Native plants for Jefferson County, Tennessee
256 native plants recorded in Jefferson County, Tennessee
The USDA plant database has 368 plants recorded growing wild in Jefferson County. 256 of them are native to the lower 48, and 54 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 144 wildflowers and herbs, 32 grasses and sedges, 19 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 46 trees, 8 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 93 of them (36%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Toothed spurge (Euphorbia dentata), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and 2 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Jefferson County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 93 | 0 | 163 |
| Half shade | 51 | 42 | 163 |
| Under trees | 25 | 68 | 163 |
| Heavy clay | 61 | 32 | 163 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 64 | 29 | 163 |
| Never watered | 42 | 51 | 163 |
| Stays soggy | 43 | 50 | 163 |
Sun all day in Jefferson County: 93 rated natives
36 trees, 28 wildflowers and herbs, 14 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 4 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spring avens (Geum vernum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 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 - Bigleaf aster (Eurybia macrophylla) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Jefferson County: 51 rated natives
19 trees, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 2 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 · 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - Halberdleaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purpleleaf willowherb (Epilobium coloratum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Appalachian blazing star (Liatris squarrulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · perennial
Under trees in Jefferson County: 25 rated natives
11 trees, 6 grasses and sedges, 4 wildflowers and herbs, 2 vines, 1 low woody plants, 1 shrubs. 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Valley redstem (Ammannia coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth - Climbing rose (Rosa setigera) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial - Cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial - Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · toxicity: severe - American plum (Prunus americana) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Heavy clay in Jefferson County: 61 rated natives
21 trees, 18 wildflowers and herbs, 12 grasses and sedges, 6 shrubs, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spring avens (Geum vernum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigleaf aster (Eurybia macrophylla) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Halberdleaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Jefferson County: 64 rated natives
28 trees, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 8 grasses and sedges, 7 shrubs, 4 vines. 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 - Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spring avens (Geum vernum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 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 - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Jefferson County: 42 rated natives
23 trees, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 3 vines, 3 grasses and sedges, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Appalachian blazing star (Liatris squarrulosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · perennial - Climbing rose (Rosa setigera) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Deerberry (Vaccinium stamineum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Jefferson County: 43 rated natives
15 wildflowers and herbs, 11 grasses and sedges, 11 trees, 5 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Limestone bittercress (Cardamine douglassii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Halberdleaf rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Purpleleaf willowherb (Epilobium coloratum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Green arrow arum (Peltandra virginica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Jack in the pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight
Natives Jefferson County has that most of Tennessee does not
4 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Tennessee's 95 counties. A few of them:
- Tall blue lettuce (Lactuca biennis): 2 counties
- Carolina arrowwood (Viburnum carolinianum): 3 counties
- Slender waternymph (Najas gracillima): 4 counties
- Rough hawkweed (Hieracium scabrum): 5 counties
Where to start in Jefferson County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Jefferson County gives you the most rated choice (93 plants), and Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 25 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 163 unrated natives too.