Native plants · New Hampshire

Native plants of Merrimack County

635 plant species are recorded as native to New Hampshire in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Merrimack County by USDA PLANTS. 266 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 3 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.

County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP

Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Native species
635 Typical New Hampshire county: 768 (median of 10 counties)
Garden-ready natives
266 Typical New Hampshire county: 326
Share by type (all 635 native species)
Percent of the 635 native species in each growth type
Tree 12% (75)
Shrub 9% (60)
Wildflower (forb) 49% (311)
Grass or grass-like 21% (133)
Vine 3% (18)
Fern 6% (38)

Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (49%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (21%).

Recorded native ranges can include long-established populations that spread from gardens; check your state’s native plant society list for local guidance. How native status is decided.

ZIP codes mainly in this county fall in USDA hardiness zones 5a to 6a (2023 map).

The native plant list

Cold hardiness is estimated from each plant’s PLANTS minimum temperature. How we estimate it.

Garden-ready natives 266

Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.

Garden-ready native plants of Merrimack County, New Hampshire
PlantType HeightLight Water useHardy to
Allegheny blackberry Rubus allegheniensis Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
alternateleaf dogwood Cornus alternifolia Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
American basswood Tilia americana Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
American beech Fagus grandifolia Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
American bittersweet Celastrus scandens Vine 15 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
American black currant Ribes americanum Shrub 3 ft — — Zone 2b
American bur-reed Sparganium americanum Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
American chestnut Castanea dentata Tree 115 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
American hazelnut Corylus americana Shrub 10 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
American hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Tree 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
American red raspberry Rubus idaeus Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 1a
American water horehound Lycopus americanus Wildflower (forb) 1.8 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
American witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana Tree 20 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
arborvitae Thuja occidentalis Tree 50 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
arctic sweet coltsfoot Petasites frigidus Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
arrowleaf tearthumb Polygonum sagittatum Vine 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 6a
Atlantic white cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides Tree 50 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
awlfruit sedge Carex stipata Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
balsam fir Abies balsamea Tree 60 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
beaked hazelnut Corylus cornuta Tree 15 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
big bluestem Andropogon gerardii Grass or grass-like 6 ft Sun Low Zone 2b
bigleaf aster Eurybia macrophylla Wildflower (forb) 4.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
bigtooth aspen Populus grandidentata Tree 65 ft Sun High Zone 3a
black ash Fraxinus nigra Tree 65 ft Sun High Zone 2b
black cherry Prunus serotina Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 9b
black huckleberry Gaylussacia baccata Shrub 4 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
black oak Quercus velutina Tree 80 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
black spruce Picea mariana Tree 65 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 1a
black willow Salix nigra Tree 100 ft Sun High Zone 1b
blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Wildflower (forb) 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 5a
blackgum Nyssa sylvatica Tree 95 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5b
blister sedge Carex vesicaria Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
bluebead Clintonia borealis Wildflower (forb) 1.1 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
blunt broom sedge Carex tribuloides Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
bog goldenrod Solidago uliginosa Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
bog Labrador tea Ledum groenlandicum Shrub 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
bog laurel Kalmia polifolia Shrub 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
bog muhly Muhlenbergia uniflora Grass or grass-like 1.2 ft Sun High Zone 4a
bog willowherb Epilobium leptophyllum Wildflower (forb) 3.6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
bristly dewberry Rubus hispidus Shrub 2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
bristlystalked sedge Carex leptalea Grass or grass-like 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
broadleaf arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 4a
broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
broom sedge Carex scoparia Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
buckbean Menyanthes trifoliata Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
bunchberry dogwood Cornus canadensis Shrub 6 in Shade-tolerant High Zone 4b
butternut Juglans cinerea Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
calico aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
Canada goldenrod Solidago canadensis Wildflower (forb) 3.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
Canada yew Taxus canadensis Shrub 5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 12b
Canadian lousewort Pedicularis canadensis Wildflower (forb) 1.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
Canadian rush Juncus canadensis Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis Wildflower (forb) 5.9 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
chokecherry Prunus virginiana Tree 25 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
cinnamon fern Osmunda cinnamomea Fern 4.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
coastal sweetpepperbush Clethra alnifolia Shrub 16 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
common blue violet Viola sororia Wildflower (forb) 4 in Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Tree 15 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
common cowparsnip Heracleum maximum Wildflower (forb) 8 ft Sun High Zone 3b
common evening primrose Oenothera biennis Wildflower (forb) 5 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
common juniper Juniperus communis Tree 10 ft Sun Low Zone 3a
common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius Shrub 10 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
common rush Juncus effusus Grass or grass-like 6.6 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
common selfheal Prunella vulgaris Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
common serviceberry Amelanchier arborea Tree 36 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
common spikerush Eleocharis palustris Grass or grass-like 1.3 ft Sun High Zone 3b
common winterberry Ilex verticillata Tree 10 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
creeping snowberry Gaultheria hispidula Shrub 6 in Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
crested woodfern Dryopteris cristata Fern 1.6 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
cutleaf coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata Wildflower (forb) 8.2 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3b
deertongue Dichanthelium clandestinum Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
devil's beggartick Bidens frondosa Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 12a
devil's darning needles Clematis virginiana Vine 15 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
Dewey sedge Carex deweyana Grass or grass-like 3.8 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
downy yellow violet Viola pubescens Wildflower (forb) 1.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
