YardNatives

Native plants for Carbon County, Utah

647 native plants recorded in Carbon County, Utah

The USDA plant database has 1,033 plants recorded growing wild in Carbon County. 647 of them are native to the lower 48, and 92 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 341 wildflowers and herbs, 78 grasses and sedges, 70 shrubs, 114 low woody plants, 37 trees, 7 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 213 of them (33%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 10 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Carbon County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day2130434
Half shade17637434
Under trees108105434
Heavy clay11697434
Sandy, drains fast15954434
Never watered13083434
Stays soggy60152435

Sun all day in Carbon County: 213 rated natives

66 wildflowers and herbs, 46 grasses and sedges, 38 shrubs, 33 trees, 28 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Carbon County: 176 rated natives

50 wildflowers and herbs, 38 grasses and sedges, 32 shrubs, 30 trees, 24 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  2. 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
  3. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  4. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  6. Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  7. 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
  8. Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Carbon County: 108 rated natives

29 wildflowers and herbs, 27 grasses and sedges, 23 shrubs, 15 trees, 13 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Carbon County: 116 rated natives

42 wildflowers and herbs, 31 grasses and sedges, 18 shrubs, 15 trees, 9 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Orange agoseris (Agoseris aurantiaca) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Carbon County: 159 rated natives

46 wildflowers and herbs, 32 shrubs, 30 grasses and sedges, 29 trees, 20 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Gooseberryleaf globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Carbon County: 130 rated natives

31 shrubs, 30 wildflowers and herbs, 26 grasses and sedges, 21 trees, 20 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. 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
  2. Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  4. Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  5. Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Oneflower helianthella (Helianthella uniflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  7. Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  8. Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Carbon County: 60 rated natives

26 wildflowers and herbs, 20 grasses and sedges, 9 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. Heartleaf bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  3. Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. Western polemonium (Polemonium occidentale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  5. Western valerian (Valeriana occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Natives Carbon County has that most of Utah does not

1 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Utah's 29 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Carbon County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Carbon County gives you the most rated choice (213 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 60 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 435 unrated natives too.