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Native range

Native plants of Iowa

50 wild species and 17 plant groups in the BloomsEye library grow wild somewhere in Iowa, read from Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS. The 119 garden forms of them are listed apart below, each naming its wild parent.

Showing 1 to 60 of 67 plants

How this list is made

Derived from each plant's native-range record, checked against Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS with every decision on a ledger; Iowa is read off the record's own range, and the order is how many of the state's counties record each plant, as stored in the BloomsEye library, which was written with AI assistance. Of these 67 plants, 51 have been checked against outside sources (1 fully verified); the rest have not been checked yet, and each plant's own page says which. The cards are AI-generated illustrations.

Range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 4.0, adapted) and USDA PLANTS. How the native range is credited.

Foliage
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum
Full shadeZones 3–81.5 ftHigh
Foliage
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Part shadeZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Full sunZones 4–95 ftLow
Foliage
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Part shadeZones 3–74 ftHigh
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Part shadeZones 5–93 ftModerate
Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
False Sunflower
Heliopsis
Full sunZones 3–94 ftModerate
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Full sunZones 3–98.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Foliage
Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Full sun6.5 ftModerate1.5 ft wide
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Full sunZones 3–92 ftLow
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Full sunZones 3–84 ftModerate
Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Full sunZones 3–82 ftLow
Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Full shadeZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Part shadeZones 3–88 inLow
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Wild Ginger
Asarum
Full shadeZones 4–86 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Part sunZones 4–923 ftModerate
Foliage
River Birch
Betula nigra
Full sunZones 4–949 ftHigh
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Full sunZones 3–76.5 ftModerate
Anise Hyssop
Agastache
Full sunZones 5–93 ftLow
Blackhaw
Viburnum prunifolium
Full sunZones 3–913 ftModerate
Blue Indigo
Baptisia australis
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to cats
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Part sunZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Full sunZones 4–93.5 ftModerate
Flava (Yellow Trumpet)
Campsis radicans f. flava
Full sunZones 4–926 ftModerate
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Full sunZones 3–94.5 ftLow
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
Full sunZones 4–926 ftModerate
Arrowwood
Viburnum dentatum
Full sunZones 3–88 ftModerate
Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Full sunZones 3–85 ftModerate
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Part shadeZones 2–68 inModerate
Foliage
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Part shadeZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Creeping Phlox
Phlox subulata
Full sunZones 3–96 inLow
Foliage
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Goatsbeard
Aruncus dioicus
Part shadeZones 3–74 ftModerate
Northern Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Part shadeZones 3–83.5 ftModerate
Palm Sedge
Carex muskingumensis
Part sunZones 4–92.5 ftModerate
Potentilla
Potentilla fruticosa
Full sunZones 2–73 ftLow
Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Full sunZones 3–71.5 ftLow
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Full sunZones 3–83 ftLow
Queen of the Prairie
Filipendula rubra
Full sunZones 3–95 ftHigh
Foliage
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Foliage
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Part shadeZones 3–94 ftHigh
Shrubby St. John's Wort
Hypericum prolificum
Full sunZones 4–83 ftModerate
Staghorn Sumac
Rhus typhina
Full sunZones 4–820 ftLow
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Full sunZones 3–96.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Aster
Symphyotrichum
Full sunZones 3–83 ftModerate
Goldenrod
Solidago
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Perennial Sunflower
Helianthus
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate
Blazing Star
Liatris
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Penstemon
Penstemon
Full sunZones 3–82.5 ftLow
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
Part sunZones 4–820 ftModerate
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftLow
Spiderwort
Tradescantia
Part sunZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Trillium
Trillium
Full shadeZones 4–812 inModerate
Ironweed
Vernonia
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate

Recorded across Iowa

How many of the state's 99 counties record each wild species growing wild, from USDA PLANTS: a plant recorded in many counties is widespread in Iowa; one recorded in few may be local, or simply under-recorded. A county's absence is not evidence a plant is absent. 31 of the wild species carry a county record here.

Garden forms of Iowa natives

119 garden forms, each a named selection of a species that grows wild in Iowa and each naming its wild parent. A garden form is not the wild plant, so it is listed here and never counted above.

  • Abbotswood

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Adams Elderberry

    Sambucus canadensis 'Adams' · Garden form of American Elderberry

  • Alma Pötschke

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Pötschke' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Alpine Carpet Juniper

    Juniperus communis 'Mondap' · Garden form of Juniperus communis

  • Amazing Grace

    Phlox subulata 'Amazing Grace' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Amber Jubilee

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Amethyst Falls Wisteria

    Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' · Garden form of Wisteria frutescens

  • Appalachian Red

    Cercis canadensis 'Appalachian Red' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Aquavita Juniper

    Juniperus virginiana 'FARROWJVBF' · Garden form of Juniperus virginiana

  • Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'Farrow' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Arctic Fire Yellow Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'SMNCSBD' · Garden form of Cornus sericea

  • Athena Gold False Sunflower

    Heliopsis helianthoides 'Inhelsogia' · Garden form of False Sunflower

  • Autumn Beauty

    Helianthus annuus 'Autumn Beauty' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Autumn Colors

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Autumn Colors' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Baby Joe Dwarf Joe Pye Weed

    Eutrochium purpureum 'Baby Joe' · Garden form of Eutrochium purpureum

  • Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush

    Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact' · Garden form of Viburnum trilobum

