Native plants · Tennessee
Native plants of Rutherford County
691 plant species are recorded as native to Tennessee in Kew’s World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS, and recorded in Rutherford County by USDA PLANTS. 266 of them have growing records you can filter by light, moisture, height and estimated cold hardiness. 5 more species are listed as both native and introduced and kept in a separate section.
County summary · USDA PLANTS and Kew WCVP
Rutherford County, Tennessee
- Native species
- 691 Typical Tennessee county: 450 (median of 95 counties)
- Garden-ready natives
- 266 Typical Tennessee county: 182
- Share by type (all 691 native species)
-
Percent of the 691 native species in each growth type
Wildflowers make up the largest share of the native list (55%), followed by grasses and grass-like plants (23%).
The native plant list
Garden-ready natives 266
Native species with PLANTS growing records (height, light, moisture, minimum temperature). “—” means PLANTS has no value.
| Plant | Type | Height | Light | Water use | Hardy to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American beautyberry Callicarpa americana | Shrub | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 6b |
| American beech Fagus grandifolia | Tree | 80 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| American bellflower Campanulastrum americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 12b |
| American bur-reed Sparganium americanum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American elm Ulmus americana | Tree | 120 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| American hazelnut Corylus americana | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American plum Prunus americana | Tree | 24 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| American pokeweed Phytolacca americana | Wildflower (forb) | 7.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| American sycamore Platanus occidentalis | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| American water horehound Lycopus americanus | Wildflower (forb) | 1.8 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3b |
| American water plantain Alisma subcordatum | Wildflower (forb) | 6 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| American water-willow Justicia americana | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| Appalachian blazing star Liatris squarrulosa | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| Atlantic camas Camassia scilloides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| autumn bluegrass Poa autumnalis | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6b |
| bearded beggarticks Bidens aristosa | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| big bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 2b |
| bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 2b |
| black cherry Prunus serotina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| black oak Quercus velutina | Tree | 80 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| black walnut Juglans nigra | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4b |
| black willow Salix nigra | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 1b |
| blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| blackjack oak Quercus marilandica | Tree | 25 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| blue mistflower Conoclinium coelestinum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| blunt broom sedge Carex tribuloides | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| blunt spikerush Eleocharis obtusa | Grass or grass-like | 1.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11a |
| bluntleaf bedstraw Galium obtusum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| bog rush Juncus biflorus | Grass or grass-like | 3.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| boxelder Acer negundo | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| bristly buttercup Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bristly dewberry Rubus hispidus | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| broadleaf cattail Typha latifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| broomsedge bluestem Andropogon virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| buckthorn bully Sideroxylon lycioides | Tree | 9.8 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| bulbous bittercress Cardamine bulbosa | Wildflower (forb) | 1.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| bur oak Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| burningbush Euonymus atropurpureus | Tree | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | — |
| bursting-heart Euonymus americanus | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| Bush's sedge Carex bushii | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| butterfly milkweed Asclepias tuberosa | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| butternut Juglans cinerea | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| butterweed Packera glabella | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 10b |
| Canada germander Teucrium canadense | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| Canada goldenrod Solidago canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canada wildrye Elymus canadensis | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| Canadian horseweed Conyza canadensis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 12b |
| cardinalflower Lobelia cardinalis | Wildflower (forb) | 5.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| Carolina buckthorn Frangula caroliniana | Tree | 20 ft | Shade-tolerant | — | Zone 4b |
