Native Species to Help Your Garden Pop
Do you want to fill your garden with gorgeous native species? Here are ten recommended native species for home gardens, with a focus on a mix of flowering, ornamental, and functional plants. Native plants are not only beautiful, but they support local wildlife, require less maintenance, and are more resilient to pests. Sorry Bambi, we like you, but not that much.
#1 Recommended Native Species: Aquilegia canadensis
Red or American Columbine, is a beautiful and valuable native plant, particularly for pollinators. Here are some key aspects of Columbine. Columbine blooms early in the spring, providing essential nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a vital plant for these species as they emerge after the winter. The plant is known for its striking flowers, which transition from red at the tips to yellow at the base, creating a vibrant and colorful display. Columbine is very adaptable, thriving in a wide variety of soil conditions and sun exposure, from full sun to shaded areas. This clumping perennial typically grows to be 1-2 feet tall and about 1-1.5 feet wide. It has a mounding habit with slender stems and attractive blue-green, lobed leaves that are slightly dissected. It can even grow well in areas under pine trees, where many other plants may struggle. This plant is deer-resistant, which is a great benefit for gardeners in areas where deer are a problem.
#2 Echinacea purpurea
Purple Coneflower, is a popular and highly valued perennial in gardens, especially for its vibrant flowers and numerous benefits to pollinators. Here are some key characteristics and uses of Echinacea purpurea. The flowers bloom from early to late summer, making it a standout star in the garden. Purple Coneflower is a magnet for pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects are drawn to its nectar. The seed heads also attract birds, particularly finches, which feed on the seeds during late summer and fall. Purple Coneflower is a hardy plant, able to tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to loamy, and thrives in full sun. Purple Coneflower is a sturdy, upright perennial that can grow to 2-5 feet tall, with a spread of about 1-2 feet. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
#3 Rudbeckia fulgida
Orange Coneflower or Black-eyed Susan, is a vibrant and hardy perennial that is widely appreciated for its bright, cheerful blooms and ability to attract pollinators. Here are some key aspects of this popular plant, Rudbeckia fulgida features daisy-like flowers with golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark brown or black central cone. These flowers bloom in mid-to-late summer, creating a striking contrast of color that is a favorite in gardens and landscapes. Rudbeckia fulgida typically grows in clumps and forms upright, bushy plants that reach 1-3 feet tall and about 1-2 feet wide. The plant is a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its abundant flowers are especially attractive to butterflies like the Painted Lady and to various species of bees, including honeybees and bumblebees.
#4 Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii
Savanna Blazing Star, is a striking and rare native perennial. It is a variety of Liatris scariosa and is known for its tall, spiky flowers that attract a range of pollinators. Here are the key characteristics of this beautiful plant. Liatris scariosa var. nieuwlandii produces tall, slender spikes of purple-pink flowers that bloom from top to bottom. These flowers are known for their unique appearance, with fluffy, feathery blossoms that give a soft, vibrant look. Savanna Blazing Star reaches heights of 2-4 feet and a spread of about 1-2 feet This plant is a favorite of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The flowers are rich in nectar, which attracts species such as bumblebees, honeybees, and butterflies like the Great Spangled Fritillary. It is especially beneficial to native pollinators, making it a good addition to a pollinator-friendly garden. The flowers appear in late summer to early fall, adding a burst of color when many other perennials have finished blooming. Blazing Star grows upright, reaching heights of 3 to 4 feet tall, with long, slender leaves at the base of the plant.
#5 Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Skyblue Aster, is a native perennial aster that is prized for its sky-blue flowers and late-season blooming. It is native to the Midwest and Eastern United States, where it typically grows in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands. Here are some key characteristics of Symphyotrichum oolentangiense. is known for its striking sky blue to light purple flowers with yellow centers. The blooms are daisy-like in shape, with numerous narrows, delicate petals surrounding a central disk. The plant is highly attractive to pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies, including monarchs, which are drawn to its nectar. It provides essential food during the late summer and fall, when many other sources of nectar are scarce. is an upright, clump-forming perennial that grows 2 to 4 feet tall. It has lance-shaped leaves and a branching, bushy habit that becomes covered with the characteristic blue flowers in late summer and fall.