  • Bar Harbor Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Berry Heavy

    Ilex verticillata 'Spravy' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Poppins

    Ilex verticillata 'FarrowBPop' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Blackhawks Big Bluestem

    Andropogon gerardi 'Blackhawks' · Garden form of Andropogon gerardi

  • Blackjack Gold Black-Eyed Susan

    Rudbeckia triloba 'Blackjack Gold' · Garden form of Rudbeckia triloba

  • Blaze

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Blonde Ambition Blue Grama Grass

    Bouteloua gracilis 'Blonde Ambition' · Garden form of Bouteloua gracilis

  • Blue Blaze Viburnum

    Viburnum dentatum 'Blubzam' · Garden form of Arrowwood

  • Blue Chip Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Blue Moon Woodland Phlox

    Phlox divaricata 'Blue Moon' · Garden form of Phlox divaricata

  • Blue Muffin Viburnum

    Viburnum dentatum 'Christom' · Garden form of Arrowwood

  • Blue Paradise

    Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Blue Rug Juniper

    Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' · Garden form of Juniperus horizontalis

  • Bright Eyes

    Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Bubblegum Pink Garden Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Ditomfra' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Candy Stripe

    Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Cherry Brandy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherry Brandy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Claire Grace

    Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' · Garden form of Monarda fistulosa

  • Coconut Lime

    Echinacea 'Coconut Lime' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Columnar White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Coppertina

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Coral Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'Coral Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Crimson Trumpet

    Campsis radicans 'Crimson Trumpet' · Garden form of Trumpet Vine

  • David

    Phlox paniculata 'David' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Denver Daisy

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Denver Daisy' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Diabolo

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Drummond's Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Dwarf White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Nana' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Early Sunrise

    Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' · Garden form of Coreopsis grandiflora

  • Emerald Blue

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Emerald Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Flame Thrower

    Cercis canadensis 'Flame Thrower' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Forest Pansy

    Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Giant Sunflower

    Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth Russian' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Goldfinger

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Goldilocks

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Green Jewel

    Echinacea purpurea 'Green Jewel' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac

    Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' · Garden form of Fragrant Sumac

  • Happy Face Yellow

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Happy Face Yellow' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Hearts of Gold

    Cercis canadensis 'Hearts of Gold' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Heavy Metal

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Indian Summer

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Jeana

    Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Laura

    Phlox paniculata 'Laura' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Lavender Twist

    Cercis canadensis 'Covey' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Lemon Queen

    Helianthus annuus 'Lemon Queen' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Lemony Lace Elderberry

    Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4' · Garden form of Sambucus racemosa

  • Little Devil

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Luminary Ultraviolet

    Phlox paniculata 'Ultraviolet' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Magnus

    Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Major Wheeler

    Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' · Garden form of Lonicera sempervirens

  • Mammoth

    Helianthus annuus 'Mammoth' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Mango Tango

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Mango Tango' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • McKay's White

    Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Moulin Rouge

    Helianthus annuus 'Moulin Rouge' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • New England Aster 'Barr's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Barr's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • New England Aster 'Harrington's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Nicky

    Phlox paniculata 'Nicky' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Northwind

    Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Nugget

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Nugget' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • October Skies

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' · Garden form of Aromatic Aster

  • Orange Perfection

    Phlox paniculata 'Orange Perfection' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Orange Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Orange Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Beauty

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Double Delight

    Echinacea 'Pink Double Delight' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Pink Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • PowWow Wild Berry

    Echinacea 'PowWow Wild Berry' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Prairie Sun

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Prairie Sun' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Purple Beauty

    Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Purple Dome

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Purple Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Purple' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Raydon's Favorite

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' · Garden form of Aromatic Aster

  • Red Ace

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Red Sprite

    Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Red Wings

    Phlox subulata 'Red Wings' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Regent Serviceberry

    Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' · Garden form of Amelanchier alnifolia

  • Ring of Fire

    Helianthus annuus 'Ring of Fire' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • River Mist

    Chasmanthium latifolium 'River Mist' · Garden form of Northern Sea Oats

  • Robert Poore

    Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Royal White Redbud

    Cercis canadensis f. alba 'Royal White' · Garden form of Cercis canadensis subsp. canadensis

  • Ruby Falls

    Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Scarlet Flame

    Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Shenandoah

    Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Snow Flurry

    Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' · Garden form of Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • Soraya

    Helianthus annuus 'Soraya' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Starfire

    Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Strawberry Blonde

    Helianthus annuus 'Strawberry Blonde' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Sugar Shack Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Summer Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Tangerine

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Teddy Bear

    Helianthus annuus 'Teddy Bear' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • The Rising Sun

    Cercis canadensis 'The Rising Sun' · Garden form of Eastern Redbud

  • Tiger Eyes Sumac

    Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' · Garden form of Staghorn Sumac

  • Tiny Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTW' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Toto Gold

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Toto Gold' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Twilight Zone

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Velvet Queen

    Helianthus annuus 'Velvet Queen' · Garden form of Sunflower

  • Weeping White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Pendula' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • White Delight

    Phlox subulata 'White Delight' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • White Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'White Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • White Swan

    Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' · Garden form of Purple Coneflower

  • Winter Gold

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Winter Red

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' · Garden form of Winterberry

Plant groups native to Iowa

17 plant groups sold under one name whose wild species grow in Iowa; the count beside each is how many of its wild species the record finds in the state.

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Native to your own county

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