Native Plant List for Illinois, Iowa & Missouri
Last updated: November 12, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Illinois, Iowa & Missouri. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
See Also:
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Illinois Native Plants for Landscaping with Pictures
Native Plants of Iowa for Landscaping
Native Missouri Plants for Landscaping with Pictures
Illinois, Iowa & Missouri Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black maple | Acer nigrum | F-P | A | 60-80 ft | Like Sugar Maple but tolerates alkaline, clay soils |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | W-D | 50–75 ft | Buds & young twigs are red; great red fall color |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | F-P | A | 50–75 ft | Excellent fall color; produces maple syrup |
| Ohio Buckeye | Aesculus glabra | F-P | A | 30–50 ft | Yellow flowers; yellow/orange fall color; nuts messy |
| Hercules' Club | Aralia spinosa | F-S | A-D | 10–20 ft | Thorny; attracts birds/butterflies; yellow-red fall foliage |
| Pawpaw | Asimina triloba | P-S | A | 40 ft | Unique fruit resembles & tests like banana |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40–70 ft | Modest yellow fall color; seed attracts birds |
| Water Hickory | Carya aquatica | F-P | W-A | 60-100 ft | Bottomland tree of flooded clay flats and sloughs; bitter inedible nut |
| Pecan | Carya illinoinensis | F | A-W | 70-100 ft | Large bottomland tree; needs 2nd tree to pollinate well |
| Red Hickory | Carya ovalis | F-P | A-D | 60-100 ft | Deep taproot; reddish inner bark; sweet nuts; dry uplands |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata | F-P | A | 70–90 ft | Yellow to gold-brown fall color; Squirrels eat nuts |
| Sand Hickory | Carya pallida | F-P | D | 50-70 ft | Deep dry sand only; pale-scaled leaflets; small sweet nuts |
| Black Hickory | Carya texana | F-P | D | 40-70 ft | Dark diamond bark; dry rocky soils; cross timbers tree |
| Mockernut Hickory | Carya tomentosa | F-P | A-D | 50-80 ft | Slow-growing; thick-shelled nuts; very dry-tolerant on uplands |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentata | F-P | A | 60–100 ft | Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now |
| Ozark Chinquapin | Castanea ozarkensis | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft (shrub form) | Rare native chestnut, blight-suppressed; dry Ozark-Ouachita ridges |
| Northern Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | F-P | A-W | 40–70 ft | Fast grower; huge leaves; long pods; brittle wood; small native range |
| Dwarf Hackberry | Celtis tenuifolia | F-P | D-A | 15-30 ft | Small, rare limestone-loving hackberry; butterfly host |
| Rough-leaved Dogwood | Cornus drummondii | F | D | 20 ft | White flowers in spring |
| Stiff Dogwood | Cornus foemina | F-P | A-W | 10–25 ft | Wetland shrub; white spring flowers, blue fall berries |
| American Smoke Tree | Cotinus obovatus | F-P | D | 20-30 ft | Rare on limestone glades; slow-growing; brilliant fall color |
| Barberry Hawthorn | Crataegus berberifolia | F-P | A | 15-30 ft | Stout thorns; orange-red fruit varies by tree; living hedge |
| Pear Hawthorn | Crataegus calpodendron | F-P | A | 15-25 ft | Late-blooming; pear-shaped fruit persists into winter for birds |
| Fireberry Hawthorn | Crataegus chrysocarpa | F-P | A | 6-20 ft | Drought-tolerant thorny shrub; long-lasting red fruit |
| Scarlet Hawthorn | Crataegus coccinea | F-P | A-D | 20-35 ft | Also sold as C. pedicellata; glossy red fruit persists for birds |
| Kansas Hawthorn | Crataegus coccinioides | F-P | A-D | 13-23 ft | Unusually large showy flowers; pink-crimson fruit, not just KS native |
| Bigfruit Hawthorn | Crataegus macrosperma | F-P | A-D | 10-23 ft | Early spring bloomer; tolerates clay soils; red fruit for birds |
| Frosted Hawthorn | Crataegus pruinosa | F-P | A-D | 7-23 ft | Thorny thicket tree; waxy-coated fruit persists into winter for birds |
| Dotted Hawthorn | Crataegus punctata | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Thorny, flat-topped crown; red fruit persists, feeds birds in winter |