| Carolina elephantsfoot Elephantopus carolinianus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.7 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| Carolina foxtail Alopecurus carolinianus | Grass or grass-like | 1.7 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| Carolina rose Rosa carolina | Shrub | 5 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| cat greenbrier Smilax glauca | Vine | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6a |
| cattail sedge Carex typhina | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| chestnut oak Quercus montana | Tree | 73 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Chickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia | Tree | 12 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| chinquapin oak Quercus muehlenbergii | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| climbing rose Rosa setigera | Vine | 16 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| coastal plain willow Salix caroliniana | Tree | 33 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 7b |
| 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 evening primrose Oenothera biennis | Wildflower (forb) | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| common goldstar Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower (forb) | 10 in | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| common hackberry Celtis occidentalis | Tree | 60 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 2b |
| common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata | Tree | 25 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| common maidenhair Adiantum capillus-veneris | Fern | 1.7 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| common persimmon Diospyros virginiana | Tree | 55 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| 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 sneezeweed Helenium autumnale | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| common spikerush Eleocharis palustris | Grass or grass-like | 1.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| composite dropseed Sporobolus compositus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 3b |
| coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | Shrub | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| crimsoneyed rosemallow Hibiscus moscheutos | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun | High | Zone 6a |
| cupseed Calycocarpum lyonii | Vine | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| dense blazing star Liatris spicata | Wildflower (forb) | 4.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| 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 |
| disk waterhyssop Bacopa rotundifolia | Wildflower (forb) | 1 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| ditch stonecrop Penthorum sedoides | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| dotted smartweed Polygonum punctatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| downy yellow violet Viola pubescens | Wildflower (forb) | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| dwarf St. Johnswort Hypericum mutilum | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| eastern narrowleaf sedge Carex amphibola | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| eastern redbud Cercis canadensis | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| eastern redcedar Juniperus virginiana | Tree | 50 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| eastern woodland sedge Carex blanda | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| fall panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| false daisy Eclipta prostrata | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 10b |
| field paspalum Paspalum laeve | Grass or grass-like | 2.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6a |
| flatstem spikerush Eleocharis compressa | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| flowering dogwood Cornus florida | Tree | 30 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| fowl mannagrass Glyceria striata | Grass or grass-like | 5.7 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| fox sedge Carex vulpinoidea | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| fragrant flatsedge Cyperus odoratus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11b |
| Frank's sedge Carex frankii | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| fringeleaf wild petunia Ruellia humilis | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| frost grape Vitis vulpina | Vine | 83 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| giant cane Arundinaria gigantea | Shrub | 25 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| golden tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| grassleaf rush Juncus marginatus | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Gray's sedge Carex grayi | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| 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 |
| greenwhite sedge Carex albolutescens | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| groundnut Apios americana | Vine | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| hairawn muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 8a |
| hairy white oldfield aster Symphyotrichum pilosum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| halberdleaf rosemallow Hibiscus laevis | Wildflower (forb) | 8 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 6a |
