Eastern White Oak – Quercus alba Native
Native in all 120 of Kentucky’s counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Kentucky native plants
USDA PLANTS records 337 plants as native to Kentucky (KY) and routinely sold by nurseries. Each one is mapped by county, so you can see which grow wild where you live.
Kentucky native plant list
This list has 337 Kentucky natives that nurseries routinely sell: 93 trees, 39 shrubs, 96 wildflowers, 93 grasses and sedges, 7 ferns and 9 vines. The most widespread include American Black Elderberry, Eastern White Oak and Red Mulberry, each recorded as native in all 120 Kentucky counties. Checked against USDA PLANTS on June 13, 2026.
American Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis Native
Native in all 120 of Kentucky’s counties. A shrub or small tree up to 7 ft for full sun, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Wild Blue Phlox – Phlox divaricata Native
Native in 102 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Strawcolored Flatsedge – Cyperus strigosus Native
Native in 109 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun, with showy fruit.
Field Horsetail – Equisetum arvense Native
Native in 74 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A horsetail for sun or part shade.
Virginia Creeper – Parthenocissus quinquefolia Native
Native in 107 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Red Mulberry – Morus rubra Native
Native in all 120 of Kentucky’s counties. A tree up to 70 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Northern Spicebush – Lindera benzoin Native
Native in 115 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Common Blue Violet – Viola sororia Native
Native in 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Virginia Wildrye – Elymus virginicus Native
Native in 90 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Western Brackenfern – Pteridium aquilinum Native
Native in 63 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Trumpet Vine – Campsis radicans Native
Native in 101 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for full sun, with summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum Native
Native in all 120 of Kentucky’s counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
American Hazelnut – Corylus americana Native
Native in 109 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Common Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris Native
Native in 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Blunt Spikerush – Eleocharis obtusa Native
Native in 89 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A sedge for full sun.
New York Fern – Thelypteris noveboracensis Native
Native in 48 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade and wet soil.
American Bittersweet – Celastrus scandens Native
Native in 90 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Sassafras – Sassafras albidum Native
Native in 119 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 75 ft for full sun, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
Blackhaw – Viburnum prunifolium Native
Native in 106 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft that tolerates shade, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Jack in the Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum Native
Native in 93 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Fox Sedge – Carex vulpinoidea Native
Native in 83 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Cinnamon Fern – Osmunda cinnamomea Native
Native in 43 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Groundnut – Apios americana Native
Native in 54 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Eastern Dogwood – Cornus florida Native
Native in 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
American Plum – Prunus americana Native
Native in 98 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 24 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Blue Mistflower – Conoclinium coelestinum Native
Native in 90 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Frank's Sedge – Carex frankii Native
Native in 79 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Royal/Flowering Fern – Osmunda regalis Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Arrowleaf Tearthumb – Polygonum sagittatum Native
Native in 47 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for full sun.
Red Oak – Quercus rubra Native
Native in 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 81 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Button Bush – Cephalanthus occidentalis Native
Native in 96 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil, with summer flowers and showy fruit.
Black-Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta Native
Native in 87 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for full sun, with summer flowers.
Poverty Rush – Juncus tenuis Native
Native in 78 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Interrupted Fern – Osmunda claytoniana Native
Native in 29 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
American Wisteria – Wisteria frutescens Native
Native in 40 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra Native
Native in 118 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 85 ft that tolerates shade.
Smooth Sumac – Rhus glabra Native
Native in 94 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa Native
Native in 84 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Eastern Woodland Sedge – Carex blanda Native
Native in 77 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Common Maidenhair – Adiantum capillus-veneris Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Riverbank Grape – Vitis riparia Native
Native in 28 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for sun or part shade.
American Beech – Fagus grandifolia Native
Native in 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Winged Sumac – Rhus copallinum Native
Native in 94 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 8 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Littleleaf Buttercup – Ranunculus abortivus Native
Native in 84 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A plant that tolerates shade.
