Gardening With Native Plants

Native Plants of Indiana

Gardening with plants native to your area has many advantages. Native plants and wildflowers have adapted to the local environment and therefore thrive without a lot of care. This means that they require less physical maintenance, less watering and little or no use of chemical fertilizers. Additionally, if there are sudden changes in the weather (which if often the case in the midwest), native plants are more apt to handle these changes and survive whereas many nonnative plants would die out. Using native plants in your garden can also attract wildlife such as birds, butterflies and small mammals. By gardening with native plants, you are making a positive impact on the environment by keeping out non-native invasives, reducing chemical use, and helping natives thrive. The following list is a selection of plants native to Indiana and surrounding areas that are just as beautiful and enjoyable as the traditionally used non-natives.

Shrubs

Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
-13-25 ft. tall
-can grow in most soils but needs compost
-prefers full sun but can survive in shade
http://www.lookoutnow.com/animal/images/2003_pw1.jpg

Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
-6-12 ft. in height
-prefers sandy or loamy soil rich in humus and nitrogen
-enjoys partial sun, partial shade
-blooms midsummer
http://www.springvalleyroses.com/artwork/berries/elderberry-golden-200.jpg

Sand Cherry
Prunus pumila
-6-8 ft. in height
-requires sandy-loamy well drained acidic soils
-requires full sun
-flowers in may
-dark blue-black fruits in the fall
http://ci.golden.co.us/images/imagemanager/sandcherry.jpg

Bladdernut
Staphylea trifolia
-15 ft. in height
-prefers full sun or light shade
-prefers rich, moist soil
-flowers in early summer
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/statri_flowers01.jpg

Purple Flowering Raspberry
Rubus odoratus
-3-6 ft. in height
-prefers full to partial shade
-prefers moist soil
-flowers over a long period
http://www.hwcn.org/link/hmm/pflrasp.JPG

Virginia Rose
Rosa virginiana
-3-5 ft. tall
-does well in dry, sandy soils, well drained, acidic
-prefers full sun
-blooms in late summer
-flowers are replaced by red berries that can be eaten by butterflies and birds
http://www.nps.gov/acad/flow/pix/plots/six/6-40.jpg

Wild Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
-can grow up to 6 ft. in height and width
-prefers full sun
-prefers humus-rich, well drained acidic soil
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/hydrangea_arborescens.jpg

Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
-5-15 ft. in height -tolerates full sun to full shade
-requires humus-rich, well drained acidic soil
-blooms in late spring
http://www.riverspirits.net/photo_images/mountain_laurel_cluster_v.jpg

Winterberry Holly
Ilex verticillata
-6-10 ft. tall
-prefers full sun
-requires moist humus-rich, well drained acidic soil
-scarlet berries in winter
http://www.ontariowildflower.com/images/holly_winterberry.jpg

Silverbell
Halesia tetraptera, carolina
-20-30 ft. tall
-requires moist, well-drained acidic soil
-prefers full sun to partial shade
-flowers in early spring
http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/silverbell_carolina/flower.jpg

Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana, vernalis
-2-5 ft. in height
-prefers full sun to light shade
-prefers moist well drained fertile soil but is very tolerant of most soils
-flowers midsummer
http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2003-04/7361619.jpg

Red Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
-5-12 ft. tall
-prefers sun to partial shade
-prefer humus-rich, well drained neutral to acid soil
-blooms in spring
-red berries appear in fall and remain throughout winter
http://www.invasive.org/eastern/midatlantic/img/arar1b.jpg

Viburnums

American Highbush Cranberry
Viburnum trilobum
-8-12 ft. in height
-prefers rich, well-drained soil, can be dry
-prefers full sun or partial shade
-blooms in late spring
http://www.painetworks.com/photos/fa/fa2256.JPG

Black Haw
V. prunifolium
-12-14 ft. tall
-prefers full sun to partial shade
-prefers rich, moist soil
-blooms in spring
http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/images/V-prunifolium.jpg

Nannyberry
V. lentage
-16-18 ft. tall
-does well in either full sun or full shade
-prefers rich loam to clay loam soils
-flowers bloom in may
http://www.fortparksandrec.com/images/Viburnum%20Lentago%20Nannyberry%20Tree.jpg

Rusty Blackhaw
V. rufidulum
-15-20 ft. tall
-prefers full to partial sun but is very shade tolerant
-tolerates dry soil, very adaptable
-blooms in spring
http://www.noble.org/imagegallery/Woodhtml/wood1-66/W241.JPG

Mapleleaf Viburnum
V. acerifolium
-5-6 ft. in height
-shade tolerant, full to partial shade
-prefers moist, well drained soil but tolerates dry soils
-blooms in early summer
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/viburnum_acerifolium.jpg

Withe-rod
V. cassinoides
-5-12 ft. in height
-prefers partial sun to full shade
-very tolerant of soils
-flowers in late summer
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/viburnum_cassinoides.jpg

