Native Plants for Mississippi - What to Plant, and When
Mississippi spans one ecoregion:Eastern Temperate Forests
251 plants on this site are native to Mississippi, 49 of them keystone species that feed the most caterpillars and bees. Mississippi sits in the Eastern Temperate Forests ecoregion, and the plants here are the ones that evolved there. Hardiness zones in the state run 7b to 9a, 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 8b

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

Beach Sunflower
Helianthus debilis
Zones 8a–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Apr – Nov in zone 8b

Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Zones 3a–9a · native to 46 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

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 – Nov in zone 8b

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 8b

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

Campfire Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia hirta 'Campfire'
Zones 3a–7b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

Chestnut Oak
Quercus montana
Zones 4b–8a · native to 23 states

Chickasaw Plum
Prunus angustifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 16 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Coastal Plain Willow
Salix caroliniana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 23 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Elliott's Aster
Symphyotrichum elliottii
Zones 8a–11b · native to 7 states
Blooms Aug – Sep in zone 8b

Frostweed
Verbesina virginica
Zones 6a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Giant Ironweed
Vernonia gigantea
Zones 5a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 57 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

Highbush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Zones 4a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris
Zones 7a–9b · native to 9 states

Maryland Golden-aster
Chrysopsis mariana
Zones 5a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

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

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

New York Ironweed
Vernonia noveboracensis
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

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

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 Jan – Mar in zone 8b

Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

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 – Mar in zone 8b

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

Seaside Goldenrod
Solidago sempervirens
Zones 4a–10b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

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 8b

Slash Pine
Pinus elliottii
Zones 8a–10b · native to 6 states

Southern Crabapple
Malus angustifolia
Zones 5b–9a · native to 12 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Southern Live Oak
Quercus virginiana
Zones 7b–10b · native to 9 states

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

Tall Tickseed
Coreopsis tripteris
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 8b

Tickseed
Coreopsis lanceolata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

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 Jul – Oct in zone 8b

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

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

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

'Angel Wings' Foamflower
Tiarella hybrid 'Angel Wings'
Zones 4a–8b · native to 27 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Zones 5a–10b · native to 10 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Allegheny Spurge
Pachysandra procumbens
Zones 5a–9a · native to 11 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

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

American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Zones 6a–10b · native to 15 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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

American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
Zones 4a–8a · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

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 Apr – May in zone 8b

American Lotus
Nelumbo lutea
Zones 4a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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 Apr – Aug in zone 8b

American Wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
Zones 5a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

Amsonia
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Zones 3a–9a · native to 29 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

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

Atamasco Lily
Zephyranthes atamasca
Zones 7a–10b · native to 8 states
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

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 8b

Big Bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Big Bluestem 'Holy Smoke'
Andropogon gerardii
Zones 3a–9b · native to 44 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

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 Mar – May in zone 8b

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 Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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

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

Blue Mistflower
Conoclinium coelestinum
Zones 5a–9b · native to 30 states
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

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

Boneset
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–8b · native to 44 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 3a–10b · native to 50 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

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

Bushy Bluestem
Andropogon glomeratus
Zones 6a–10b · native to 24 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Camphorweed
Heterotheca subaxillaris
Zones 6a–10b · native to 31 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Carolina Geranium
Geranium carolinianum
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Jul in zone 8b

Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Zones 4a–9b · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Nov in zone 8b

Clustered Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Zones 4a–8b · native to 29 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Cockspur Hawthorn
Crataegus crus-galli
Zones 4a–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Common Evening Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms May – Nov in zone 8b

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 Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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

Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 25 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Coral Bean
Erythrina herbacea
Zones 7b–11b · native to 8 states
Blooms Feb – Apr in zone 8b

Coral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Zones 4a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jun – Dec in zone 8b

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

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

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

Cup Plant
Silphium perfoliatum
Zones 3a–9a · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Dahoon Holly
Ilex cassine
Zones 7b–11b · native to 7 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
Zones 4a–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Eastern Gamagrass
Tripsacum dactyloides
Zones 4a–10b · native to 29 states
Blooms May – Sep in zone 8b

Eastern Prickly Pear
Opuntia humifusa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 28 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 43 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

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

False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Zones 3a–9a · native to 42 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella
Zones 3a–10b · native to 17 states
Blooms Apr – Aug in zone 8b

Florida Anise
Illicium floridanum
Zones 6b–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Zones 5a–9a · native to 33 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Zones 3a–8b · native to 27 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

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

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

Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
Zones 3a–9b · native to 47 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Goat's Beard
Aruncus dioicus
Zones 3a–7b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

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

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

Golden St. John's Wort
Hypericum frondosum
Zones 5a–8b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

Gray-Headed Coneflower
Ratibida pinnata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Great Blue Lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Zones 4a–9a · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

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 Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Hairy Alumroot
Heuchera villosa
Zones 3a–9a · native to 19 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

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 Mar – Mar in zone 8b

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

Indian Grass
Sorghastrum nutans
Zones 4a–9a · native to 48 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Inkberry
Ilex glabra
Zones 4a–9b · native to 18 states and provinces

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

Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium purpureum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

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 Mar – Nov in zone 8b

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

Lavender Twist Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Lavender Twist'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Little Bluestem 'Blue Heaven'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Little Bluestem 'Twilight Zone'
Schizachyrium scoparium
Zones 3a–9a · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Little Gem Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Zones 7a–10b · native to 9 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Louisiana Bluestar
Amsonia ludoviciana
Zones 6a–9b · native to 3 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

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

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

Meadow Phlox
Phlox maculata
Zones 3b–8b · native to 29 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Zones 4a–9a · native to 24 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