drooping woodreed Cinna latifolia Grass or grass-like 4.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum Wildflower (forb) 2.6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis Tree 105 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana Tree 50 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3a
eastern rough sedge Carex scabrata Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
eastern teaberry Gaultheria procumbens Shrub 6 in Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
eastern white pine Pinus strobus Tree 150 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 3a
field horsetail Equisetum arvense Fern 11 in Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
field pussytoes Antennaria neglecta Wildflower (forb) 1 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
fireweed Chamerion angustifolium Wildflower (forb) 5.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
flatstem pondweed Potamogeton zosteriformis Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 3b
flattened oatgrass Danthonia compressa Grass or grass-like 2.4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
floating pondweed Potamogeton natans Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 3b
fowl mannagrass Glyceria striata Grass or grass-like 5.7 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
fringed brome Bromus ciliatus Grass or grass-like 4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 7a
fringed sedge Carex crinita Grass or grass-like 5.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
giant goldenrod Solidago gigantea Wildflower (forb) 8.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
golden ragwort Packera aurea Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3a
graceful sedge Carex gracillima Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
gray alder Alnus incana Tree 25 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
gray birch Betula populifolia Tree 25 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
gray dogwood Cornus racemosa Shrub 10 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
great laurel Rhododendron maximum Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 6a
greater bladder sedge Carex intumescens Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
greater creeping spearwort Ranunculus flammula Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
green alder Alnus viridis Tree 10 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 1a
green arrow arum Peltandra virginica Wildflower (forb) 2.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Tree 80 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
green bulrush Scirpus atrovirens Grass or grass-like 5.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 2a
groundnut Apios americana Vine 1 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
hardstem bulrush Schoenoplectus acutus Grass or grass-like 9.8 ft Sun High Zone 3b
hazel alder Alnus serrulata Tree 30 ft Sun High Zone 5a
highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum Shrub 12 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
hobblebush Viburnum lantanoides Shrub 10 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
hooded lady's tresses Spiranthes romanzoffiana Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
hop sedge Carex lupulina Grass or grass-like 4.3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Tree 45 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3b
Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum Wildflower (forb) 3.3 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
interrupted fern Osmunda claytoniana Fern 4 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
Jack in the pulpit Arisaema triphyllum Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5b
jewelweed Impatiens capensis Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 10b
jointleaf rush Juncus articulatus Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
largeleaf pondweed Potamogeton amplifolius Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 4a
late purple aster Symphyotrichum patens Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata Shrub 4 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Low Zone 3b
littleleaf buttercup Ranunculus abortivus Wildflower (forb) 2.8 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Shrub 2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
maleberry Lyonia ligustrina Shrub 9 ft Shade-tolerant — Zone 5a
mapleleaf viburnum Viburnum acerifolium Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
marsh bellflower Campanula aparinoides Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris Wildflower (forb) 2 in Sun High Zone 4a
melic mannagrass Glyceria melicaria Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
Mexican muhly Muhlenbergia mexicana Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
Missouri River willow Salix eriocephala Tree 52 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3b
mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia Tree 6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 5a
mountain maple Acer spicatum Tree 25 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
nannyberry Viburnum lentago Tree 28 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
necklace sedge Carex projecta Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
needle spikerush Eleocharis acicularis Grass or grass-like 8 in Sun Medium Zone 5a
nerveless woodland sedge Carex leptonervia Grass or grass-like 2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus Shrub 3 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
New York aster Symphyotrichum novi-belgii Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun High Zone 4a
New York fern Thelypteris noveboracensis Fern 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
nodding beggartick Bidens cernua Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12a
nodding lady's tresses Spiranthes cernua Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Sun High Zone 3b
nodding waternymph Najas flexilis Wildflower (forb) 2.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 12a
northern bush honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera Shrub 2.4 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 5a
northern maidenhair Adiantum pedatum Fern 1.3 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
northern mountain ash Sorbus decora Tree 40 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 2a
northern red oak Quercus rubra Tree 81 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
northern spicebush Lindera benzoin Tree 12 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5a
northern St. Johnswort Hypericum boreale Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
Northwest Territory sedge Carex utriculata Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun High Zone 3a
panicled bulrush Scirpus microcarpus Grass or grass-like 5.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
paper birch Betula papyrifera Tree 70 ft Sun High Zone 1a
Pennsylvania bittercress Cardamine pensylvanica Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
Pennsylvania smartweed Polygonum pensylvanicum Wildflower (forb) 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 10b
pickerelweed Pontederia cordata Wildflower (forb) 3.2 ft Sun High Zone 5a
pin cherry Prunus pensylvanica Tree 30 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
pipsissewa Chimaphila umbellata Shrub 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3b
pitch pine Pinus rigida Tree 80 ft Sun Low Zone 3a
poverty rush Juncus tenuis Grass or grass-like 1.5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata Grass or grass-like 8 ft Sun High Zone 3b
prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
prairie willow Salix humilis Shrub 10 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
purple avens Geum rivale Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun High Zone 4a
purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis Grass or grass-like 11 in Sun Low Zone 3a
purpleflowering raspberry Rubus odoratus Shrub 5 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
purplestem aster Symphyotrichum puniceum Wildflower (forb) 8.1 ft Sun High Zone 3b
pussy willow Salix discolor Tree 40 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
quaking aspen Populus tremuloides Tree 65 ft Sun High Zone 1a
quill sedge Carex tenera Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
rattlesnake fern Botrychium virginianum Fern 1.4 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
