Native range

Native plants of Nebraska

34 wild species and 17 plant groups in the BloomsEye library grow wild somewhere in Nebraska, read from Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS. The 72 garden forms of them are listed apart below, each naming its wild parent.

51 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; Nebraska 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 51 plants, 37 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.

Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Full sunZones 4–95 ftLow
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Full sunZones 3–98.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
Full sunZones 3–82 ftLow
False Sunflower
Heliopsis
Full sunZones 3–94 ftModerate
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa
Full sunZones 3–92 ftLow
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Full sunZones 3–84 ftModerate
Apricot Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Blue Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Cream Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Lisianthus
Eustoma
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Picotee Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Pink Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Rose Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
White Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Full sunZones 8–111.5 ftModerate
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
Full sunZones 3–94.5 ftLow
Foliage
Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
Part shadeZones 5–93 ftModerate
Foliage
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum
Full shadeZones 3–81.5 ftHigh
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Part sunZones 4–923 ftModerate
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Part sunZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Flava (Yellow Trumpet)
Campsis radicans f. flava
Full sunZones 4–926 ftModerate
Trumpet Vine
Campsis radicans
Full sunZones 4–926 ftModerate
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Full sunZones 3–76.5 ftModerate
Anise Hyssop
Agastache
Full sunZones 5–93 ftLow
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Part shadeZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Blue Indigo
Baptisia australis
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to cats
Foliage
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Part shadeZones 3–74 ftHigh
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Full sunZones 4–93.5 ftModerate
Northern Sea Oats
Chasmanthium latifolium
Part shadeZones 3–83.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Wild Ginger
Asarum
Full shadeZones 4–86 inModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Aster
Symphyotrichum
Full sunZones 3–83 ftModerate
Goldenrod
Solidago
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Penstemon
Penstemon
Full sunZones 3–82.5 ftLow
Perennial Sunflower
Helianthus
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate
Blazing Star
Liatris
Full sunZones 3–93 ftLow
Bee Balm
Monarda
Full sunZones 3–93 ftModerate
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftLow
Ironweed
Vernonia
Full sunZones 4–95 ftModerate
Serviceberry
Amelanchier
Part sunZones 4–820 ftModerate
Spiderwort
Tradescantia
Part sunZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
False Indigo
Baptisia
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftLow
Listed as toxic to cats
Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium
Full sunZones 4–96 ftHigh
Obedient Plant
Physostegia
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftModerate
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia
Full sunZones 3–101.5 ftLow
Coreopsis
Coreopsis
Full sunZones 4–92 ftLow
Sneezeweed
Helenium
Full sunZones 3–83.5 ftModerate
Trillium
Trillium
Full shadeZones 4–812 inModerate

Recorded across Nebraska

How many of the state's 93 counties record each wild species growing wild, from USDA PLANTS: a plant recorded in many counties is widespread in Nebraska; 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 Nebraska natives

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

  • 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

  • Amber Jubilee

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • 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 Colors

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

  • Autumn Gold Narrow-Leaved Sunflower

    Helianthus salicifolius 'Autumn Gold' · Garden form of Helianthus salicifolius

  • 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

  • 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 Arrow Juniper

    Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow' · Garden form of Juniperus scopulorum

  • 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 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

  • Cherry Brandy

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

  • Claire Grace

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

  • 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

  • Flame Thrower

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

  • Forest Pansy

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

  • Goldilocks

    Rudbeckia hirta 'Goldilocks' · Garden form of Rudbeckia hirta

  • Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac

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

  • 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

  • Little Devil

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Luminary Ultraviolet

    Phlox paniculata 'Ultraviolet' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • 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

  • Prairie Sun

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

  • 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

  • Regent Serviceberry

    Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' · Garden form of Amelanchier alnifolia

  • 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

  • Shenandoah

    Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Skyrocket Juniper

    Juniperus scopulorum 'Skyrocket' · Garden form of Juniperus scopulorum

  • Snow Flurry

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

  • Starfire

    Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Sugar Shack Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Summer Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • The Rising Sun

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

  • 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

  • White Flame

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

Plant groups native to Nebraska

17 plant groups sold under one name whose wild species grow in Nebraska; 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

This page is the whole state. In the free garden planner, enter your ZIP and Garden Check lists these same plants for your location, marks the ones recorded growing wild in your county, and places any of them in your plan; its Browse tab answers for any of the 65 states, provinces and territories with no account.

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