Fowl Mannagrass – Glyceria striata Native
Native in 75 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Muscadine – Vitis rotundifolia Native
Native in 14 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
American Persimmon – Diospyros virginiana Native
Native in 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 55 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Cane Reed – Arundinaria gigantea Native
Native in 87 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 25 ft for full sun, with fall colour.
Wild Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa Native
Native in 81 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Sweet Woodreed – Cinna arundinacea Native
Native in 74 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Catbird Grape – Vitis palmata Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A vine for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Black Oak – Quercus velutina Native
Native in 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Witch Hazel – Hamamelis virginiana Native
Native in 80 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft for sun or part shade, with fall flowers and showy fruit.
Broadleaf Cattail – Typha latifolia Native
Native in 79 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Sea Oats – Chasmanthium latifolium Native
Native in 73 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Black Cherry – Prunus serotina Native
Native in 116 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Black Raspberry – Rubus occidentalis Native
Native in 78 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Bristly Buttercup – Ranunculus hispidus Native
Native in 76 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers.
Shallow Sedge – Carex lurida Native
Native in 72 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Box Elder – Acer negundo Native
Native in 116 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
New Jersey Tea – Ceanothus americanus Native
Native in 62 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft that tolerates shade.
Sharpwing Monkeyflower – Mimulus alatus Native
Native in 74 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Fragrant Flatsedge – Cyperus odoratus Native
Native in 71 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Eastern Redbud – Cercis canadensis Native
Native in 116 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft that tolerates shade, with spring flowers and showy fruit.
Swamp Rose – Rosa palustris Native
Native in 62 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 8 ft that tolerates shade, with spring flowers and showy fruit.
Blue Eyed Grass – Sisyrinchium angustifolium Native
Native in 72 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Whitegrass – Leersia virginica Native
Native in 69 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Silver Maple – Acer saccharinum Native
Native in 115 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 90 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil, with early spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Mountain Laurel – Kalmia latifolia Native
Native in 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 6 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
American Water-Willow – Justicia americana Native
Native in 71 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Rice Cutgrass – Leersia oryzoides Native
Native in 67 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Sour Gum/Tupelo – Nyssa sylvatica Native
Native in 113 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 95 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Hercules's Club – Aralia spinosa Native
Native in 58 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Canada Germander – Teucrium canadense Native
Native in 71 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Common Rush – Juncus effusus Native
Native in 66 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
American Elm – Ulmus americana Native
Native in 112 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Rough-Leaf Dogwood – Cornus drummondii Native
Native in 57 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Pennsylvania Smartweed – Polygonum pensylvanicum Native
Native in 71 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Fall Panicgrass – Panicum dichotomiflorum Native
Native in 62 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual grass for full sun and wet soil.
Black Willow – Salix nigra Native
Native in 111 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun and wet soil.
Silky Dogwood – Cornus amomum Native
Native in 48 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers and showy fruit.
Swamp Milkweed – Asclepias incarnata Native
Native in 68 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with fall flowers.
Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium Native
Native in 62 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pawpaw – Asimina triloba Native
Native in 111 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 25 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Silky Willow – Salix sericea Native
Native in 47 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Pale Touch-Me-Not – Impatiens pallida Native
Native in 66 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual that tolerates shade.
Tapertip Rush – Juncus acuminatus Native
Native in 62 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Tulip Tree – Liriodendron tulipifera Native
Native in 111 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Chickasaw Plum – Prunus angustifolia Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
American Water Plantain – Alisma subcordatum Native
Native in 65 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Deertongue – Dichanthelium clandestinum Native
Native in 61 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Post Oak – Quercus stellata Native
Native in 110 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun, with fall colour.
Highbush Blueberry – Vaccinium corymbosum Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 12 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Dotted Smartweed – Polygonum punctatum Native
Native in 64 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Woolgrass – Scirpus cyperinus Native
Native in 61 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Eastern Black Walnut – Juglans nigra Native
Native in 108 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Common Winterberry – Ilex verticillata Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Philadelphia Daisy – Erigeron philadelphicus Native
Native in 64 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Georgia Bulrush – Scirpus georgianus Native
Native in 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Eastern Redcedar – Juniperus virginiana Native
Native in 106 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 50 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Red Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Canada Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis Native
Native in 63 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Green Bulrush – Scirpus atrovirens Native
Native in 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun.