rattlesnake mannagrass Glyceria canadensis Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
red elderberry Sambucus racemosa Tree 18 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
red maple Acer rubrum Tree 68 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 2b
red pine Pinus resinosa Tree 80 ft Sun Low Zone 3a
red spruce Picea rubens Tree 110 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
redosier dogwood Cornus sericea Tree 12 ft Sun High Zone 3b
redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum Grass or grass-like 3.3 ft Sun High Zone 4a
reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea Grass or grass-like 5 ft Sun High Zone 3b
rhodora Rhododendron canadense Shrub 18 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 5a
ribbonleaf pondweed Potamogeton epihydrus Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 4a
rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 4a
riverbank wildrye Elymus riparius Grass or grass-like 4.5 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
roadside agrimony Agrimonia striata Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
rough bentgrass Agrostis scabra Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
roundleaf dogwood Cornus rugosa Tree 10 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4b
roundleaf serviceberry Amelanchier sanguinea Tree 10 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3a
sandcherry Prunus pumila Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
sassafras Sassafras albidum Tree 75 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
shagbark hickory Carya ovata Tree 75 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
shallow sedge Carex lurida Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
shining willow Salix lucida Tree 13 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3a
shortawn foxtail Alopecurus aequalis Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
shrubby cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosa Shrub 2.5 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4b
silky dogwood Cornus amomum Shrub 10 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
silvery sedge Carex canescens Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
skunk cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
slender spikerush Eleocharis tenuis Grass or grass-like 2.9 ft Sun Low Zone 5a
slender wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun Medium Zone 3b
small enchanter's nightshade Circaea alpina Wildflower (forb) 11 in Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
small white violet Viola macloskeyi Wildflower (forb) 6 in Shade-tolerant High Zone 4b
smooth blue aster Symphyotrichum laeve Wildflower (forb) 4 ft Sun Medium Zone 3a
smooth sumac Rhus glabra Tree 12 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
softleaf sedge Carex disperma Grass or grass-like 2 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
softstem bulrush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Grass or grass-like 9 ft Sun High Zone 3b
southern arrowwood Viburnum recognitum Tree 9 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
spike trisetum Trisetum spicatum Grass or grass-like 1.9 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
spotted joe pye weed Eutrochium maculatum Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
staghorn sumac Rhus typhina Tree 30 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4a
star sedge Carex echinata Grass or grass-like 1.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa Shrub 4 ft Sun Low Zone 4a
stiff clubmoss Lycopodium annotinum Fern 1 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 3a
strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus Grass or grass-like 3.2 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
striped maple Acer pensylvanicum Tree 35 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 2b
sugar maple Acer saccharum Tree 100 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 2b
summer grape Vitis aestivalis Vine 30 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 5a
swamp loosestrife Decodon verticillatus Shrub 8 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 5a
swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Sun High Zone 3b
swamp rose Rosa palustris Shrub 8.2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
swamp smartweed Polygonum hydropiperoides Wildflower (forb) — Sun Medium Zone 10b
swamp white oak Quercus bicolor Tree 100 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
sweet birch Betula lenta Tree 60 ft Sun Medium Zone 4b
sweet fern Comptonia peregrina Shrub 2 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 3b
sweet woodreed Cinna arundinacea Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Shade-tolerant Low Zone 4a
sweetgale Myrica gale Shrub 6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
tall cinquefoil Potentilla arguta Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
tall hairy agrimony Agrimonia gryposepala Wildflower (forb) 5.9 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
tamarack Larix laricina Tree 80 ft Sun Medium Zone 1a
tawny cottongrass Eriophorum virginicum Grass or grass-like 3.9 ft Sun Medium Zone 4a
three-way sedge Dulichium arundinaceum Grass or grass-like 2.6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
threepetal bedstraw Galium trifidum Vine 10 in Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
threeseeded sedge Carex trisperma Grass or grass-like 1.9 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 4a
toad rush Juncus bufonius Grass or grass-like 1 ft Sun Medium Zone 12a
trumpetweed Eutrochium fistulosum Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4b
twisted sedge Carex torta Grass or grass-like 2.8 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4a
twoheaded water-starwort Callitriche heterophylla Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 4a
upland bentgrass Agrostis perennans Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
upright sedge Carex stricta Grass or grass-like 4.2 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
variableleaf pondweed Potamogeton gramineus Wildflower (forb) — Sun High Zone 3b
vernal water-starwort Callitriche palustris Wildflower (forb) 10 in Sun Medium Zone 4a
Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia Vine 1 ft Sun–part shade Low Zone 4b
Virginia rose Rosa virginiana Shrub 6 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b
Virginia spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana Wildflower (forb) 1.1 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3b
Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus Grass or grass-like 2.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 4b
water horsetail Equisetum fluviatile Fern 3 ft Sun High Zone 4a
wavy hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa Grass or grass-like 2.6 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
western pearly everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
white ash Fraxinus americana Tree 90 ft Sun High Zone 4a
white edge sedge Carex debilis Grass or grass-like 3 ft Shade-tolerant High Zone 6a
white meadowsweet Spiraea alba Shrub 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4a
white oak Quercus alba Tree 100 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 3a
white panicle aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum Wildflower (forb) 6 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 3b
wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa Wildflower (forb) 4.9 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
wild sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis Wildflower (forb) 1.5 ft Shade-tolerant Medium Zone 3b
winged sumac Rhus copallinum Tree 8 ft Sun Low Zone 4b
winter bentgrass Agrostis hyemalis Grass or grass-like 3.5 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
woodland horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum Fern 11 in Shade-tolerant Low Zone 3a
woodland muhly Muhlenbergia sylvatica Grass or grass-like 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus Grass or grass-like 4.9 ft Sun–part shade High Zone 4a
wreath goldenrod Solidago caesia Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 4b
yellow birch Betula alleghaniensis Tree 75 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 2b
yellow marsh marigold Caltha palustris Wildflower (forb) 2 ft Sun High Zone 3b
zigzag goldenrod Solidago flexicaulis Wildflower (forb) 3 ft Sun–part shade Medium Zone 5b

