{"id":30583,"date":"2024-09-06T12:59:15","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T12:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=30583"},"modified":"2025-07-12T02:53:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T02:53:55","slug":"nebraska-native-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska Native Plants for Your Landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planting native plants such as bur oak, pasque flower, and showy milkweed help your garden survive Nebraska\u2019s icy winters and provide beauty during the growing season. Here we bring you the best Nebraska native plants for your landscape, including grasses, flowers, trees, and shrubs.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-d7b217fe-973f-42f6-9614-df61bdb2c7bf\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">Table of Contents<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#0-nebraska-native-grasses\" style=\"\">Native grasses<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#1-prairie-junegrass\" style=\"\">Prairie junegrass<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#2-little-bluestem\" style=\"\">Little bluestem<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#3-blue-grama\" style=\"\">Blue grama<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#4-nebraska-native-pollinator-plants\" style=\"\">Native pollinator plants<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#5-wild-bee-balm\" style=\"\">Wild bee balm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#6-purple-poppy-mallow\" style=\"\">Purple poppy mallow<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#7-pasque-flower\" style=\"\">Pasque flower<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#8-showy-milkweed\" style=\"\">Showy milkweed<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#9-dotted-blazing-star\" style=\"\">Dotted blazing star<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#10-nebraska-native-trees\" style=\"\">Native trees<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#11-bur-oak\" style=\"\">Bur oak<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#12-hackberry\" style=\"\">Hackberry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#13-nebraska-native-shrubs\" style=\"\">Native shrubs<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#14-american-hazelnut\" style=\"\">American hazelnut<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#15-new-jersey-tea\" style=\"\">New Jersey tea<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#16-fragrant-sumac\" style=\"\">Fragrant sumac<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#17-an-expert-take-on-native-plants\" style=\"\">An expert take on native plants<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/nebraska-native-plants\/#18-faq\" style=\"\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-nebraska-native-grasses\"><span id=\"nebraska-native-grasses\">Nebraska native grasses<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-prairie-junegrass\"><span id=\"prairie-junegrass\">Prairie junegrass<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of prairie junegrass\" class=\"wp-image-30592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/prairie-junegrass-1-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Koeleria_macrantha_(6244462456).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Lavin<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Found across Nebraska, prairie junegrass (<em>Koeleria macrantha<\/em>) occurs in all of the state\u2019s habitats, except wetlands. With light-colored inflorescences, prairie junegrass can be used as a border or as an accent <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/plants-for-rock-gardens\/\">plant in a rock garden<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA Hardiness Zone:<\/strong> 3-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sun:<\/strong> Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil:<\/strong> Grows in clay to sand, but prefers sandy, well-drained soils. Prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 8.0.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Cool-season perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Flowering period: <\/strong>May to August<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs:<\/strong> 12 to 20 inches of water per year (rainfall included)<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature height: <\/strong>0.5 to 2 feet tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-little-bluestem\"><span id=\"little-bluestem\">Little bluestem<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"530\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of Little Bluestem grass\" class=\"wp-image-29569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/52308944578_9172c949a2_c-1-610x404.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/wackybadger\/52308944578\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Joshua Mayer<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The official state grass of Nebraska, little bluestem (<em>Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>) is distributed statewide. With its flowy inflorescence, this grass adds charm to landscapes when used as a border. In the fall, its greenish-blue color becomes reddish, adding fall interest to your garden.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Prefers well-drained soils but can adapt to different textures (tolerates clay soils and poor soils)<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Warm-season perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Flowering period: <\/strong>July to October<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to medium<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature height:<\/strong> 2 to 4 feet tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-blue-grama\"><span id=\"blue-grama\">Blue grama<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1.jpeg\" alt=\"a close up image of blue grama grass\" class=\"wp-image-23747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1-510x382.jpeg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Blue_grama-1-610x458.jpeg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Blue_grama_Bouteloua_gracilis_MN_2007.