| heartleaf peppervine Ampelopsis cordata | Vine | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 6b |
| honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos | Tree | 70 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana | Tree | 45 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 3b |
| Illinois bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| Indian woodoats Chasmanthium latifolium | Grass or grass-like | 4.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans | Grass or grass-like | 6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Indianhemp Apocynum cannabinum | Wildflower (forb) | 3.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3a |
| inland rush Juncus interior | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| Jack in the pulpit Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5b |
| Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower (forb) | 9.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3a |
| jewelweed Impatiens capensis | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 10b |
| jointed spikesedge Eleocharis equisetoides | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| Kentucky yellowwood Cladrastis kentukea | Tree | 40 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| knotgrass Paspalum distichum | Grass or grass-like | 11 in | Sun | High | Zone 6a |
| lanceleaf loosestrife Lysimachia lanceolata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| lanceleaf tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6b |
| late purple aster Symphyotrichum patens | Wildflower (forb) | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| leafy pondweed Potamogeton foliosus | Wildflower (forb) | — | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| limestone bittercress Cardamine douglassii | Wildflower (forb) | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| limestone meadow sedge Carex granularis | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| limestone wild petunia Ruellia strepens | Wildflower (forb) | 3.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 6a |
| little barley Hordeum pusillum | Grass or grass-like | 1.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| 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 |
| lopsided rush Juncus secundus | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| Malabar sprangletop Leptochloa fusca | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3a |
| manyflower flatsedge Cyperus lancastriensis | Grass or grass-like | 3.1 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 8a |
| marsh seedbox Ludwigia palustris | Wildflower (forb) | 2 in | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| Maryland senna Senna marilandica | Wildflower (forb) | 6.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 5b |
| Missouri goldenrod Solidago missouriensis | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 3b |
| Missouri ironweed Vernonia missurica | Wildflower (forb) | 6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| mountain false indigo Amorpha glabra | Shrub | 16 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| muscadine Vitis rotundifolia | Vine | 30 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| narrowleaf blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| needle spikerush Eleocharis acicularis | Grass or grass-like | 8 in | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus | Shrub | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4b |
| nimblewill Muhlenbergia schreberi | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 4a |
| nodding fescue Festuca subverticillata | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| nodding lady's tresses Spiranthes cernua | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| northern maidenhair Adiantum pedatum | Fern | 1.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| northern spicebush Lindera benzoin | Tree | 12 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| northern spiderlily Hymenocallis occidentalis | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 7a |
| Ohio buckeye Aesculus glabra | Tree | 68 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| oval-leaf sedge Carex cephalophora | Grass or grass-like | 2.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4a |
| overcup oak Quercus lyrata | Tree | 80 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| pale purple coneflower Echinacea pallida | Wildflower (forb) | 1.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| panicledleaf ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 6a |
| partridge pea Chamaecrista fasciculata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 7a |
| pawpaw Asimina triloba | Tree | 25 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| 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 |
| perplexed ticktrefoil Desmodium perplexum | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| Philadelphia fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.8 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| pickerelweed Pontederia cordata | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| pignut hickory Carya glabra | Tree | 80 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| pin oak Quercus palustris | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| pinnate prairie coneflower Ratibida pinnata | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| post oak Quercus stellata | Tree | 60 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| poverty rush Juncus tenuis | Grass or grass-like | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| prairie fleabane Erigeron strigosus | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| prairie wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| pride of Ohio Dodecatheon meadia | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| pumpkin ash Fraxinus profunda | Tree | 120 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5a |