Other native species recorded here 369

PLANTS has no growing records for these, so light, moisture, height and zone filters cannot include them. Many are wild species seldom sold by nurseries.

  • Allegheny hawkweed Hieracium paniculatum
  • Allegheny monkeyflower Mimulus ringens
  • allegheny vine Adlumia fungosa
  • alpine bulrush Trichophorum alpinum
  • alpine violet Viola labradorica
  • American burnweed Erechtites hieraciifolius
  • American false pennyroyal Hedeoma pulegioides
  • American fly honeysuckle Lonicera canadensis
  • American ginseng Panax quinquefolius
  • American golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium americanum
  • American hogpeanut Amphicarpaea bracteata
  • American mannagrass Glyceria grandis
  • American marshpennywort Hydrocotyle americana
  • American senna Senna hebecarpa
  • American spikenard Aralia racemosa
  • American white waterlily Nymphaea odorata
  • American wintergreen Pyrola americana
  • arrowleaf violet Viola sagittata
  • Atlantic goldenrod Solidago arguta
  • azure bluet Houstonia caerulea
  • Back's sedge Carex backii
  • balsam groundsel Packera paupercula
  • bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata
  • bayonet rush Juncus militaris
  • bear oak Quercus ilicifolia
  • Bebb willow Salix bebbiana
  • Beck's water-marigold Bidens beckii
  • beechdrops Epifagus virginiana
  • Bicknell's cranesbill Geranium bicknellii
  • blackseed plantain Plantago rugelii
  • Blue Ridge blueberry Vaccinium pallidum
  • blue skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora
  • bluejacket Tradescantia ohiensis
  • bluntleaf sandwort Moehringia lateriflora
  • bog fern Thelypteris simulata
  • bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia
  • bog white violet Viola lanceolata
  • bog yellowcress Rorippa palustris
  • bog yelloweyed grass Xyris difformis
  • boreal bog sedge Carex magellanica
  • boreal starwort Stellaria borealis
  • bristly sarsaparilla Aralia hispida
  • brittle bladderfern Cystopteris fragilis
  • broad beechfern Phegopteris hexagonoptera
  • broad looseflower sedge Carex laxiflora
  • brown beaksedge Rhynchospora fusca
  • brownfruit rush Juncus pelocarpus
  • brownish beaksedge Rhynchospora capitellata
  • brownish sedge Carex brunnescens
  • bulblet-bearing water hemlock Cicuta bulbifera
  • Canada lettuce Lactuca canadensis
  • Canada lily Lilium canadense
  • Canada mayflower Maianthemum canadense
  • Canada toadflax Nuttallanthus canadensis
  • Canadian burnet Sanguisorba canadensis
  • Canadian clearweed Pilea pumila
  • carelessweed Cyclachaena xanthiifolia
  • Carolina springbeauty Claytonia caroliniana
  • catberry Ilex mucronata
  • checkered rattlesnake plantain Goodyera tesselata
  • cheerful sunflower Helianthus ×laetiflorus
  • Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
  • clammy groundcherry Physalis heterophylla
  • clasping milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulis
  • claspingleaf pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus
  • Clayton's sweetroot Osmorhiza claytonii
  • climbing false buckwheat Polygonum scandens
  • clustered mountainmint Pycnanthemum muticum
  • coastal jointweed Polygonella articulata
  • coastal plain joe pye weed Eutrochium dubium
  • common bladderwort Utricularia macrorhiza
  • common boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
  • common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
  • common marsh bedstraw Galium palustre
  • common yellow oxalis Oxalis stricta
  • cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
  • Crawford's sedge Carex crawfordii
  • curlytop knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium
  • cutleaf grapefern Botrychium dissectum
  • deeproot clubmoss Lycopodium tristachyum
  • devil's bite Liatris scariosa
  • dogtooth violet Erythronium americanum
  • Dortmann's cardinalflower Lobelia dortmanna
  • downy goldenrod Solidago puberula
  • downy rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens
  • downy yellow false foxglove Aureolaria virginica
  • dragon's mouth Arethusa bulbosa
  • drooping woodland sedge Carex arctata
  • dwarf chinquapin oak Quercus prinoides
