YardNatives

Native plants for Hamilton County, New York

602 native plants recorded in Hamilton County, New York

The USDA plant database has 847 plants recorded growing wild in Hamilton County. 602 of them are native to the lower 48, and 73 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 305 wildflowers and herbs, 156 grasses and sedges, 39 shrubs, 35 low woody plants, 58 trees, 9 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 229 of them (38%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Claspleaf twistedstalk (Streptopus amplexifolius) and 10 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Hamilton County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day2290373
Half shade14089373
Under trees75154373
Heavy clay17356373
Sandy, drains fast125104373
Never watered63166373
Stays soggy13989374

Sun all day in Hamilton County: 229 rated natives

79 wildflowers and herbs, 75 grasses and sedges, 41 trees, 22 shrubs, 9 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Common blue violet (Viola sororia) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Half shade in Hamilton County: 140 rated natives

50 grasses and sedges, 49 wildflowers and herbs, 25 trees, 11 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  2. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  3. 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
  4. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. 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
  6. Purple avens (Geum rivale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  7. 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
  8. Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Hamilton County: 75 rated natives

31 wildflowers and herbs, 27 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 3 shrubs, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Purple avens (Geum rivale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Hamilton County: 173 rated natives

66 grasses and sedges, 59 wildflowers and herbs, 27 trees, 12 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Purple avens (Geum rivale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. White meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Hamilton County: 125 rated natives

38 wildflowers and herbs, 34 trees, 30 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  8. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Hamilton County: 63 rated natives

17 wildflowers and herbs, 14 shrubs, 14 trees, 10 grasses and sedges, 7 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  2. Allegheny blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. 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 Hamilton County: 139 rated natives

65 grasses and sedges, 51 wildflowers and herbs, 13 trees, 8 shrubs, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. Hooded lady's tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  3. Lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  5. 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
  6. Northern St. Johnswort (Hypericum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  8. Stiff marsh bedstraw (Galium tinctorium) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Hamilton County has that most of New York does not

10 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of New York's 62 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Hamilton County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Hamilton County gives you the most rated choice (229 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 63 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 373 unrated natives too.