Native plants for Worcester County, Massachusetts
1,281 native plants recorded in Worcester County, Massachusetts
The USDA plant database has 2,195 plants recorded growing wild in Worcester County. 1,281 of them are native to the lower 48, and 499 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 673 wildflowers and herbs, 291 grasses and sedges, 77 shrubs, 66 low woody plants, 142 trees, 32 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 443 of them (35%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) and 30 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Worcester County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 442 | 0 | 839 |
| Half shade | 292 | 150 | 839 |
| Under trees | 145 | 297 | 839 |
| Heavy clay | 304 | 139 | 838 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 272 | 171 | 838 |
| Never watered | 167 | 276 | 838 |
| Stays soggy | 230 | 212 | 839 |
Sun all day in Worcester County: 442 rated natives
150 wildflowers and herbs, 123 grasses and sedges, 97 trees, 42 shrubs, 19 low woody plants, 11 vines. 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 - Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate 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 - Climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Worcester County: 292 rated natives
106 wildflowers and herbs, 84 grasses and sedges, 65 trees, 21 shrubs, 11 low woody plants, 5 vines. 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 - Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - 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 - 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 - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Worcester County: 145 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 36 trees, 8 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 2 vines. 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 - Bluebead (Clintonia borealis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Worcester County: 304 rated natives
110 wildflowers and herbs, 95 grasses and sedges, 52 trees, 25 shrubs, 13 low woody plants, 9 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Groundnut (Apios americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Marsh bellflower (Campanula aparinoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Marsh hedgenettle (Stachys palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Worcester County: 272 rated natives
80 trees, 78 wildflowers and herbs, 63 grasses and sedges, 33 shrubs, 12 low woody plants, 6 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bristly dewberry (Rubus hispidus) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Horseflyweed (Baptisia tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Worcester County: 167 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 45 trees, 30 shrubs, 30 grasses and sedges, 12 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - 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 - Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - 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 - Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Worcester County: 230 rated natives
90 grasses and sedges, 87 wildflowers and herbs, 30 trees, 16 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 3 vines. 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 - 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 - Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid 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 - Lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - Marsh hedgenettle (Stachys palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Worcester County has that most of Massachusetts does not
17 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Massachusetts's 14 counties. A few of them:
- Beaked agrimony (Agrimonia rostellata): only here
- Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella): only here
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis): only here
- Slimlobe beggarticks (Bidens tenuisecta): only here
- Back's sedge (Carex backii): only here
- Peck's sedge (Carex peckii): only here
- Wiegand's sedge (Carex wiegandii): only here
- Coastal sandbur (Cenchrus spinifex): only here
- Tiny trumpet (Collomia linearis): only here
- Forbes's hawthorn (Crataegus forbesiae): only here
Where to start in Worcester County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Worcester County gives you the most rated choice (442 plants), and Blackeyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is the easiest start on that list. Under trees is the hard one here: 145 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 839 unrated natives too.