YardNatives

Native plants for Iron County, Wisconsin

528 native plants recorded in Iron County, Wisconsin

The USDA plant database has 764 plants recorded growing wild in Iron County. 528 of them are native to the lower 48, and 60 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 284 wildflowers and herbs, 106 grasses and sedges, 42 shrubs, 43 low woody plants, 40 trees, 13 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 209 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Claspleaf twistedstalk (Streptopus amplexifolius), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 9 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Iron County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day2080320
Half shade13276320
Under trees66142320
Heavy clay15257319
Sandy, drains fast11396319
Never watered68141319
Stays soggy12286320

Sun all day in Iron County: 208 rated natives

80 wildflowers and herbs, 56 grasses and sedges, 32 trees, 25 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 5 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
  2. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. 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
  8. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Half shade in Iron County: 132 rated natives

54 wildflowers and herbs, 38 grasses and sedges, 18 trees, 15 shrubs, 4 vines, 3 low woody plants. 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 shade tolerance
  2. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  3. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

Under trees in Iron County: 66 rated natives

33 wildflowers and herbs, 17 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 6 shrubs, 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
  2. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Purple avens (Geum rivale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Iron County: 152 rated natives

58 wildflowers and herbs, 50 grasses and sedges, 19 trees, 15 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Purple avens (Geum rivale) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. White meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Iron County: 113 rated natives

36 wildflowers and herbs, 25 grasses and sedges, 24 trees, 19 shrubs, 5 vines, 4 low woody plants. 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
  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. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  5. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Purple avens (Geum rivale) 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

Never watered in Iron County: 68 rated natives

20 wildflowers and herbs, 17 shrubs, 15 trees, 7 low woody plants, 6 grasses and sedges, 3 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. 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. Russet buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) shrubs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  4. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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

Stays soggy in Iron County: 122 rated natives

51 wildflowers and herbs, 49 grasses and sedges, 10 shrubs, 8 trees, 2 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. 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
  3. 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
  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. 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
  7. 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
  8. Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Iron County has that most of Wisconsin does not

5 natives here are on file in no more than 4 of Wisconsin's 71 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Iron County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Iron County gives you the most rated choice (208 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 66 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 320 unrated natives too.