Native plants for Boone County, Nebraska
80 native plants recorded in Boone County, Nebraska
USDA has only 138 plant records of any kind for Boone County, against 1,531 natives statewide. That is a gap in who has collected here, not a shortage of plants, so treat the 80 below as a floor.
By type: 44 wildflowers and herbs, 13 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 7 trees, 4 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 35 of them (44%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 5 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Boone County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 35 | 0 | 45 |
| Half shade | 29 | 6 | 45 |
| Under trees | 16 | 19 | 45 |
| Heavy clay | 21 | 14 | 45 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 25 | 10 | 45 |
| Never watered | 21 | 14 | 45 |
| Stays soggy | 15 | 20 | 45 |
Sun all day in Boone County: 35 rated natives
14 wildflowers and herbs, 7 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 4 shrubs, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Boone County: 29 rated natives
14 wildflowers and herbs, 5 grasses and sedges, 4 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Boone County: 16 rated natives
5 grasses and sedges, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 3 trees, 2 low woody plants, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: severe - Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Boone County: 21 rated natives
11 wildflowers and herbs, 5 grasses and sedges, 4 trees, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Crowned beggarticks (Bidens coronata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.4 ft mature · rapid growth - Nodding beggartick (Bidens cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Purplestem beggarticks (Bidens connata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Threelobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth
Sandy, drains fast in Boone County: 25 rated natives
11 wildflowers and herbs, 6 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants, 2 grasses and sedges, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: severe
Never watered in Boone County: 21 rated natives
6 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 4 grasses and sedges, 4 trees, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Boone County: 15 rated natives
8 wildflowers and herbs, 5 trees, 2 grasses and sedges. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Crowned beggarticks (Bidens coronata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.4 ft mature · rapid growth - Eastern woodland sedge (Carex blanda) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Nodding beggartick (Bidens cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Purplestem beggarticks (Bidens connata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Threelobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth - American plum (Prunus americana) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Where to start in Boone County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Boone County gives you the most rated choice (35 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 15 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 45 unrated natives too.