American Hornbeam – Carpinus caroliniana Native
Native in 105 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers and fall colour.
Red-Barked Dogwood – Cornus alba Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Golden Ragwort – Packera aurea Native
Native in 63 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers.
Blunt Broom Sedge – Carex tribuloides Native
Native in 58 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Sweet Gum – Liquidambar styraciflua Native
Native in 105 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Goldstar – Hypoxis hirsuta Native
Native in 61 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers.
Squarrose Sedge – Carex squarrosa Native
Native in 58 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Common Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis Native
Native in 104 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Steeplebush – Spiraea tomentosa Native
Native in 31 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun, with summer flowers and fall colour.
Virginia Bluebells – Mertensia virginica Native
Native in 61 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Oval-Leaf Sedge – Carex cephalophora Native
Native in 57 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Green Ash – Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native
Native in 104 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Virginia Sweetspire – Itea virginica Native
Native in 26 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Virginia Water Horehound – Lycopus virginicus Native
Native in 60 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with summer flowers and showy fruit.
Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii Native
Native in 52 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Honey Locust – Gleditsia triacanthos Native
Native in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Stiff Dogwood – Cornus foemina Native
Native in 18 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Bearded Beggarticks – Bidens aristosa Native
Native in 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and showy fruit.
Yellow Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans Native
Native in 51 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Shagbark Hickory – Carya ovata Native
Native in 100 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 75 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Witherod Viburnum – Viburnum cassinoides Native
Native in 15 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers.
Ditch Stonecrop – Penthorum sedoides Native
Native in 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade.
Grassleaf Rush – Juncus marginatus Native
Native in 48 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Red Maple – Acer rubrum Native
Native in 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 68 ft for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Bristly Dewberry – Rubus hispidus Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft for full sun, with spring flowers and showy fruit.
Cardinalflower – Lobelia cardinalis Native
Native in 58 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with summer flowers.
Rufous Bulrush – Scirpus pendulus Native
Native in 48 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
White Ash – Fraxinus americana Native
Native in 95 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 90 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Swamp Loosestrife – Decodon verticillatus Native
Native in 10 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 8 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil, with midsummer flowers.
Mexican Cardinal Flower – Lobelia fulgens Native
Native in 58 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with summer flowers.
Limestone Meadow Sedge – Carex granularis Native
Native in 46 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Bitternut Hickory – Carya cordiformis Native
Native in 93 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 75 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Canada Yew – Taxus canadensis Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 5 ft that tolerates shade.
Partridge Pea – Chamaecrista fasciculata Native
Native in 56 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers.
Hop Sedge – Carex lupulina Native
Native in 44 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Eastern Cottonwood – Populus deltoides Native
Native in 92 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 190 ft for full sun and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Gray Dogwood – Cornus racemosa Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Common Sneeze Weed – Helenium autumnale Native
Native in 54 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with fall flowers.
Fringed Sedge – Carex crinita Native
Native in 41 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Shellbark Hickory – Carya laciniosa Native
Native in 91 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Smooth Azalea – Rhododendron arborescens Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 18 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
Devil's Beggartick – Bidens frondosa Native
Native in 54 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Softstem Bulrush – Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Native
Native in 41 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
American Linden – Tilia americana Native
Native in 90 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
Common Juniper – Juniperus communis Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 10 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Jerusalem Artichoke – Helianthus tuberosus Native
Native in 54 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Thinfruit Sedge – Carex flaccosperma Native
Native in 38 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Hophornbeam – Ostrya virginiana Native
Native in 86 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 45 ft that tolerates shade.