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEWilco<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adapted to a variety of soil types, blue grama (<em>Bouteloua gracilis<\/em>) is most common in central and western Nebraska. It works perfectly as a specimen plant in a rock garden, and you can easily match blue grama with wildflowers in this list for a beautiful composition. Blue grama usually develops a purple hue in the frost, creating an interesting winter visual.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Curious Note: <\/strong>Blue grama can be used as turfgrass because of its tolerance to heat, cold, and drought. However, our article on \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-grass-seed-nebraska\/\">The Best Grass Seed for Nebraska Lawns<\/a>\u201d shows you some better options for Nebraska homeowners. And if you\u2019re wondering the perfect time to plant, see our guide: \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-plant-grass-seed-nebraska\/\">When to Plant Grass Seed in Nebraska<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA Hardiness Zone: <\/strong>3-10<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil: <\/strong>Well-drained clay, silt, and sand. Tolerates poor soils.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Warm-season perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Flowering period:<\/strong> June to August<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature height: <\/strong>1 to 2 feet tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-nebraska-native-pollinator-plants\"><span id=\"nebraska-native-pollinator-plants\">Nebraska native pollinator plants<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-wild-bee-balm\"><span id=\"wild-bee-balm\">Wild bee balm<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot.jpg\" alt=\"pink flowers of the wild bergamot plant\" class=\"wp-image-25275\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Wild-Bergamot-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/usfwshq\/5992418976\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A member of the mint family, wild bee balm or wild bergamot (<em>Monarda fistulosa<\/em>) is commonly known for its medicinal properties, including the ability to soothe bee stings (hence the name). This hardy perennial blooms starting in mid-summer, and when combined with summer-into-fall bloomers (for ex., <em>Achillea<\/em> and <em>Phlox<\/em>), you can get a smooth transition from summer to fall color.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expert Tip: <\/strong>For this article, we interviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/plantnebraska.org\/who-we-are\/staff-board.html#:~:text=Bob%20Henrickson%2C%20Horticulture%20Program%20Coordinator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bob Henrickson<\/a>, Horticulture Program Coordinator at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Henrickson suggests combining wild bee balm with narrowleaf mountain mint and gray-headed coneflower to form an attractive native trio in full sun areas.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone:<\/strong> 3a-9b<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Dry, but seasonally moist soils<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>2 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>July to August<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-purple-poppy-mallow\"><span id=\"purple-poppy-mallow\">Purple poppy mallow<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c.jpg\" alt=\"bright purple poppy mallow flower\" class=\"wp-image-4954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-610x458.jpg 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-240x180.jpg 240w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_24171607198_26b9faac51_c-390x293.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/156513724@N05\/24171607198\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nick Varvel<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also known as prairie winecup, the purple poppy mallow (<em>Callirhoe involucrata) <\/em>offers bright purple flowers with petals that resemble a cup. This hardy perennial can be grown as a ground cover, among prairie grasses, or even on slopes and spreading over stone walls.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expert Tip:<\/strong> Henrickson suggests combining purple poppy mallow with leadplant and butterfly milkweed in full sun landscapes.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>3a-8b<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs:<\/strong> Full sun, partial shade<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Well-drained soils<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 1 foot<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>Late May through June&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-pasque-flower\"><span id=\"pasque-flower\">Pasque flower<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pasque-flower-1.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of pasque flower\" class=\"wp-image-30690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pasque-flower-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pasque-flower-1-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pasque-flower-1-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/pasque-flower-1-610x397.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Pulsatilla_patens01%28js%29.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jerzy Strzelecki<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great addition to your wildflower garden or cultivated as a specimen in your home landscape, the pasque flower (<em>Pulsatilla patens<\/em>) can bloom in white, violet, yellow, blue, or even red. Its seed heads have a feathery appearance, adding even more ornamental value to your landscape.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>4-8<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Part shade to full sun&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Prefers well-drained, dry to medium soils with a gritty texture<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Average<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size:<\/strong> 9 to 12 inches tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>April to May<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>All parts of the plant are toxic and may cause stomach upset if ingested.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Planting Tip:<\/strong> For inspiration, check out \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/design-ideas-for-your-wildflower-garden\/\">Design Ideas for Your Wildflower Garden<\/a>\u201d if you plan to add pasque flower and other wildflowers to your landscape.