| Reverchon Hawthorn | Crataegus reverchonii | F-P | A-D | 10-20 ft | Thorny thicket-forming native hawthorn; Cross Timbers/prairie edges |
| Littlehip Hawthorn | Crataegus spathulata | P-S | A | 20-25 ft | Shade-tolerant; multicolored exfoliating bark; small red haws |
| Fleshy Hawthorn | Crataegus succulenta | F-P | A-W | 13-26 ft | Most wide-ranging US hawthorn; thorny thicket shrub, red fleshy fruit |
| Green hawthorn | Crataegus viridis | F-P | A-W | 20-35 ft | Small tree, white spring flowers, red fruit holds into winter |
| Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | F-S | D-A | 30–50 ft | Yellow, orange to mauve fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F-P | A | 60–80 ft | Yellow, maroon to purple fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| Black Ash | Fraxinus nigra | F-P | W | 40-60 ft | Swamp tree; Critically Endangered due to emerald ash borer |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | F-P | A | 50–60 ft | Grows fast; yellow fall color |
| Pumpkin Ash | Fraxinus profunda | F-P | W | 80-100 ft | Largest swamp ash; buttressed trunk; velvety twigs; uncommon |
| Blue Ash | Fraxinus quadrangulata | F-P | A-D | 50-70 ft | Four-angled corky twigs; limestone soils; borer-tolerant ash |
| Water Locust | Gleditsia aquatica | F-P | W | 30-60 ft | Deep-swamp tree; floating pods; thorny trunk; needs standing water |
| Kentucky Coffee Tree | Gymnocladus dioica | F | A | 60–75 ft | Doubly-compound leaves; pods on female trees messy |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | F | A | 40-60 ft | Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease |
| Ashe Juniper | Juniperus ashei | F-P | D | 15-30 ft | Rocky limestone soils; key warbler habitat; causes cedar fever |
| Sweet Crabapple | Malus coronaria | F-P | A | 15-30 ft | Fragrant pink spring blooms; sour fruit feeds birds; forms thickets |
| Water Tupelo | Nyssa aquatica | F-P | W | 80–100 ft | Swamp tree with buttressed base; source of tupelo honey |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F | A-D | 30–60 ft | Scarlet red autumn color |
| Short-leaf Pine | Pinus echinata | F-P | D | 80–90 ft | Dark blue-green needles; seed eaten by birds |
| Water Elm | Planera aquatica | F-P | W | 30-50 ft | Flood-tolerant swamp tree; bristly bur-like fruit |
| American Sycamore | Plantus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70–90 ft | Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark |
| Native Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | F | A | 70–90 ft | Modest fall color; can be messy |
| Swamp Cottonwood | Populus heterophylla | F-P | W | 60-90 ft | Fast-growing obligate wetland tree; heart-shaped leaves; cottony seeds |
| Chickasaw Plum | Prunus angustifolia | F-P | A-D | 6–25 ft | Thorny thicket-forming plum; early white bloom, red-orange fruit |
| Hortulan Plum | Prunus hortulana | F-P | A | 20–30 ft | Midwest native plum; sweet fruit, good for fresh eating & preserves |
| Mexican Plum | Prunus mexicana | F-P | A-D | 15-25 ft | Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife |
| Wild Goose Plum | Prunus munsoniana | F | A-D | 10-25 ft | Thicket-forming plum; heavy crops of early red fruit |
| Canada Plum | Prunus nigra | F-P | A-W | 15–30 ft | Very cold-hardy thicket plum; fragrant bloom, tart fruit |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | D | 50–80 ft | Messy tree; small edible berries in summer attract birds |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60–90 ft | Brown, red, wine fall color; acorns attract birds/squirrels |
| Northern Pin Oak | Quercus ellipsoidalis | F | D | 50-70 ft | Red fall color; dry sandy soil; avoid pruning in summer (oak wilt) |
| Shingle Oak | Quercus imbricaria | F | A-W | 50-65 ft | Willow-like unlobed leaves; tolerates clay/wet soil; avoid spring cuts |
| Overcup Oak | Quercus lyrata | F | A-W | 40-60 ft | Bottomland tree; flood-tolerant; acorn cup encloses most of nut |
| Bur Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | F | W-D | 60–75 ft | Mild yellow-brown fall color; most widespread oak |
