Native Plant List – Kentucky and Tennessee
Last updated: September 4, 2026
This is a "starter" list of native plants for Kentucky and Tennessee. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
Kentucky and Tennessee Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser Fir | Abies fraseri | F-P | A | 30-50 ft | High-elevation conifer; needs cool, moist climate |
| Black maple | Acer nigrum | F-P | A | 60-80 ft | Like Sugar Maple but tolerates alkaline, clay soils |
| Striped Maple | Acer pensylvanicum | P-S | A-W | 16-33 ft | Shade-loving understory tree; striped bark, sex-changing flowers |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F | W- D | 50–75 ft | Buds and young twigs are red; Great fall color |
| Downy Serviceberry | Amelanchier arborea | F | A-D | 15–25 ft | Yellow - orange, red fall color, white flowers (Apr) |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | W-A | 40–70 ft | Yellow fall color |
| 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 |
| Hickory | Carya spp. | F | A-D | 50–80 ft | Rich gold fall color; Nuts eaten by mammals and birds |
| 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 |
| Northern Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | F-P | A-W | 40–70 ft | Fast grower; huge leaves; long pods; brittle wood; small native range |
| Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F | A-D | 20–30 ft | April cluster of rosy pink flowers line branches and trunk |
| Yellowwood | Cladrastis kentukea | F | A | 40–60 ft | Flowers after 12-18 years, fragrant and white |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus florida | F-P | A-D | 20–30 ft | White or pink flowers Apr-May |
| 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 |
| Dotted Hawthorn | Crataegus punctata | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Thorny, flat-topped crown; red fruit persists, feeds birds in winter |
| 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 |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | F-P | A | 85 ft or more | Nut in fall attacts birds, mammals, humans |
| American Holly | Ilex opaca | F-P | A-D | 20–40 ft | To insure fruit, 1 male neededper 2-3 females |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | F | A | 40-60 ft | Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | F | A-D | 40–50 ft | Offers nesting and cover to birds |
| Sweetgum | Liquidamb. styraciflua | F | W-A | 60–85 ft | Brilliant scarlet-red to red-purple fall cover |
| Tulip Tree, Tulip Poplar | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 70–90 ft | Large tulip-like flowers are yellow- green-orange May-Jun |
| Fraser Magnolia | Magnolia fraseri | P-S | A | 30–50 ft | Huge fragrant flowers; rose-pink fruit; needs moist cove soil |
| Bigleaf Magnolia | Magnolia macrophylla | P-F | A-W | 30-40 ft | Largest native leaf & flower; needs shelter from wind, rich moist soil |
| 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 |
| Blackgum | Nyssa sylvatica | F | A-D | 30–60 ft | Scarlet red autumn color |
| American Hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | F | A | 25–40 ft | Fall foliage is pale yellow |
| Table Mountain Pine | Pinus pungens | F | D | 20-40 ft | Rocky ridgetops only; spiny serotinous cones; fire-adapted |
| Pitch Pine | Pinus rigida | F | D-A | 40–60 ft | Fire-adapted conifer for sandy, rocky, or barren infertile sites |
| Chickasaw Plum | Prunus angustifolia | F-P | A-D | 6–25 ft | Thorny thicket-forming plum; early white bloom, red-orange fruit |
| Mexican Plum | Prunus mexicana | F-P | A-D | 15-25 ft | Fragrant early white bloom; exfoliating bark; plums feed wildlife |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | F-P | A | 60-100 ft | Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil |
| Oak | Quercus spp. | F | Var. | 35–80 ft | Human, birds, mammals, butterflies enjoy oaks |
| Carolina Buckthorn | Rhamnus caroliniana | P-S | A-D | 20 ft | Yellow-green flowers in May; berries eaten by birds |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | F-P | A-D | 30–50 ft | Fast nitrogen-fixer; suckers freely; toxic parts; Appalachian/Ozark |
| Coastal Plain Willow | Salix caroliniana | F-P | W | 15–30 ft | Fast wet-site tree for streambanks and pond edges; not for dry soil |
| Mountain Camellia | Stewartia ovata | P-S | A-W | 10–20 ft | Rare Appalachian understory tree; large white summer flowers, shade |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | F-P | A | 40-60 ft | Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk |
