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Adding native plants to your garden is an excellent way to fill it with flowers that are easy to grow, low-maintenance, yet vibrant. Each adds a unique depth to your garden. One of the advantages of these native flowers is their drought tolerance, which allows them to thrive in dry soil with minimal water over long periods.
If you want to brighten your garden, consider these 16 native plants that will thrive and bring life to your yard.
Poppy Mallow
Purple poppy mallow is a native perennial notable for its vibrant pinkish-purple cup-shaped flowers. These flowers bloom daily, closing each night, throughout a long flowering season starting in late spring or early summer.
This plant is low-maintenance and provides a striking display when in bloom. It is also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. Zones 4-8
Blanket Flower
Ideal for zones 3 to 10, Blanket Flowers are sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials that offer bright, enduring blooms throughout the summer and into fall. They are available in shades like red, purple, yellow, and white.
Sneezeweed
Its bright, daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer and fall, bringing vibrant yellow, red, and bronze hues to sunny gardens. These flowers are perfect for cutting and arranging. Despite its name, it does not trigger sneezing or allergies. Zone 3-10
Bee Balm
Bee balm is a win-win plant; it keeps mosquitoes at bay and attracts butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. Bee balm grows in almost any soil condition but thrives in evenly moist ones. It’s a part of the mint family, so it spreads easily and will give you lots of blooms from mid to late summer. Zones 4-8
Sedum (Autumn Joy)
Sedum varieties are completely maintenance-free and love the sun. They provide late-season blooms and are excellent for attracting butterflies. These flowers are long-lasting and dry well for winter arrangements. Zones 3-9
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a plant that blooms in late summer, with tall spikes of small, bright yellow flowers. It does best in conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. The vivid yellow flowers of Goldenrod attract bees and other pollinators.
Yarrow (Achillea)
Yarrow produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in colors including yellow, white, pink, and red. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Zones 3-9
Penstemon
Penstemon is deer-resistant and known for its colorful, tubular flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds. Its unappealing taste and texture to deer make it an excellent choice for gardens seeking beauty and wildlife attraction without attracting deer. Zones 3-9
Aster
Asters are available in various shades of purple, pink, and yellow. These flowers attract pollinators and are perfect for fall gardens.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Also known as Echinacea,
Columbine
Columbine is a perennial with bright flowers contrasting against dark, clover-shaped leaves. Available in various colors, including two-tone, its unique bell-shaped flowers with five spurs catch the eye. This sun-loving perennial is Ideal for slopes, ledges, or open garden spaces. Columbine adds beauty, attracts wildlife, and deters deer. Zones 3-9
Blazing Star
Blazing Star boasts tall spikes of vibrant purple flowers, making it a magnet for butterflies. Thriving in sunny spots with well-drained soil, this plant adds a striking vertical element to your garden and provides a valuable nectar pollinator source.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed, a form of milkweed, is a brightly colored wildflower. It blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. This sun-loving plant thrives in well-drained, light, sandy soil. Zones 3-9
False Indigo
Known for its striking spikes of brilliant blue color, False Indigo is a robust plant that thrives in the sun. This plant is practically indestructible, so it is best planted in well-drained soil where you want it to stay for a long time. Zones 3-9
Black Eye Susan
With their striking yellow flowers, Black-Eyed Susans are excellent at attracting butterflies. These hardy, sun-loving plants can thrive in a wide range of conditions, making them a versatile choice for any butterfly garden.
They are relatively pest-free, blooming in midsummer until hard frost. Use this beautiful plant as a border plant, ground cover for sunny spots, or plant it in large groups in the flower or vegetable garden. Zones 3-9
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Coreopsis is known for its bright, daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, gold, orange, and sometimes red or pink. This hardy, drought-tolerant plant blooms from early summer to fall, adding lasting color to the garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy-care option for various settings. Zones 2-8
