Native Plants for Iowa — What to Plant, and When

'Golden Jubilee' Agastache

Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee'

Zones 4a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Agastache

Agastache foeniculum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 17 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Alum Root

Heuchera americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 35 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

American Bellflower

Campanula americana

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

American Linden

Tilia americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

American Lotus

Nelumbo lutea

Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 31 states

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 5b

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Baldwin's Ironweed

Vernonia baldwinii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Black Ash

Fraxinus nigra

Zones 2b–6b · native to 17 states

Black Cherry

Prunus serotina

Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Zones 4b–9a · native to 35 states

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Zones 3b–9a · native to 27 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Zones 3a–10b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 49 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Blue Waxweed

Cuphea viscosissima

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Blue-fruited Dogwood

Cornus obliqua

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Zones 3a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Bulblet Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Zones 3a–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 5b

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Mar – Aug in zone 5b

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 44 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Oct in zone 5b

Clove Currant

Ribes odoratum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 12 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Clustered Field Sedge

Carex praegracilis

Zones 4a–9b · native to 19 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Aug – Jan in zone 5b

Cream Wild Indigo

Baptisia bracteata var. leucophaea

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 15 states

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5b

Doll's Eyes

Actaea pachypoda

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Dwarf Wild Indigo

Baptisia australis var. minor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Fringed Gentian

Gentianopsis crinita

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 5b

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Zones 5a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Grape Honeysuckle

Lonicera reticulata

Zones 4a–8a · native to 15 states

Blooms Sep – Oct in zone 5b

Gray Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states

Hairy Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza claytonii

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 5b

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5b

Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans

Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Juniper Tree

Juniperus virginiana

Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 5b

Limber Honeysuckle

Lonicera dioica

Zones 3b–8a · native to 32 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Low Serviceberry

Amelanchier humilis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 14 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum acerifolium

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Michigan Lily

Lilium michiganense

Zones 3a–8a · native to 14 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Missouri Ironweed

Vernonia missurica

Zones 4a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Zones 2b–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Narrowleaf Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 13 states

Blooms Oct – Nov in zone 5b

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states

Blooms Dec – Feb in zone 5b

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Zones 2b–7b · native to 34 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Nodding Onion

Allium cernuum

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Northern Red Oak

Quercus rubra

Zones 3b–8a · native to 33 states

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Zones 2b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Zones 3a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Pale Gentian

Gentiana alba

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Pennsylvania Sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 32 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

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 Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Prairie Crabapple

Malus ioensis

Zones 3b–8a · native to 11 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Prairie Ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 18 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Prairie Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 38 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 39 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

River Birch

Betula nigra

Zones 4a–9a · native to 26 states

Roughleaf Dogwood

Cornus drummondii

Zones 4a–8b · native to 17 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Round-leaved Dogwood

Cornus rugosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Round-lobed Hepatica

Hepatica americana

Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 5b

Seersucker Sedge

Carex plantaginea

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 5b

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 20 states

Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 5b

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 5b

Shumard Oak

Quercus shumardii

Zones 5b–9b · native to 23 states

Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Soapweed Yucca

Yucca glauca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 11 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 49 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Solomon's Seal (Native)

Polygonatum biflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Zones 4a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 5b

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 5b

Sundial Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 5b

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Zones 2a–11b · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 39 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 5b

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Zones 4a–9b · native to 27 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 5b

Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Two-leaf Miterwort

Mitella diphylla

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Vernal Witch Hazel

Hamamelis vernalis

Zones 4a–8b · native to 7 states

Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 5b

Virgin's Bower Clematis

Clematis virginiana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 5b

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 27 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 5b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

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 – Sep in zone 5b

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 5b

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 45 states

Blooms Oct – Jan in zone 5b

Wild Blue Indigo

Baptisia australis

Zones 3a–9b · native to 23 states

Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 5b

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 5b

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 5b

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states

Wild Leek

Allium tricoccum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states

Blooms Jul – Jul in zone 5b

Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 5b

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 40 states

Blooms Apr – Sep in zone 5b

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 5b

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 5b

Wreath Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Zones 4a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 5b

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 5b

Direct-sow ~8 wks after your last spring frost

Yellow Giant Hyssop

Agastache nepetoides

Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 5b