Native plants for Palo Alto County, Iowa
132 native plants recorded in Palo Alto County, Iowa
The USDA plant database has 197 plants recorded growing wild in Palo Alto County. 132 of them are native to the lower 48, and 22 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 51 wildflowers and herbs, 77 grasses and sedges, 1 shrubs, 2 trees, 1 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 68 of them (52%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and 1 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Palo Alto County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 68 | 0 | 64 |
| Half shade | 60 | 8 | 64 |
| Under trees | 44 | 24 | 64 |
| Heavy clay | 50 | 18 | 64 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 44 | 24 | 64 |
| Never watered | 21 | 47 | 64 |
| Stays soggy | 44 | 24 | 64 |
Sun all day in Palo Alto County: 68 rated natives
47 grasses and sedges, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 2 trees, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
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 - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lambstongue ragwort (Senecio integerrimus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: moderate - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Palo Alto County: 60 rated natives
40 grasses and sedges, 17 wildflowers and herbs, 2 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: slight - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 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 · high shade tolerance - Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Palo Alto County: 44 rated natives
31 grasses and sedges, 10 wildflowers and herbs, 2 trees, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Flatstem spikerush (Eleocharis compressa) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fragrant flatsedge (Cyperus odoratus) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Palo Alto County: 50 rated natives
34 grasses and sedges, 14 wildflowers and herbs, 1 vines, 1 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 - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Lambstongue ragwort (Senecio integerrimus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: moderate - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Palo Alto County: 44 rated natives
31 grasses and sedges, 9 wildflowers and herbs, 2 trees, 1 vines, 1 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 - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 9.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lambstongue ragwort (Senecio integerrimus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: moderate - Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 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 Palo Alto County: 21 rated natives
17 grasses and sedges, 3 wildflowers and herbs, 1 trees. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 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 - 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 - Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Plains muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.4 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
Stays soggy in Palo Alto County: 44 rated natives
30 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 1 vines, 1 trees, 1 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 · takes saturated soil - 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 - Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil · toxicity: slight - 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 - Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Shortawn foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis) grasses and sedges
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Palo Alto County has that most of Iowa does not
15 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Iowa's 99 counties. A few of them:
- Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris): only here
- Dwarf spikerush (Eleocharis parvula): only here
- Ontario lobelia (Lobelia kalmii): only here
- Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta): 2 counties
- Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata): 2 counties
- Umbrella flatsedge (Cyperus diandrus): 2 counties
- Cloaked bulrush (Scirpus pallidus): 3 counties
- Manyhead sedge (Carex sychnocephala): 3 counties
- Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa): 4 counties
- Common rivergrass (Scolochloa festucacea): 4 counties
Where to start in Palo Alto County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Palo Alto County gives you the most rated choice (68 plants), and Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 21 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 64 unrated natives too.