Native Plants for Massachusetts — What to Plant, and When

'Angel Wings' Foamflower

Tiarella hybrid 'Angel Wings'

Zones 4a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Allegheny Serviceberry

Amelanchier laevis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 24 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Alum Root

Heuchera americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 35 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

American Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Zones 2a–7b · native to 19 states

American Bellflower

Campanula americana

Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum opulus var. americanum

Zones 2a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

American Linden

Tilia americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

American Plum

Prunus americana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 40 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

American Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 31 states

Blooms Sep – Dec in zone 6b

Amsonia

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Bartram's Serviceberry

Amelanchier bartramiana

Zones 3a–6b · native to 13 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Beach Plum

Prunus maritima

Zones 3a–9a · native to 10 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Bee Balm

Monarda didyma

Zones 4a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Big Bluestem

Andropogon gerardii

Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

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 6b

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

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 6b

Blackhaw Viburnum

Viburnum prunifolium

Zones 3b–9a · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Bloodtwig Serviceberry

Amelanchier sanguinea

Zones 3a–6b · native to 14 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Blue Mistflower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Zones 3a–8b · native to 49 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Blue Waxweed

Cuphea viscosissima

Zones 3a–9a · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Blue-fruited Dogwood

Cornus obliqua

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Bluebead Lily

Clintonia borealis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 21 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Zones 3a–10b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

Zones 3a–7b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Bulblet Bladder Fern

Cystopteris bulbifera

Zones 3a–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 27 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Bur Oak

Quercus macrocarpa

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Campfire Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'

Zones 3a–7b · native to 47 states

Blooms Jun – Oct in zone 6b

Canada Lily

Lilium canadense

Zones 3a–8b · native to 19 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Canadian Burnet

Sanguisorba canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Dec in zone 6b

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Carolina Geranium

Geranium carolinianum

Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states

Blooms Mar – Jul in zone 6b

Carolina Lupine

Thermopsis villosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 16 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina

Zones 4a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Chestnut Oak

Quercus montana

Zones 4b–8a · native to 23 states

Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana

Zones 2a–7b · native to 44 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Feb – Oct in zone 6b

Closed Gentian

Gentiana clausa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 15 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Clustered Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Coastal Plain Serviceberry

Amelanchier obovalis

Zones 4a–8a · native to 13 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 38 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jul – Jan in zone 6b

Creeping Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 15 states

Cucumber Tree

Magnolia acuminata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 22 states

Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 6b

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Deceitful Pussytoes

Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Doll's Eyes

Actaea pachypoda

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms May – May in zone 6b

Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Eastern Prickly Pear

Opuntia humifusa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Eastern White Pine

Pinus strobus

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

Zones 3a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Fireweed

Chamerion angustifolium

Zones 3a–8b · native to 26 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

Zones 5a–9a · native to 32 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Fringed Gentian

Gentianopsis crinita

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Garden Phlox

Phlox paniculata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6b

Ghost Pipe

Monotropa uniflora

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6b

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

Zones 5a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Goat's Beard

Aruncus dioicus

Zones 3a–7b · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Golden Alexander

Zizia aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Golden Ragwort

Packera aurea

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 50 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Gray Birch

Betula populifolia

Zones 3a–6b · native to 14 states

Gray Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

Zones 4a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Green Ash

Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Zones 3a–9a · native to 40 states

Ground Phlox

Phlox subulata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 26 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Hairy Sweet Cicely

Osmorhiza claytonii

Zones 3a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Hardy Hibiscus

Hibiscus moscheutos

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Harebell

Campanula rotundifolia

Zones 2a–7b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Hay-scented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Zones 3a–8a · native to 25 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Zones 4a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

Zones 3a–11b · native to 50 states

Blooms Apr – Apr in zone 6b

Hyssop-leaved Thoroughwort

Eupatorium hyssopifolium

Zones 4a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Indian Grass

Sorghastrum nutans

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6b

Inkberry

Ilex glabra

Zones 4a–9b · native to 17 states

Intermediate Serviceberry

Amelanchier intermedia

Zones 3a–7a · native to 13 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Juniper Bush

Juniperus communis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 25 states

Juniper Tree

Juniperus virginiana

Zones 2a–9a · native to 38 states

Kinnikinnick

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Zones 2a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Limber Honeysuckle

Lonicera dioica

Zones 3b–8a · native to 32 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6b

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Zones 3a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Low Serviceberry

Amelanchier humilis

Zones 2a–6b · native to 14 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum acerifolium

Zones 3a–8a · native to 30 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Mayapple

Podophyllum peltatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Meadow Phlox

Phlox maculata

Zones 3b–8b · native to 28 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Monarda 'Jacob Cline'

Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'

Zones 4a–9b · native to 24 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

Zones 4a–9a · native to 24 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Zones 2b–8a · native to 28 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

