nKnown for its clusters of tiny, white flowers, the common boneset is a great choice for gardens across the state. As long as the soil is moist enough and the plant receives enough sunlight (at least 4 hours), it can grow anywhere in Michigan.
\n\n\n\nThe common boneset is a hardy wildflower that can handle various soil types, from sandy to clay. Plus, it has an extensive root system that contributes to soil stability and erosion prevention. Now, keep in mind that it can spread aggressively if not kept in check. Therefore, it’s important to monitor its growth and trim it back regularly to prevent it from becoming invasive.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich moist to wet sandy or clay soils; though it can also tolerate dry soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer to early fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: All parts of the plant are poisonous
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Virgins-Bower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Melissa McMasters / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a native plant to cover a fence or climb a pergola, the Virgin’s Bower is a great choice. This native perennial vine is a real showstopper with its clusters of white, star-shaped flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. And, as the seasons change, these flowers transform into fluffy seed heads, adding a unique texture to your garden even as the temperatures start to drop.
\n\n\n\nIt grows best in the Upper Peninsula’s sandy and loamy soils and cooler climate. Now, keep in mind that this plant isn’t a fan of heavy shade, nor does it enjoy basking in the full sun all day. Also, it can also spread quickly and take over other plants in the area. As such, it’s important to monitor the plant’s growth and take steps to control it if necessary, such as by pruning back the vines or removing any seedlings that sprout up in unwanted areas.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organic-rich, well-drained loamy or silty soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 12 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swamp-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed is a perennial herb native to Michigan’s wetland areas, from the marshes and swamps scattered throughout the Upper Peninsula to the inland wetlands and lakeshores in the Lower Peninsula. This means that while this plant is best suited for the southern and central regions of Michigan, it can still grow in the northern areas.
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed is well-known for its vibrant pink flowers with heart-shaped leaves, which have scalloped edges and are covered in soft hairs. It’s a great option if you’re looking to add some wildlife to your backyard – this plant is a favorite among pollinators, particularly the Monarch butterfly. However, you’ll need to keep an eye out for any potential pests, such as aphids and milkweed bugs.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Midsummer to fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals in large quantities
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/35788220756_6c924b709e_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed is a great addition for yards in cities such as Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, or Detroit,. The southern Lower Peninsula‘s climate, with its milder winters and longer growing seasons, provides an ideal environment for this plant to thrive. It can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions: for example, while it prefers full sun exposure, it can tolerate partial shade. It can also grow in different soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.
\n\n\n\nOne of the primary reasons to include butterfly weed in your Michigan garden is its amazing benefit for pollinators. Like the swamp milkweed, this plant plays a critical role in the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. It provides both a nectar source for adult butterflies and a host plant for their larvae. However, it can be slow to establish itself, especially if it’s grown from seed. It may take a few years before the plant reaches its full height and produces an abundance of flowers.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained dry to mid-range soil moist. Loam, sand, or clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet vanilla fragrance
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and pets
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Black-eyed-Susan-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: grassrootsgroundswell / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susans are a common sight in Michigan’s meadows, fields, and along roadside ditches, with their bright yellow petals and dark chocolate centers. They will grow well statewide: they can thrive in a wide range of soil types, including clay-heavy soils found in areas like Oakland County. Plus, those living near Lake Michigan or Lake Huron will appreciate their ability to tolerate occasional salt spray from the lakes.
\n\n\n\nThe ideal growing conditions for black-eyed Susans include plenty of sunlight, but the good news is that they’re quite adaptable. While these hardy wildflowers prefer full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, they can also tolerate some partial shade. However, like common boneset, they can quickly become invasive. You’ll need to stay vigilant in removing unwanted seedlings and managing their growth.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun. Can tolerate some partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry, moist, well drained soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual , Perennial, or Biennial depending on growing conditions
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer to early fall (Jun – Sept)
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. During its first season, it should be irrigated with only one inch of water per week – once established, it’ll be drought-resistant.
\n\n\n\nChoosing the right native plants for your Michigan yard can transform your outdoor space into a flourishing sanctuary that supports local wildlife and requires minimal maintenance. However, to achieve this, it’s essential to consider a few factors before making your selection.
\n\n\n\nHere are some key points to keep in mind:
\n\n\n\nThere are plenty of Detroit native plants. Some of the best options include:
\n\n\n\nMany of the plants we’ve mentioned on this list are also native to Detroit, such as:
\n\n\n\nThe Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to various native plants, such as:
\n\n\n\nFor more information on specific native plant species in the Upper Peninsula, you can refer to Michigan’s University Cooperation Extension Upper Peninsula native plant list.
