Stunning native plants that thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, from cheerful black-eyed Susans to elegant oakleaf hydrangeas. Each plant comes with a brief description and some tips to help you create a beautiful, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly garden that supports local wildlife and pollinators.
1) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
These cheerful, daisy-like flowers feature bright yellow petals and dark brown centers. They bloom from summer to fall and are loved by pollinators. Plant them in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
2) Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
With their stunning purple-pink petals and spiky orange centers, these beauties are a magnet for butterflies and bees. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. Echinacea is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it a great choice for any garden.
3) Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Vibrant orange milkweed is a must-have for any butterfly garden. It’s a host plant for monarch caterpillars and provides nectar for adult butterflies. Plant it in full sun and well-draining soil. Avoid using pesticides near this plant to protect the butterflies.
4) Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
With delicate, red and yellow nodding flowers, wild columbine adds a touch of whimsy to any garden. It prefers partial shade and well-draining soil. This plant self-seeds readily, so you can enjoy its charm year after year.
5) Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
These enchanting, blue-pink flowers emerge in early spring, creating a sea of color in the garden. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and partial shade. Plant them in large drifts for a stunning display, and allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
6) Foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia)
A charming, low-growing plant that features delicate, star-shaped white flowers that appear in late spring. It thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Foam flower makes an excellent groundcover and can tolerate some foot traffic.
7) Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
With its striking, deep red flowers, the cardinal flower is a hummingbird magnet. It prefers moist to wet soils and partial to full sun. Plant it near a water feature or in a rain garden for a stunning display.
8) Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
This tall, spiky plant boasts vibrant blue flowers that bloom in late summer to early fall. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and partial to full sun. Great blue lobelia is a great addition to a pollinator garden or mixed border.
9) Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
With its showy, red, pink, or purple flowers and fragrant foliage, bee balm is a favorite of hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage rebloom and divide the plant every few years to maintain vigor.
10) Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Similar to bee balm, wild bergamot features lavender-pink, tubular flowers that attract pollinators. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. This plant is drought-tolerant and makes a great addition to wildflower gardens or meadows.
11) Spotted phlox (Phlox maculata)
This tall, graceful plant features clusters of pale pink to purple flowers with dark purple spots. It blooms in mid to late summer and prefers moist, well-draining soil and partial to full sun. Spotted phlox is a great choice for the back of a border or along a fence.
12) Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
With its heart-shaped leaves and unique, maroon flowers that bloom at ground level, wild ginger makes a great groundcover for shady areas. It prefers moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate heavy shade. The leaves have a ginger-like scent when crushed.
13) Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
This elegant plant features arching stems with dangling, bell-shaped white flowers in spring. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Solomon’s seal makes a great addition to a woodland garden or shade border.
14) Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
This charming, low-growing plant features delicate, white flowers that bloom in early spring before the foliage emerges. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Bloodroot is a great choice for a woodland garden or naturalized area.
15) Trillium (Trillium spp.)
With their three-petaled flowers in shades of white, pink, or red, trilliums are a spring delight. They prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Plant them in a woodland garden or shade border, and allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
16) Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
This unique plant features a hooded green and purple striped spathe surrounding a central spadix. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Jack-in-the-pulpit adds interest to a woodland garden or shade border.
17) Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
This charming plant features large, umbrella-like leaves and solitary, white flowers that bloom in spring. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Mayapple makes great groundcover for a woodland garden or shade border.
18) Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
With their delicate, white, pantaloon-shaped flowers, Dutchman’s breeches are a charming addition to any shade garden. They prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Plant them in a woodland setting or rock garden for a delightful spring display.
19) Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
This fast-growing, climbing vine features attractive, five-lobed leaves that turn a brilliant red in fall. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Virginia creeper is a great choice for covering walls, fences, or trellises.
20) Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
This charming, understory tree features clusters of vibrant, pink-purple flowers that bloom along its branches in early spring. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Redbud makes a stunning addition to any landscape, offering beauty and interest throughout the seasons.
21) Dogwood (Cornus spp.)
With their showy white or pink bracts surrounding small, clustered flowers, dogwoods are a springtime favorite. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Dogwoods make excellent specimen trees or can be planted in small groupings for a stunning display.
22) Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
This unique shrub features fragrant, spider-like, yellow flowers that bloom in late fall to early winter. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Witch-hazel makes a great addition to a mixed border or woodland edge, providing interest when most other plants are dormant.
23) Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
With its large, oak-like leaves and showy, white flower panicles that fade to pink, oakleaf hydrangea is a summer stunner. It prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. This low-maintenance shrub makes a great focal point or can be used as a backdrop in a mixed border.
24) Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
This understory shrub features small, yellow flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge, followed by bright red berries in fall. It prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil. Spicebush is a great choice for a woodland garden or naturalized area, offering food and shelter for wildlife.
25) Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
This multi-stemmed shrub or small tree features delicate, white, star-shaped flowers in early spring, followed by edible, blueberry-like fruits in summer. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Serviceberry offers multi-season interest with its attractive foliage, fall colors, and smooth, gray bark.