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-showy-milkweed\"><span id=\"showy-milkweed\">Showy milkweed<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"626\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Asclepias-speciosa-1.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of Showy milkweek plant\" class=\"wp-image-30593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Asclepias-speciosa-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Asclepias-speciosa-1-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Asclepias-speciosa-1-768x601.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Asclepias-speciosa-1-610x477.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Yosemite_-_Asclepias_speciosa.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">P. Hughes<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occurring naturally in sunny fields and prairies across Nebraska, the showy milkweed (<em>Asclepias speciosa<\/em>) is one of the many milkweed species in the state. It blooms in clumps of white and pinkish star-shaped flowers. Perfect for a pollinator garden, the showy milkweed is a host plant for the monarch butterfly.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone:<\/strong> 3-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Prefers moist, dry to slightly wet soils. Can grow in sandy to loamy soils.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Average<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>4 to 5 feet tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>June to August<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic when ingested, especially to dogs, cats, and horses<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-dotted-blazing-star\"><span id=\"dotted-blazing-star\">Dotted blazing star<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1.jpg\" alt=\"a lot of flowers of dotted blazing star\" class=\"wp-image-30577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3494377486_e82c089dab_c-1-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/plant_diversity\/3494377486\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt Lavin<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dotted blazing star (<em>Liatris punctata<\/em>) is the shortest liatris species in Nebraska. Blooming in September, dotted blazing star adds summer and fall interest to your garden. With flowering spikes that \u201ccut\u201d through the landscape, dotted blazing star complements your <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-design-native-plant-garden\/\">native garden design<\/a> with a vertical accent.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attracting bees and butterflies, this plant is also a great addition to a pollinator garden.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>4-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs:<\/strong> Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Likes well-drained, dry to moist soils. Tolerates alkaline soils.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to medium<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>12 inches to 18 inches tall<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>September to early October<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>Very low toxicity&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-nebraska-native-trees\"><span id=\"nebraska-native-trees\">Nebraska native trees<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-bur-oak\"><span id=\"bur-oak\">Bur oak<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1.jpg\" alt=\"green leaves of Bur oak\" class=\"wp-image-28066\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Quercus-macrocarpa-1-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Quercus_macrocarpa_hojas_JBCLM.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">JBCLM<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common native oak in Nebraska, the bur oak (<em>Quercus macrocarpa<\/em>) can be planted as a shade tree in urban settings, as it is tolerant of city smoke and air pollutants. Also suitable for suburban lawns, this drought-tolerant tree is long-lived and offers ample shade to homes. Its acorns are eaten by local wildlife, and the large tree is also a shelter for squirrels and birds.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A Curious Note: <\/strong>A 500-year-old bur oak can be found at Ponca State Park.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone:<\/strong> 3-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Prefers rich soils, but tolerates poor, dry, or clay soils<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>Spring<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>50-75 feet tall and wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>Low-severity poison<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-hackberry\"><span id=\"hackberry\">Hackberry<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hackberry tree with berries\" class=\"wp-image-29538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/30615779208_d6fff77656_c-1-610x407.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/zharkikh\/30615779208\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Andrey Zharkikh<\/a> | Flickr | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hackberry tree (<em>Celtis occidentalis<\/em>) is a great choice for those who love a stunning fall color, as its leaves turn into an interesting yellow-green or yellow-brown. A fast grower, the hackberry drops small branches on windy or stormy days, so keep this in mind when choosing where to plant. Its rounded crown makes hackberry the best shade tree for Nebraska.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>2-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun, but can adapt to partial shade<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Prefers rich, well-drained soils, but tolerates dry soils and occasional drought<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>April or May<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>65 feet tall, 50 feet wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance:<\/strong> Low to moderate<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-nebraska-native-shrubs\"><span id=\"nebraska-native-shrubs\">Nebraska native shrubs<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-american-hazelnut\"><span id=\"american-hazelnut\">American hazelnut<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"571\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/American-hazelnut.jpg\" alt=\"closeup image of American hazelnut plant\" class=\"wp-image-29454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/American-hazelnut.