| purple lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis | Grass or grass-like | 11 in | Sun | Low | Zone 3a |
| purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| purpletop tridens Tridens flavus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| rattlesnake fern Botrychium virginianum | Fern | 1.4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| ravenfoot sedge Carex crus-corvi | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| red maple Acer rubrum | Tree | 68 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 2b |
| red mulberry Morus rubra | Tree | 70 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| redtop panicgrass Panicum rigidulum | Grass or grass-like | 3.3 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| rice cutgrass Leersia oryzoides | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| riverbank grape Vitis riparia | Vine | 45 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| riverbank wildrye Elymus riparius | Grass or grass-like | 4.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| roughleaf dogwood Cornus drummondii | Tree | 20 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| roundhead lespedeza Lespedeza capitata | Wildflower (forb) | 2.6 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| roundleaf greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia | Vine | 1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| rufous bulrush Scirpus pendulus | Grass or grass-like | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| sandbar willow Salix interior | Tree | 30 ft | Sun | — | Zone 1a |
| sassafras Sassafras albidum | Tree | 75 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| saw greenbrier Smilax bona-nox | Vine | 4 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| sawtooth blackberry Rubus argutus | Shrub | 8.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 6a |
| September elm Ulmus serotina | Tree | 70 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5a |
| sharpwing monkeyflower Mimulus alatus | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| shingle oak Quercus imbricaria | Tree | 45 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| Short's sedge Carex shortiana | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 5b |
| shortleaf pine Pinus echinata | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5b |
| Shumard's oak Quercus shumardii | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 5a |
| sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| silky dogwood Cornus amomum | Shrub | 10 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| silver maple Acer saccharinum | Tree | 90 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 2b |
| slender flatsedge Cyperus bipartitus | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 10b |
| slender spikerush Eleocharis tenuis | Grass or grass-like | 2.9 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 5a |
| slippery elm Ulmus rubra | Tree | 85 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 3a |
| smooth blue aster Symphyotrichum laeve | Wildflower (forb) | 4 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| smooth sumac Rhus glabra | Tree | 12 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| southern red oak Quercus falcata | Tree | 75 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 6a |
| splitbeard bluestem Andropogon ternarius | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 5b |
| spotted St. Johnswort Hypericum punctatum | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| spring avens Geum vernum | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| squarrose sedge Carex squarrosa | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| stalkless yellowcress Rorippa sessiliflora | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12b |
| steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa | Shrub | 4 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4a |
| stiff dogwood Cornus foemina | Tree | 16 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 7a |
| strawcolored flatsedge Cyperus strigosus | Grass or grass-like | 3.2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4a |
| sugar maple Acer saccharum | Tree | 100 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 2b |
| sugarberry Celtis laevigata | Tree | 80 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| sugarcane plumegrass Saccharum giganteum | Grass or grass-like | 9.8 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 4b |
| swamp chestnut oak Quercus michauxii | Tree | 80 ft | Sun | 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 sunflower Helianthus angustifolius | Wildflower (forb) | 5.6 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| swamp white oak Quercus bicolor | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4b |
| sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| switchgrass Panicum virgatum | Grass or grass-like | 5 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3a |
| taperleaf water horehound Lycopus rubellus | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| tapertip flatsedge Cyperus acuminatus | Grass or grass-like | 1.3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 3b |