\n\n\n\nYou can find a wide range of plants native to the southwestern region of Michigan. Some examples include:
\n\n\n\nTrees and shrubs native to Michigan include:
\n\n\n\nOne of the best ways to source these plants is by visiting local nurseries that specialize in native Michigan flora. If you’re not sure where to start, the Michigan Master Gardener Association provides a comprehensive list of native plant suppliers across the state.
\n\n\n\nHowever, incorporating native plants into your landscape is just one aspect of creating a beautiful and thriving outdoor space. Selecting the right Michigan grass type for your yard is also essential for a healthy, lush lawn that complements your native plants. Low-maintenance landscaping techniques, such as hardscaping and mulching, can also help encourage a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space.
\n\n\n\nNow, while you might be tempted to roll up your sleeves and do everything yourself, let’s face it; some things are better left to the pros. From regular mowing and trimming to fertilization, a lawn care pro near you can handle the job. We have trusted pros in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Virgin’s Bower / Under the same moon… / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Michigan","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.2578616352201257,"src":"/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/1789c/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/107df/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/293e9/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/f2cbb/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/1789c/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/c26c2/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/1dd6e/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/67b76/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp 320w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/8df11/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp 500w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/98a65/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp 800w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/1dd6e/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp 960w,\n/static/6f4ff76a1cd0a4927938e600cd9dcfbd/3cc96/50206986947_2232c14d94_k-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Michigan | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Need to spruce up the backyard? Bring some of the Great Lake State’s local beauty to your own yard with these best native plants for Michigan."}}},{"node":{"id":"a7d4f1dc-205b-5939-88f1-10ed1b0aabd9","slug":"low-maintenance-landscaping-alabama","path":"/lawn-care/al/low-maintenance-landscaping-alabama/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"LaShonda Tucker is a freelance writer, poet, and spoken word artist in Atlanta. She earned her masters from the University of Georgia and enjoys playing her violin.","name":"LaShonda Tucker","id":"f7fdb6d3-a89a-5295-963a-aac47afa7cee","path":"/author/lashonda-tucker/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce61747b62dbfb82f56a8611f2835988?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"f574154e-1209-591b-9c1d-0250dfe4c10b","name":"Alabama","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/al/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"After taking in the views at Cheaha State Park, returning to a home landscape that provides the same serenity and aesthetic pleasure is a welcoming thought. We’ve compiled eight low-maintenance landscaping ideas for Alabama homeowners to help you do just that. While you may not be able to duplicate the wonders of Cheaha in your […]
\n","content":"\nAfter taking in the views at Cheaha State Park, returning to a home landscape that provides the same serenity and aesthetic pleasure is a welcoming thought. We’ve compiled eight low-maintenance landscaping ideas for Alabama homeowners to help you do just that. While you may not be able to duplicate the wonders of Cheaha in your yard, you can create a breathtaking landscape that is just as appealing.
\n\n\n\nAnd let’s be honest, the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico is nice, but sometimes the summers get really hot. These ideas will help you stay out of the heat, or at least allow you more time to enjoy the beaches at Gulf State Park when you are outdoors, instead of spending a lot of your time doing yard work. A spectacular-looking yard does not have to mean a lot of sweat and labor.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/36415538275_740f5f1f45_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlanting perennials has many benefits. Annuals only last one season and must be replanted. Perennials, on the other hand, last many seasons after being planted only once. They require maintenance, but usually less than annuals. Most perennials require dividing for healthy growth and continued flowering.
\n\n\n\nMany perennials thrive as long as they receive sunshine and are planted in well-drained soil. The deep root systems of perennials help prevent erosion and promote healthy soil composition.
\n\n\n\nPerennials come in multiple colors, sizes, and textures, so you can have the same diversity as you would with annuals. Planting different perennial varieties means they’ll blossom at different times, giving you a colorful garden longer.
\n\n\n\nCheck out these Alabama hardy native perennials:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of perennials:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost of perennials depends on the plant type and size, purchase location, and if you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional. It costs between $650 and $3,000 for professional flower bed installation, depending on plant type and size, and the number of plants. Expect to pay between $10 to $100 per plant if you’re DIY’ing it. A package of seeds typically costs less than $2.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oakleaf-Hydrangea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: normanack / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFill your flower bed and other areas of your yard with a diverse collection of native plants. From shrubs to sedums to ornamental grasses, native plants add variety, color, and interest to any home.
