Native Plants for District of Columbia - What to Plant, and When
District of Columbia spans one ecoregion:Eastern Temperate Forests
158 plants on this site are native to District of Columbia, 23 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. District of Columbia sits in the Eastern Temperate Forests ecoregion, and the plants here are the ones that evolved there. Hardiness zones in the state run 7a 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.
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
Broadleaf Ironweed
Vernonia glauca
Zones 5a–8b · native to 13 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b
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
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
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b
New York Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 7b
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
Sandbar Willow
Salix interior
Zones 2a–9b · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 7b
Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
Zones 4a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Silver Maple
Acer saccharinum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Zones 3a–8a · native to 42 states and provinces
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
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
'Angel Wings' Foamflower
Tiarella hybrid 'Angel Wings'
Zones 4a–8b · native to 27 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b
Allegheny Serviceberry
Amelanchier laevis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 31 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 7b
Alum Root
Heuchera americana
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b
American Beech
Fagus grandifolia
Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
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 Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Zones 4b–9b · native to 28 states
American White Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Zones 3a–11b · native to 56 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug 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
Beaujolais Fringed Loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata 'Beaujolais'
Zones 3a–8b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug 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 Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b
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
Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b
Broadleaf Cattail
Typha latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 60 states and provinces
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
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Oct in zone 7b
Coastal Plain Serviceberry
Amelanchier obovalis
Zones 4a–8a · native to 13 states
Blooms Mar – Apr 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 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
Creeping Phlox
Phlox stolonifera
Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states
Blooms Apr – 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
Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar 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
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Zones 5a–9a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b
Foxglove Beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states
Blooms May – Jul 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
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
Gray Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
Zones 4a–8b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 7b
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b
Gro-low Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica 'Gro-low'
Zones 2a–8b · native to 33 states and provinces
Ground Phlox
Phlox subulata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 27 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 7b
Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – 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
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
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
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
Mapleleaf Viburnum
Viburnum acerifolium
Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b
Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b
Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b
Meadow Phlox
Phlox maculata
Zones 3b–8b · native to 29 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 7b
Monarda 'Jacob Cline'
Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 7b
Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug 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 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
Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Zones 3a–7b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May 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
Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
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 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 7b
Red-twig Dogwood
Cornus sericea
Zones 2a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 7b
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
Round-lobed Hepatica
Hepatica americana
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b
Ruby Falls Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b
Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 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
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
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 Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 7b
Sweet Fern
Comptonia peregrina
Zones 2a–6b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 7b
Sweet Flag
Acorus americanus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 41 states and provinces
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
Torrey's Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum torreyi
Zones 5a–8b · native to 17 states
Blooms Jun – Aug 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
Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 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 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
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
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms May – May 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
Common questions
- What plants are native to District of Columbia?
- 'Angel Wings' Foamflower, Allegheny Serviceberry, Alum Root, American Beech, American Elm, American Hornbeam, American Linden, American Persimmon, and 150 more are native to District of Columbia. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in District of Columbia?
- 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia cover?
- District of Columbia runs from zone 7a 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 District of Columbia?
- Black-Eyed Susan, Boxelder, Broadleaf Ironweed, Calico Aster, Campfire Rudbeckia, Curlycup Gumweed, 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 23.
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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