White Meadowsweet – Spiraea alba Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Swamp Smartweed – Polygonum hydropiperoides Native
Native in 52 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Blackjack Oak – Quercus marilandica Native
Native in 85 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for full sun, with fall colour.
Hobblebush – Viburnum lantanoides Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Foxglove Beardtongue – Penstemon digitalis Native
Native in 51 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Winter Bentgrass – Agrostis hyemalis Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Butternut – Juglans cinerea Native
Native in 83 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Mountain Azalea – Rhododendron canescens Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 14 ft that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Cutleaf Coneflower – Rudbeckia laciniata Native
Native in 50 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Greater Bladder Sedge – Carex intumescens Native
Native in 36 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
River/Red Birch – Betula nigra Native
Native in 82 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun.
Sandcherry – Prunus pumila Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Purplehead Sneezeweed – Helenium flexuosum Native
Native in 50 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with summer flowers.
Whiteroot Rush – Juncus brachycarpus Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Virginia Pine – Pinus virginiana Native
Native in 81 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 70 ft for full sun.
Western Snowberry – Symphoricarpos occidentalis Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
American Water Horehound – Lycopus americanus Native
Native in 47 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Awlfruit Sedge – Carex stipata Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Ohio Buckeye – Aesculus glabra Native
Native in 78 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 68 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Smooth Hedgenettle – Stachys tenuifolia Native
Native in 47 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Gray's Sedge – Carex grayi Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
American Holly – Ilex opaca Native
Native in 77 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 40 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Giant Goldenrod – Solidago gigantea Native
Native in 45 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with showy flowers and fall colour.
Riverbank Wildrye – Elymus riparius Native
Native in 32 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Southern Red Oak – Quercus falcata Native
Native in 77 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 75 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Crimsoneyed Rosemallow – Hibiscus moscheutos Native
Native in 44 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with summer flowers.
White Edge Sedge – Carex debilis Native
Native in 28 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Shumard Red Oak – Quercus shumardii Native
Native in 75 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Maryland Senna – Senna marilandica Native
Native in 42 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with summer flowers.
Cattail Sedge – Carex typhina Native
Native in 27 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Hazel Alder – Alnus serrulata Native
Native in 72 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun and wet soil.
Nodding Lady's Tresses – Spiranthes cernua Native
Native in 42 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late summer flowers.
Twisted Sedge – Carex torta Native
Native in 26 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Pin Oak – Quercus palustris Native
Native in 72 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with fall colour.
Pinnate Prairie Coneflower – Ratibida pinnata Native
Native in 41 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Short's Sedge – Carex shortiana Native
Native in 25 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Sourwood Tree – Oxydendrum arboreum Native
Native in 69 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 35 ft that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers and fall colour.
Smooth Phlox – Phlox glaberrima Native
Native in 41 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Needle Spikerush – Eleocharis acicularis Native
Native in 24 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Sandbar Willow – Salix interior Native
Native in 65 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Broadleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria latifolia Native
Native in 38 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Squarestem Spikerush – Eleocharis quadrangulata Native
Native in 24 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Burr Oak – Quercus macrocarpa Native
Native in 64 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Atlantic Camas – Camassia scilloides Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Broom Sedge – Carex scoparia Native
Native in 23 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Cockspur Hawthorn – Crataegus crus-galli Native
Native in 57 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Longleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton nodosus Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Ravenfoot Sedge – Carex crus-corvi Native
Native in 23 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Osage-Orange – Maclura pomifera Native
Native in 57 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 35 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod – Solidago rugosa Native
Native in 37 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers.
Greenwhite Sedge – Carex albolutescens Native
Native in 22 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Swamp White Oak – Quercus bicolor Native
Native in 57 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Duckmeat – Spirodela polyrrhiza Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late summer flowers.
Drooping Sedge – Carex prasina Native
Native in 20 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Canadian Hemlock – Tsuga canadensis Native
Native in 53 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 105 ft that tolerates shade.
Purpleleaf Willowherb – Epilobium coloratum Native
Native in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Eastern Gamagrass – Tripsacum dactyloides Native
Native in 20 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Shortleaf Pine – Pinus echinata Native
Native in 46 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
Virginia Iris – Iris virginica Native
Native in 33 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with spring flowers.