  • dwarf cinquefoil Potentilla canadensis
  • dwarf ginseng Panax trifolius
  • dwarf red blackberry Rubus pubescens
  • early azalea Rhododendron prinophyllum
  • early goldenrod Solidago juncea
  • early saxifrage Saxifraga virginiensis
  • earth loosestrife Lysimachia terrestris
  • eastern blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium atlanticum
  • eastern daisy fleabane Erigeron annuus
  • eastern hayscented fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
  • eastern hemlockparsley Conioselinum chinense
  • eastern prickly gooseberry Ribes cynosbati
  • eastern purple bladderwort Utricularia purpurea
  • Eaton's rosette grass Dichanthelium spretum
  • fall phlox Phlox paniculata
  • fall witchgrass Digitaria cognata
  • false melic Schizachne purpurascens
  • feathery false lily of the valley Maianthemum racemosum
  • fernleaf yellow false foxglove Aureolaria pedicularia
  • fewnerved cottongrass Eriophorum tenellum
  • fibrousroot sedge Carex communis
  • fireberry hawthorn Crataegus chrysocarpa
  • flat-top goldentop Euthamia graminifolia
  • flatleaf bladderwort Utricularia intermedia
  • forked bluecurls Trichostema dichotomum
  • forked threeawn Aristida basiramea
  • fox grape Vitis labrusca
  • fragrant bedstraw Galium triflorum
  • fringed loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata
  • fringed willowherb Epilobium ciliatum
  • gall of the earth Prenanthes trifoliolata
  • gaywings Polygala paucifolia
  • golden hedgehyssop Gratiola aurea
  • golden zizia Zizia aurea
  • grassy arrowhead Sagittaria graminea
  • Great Plains flatsedge Cyperus lupulinus
  • greater fringed gentian Gentianopsis crinita
  • greater purple fringed orchid Platanthera grandiflora
  • greater water dock Rumex orbiculatus
  • green adder's-mouth orchid Malaxis unifolia
  • green carpetweed Mollugo verticillata
  • green false hellebore Veratrum viride
  • green fringed orchid Platanthera lacera
  • Greene's rush Juncus greenei
  • greenflowered wintergreen Pyrola chlorantha
  • groundcedar Lycopodium complanatum
  • hairy goldenrod Solidago hispida
  • hairy Solomon's seal Polygonatum pubescens
  • hairy woodrush Luzula acuminata
  • halberdleaf tearthumb Polygonum arifolium
  • handsome Harry Rhexia virginica
  • harlequin blueflag Iris versicolor
  • hay sedge Carex argyrantha
  • heartleaf four o'clock Mirabilis nyctaginea
  • hemlock rosette grass Dichanthelium sabulorum
  • hemlock waterparsnip Sium suave
  • hiddenfruit bladderwort Utricularia geminiscapa
  • hoary frostweed Helianthemum bicknellii
  • hookedspur violet Viola adunca
  • Hooker's orchid Platanthera hookeri
  • horned bladderwort Utricularia cornuta
  • hornleaf riverweed Podostemum ceratophyllum
  • Howell's pussytoes Antennaria howellii
  • humped bladderwort Utricularia gibba
  • Indian cucumber Medeola virginiana
  • Indian-tobacco Lobelia inflata
  • Indianpipe Monotropa uniflora
  • inundated clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata
  • Kalm's hawkweed Hieracium kalmii
  • king of the meadow Thalictrum pubescens
  • lanceleaf wild licorice Galium lanceolatum
  • large St. Johnswort Hypericum majus
  • largefruit blacksnakeroot Sanicula trifoliata
  • largepod pinweed Lechea intermedia
  • lavender bladderwort Utricularia resupinata
  • leathery grapefern Botrychium multifidum
  • lesser Canadian St. Johnswort Hypericum canadense
  • lesser purple fringed orchid Platanthera psycodes
  • lesser roundleaved orchid Platanthera orbiculata
  • lesser yellow lady's slipper Cypripedium parviflorum
  • limp mannagrass Glyceria laxa
  • little evening primrose Oenothera perennis
  • little floating bladderwort Utricularia radiata
  • little floatingheart Nymphoides cordata
  • little grapefern Botrychium simplex
  • long beechfern Phegopteris connectilis
  • longbranch frostweed Helianthemum canadense
  • longstalk sedge Carex pedunculata
  • low rough aster Eurybia radula
  • low watermilfoil Myriophyllum humile
  • maidenhair spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes
  • marginal woodfern Dryopteris marginalis
  • marsh blue violet Viola cucullata
