YardNatives

Native plants for Wayne County, Illinois

511 native plants recorded in Wayne County, Illinois

The USDA plant database has 757 plants recorded growing wild in Wayne County. 511 of them are native to the lower 48, and 95 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 297 wildflowers and herbs, 76 grasses and sedges, 15 shrubs, 16 low woody plants, 77 trees, 30 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 225 of them (44%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 11 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Wayne County

SpotRated to fitRated not toUnrated
Sun all day2250286
Half shade14976286
Under trees79146286
Heavy clay16362286
Sandy, drains fast14184286
Never watered102123286
Stays soggy103122286

Sun all day in Wayne County: 225 rated natives

88 wildflowers and herbs, 67 trees, 45 grasses and sedges, 12 vines, 9 shrubs, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Atlantic camas (Camassia scilloides) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  3. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  4. Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Bulbous bittercress (Cardamine bulbosa) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa) wildflowers and herbs
    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. Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Wayne County: 149 rated natives

53 wildflowers and herbs, 46 trees, 34 grasses and sedges, 7 shrubs, 6 vines, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Missouri ironweed (Vernonia missurica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
  8. Prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Wayne County: 79 rated natives

28 trees, 23 wildflowers and herbs, 22 grasses and sedges, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants, 2 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Prairie fleabane (Erigeron strigosus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Missouri ironweed (Vernonia missurica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Wayne County: 163 rated natives

69 wildflowers and herbs, 41 trees, 37 grasses and sedges, 7 vines, 6 shrubs, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Fringeleaf wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  4. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  5. Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  6. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid 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. Spotted St. Johnswort (Hypericum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Wayne County: 141 rated natives

50 trees, 47 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 8 vines, 6 shrubs, 1 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  3. Fringeleaf wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 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. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  6. Lanceleaf loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  7. Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Never watered in Wayne County: 102 rated natives

36 trees, 34 wildflowers and herbs, 15 grasses and sedges, 8 vines, 6 shrubs, 3 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. 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
  2. Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
  6. Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
  7. Common goldstar (Hypoxis hirsuta) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
  8. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial

Stays soggy in Wayne County: 103 rated natives

41 wildflowers and herbs, 31 grasses and sedges, 23 trees, 4 shrubs, 2 vines, 2 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

  1. American water-willow (Justicia americana) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  2. 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
  3. Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  4. 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
  5. Sharpwing monkeyflower (Mimulus alatus) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  6. Smooth phlox (Phlox glaberrima) wildflowers and herbs
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
  7. 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
  8. Crimsoneyed rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) low woody plants
    USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 6.6 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Wayne County has that most of Illinois does not

2 natives here are on file in no more than 5 of Illinois's 102 counties. A few of them:

Where to start in Wayne County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Wayne County gives you the most rated choice (225 plants), and American water-willow (Justicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 79 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 286 unrated natives too.