| Sand Post Oak | Quercus margarettae | F | D | 15-40 ft | Deep sand specialist; slow-growing; acorns take 20-30 yrs |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | F | A-D | 20–50 ft | Tolerates poor, dry, rocky soil; very slow-growing |
| Chinkapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife |
| Water Oak | Quercus nigra | F-P | A-W | 50–80 ft | Fast-growing oak; weak wood, short-lived; heavy acorn producer |
| Dwarf Chinkapin Oak | Quercus prinoides | F-P | D-A | 4-6 ft | Clonal shrub oak; sweet acorns; thrives in dry sandy/rocky soil |
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | F-P | A | 60-100 ft | Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil |
| Swamp Post Oak | Quercus similis | F | W-A | 50-80 ft | Bottomland oak for wet, calcareous soils; slow-growing, long-lived |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | F-P | A-D | 30–50 ft | Fast nitrogen-fixer; suckers freely; toxic parts; Appalachian/Ozark |
| Peachleaf Willow | Salix amygdaloides | F | W-A | 13-66 ft | Largest native prairie willow; streambanks, fast-growing, short-lived |
| Bebb Willow | Salix bebbiana | F-P | A-W | 5-20 ft | Fast-growing wetland shrub; early bee forage; tolerates heavy soils |
| Heartleaf Willow | Salix eriocephala | F-P | A-W | 10-20 ft | Shrubby wetland willow; silky catkins; roots easily from cuttings |
| Buckthorn Bumelia | Sideroxylon lycioides | F-P | A-W | 15-30 ft | Thorny, glossy leaves; fragrant late-summer blooms; wet-to-dry |
| Bigleaf Snowbell | Styrax grandifolius | P-S | A-D | 10-20 ft | Understory tree; shade-loving; showy spring flowers; low sun tol. |
| Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | F | A-W | 50–75 ft | Deciduous needles change to russett in fall then fall off |
| American Basswood | Tilia americana | P-S | A-W | 60–80 ft | Wood used for carving; nector makes honey; seeds |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | F-P | A | 40-60 ft | Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk |
| September Elm | Ulmus serotina | F-P | A-D | 40-70 ft | Only native elm that flowers in fall; limestone bluffs |
| Rock Elm | Ulmus thomasii | F-P | A-D | 60-80 ft | Corky-winged bark; dry rocky uplands; tougher wood than American elm |
| Prickly Ash | Zanthoxylum americanum | P-S | A | 6-15 ft | Thorny thicket shrub; host plant for giant swallowtail butterflies |
Illinois, Iowa & Missouri Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Buckeye | Aesculus pavia | P-F | A | 10–20 ft | Erect clusters of red flowers; poisonous nuts are messy |
| Smooth Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-S | W | 15–20 ft | Yellow & orange fall color; fruit eaten by birds |
| Roundleaf Serviceberry | Amelanchier sanguinea | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit |
| Lead Plant | Amorpha canescens | F | A-D | 24–36 in | Iridescent purple flowers, silvery foliage; fixes nitrogen |
| Indigo Bush | Amorpha fruticosa | P | A-W | 6–20 ft | Butterflies are attracted to flower spikes; prune early |
| Bog Birch | Betula pumila | F-P | W | 2-10 ft | Wetland obligate shrub; calcareous fens & bogs; not for dry sites |
| American Beauty Berry | Callicarpa americana | F-P | D-A | 4–6 ft | Clusters of pink-purple berries attract birds |
| Shellbark Hickory | Carya laciniosa | F | A-W | 70–90 ft | Yellow to golden-bronze fall color. nuts can be messy |
| New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americanus | F-P | D | 36 in | Short spikes of tiny white flowers in June |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W | 6–12 ft | Goldball-like fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Leatherleaf | Chamaedaphne calyculata | F-P | W | 1-3 ft | Evergreen bog shrub; acidic, saturated soil; early white flowers |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6–15 ft | Flat white flower head mid spring, not fragrant |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | F-S | D-A | 25–30 ft | White flowers in spring; berries attract birds |
| Hazelnut | Corylus americana | F-S | A | 12–15 ft | Edible nuts; suckering |
| Swamp Loosestrife | Decodon verticillatus | F-P | W | 3-8 ft | Wetland shrub for pond margins; tolerates standing water |