\n\n\n\nNative plants can make your life a little easier and promote a healthier environment. Most native plants are low maintenance because they have adapted to the Alabama climate. They require less watering and fertilizing and are more tolerant of local diseases and pests. As a result, fewer chemicals are needed to maintain native plants, meaning fewer harmful chemicals run off into the water supply and contaminate the environment.
\n\n\n\nNative plants provide habitat and nourishment for local insects, butterflies, birds, and wildlife, sustaining biodiversity and promoting a healthy ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nHere are some attractive Alabama native plants:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of native plants:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Native plant prices depend on plant type, size, and purchase location. Shrubs cost between $15 to $50. Expect to pay between $5 to $50 per vine. A tree averages between $200 to $1,500.
\n\n\n\n![\"Plants](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Plants-with-Mulch.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMulch is a low-maintenance idea that saves time and money and benefits your soil and plants. Mulch protects the soil from direct sunlight, which reduces water evaporation and conserves water. It also prevents erosion, suppresses weeds, and protects the soil from extreme temperatures that can injure plant roots.
\n\n\n\nWeed suppression means less time and money spent on herbicides. When plant roots are protected from injury, like frost in the winter, you do not have to spend time repairing the damage or replacing plants. When you replace grass in difficult-to-mow areas with mulch, you reduce the time otherwise spent mowing the lawn.
\n\n\n\nYou have two choices for mulch: organic and inorganic. Organic mulch can improve soil quality, aeration, and drainage. As it breaks down, it adds nutrients to the soil. Both organic and inorganic mulch can add aesthetic value to your home.
\n\n\n\nMulch comes in different textures, colors, and styles. Here are some examples:
\n\n\n\nOrganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nInorganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of mulch:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Organic mulch typically costs about $50 to $150 per cubic yard. Inorganic mulch costs about $20 to $400 per cubic yard. You can typically get mulch at $3 to $7 a bag.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fire-Pit.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rochester Concrete Products / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHardscapes are non-living, man-made features. Although they cost more upfront, after they are constructed, they provide years of low-maintenance visual appeal and functionality.
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve installed a flagstone pathway and wrap-around porch as inviting entryways to your home, you’ve created a landscape design that does not need mowing, weeding, or fertilizing. The more hardscapes, the fewer lawn care and gardening tasks you’ll have to do.
\n\n\n\nYou might like some of these hardscape ideas:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of hardscapes:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: It costs an average of $4.50 to $17 per square foot for professional hardscaping, depending on the type of project, or between $3,300 to $13,200 per project. A walkway costs between $335 and $2,840. A retaining wall is one of the more expensive landscape designs, costing between $3,600 to $9,500.
\n\n\n\n![\"Xeriscaping](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Xeriscaping.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jeremy Levine / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nXeriscaping is another landscaping idea that saves water and time. This type of landscaping uses drought-tolerant plants and other low-maintenance features to replace grass. Succulents, native plants, and other plants that require little water, like liriopes, create an efficient and diverse display. Many xeriscaping features require no fertilization and little to no pruning.
\n\n\n\nLet’s look at some ways to xeriscape:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of xeriscaping:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Expect to pay between $5 to $20 per square foot for professional installation, depending on materials, type of feature, and the size of your yard.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lilyturf](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lilyturf-Blooming.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUsing groundcover instead of grass eliminates or reduces the need to mow. Choosing low-maintenance groundcover means less watering, fertilizing, and other activities necessary to maintain grass.
\n\n\n\nYou can replace your grass with plants that are low-maintenance and look like grass, with a touch of color. Liriopes are a category of grass-like plants that also flower. They spread to make an excellent groundcover.
\n\n\n\nLiriopes (Liriope muscari) are not native to Alabama, but some, like monkey grass, are popular amongst Alabama homeowners. Liriope is very low-maintenance. It is drought, heat, and high-traffic tolerant. It suppresses weeds and requires little, if any, fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nMixing different types of groundcover plants can give your yard a more interesting and colorful landscape than having a lawn made of only grass. Groundcover also prevents erosion.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for interesting groundcover to partially or completely replace your grass, you may like these plants that are either drought-tolerant, native to Alabama, or both :
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of groundcovers:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost of groundcover plants depends on the plant type, size, how they’re sold, and purchase location. A container plant costs about $40. Plant trays cost about $10. The same plant may cost between $4 and $400 when sold as seeds, depending on the number of seeds.
