Native herbaceous plants may be useful in one or more of the following situations:
Woodland plants are specifically suited to the following situations:
Most annual plants, and some perennials, can easily be grown by seed. It may take a few years for perennials to establish themselves well. Many companies provide their own custom mixes. If purchasing a commercial "native" seed mix, be aware that the definition of "native plant" can vary. Native mixes may include species native to the region or the U.S., but not native to Ohio.
Cultivars of native species may be available in the trade that offer superior flower color, size, disease resistance, or other characteristics. As previously noted, some selections may not be appropriate for Ohio, but probably most are. Consider the available cultivars, especially for formal and residential landscapes.
Woodland flowers may be especially difficult to find, but many suppliers and new businesses are beginning to serve this growing interest. Check with local nursery suppliers or write to one of the groups referenced in the resource section in the back of this bulletin.
Generally, native plants do not transplant well; many have sensitive or very deep roots. Transplanting is not recommended and will probably lead to poor performance in the landscape. Help preserve native wildflower stands by not collecting whole plants and by not purchasing wildflowers that have been collected unless the wild habitat is about to be destroyed. It is against the law to collect plant material from public parks.
This list includes ferns, grasses, and wildflowers, but not aquatic plants. To the best of our knowledge, all species listed are native to part or all of Ohio. Check local resources if you want a plant native to your county--a plant native to Lake County may or may not be native to Hamilton County. By no means is this list all-inclusive. It includes only native plants that are easy to cultivate, have landscape appeal, and are available in Ohio. Plants are alphabetized by scientific name. Common names are also listed, but may vary regionally. Average heights are given as an approximation, as these may vary among natural populations and different environments.
"Availability" indicates whether the specific plant is available in the trade as plants or as seed. "Specialty dealers" indicates the plant is available from specialty nurseries and seed suppliers who specialize in wildflowers and native plants.
KEY: = RED denotes plant is toxic to humans. Features: *(x) = a food or cover benefit for...*(bf) = butterflies, *(bf-l) = butterfly larvae, *(w) = wildlife; *(bd) = songbirds; *(be) honeybees; *(hb) = hummingbirds. "Do not disturb in the wild." = plant is endangered (!!), threatened (!), or potentially threatened (.)