| Northern Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla lonicera | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Suckering shrub for dry rocky sites; yellow flowers age red |
| Trailing Arbutus | Epigaea repens | P-S | A | 4-6 in | Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild |
| Strawberry Bush | Euonymus americanus | P-S | A | 4–6 ft | In Sept bumpy scarlet fruit capsules open to red seeds |
| Wahoo | Euonymus atropurpureus | F-S | A | 20 ft | Red fruit enjoyed by birds; bright red fall foliage |
| Swamp Privet | Forestiera acuminata | F-P | W-A | 10-20 ft | Wetland shrub; tolerates standing water; blooms before leaves |
| Ozark | Hamamelis vernalis | F-P | A-D | 6–10 ft | Yellow, orange, red fragrant flowers in winter to spring |
| Wild Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens | P-S | A | 3–6 ft | Clusters of Greenish-white flowers Jun-Jul |
| Shrubby St. Johns Wort | Hypericum prolificum | F | A-D | 1–4 ft | Bright yellow flowers |
| Deciduous Holly | Ilex decidua | F-P | A | 12 ft | Drops it's leaves to reveal showy red berries on females |
| Spice Bush | Lindera benzoin | P-S | A | 6–12 ft | Tiny fragrant yellow flowers; berries for birds |
| Staggerbush | Lyonia mariana | F-P | A-D | 2-6 ft | Needs dry, sandy, acidic soil; avoid clay and lime |
| Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | F-P | A-D | 5–10 ft | Wild plants have green leaves; purple forms are cultivars. Dry seed follicles, not berries. |
| Wild Plum | Prunus spp. | F-P | A-D | 25 ft | Edible fruit attracts wildlife |
| Hop Tree | Ptelea trifoliata | F-S | A | 15–20 ft | Small greenish-white fragrant flowers; yellow fall color |
| Indian Cherry | Rhamnus caroliniana | P-S | A-D | 15–25 ft | Beautiful sweet fruit turns red to black; orange fall color |
| Roseshell Azalea | Rhododendron prinophyllum | F-P | A-D | 4-8 ft | Fragrant pink azalea; disjunct range, tolerates drier rocky sites |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F-P | D | 2–6 ft | Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F | D-A | 9–15 ft | Velvety red fruit on female plants persists into winter |
| Golden Currant | Ribes odoratum | F-P | A | 6–12 ft | Many yellow flowers in spring, strong clove scent, berrie |
| Prairie Wild Rose | Rosa arkansana | F-P | A-D | 12–36 in | Prickly-stemmed beautiful pink flowers w/yellow centers |
| Pasture Rose | Rosa carolina | F-P | D-A | 12–36 in | 1" pink flowers in July |
| White Prairie Rose | Rosa foliolosa | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Low, nearly thornless suckering rose; dry prairies/limestone hills |
| Northern Dewberry | Rubus flagellaris | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft) | Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | F-P | A | 3-6 ft | Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F-S | A-W | 5–12 ft | Showy white flowers in July; edible fruit in Sept |
| Three-Toothed Cinquefoil | Sibbaldiopsis tridentata | F-P | A-D | 2-6 in | Evergreen mat for rocky, lean soil; rare/high-elev only south of VA |
| Meadow-sweet | Spirea alba | F | A | 6 ft | Attracts butterflies; white blooms Jul-Aug |
| Poison Sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | F-P | W | 6-30 ft | Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant |
| Downy Arrowwood | Viburnum rafinesqueanum | F-P | A-D | 4–8 ft | Compact native viburnum for dry shade; fall color |
Illinois, Iowa & Missouri Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavender Hyssop / Anise Hyssop | Agastache foeniculum | F-P | D-A | 2-4 ft | Fragrant, long-blooming prairie native; superb bee and butterfly plant |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A-W | 1-4 ft | Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome |
| Nodding Wild Onion | Allium cernuum | F-P | A-D | 8–20 in | Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant |
| Narrowleaf Bluestar | Amsonia ciliata | F-P | D-A | 1.5-2 ft | Thread-like foliage; blue flowers; gold fall color; deer-proof |
| Wood Anemone | Anemone quinquefolia | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer |
| Field Pussytoes | Antennaria neglecta | F-P | D-A | 2–12 in | Drought-tolerant mat-forming groundcover; host plant for American lady |
| Mountain Death Camas | Anticlea elegans | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with edible Camassia |
| Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | S-F | A-D | 24–36 in | Interesting red & yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Wild Sarsaparilla | Aralia nudicaulis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadense | S | A | 4–6 in | Deciduous groundcover; soft, hairy heart-shaped leaves |
| Showy Milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Monarch host plant; toxic sap; spreads by rhizome |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F-P | A | 24–36 in | Clusters of brilliant orange flowers attract butterflies |
| New England Aster | Aster novae-angliae | F-P | A | 3⅓–5 ft | Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late summer |
| Blue Wild Indigo | Baptisia australis | F | A-D | 2½–5 ft | Blue spikes of pea-shaped flowers; compound foliage |
| Yellow Wild Indigo | Baptisia sphaerocarpa | F | A-D | 2–3 ft | Deep-rooted prairie legume; do not transplant once established |
| American Sea Rocket | Cakile edentula | F | D | 6-18 in | Annual beach dune pioneer; salt-tolerant; not native on Pacific coast |
| Wild Calla | Calla palustris | P-S | W | 6-12 in | Bog/pond-margin arum; needs saturated soil or shallow water |
| Bush's Poppy Mallow | Callirhoe bushii | F-P | D | 1-2 ft | Rare Ozark wildflower; sprawling, magenta blooms, needs rocky drainage |
| Creeping Sedge | Carex laxiculmis | P-S | A-D | 0.3–1.5 ft | Evergreen dry-shade sedge; slow clumping groundcover, deer resistant |
| Seersucker Sedge | Carex plantaginea | P-S | A | 8–12 in | Puckered-leaf shade sedge; rich moist soil, slow clump, deer resistant |
| Indian Paintbrush | Castilleja coccinea | F | D-A | 10–20 in | Upper leaves are deeply cleft, red-orange-pink in color |
| Rose Turtlehead | Chelone obliqua | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Late-summer hooded pink flowers; bumblebee favorite for moist soil |
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta maculata | F-P | W | 3-6 ft | Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens |
| Atlantic Pigeonwings | Clitoria mariana | F-P | D | 1–2 ft | Twining vine; dry sandy/rocky soil; showy upright lavender flowers |
| Large-flowered Coreopsis | Coreopsis grandiflora | F-P | A-D | 1-2 ft | Short-lived perennial, self-seeds readily; lean sandy soil |
| Plains Coreopsis | Coreopsis tinctoria | F | D-A | 2–4 ft | Reseeding annual, not a persistent perennial; yellow-maroon flowers; prefers adequate moisture with drainage |
| American Dittany | Cunila origanoides | F-P | A-D | 8-18 in | Fragrant, late-blooming; needs lean rocky soil, not rich beds |
| Carolina Larkspur | Delphinium carolinianum | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Toxic to livestock & pets; blue flowers; dry, sharp drainage |
| Tall Larkspur | Delphinium exaltatum | F-P | A | 4–6 ft | Spikes of bright blue flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Squirrel Corn | Dicentra canadensis | P-S | A | 6–10 in | Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant |
| Shooting Star | Dodecatheon meadia | F-P | D-A | 10–16 in | Delicate white to pink petals; red & yellow centers |
| Yellow Coneflower | Echinacea paradoxa | F | D | 2–3 ft | Ozark glade endemic; bright yellow blooms; needs sharp drainage |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | F-P | A | 30–40 in | Daisy-like flower with rose-purple rays; lengthy bloom |
| Glade Coneflower | Echinacea simulata | F | D-A | 2–4 ft | Glade specialist; full sun, rocky soil; never collect wild. |
| White Trout Lily | Erythronium albidum | P-S | A | 4–10 in | Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild |
| Sweet Joe-Pye Weed | Eutrochium purpureum (syn. Eupatorium purpureum) | F-P | A | 5–7 ft | Large pink flowers attract butterflies in droves Aug-Sept |
| Queen of the Prairie | Filipendula rubra | F-P | A | 4–5 ft | Showy large pink plumes Jun-Jul |