Greater Straw Sedge – Carex normalis Native
Native in 20 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Sugarberry – Celtis laevigata Native
Native in 46 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Nodding Beggartick – Bidens cernua Native
Native in 29 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Thicket Sedge – Carex abscondita Native
Native in 20 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Bigtooth Aspen – Populus grandidentata Native
Native in 42 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Halberdleaf Rosemallow – Hibiscus laevis Native
Native in 27 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with midsummer flowers.
Graceful Sedge – Carex gracillima Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Western Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa Native
Native in 42 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Bigleaf Aster – Eurybia macrophylla Native
Native in 26 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Hairawn Muhly – Muhlenbergia capillaris Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with fall colour.
Cucumber Tree – Magnolia acuminata Native
Native in 41 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Illinois Bundleflower – Desmanthus illinoensis Native
Native in 25 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Prickly Bog Sedge – Carex atlantica Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Eastern White Pine – Pinus strobus Native
Native in 40 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 150 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Common Duckweed – Lemna minor Native
Native in 24 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Three-Way Sedge – Dulichium arundinaceum Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Pitch Pine – Pinus rigida Native
Native in 39 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 80 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
American Bur-Reed – Sparganium americanum Native
Native in 23 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Torrey's Rush – Juncus torreyi Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Coastal Plain Willow – Salix caroliniana Native
Native in 36 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 33 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Gay Feather – Liatris spicata Native
Native in 22 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers.
Troublesome Sedge – Carex molesta Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Pecan – Carya illinoinensis Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Swamp Sunflower – Helianthus angustifolius Native
Native in 20 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Crested Sedge – Carex cristatella Native
Native in 16 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Swamp Chestnut Oak – Quercus michauxii Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Canadian Milkvetch – Astragalus canadensis Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Prairie Cordgrass – Spartina pectinata Native
Native in 15 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Willow Oak – Quercus phellos Native
Native in 35 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Golden Tickseed – Coreopsis tinctoria Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Bushy Bluestem – Andropogon glomeratus Native
Native in 14 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Overcup Oak – Quercus lyrata Native
Native in 32 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Purple Coneflower – Echinacea purpurea Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Common Spikerush – Eleocharis palustris Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Great Laurel – Rhododendron maximum Native
Native in 31 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 25 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers and fall colour.
Sawtooth Sunflower – Helianthus grosseserratus Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Sideoats Grama – Bouteloua curtipendula Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Bald Cypress – Taxodium distichum Native
Native in 27 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 130 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil, with fall colour.
Lanceleaf Tickseed – Coreopsis lanceolata Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Slender Woodoats – Chasmanthium laxum Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Possumhaw – Ilex decidua Native
Native in 25 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 33 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Water Knotweed – Polygonum amphibium Native
Native in 17 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Sugarcane Plumegrass – Saccharum giganteum Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with fall colour.
Bean Tree – Catalpa bignonioides Native
Native in 23 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 66 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Coon's Tail – Ceratophyllum demersum Native
Native in 15 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Muskingum Sedge – Carex muskingumensis Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Cherrybark Oak – Quercus pagoda Native
Native in 22 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Moss Pink – Phlox subulata Native
Native in 14 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers and fall colour.
Nuttall's Reedgrass – Calamagrostis coarctata Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Yellow Wood – Cladrastis kentukea Native
Native in 19 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 40 ft for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Wild Mint – Mentha arvensis Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with spring flowers.
Melic Mannagrass – Glyceria melicaria Native
Native in 10 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pumpkin Ash – Fraxinus profunda Native
Native in 14 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
American Eelgrass – Vallisneria americana Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Needlepod Rush – Juncus scirpoides Native
Native in 10 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Green Hawthorn – Crataegus viridis Native
Native in 13 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with early spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Green Arrow Arum – Peltandra virginica Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with spring flowers.
Toad Rush – Juncus bufonius Native
Native in 10 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual rush for full sun and wet soil.
