Native plants for Sussex County, Delaware

802 native plants recorded in Sussex County, Delaware

The USDA plant database has 1,051 plants recorded growing wild in Sussex County. 802 of them are native to the lower 48, and 30 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 411 wildflowers and herbs, 238 grasses and sedges, 40 shrubs, 38 low woody plants, 52 trees, 23 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 245 of them (31%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Seaside brookweed (Samolus valerandi), Red fescue (Festuca rubra) and 4 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Sussex County

Sun all day in Sussex County: 245 rated natives

89 grasses and sedges, 76 wildflowers and herbs, 42 trees, 26 shrubs, 6 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. 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
5. Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Sussex County: 169 rated natives

63 grasses and sedges, 56 wildflowers and herbs, 33 trees, 10 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
3. 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
4. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
5. Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. 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
8. 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

Under trees in Sussex County: 92 rated natives

39 grasses and sedges, 27 wildflowers and herbs, 18 trees, 5 shrubs, 2 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Sussex County: 172 rated natives

65 grasses and sedges, 54 wildflowers and herbs, 29 trees, 15 shrubs, 6 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. 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
8. 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

Sandy, drains fast in Sussex County: 164 rated natives

55 grasses and sedges, 47 wildflowers and herbs, 31 trees, 24 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Lavender thrift (Limonium carolinianum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Sussex County: 89 rated natives

25 wildflowers and herbs, 25 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 16 trees, 5 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
2. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
3. 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
4. Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Carolina elephantsfoot (Elephantopus carolinianus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.7 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Downy yellow violet (Viola pubescens) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Stays soggy in Sussex County: 157 rated natives

69 grasses and sedges, 49 wildflowers and herbs, 21 trees, 15 shrubs, 2 vines, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
2. 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
3. Northern St. Johnswort (Hypericum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
4. Small white violet (Viola macloskeyi) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Narrowleaf evening primrose (Oenothera fruticosa) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Sussex County has that most of Delaware does not

234 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Delaware's 3 counties. A few of them:

• Beaked agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata): only here
• Seaside alder (Alnus maritima): only here
• Valley redstem (Ammannia coccinea): only here
• American beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata): only here
• Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): only here
• Small beggarticks (Bidens discoidea): only here
• Smallfruit beggarticks (Bidens mitis): only here
• Threelobe beggarticks (Bidens tripartita): only here
• White doll's daisy (Boltonia asteroides): only here
• Carolina fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana): only here

Where to start in Sussex County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Sussex County gives you the most rated choice (245 plants), and Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 89 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 557 unrated natives too.