  • marsh mermaidweed Proserpinaca palustris
  • marsh skullcap Scutellaria galericulata
  • Maryland sanicle Sanicula marilandica
  • mat sandbur Cenchrus longispinus
  • matricary grapefern Botrychium matricariifolium
  • matted spikerush Eleocharis intermedia
  • mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
  • meadow willow Salix petiolaris
  • moccasin flower Cypripedium acaule
  • mountain ricegrass Piptatheropsis pungens
  • mountain woodsorrel Oxalis montana
  • narrowleaf bur-reed Sparganium angustifolium
  • narrowleaf cowwheat Melampyrum lineare
  • narrowleaf mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
  • narrowpanicle rush Juncus brevicaudatus
  • New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
  • northeastern sedge Carex cryptolepis
  • northern adderstongue Ophioglossum pusillum
  • northern bugleweed Lycopus uniflorus
  • northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
  • northern evening primrose Oenothera parviflora
  • northern long sedge Carex folliculata
  • northern panicgrass Dichanthelium boreale
  • northern selaginella Selaginella rupestris
  • northern shorthusk Brachyelytrum aristosum
  • Norwegian cinquefoil Potentilla norvegica
  • Oakes' pondweed Potamogeton oakesianus
  • obedient plant Physostegia virginiana
  • oldpasture bluegrass Poa saltuensis
  • oneflowered broomrape Orobanche uniflora
  • painted trillium Trillium undulatum
  • pale false mannagrass Torreyochloa pallida
  • pale sedge Carex pallescens
  • pale St. Johnswort Hypericum ellipticum
  • paleleaf woodland sunflower Helianthus strumosus
  • palespike lobelia Lobelia spicata
  • parasol whitetop Doellingeria umbellata
  • Parlin's pussytoes Antennaria parlinii
  • partridgeberry Mitchella repens
  • pasture thistle Cirsium pumilum
  • Pennsylvania sedge Carex pensylvanica
  • Philadelphia panicgrass Panicum philadelphicum
  • pinesap Monotropa hypopitys
  • pink bogbutton Sclerolepis uniflora
  • pointedleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium glutinosum
  • poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix
  • poke milkweed Asclepias exaltata
  • poverty dropseed Sporobolus vaginiflorus
  • poverty oatgrass Danthonia spicata
  • purple chokeberry Aronia ×prunifolia
  • purple milkwort Polygala sanguinea
  • purple pitcherplant Sarracenia purpurea
  • rabbit-tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
  • racemed milkwort Polygala polygama
  • rare clubmoss Lycopodium obscurum
  • rattlesnakeweed Hieracium venosum
  • red baneberry Actaea rubra
  • red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
  • red trillium Trillium erectum
  • rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
  • Robert geranium Geranium robertianum
  • robin runaway Dalibarda repens
  • robin's plantain Erigeron pulchellus
  • rock harlequin Corydalis sempervirens
  • rock polypody Polypodium virginianum
  • rosy sedge Carex rosea
  • rough barnyardgrass Echinochloa muricata
  • rough hawkweed Hieracium scabrum
  • roughleaf ricegrass Oryzopsis asperifolia
  • roundleaf sundew Drosera rotundifolia
  • roundleaf yellow violet Viola rotundifolia
  • running clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum
  • running serviceberry Amelanchier stolonifera
  • rusty woodsia Woodsia ilvensis
  • scaldweed Cuscuta gronovii
  • sensitive fern Onoclea sensibilis
  • Sesquehana sandcherry Prunus susquehanae
  • sessilefruit arrowhead Sagittaria rigida
  • sessileleaf bellwort Uvularia sessilifolia
  • setose blackberry Rubus setosus
  • sevenangle pipewort Eriocaulon aquaticum
  • sheep laurel Kalmia angustifolia
  • shining clubmoss Huperzia lucidula
  • shortbeak sedge Carex brevior
  • showy ticktrefoil Desmodium canadense
  • shrubby fivefingers Sibbaldiopsis tridentata
  • sidebells wintergreen Orthilia secunda
  • silver false spleenwort Deparia acrostichoides
  • single delight Moneses uniflora
  • skullcap speedwell Veronica scutellata
  • skunk currant Ribes glandulosum
  • sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
  • slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
  • slender rosette grass Dichanthelium xanthophysum