Chokecherry – Prunus virginiana Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Missouri Ironweed – Vernonia missurica Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Upright Sedge – Carex stricta Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Loblolly Pine – Pinus taeda Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
White Doll's Daisy – Boltonia asteroides Native
Native in 12 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Canadian Rush – Juncus canadensis Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Missouri River Willow – Salix eriocephala Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 52 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
American Lotus – Nelumbo lutea Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Jointleaf Rush – Juncus articulatus Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Washington Hawthorn – Crataegus phaenopyrum Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Roundleaf Goldenrod – Solidago patula Native
Native in 11 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with fall flowers and fall colour.
Fringed Brome – Bromus ciliatus Native
Native in 7 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Eastern Swampprivet – Forestiera acuminata Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 33 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
New York Ironweed – Vernonia noveboracensis Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Inland Rush – Juncus interior Native
Native in 7 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Swamp Tupelo – Nyssa biflora Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 115 ft for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Rough Avens – Geum laciniatum Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Sand Dropseed – Sporobolus cryptandrus Native
Native in 7 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Water Hickory – Carya aquatica Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 85 ft for sun or part shade.
Scarlet Indian Paintbrush – Castilleja coccinea Native
Native in 9 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Forked Rush – Juncus dichotomus Native
Native in 6 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Planertree – Planera aquatica Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 50 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Crowned Beggarticks – Bidens coronata Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Knotgrass – Paspalum distichum Native
Native in 6 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Pussy Willow – Salix discolor Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 40 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Pickerelweed – Pontederia cordata Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Canada Wildrye – Elymus canadensis Native
Native in 5 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Water Oak – Quercus nigra Native
Native in 8 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 90 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Longbeak Buttercup – Ranunculus longirostris Native
Native in 7 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Giant Cutgrass – Zizaniopsis miliacea Native
Native in 5 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Water Tupelo – Nyssa aquatica Native
Native in 7 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Bur Marigold – Bidens laevis Native
Native in 6 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Western Wheatgrass – Pascopyrum smithii Native
Native in 4 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
American Arborvitae – Thuja occidentalis Native
Native in 5 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 50 ft for sun or part shade.
Common Cowparsnip – Heracleum maximum Native
Native in 6 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Prairie Dropseed – Sporobolus heterolepis Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Texas Red Oak – Quercus texana Native
Native in 4 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 110 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
American Speedwell – Veronica americana Native
Native in 4 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Blister Sedge – Carex vesicaria Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Southern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An evergreen tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Copper Iris – Iris fulva Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Bluejoint – Calamagrostis canadensis Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Parsley Hawthorn – Crataegus marshallii Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 25 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Purplestem Beggarticks – Bidens connata Native
Native in 3 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
California Field Sedge – Carex praegracilis Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Quaking Aspen – Populus tremuloides Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Broadfruit Bur-Reed – Sparganium eurycarpum Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Hairy Sedge – Carex lacustris Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Black Ash – Fraxinus nigra Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Closed Bottle Gentian – Gentiana andrewsii Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers and fall colour.
June Grass – Koeleria macrantha Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Gray Birch – Betula populifolia Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Largeleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton amplifolius Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Longhair Sedge – Carex comosa Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Nannyberry – Viburnum lentago Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 28 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Mexican Muhly – Muhlenbergia mexicana Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Peachleaf Willow – Salix amygdaloides Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun.
Prairie Blazing Star – Liatris pycnostachya Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Necklace Sedge – Carex projecta Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Pin Cherry – Prunus pensylvanica Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Skunk Cabbage – Symplocarpus foetidus Native
Native in 2 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with summer flowers.
Panicled Bulrush – Scirpus microcarpus Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
California Poppy – Eschscholzia californica Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Kurapia – Phyla nodiflora Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade.
Star Duckweed – Lemna trisulca Native
Native in 1 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
No plant on this page matches that.
USDA records 225 of these 337 plants as native in fewer than half of Kentucky’s counties. The map on each card shows where. A county with no record may never have been surveyed for that plant, so look at the counties around yours too, or use the county checker for an address-level answer.
