Wisconsin Native Plants
Wisconsin boasts a diverse range of native plants, well-adapted to its climates and soils, making them ideal choices for local gardening projects. These plants require less maintenance and are more resistant to local pests and diseases.
- Trees like Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and White Pine (Pinus strobus) are stalwarts of Wisconsin’s native forests. They provide shade, habitat for wildlife, and are known for their brilliant fall color (Sugar Maple) and evergreen foliage (White Pine).
- For adding color to your landscape, consider wildflowers like Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), a magnet for pollinators with its lavender blooms, or the bright yellow Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). The Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata), with its fragrant blue-violet flowers, is a great groundcover option.
- Regarding grasses, Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) offer texture and movement, along with being drought-tolerant.
- For wetter areas or rain gardens, Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) thrive and provide a food source for butterflies.
To have a successful native plant garden in Wisconsin, it’s crucial to match the plant with the site conditions like light, moisture, and soil type. The added bonus of using native plants is the contribution to the preservation of Wisconsin’s unique biodiversity while supporting local wildlife. These plants reflect the state’s natural heritage, creating a sense of place and season, and connecting us to the landscapes around us.
