This document provides information about landscaping with native plants in the Midwest region. It discusses how native plants are hardy and require less maintenance than traditional landscapes once established. Using native plants benefits both the environment and the grower by reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer needs. The document also provides a list of suitable native plant species for the Midwest, including trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. It concludes with some helpful hints for native plantings, such as inventorying existing plants and layering plants by height.

1. Allen County Horticulture Publication ACH-173
Landscaping with Native Plants
Written by: Mindy R. Bireley, Urban Forestry Intern
4001 Crescent Ave., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815-4590
260-481-6826 http://www2.ces.purdue.edu/ces/allen
Native plants are attractive, hardy and once established require less maintenance than
traditional landscapes. Using native plants benefits the grower and the environment. Because
native plant species are adapted to the local climate they may only require watering in times of
severe drought-if at all. Once established, the need to apply pesticides and fertilizers are also
decreased significantly. With the absence of watering, fertilizing and pesticide application the
grower will have time to enjoy their to enjoy their beautifully landscape and a few extra
dollars!
Native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees also serve as a natural habitat for birds, butterflies
and beneficial insects. Native plants species can be incorporated into any The list below gives
selected native plant species for Midwest landscapes. This list certainly does not include every
species, however it does give a starting point for creating a beautiful, native landscape.
Helpful Hints for Native Plantings
Keep High-Maintenance areas Close to the Home
By keeping traditional flower, vegetable and herb gardens near the home you will increase the
amount of wildlife within the native landscape.
Get to Know Your Land
Before beginning a native landscape, examine your site. Take note of the soil type; is it sandy
or clay? It is also a good idea to have the soil tested to find out the whether it is acidic or
alkaline. Exposure of slopes to sun and wind is an important factor to be aware of also. Notice
areas with poor drainage, this might be a good area to place to plant wetland species.
Inventory the Plants already in Existence, add Native Plants to Attract Wildlife
Take an inventory of the plants that already exist in your landscape-do not be afraid to remove
plants that are not native! Removal does not necessarily mean destroying the plants, but
possibly moving them to another location. When attracting wild life it is best to stick with
natives. Birds and other wildlife spread the seeds of fruit they eat making them responsible for
the spread of invasive s well as native species!
Plant in Groups
Try layering plants, beginning with groundcovers to flowers and on to shrubs and trees. This is
most attractive to eye, not to mention wildlife. Remember to leave ample room for the mature
size of each plant. Overcrowding can be unsightly and cause extra work.
Native Plant List

2. TREES & SHRUBS WOODLAND WILDFLOWERS
White Oak Quercu alba Columbine Aquilegis canadensis
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Spring Beauty Claytonia virginica
Black Cherry Prunus serotina Lady-slipper Cypripedium calceolus
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Dutchmans-Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
American Beech Fagus grandifolia Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Hepatica Hepatica americana
White Ash Fraxinus americana Virginia Blubells Mertensia virginica
Black Gum Nyssa sylvatica Wild Phlox Phlox divaricata
White Pine Pinus strobus Mayapple Podophyllum paltatum
N. White Cedar Thuja occidnetalis Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium reptans
E. Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
Redbud Cercis canadensis Trillium Trillium grandiflorum
Serviceberry Amelancheir laevis Bellwort uvularia grandiflora
Red-osier Dogwood Cornus stolonifera Violets Viola species
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago
Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
Witchazel Hamamelis virginiana
Filbert Corylus americana
PRAIRIE WILDFLOWERS & GRASSES WETLAND WILDFLOWERS/GRASSES
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Red Milkweed Ascelpias incarnata
Sidecoata Grama Bouteloua curtipendula Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris
Prarie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis White Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans Joe-pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa Wild Iris Iris missouriensis
Smooth Aster Aster laevis Bottle Gentian Gentiana andrewsii
New England Aster A. novae-angliae Marsh Blazingstar Liatris spicata
Purple Coneflower Echinacea pallida Turks Cap Lily Lilium superbum
Rattlesnake-master Eryngium yuccifolium Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Rough Blazingstar Liatris aspera Ironweed Veronia fasciculata
Prarie Clover Petalostemon purpureum Prarie Cordgrass Spartina pectinala
YellowConeflower Ratibida pinnata Bottlebrush Sedge Carex comosa
Black-eyed Susan Rudebeckia subtomentosa Porcupine Sedge Carex hystericina
Compass Plant Silphium laciniatum Foz Sedge
Where trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Purdue University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to
produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions
It is the policy of Purdue University
Cooperative Extension Service, David C.
Petritz, Director, that all persons shall have equal
opportunity and access to the programs and
facilities without regard to race, color, sex,
national origin, marital status, sexual orientation,
or disability.