| Sweet-scented Bedstraw | Galium triflorum | P-S | A | 6-24 in trailing groundcover | Fragrant shade groundcover for rich, consistently moist soil |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 16–22 in | 1" lavender purple slowers in the spring |
| Prairie Smoke | Geum triflorum | F | A-D | 6–16 in | Feathery pink seedheads are beautiful in spring |
| Indian Physic | Gillenia stipulata | P-S | D-A | 2-3 ft | Airy white flowers; dry shade perennial; root historically emetic |
| Dakota Mock Vervain | Glandularia bipinnatifida | F-P | D-A | 6–12 in | Great Plains native; long-blooming; pink-purple mat |
| Woodland Sunflower | Helianthus divaricatus | F-P | A-D | 2½–6 ft | Rhizomatous colonizer for dry shade; yellow blooms July–Sept |
| Western Sunflower | Helianthus occidentalis | F-P | A-D | 2–4 ft | Naked flower stalk above basal rosette; dry sun, not aggressive |
| Cow parsnip | Heracleum maximum | F-P | A-W | 4-8 ft | Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun |
| Hairy Alumroot | Heuchera villosa | P-S | A-D | 8-12 in (to 3 ft bloom) | Rock-dwelling native parent of 'Bronze Wave' & other cultivars |
| Halberd-leaf Rosemallow | Hibiscus laevis | F-P | W-A | 3-6 ft | Wetland perennial; not for standing water over crown |
| Zigzag Iris | Iris brevicaulis | F-P | A-W | 8-20 in | Shade-tolerant wild iris; violet-blue blooms; rhizomes toxic |
| Crested Iris | Iris cristata | F-P | D-A | 5–10 in | Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May |
| Copper Iris | Iris fulva | F-P | A | 18–24 in | Beardless, crestless flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Dwarf Violet Iris | Iris verna | P | D-A | 4-6 in | Tiny fragrant woodland iris; needs sandy, dry, well-drained soil |
| Tall Blue Lettuce | Lactuca biennis | F-P | A-W | 3–8 ft | Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin |
| Wood Nettle | Laportea canadensis | P-S | A-W | 1-5 ft | Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host |
| Cusp Blazing Star | Liatris mucronata | F | A-D | 1–3 ft | Rocky-soil fall bloomer on a deep corm; key late nectar for monarchs |
| Eastern Blazing Star | Liatris scariosa | F-P | D-A | 2–5 ft | Broad L. scariosa incl. var. nieuwlandii; native IL/MO; verify Iowa locally. |
| Twinflower | Linnaea borealis | P-S | A-W | 2-4 in | Evergreen groundcover for cool, acidic, shaded sites; slow to spread |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | A | 2–4½ ft | Terminal clusters of bright red 1.5" flowers in fall |
| Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | F-P | A | 12–24 in | Elongated clusters of pale to dark blue flowers sum-fall |
| Lanceleaf Loosestrife | Lysimachia lanceolata | P-F | A-W | 1-2 ft | Nodding yellow blooms on prairie perennial; needs consistent moisture |
| Starry False Lily | Maianthemum stellatum | P-S | A-D | 8-18 in | Rhizomatous woodland groundcover; starry flowers; berries inedible |
| American Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | F-P | W-A | 6in-2ft | Native wetland mint; spreads by rhizome; flowers at leaf joints |
| Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | F-S | A | 12–24 in | Pink flowers buds open to sky blue flowers Mar-Apr |
| Sensitive Briar | Mimosa quadrivalvis | F-P | D-A | 3–4 ft | Leaflets fold when touched; ball-shaped flower heads |
| Winged Monkeyflower | Mimulus alatus | P-S | W-A | 1-3 ft | Wet-soil wildflower; violet blooms July-Sept; shade to part shade |
| White Four O'Clock | Mirabilis albida | F-P | D | 1-2.5 ft | Prairie taproot perennial, evening pink blooms; very drought tolerant |
| Lemon Beebalm | Monarda citriodora | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | Aromatic annual wildflower; reseeds freely; magnet for native bees |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | F-P | A | 3–4 ft | Intricate lavender flowers attract butterflies Jul-Sep |
| Spotted Beebalm | Monarda punctata | F | D | 1-3 ft | Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees |
| Indian Pipe | Monotropa uniflora | S | A-W | 3-10 in | Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant |
| American Lotus | Nelumbo lutea | F | W | Leaves/flowers 1-6 ft above water | Aquatic perennial; large ponds/lakes only |