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/American-hazelnut-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/American-hazelnut-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/American-hazelnut-610x435.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.m.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Corylus_americana_kz01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American hazelnut (<em>Corylus americana<\/em>) grows abundantly in forests and prairies in Nebraska. Its beautiful bronze fall color adds interest to your garden, and edible nuts make it a wildlife favorite. Why not use them in your native garden as a screen or shrub border?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>4-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Prefers full sun to partial shade. It can grow in full shade, but growth and fruit production are reduced.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Likes average, well-drained soil with moist to dry humidity<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>Spring<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>6 to 8 feet tall and wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-new-jersey-tea\"><span id=\"new-jersey-tea\">New Jersey tea<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful white colored flowers of new jersey tea\" class=\"wp-image-25271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/New-Jersey-tea-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ceanothus_americanus_2020-06-23_0406.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Salicyna<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New Jersey tea (<em>Ceanothus americanus<\/em>) is a fragrant shrub that blooms with clusters of tiny white flowers from May to June. Highly attractive to butterflies, birds, deer, and all sorts of wildlife, this practical and drought-tolerant shrub will bring joy and life to your landscape.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expert Tip:<\/strong> Henrickson suggests combining New Jersey tea with golden Alexanders and dwarf blue indigo in areas with full sun.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>4a-8b<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Foliage: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences: <\/strong>Well-drained, dry soils<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>3 to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>May to June<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-fragrant-sumac\"><span id=\"fragrant-sumac\">Fragrant sumac<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica.jpg\" alt=\"Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica)\" class=\"wp-image-19645\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica-510x382.jpg 510w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Fragrant-sumac-Rhus-aromatica-610x458.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rhus_aromatica_kz16.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking of fragrant plants, the fragrant sumac (<em>Rhus aromatica<\/em>) is another option for those who want to include a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-a-sensory-garden\/\">sensory experience in the garden<\/a>. However, you can only smell its scent if the stems or leaves are bruised. Easy to grow, fragrant sumac blooms in the spring with vibrant yellow or white flowers, and in the fall, the foliage develops into a stunning deep red.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>USDA hardiness zone: <\/strong>3-9<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Deciduous<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Soil preferences:<\/strong> Prefers acidic, well-drained, moist to dry soils.<strong> <\/strong>Adapts to most soil types, except permanently wet soils.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bloom time: <\/strong>Spring<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water needs: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mature size: <\/strong>5 to 6 feet tall and wide<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Potential hazards: <\/strong>None<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-an-expert-take-on-native-plants\"><span id=\"an-expert-take-on-native-plants\">An expert take on native plants<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When consulting with Henrickson, we asked him about the benefits of opting for native plants to compose your landscape, and he explained in detail why going native is the way to go:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Native plants benefit the local wildlife.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Henrickson explains, \u201cNative landscapes benefit wildlife that depend on grassland, savannah, and woodland habitats. Native plants provide the food, shelter, and nesting cover for songbirds, beneficial insects, and other critters that conventional landscapes cannot.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Native plants are adapted to the local climate.<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Henrickson, native plants are adapted to the Great Plains&#8217; extreme weather: \u201cNative plants are able to withstand drought, wet, heat, cold, [and] wind, not to mention wide temperature fluctuations,\u201d which, in turn, makes landscaping easier for homeowners. As he explains, established native plants won\u2019t need additional watering to stay alive, or the application of chemicals.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, as he notes, if you opt not to water your plants and let them go dormant during extreme drought periods, they will still survive.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Native plants prevent soil erosion and runoff and clean the water supply.<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Henrickson explains that native plants also help in erosion control, since the \u201croots of grasses and forbs arrange themselves in layers so that every cubic inch of soil is exploited for moisture and nutrients.