Native plants for Graves County, Kentucky
470 native plants recorded in Graves County, Kentucky
The USDA plant database has 673 plants recorded growing wild in Graves County. 470 of them are native to the lower 48, and 68 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 229 wildflowers and herbs, 104 grasses and sedges, 20 shrubs, 22 low woody plants, 74 trees, 21 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 210 of them (45%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 10 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Graves County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 210 | 0 | 260 |
| Half shade | 144 | 66 | 260 |
| Under trees | 79 | 131 | 260 |
| Heavy clay | 153 | 57 | 260 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 129 | 81 | 260 |
| Never watered | 83 | 127 | 260 |
| Stays soggy | 102 | 108 | 260 |
Sun all day in Graves County: 210 rated natives
64 trees, 61 wildflowers and herbs, 60 grasses and sedges, 11 shrubs, 9 vines, 5 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid 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 - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Meadow evening primrose (Oenothera pilosella) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Graves County: 144 rated natives
45 trees, 43 wildflowers and herbs, 42 grasses and sedges, 7 shrubs, 4 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Missouri ironweed (Vernonia missurica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Sawtooth sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Under trees in Graves County: 79 rated natives
28 trees, 26 grasses and sedges, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 3 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Missouri ironweed (Vernonia missurica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Sawtooth sunflower (Helianthus grosseserratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial
Heavy clay in Graves County: 153 rated natives
49 grasses and sedges, 47 wildflowers and herbs, 40 trees, 7 vines, 6 shrubs, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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 - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid 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
Sandy, drains fast in Graves County: 129 rated natives
48 trees, 34 wildflowers and herbs, 33 grasses and sedges, 7 shrubs, 5 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Graves County: 83 rated natives
30 trees, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 18 grasses and sedges, 8 shrubs, 4 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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
Stays soggy in Graves County: 102 rated natives
42 grasses and sedges, 32 wildflowers and herbs, 19 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Nodding lady's tresses (Spiranthes cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Smooth phlox (Phlox glaberrima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Crimsoneyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Virginia iris (Iris virginica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Graves County has that most of Kentucky does not
16 natives here are on file in no more than 6 of Kentucky's 120 counties. A few of them:
- Floating marshpennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides): 2 counties
- Juniper leaf (Polypremum procumbens): 2 counties
- Kittatinny blackberry (Rubus bellobatus): 2 counties
- Elliott's fanpetals (Sida elliottii): 3 counties
- Cuban jute (Sida rhombifolia): 3 counties
- Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii): 4 counties
- Mississippi buttercup (Ranunculus laxicaulis): 4 counties
- Weak stellate sedge (Carex seorsa): 4 counties
- Bull crowngrass (Paspalum boscianum): 4 counties
- White wand beardtongue (Penstemon tubaeflorus): 4 counties
Where to start in Graves County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Graves County gives you the most rated choice (210 plants), and Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 79 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 260 unrated natives too.