#6 Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie Dropseed, is a graceful and attractive native grass that is highly valued in ornamental gardens and prairie restoration projects. It is native to the central United States and is especially common in tallgrass prairie ecosystems, Prairie Dropseed is a clumping grass that typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall with a fine, arching form. The plant has slender, wispy leaves that are bright green during the growing season, turning a rich golden color in the fall. Sporobolus heterolepis is beneficial to wildlife. The seeds are an important food source for birds such as sparrows and finches.
#7 Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy Beardtongue, is a striking and hardy native perennial plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family. This plant is admired for its showy, tubular flowers and its ability to attract pollinators. It is native to the eastern United States, where it thrives in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, meadows, and prairies. Penstemon hirsutus produces showy, tubular flowers that range in color from pale lavender to violet. The flowers have a slightly funnel-shaped appearance with a characteristic “beard” inside the throat, which is a defining feature of the genus. Penstemon hirsutus is a clump-forming perennial that grows in a compact, upright habit. It typically reaches a height of 1 to 2 feet and spreads about 12-18 inches wide.
#8 Pycnanthemum muticum
Clustered Mountain Mint, is a native perennial in the mint family. This aromatic plant is native to the eastern United States and is highly valued for its showy flower clusters, fragrant foliage, and its ability to attract a wide range of pollinators. It is particularly well-suited for pollinator gardens, native plant landscapes, and naturalized areas. Clustered Mountain Mint produces dense, rounded clusters of small, tubular white to pale lavender flowers. These flower heads bloom from mid-summer to early fall, typically from July to September. Clustered Mountain Mint is an upright, bushy perennial that typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and about 1 to 2 feet wide. It has a mounding, clumping growth habit, with multiple stems emerging from the base.
#9 Phlox Pilosa
Prairie Phlox is a native perennial that is cherished for its vibrant flowers and ability to attract pollinators. It is native to the central and eastern United States and is a key component of natural wildflower meadows, prairies, and woodland edges Phlox pilosa produces clusters of five-petaled flowers that are typically pink to lavender, though white and purple variations can also occur. The flowers have a star-shaped appearance, and the petals are often slightly fringed, which gives the blooms a delicate, soft look. Phlox pilosa is highly attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The bright, fragrant flowers are a key nectar source for early-season pollinators, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens. Prairie Phlox is a clumping perennial that typically grows 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads about 12 to 24 inches wide. The plant forms a dense mat of soft, downy, lance-shaped leaves, which give it a fuzzy or velvety appearance.
#10 Monarda bradburiana
Bradbury’s Bee Balm or Eastern Beebalm is native to the eastern United States, particularly found in prairies, dry woodlands, and open meadows. This plant is admired for its beautiful flowers, which attract a wide range of pollinators, and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions Monarda bradburiana produces clusters of tubular, two-lipped flowers that are typically pink to lavender, with some plants showing a slightly purple hue. The flowers are often characterized by their fringed, spiky appearance. The flowers bloom in early to mid-summer. Monarda bradburiana is a clumping, upright perennial that typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and about 1 to 2 feet wide. It forms a loose, bushy clump of stems and leaves.
Experts in Ecological Restoration and Native Plants
Experts in ecological restoration and native plants. The Pizzo Group consists of two award-winning subsidiary companies that champion native plants and natural areas. Established in 1988, Pizzo Habitat Restoration is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of our natural environment. With a focus on eco-friendly practices and innovative solutions, our team is committed to delivering exceptional results while minimizing the impact on the environment. The Pizzo Native Plant Nursery is a wholesale grower specializing in native plant plugs. The nursery encompasses 40 acres of restored wetland and prairie habitat in Leland, IL. Providing ready access to local eco-type seed from a diverse number of native plant species.