Native plants for Madison County, Tennessee
285 native plants recorded in Madison County, Tennessee
The USDA plant database has 427 plants recorded growing wild in Madison County. 285 of them are native to the lower 48, and 60 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 131 wildflowers and herbs, 68 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 42 trees, 24 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 121 of them (42%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Climbing false buckwheat (Polygonum scandens) and 1 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Madison County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 121 | 0 | 164 |
| Half shade | 76 | 45 | 164 |
| Under trees | 47 | 74 | 164 |
| Heavy clay | 86 | 35 | 164 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 78 | 43 | 164 |
| Never watered | 55 | 66 | 164 |
| Stays soggy | 56 | 65 | 164 |
Sun all day in Madison County: 121 rated natives
38 trees, 36 grasses and sedges, 28 wildflowers and herbs, 10 vines, 8 shrubs, 1 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 - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 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 - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Madison County: 76 rated natives
28 grasses and sedges, 23 trees, 16 wildflowers and herbs, 5 shrubs, 3 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Purplehead sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Madison County: 47 rated natives
22 grasses and sedges, 17 trees, 6 wildflowers and herbs, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purplehead sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · moderate growth · perennial - American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Catchfly grass (Leersia lenticularis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Manyspike flatsedge (Cyperus polystachyos) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purple lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Madison County: 86 rated natives
31 grasses and sedges, 21 wildflowers and herbs, 21 trees, 7 vines, 6 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purplehead sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Madison County: 78 rated natives
28 trees, 24 grasses and sedges, 13 wildflowers and herbs, 7 vines, 5 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Purplehead sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5.6 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 - Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Madison County: 55 rated natives
18 trees, 15 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 6 shrubs, 4 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate 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 - Panicledleaf ticktrefoil (Desmodium paniculatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 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 - Purplehead sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Swamp sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Madison County: 56 rated natives
25 grasses and sedges, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 9 trees, 5 vines, 3 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bluntleaf bedstraw (Galium obtusum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - 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 - 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 - Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Beaked agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Madison County has that most of Tennessee does not
8 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Tennessee's 95 counties. A few of them:
- Woolly sedge (Carex pellita): only here
- Red turtlehead (Chelone obliqua): 3 counties
- Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium): 3 counties
- American cupscale (Sacciolepis striata): 4 counties
- Longflower beeblossom (Oenothera filiformis): 4 counties
- Carolina canarygrass (Phalaris caroliniana): 4 counties
- Midland sedge (Carex mesochorea): 5 counties
- Buffalo clover (Trifolium reflexum): 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 (121 plants), and Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 47 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 164 unrated natives too.