- Benefits of a Arkansas native species<\/a><\/li>
- Best native plants for Little Rock<\/a>
- 1. Blue star <\/a><\/li>
- 2. American beautyberry <\/a><\/li>
- 3. Sweetbay magnolia <\/a><\/li>
- 4. Tickseed<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Butterfly weed <\/a><\/li>
- 6. Marginal wood fern <\/a><\/li>
- 7. Black-eyed Susan <\/a><\/li>
- 8. Netleaf leather flower<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Azalea <\/a><\/li>
- 10. Solomon\u2019s seal <\/a><\/li>
- 11. Florida anise <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tips for a successful native garden<\/a><\/li>
- Kickstart your garden with a pro<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Benefits of a Arkansas native species<\/span><\/h2>
- Colorful: <\/strong>You might think the prettiest flowers are exotic, but North American wildflowers are naturally vibrant in order to attract the attention of pollinators like butterflies, bees, and birds.<\/li>
- Low-maintenance:<\/strong> Native shrubs, vines, and flowers have spent centuries adapting to the Arkansas landscape. As a result, they can usually survive on rainfall alone and don\u2019t require fertilizer. <\/li>
- Hardier:<\/strong> Native plants are more resilient to harsh weather. That means they can survive temperature fluctuations, wet springs, and hot, humid summers. <\/li> <\/ul>
Little Rock is in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b and 8a.<\/a> That makes heat tolerant plants a great choice. Every home is different, though, and it\u2019s important to get to know your backyard\u2019s microclimate<\/a>. If your landscape faces south, for example, sunshine will be more intense. <\/p>
Best native plants for Little Rock<\/span><\/h2>
1. Blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Bluestar\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_flower-g1fa87d60c_1280.jpg\")
HelgaKa<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Aptly named for its blue, star-shaped flowers, blue star\u2019s<\/a> clusters of twinkling blooms will light up your landscape like the night sky. Delicate flowers grow atop gorgeous, willow-shaped foliage that provides a lovely fall color, as well. <\/p>
Blue star attracts many long-tongued insects including hummingbird moths, butterflies, and carpenter bees. Once established, this plant can tolerate short periods of drought, but it prefers to be kept consistently moist. If grown in part shade, this plant can be prone to flopping and may need to be staked. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3-11<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Moderate to high<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Sand, loam, clay, moist<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>1-3 feet<\/p>
2. American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"American](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_868px-purple_beautyberry_october_2015_-_stacking.jpg\")
Wikimedia<\/a> | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If a cluster of striking purple berries has ever caught your eye in the woods, you\u2019ve probably passed by an American beautyberry<\/a>. Although this shrub\u2019s light green foliage is a little mundane, its berries are a showstopper with color as vibrant as grape-flavored candy (though they won\u2019t taste like a pack of Nerds, these berries are edible, too). <\/p>
These shrubs need some sunlight, but will be fine with variegated shade. The beautyberry loves soil rich in clay or organic matter like you\u2019d find on a forest floor. Keep this plant relatively moist, particularly if you plant it in a sunny spot. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch<\/a> will help with water retention.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 6-10<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full to partial shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> High<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Moist, clay, organic<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>3-6 feet<\/p>
3. Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Sweetbay](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_148380045841_5aeeb8a369_c.jpg\")
Chesapeake Bay Program<\/a> | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> An icon of hot climates, the sweetbay magnolia<\/a> is a small evergreen tree with standout blossoms. The large white flowers open from March to April like a lotus and emit a sweet, lemony fragrance. This tree prefers acidic soil, and yellowing leaves are a sign the ground is too alkaline. <\/p>
As it gets established, this tree needs deep waterings and annual feedings. Once it\u2019s settled, make sure the soil doesn\u2019t dry out for more than a few days, and water it more during warmer weather. Finally, point your lawn mower so debris flies away from the tree, not toward it; Magnolia trees are easily injured, which leaves them vulnerable to disease.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Tree<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 4-10<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> High<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Moist, rich, acidic<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>10-35 feet<\/p>
4. Tickseed (Coreopsis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Tickseed\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_geumgye-guk-g63d47e41d_1280.jpg\")
manseok Kim<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> For a burst of sunshine, consider tickseed<\/a>. These small, lemon-yellow flowers are perfect for a low-maintenance cutting garden too, and bloom from early summer to fall. Sparrows, chickadees, cardinals, and goldfinches are all big fans of this plant\u2019s black seeds, so you\u2019ll be helping your local ecosystem while creating a cheery outdoor space. <\/p>
