Native plants for Stephenson County, Illinois
536 native plants recorded in Stephenson County, Illinois
The USDA plant database has 804 plants recorded growing wild in Stephenson County. 536 of them are native to the lower 48, and 103 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 320 wildflowers and herbs, 91 grasses and sedges, 20 shrubs, 27 low woody plants, 54 trees, 24 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 205 of them (38%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 14 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Stephenson County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 204 | 0 | 332 |
| Half shade | 133 | 71 | 332 |
| Under trees | 76 | 128 | 332 |
| Heavy clay | 139 | 66 | 331 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 121 | 84 | 331 |
| Never watered | 89 | 116 | 331 |
| Stays soggy | 94 | 111 | 331 |
Sun all day in Stephenson County: 204 rated natives
76 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 42 trees, 13 shrubs, 10 low woody plants, 9 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Atlantic camas (Camassia scilloides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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 - Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 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 - Canadian lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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
Half shade in Stephenson County: 133 rated natives
53 wildflowers and herbs, 31 grasses and sedges, 29 trees, 8 shrubs, 6 vines, 6 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate 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 - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance · toxicity: slight - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Stephenson County: 76 rated natives
26 wildflowers and herbs, 24 grasses and sedges, 19 trees, 3 shrubs, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 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 - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 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 - Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · toxicity: slight - Common blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Stephenson County: 139 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 23 trees, 8 shrubs, 6 vines, 6 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 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 - Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - White meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Stephenson County: 121 rated natives
42 wildflowers and herbs, 34 trees, 25 grasses and sedges, 9 shrubs, 6 vines, 5 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 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
Never watered in Stephenson County: 89 rated natives
28 wildflowers and herbs, 21 trees, 17 grasses and sedges, 11 shrubs, 7 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - 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 - 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 - Leadplant (Amorpha canescens) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Stephenson County: 94 rated natives
38 grasses and sedges, 33 wildflowers and herbs, 15 trees, 3 vines, 3 shrubs, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 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 - 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 - Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 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 - 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 - Virginia iris (Iris virginica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Stephenson County has that most of Illinois does not
4 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Illinois's 102 counties. A few of them:
- Small floating mannagrass (Glyceria borealis): 4 counties
- Mexican pricklypoppy (Argemone mexicana): 4 counties
- Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora): 5 counties
- Rock harlequin (Corydalis sempervirens): 5 counties
Where to start in Stephenson County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Stephenson County gives you the most rated choice (204 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 76 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 332 unrated natives too.