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Artificial-Grass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nick Bastian / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArtificial grass means no more mowing, watering, fertilizing, dethatching, or any of those maintenance chores associated with real grass. Although artificial grass is costly initially, you’ll only have to do occasional maintenance, like cleaning it and keeping it free of debris.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll also contribute to a cleaner environment. Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers that would have been used to maintain your lawn will no longer be applied and run off into the water supply.
\n\n\n\nIf you choose artificial turfgrass, be aware that it reduces the nutrients the soil underneath it receives. So, the soil can be damaged.
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of artificial grass:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Expect to pay an average of $5.50 to $19.75 per square foot for artificial grass installation, depending on the material, property size, and yard shape.
\n\n\n\n![\"Showy](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Showy-stonecrop.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kroton / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSucculents are great for low-maintenance landscapes and well-suited for the dry, hot Alabama climate. These plants store water in their stems, roots, and leaves, allowing them to thrive with little watering. They are drought-tolerant and usually require less pruning and fertilization than other plants.
\n\n\n\nSedums are a category of hardy succulents. Not all sedums are succulents, but most are, and they come in multiple colors, sizes, and styles. Their flowers usually blossom late in the growing season, so sedums help you keep some visual excitement in your flower bed a little longer.
\n\n\n\nHere are some sedums and other succulent plants for your Alabama garden bed:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of succulents:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Succulents cost an average of $10 to $75 per plant, depending on plant type and size.
\n\n\n\nPlants native to Alabama thrive best. You can choose non-native plants, but you want to identify options that will grow well in Alabama’s climate. One way to do this is by referring to the plant’s USDA hardiness zone.
Zones indicate the plants that will survive an area’s lowest winter temperatures. Zones differ by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Alabama’s zones are 7b to 8b. So choose plants within your zone for the best success.
Invasive plants can outcompete native plants, causing them to be greatly reduced or completely replaced. This means hummingbirds, insects, and wildlife can no longer depend on native plants for food and habitat. The ecosystem can become unbalanced and some insect and animal species can begin to decrease. Here are some ways to manage invasive plants:
• The best way to keep them from spreading is to remove the plant.
• If the seed has not formed yet, remove the flowers by deadheading.
• Pull up small plants or seedlings.
• Cut down large, woody varieties and treat the stump with an herbicide.
Drip irrigation systems allow homeowners to save water by watering more efficiently. They are excellent choices for xeriscape designs. Drip irrigation systems usually result in using less water than sprinkler irrigation. You can use a simple drip irrigation system under mulch, or a more elaborate system for larger areas.
With these eight ideas, you can create a beautiful landscaping design that reduces the time it takes to keep it healthy and visually appealing. Alabama has over 15 state parks. Why spend your time maintaining your yard when you can spend it enjoying walking trails, beaches, biking, and other recreational activities?
\n\n\n\nIf you’re ready to treat yourself to a well-kept lawn without all the effort, contact a local lawn care professional.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Bellingrath Gardens / Pixabay
\n","title":"8 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Alabama","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/1789c/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/107df/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg 320w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/293e9/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg 500w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/f2cbb/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg 800w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/1789c/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg 960w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/c26c2/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/1dd6e/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/67b76/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp 320w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/8df11/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp 500w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/98a65/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp 800w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/1dd6e/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp 960w,\n/static/3b66aa278d344631f04fbda749a9e0a8/3cc96/Bellingrath-Gardens-Alabama.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Alabama","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Reduce your yard work and increase your free time with these low-maintenance landscaping ideas for your Alabama home."}}},{"node":{"id":"7dfe133b-a954-5af0-93ec-a1c4f4c18bb1","slug":"best-native-plants-connecticut","path":"/lawn-care/ct/best-native-plants-connecticut/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kimberly Magerl enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in her garden. When she isn't gardening, Kimberly enjoys trying new recipes and cooking with her home-grown herbs.","name":"Kimberly Magerl","id":"bdf803c6-4d01-5c0e-88b1-1ea590340a8a","path":"/author/kimberly-magerl/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45ebe89479badde7ee7cb5108a96462c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"e5749cce-e649-530f-ab65-97c08883af12","name":"Connecticut","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ct/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"May 12th, 2023","excerpt":"Connecticut is a small state that has a lot to offer. It is home to beautiful fall foliage, picturesque forests, breathtaking lakes, and silvery beaches. Invite some of the Constitution State’s rich and natural history into your landscape by filling your yard with some of the best native plants in Connecticut. Native plants offer many […]
\n","content":"\nConnecticut is a small state that has a lot to offer. It is home to beautiful fall foliage, picturesque forests, breathtaking lakes, and silvery beaches. Invite some of the Constitution State’s rich and natural history into your landscape by filling your yard with some of the best native plants in Connecticut.