As long as the plant\u2019s not sitting in soggy soil all the time, it\u2019s not particular about the ground it\u2019s planted in. Don\u2019t plant it at the bottom of a hill, and if you have very clay-heavy soil, amend it with compost<\/a> to improve the drainage. Water early in the morning so tickseed\u2019s leaves can dry out when the sun rises.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 2-11<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Sandy, well-draining<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>2-4 feet<\/p>
5. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Butterfly](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1024px-butterfly_weed_entire_flower_head_2608px.jpg\")
Wikimedia<\/a> | CC-BY-SA-2.5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Beginner gardeners, look no further. Butterfly weed<\/a>, also known as butterfly milkweed, is an easy-to-grow plant with vibrant marigold and tiger-orange flowers that bloom all summer long. True to its name, butterflies can\u2019t get enough of this plant. Before long, you\u2019ll have plenty of new flying friends to watch from your window. <\/p>
If you want quick blooms, transplanting is your best bet; otherwise, butterfly weed can take two to three years to flower when grown from seed. It handles drought and poor soil. If you notice aphids (small, pear-shaped insects), knock them off by spraying them with a hose. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3-9<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Low to medium<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Poor, dry to medium, well-draining<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>1-2.5 feet<\/p>
6. Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Marginal](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_41335353104_d40df97ac4_c.jpg\")
Distant Hill<\/a> | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Marginal wood fern<\/a>, native to Arkansas, is the perfect plant to fill the shady spots of your landscape with blue-green, twice-cut fronds that spill out like a fountain. This fern will stay verdant year-round, providing lush winter interest for your landscape.<\/p>
Like most ferns, the marginal wood fern prefers conditions that mimic the forest. This means rich, moist soils with a pH of less than 6.8 and plenty of shade (in fact, it can tolerate full shade). Deer and rabbits will stay away from this plant.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Evergreen fern<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3-8<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Partial shade to full shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Average, well-draining, moist, humusy, acidic<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>1.5-2 feet<\/p>
7. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Black-eyed](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_black-eyed-susan-gc85c7ab4f_1280.jpg\")
5892437<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> After a few months of chilly weather, it\u2019s a pleasure to see reminders of sunshine popping up in early summer to fall like black-eyed Susans<\/a>. The yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom the first year you plant them, so they can function as an annual or perennial.<\/p>
An especially low-maintenance native flower, black-eyed Susans prefer full sun and well-draining soil, but they\u2019ll tolerate heat and drought. Butterflies love this wildflower\u2019s nectar so consider planting as a container plant in a window box to enjoy the show.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Flower<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 3-9<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Moderate<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Average, well-draining acidic<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>1-3 feet<\/p>
8. Netleaf leather flower (Clematis reticulata)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Netleaf](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_27251542996_f36ff663d2_c.jpg\")
Mary Keim<\/a> | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The netleaf leather flower<\/a> is a climbing vine in the buttercup family. Oval leaves feature visible, textured veins (giving it the term reticulata<\/em>). Large purple and white, bell-shaped blossoms appear in May and June. After the whimsical flowers are gone, cream-colored, showy seed heads take their place. <\/p>
Netleaf leather flower will thrive in most garden settings. Twine it around a trellis or a fence, preferably somewhere with a bit of shade. Once established, Arkansas rainfall will be enough to sustain this plant. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Vine<\/p>
Hardiness zones:<\/strong> 6a-9b<\/p>
Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Water needs:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Soil:<\/strong> Average, sand<\/p>
Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/p>
Mature height: <\/strong>8-10 feet<\/p>
9. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Azalea\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_agelia-gd04a796ec_1280.jpg\")
John Lee<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Low-maintenance:<\/strong> Native shrubs, vines, and flowers have spent centuries adapting to the Arkansas landscape. As a result, they can usually survive on rainfall alone and don\u2019t require fertilizer. <\/li>
- 2. American beautyberry <\/a><\/li>
- Best native plants for Little Rock<\/a>