Native Plant Species

Native perennial plants naturally grow in a region and have adapted over time to local soil, climate, and wildlife conditions. Their deep roots play an important role in water interception and infiltration, reducing flooding and erosion. Using relatively short plants in areas where visibility matters, such as along roads or driveways, helps keep sight lines clear. Hellstrip plants often need to be drought-tolerant, meaning they can survive with little water. It's also a good idea to select salt-tolerant plants given the closeness of the streets and sidewalks, which get treated with salt during the winter.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

2-4 feet tall.

Drought-tolerant and supports pollinators. Blooms from July to September.

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

2-4 feet tall.

Salt-tolerant and great for pollinators. Blooms from July to September.

Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

2-3 feet tall

Adds texture and provides movement through the strip. Deep-rooted. Blooms from August to October

Golden Alexander (Zizia Aurea)

1-3 feet tall

Very tolerant of dry conditions in the summer. Requies low maintenance. Blooms from May to June.

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)

8 inches tall.

Covering forest floors before trees grow their leaves. Blooms March to April.

Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)

6-10 feet tall.

Grows in forests and along streams. Flood, insect and disease-tolerant. Blooms from May to July.

Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

2-4 feet tall.

Often found in sunny fields and gardens. Attracts bees and butterflies. Blooms in the summer.

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

3-6 feet tall.

Late Summer Flower: New England aster blooms in late summer and fall, bringing color to fields and roadsides.

Popular with bees and butterflies.

Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

2-4 feet tall

Needs little water and has high drought tolerance. Blooms from June to December

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

2-3 feet tall.

Blooms from March to April. New Jersey Tea attract wildlife and improve soil.

Black-eyed Susan (Rhudbeckia hirta)

1-3 feet tall.

Blooms late spring to early fall and they have a great ability to attract pollinator

Bronze wave coral bells (Heuchera villosa)

1.5-2 feet tall.

Bloom in late spring throughout early summer. They are also deer resistant and very low-maintenance.

Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)

4-6 inches tall.

Bloom in late spring with a bloom duration of 3-4 weeks.

Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata)

1-3 feet tall.

Bloom time is early to mid-summer, from June to August.

Hyssop-leaved boneset (Eupatorium hyssopifolium)

2-4 feet tall.

Bloom time is late summer to early fall.

Fire-pink (Silene virginica)

1-2 feet tall.

Bloom time is late spring to early summer.

Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)

2-4 feet tall.

Bloom time is from August to October.

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata)

6 inches tall

Spring-blooming herbaceous perennial with dense, spreading mats. Available in pink, purple, or white flowers.

Page updated

Report abuse