\n\n\n\nNative plants offer many landscaping benefits, including:
\n\n\n\nNative plants promote a healthier Connecticut ecosystem and assist important conservation efforts. Check out these 20 native plants to help you plan your natural landscape.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Andrew Curtis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBearberry, also known as kinnikinick, is a low-growing shrub that grows well in fabricated gardens, slopes, banks, sandy soils, and rocks throughout Connecticut. Trailing evergreen branches with papery red bark and shiny paddle-shaped leaves creep across exposed rocks, forming dense mats.
\n\n\n\nBearberry blooms clusters of small, bell-shaped white and pink flowers in the spring that give way to bright red berries that last into winter, attracting birds and wildlife. It is a hardy and slow-growing shrub that is salt-tolerant and has no pest or disease problems. It is beneficial to local bees and the larval host of the Hoary and Brown Elfin and Freija Fritillary butterflies.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2-6
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-12 inches tall and 15 inches in diameter
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; dry or moist, acidic, sandy or rocky soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: 1 inch of rainfall or water per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible; tasteless; preferred by animals
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed is a native species of milkweed and is extremely important to healthy Connecticut landscapes and conservation efforts. It is an attractive flowering plant, a nectar source for bees and native pollinators, and a host plant for caterpillars, including Monarch, Gray Hairstreak, and Queen butterflies. There are three native species of milkweed wildflowers that grow throughout the Constitution State.
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed produces bright orange or yellow flowers from summer to fall. The attractive plant is hardy and loves full sun. It tolerates most soils but prefers sandy well-draining soil and is moderately drought-tolerant. It makes a great addition to flower beds, pollinator gardens, meadows, and cut flower arrangements.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-4 feet tall and less than 1 foot wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial though some species are annuals
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers dry, sandy soil or gravel
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Semi drought-tolerant; prefers to dry out between waterings
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low toxicity; milky sap irritates humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Goldenrod-Solidago-species-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bob Peterson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCanada goldenrod is a member of the aster family. Also known as giant goldenrod, this herbaceous perennial reaches heights up to 6 feet. Canada goldenrod has fine, leafy stems with tiny yellow flowers on arching branches. Plant specimens in meadows, prairies, pastures, garden beds, and along stream banks.
\n\n\n\nCanada goldenrod blooms in late summer through September, attracting honey bees and local pollinators. It grows well in a range of soils and does not require additional watering outside of natural rainfall. The low-maintenance aster grows throughout the state and is commonly seen growing alongside highways, rural routes, forests, and shorelines.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 6 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; dry or moist, caliche, sandy, sandy-loam, medium-loam, clay-loam, or clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought tolerant; only water during drought conditions when soil is completely dry
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; contains poisonous saponins
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cardinal_flower_Lobelia_cardinalis_027.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nCardinal flower is a showy perennial with bright red, tubular flowers that bloom from May to October. Its unique blooms have spreading lower petals with two upper petals that unite into a tube at the base atop erect stems with pointy leaves.
\n\n\n\nCardinal flowers reach heights up to 6 feet tall. The moisture-loving herbaceous plant grows along the edges of ponds and streams, tolerating occasional flooding. It makes a great addition to rain and pollinator gardens, flower beds, and along the edges of woodlands. Its blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 6 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers moist to wet, rich, medium loam, clay-loam, limestone, sandy, sandy-loam, or clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Prefers moist soil; water deeply twice per week during hot months
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous to humans and animals if consumed in large quantities
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cranberry-Viburnum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCranberry viburnum is a hardy deciduous shrub. It is flood, disease, and insect tolerant. The flowering perennial has a dense growth habit with arching branches and a round outline. It has maple-shaped leaves that turn vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy in the fall.