  • slenderleaf false foxglove Agalinis tenuifolia
  • slimleaf panicgrass Dichanthelium linearifolium
  • small cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos
  • small green wood orchid Platanthera clavellata
  • small pondweed Potamogeton pusillus
  • small waterwort Elatine minima
  • smallflower false foxglove Agalinis paupercula
  • Smith's bulrush Schoenoplectiella smithii
  • smooth blackberry Rubus canadensis
  • smooth carrionflower Smilax herbacea
  • smooth rose Rosa blanda
  • smooth sawgrass Cladium mariscoides
  • smooth winterberry Ilex laevigata
  • smooth yellow false foxglove Aureolaria flava
  • snailseed pondweed Potamogeton bicupulatus
  • snakemouth orchid Pogonia ophioglossoides
  • spinulose woodfern Dryopteris carthusiana
  • spiral pondweed Potamogeton spirillus
  • spoonleaf sundew Drosera intermedia
  • spotted pondweed Potamogeton pulcher
  • spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
  • spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata
  • spreading dogbane Apocynum androsaemifolium
  • Sprengel's sedge Carex sprengelii
  • starflower Trientalis borealis
  • starry false lily of the valley Maianthemum stellatum
  • starved panicgrass Dichanthelium depauperatum
  • strict blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium montanum
  • swamp verbena Verbena hastata
  • Swan's sedge Carex swanii
  • swaying bulrush Schoenoplectus subterminalis
  • sweet white violet Viola blanda
  • tall blue lettuce Lactuca biennis
  • tall rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes altissima
  • tall thimbleweed Anemone virginiana
  • tapered rosette grass Dichanthelium acuminatum
  • thinleaf cottonsedge Eriophorum viridicarinatum
  • thinleaf sunflower Helianthus decapetalus
  • threadleaf crowfoot Ranunculus trichophyllus
  • threeleaf false lily of the valley Maianthemum trifolium
  • threeleaf goldthread Coptis trifolia
  • toothed flatsedge Cyperus dentatus
  • toothed whitetop aster Sericocarpus asteroides
  • Torrey's bulrush Schoenoplectus torreyi
  • trailing arbutus Epigaea repens
  • tuberous grasspink Calopogon tuberosus
  • Tuckerman's pondweed Potamogeton confervoides
  • tufted lovegrass Eragrostis pectinacea
  • tussock cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum
  • twinflower Linnaea borealis
  • twistedstalk Streptopus lanceolatus
  • upland boneset Eupatorium sessilifolium
  • variegated scouringrush Equisetum variegatum
  • velvet sedge Carex vestita
  • velvetleaf huckleberry Vaccinium myrtilloides
  • Viola ×primulifolia Viola ×primulifolia
  • Virginia chainfern Woodwardia virginica
  • Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
  • Virginia groundcherry Physalis virginiana
  • Virginia marsh St. Johnswort Triadenum virginicum
  • Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
  • Virginia strawberry Fragaria virginiana
  • water arum Calla palustris
  • waterawlwort Subularia aquatica
  • watershield Brasenia schreberi
  • wavyleaf aster Symphyotrichum undulatum
  • waxflower shinleaf Pyrola elliptica
  • western oakfern Gymnocarpium dryopteris
  • western poison ivy Toxicodendron rydbergii
  • whip-poor-will flower Trillium cernuum
  • white baneberry Actaea pachypoda
  • white beaksedge Rhynchospora alba
  • white fringed orchid Platanthera blephariglottis
  • white goldenrod Solidago bicolor
  • white snakeroot Ageratina altissima
  • white turtlehead Chelone glabra
  • white violet Viola renifolia
  • whorled wood aster Oclemena acuminata
  • whorled yellow loosestrife Lysimachia quadrifolia
  • wild cucumber Echinocystis lobata
  • winged lythrum Lythrum alatum
  • witchgrass Panicum capillare
  • woman's tobacco Antennaria plantaginifolia
  • wood anemone Anemone quinquefolia
  • wood lily Lilium philadelphicum
  • woodbine Parthenocissus vitacea
  • woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca
  • woodland sunflower Helianthus divaricatus
  • woollyfruit sedge Carex lasiocarpa
  • yellow avens Geum aleppicum
  • yellow sedge Carex flava
  • yellowfruit sedge Carex annectens
  • yellowseed false pimpernel Lindernia dubia
Also listed as native and introduced here 3

