The Best Native Perennials for Your Region
In every corner of America, native perennials offer an unparalleled blend of beauty, resilience, and ecological harmony. In “The Best Native Perennials for Your Region,” we’ve partnered with regional experts to highlight four exceptional native plants that thrive in a variety of ecological regions across the United States.
From coastal plains to mountainous landscapes, these carefully selected perennials will not only enhance the aesthetics of your garden, but also foster local wildlife and contribute to sustainable gardening practices. Join us as we explore these unique botanical treasures and learn how they can transform your outdoor space into a vibrant, eco-friendly haven.
1. Dwarf Rose Checkermallow
Beautiful to look at yet tough and sturdy, this perennial sports non-stop showy pink hollyhock-like blooms from spring to fall. The flowers completely cover the tall, upright flower stalks. Dwarf Rose Checkermallow is a lovely vertical accent in any sunny border or container. It is also wonderful in a cutting garden and is a pollinator magnet. The rich green scale leaves form an attractive little mound, creating a lovely backdrop for the blooming display. Although it prefers full sun and well-drained soil, this plant should be watered lightly but regularly, especially during dry periods, and deadheaded frequently to ensure repeat blooms. Dwarf Rose Checkermallow is a herbaceous plant, but will return stronger and with more abundant blooms.
2. 'Russian River' Coyote Mint
This small, mounded, fragrant-leaved native hails from the rocky banks of Sonoma County's native Russian River. Tough, deer and gopher resistant, and drought tolerant, this mint-scented evergreen perennial blooms from late spring through fall. Its fluffy puffball clusters of rich lavender flowers are beloved by bees and butterflies. Wonderful for dry perennial beds or rock gardens, ‘Russian River’ coyote mint is a perfect plant to grow under native oak trees (Quercus spp. and cvs., zones 3–10). Full sun is fine on the coast or in cooler areas, but afternoon shade is important if you’re growing this plant in a warmer inland location. Cut it back by a third in late winter to rejuvenate the plant.
3. 'Wayne Roderick' Beach Daisy
This perennial's carpet-like mound of soft, blue-green leaves almost disappears under the large (1-inch diameter) golden-centered, lavender-blue daisies that bloom throughout the spring, summer, and fall. In fact, if frequently deadheaded (or cut in half in summer), this plant blooms almost constantly, much to the delight of many native bees. 'Wayne Roderick' Beach Daisy is a low-maintenance beauty that is drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in coastal gardens or protected from the hot afternoon sun in inland areas, and works beautifully in mixed borders, lawns, or containers. This native plant, wonderful when planted in masses along a walkway or as an edging, is tolerant of all types of soil, deer, gophers, and sea spray.
4. Fringecups
If you're looking for year-round interest in the shade garden, look no further! In summer, the broad green scalloped leaves of Fringecups are impressive, but they are especially stunning in fall and winter, when cooler temperatures highlight the foliage with shades of crimson, bronze, and purple. Tall spikes bearing small, fringed chartreuse flowers appear in spring. These gradually fade to pink and are delightful in floral arrangements whenever they are picked. You can find native populations of this plant growing along stream banks and in damp forest floors of the Pacific Northwest. Fringecups are 8 inches tall when not in bloom, but can reach 28 inches tall when in bloom.
5. Prairie Verbena
This understated beauty blooms in my Oklahoma garden from March to October, carpeting the ground with round clusters of magnificent purple to pink flowers. The sweetly scented flowers attract plenty of bees and butterflies, while the deeply lobed leaves add great texture to plantings. Prairie verbena may look delicate, but it is a tough plant, tolerant of drought, heat, and deer. I have found that the plants bloom best in full sun, although they will tolerate some shade. Since these perennials produce new blooms continuously, there is no need to deadhead the dead blooms. Prairie Verbena looks beautiful in any dry garden.
6. Spotted Blazing Star
The long-tapered root spotted blazing star is the most drought-tolerant of the liatris species, although its flowers and foliage are no less showy. Long panicles of densely packed lavender-rose flowers appear from late summer to fall atop erect stems and finely textured leaves. The flowers make excellent cut flowers and retain their color well when dried if harvested early in the flowering cycle. To encourage a bushy habit, cut back the plants early in the growing season. Spotted Blazing Star requires loose, well-drained soil, such as sand, loam, or gravel, and will tolerate alkaline and chalky soils. Wet, rich soil causes plants to wilt. This perennial also does well in containers.
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