\n\n\n\nCranberry viburnum grows along slopes, rocky shores, and in shady woods. It blooms clusters of small white flowers in the spring followed by bright red edible fruits that persist through winter. The hardy shrub attracts songbirds, game birds, small mammals, and butterflies. It is the larval host of the Spring Azure butterfly. Plant this dense shrub along forest edges and in hedgerows.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2-7
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-12 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist or wet, well-drained loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water 1 inch per week during dry conditions
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible though may cause discomfort if consumed in large quantities
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Eastern-White-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nEastern white oak is deeply rooted in Connecticut tradition. It is the state tree and a popular shade tree with a long lifespan. It is a large tree, growing upwards of 100 feet or more and 60 to 80 feet wide. These trees have rounded, widespread crowns, scaly gray-brown bark, and gray-red twigs.
\n\n\n\nEastern white oaks produce recognizable lobed leaves that turn burgundy in the fall. The grand deciduous tree is one of the most important oak species, and its wood is used to make furniture, flooring, and other items like wine and whiskey barrels. Its fall acorn fruits attract birds, small mammals, and deer. Plant this shade tree in large back or front yards with ample space. Just be sure to note the deciduous tree drops its leaves in late fall.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 100+ feet tall and 60-80 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; dry or moist, deep, acidic, well-drained, loam, sand, sand-loam, medium-loam, clay-loam, or clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Do not require watering outside of natural rainfall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Little](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Little-Bluestem.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Montrealais / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nLittle bluestem is an ornamental bunchgrass. It forms dense mounds of fine-textured, blue-green foliage. The grass turns shades of vibrant mahogany with cottony white seed tufts in the fall. Little bluestem is important to Connecticut’s ecosystem, attracting native songbirds in the winter.
\n\n\n\nThe ornamental grass is the larval host of many butterflies and moths, including the Ottoe, Indian, Crossline, Dixie, and Dusted Skippers and the Cobweb butterfly. Little bluestem adapts to a range of soil types so long as the space is dry and well-drained. Plant the attractive grass in mass plantings for a great fall visual, along the edges of woodlands, on slopes, or in large flower beds. Little bluestem reseeds itself, making it ill-suited for confined spaces.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 18-24 inches tall and 12 inches in diameter, can reach up to 5 feet tall a
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; dry, well-drained, sand, sand-loam, medium-loam, clay-loam, clay, or limestone soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; only water during drought conditions when soil is completely dry
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-75.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Judy Gallagher / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nMarsh marigold is an herbaceous succulent with thick, heart-shaped leaves and branching stems. Bright yellow, five-petaled flowers bloom in showy clusters in the spring. Marsh marigold is a mounding perennial plant, reaching up to 2 feet tall.
\n\n\n\nThe deciduous succulent’s blooms closely resemble buttercups, attracting birds and local bees. It is a low-maintenance plant that loves moist soils, woodlands, marshes, and stream edges. Grow marsh marigolds in a moist shady spot as part of natural landscapes, mass planting, or specimen plantings.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-7
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-2 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous sometimes evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist to wet, muddy, rich soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Prefers moist soil; water deeply twice per week during hot months
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; raw leaves contain protoanemonin and are poisonous to humans and animals, including livestock
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Mountain-Laurel.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Judy Gallagher / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nMountain-laurel is an evergreen, multi-trunked shrub that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It is Connecticut’s state flower and typically ranges between 10 to 15 feet tall with dense, glossy, dark green leaves. Fragrant lavender or pink flowers, reminiscent of the smell of grape Kool-Aid, bloom in drooping clusters from February to April, followed by semi-woody pods full of red poisonous seeds.
\n\n\n\nThe ornamental shrub is slow-growing, deer-resistant, and drought-tolerant. Mountain-laurel thrives in rocky soils and responds well to pruning. Plant this showy evergreen as part of an animal-free landscape and pollinator garden to attract butterflies.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Drought-tolerant; adaptable; dry or moist, well-drained, rock, sand, sand-loam, medium-loam, clay-loam, or clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; all parts are poisonous to humans and animals; potentially fatal
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Narrow-Leaf-Mountain-Mint.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nNarrow-leaf mountain mint is a compact member of the mint family. Its aromatic and narrow leaves form clumps up to 4r feet tall in rich soil conditions. Clusters of white and lavender flowers bloom in the summer through September, attracting butterflies and honey bees.
\n\n\n\nNarrow-leaf mountain mint attracts deer, small mammals, game birds, and songbirds. It makes a great addition to naturalized landscapes, low-maintenance flower beds, and rain gardens, though it spreads rapidly.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-4 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; dry to moist, acidic soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings; responds best to drip irrigation
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible; leaves can be made into tea or rubbed onto skin as a natural mosquito repellent
\n\n\n\n![\"Light](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nNew England asters are vibrant perennial flowers with showy blooms and a persistent, sometimes aggressive growth habit. The herbaceous flowers produce large purplish-pink blooms with slender petals around a bright yellow center. It has leafy branches that reach up to 6 feet tall and bright green, hairy leaves.