Arrowwood
V. dentatum
-6-10 ft. in height
-prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils, intolerant of drought
-prefers full sun to partial shade
-blooms in spring
http://www.iowadnr.com/forestry/images/arrowwood.jpg

Hobble Bush
V. alnifolium
-3-6 ft. tall
-prefers shade
-prefers moist, well-drained soils
-blooms mid-summer
http://ibird.tripod.com/photos2/hobbleb.jpg

Vines

Virginis Bower
Clematis virginiana
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/clvi3467.jpg

Kentucky Wisteria
Wisteria macrostachya
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/vines/images/wist-mac-clapmack.jpg

Dutchman's Pipe
Aristolochia tomentosa
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/native/images/aristolochia_durior2.jpg

Maypops
Passiflora incarnata
http://www.msstate.edu/Entomology/4-H/bugcamp2000/Images/maypops_200.jpg

Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
http://www.usi.edu/science/biology/TwinSwamps/jpeg%20pix/virginia%20creeper.jpg

Trumpet Creeper
Campsis radicans
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/graphics/taxonomy/plants/spermatophyta/angiosperms/dicotyledonae/Bignoniaceae/Trumpet%20Creeper/JSC%20980814%20Zoo%20Trumpet%20Creeper.JPG

American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
http://www.seemegarden.com/images/plants/celastrus_scandens.jpg

Yellow Passionflower
Passiflora lutea
http://www.usi.edu/science/biology/TwinSwamps/jpeg%20pix/yellow%20passionflower%20copy.jpg

Crossvine
Bignonia capreolata
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/vines/images/crossvine.jpg

Ground Cover

Common Cinquefoil
Potentilla simplex
http://www.colby-sawyer.edu/images/image_1189.jpg

Barren Strawberry
Waldsteinia fragarioides
http://www.greenmountainaccess.net/~hkarlson/oca/Barren%20strawberry%201.jpg

Wild Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
http://www.siskiyous.edu/beartrail/strawberry3.JPG

Wine Cups/Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata
http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/Plants/Images/CallirInvo.jpg

Creeping Phlox
Phlox stolonifera
http://www.trotting-horse.com/garden/creeping_Phlox.jpg

Moss Phlox
Phlox subulata
http://www.suite101.com/files/topics/19613/files/moss%20phlox.jpg

Pussytoes
Antennaria plantaginifolia
http://www.mailbag.com/users/mnofsing/antennariaspecies.jpg

Dwarf Crested Iris
Iris cristata
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/iris_cristata.jpg

Sand/Cleft Phlox
Phlox bifida
http://plants.usda.gov/gallery/standard/phbi3_002_shp.jpg

Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
2-6 ft. tall
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/rhus_aromatica.jpg

Prairie Cordgrass
Spartina pectinata
http://www.prairienursery.com/images/Species/SPP1.jpg

Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
http://www.nps.gov/miss/restoration/images/sedges/switchgrass.jpg

Sweetgrass
Hierochloe odorata
http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/sweetgrass.jpg

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
http://www.marion.ohio-state.edu/prairie/cBig%20Bluestem.jpg

Trailing Arbutus
Epigaea repens
acidic soil
http://www.lynnbenevento.com/images/FLOW-Trailing-Arbutus.jpg

Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
acidic soil
http://www.cycop.org/images/bunchberry.jpg

Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
acidic soil
http://www.phytochemicals.info/pictures/plants/wintergreen.jpg

Goldthread
Coptis groenlandica
acidic soil
http://www.herbsnhoney.com/Images/goldthread.gif

Green and Gold
Chrysogonum virginianum
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/groundcover/images/common%20names/green-and-gold-2.jpg

Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
http://www.sunfarm.com/images/med/asarumcanadense-m.jpg

Canada Anemone
Anemone canadensis
http://www.wiseacre-gardens.com/plants/wildflower/anemone.jpg

Allegheny Spurge
Pachysandra procumbens
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/groundcovers/directory/images/images/slide26.jpg

Foam Flower
Tiarella cordifolia
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/img/tico1a.jpg

Partridge Berry
Mitchella repens
http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2004/413/jpeg/17.jpg

Ferns

Leatherwood Fern
Dryopteris marginalis
http://www.greatlakeslandscaping.net/images/leatherwood_fern.gif

Intermediate Shield Fern
Dryopteris intermedia

Spinulose Shield Fern
D. spinulosa
http://www.borealforest.org/ferns/spinulose_wood_fern.jpg'

Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/pteridophytes/osmreg_aspect01.jpg

Interrupted Fern
Osmunda claytoniana
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/pteridophytes/osmcla_fetile-pinnae01.jpg

Hayscented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
http://www.naturehills.com/Product_images/otherimages/hayscented_fern_2.jpg

Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilus
http://www.seemegarden.com/images/plants/onoclea_sensibilis.jpg