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They also help avoid water runoff. As he describes: \u201cA well-developed layering of plants, coupled with a myriad of thin grass stems, lets rain soak in and allows almost no runoff. Deep-rooted plants also &#8230; act as a filter, absorbing potentially harmful nutrients from the water as it moves down the soil profile or as surface water along watersheds.\u201d<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, he notes, you can use lowland native plants to create a rain garden or bioretention swale, helping to clean your local water supply.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Native plants are a great learning experience.<\/strong><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another benefit of investing in a native plant landscape is that it provides a learning experience for your kids, as Henrickson points out:&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA more natural landscape will attract songbirds, butterflies, toads, voles, and a host of other small animals. What a wonderful way to educate your children: By observing the changes throughout the seasons, you will learn and appreciate how they contribute to making all of nature work together.\u201d<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-faq\"><span id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-where-can-i-buy-native-nebraska-plants\"><span id=\"where-can-i-buy-native-nebraska-plants\">Where can I buy native Nebraska plants?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Henrickson recommends checking first with your local nursery or garden center. By doing so, you will help increase the demand and, therefore, availability of native plants in your local nursery. He also mentions that there are other reliable sources of native plants in Nebraska, which include the following:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/plantnebraska.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska Statewide Arboretum<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.midwestnativesnursery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Midwest Natives<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/prairielegacyinc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prairie Legacy<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/greatplainsnursery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Great Plains Nursery<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-what-is-nebraska%E2%80%99s-hardiness-zone\"><span id=\"what-is-nebraskas-hardiness-zone\">What is Nebraska\u2019s hardiness zone?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nebraska comprises hardiness zones <strong>4b to 6a<\/strong>. Knowing your hardiness zone is essential for choosing the plants that will thrive in your area.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/NE300_HS.jpg\" alt=\"Nebraska USDA Plant hardiness zone map\" class=\"wp-image-30585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/NE300_HS.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/NE300_HS-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/NE300_HS-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/NE300_HS-610x471.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/system\/files\/NE300_HS.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USDA<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-what-is-the-nebraska-state-tree\"><span id=\"what-is-the-nebraska-state-tree\">What is the Nebraska state tree?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The eastern cottonwood (<em>Populus deltoides<\/em>) is Nebraska\u2019s state tree. Found statewide, cottonwood is currently the main wood used for lumber in Nebraska.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-when-to-call-a-pro\"><span id=\"when-to-call-a-pro\">When to call a pro<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you need a hand managing your lawn care routine or adding native plants, know that we have qualified pros in Nebraska who are ready to help. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/nebraska\/\">Get in touch with a lawn care pro<\/a> today, and rest assured that your lawn is in good hands.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-d3d6ab8e-56b1-4e05-90e1-9efdaf54d892\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"true\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-bb2da448-6bbb-4666-91e4-4dd957394f17\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-d3d6ab8e-56b1-4e05-90e1-9efdaf54d892\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-d3d6ab8e-56b1-4e05-90e1-9efdaf54d892\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Sources:<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-d3d6ab8e-56b1-4e05-90e1-9efdaf54d892\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/plantnebraska.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska Statewide Arboretum<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nebwild.org\/resources\/wildflower-identification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska Wildflower Identification<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/extensionpubs.unl.edu\/publication\/ec170\/2016\/pdf\/view\/ec170-2016.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNL Extension &#8211; Common Grasses of Nebraska<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/hles.unl.edu\/landscape-plants-0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UNL &#8211; Landscape Plants<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>   <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Showy_Milkweed_(Asclepias_speciosa)_Seedskadee_NWR_(15517847764).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USFWS Mountain-Prairie<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nebraska native plants such as bur oak and pasque flower help your garden thrive. See our selection of the best native plants for the state. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":30596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[198],"tags":[222,648],"class_list":["post-30583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nebraska","tag-landscaping","tag-lawn-care-ne"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/showy-milkweed-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Teresa Joaquim","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/teresa-joaquim\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30583"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40198,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30583\/revisions\/40198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}