\n\n\n\nNew England aster is commonly found in rocky soils, stream banks, moist wooded areas, and mesic prairies. It prefers partial shade, is an important Connecticut pollinator, and is the larval host for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Plant New England asters in large garden beds, rocky areas, or naturalized landscapes where they have room to spread and enjoy their blooms from August to November or until frost.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 6 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefer moist soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water once or twice weekly in place of regular rainfall to ensure evenly moist soil
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Franco Folini / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nPearly everlasting is another member of the aster family with smaller blooms. It is an erect, herbaceous perennial with soft, cottony stems and a bushy appearance. Pearly everlasting has narrow, grayish-green leaves. The unique flowering plant produces clusters of small pearl-white flowers from June to October.
\n\n\n\nPearly everlasting is an attractive pollinator and the food source and larval host plant for Painted Lady butterflies. It grows best in full sun and dry, rocky soils. It is often found in open woods, dry prairies, and along Connecticut roadsides. Plant pearly everlasting in large garden beds, open rocky areas, and naturalized landscapes.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-7
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, sand or gravel soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; does not require water outside of natural rainfall; water a maximum of twice per month in the summer
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Chokeberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katja Schulz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0v
\n\n\n\nRed chokeberry is a multi-trunked shrub and member of the rose family providing four-season interest for Nutmeggers. White, five-petaled flowers bloom in the spring, giving way to glossy dark green leaves all summer. The leaves turn rich shades of orange and red in the fall and bright red, pear-shaped berries bloom until January.
\n\n\n\nPlant red chokeberry as part of your natural landscape to form a close-knit colony. These multi-seasonal shrubs make great border plants. They prefer full sun and adapt to a range of soil types.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-10 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefer full sun; partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; moist to dry, rich soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Redosier-Dogwood.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nRedosier dogwood is a spreading shrub with a loose growth habit and attractive red twigs. It reaches heights up to 12 feet tall, blooming clusters of white flowers that give way to umbrella-shaped white berries from May through October. Redosier dogwood keeps its leaves through fall, which turn shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy.
\n\n\n\nThe attractive shrub provides many ecological benefits to Connecticut’s landscapes. Preferring partial sun, redosier dogwood makes a great addition to wet areas, river banks, lake and pond shores, and wooded or open landscapes. It is the larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly and attracts waterfowl, marshbirds, shorebirds, and large and small mammals such as deer and squirrels.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2-7
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 12 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial Shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; moist, well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Swamp-Azalea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: HorsePunchKid / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nSwamp azalea, also known as clammy azalea, is an important coastal Connecticut pollinator. Originating near wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes throughout the state, this loose-growing deciduous shrub blooms fragrant white to light pink flowers. Its vibrant spring blooms attract pollinating insects, while the dried stalks provide shelter for songbirds in the winter.
\n\n\n\nSwamp azaleas prefer dappled shade and thrive in the well-drained, rich, moisture-retaining soils found throughout the state. Plant these beautiful blooms as part of mass plantings, woodland gardens, mixed borders, and pollinator gardens. Swamp azalea is one of two native azalea species.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 5 feet tall; can reach up to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Wet, acidic soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous if consumed in large quantities
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed is another important pollinator plant for coastal and wetland Connecticut. Like butterfly weed, it is an herbaceous perennial producing vibrant blooms from June through October. The showy plant blooms small pinkish-purple flowers in tight clusters atop long, branching stems with narrow leaves.
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed has an erect growth habit. It is flood-tolerant and loves moist soils. Like all milkweeds, it is an important host plant and food source for the Monarch and Queen butterflies. Sew this plant from seed in moist landscapes, low areas prone to flooding, moist flower beds, or on the banks of a pond where it will thrive in the muddy clay soil.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-6
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist to wet, rich, muddy, acidic, clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Flood-tolerant; prefers moist soil; does not require water outside of natural rainfall except in the fall or during extreme dry periods
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sweet-Pepperbush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Under the same moon… / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
Sweet pepperbush, also known as summersweet, is an attractive landscape shrub producing visual interest no matter the season. The deciduous perennial produces shiny green leaves in the spring, spiky pink or white flowers in the summer, yellow leaves in the fall, and delicate seed capsules that attract birds and small mammals in the winter.