Nantucket Serviceberry

Amelanchier nantucketensis

Zones 4a–7b · native to 11 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Zones 3a–8b · native to 39 states

Blooms Nov – Feb in zone 6b

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

New York Ironweed

Vernonia noveboracensis

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Zones 2b–7b · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Northern Bayberry

Morella pensylvanica

Zones 3a–7b · native to 14 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

Zones 2b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Zones 3a–7b · native to 23 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Zones 3a–7b · native to 30 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Pale Gentian

Gentiana alba

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

Zones 2a–7a · native to 20 states

Pennsylvania Sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Zones 3a–8a · native to 35 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Pin Cherry

Prunus pensylvanica

Zones 2a–6b · native to 32 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Pin Oak

Quercus palustris

Zones 4b–8b · native to 28 states

Pink Muhly Grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Zones 6a–9b · native to 25 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6b

Post Oak

Quercus stellata

Zones 5b–9a · native to 29 states

Prairie Phlox

Phlox pilosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6b

Purple Lovegrass

Eragrostis spectabilis

Zones 5a–9b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Red Pine

Pinus resinosa

Zones 2b–6b · native to 14 states

Red-twig Dogwood

Cornus sericea

Zones 2a–7b · native to 39 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Rose Mallow

Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'

Zones 4a–9b · native to 31 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Round-leaved Dogwood

Cornus rugosa

Zones 3a–7b · native to 19 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Round-lobed Hepatica

Hepatica americana

Zones 3a–8a · native to 29 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

Zones 3a–9a · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Oct in zone 6b

Running Serviceberry

Amelanchier spicata

Zones 2a–6b · native to 13 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

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 6b

Serviceberry

Amelanchier canadensis

Zones 3a–7b · native to 49 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Sherry Sue Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Zones 2a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6b

Silky Dogwood

Cornus amomum

Zones 5a–8b · native to 28 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Smooth Beardtongue

Penstemon calycosus

Zones 4a–8b · native to 33 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Smooth Hydrangea

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

Zones 3a–9b · native to 33 states

Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 6b

Smooth Witherod

Viburnum nudum

Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Soft Rush

Juncus effusus

Zones 4a–9b · native to 49 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Solomon's Seal (Native)

Polygonatum biflorum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Zones 4a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 6b

Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 36 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Summersweet

Clethra alnifolia

Zones 3a–9a · native to 22 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Sundial Lupine

Lupinus perennis

Zones 3a–8a · native to 33 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 39 states

Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 6b

Swamp White Oak

Quercus bicolor

Zones 4a–8b · native to 30 states

Sweet Birch

Betula lenta

Zones 4a–7b · native to 20 states

Sweet Fern

Comptonia peregrina

Zones 2a–6b · native to 25 states

Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 6b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'

Panicum virgatum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 44 states

Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 6b

Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Zones 3a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Tall Tickseed

Coreopsis tripteris

Zones 4a–9b · native to 27 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6b

Tickseed

Coreopsis lanceolata

Zones 3a–9b · native to 37 states

Blooms May – Sep in zone 6b

Trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 31 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jul in zone 6b

Turk's Cap Lily

Lilium superbum

Zones 4a–9a · native to 24 states

Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 6b

Turtlehead

Chelone glabra

Zones 3a–8b · native to 29 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Two-leaf Miterwort

Mitella diphylla

Zones 3a–8b · native to 25 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Virgin's Bower Clematis

Clematis virginiana

Zones 3a–9b · native to 34 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Virginia Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – May in zone 6b

White Ash

Fraxinus americana

Zones 3a–9a · native to 32 states

White Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium 'Album'

Zones 2a–7b · native to 17 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

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 6b

White Wood Aster

Eurybia divaricata

Zones 4a–8b · native to 20 states

Blooms Aug – Nov in zone 6b

Wild Aster

Symphyotrichum pilosum

Zones 4a–8b · native to 37 states

Blooms Sep – Nov in zone 6b

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Zones 3a–9b · native to 45 states

Blooms Oct – Dec in zone 6b

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Zones 3a–8b · native to 38 states

Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 6b

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states

Blooms Mar – May in zone 6b

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states

Wild Leek

Allium tricoccum

Zones 3a–7b · native to 27 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Wild Raisin

Viburnum cassinoides

Zones 3a–8a · native to 24 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

Zones 3b–9a · native to 40 states

Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 6b

Direct-sow ~10 wks after your last spring frost

Winterberry

Ilex verticillata

Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states

Blooms May – Jun in zone 6b

Wood Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

Zones 3a–8b · native to 32 states

Blooms Jun – Jul in zone 6b

Woodland Phlox

Phlox divaricata

Zones 3b–9a · native to 37 states

Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 6b

Wreath Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Zones 4a–8b · native to 34 states

Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 6b

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Zones 3a–9b · native to 50 states

Blooms May – Aug in zone 6b

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 6b