| Rusty Black. Viburnum | Viburnum rufidulum | F-S | A-D | 20–25 ft | Creamy white clusters of flowers in May |
Kentucky and Tennessee Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roundleaf Serviceberry | Amelanchier sanguinea | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | F | W-A | 6–11 ft | Red berries on shrub eaten by mammals and birds |
| Beautyberry | Callicarpa americana | F | A | 3–6 ft | Lav-pink flowers, purple berries; yellow color (fall) |
| New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americana | F-P | D | 36 in | Short spikes of tiny white flowers in June |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanth. occidentalis | F-P | W-A | 5–12 ft | Spherical white blossom heads |
| Sweet Pepperbush | Clethra alnifolia | F | W-A | 5–10 ft | Sm. white fragrant flowers in Aug; yellow-orange (fall) |
| 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 | Purplish flowers (May); red seed pods attract birds |
| Swamp Privet | Forestiera acuminata | F-P | W-A | 10-20 ft | Wetland shrub; tolerates standing water; blooms before leaves |
| Wild Hydrangea | Hydrang. arborescens | P-S | A | 3–6 ft | Clusters of greenish-white flowers Jun-Jul |
| Oakleaf Hydrangea | Hydrangea quercifoia | P-S | A | 3–6 ft | Reddish-orange to purplish-brown color in Autumn |
| Shrubby St. Johns Wort | Hypericum prolificum | F | A-D | 1–4 ft | Bright yellow flowers |
| Longstalk Holly | Ilex collina | P-F | W-A | 6-13 ft | Rare deciduous bog holly, long red fruit stalks; needs wet acidic soil |
| Possumhaw Holly | Ilex decidua | P-S | W-A | 12–20 ft | Red berries eaten late in season by birds |
| Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F | W-A | 6–12 ft | Red berries feed birds through cold season |
| Virginia Sweetspire | Itea virginica | P-S | W-A | 4–10 ft | Fragrant white flowers; leaves red to purple in Autumn |
| Spicebush | Lindera bezoin | P-S | A | 6–12 ft | Tiny yellow flowers (fragrant); berries for birds |
| Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | F-P | A-D | 5–10 ft | Wild plants have green leaves; purple is cultivar foliage. Dry seed follicles, not berries. |
| Mountain Fetterbush | Pieris floribunda | P-S | A | 3-6 ft | Toxic evergreen; smooth leaves, upright flowers unlike Jap. Pieris |
| Pinxterbloom Azalea | Rhod. periclymenoides | P-S | W-D | 4–6 ft | Large clusters of pink to purple frag. flowers Apr-May |
| Piedmont Azalea | Rhododend. canescens | P-S | A | 6–15 ft | Fragrant white to pink flowers Apr-May |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F | D | 2–6 ft | Bright scarlet, orange, purple fall color; Aromatic |
| Carolina Rose | Rosa carolina | F | W-D | 3–4 ft | Yellow-orange-red fall color, pink flowers May-Jul |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| American Bladdernut | Staphylea trifolia | P-S | W-A | 8–14 ft | Drooping racemes of green-white bell-like flowers (May) |
| Poison Sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | F-P | W | 6-30 ft | Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant |
| Farkleberry | Vaccinium arboreum | P-S | D | 20 ft | Twisted branches; Crimson fall color; Black. berries |
| Arrowwood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | P-S | W-A | 6–12 ft | Flowers May-Jun; Small blue-black berries in fall |
Kentucky and Tennessee Perennials - Sun
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nodding Wild Onion | Allium cernuum | F-P | A-D | 8–20 in | Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant |
| Bluestar | Am. tabernaemontana | F-P | A | 36 in | Small pale blue flowers in May; butterflies |
| 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 |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F | D | 12–24 in | Clusters of brilliant orange flowers Jun-Aug |
| Aster | Aster spp. | P-S | A-D | 1–5 ft | Will grow in low nitrogen soil; Attracts butterflies |
| Fox sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | F-P | A-W | 1–3 ft | Sunny wet meadow sedge; bristly brown spikes; rain gardens, pond edges |
| 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 |
| Whorled Tickseed | Coreopsis major | F-P | D-A | 2–4 ft | Whorled leaves, bright yellow summer blooms, pollinator favorite |
| Tickseed | Coreopsis spp. | F-P | A-D | Var. | Bright Yellow Flowers |
| Threadleaf Coreopsis | Coreopsis verticillata | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Fine thread-like foliage; long summer bloom; spreads by rhizomes |
