Native plants for Madison County, Nebraska
92 native plants recorded in Madison County, Nebraska
USDA has only 134 plant records of any kind for Madison County, against 1,531 natives statewide. That is a gap in who has collected here, not a shortage of plants, so treat the 92 below as a floor.
By type: 50 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 4 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 3 trees, 1 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 37 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below.
What fits each kind of spot in Madison County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 37 | 0 | 55 |
| Half shade | 30 | 7 | 55 |
| Under trees | 25 | 12 | 55 |
| Heavy clay | 22 | 15 | 55 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 30 | 7 | 55 |
| Never watered | 20 | 17 | 55 |
| Stays soggy | 21 | 16 | 55 |
Sun all day in Madison County: 37 rated natives
19 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Sandcherry (Prunus pumila) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: severe - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Madison County: 30 rated natives
16 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 2 shrubs, 2 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: severe - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Redroot flatsedge (Cyperus erythrorhizos) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Madison County: 25 rated natives
15 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 2 shrubs, 2 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: severe - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Redroot flatsedge (Cyperus erythrorhizos) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Madison County: 22 rated natives
11 grasses and sedges, 7 wildflowers and herbs, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Nodding beggartick (Bidens cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Purplestem beggarticks (Bidens connata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Madison County: 30 rated natives
16 grasses and sedges, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 4 shrubs, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Sandcherry (Prunus pumila) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial - Purple locoweed (Oxytropis lambertii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: severe - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Madison County: 20 rated natives
8 grasses and sedges, 4 shrubs, 4 wildflowers and herbs, 3 trees, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 8.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Prairie Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Sandcherry (Prunus pumila) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · perennial
Stays soggy in Madison County: 21 rated natives
13 grasses and sedges, 5 wildflowers and herbs, 3 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Yellow marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · takes saturated soil - Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cloaked bulrush (Scirpus pallidus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Redroot flatsedge (Cyperus erythrorhizos) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Nodding beggartick (Bidens cernua) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth - Purplestem beggarticks (Bidens connata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · rapid growth
Natives Madison County has that most of Nebraska does not
2 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Nebraska's 93 counties. A few of them:
- Yellow marsh marigold (Caltha palustris): 3 counties
- American dragonhead (Dracocephalum parviflorum): 5 counties
Where to start in Madison County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Madison County gives you the most rated choice (37 plants), and Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 20 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 55 unrated natives too.