Native plants are crucial in maintaining biodiversity and supporting local wildlife. These species, which have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in specific regions, offer numerous benefits to both the environment and gardeners.
Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native species, making them more sustainable and cost-effective choices for landscaping.1
Native plants also provide essential habitats and food sources for local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Here are 18 native plants with the most breathtaking flowers that will turn your garden into a showstopping haven
1. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
The iconic purple coneflower is a true garden superstar. Its daisy-like blooms with raised centers add a pop of color from midsummer to fall, attracting butterflies and bees in droves.
These sturdy perennials are drought-tolerant once established and make excellent cut flowers.
Planting tips:
- Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil
- Space plants 1-3 feet apart
- Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots
- Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering
2. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Nothing says “look at me” quite like the brilliant red spikes of the cardinal flower. This moisture-loving native thrives near water features or in rain gardens, producing vibrant blooms that are irresistible to hummingbirds.
Its tall, upright form adds vertical interest to any landscape.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial shade to full sun
- Provide consistently moist, rich soil
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor
3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Cheerful golden petals surrounding dark centers make black-eyed susans a summer garden favorite. These hardy plants bloom prolifically, creating sweeps of sunny color that last for months. They’re perfect for prairie-style gardens or naturalized areas.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun for best flowering
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types
- Sow seeds directly in the garden in spring
- Deadhead to encourage more blooms
4. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This vibrant orange milkweed variety is a must-have for butterfly gardens. Its clusters of small, intricate flowers not only provide nectar for adult butterflies but also serve as a crucial host plant for monarch caterpillars.
The long-lasting blooms add a fiery touch to summer borders.
Planting tips:
- Choose a site with full sun and well-drained soil
- Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed
- Be patient – it may take a year to establish before blooming
- Avoid disturbing the deep taproot when transplanting
5. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Delicate and enchanting, wild columbine’s nodding red and yellow flowers dance on slender stems. This woodland native blooms in spring, providing early nectar for returning hummingbirds.
Its ferny foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial shade to full sun
- Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Sow seeds in the fall for spring germination
- Allow plants to self-seed for naturalized colonies
6. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Tall spikes of fuzzy purple flowers give the blazing star its dramatic presence in the garden. These prairie natives bloom from top to bottom, creating a unique vertical accent that attracts butterflies and bees. They’re excellent for cut flower arrangements too.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun
- Tolerates a variety of soil types, including clay
- Space plants 12-15 inches apart
- Stake tall varieties to prevent flopping
7. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
When fall arrives, New England asters burst into a profusion of purple, pink, or white daisy-like flowers. These late-season bloomers provide crucial nectar for migrating monarchs and other pollinators. Their tall stature makes them perfect for the back of borders.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- Pinch back stems in early summer for bushier growth
- Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor
8. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
With its whorls of scarlet, pink, or lavender flowers, bee balm is a pollinator magnet. This fragrant member of the mint family blooms throughout summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its spicy-scented leaves can be used to make tea.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide rich, moist soil
- Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years
9. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
Elegant blue-violet flowers with intricate markings make the blue flag iris a standout in wet areas. This water-loving native thrives at the edges of ponds or in rain gardens, providing vertical interest and early summer blooms.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide consistently moist or wet soil
- Plant rhizomes just below the soil surface
- Divide clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor
10. Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)
Also known as beardtongue, penstemon produces spikes of tubular white or pink flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds and bees. This adaptable native thrives in a variety of conditions and adds a touch of elegance to any garden style.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to light shade
- Prefers well-drained soil
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart
- Cut back after flowering to encourage reblooming
11. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Delicate lavender-pink flowers carpet woodland gardens when wild geranium blooms in spring. This easy-care native groundcover offers long-lasting color and attractive lobed foliage that turns red in fall.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Divide clumps every 4-5 years
- Allow to naturalize for effortless ground cover
12. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod doesn’t cause allergies – but it does create a spectacular late-summer display. Its plumes of tiny yellow flowers provide essential late-season nectar for pollinators and add a golden glow to the garden.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types
- Choose clump-forming varieties for more controlled growth
- Cut back in late winter to maintain shape
13. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Bright yellow buttercup-like flowers make marsh marigolds a cheerful addition to water gardens. This early-blooming native thrives in wet soils, creating a golden carpet in spring before going dormant in summer.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial shade to full sun
- Provide consistently wet or boggy soil
- Plant at the edge of ponds or in shallow water
- Allow foliage to die back naturally after blooming
14. Lupine (Lupinus perennis)
The striking spires of blue, purple, or pink flowers make lupine a showstopper in any garden. This native perennial not only adds vertical interest but also fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving growing conditions for neighboring plants.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to light shade
- Provide well-drained, slightly acidic soil
- Sow seeds directly in fall for spring blooms
- Avoid disturbing the deep taproot once established
15. Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
The elegant white flowers of trillium are a cherished sight in spring woodlands. This slow-growing native takes years to bloom from seed, making it all the more precious. Its three-petaled flowers sit atop a whorl of three leaves.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Provide rich, moist, well-drained soil
- Plant rhizomes just below the soil surface
- Avoid disturbing plants once established
16. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Pink clusters of star-shaped flowers make swamp milkweed a beautiful addition to moist areas. Like its orange cousin, it’s a crucial host plant for monarch butterflies and attracts a variety of other pollinators.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun to partial shade
- Provide consistently moist soil
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart
- Cut back in late fall or early spring
17. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Delicate clusters of sky-blue flowers make Virginia bluebells a springtime favorite. This woodland ephemeral blooms early, then dies back by midsummer, making it perfect for interplanting with later-emerging perennials.
Planting tips:
- Plant in partial to full shade
- Provide rich, moist soil
- Plant dormant roots in fall
- Allow to naturalize for stunning spring displays
18. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Cheerful daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow make blanket flowers a long-blooming favorite. This drought-tolerant native thrives in hot, sunny spots and attracts butterflies throughout the summer.
Planting tips:
- Plant in full sun
- Provide well-drained soil
- Deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms
- Cut back in late fall to maintain a tidy appearance
By incorporating these 18 stunning native flowers into your landscape, you’ll not only create a visually appealing outdoor space but also support local ecosystems and wildlife. Each of these plants has unique characteristics that can enhance your garden’s diversity and resilience.
Source:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.