| 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 |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | F | A-D | 3–5 ft | Purple, long- lasting flowers summer-fall |
| Glade Coneflower | Echinacea simulata | F | D-A | 2–4 ft | Glade specialist; full sun, rocky soil; never collect wild. |
| Tennessee Coneflower | Echinacea tennesseensis | F | D | 1–2 ft | Cedar-glade endemic; delisted 2011; never collect wild. |
| Joe-Pye-Weed | Eupatorium spp. | F | A | 5–9 ft | Attracts butterflies |
| Purple-hd. Sneezeweed | Helenium flexuosum | F | A-W | 1–4 ft | Yellow rays, purple-brown disk; sunny moist sites; not a forage plant. |
| Swamp Sunflower | Helianth. angustifolius | F | W-A | 5–7 ft | 3" yellow rayed flowers |
| 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 |
| Zigzag Iris | Iris brevicaulis | F-P | A-W | 8-20 in | Shade-tolerant wild iris; violet-blue blooms; rhizomes toxic |
| Tall Blue Lettuce | Lactuca biennis | F-P | A-W | 3–8 ft | Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spp. | F | D | 2–5 ft | Liberally set with purple flowers |
| Lanceleaf Loosestrife | Lysimachia lanceolata | P-F | A-W | 1-2 ft | Nodding yellow blooms on prairie perennial; needs consistent moisture |
| American Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | F-P | W-A | 6in-2ft | Native wetland mint; spreads by rhizome; flowers at leaf joints |
| 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-D | 3–4 ft | Pink-lavender clusters; tubular florets Jun-Jul |
| Spotted Beebalm | Monarda punctata | F | D | 1-3 ft | Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees |
| Eastern Prickly-pear | Opuntia humifusa | F | D | 4–12 in (spreads 2–6 ft) | Native cactus, yellow flowers, sharp glochids, sandy/rocky soil |
| Wild Quinine | Parthenium integrifolium | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves |
| White Beard-tongue | Penstemon digitalis | F | A-D | 36 in or more | Pale lavender to white flowers May-Jun |
| Sand Phlox | Phlox bifida | F-P | A-D | 4–12 in | Mat-forming; deeply notched lavender flowers; needs sharp drainage |
| Spotted Phlox | Phlox maculata | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Fragrant pink wet-meadow perennial; blooms June-Aug |
| Summer Phlox | Phlox paniculata | F-P | A | 2–4 ft | Magenta, pink, or white flower clusters May-Jun |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Silverleaf Mtn. Mint | Pycnanthemum incanum | F | A-D | 2–4 ft | Small purple flowers above whitened upper leaves |
| Gray-headed Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | F-P | A-D | 3-5 ft | Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent |
| Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia fulgida | F | A | 24–36 in | Deep yellow flowers with dark brown disks Jul-Aug |
| Sweet Black-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia subtomentosa | F-P | A-W | 3-6 ft | Fragrant foliage, long bloom; prefers consistently moist soil |
| Wild Petunia | Ruellia humilis | F-P | D-A | 6-18 in | Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, butterfly host plant |
| Lyreleaf Sage | Salvia lyrata | F-P | A-D | 0.5-2 ft | Flat lobed rosette; lavender spikes; tolerates mowing, self-seeds |
| Royal Catchfly | Silene regia | F | A | 2-5 ft | Scarlet prairie flower; hummingbird magnet; rare, use nursery stock |
| 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 |
| Wrinkle-leaf goldenrod | Solidago rugosa | F | W-D | 3–7 ft | Do well in any well-drained soil |
| Aromatic Aster | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium | F | D-A | 1-2.5 ft | Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold |
| Tall Meadow-rue | Thalictrum pubescens | F-S | A-W | 3-6 ft | Airy white summer bloom; moist to wet soil; sun to shade |
| Virginia Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon |
| Wingstem | Verbesina alternifolia | F-P | A-W | 3-8 ft | Spreads by rhizome in moist soil; late-summer yellow blooms |
| Giant Ironweed | Vernonia gigantea | F | W-A | 3–12 ft | Purple late-season flower clusters; moist-site perennial; mature height varies |
Kentucky and Tennessee Perennials - Shade
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Baneberry | Actea pachypoda | P-S | A | 12–30 in | White flowers in spring; poisonous berries Aug-Sep |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A-W | 1-4 ft | Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome |
| Wood Anemone | Anemone quinquefolia | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 12–30 in | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Wild Sarsaparilla | Aralia nudicaulis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries |
| Jack-in-the-pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | A | 12 in or more | Spathe in Apr-May; red berries late sum-fall |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadense | P-S | A | 4–6 in | Dense creeping deciduous ground cover |
| 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 |
| Eastern star sedge | Carex radiata | P-S | A-W | 8–18 in | Fine-leaved woodland sedge; shade; good dry-shade groundcover |
| Rose Turtlehead | Chelone obliqua | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Late-summer hooded pink flowers; bumblebee favorite for moist soil |
| Green and Gold | Chrysogonum virginianum | P | A | 4–10 in | Long-blooming spreading groundcover; part shade; woodland edges |
| White Clintonia | Clintonia umbellulata | P-S | A-W | 6–16 in | Shade woodland groundcover; speckled white flowers, blue-black berries |
| Squirrel Corn | Dicentra canadensis | P-S | A | 6–10 in | Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant |
| White Trout Lily | Erythronium albidum | P-S | A | 4–10 in | Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild |
| Galax | Galax urceolata | P-S | A | 6–12 in (flowers to 2.5 ft) | Evergreen Appalachian groundcover; white flower wands; shade |
| 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 | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Pink-lavender 5-petaled flowers Apr-May |
| Indian Physic | Gillenia stipulata | P-S | D-A | 2-3 ft | Airy white flowers; dry shade perennial; root historically emetic |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | P-S | A-D | 24 in | Light-green foliage with bronzy veining & edges |
| Hairy Alumroot | Heuchera villosa | P-S | A-D | 8-12 in (to 3 ft bloom) | Rock-dwelling native parent of 'Bronze Wave' & other cultivars |
| Crested Iris | Iris cristata | P-S | A-D | 4–8 in | Pale lavender-blue crested flowers Apr-May |
| Dwarf Violet Iris | Iris verna | P | D-A | 4-6 in | Tiny fragrant woodland iris; needs sandy, dry, well-drained soil |
| Wood Nettle | Laportea canadensis | P-S | A-W | 1-5 ft | Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host |
| Cardinal Flower | Lobelia cardinalis | P-S | W-A | 2–4 ft | Brilliant red tubular flowers adorn stem Jul-Sep |
| Starry False Lily | Maianthemum stellatum | P-S | A-D | 8-18 in | Rhizomatous woodland groundcover; starry flowers; berries inedible |
| Winged Monkeyflower | Mimulus alatus | P-S | W-A | 1-3 ft | Wet-soil wildflower; violet blooms July-Sept; shade to part shade |
| Indian Pipe | Monotropa uniflora | S | A-W | 3-10 in | Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| American Ginseng | Panax quinquefolius | P-S | A | 8-24 in | Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock |
| Wild Blue Phlox | Phlox divaricata | P-S | A | 12–18 in | Fragrant lavender-blue flowers Apr-May |
| Jacob's Ladder | Polemonium reptans | P-S | A | 12–18 in | Terminal clusters of blue bell-shaped flowers in April |
| Solomon's Seal | Polygonatum biflorum | P-S | A | 18–30 in | Small white-green bells hang from leaf axles |
| Solomon's Plume | Smilacina racemosa | P-S | A | 12–36 in | Plume of tiny starry flowers in May |
| Wreath Goldenrod | Solidago caesia | P-S | A | 24–36 in | Tiny golden flowers on bluish-cast stem |
| Zigzag Goldenrod | Solidago flexicaulis | P-S | A | 1–3 ft | Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall |
| Skunk Cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | P-S | W-A | 1–2 ft | Deep-shade wetland forb; thermogenic spring bloom; toxic raw |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | P-S | A | 6–12 in | Evergreen ground cover; feathery white flowers (Apr) |
| American Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis | P-S | A-W | 3–7 ft | Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | F-S | A-W | 3-8 in | Spreads by rhizome; fritillary butterfly host |
| Walter's Violet | Viola walteri | P-S | A-W | 2–4 in | Trailing groundcover for shaded, lime-rich woodland soil |
| Barren Strawberry | Waldsteinia fragarioides | P-S | A | 3-6 in | Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible |
| 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 |