| tapertip rush Juncus acuminatus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| teal lovegrass Eragrostis hypnoides | Grass or grass-like | 4 in | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| thinfruit sedge Carex flaccosperma | Grass or grass-like | 1 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 6b |
| threelobe beggarticks Bidens tripartita | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 12a |
| tiny mousetail Myosurus minimus | Wildflower (forb) | 5 in | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 12b |
| Torrey's rush Juncus torreyi | Grass or grass-like | 3.1 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| trumpet creeper Campsis radicans | Vine | 2 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 6a |
| trumpet honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens | Vine | 16 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 |
| valley redstem Ammannia coccinea | Wildflower (forb) | 1.6 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 3b |
| variable panicgrass Dichanthelium commutatum | Grass or grass-like | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 2.3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4b |
| Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Vine | 1 ft | Sun–part shade | Low | Zone 4b |
| Virginia dayflower Commelina virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 3.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica | Shrub | 10 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 5a |
| Virginia threeseed mercury Acalypha virginica | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 10b |
| Virginia wildrye Elymus virginicus | Grass or grass-like | 2.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4b |
| waterthread pondweed Potamogeton diversifolius | Wildflower (forb) | 3.2 ft | Sun | High | Zone 3b |
| white ash Fraxinus americana | Tree | 90 ft | Sun | High | Zone 4a |
| white avens Geum canadense | Wildflower (forb) | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 4a |
| white oak Quercus alba | Tree | 100 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3a |
| white prairie clover Dalea candida | Wildflower (forb) | 2 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 3b |
| whitegrass Leersia virginica | Grass or grass-like | 3.9 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3a |
| whiteroot rush Juncus brachycarpus | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5a |
| wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower (forb) | 4.9 ft | Sun–part shade | High | Zone 4a |
| wild blue phlox Phlox divaricata | Wildflower (forb) | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4a |
| willow oak Quercus phellos | Tree | 100 ft | Sun | High | Zone 5a |
| winged elm Ulmus alata | Tree | 65 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 5b |
| winged sumac Rhus copallinum | Tree | 8 ft | Sun | Low | Zone 4b |
| wingleaf primrose-willow Ludwigia decurrens | Wildflower (forb) | 4.5 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 8a |
| wirestem muhly Muhlenbergia frondosa | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Shade-tolerant | Medium | Zone 3b |
| woodland bluegrass Poa sylvestris | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Shade-tolerant | High | Zone 4a |
| woodland muhly Muhlenbergia sylvatica | Grass or grass-like | 3 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 4b |
| yellow flatsedge Cyperus flavescens | Grass or grass-like | 2 ft | Sun | Medium | Zone 11b |
| yellow fumewort Corydalis flavula | Wildflower (forb) | 1.5 ft | Sun–part shade | Medium | Zone 5b |
| yellow passionflower Passiflora lutea | Vine | 16 ft | Shade-tolerant | Low | Zone 5a |
No garden-ready natives match these filters. Try clearing one.
Other native species recorded here 425
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.
Hidden while “Garden-ready only” is on.
- Adam's needle Yucca filamentosa
- Alabama lipfern Cheilanthes alabamensis
- Alabama supplejack Berchemia scandens
- American alumroot Heuchera americana
- American beakgrain Diarrhena americana
- American burnweed Erechtites hieraciifolius
- American columbo Frasera caroliniensis
- American false pennyroyal Hedeoma pulegioides
- American hogpeanut Amphicarpaea bracteata
- American senna Senna hebecarpa
- angularfruit milkvine Matelea gonocarpos
- annual fimbry Fimbristylis annua
- annual marsh elder Iva annua
- aromatic aster Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
- ashy sunflower Helianthus mollis
- autumn onion Allium stellatum
- axilflower Mecardonia acuminata
- azure bluet Houstonia caerulea
- bald spikerush Eleocharis erythropoda
- Baldwin's flatsedge Cyperus croceus
- balm-of-Gilead Populus ×jackii
- bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata
- beaked cornsalad Valerianella radiata
- beaked panicgrass Panicum anceps
- bearded flatsedge Cyperus squarrosus
- bearded shorthusk Brachyelytrum erectum
- beggarslice Hackelia virginiana
- biennial beeblossom Oenothera gaura
- birdfoot violet Viola pedata
- black edge sedge Carex nigromarginata
- blackfoot quillwort Isoetes melanopoda
- blackseed plantain Plantago rugelii
- blackstem spleenwort Asplenium resiliens
- blisterwort Ranunculus recurvatus
- blue ash Fraxinus quadrangulata
- blue waxweed Cuphea viscosissima
- blue wild indigo Baptisia australis
- bluntlobe cliff fern Woodsia obtusa
- bog yellowcress Rorippa palustris
- Bosc's panicgrass Dichanthelium boscii
- branched foldwing Dicliptera brachiata
- bristly greenbrier Smilax tamnoides
- browneyed Susan Rudbeckia triloba
- buffalobur nightshade Solanum rostratum