| American White Waterlily | Nymphaea odorata | F | W | Floating leaves; no emergent height | Aquatic perennial; still water 1-4 ft deep |
| Missouri Primrose | Oenothera macrocarpa | F | D-A | 6–12 in | 3-4" lemon-yellow flowers |
| Pink Primrose | Oenothera speciosa | F | D-A | 12–20 in | Spreads vigorously; native IA/MO, introduced IL (Kew). |
| Scarlet Beeblossom | Oenothera suffrutescens | F | D | 1–3 ft | Full sun, dry soil; moths pollinate; spreads by rhizomes |
| Eastern Prickly-pear | Opuntia humifusa | F | D | 4–12 in (spreads 2–6 ft) | Native cactus, yellow flowers, sharp glochids, sandy/rocky soil |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| Small Palafox | Palafoxia callosa | F | A-D | 1-2 ft | Annual wildflower; pink fading white blooms Aug-Oct; rocky soil |
| American Ginseng | Panax quinquefolius | P-S | A | 8-24 in | Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock |
| Wild Quinine | Parthenium integrifolium | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves |
| Foxglove Beardtongue | Penstemon digitalis | F-P | A | 2½–4⅙ ft | Long-blooming pure white flowers Jun-Jul |
| Fameflower | Phemeranthus calycinus | F | D | 4-10 in | Rock-garden succulent; afternoon magenta blooms; needs sharp drainage |
| Sand Phlox | Phlox bifida | F-P | A-D | 4–12 in | Mat-forming; deeply notched lavender flowers; needs sharp drainage |
| Wild Sweet William | Phlox divaricata | F-S | A | 12–16 in | Covered with 1.5" lavender to pink flowers in spring |
| Spotted Phlox | Phlox maculata | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Fragrant pink wet-meadow perennial; blooms June-Aug |
| Texas Frogfruit | Phyla nodiflora | F-P | W-D | 2-6 in, spreading 3+ ft | Mat-forming lawn alternative; butterfly host; tolerates mowing |
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | F-P | A | 4-10 ft | Poisonous perennial; exceptional fall bird food; self-sows |
| Jacob's Ladder | Polemonium reptans | S | A | 12–18 in | Terminal clusters of light blue bell-shaped flowers Apr |
| Common Cinquefoil | Potentilla simplex | F-P | A-D | 4-10 in | Mat-forming groundcover; tolerates mowing, poor soil; deer resistant |
| Rabbit Tobacco | Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Annual/biennial; dry poor soils; cream everlasting flowers fall |
| Gray-headed Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | F-P | A-D | 3-5 ft | Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent |
| Orange Coneflower | Rudbeckia fulgida | F-P | A-W | 18-36 in | Long-blooming rhizomatous native; good pollinator & finch food plant |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | F-P | A | 24–36 in | 2-4" flower heads with 10-20 bright yellow petals |
| Missouri Coneflower | Rudbeckia missouriensis | F | A-D | 2–3 ft | Late-blooming, drought-tolerant glade/prairie coneflower |
| Sweet Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia subtomentosa | F-P | A-W | 3-6 ft | Fragrant foliage, long bloom; prefers consistently moist soil |
| Carolina Wild Petunia | Ruellia caroliniensis | P-F | A-D | 1–2 ft | Dry-shade wildflower; daily lavender blooms, buckeye butterfly host |
| Wild Petunia | Ruellia humilis | F-P | D-A | 6-18 in | Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, butterfly host plant |
| Smooth Ruellia | Ruellia strepens | P-S | A-W | 1–3 ft | Shade-tolerant bottomland wildflower; long bloom, buckeye host |
| Lyreleaf Sage | Salvia lyrata | F-P | A-D | 0.5-2 ft | Flat lobed rosette; lavender spikes; tolerates mowing, self-seeds |
| Widow's Cross | Sedum pulchellum | F | A-D | 4-8 in | Winter annual on limestone glades/outcrops; pink-white star flowers |
| Royal Catchfly | Silene regia | F | A | 2-5 ft | Scarlet prairie flower; hummingbird magnet; rare, use nursery stock |
| Fire Pink | Silene virginica | F-P | D-A | 10–16 in | Deep red star-like flowers draw hummingbirds Apr-May |
| Prairie Dock | Silphium terebinthinaceum | F | A | 4-10 ft | Giant basal leaves; bare flower stalk; deep taproot, drought-tough |