New York Fern
Thelypteris noveboracensis
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/img/Ferns/Thelypteris-noveboracensis-.jpg

Ebony Spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
small
http://www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake/img/Ferns/Asplenium-playtneuron-RHW.jpg

Walking Fern
Camptosorus rhizophyllus
small
http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/veg/Cliffs_Dunes/Walking_fern_VK_c.low.jpg

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostienoides
http://www.k12.de.us/warner/fern.jpg

Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatom
http://www.southerntropicals.com/galleries/Ferns/images/Southern%20Maidenhair%20Fern%20'Adiantum%20capillus-veneris'_jpg.jpg

Goldie's Fern
Dryopteris goldiana
http://www.grownative.org/image/plantlib/DETA-247.jpg

Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/athyrium%20filix-femina-1sm.jpg

Ostrich Fern
Matleuccia struthiopteris
http://www.ontariowildflower.com/images/ostrichfern2.jpg

Cinnamon Fern
Osmunda cinnamomea
http://www.bergenswamp.org/images/cinnamon-fern.jpg

Plants that thrive in sand & gravel beds

Partridge Pea
Cassia fasciculata
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/wildflowers/images/common%20names/partridge_pea_cassia.jpg

Lupine
Lupinus perennis
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/wildflowers/lupine.jpg

Rough Blazing Star
Liatrisaspera
http://www.grownative.org/image/plantlib/DETA-4.jpg

Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
http://www.rowesanctuary.org/wild%20bergamot%20stand%203.JPG

Stiff Goldenrod
Solidago rigida
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/Vascular_plants/solidago/solrig_aspect_01.jpg

Smooth Aster
Aster laevis
http://www.dyckarboretum.org/image/lib/plants/DETA-163.jpg

Side Oats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
http://people.uis.edu/braeb1/uisprairieproject/images/sideoats.jpg

Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
http://www.littlered.ecasd.k12.wi.us/naturearea/naturehome/plantpage/forbs/psmoke.jpg

Blue-eyed Grass
Sisyrinchium albidum
http://www.gardencrossings.com/_ccLib/image/plants/DETA-191.jpg

Coneflowers
Echinacea spp.
http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/aaps.news/2003-04_aaps_gardens/da.data/13437/Photo/coneflowers.jpg

Lead Plant
Amorpha canescens
http://www.co.washburn.wi.us/images/landwatercons/shrubs/lead-plant.jpg

Blackeyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
http://www.signaturelandscapes.com/plants/plant_images/perennials_gc/blackeyed%20susan.jpg

Showy Goldenrod
Solidago speciosa
http://www.chicagowilderness.org/images/photos/Showy-goldenrod.jpg

Prickly Pear
Opuntia humifusa

Plants that attract wildlife

Indian Pink
Spigelia marilandica
humming birds
http://www.rubythroat.org/images/PinkIndian01.jpg

Purple Milkweed
Asclepias purpurascens
butterflies
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/milkweedf4.jpg

Golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
larvae
http://savetheprairiesociety.org/virtual/images/goldalexcluster.jpg

Rattlesnake Master
Eryngium yuccifolium
http://www.michiganaudubon.org/bakersanctuary/images/rattlesnake_master.jpg

Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza claytoni
http://www.etsu.edu/biology/friendsofnature/Species/Wildflowers/Pictures/sweet%20cicely%20usda.jpg

Black Snakeroot
Sanicula spp.
http://john.walker.name/photoblog/archives/flowers/BlackSnakeroot.jpg

Red Osier Dogwood
Cornus sericea
http://bwca.cc/wildflowers/flowerimages/lorrainespictures/redosierdogwood.jpg

Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
http://www.ontariowildflower.com/images/serviceberrytree.jpg

Coralberry
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
http://www.theeagle.com/homegarden/photos/021105coralberry.jpg

Nectar Providing Plants

Royal Catchfly
Silene regia
http://biology4.wustl.edu/tyson/flora/catchfly1.jpg

New England Aster
Aster novae-angliae
http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/images/aster_novae-angliae.jpg

Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
http://www.suhsd.k12.ca.us/mvm/netlinks/1cather/wild%20columbine.jpg

Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
http://www.wiseacre-gardens.com/plants/wildflower/bergamot.jpg

False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
http://personalpages.tds.net/~savanasp/image3ET.JPG

Plants that provide for larvae

Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/ceoc5242.jpg

Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/Plants/Highbush%20Blueberry/TS0223_1l.jpg

Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
http://www.ontariowildflower.com/images/milkweedswampfl.jpg

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
http://indianspringherbs.com/Images/Spicebush2.jpg

New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
http://www.co.washburn.wi.us/images/landwatercons/shrubs/new-jersey-tea.jpg

Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
http://gypsymoth.ento.vt.edu/vagm/Treeimages/pawpaw_leaves.jpeg