- bulblet bladderfern Cystopteris bulbifera
- bulbous woodrush Luzula bulbosa
- button eryngo Eryngium yuccifolium
- camphor pluchea Pluchea camphorata
- Canada lettuce Lactuca canadensis
- Canadian blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis
- Canadian clearweed Pilea pumila
- Canadian honewort Cryptotaenia canadensis
- Canadian wildginger Asarum canadense
- Carey's sedge Carex careyana
- Carolina anemone Anemone caroliniana
- Carolina canarygrass Phalaris caroliniana
- Carolina coralbead Cocculus carolinus
- Carolina desert-chicory Pyrrhopappus carolinianus
- Carolina geranium Geranium carolinianum
- Carolina horsenettle Solanum carolinense
- Carolina larkspur Delphinium carolinianum
- Carolina leaf-flower Phyllanthus caroliniensis
- Carolina sedge Carex caroliniana
- Carolina vetch Vicia caroliniana
- Carolina wild petunia Ruellia caroliniensis
- carpenter's square Scrophularia marilandica
- cedarglade St. Johnswort Hypericum frondosum
- Chapman's bluegrass Poa chapmaniana
- cheerful sunflower Helianthus ×laetiflorus
- Cherokee sedge Carex cherokeensis
- Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- clammy groundcherry Physalis heterophylla
- clammy hedgehyssop Gratiola neglecta
- clasping Venus' looking-glass Triodanis perfoliata
- climbing dogbane Trachelospermum difforme
- coastal plain panicgrass Dichanthelium longiligulatum
- combleaf yellow false foxglove Aureolaria pectinata
- common cinquefoil Potentilla simplex
- common milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- common moonseed Menispermum canadense
- common pricklyash Zanthoxylum americanum
- common threeseed mercury Acalypha rhomboidea
- common yellow oxalis Oxalis stricta
- Crawe's sedge Carex crawei
- cream avens Geum virginianum
- creeping lespedeza Lespedeza repens
- crinkleroot Cardamine diphylla
- crossvine Bignonia capreolata
- crowpoison Nothoscordum bivalve
- Culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum
- curlytop knotweed Polygonum lapathifolium
- cutleaf evening primrose Oenothera laciniata
- cutleaf groundcherry Physalis angulata
- cutleaf toothwort Cardamine concatenata
- cypress panicgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum
- devil's bite Liatris scariosa
- diamond-flowers Stenaria nigricans
- dogfennel Eupatorium capillifolium
- dogtooth violet Erythronium americanum
- downy milkpea Galactia volubilis
- downy pagoda-plant Blephilia ciliata
- downy phlox Phlox pilosa
- downy rattlesnake plantain Goodyera pubescens
- downy yellow false foxglove Aureolaria virginica
- Dudley's rush Juncus dudleyi
- dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria
- dwarf cinquefoil Potentilla canadensis
- dwarf crested iris Iris cristata
- dwarf hackberry Celtis pumila
- dwarf larkspur Delphinium tricorne
- dwarf plantain Plantago pusilla
- early blue violet Viola ×palmata
- early buttercup Ranunculus fascicularis
- early goldenrod Solidago juncea
- early meadow-rue Thalictrum dioicum
- early saxifrage Saxifraga virginiensis
- eastern blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium atlanticum
- eastern bluestar Amsonia tabernaemontana
- eastern bottlebrush grass Elymus hystrix
- eastern daisy fleabane Erigeron annuus
- eastern false rue anemone Enemion biternatum
- eastern fox sedge Carex triangularis
- eastern greenviolet Hybanthus concolor
- eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans
- eastern smooth beardtongue Penstemon laevigatus
- ebony spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron
- Elliott's bentgrass Agrostis elliottiana
- Elliott's bluestem Andropogon gyrans
- Elliott's fanpetals Sida elliottii
- elmleaf goldenrod Solidago ulmifolia
- Engelmann's spikerush Eleocharis engelmannii
- erect knotweed Polygonum erectum
- eyebane Chamaesyce nutans
- false aloe Manfreda virginica
- false boneset Brickellia eupatorioides
- false hop sedge Carex lupuliformis
- feather fingergrass Chloris virgata
- fernleaf phacelia Phacelia bipinnatifida
- feverwort Triosteum perfoliatum
- fewflower nutrush Scleria pauciflora
- fewleaf sunflower Helianthus occidentalis
- field pansy Viola bicolor
- fire pink Silene virginica
- fiveangled dodder Cuscuta pentagona
- floating primrose-willow Ludwigia peploides
- Florida paspalum Paspalum floridanum
- flowering spurge Euphorbia corollata
- fluxweed Trichostema brachiatum
- fragrant bedstraw Galium triflorum
- fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica
- fringed loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata
- Gattinger's panicgrass Panicum gattingeri
- giant ironweed Vernonia gigantea
- giant sunflower Helianthus giganteus
- glade fern Diplazium pycnocarpon
- globe flatsedge Cyperus echinatus
- glomerate sedge Carex aggregata
- golden zizia Zizia aurea
- grassleaf mudplantain Heteranthera dubia
- gravelweed Verbesina helianthoides
- great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- great ragweed Ambrosia trifida
- great yellow woodsorrel Oxalis grandis
- green antelopehorn Asclepias viridis
- green comet milkweed Asclepias viridiflora
- green dragon Arisaema dracontium
- grooved flax Linum sulcatum
- groovestem Indian plantain Arnoglossum plantagineum
- Guadeloupe cucumber Melothria pendula
- hairy bedstraw Galium pilosum
- hairy lipfern Cheilanthes lanosa
- hairy pinweed Lechea mucronata
- hairy skullcap Scutellaria elliptica
- hairy small-leaf ticktrefoil Desmodium ciliare
- hairy sunflower Helianthus hirsutus
- hairy wildrye Elymus villosus
- hairy woodland brome Bromus pubescens
- hairyfruit chervil Chaerophyllum tainturieri
- hairyseed paspalum Paspalum pubiflorum
- harbinger of spring Erigenia bulbosa
