Just as horse racing and good bourbon can help define the Bluegrass State, Kentucky native plants like the Eastern redbud and black-eyed Susan can bring local beauty and character to your home landscape.
Find out more about these plants and other native species that thrive in Kentucky’s climate, from vibrant flowers to sturdy trees.
Kentucky native trees
1. Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Eastern redbud is a beloved tree found all over Kentucky, from the Golden Triangle region to the Jackson Purchase. In spring, its bare branches burst into beautiful lavender blossoms, and shortly after, heart-shaped leaves emerge. This tree is perfect for small to medium landscapes that need an accent of color.
Plant type: Deciduous tree
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Moist and well-draining soils
Fragrance: None
Bloom time: April – May
Water needs: Low, average
Mature height: 20 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: May be toxic if eaten in large quantities
Maintenance: Low. Do not transplant it.
2. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
Are you looking for an all-year-long interest in your landscape? Then the flowering dogwood is the right tree for you. In spring, it showcases delicate white or pink flowers. During the summer, it produces red fruit that provides food for various birds. Come fall, its leaves turn a vibrant red. And finally, in winter, the tree’s distinctive bark pattern adds visual interest.
Moreover, the flowering dogwood can improve your soil, as its leaf litter decomposes more quickly than other species.
Plant type: Deciduous tree
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Slightly acidic, fertile, moist, and well-draining soils
Fragrance: Strong floral
Bloom time: April – May
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 15 to 30 feet
Potential hazards: The fruit is poisonous.
Maintenance: Low. Remove damaged shoots.
3. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
The tulip poplar, Kentucky’s state tree (also the state tree of Indiana and Tennessee), is a remarkable addition to any landscape. It has duck’s bill-shaped buds and furrowed bark, and it produces fragrant flowers in the spring that attract various pollinators. Just like the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, this tree won’t let you down.
Plant type: Deciduous tree
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Acidic, moist, and well-draining soils
Fragrance: Floral
Bloom time: April – May
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 70 to 90 feet
Potential hazards: No hazards
Maintenance: Avoid pruning mature trees unless there is dead or diseased wood.
Kentucky native shrubs
1. Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens)
The wild hydrangea, also known as smooth hydrangea, is a lovely shrub that blooms with clusters of white flowers in the summer. To ensure you enjoy these beautiful blooms every year, though, it’s essential to trim the plant to the ground every spring, as the flowers only appear on new growth.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Well-drained soils
Fragrance: Sweet
Bloom time: Summer (June to August)
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 3 to 5 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses
Maintenance: Low. Prune in late winter or early spring.
2. Carolina rose (Rosa carolina)
Imagine enjoying a hot brown while admiring a beautiful shrub covered in pink flowers — that’s the Carolina rose for you! The cute, fragrant flowers mature into red hips, which serve as a valuable food source for birds, making it the perfect addition to any Kentucky landscape.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained soils
Fragrance: Floral
Bloom time: Late spring through summer
Water needs: Low, average
Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
Potential hazards: None known
Maintenance: Average. Prune in late winter or early spring.
3. New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)
The New Jersey tea is a small but resilient bush that bursts into bloom with clusters of tiny white flowers in spring. Despite its size, this plant is hardy and can withstand harsh conditions, like infertile soils. Its name comes from its historical use as a tea substitute during the American Revolution.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained soils
Fragrance: Sweet
Bloom time: June – July
Water needs: Low, average
Mature height: 3 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: None known.
Maintenance: Low. Avoid transplanting once established.
Kentucky native flowers
1. Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed is found throughout Kentucky in woodland margins, roadsides, and pastures. Its bright orange flower clusters are not only eye-catching but also crucial for monarch butterflies, an endangered species that relies on Asclepias plants for food. Be cautious, though, as this plant is toxic to humans and animals.
Plant type: Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Sweet
Bloom time: June – August
Water needs: Low
Mature height: 1 to 2 feet
Potential hazards: The milkweed plant is poisonous. Do not eat it, and avoid touching it.
Maintenance: Low
2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
The black-eyed Susan is a prairie flower known for its prolonged bloom time, making it ideal for adding long-lasting beauty to your garden. They’re also easy to grow and care for, so they’re perfect if you’re a novice gardener or if you just want to enjoy a burgoo stew with your family instead of caring for plants.
Check out our article “The Most Low-Maintenance Plants for Kentucky Landscapes” if you’re looking for other easy-to-care plants.
Plant type: Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soils
Duration: Biennial or short-lived perennial
Fragrance: Hint of anise scent
Bloom time: June to September
Water needs: Moderate
Mature height: 2 to 3 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic to cats. Check out other dangerous plants in our article, Common Indoor and Outdoor Plants Poisonous to Cats.
Maintenance: Low. Remove and discard spent flowers. Readily self-seeds.
3. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The cardinal flower is a standout with its bright red flower spikes that bloom in late summer, lasting around a month. It loves moist spots, so you’ll often find it near stream banks and wetlands. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your landscape, this plant is a top pick in Kentucky.
Plant type: Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Medium to wet, rich soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: None
Bloom time: June – September
Water needs: High
Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Check other plants that are dangerous to dogs in our article, “Most Poisonous Landscape Plants for Dogs.”
Maintenance: Low. Deadhead to encourage rebloom.
4. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Wild bergamot, or bee balm, has lovely lavender flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It’s a great addition to your native garden, but keep an eye out for powdery mildew, especially during rainy July weather and if you’re near the Cumberland Mountains (which tend to rain more than the rest of the state).
Plant type: Wildflower
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Tolerates a variety of soils, but prefers well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Minty
Bloom time: June – August
Water needs: Low, moderate
Mature height: 2 to 4 feet
Potential hazards: None known.
Maintenance: Average. Deadhead to encourage new blooms.
Kentucky native ground covers
1. Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Wild strawberry is a fantastic ground cover that not only helps reduce soil erosion and suppress weeds (as all ground covers do) but also gives you tiny, tasty berries in late summer. It’s a win-win for your garden, adding both beauty with its white flowers and function.
Plant type: Ground cover
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 – 9
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Fruity
Bloom time: April to June
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 4 to 7 inches
Potential hazards: None known.
Maintenance: Average. Remove runners.
2. Common blue violet (Viola sororia)
The common blue violet offers purple-blue flowers in early spring and spreads by rhizomes to eventually cover the ground. This versatile plant can be used in garden beds, borders, rock gardens, containers, and of course, as ground cover. Plus, you can even add its leaves and flowers to your salad!
Plant type: Low-growing perennial
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 – 10
Sun: Full sun, partial sun
Soil: Humus-rich, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Lightly sweet
Bloom time: April to May
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 6 to 10 inches
Potential hazards: Roots are not edible.
Maintenance: Low. Deadhead to prolong flowering.
3. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild ginger is perfect for that shaded area in your yard that needs a little something extra. It has heart-shaped leaves and ball-shaped maroon flowers. In addition, the rootstock smells like ginger, but don’t be tempted to eat it as it may contain toxic compounds.
Plant type: Deciduous ground cover
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-6
Sun: Partial sun, shade
Soil: Neutral do acidic, moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: Sweet ginger
Bloom time: April to June
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 6 inches to 1 foot
Potential hazards: Do not eat it, as it may contain poisonous compounds.
Maintenance: Low. Divide clumps in spring and early autumn.
Kentucky native grasses
1. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is one of the best native plants for Louisville, as well as other major cities like Lexington and Covington. It is an ornamental grass that thrives in a variety of soils, making it a versatile and sturdy choice. You can use it in your garden, as a hedge, or even as a privacy screen, as it is a tall-growing plant.
Tip: All the grasses in this list are ornamental grasses, with various heights, colors, and textures. They are primarily used for landscaping. They’re different from turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda, which are cultivated to form dense ground covers or lawns.
Plant type: Grass
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Sun: Prefers full sun
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: None
Bloom time: June to September
Water needs: Average
Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
Potential hazards: Can cause skin irritation in some people.
Maintenance: Low. Needs to be cut to the ground in late winter.
2. Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Indian grass is known for its stunning golden seed heads that rise above its foliage, adding beauty to your landscape. This ornamental grass also provides important habitat for wildlife. On a curious note, you’ll find Indian grass in and around Mammoth Cave National Park, alongside 766 other plant species.
Plant type: Grass
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: None
Bloom time: July to October
Water needs: Low
Mature height: 3 to 6 feet
Potential hazards: Plants that are less than 8 inches tall (young plants) can have lethal levels of cyanide.
Maintenance: Low. Cut old foliage in spring.
3. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Big bluestem is a striking ornamental grass that starts with blue-green foliage in spring and transforms to shades of orange and red in fall. In late summer, it blooms with clusters of flowers that resemble turkey feet. This grass is drought tolerant and very low-maintenance, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to create a minimal-effort landscape.
If you want to find grass suitable for your lawn, check out our guide on “The Best Grass Seed for Kentucky Lawns.”
Plant type: Grass
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun: Full sun
Soil: Tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained soils
Duration: Perennial
Fragrance: None
Bloom time: June to September
Water needs: Low, average
Mature height: 4 to 6 feet
Potential hazards: None
Maintenance: Low. Cut back or mow in late winter.
FAQ about Kentucky native plants
What are Kentucky’s native pollinator plants?
Kentucky has hundreds of native pollinator plants that attract bees, butterflies, beetles, and other animals. From our list of the best native plants for Kentucky, the following are pollinator plants:
- Eastern redbud
- Tulip poplar
- Wild hydrangea
- Carolina rose
- New Jersey tea
- Butterfly milkweed
- Black-eyed Susan
- Cardinal flower
- Wild bergamot
- Wild strawberry
- Common blue violet
What are Kentucky’s planting zones?
Kentucky falls within the USDA hardiness zones 6b to 7b, depending on the region. Understanding Kentucky planting zones is essential for selecting plants that will thrive in your local climate.
What are the most common weeds in Kentucky?
There are many weeds that annoy homeowners looking for a pristine lawn in Kentucky. Some of the most common include:
- Dandelion
- Crabgrass
- White clover
- Common chickweed
- Henbit
For more information, check out our guide “Most Common Weeds in Kentucky Lawns.”
When to call a professional
Building a landscape with native plants has numerous benefits, from supporting local wildlife to creating a low-maintenance garden. However, it might not be the easiest task. To ensure your native plants thrive and your garden looks its best, consider calling a local pro to help you.
Sources:
Main Image Credit: Malcolm Manners | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
