Native Plants for Arkansas - What to Plant, and When
Arkansas spans one ecoregion:Eastern Temperate Forests
265 plants on this site are native to Arkansas, 49 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Arkansas sits in the Eastern Temperate Forests ecoregion, and the plants here are the ones that evolved there. Hardiness zones in the state run 6b to 8a, which is why the list sorts by zone rather than by state.
Start with the keystones (an oak or native cherry if you have room, then goldenrods, asters and milkweeds), and plant in early fall or early spring, at least six weeks before a frost. Pick your zone above and each plant shows its own sowing and bloom window for where you garden.

American Plum
Prunus americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Baldwin's Ironweed
Vernonia baldwinii
Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Black Oak
Quercus velutina
Zones 4b–9a · native to 36 states and provinces

Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Boxelder
Acer negundo
Zones 2a–9b · native to 48 states and provinces

Brown-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia triloba
Zones 3a–7b · native to 26 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states and provinces

Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 16 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
Zones 2a–7b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Coastal Plain Willow
Salix caroliniana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 23 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
Zones 5a–10b · native to 26 states
Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Frostweed
Verbesina virginica
Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Giant Ironweed
Vernonia gigantea
Zones 5a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
Zones 6a–9a · native to 15 states

Missouri Ironweed
Vernonia missurica
Zones 4a–8b · native to 14 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Northern Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Zones 3b–8a · native to 38 states and provinces

Orange Coneflower
Rudbeckia fulgida
Zones 4a–9a · native to 26 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Overcup Oak
Quercus lyrata
Zones 5b–9b · native to 19 states

Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
Zones 4b–8b · native to 29 states and provinces

Post Oak
Quercus stellata
Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Willow
Salix humilis
Zones 2a–8b · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

River Birch
Betula nigra
Zones 4a–9a · native to 27 states

Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 7b

Scarlet Oak
Quercus coccinea
Zones 4b–9a · native to 27 states

Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces

Shumard Oak
Quercus shumardii
Zones 5b–9b · native to 24 states and provinces

Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces

Sky Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense
Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Smooth Violet Prairie Aster
Symphyotrichum turbinellum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Southern Crabapple
Malus angustifolia
Zones 5b–9a · native to 12 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 42 states and provinces

Swamp White Oak
Quercus bicolor
Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states and provinces

Sweet Crabapple
Malus coronaria
Zones 4a–8a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Tall Tickseed
Coreopsis tripteris
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

White Oak
Quercus alba
Zones 3b–8b · native to 38 states and provinces

Wild Aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Willow Oak
Quercus phellos
Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states

Willowleaf Sunflower
Helianthus salicifolius
Zones 4a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Wingstem
Verbesina alternifolia
Zones 4a–8b · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Wreath Goldenrod
Solidago caesia
Zones 4a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Zones 5a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Alum Root
Heuchera americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 15 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states and provinces

American Bellflower
Campanula americana
Zones 4a–8a · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

American Elm
Ulmus americana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces

American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces

American Linden
Tilia americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea
Zones 4a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

American Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Zones 4b–9b · native to 28 states

American Smoketree
Cotinus obovatus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

American Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

American Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 7b

Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Atlantic Camas
Camassia scilloides
Zones 5a–9a · native to 16 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Zones 4a–10b · native to 19 states

Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces

Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states and provinces

Blackhaw Viburnum
Viburnum prunifolium
Zones 3b–9a · native to 28 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Blue Cohosh
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Zones 3a–8a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Blue Vervain
Verbena hastata
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Blue Waxweed
Cuphea viscosissima
Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Blue-fruited Dogwood
Cornus obliqua
Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces

Bulblet Bladder Fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Bushy Bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus
Zones 6a–10b · native to 24 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Camphorweed
Heterotheca subaxillaris
Zones 6a–10b · native to 31 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Canada Wild Rye
Elymus canadensis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 7b

Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Carolina Silverbell
Halesia tetraptera
Zones 4a–8b · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Oct in zone 7b

Clove Currant
Ribes odoratum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Clustered Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
Zones 4a–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces

Common Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Common Sneezeweed
Helenium autumnale
Zones 3a–8b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Coral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jul – Jan in zone 7b

Cream Wild Indigo
Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Cucumber Tree
Magnolia acuminata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Culver's Root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Culver's Root 'Challenger'
Veronicastrum virginicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Deceitful Pussytoes
Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Doll's Eyes
Actaea pachypoda
Zones 3a–8a · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms May – May in zone 7b

Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Dwarf Wild Indigo
Baptisia australis var. minor
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Eastern Gamagrass
Tripsacum dactyloides
Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 7b

Eastern Prickly Pear
Opuntia humifusa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Field Thistle
Cirsium discolor
Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella
Zones 3a–10b · native to 17 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Zones 5a–9a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Fringed Bluestar
Amsonia ciliata
Zones 5a–9b · native to 9 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Golden Alexander
Zizia aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Golden Ragwort
Packera aurea
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Grape Honeysuckle
Lonicera reticulata
Zones 4a–8a · native to 15 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Gray-Headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Green Ash
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Zones 3a–9a · native to 47 states and provinces

Gro-low Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'
Zones 2a–8b · native to 33 states and provinces

Groundsel Tree
Baccharis halimifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Hairy Alumroot
Heuchera villosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 19 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Hairy Sweet Cicely
Osmorhiza claytonii
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Hay-scented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Zones 3a–8a · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Zones 4a–9a · native to 32 states and provinces

Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale
Zones 3a–11b · native to 61 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 7b

Hubricht's Bluestar
Amsonia hubrichtii
Zones 5a–8b · native to 2 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort
Eupatorium hyssopifolium
Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium reptans
Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Juniper Tree
Juniperus virginiana
Zones 2a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces

Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Zones 4a–8b · native to 46 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Large Fothergilla
Fothergilla major
Zones 4a–8b · native to 6 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Large-Flowered Bellwort
Uvularia grandiflora
Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Lavender Twist Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Lavender Twist'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Leadplant
Amorpha canescens
Zones 2b–9b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Lemon Beebalm
Monarda citriodora
Zones 4a–9b · native to 9 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Limber Honeysuckle
Lonicera dioica
Zones 3b–8a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Little Gem Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Zones 7a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Mapleleaf Viburnum
Viburnum acerifolium
Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Michigan Lily
Lilium michiganense
Zones 3a–8a · native to 15 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

Missouri Evening Primrose
Oenothera macrocarpa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 9 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 7b

Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Muscadine Grape
Vitis rotundifolia
Zones 6a–10b · native to 19 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Narrowleaf Silkgrass
Pityopsis graminifolia
Zones 6a–10a · native to 17 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Zones 2b–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Nodding Bur Marigold
Bidens cernua
Zones 3a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Nodding Onion
Allium cernuum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Northern Catalpa
Catalpa speciosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms May – May in zone 7b

Northern Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum americanum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 35 states and provinces

Northern Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Zones 2b–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Obedient Plant 'Crystal Peak White'
Physostegia virginiana 'Crystal Peak White'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Ozark Bluestar
Amsonia illustris
Zones 5a–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Zones 3a–7b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Pale Gentian
Gentiana alba
Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Zones 5a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Zones 3a–8a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Pickerelweed
Pontederia cordata
Zones 3a–10b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 7b

Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Zones 6a–9b · native to 27 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Zones 3a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Prairie Dock
Silphium terebinthinaceum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 20 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 7b

Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus heterolepis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Prairie Penstemon
Penstemon cobaea
Zones 4a–9b · native to 7 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Prairie Rose
Rosa arkansana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 22 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Purple Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 13 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Purple Three-awn
Aristida purpurea
Zones 5a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Purplehead Sneezeweed
Helenium flexuosum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Red Mulberry
Morus rubra
Zones 4b–9a · native to 34 states and provinces

Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Rose Mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Roughleaf Dogwood
Cornus drummondii
Zones 4a–8b · native to 18 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 34 states
Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Ruby Falls Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Rusty Blackhaw
Viburnum rufidulum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Seersucker Sedge
Carex plantaginea
Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Sherry Sue Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Shooting Star
Primula meadia
Zones 4a–8b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 28 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Smooth Beardtongue
Penstemon calycosus
Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Zones 3a–9b · native to 33 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Soapwort Gentian
Gentiana saponaria
Zones 5a–9b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Solomon's Seal 'Prince Charming'
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Solomon's Seal (Native)
Polygonatum biflorum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Southern Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
Zones 7a–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Spotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Sundial Lupine
Lupinus perennis
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Sundrops
Oenothera fruticosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Swamp Dogwood
Cornus foemina
Zones 6a–9b · native to 17 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Sweet Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Zones 5b–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Zones 5a–9b · native to 25 states

Switchgrass 'Cheyenne Sky'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Tall Thimbleweed
Anemone virginiana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Zones 4a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms May – May in zone 7b

Turk's Cap Lily
Lilium superbum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Vernal Witch Hazel
Hamamelis vernalis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states
Blooms Dec – Feb in zone 7b

Virgin's Bower Clematis
Clematis virginiana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Virginia Iris
Iris virginica
Zones 5a–9b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Virginia Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Washington Hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 20 states
Blooms May – May in zone 7b

White Ash
Fraxinus americana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces

White Snakeroot
Ageratina altissima
Zones 3a–8b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 7b

White Wild Indigo
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla
Zones 4a–8b · native to 18 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Wild Blue Indigo
Baptisia australis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 23 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Zones 3a–7b · native to 40 states and provinces

Wild Quinine
Parthenium integrifolium
Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

Winterthur Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur'
Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Wood Lily
Lilium philadelphicum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b
Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost

Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Yellow Giant Hyssop
Agastache nepetoides
Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

Yellow Honeysuckle
Lonicera flava
Zones 5b–8b · native to 10 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Yellow Passionflower
Passiflora lutea
Zones 6a–9b · native to 23 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b
Common questions
- What plants are native to Arkansas?
- Adam's Needle, Alum Root, American Beautyberry, American Beech, American Bellflower, American Elm, American Hornbeam, American Linden, and 257 more are native to Arkansas. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Arkansas?
- Timing depends on your hardiness zone. Each plant on this page shows its sowing and bloom window relative to your zone's last spring and first fall frost, so the dates stay correct wherever in Arkansas you garden. As a rule, plant perennials and shrubs in early fall, at least six weeks before the first frost, or in spring once the soil drains.
- What hardiness zones does Arkansas cover?
- Arkansas runs from zone 6b to 8a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Arkansas?
- American Plum, Baldwin's Ironweed, Black Cherry, Black Oak, Black-Eyed Susan, Boxelder, among others. Keystone plants host the most caterpillar species in their ecoregion, which is what feeds nesting birds; one oak or native cherry does more than a bed of showy non-natives. Use the Keystones only toggle to see all 49.
How this list is built
Native ranges follow the USDA PLANTS Database; hardiness ranges follow USDA Plant Hardiness Zones; pollinator value draws on the Xerces Society. Where a reference almanac would stop at “confirm with your local authority,” we go one step further - every plant here links to its full growing page with frost-relative tasks for your zone.
Nature timing varies year to year. To calibrate to your own yard, the Garden Digest builds a weekly task list around your plants and frost dates.
The month ahead in your zone, free in your inbox.
What to sow, plant and watch for, timed to your frost dates. Once a month.
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