| Tall Goldenrod | Solidago altissima | F-P | A-D | 3–7 ft | Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | F-P | A | 2-5 ft | Fast-spreading fall bloomer, superb for pollinators; needs room |
| Zigzag Goldenrod | Solidago flexicaulis | P-S | A | 1–3 ft | Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall |
| Showy Goldenrod | Solidago speciosa | F-P | D-A | 2–4 ft | Foot long spikes of blazing yellow flowers in early fall |
| Smooth Hedgenettle | Stachys tenuifolia | P-F | A-W | 1-3 ft | Pink mint flowers Jun-Aug; wet meadows/rain gardens; spreads rhizome |
| Celadine Poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum | S | A | 16–24 in | 2" wide lemon-yellow flowers |
| Aromatic Aster | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium | F | D-A | 1-2.5 ft | Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold |
| Skunk Cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | P-S | W-A | 1–2 ft | Deep-shade wetland forb; thermogenic spring bloom; toxic raw |
| Tall Meadow-rue | Thalictrum pubescens | F-S | A-W | 3-6 ft | Airy white summer bloom; moist to wet soil; sun to shade |
| Bracted Spiderwort | Tradescantia bracteata | F-P | A-D | 10–18 in | Blue 3-petal flowers close by midday; blooms June-July |
| Ohio Spiderwort | Tradescantia ohiensis | F-P | A | 3–4 ft | Deep blue flowers bloom late spring & early summer |
| Virginia Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon |
| Prairie Trillium | Trillium recurvatum | P-S | A | 12 in | Beautiful foliage & deep red flowers with 3 petals |
| American Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis | P-S | A-W | 3–7 ft | Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant |
| White Vervain | Verbena urticifolia | F-P | A | 2-5 ft | Airy white spikes; moist soil; native alt to V. bonariensis |
| Wingstem | Verbesina alternifolia | F-P | A-W | 3-8 ft | Spreads by rhizome in moist soil; late-summer yellow blooms |
| Western Ironweed | Vernonia baldwinii | F-P | A-D | 2–5 ft | Magenta prairie bloomer, avoided by livestock; great for monarchs |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | F-S | A-W | 3-8 in | Spreads by rhizome; fritillary butterfly host |
| Barren Strawberry | Waldsteinia fragarioides | P-S | A | 3-6 in | Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible |
Illinois, Iowa & Missouri Perennial Ferns
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maindenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | P-S | A | 18–36 in | Airy fan-shaped deep green frond, delicate black stems |
| Dragon's Tail Fern | Asplenium ebenoides | P-S | A | 6–8 in | Forms low evergreen moung of trangular fronds |
| Lady Fern | Athyrium felix-femina | S | A-W | 18–24 in | Delicate arching fronds, dark red stems when mature |
| Woolly Lip Fern | Cheilanthes tomentosa | F-P | D | 6-15 in | Rock-crevice fern; curls in drought, regreens with rain; no rich soil |
| Leatherwood Fern | Dryopteris marginalis | S | A | 24–36 in | Dark green leathery-looking evergreen fern |
| Scouring Rush | Equisetum hyemale | F-P | W-A | 2-5 ft | Evergreen, jointed stems; spreads by rhizome; toxic to livestock |
| Oak Fern | Gymnocarpium dryopteris | P-S | W-A | 6-14 in | Spreading colony fern for cool, moist deep shade |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | W | 12–24 in | Deeply pinnate leaves; poisonous to livestock |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | P-S | A-W | 2–4 ft | iClusters of arching fronds, fertile fronds are brown |
| Purple Cliffbrake | Pellaea atropurpurea | F-P | D | 4-12 in | Evergreen rock fern; needs limestone crevices, not garden soil |
| Broad Beech Fern | Phegopteris hexagonoptera | P-S | A-W | 8-20 in | Deciduous colonial fern, winged rachis; spreads by rhizome in shade |
| Resurrection Fern | Pleopeltis michauxiana | P-S | D | 2-10 in fronds | Epiphytic fern on bark; shrivels when dry, greens up after rain |
| Christmas Fern | Polystichum acrostichoides | P-S | A | 12–36 in | Stiff deep green fronds are once-pinnate |
| Marsh Fern | Thelypteris palustris | F-P | W | 1-2.5 ft | Spreads by rhizome; wetland fern, tolerates more sun than most ferns |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