PLANTS labels these species both native and introduced in this state: some forms are native and others were brought in from elsewhere. Most gardeners should choose plants from the main list.

  • annual ragweedAmbrosia artemisiifolia
  • hedge false bindweedCalystegia sepium
  • Kentucky bluegrassPoa pratensis

Compared with New Hampshire

The typical county is the median of the 10 New Hampshire counties with PLANTS county records; the statewide figure counts every species native anywhere in the state. More species is not better or worse: counties differ in size, habitat and how thoroughly they have been surveyed.

Native species counts, Merrimack County and New Hampshire
MeasureMerrimack CountyTypical countyStatewide
Native species 635 768 1,274
Garden-ready natives 266 326 488
Tree 75 — 118
Shrub 60 — 99
Wildflower (forb) 311 — 641
Grass or grass-like 133 — 303
Vine 18 — 34
Fern 38 — 79

Neighboring counties

Counties that share a ZIP code with Merrimack County.

Look up another ZIP

Matches your ZIP to the county it mostly lies in, then lists the plants recorded as native to your state (Kew’s World Checklist and USDA PLANTS) and recorded in that county by USDA PLANTS.

Source & data date

Source
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database: county distribution records, native status and plant characteristics. CC0 (public domain dedication, per the data.gov catalog record).
Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): native or introduced status by state. CC BY 3.0.
USGS US-RIIS (ver. 2.0): species listed as introduced are excluded. CC0.
Citation
USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov, 11/04/2026). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Govaerts R. (ed.) (2026). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Data file dated 2026-06-04, http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ (retrieved 2026-11-04). Paper: Govaerts R. et al. (2021) The World Checklist of Vascular Plants, a continuously updated resource for exploring global plant diversity. Scientific Data 8, 215.
Data date
Retrieved from PLANTS on November 4, 2026; WCVP data file dated June 4, 2026.
Zones
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) ZIP table: PRISM Group, Oregon State University, https://prism.oregonstate.edu, accessed November 3, 2026. Plant zones on this site are our estimate, not the official map.
Scope
Merrimack County (county FIPS 33013), New Hampshire. 635 native species from PLANTS county distribution records; garden-ready = species with a PLANTS characteristics record.
Method
A species is listed when it is recorded as native to the state in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in the county by USDA PLANTS. Species PLANTS labels both native and introduced are listed separately. Full method · All sources

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