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

Muscadine Grape
Vitis rotundifolia
Zones 6a–10b · native to 19 states
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 8b

Narrowleaf Silkgrass
Pityopsis graminifolia
Zones 6a–10a · native to 17 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

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

Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Zones 2b–7b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

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

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 – Aug in zone 8b

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Obedient Plant
Physostegia virginiana
Zones 2b–9a · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Obedient Plant 'Crystal Peak White'
Physostegia virginiana 'Crystal Peak White'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Zones 3a–7b · native to 37 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Zones 6a–9b · native to 24 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
Zones 5a–9b · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

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

Pickerelweed
Pontederia cordata
Zones 3a–10b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms May – Sep in zone 8b

Pink Muhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Zones 6a–9b · native to 27 states
Blooms Aug – Oct in zone 8b

Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Zones 3a–9a · native to 18 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
Zones 3a–10b · native to 30 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

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

Prairie Phlox
Phlox pilosa
Zones 4a–9b · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 35 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 8b

Purple Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 39 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Purplehead Sneezeweed
Helenium flexuosum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Zones 3a–9b · native to 29 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

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

Redbay
Persea borbonia
Zones 7b–10b · native to 10 states

Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Zones 4b–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Rose Mallow
Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle Rose Pink'
Zones 4a–9b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Nov in zone 8b

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

Round-lobed Hepatica
Hepatica americana
Zones 3a–8a · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Zones 3a–9a · native to 34 states
Blooms Mar – Nov in zone 8b

Ruby Falls Redbud
Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls'
Zones 5a–9a · native to 31 states
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Rusty Blackhaw
Viburnum rufidulum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Sand Blackberry
Rubus cuneifolius
Zones 6a–9b · native to 15 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Sassafras
Sassafras albidum
Zones 4a–9b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
Zones 7b–11b · native to 6 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Zones 3a–7b · native to 53 states and provinces
Blooms Feb – Mar in zone 8b

Sherry Sue Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia 'Sherry Sue'
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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

Sideoats Grama
Bouteloua curtipendula
Zones 3a–10b · native to 25 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

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

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

Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'
Zones 3a–9b · native to 33 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum
Zones 5a–9a · native to 20 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Snowflake Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake'
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Soapwort Gentian
Gentiana saponaria
Zones 5a–9b · native to 22 states
Blooms Jul – Sep in zone 8b

Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Zones 4a–9b · native to 55 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

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

Southern Wax Myrtle
Morella cerifera
Zones 7a–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jan – Feb in zone 8b

Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Zones 4a–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Spotted Bee Balm
Monarda punctata
Zones 3a–9b · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Stiff Bluestar
Amsonia rigida
Zones 6a–9b · native to 5 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Stokes' Aster
Stokesia laevis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 6 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Striped Gentian
Gentiana villosa
Zones 5a–9b · native to 17 states
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 8b

Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Zones 3a–9a · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

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

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

Swamp Dogwood
Cornus foemina
Zones 6a–9b · native to 17 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

Swamp Jessamine
Gelsemium rankinii
Zones 7a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 45 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jul in zone 8b

Sweet Everlasting
Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
Zones 3a–9b · native to 41 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Oct in zone 8b

Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Zones 5b–10b · native to 16 states
Blooms Apr – Jul in zone 8b

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 Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Switchgrass 'Shenandoah'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

Switchgrass 'Smoking Gun'
Panicum virgatum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 49 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Sep in zone 8b

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

Trailing Phlox
Phlox nivalis
Zones 5a–9b · native to 8 states
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Trillium
Trillium grandiflorum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 34 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – Apr in zone 8b

Tulip Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
Zones 4a–9a · native to 28 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Turk's Cap Lily
Lilium superbum
Zones 4a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Zones 3a–8b · native to 36 states and provinces
Blooms Jun – Aug in zone 8b

Virgin's Bower Clematis
Clematis virginiana
Zones 3a–9b · native to 40 states and provinces
Blooms Jul – Aug in zone 8b

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

Virginia Iris
Iris virginica
Zones 5a–9b · native to 23 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
Zones 5a–9a · native to 25 states
Blooms Apr – Jun in zone 8b

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

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

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

Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Zones 3a–9b · native to 51 states and provinces
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b

Wild Blue Indigo
Baptisia australis
Zones 3a–9b · native to 23 states
Blooms Mar – Jun in zone 8b

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

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

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

Wild Leek
Allium tricoccum
Zones 3a–7b · native to 32 states and provinces
Blooms May – Jun in zone 8b

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

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Zones 3a–9a · native to 35 states and provinces
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Winterthur Smooth Witherod
Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur'
Zones 5a–9b · native to 20 states
Blooms Apr – May in zone 8b

Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Zones 3b–9a · native to 38 states and provinces
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

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

Yaupon Holly
Ilex vomitoria
Zones 7a–10b · native to 11 states
Blooms Mar – May in zone 8b

Yellow Passionflower
Passiflora lutea
Zones 6a–9b · native to 23 states
Blooms May – Aug in zone 8b
Common questions
- What plants are native to Mississippi?
- 'Angel Wings' Foamflower, Adam's Needle, Allegheny Spurge, Alum Root, American Beautyberry, American Beech, American Chestnut, American Elm, and 243 more are native to Mississippi. Every one links to its own growing page.
- When should I plant natives in Mississippi?
- 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi cover?
- Mississippi runs from zone 7b to 9a. Pick your zone at the top of the page and the list re-sorts for it.
- Which keystone plants should I start with in Mississippi?
- American Plum, Baldwin's Ironweed, Beach Sunflower, Black Cherry, Black Oak, Black-Eyed Susan, 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.
Get the free monthly