\n\n\n\nSweet pepperbush grows statewide. It has an open growth pattern and soft texture. The fragrant shrub prefers partial shade and makes a great addition to pollinator gardens, natural landscapes, and mixed borders.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-8 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/image-98.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nTrumpet honeysuckle, or coral honeysuckle, is a twining evergreen clumping vine found climbing the woodlands, forest borders, and roadway banks of Connecticut. It blooms from spring through summer. You can find it crawling trellises, walls, and fences, reaching heights up to 18 feet.
\n\n\n\nTrumpet-shaped red-orange flower clusters grow among dark, shiny leaves, giving way to bright red berries from September to October. Trumpet honeysuckle attracts hummingbirds, songbirds, and other pollinators with its vibrant flowers and fruit.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-18 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen to semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; poisonous to humans and animals if ingested
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild red columbine is a perennial herb and a member of the buttercup family. This Connecticut native grows up to 3 feet tall with showy, tuberous red and yellow blooms that droop, exposing bright yellow stamens. Find this herbaceous flower growing in rich forests and woodlands and along cliffs, river shores, and rocky banks.
\n\n\n\nWild columbine has an erect growth pattern and bright green leaves. Its flowering tubes attract hummingbirds and butterflies and rabbits love to munch on its foliage. This perennial prefers partial shade. Wild red columbine struggles when other plants compete with its root systems and prefer to grow alone as a groundcover in flower beds, at the edges of gardens, or in containers.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-8
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-4 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to full shade; prefers partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers neutral, sandy, well-drained sand, medium loam, sandy loam, or limestone-based soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; does not require additional water outside of nature rainfall unless dry weather persists for a week or more
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Bunch](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Common-Winterberry-Ilex-verticillata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\nWinterberry is a deciduous tree in the holly family. This low-maintenance accent plant is often found near stream banks, ponds, and forest wetlands in the Nutmeg State. It grows well in mass plantings, shrub borders, wet soils, and near water.
\n\n\n\nWinterberry is the hardiest of all native hollies. Green and white-hued flowers bloom in June while some plants produce bright red berries in late summer that last through winter, attracting birds and wildlife. Winterberry is resistant to both pests and diseases.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Small tree or large shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-10 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to full shade; prefers partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers moist, acidic, sand, loam, medium-loam, clay-loam, or clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High; ensure the soil is moist; water once per day during dry periods in spring and summer
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Moderate toxicity; fruits and foliage poisonous to humans
\n\n\n\nNative plants have specific needs depending on the type and species you select. Your yard has its own unique microclimate, and not all native plants will grow well in your landscape. Select plants suitable for the sun exposure, soil, and water capabilities of your landscape.
\n\n\n\nConnecticut sits in USDA Hardiness Zones 5b to 6b, indicating the coldest annual temperature is -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit in the northernmost portion of the state. The majority of the Nutmeg State falls within zone 6a, with coastal areas falling into zone 6b. Connecticut native plants are cold-hardy to the minimum temperature in the hardiness zones. Keep your zone in mind when selecting non-native plants for your landscape.
\n\n\n\nPlant deciduous plants and broadleaf evergreens in early spring after the last frost and conifers in early fall. Plant anytime during the frost-free Connecticut growing season from early May to mid-October.
Connecticut’s diverse landscape is home to many soil types including loose stones and gravel, rich saturated soils, alluvial sediments, disturbed loams, gravelly sand, and more. There are even areas of the state where solid bedrock lies just 2 to 3 feet below the surface.
The best way to identify your landscape’s soil type is to send a soil sample in for testing to your local testing laboratory.
Early morning is the best time to water your native plants. Winds are calmer and temperatures are lower, so there is less risk of water loss from evaporation or scorching from the sun. Additionally, foliage needs time to dry before nightfall. Wet foliage can lead to disease and rot.
Chances are good you already have native plants in your yard or around your neighborhood. If you want to introduce more plants into your Connecticut landscape, be sure to source your plants ethically and never transplant them from the wild.
\n\n\n\nFilling your yard with native plants is only one step in your landscaping design project. Be sure to maintain your new landscape by understanding your yard’s grass type.
\n\n\n\nNo matter where you are in the Nutmeg State, you can turn over your lawn upkeep to a professional. Let WikiLawn connect you with a local landscaping pro in your area so you can spend more time soaking up your state’s rich history.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Pxfuel
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