- heartleaf nettle Urtica chamaedryoides
- heartleaf skullcap Scutellaria ovata
- hirsute sedge Carex complanata
- hoary mock orange Philadelphus pubescens
- hoary puccoon Lithospermum canescens
- hoary skullcap Scutellaria incana
- hoary ticktrefoil Desmodium canescens
- hogwort Croton capitatus
- honeyvine Cynanchum laeve
- hooded arrowhead Sagittaria calycina
- hortulan plum Prunus hortulana
- humped bladderwort Utricularia gibba
- husk tomato Physalis pubescens
- inflated narrow-leaf sedge Carex grisea
- James' sedge Carex jamesii
- jumpseed Polygonum virginianum
- keeled bulrush Isolepis carinata
- lanceleaf buckthorn Rhamnus lanceolata
- lanceleaf fogfruit Phyla lanceolata
- lanceleaf ragweed Ambrosia bidentata
- largebracted plantain Plantago aristata
- largeleaf waterleaf Hydrophyllum macrophyllum
- largeseed forget-me-not Myosotis macrosperma
- lateflowering thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum
- lax hornpod Mitreola petiolata
- Leavenworth's sedge Carex leavenworthii
- lemon beebalm Monarda citriodora
- lemonyellow false goldenaster Heterotheca camporum
- licorice bedstraw Galium circaezans
- limestone adderstongue Ophioglossum engelmannii
- limestone calamint Clinopodium arkansanum
- littlehead nutrush Scleria oligantha
- lizard's tail Saururus cernuus
- longbeak arrowhead Sagittaria australis
- longleaf groundcherry Physalis longifolia
- longsepal beardtongue Penstemon calycosus
- Louisiana sedge Carex louisianica
- low spearwort Ranunculus pusillus
- low spikesedge Kyllinga pumila
- lowland bladderfern Cystopteris protrusa
- lowland rotala Rotala ramosior
- lyreleaf sage Salvia lyrata
- man of the earth Ipomoea pandurata
- maroon Carolina milkvine Matelea carolinensis
- marsh bristlegrass Setaria parviflora
- matted sandmat Chamaesyce serpens
- Maximilian sunflower Helianthus maximiliani
- mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
- Mead's sedge Carex meadii
- meadow garlic Allium canadense
- meadow spikemoss Selaginella apoda
- meadow zizia Zizia aptera
- Mexican plum Prunus mexicana
- Miami mist Phacelia purshii
- Michaux's croton Croton michauxii
- Missouri violet Viola missouriensis
- mucronate sprangletop Leptochloa panicea
- Muhlenberg's sedge Carex muehlenbergii
- mullein foxglove Dasistoma macrophylla
- narrowleaf gumweed Grindelia lanceolata
- narrowleaf mountainmint Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
- narrowleaf paleseed Leucospora multifida
- narrowleaf pinweed Lechea tenuifolia
- narrowleaf vervain Verbena simplex
- navel cornsalad Valerianella umbilicata
- neckweed Veronica peregrina
- New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- nodding chickweed Cerastium nutans
- nodding onion Allium cernuum
- northern dewberry Rubus flagellaris
- northern slender lady's tresses Spiranthes lacera
- oak mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum
- obedient plant Physostegia virginiana
- Ontario blazing star Liatris cylindracea
- openflower rosette grass Dichanthelium laxiflorum
- orange coneflower Rudbeckia fulgida
- pale dock Rumex altissimus
- palespike lobelia Lobelia spicata
- pasture heliotrope Heliotropium tenellum
- Pennsylvania pellitory Parietaria pensylvanica
- Philadelphia panicgrass Panicum philadelphicum
- pineland threeseed mercury Acalypha ostryifolia
- pink fuzzybean Strophostyles umbellata
- pink thoroughwort Fleischmannia incarnata
- pitcher's stitchwort Minuartia patula
- poorjoe Diodia teres
- potato dwarfdandelion Krigia dandelion
- poverty dropseed Sporobolus vaginiflorus
- poverty oatgrass Danthonia spicata
- prairie broomweed Amphiachyris dracunculoides
- prairie tea Croton monanthogynus
- prairie threeawn Aristida oligantha
- prostrate ticktrefoil Desmodium rotundifolium
- prune-fruit sedge Carex corrugata
- purple cliffbrake Pellaea atropurpurea
- purple meadowparsnip Thaspium trifoliatum
- purple passionflower Passiflora incarnata
- purplerocket Iodanthus pinnatifidus
- rabbit-tobacco Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium
- red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- red hickory Carya ovalis
- reflexed sedge Carex retroflexa
- Reznicek's sedge Carex reznicekii
- rice button aster Symphyotrichum dumosum
- richwoods sedge Carex oligocarpa
- robin's plantain Erigeron pulchellus
- rock buttercup Ranunculus micranthus
- rock muhly Muhlenbergia sobolifera
- rose mock vervain Glandularia canadensis
- rosepink Sabatia angularis
- rough barnyardgrass Echinochloa muricata
- rough dropseed Sporobolus clandestinus
- rough false pennyroyal Hedeoma hispida
- rough panicgrass Dichanthelium leucothrix
- roundleaf ragwort Packera obovata
- roundseed panicgrass Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
- roundseed St. Johnswort Hypericum sphaerocarpum
- roundstem false foxglove Agalinis gattingeri
- rue anemone Thalictrum thalictroides
- rusty blackhaw Viburnum rufidulum
- sand bittercress Cardamine parviflora
- sandbar lovegrass Eragrostis frankii
- satincurls Clematis catesbyana
- scaly blazing star Liatris squarrosa
- seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia
- Seneca snakeroot Polygala senega
- sensitive partridge pea Chamaecrista nictitans
- shaggy dwarf morning-glory Evolvulus nuttallianus
- sharpleaf St. Johnswort Hypericum virgatum
- sharpscale sedge Carex oxylepis
- shiny wedgescale Sphenopholis nitida
- Short's aster Symphyotrichum shortii
- shortbeak sedge Carex brevior
- shortpod draba Draba brachycarpa
- shortstalk chickweed Cerastium brachypodum
- showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa
- sicklepod Arabis canadensis
