Native Plants for Arkansas — What to Plant, and When

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 35 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

American Beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Zones 6a–10b · native to 15 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

American Bellflower

Campanula americana

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

American Linden

Tilia americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

American Lotus

Nelumbo lutea

Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

American Smoketree

Cotinus obovatus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 8 states

Blooms May – Sep 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 31 states

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 33 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Atlantic Camas

Camassia scilloides

Zones 5a–9a · native to 14 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Baldwin's Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Zones 4b–9a · native to 35 states

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Zones 3b–9a · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states

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 49 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Blue Waxweed

Cuphea viscosissima

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Zones 3a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Bulblet Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Zones 3a–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 47 states

Blooms May – Oct in zone 7b

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

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 37 states

Blooms May – Jun 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 44 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

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

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 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 22 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Doll's Eyes

Actaea pachypoda

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – May in zone 7b

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

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 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 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states

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 36 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Zones 5a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms Jul – Oct 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 32 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states

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 33 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

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 44 states

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 34 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Juniper Tree

Juniperus virginiana

Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states

Large Fothergilla

Fothergilla major

Zones 4a–8b · native to 6 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Limber Honeysuckle

Lonicera dioica

Zones 3b–8a · native to 32 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Zones 6a–9a · native to 15 states

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum acerifolium

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Michigan Lily

Lilium michiganense

Zones 3a–8a · native to 14 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

Missouri Ironweed

Vernonia missurica

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Muscadine Grape

Vitis rotundifolia

Zones 6a–10b · native to 19 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 7b

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states

Blooms Nov – Jan in zone 7b

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Zones 2b–7b · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Zones 3b–8a · native to 33 states

Northern Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Zones 2b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Overcup Oak

Quercus lyrata

Zones 5b–9b · native to 19 states

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 30 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Pale Gentian

Gentiana alba

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b

Pennsylvania Sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

Zones 4b–8b · native to 28 states

Post Oak

Quercus stellata

Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Zones 3a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Prairie Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – Jun 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 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Purple Three-awn

Aristida purpurea

Zones 5a–10b · native to 19 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

River Birch

Betula nigra

Zones 4a–9a · native to 26 states

Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Roughleaf Dogwood

Cornus drummondii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 7b

Rusty Blackhaw

Viburnum rufidulum

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Scarlet Oak

Quercus coccinea

Zones 4b–9a · native to 27 states

Seersucker Sedge

Carex plantaginea

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Sherry Sue Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Zones 5b–9b · native to 23 states

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 49 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

Solomon's Seal (Native)

Polygonatum biflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Southern Crabapple

Malus angustifolia

Zones 5b–9a · native to 12 states

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 37 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b

Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Sundial Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states

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 39 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states

Sweet Crabapple

Malus coronaria

Zones 4a–8a · native to 22 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 7b

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Zones 4a–9b · native to 27 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 7b

Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 7b

Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Turk's Cap Lily

Lilium superbum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 24 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 34 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 27 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Virginia Sweetspire

Itea virginica

Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

White Oak

Quercus alba

Zones 3b–8b · native to 35 states

White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 7b

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Sep – Oct in zone 7b

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 45 states

Blooms Oct – Dec 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 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states

Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Jul 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

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b

Wreath Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Zones 4a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Oct 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

Yellow Giant Hyssop

Agastache nepetoides

Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 7b

Yellow Honeysuckle

Lonicera flava

Zones 5b–8b · native to 10 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b