- sidebeak pencilflower Stylosanthes biflora
- singlehead pussytoes Antennaria solitaria
- sixweeks fescue Vulpia octoflora
- sleepy silene Silene antirrhina
- slender fimbry Fimbristylis autumnalis
- slender lespedeza Lespedeza virginica
- slender looseflower sedge Carex gracilescens
- slender plantain Plantago heterophylla
- slender threeseed mercury Acalypha gracilens
- slender wedgescale Sphenopholis intermedia
- slenderleaf false foxglove Agalinis tenuifolia
- slim amaranth Amaranthus hybridus
- slimspike threeawn Aristida longespica
- small skullcap Scutellaria parvula
- Small's ragwort Packera anonyma
- smallflower baby blue eyes Nemophila aphylla
- smallflower phacelia Phacelia dubia
- smooth carrionflower Smilax herbacea
- smooth false buttonweed Spermacoce glabra
- smooth rockcress Arabis laevigata
- smooth Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum
- sneezeweed Helenium amarum
- soft agrimony Agrimonia pubescens
- soft fox sedge Carex conjuncta
- soft-hair marbleseed Onosmodium bejariense
- southeastern wildrye Elymus glabriflorus
- southern cutgrass Leersia hexandra
- Spanish needles Bidens bipinnata
- spiked crested coralroot Hexalectris spicata
- spoonleaf purple everlasting Gamochaeta purpurea
- spotted sandmat Chamaesyce maculata
- spreading chervil Chaerophyllum procumbens
- spring forget-me-not Myosotis verna
- St. Andrew's cross Hypericum hypericoides
- starved panicgrass Dichanthelium depauperatum
- stemless evening primrose Oenothera triloba
- stiff ticktrefoil Desmodium obtusum
- striped prince's pine Chimaphila maculata
- tall rattlesnakeroot Prenanthes altissima
- tall thimbleweed Anemone virginiana
- tall thoroughwort Eupatorium altissimum
- Tennessee bladderfern Cystopteris tennesseensis
- thin paspalum Paspalum setaceum
- threadleaf evening primrose Oenothera linifolia
- tinted woodland spurge Euphorbia commutata
- tiny bluet Houstonia pusilla
- toadshade Trillium sessile
- toothed spurge Euphorbia dentata
- tower rockcress Arabis glabra
- trailing lespedeza Lespedeza procumbens
- trailing pearlwort Sagina decumbens
- tuberous stoneseed Lithospermum tuberosum
- tufted lovegrass Eragrostis pectinacea
- twoflower melicgrass Melica mutica
- umbrella flatsedge Cyperus diandrus
- vasevine Clematis viorna
- Venus' pride Houstonia purpurea
- violet lespedeza Lespedeza violacea
- violet woodsorrel Oxalis violacea
- Virginia buttonweed Diodia virginiana
- Virginia dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica
- Virginia groundcherry Physalis virginiana
- Virginia pepperweed Lepidium virginicum
- Virginia plantain Plantago virginica
- Virginia snakeroot Aristolochia serpentaria
- Virginia springbeauty Claytonia virginica
- Virginia strawberry Fragaria virginiana
- Virginia tephrosia Tephrosia virginiana
- Virginia winged rockcress Sibara virginica
- walking fern Asplenium rhizophyllum
- warty spurge Euphorbia spathulata
- wavyleaf aster Symphyotrichum undulatum
- waxyleaf meadow-rue Thalictrum revolutum
- western tansymustard Descurainia pinnata
- white baneberry Actaea pachypoda
- white bear sedge Carex albursina
- white blue-eyed grass Sisyrinchium albidum
- white crownbeard Verbesina virginica
- white fawnlily Erythronium albidum
- white four o'clock Mirabilis albida
- white snakeroot Ageratina altissima
- white vervain Verbena urticifolia
- whiteflower leafcup Polymnia canadensis
- whitehair rosette grass Dichanthelium villosissimum
- whitemouth dayflower Commelina erecta
- whitetinge sedge Carex albicans
- whorled milkweed Asclepias verticillata
- whorled milkwort Polygala ambigua
- whorled milkwort Polygala verticillata
- whorled rosinweed Silphium trifoliatum
- wild comfrey Cynoglossum virginianum
- wild goose plum Prunus munsoniana
- wild hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens
- wild quinine Parthenium integrifolium
- wild yam Dioscorea villosa
- winged lythrum Lythrum alatum
- wingstem Verbesina alternifolia
- wiry panicgrass Panicum flexile
- witchgrass Panicum capillare
- Wolf's spikerush Eleocharis wolfii
- woman's tobacco Antennaria plantaginifolia
- woodland pinkroot Spigelia marilandica
- woodland stonecrop Sedum ternatum
- woodland sunflower Helianthus divaricatus
- yellow giant hyssop Agastache nepetoides
- yellowfruit horse-gentian Triosteum angustifolium
- yellowfruit sedge Carex annectens
- yellowseed false pimpernel Lindernia dubia
Also listed as native and introduced here 5
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
- climbing false buckwheatPolygonum scandens
- hedge false bindweedCalystegia sepium
- Kentucky bluegrassPoa pratensis
- white sagebrushArtemisia ludoviciana
Compared with Tennessee
The typical county is the median of the 95 Tennessee 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.
| Measure | Rutherford County | Typical county | Statewide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native species | 691 | 450 | 1,844 |
| Garden-ready natives | 266 | 182 | 606 |
| Tree | 74 | — | 189 |
| Shrub | 23 | — | 88 |
| Wildflower (forb) | 380 | — | 988 |
| Grass or grass-like | 158 | — | 420 |
| Vine | 38 | — | 81 |
| Fern | 18 | — | 78 |
Neighboring counties
Counties that share a ZIP code with Rutherford County.
- Bedford County, TN 117 garden-ready
- Cannon County, TN 117 garden-ready
- Davidson County, TN 298 garden-ready
- Marshall County, TN 103 garden-ready
- Williamson County, TN 241 garden-ready
- Wilson County, TN 154 garden-ready
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
- Rutherford County (county FIPS 47149), Tennessee. 691 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