Want to check a plant by photo or county?
Use our “Is it native” tool for free.Compiled from USDA PLANTS, retrieved June 13, 2026. If you spot a plant we have wrong, tell us at [email protected].
The same list as a table
| Plant | Scientific name | Type | Light | Native counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Arborvitae | Thuja occidentalis | Tree | Sun or part shade | 5 of 120 |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | Tree | Tolerates shade | 117 of 120 |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | Vine | Tolerates shade | 90 of 120 |
| American Black Elderberry | Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 120 of 120 |
| American Bur-Reed | Sparganium americanum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 23 of 120 |
| American Eelgrass | Vallisneria americana | Perennial | Full sun | 12 of 120 |
| American Elm | Ulmus americana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 112 of 120 |
| American Hazelnut | Corylus americana | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 109 of 120 |
| American Holly | Ilex opaca | Tree | Tolerates shade | 77 of 120 |
| American Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 105 of 120 |
| American Linden | Tilia americana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 90 of 120 |
| American Lotus | Nelumbo lutea | Wildflower | Full sun | 11 of 120 |
| American Persimmon | Diospyros virginiana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 117 of 120 |
| American Plum | Prunus americana | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 98 of 120 |
| American Speedwell | Veronica americana | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 4 of 120 |
| American Water Horehound | Lycopus americanus | Perennial | Tolerates shade | 47 of 120 |
| American Water Plantain | Alisma subcordatum | Wildflower | Full sun | 65 of 120 |
| American Water-Willow | Justicia americana | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 71 of 120 |
| American Wisteria | Wisteria frutescens | Vine | Tolerates shade | 40 of 120 |
| Arrowleaf Tearthumb | Polygonum sagittatum | Vine | Full sun | 47 of 120 |
| Atlantic Camas | Camassia scilloides | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 37 of 120 |
| Awlfruit Sedge | Carex stipata | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 34 of 120 |
| Bald Cypress | Taxodium distichum | Tree | Sun or part shade | 27 of 120 |
| Bean Tree | Catalpa bignonioides | Tree | Sun or part shade | 23 of 120 |
| Bearded Beggarticks | Bidens aristosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 59 of 120 |
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | Grass | Full sun | 52 of 120 |
| Bigleaf Aster | Eurybia macrophylla | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 26 of 120 |
| Bigtooth Aspen | Populus grandidentata | Tree | Full sun | 42 of 120 |
| Bitternut Hickory | Carya cordiformis | Tree | Full sun | 93 of 120 |
| Black Ash | Fraxinus nigra | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | Tree | Full sun | 116 of 120 |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina | Tree | Sun or part shade | 117 of 120 |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 78 of 120 |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | Tree | Full sun | 111 of 120 |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower | Full sun | 87 of 120 |
| Blackhaw | Viburnum prunifolium | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 106 of 120 |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | Tree | Full sun | 85 of 120 |
| Blister Sedge | Carex vesicaria | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 2 of 120 |
| Blue Eyed Grass | Sisyrinchium angustifolium | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 72 of 120 |
| Blue Mistflower | Conoclinium coelestinum | Perennial | Tolerates shade | 90 of 120 |
| Bluejoint | Calamagrostis canadensis | Grass | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Blunt Broom Sedge | Carex tribuloides | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 58 of 120 |
| Blunt Spikerush | Eleocharis obtusa | Sedge | Full sun | 89 of 120 |
| Box Elder | Acer negundo | Tree | Tolerates shade | 116 of 120 |
| Bristly Buttercup | Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 76 of 120 |
| Bristly Dewberry | Rubus hispidus | Shrub | Full sun | 12 of 120 |
| Broadfruit Bur-Reed | Sparganium eurycarpum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 2 of 120 |
| Broadleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria latifolia | Wildflower | Full sun | 38 of 120 |
| Broadleaf Cattail | Typha latifolia | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 79 of 120 |
| Broom Sedge | Carex scoparia | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 23 of 120 |
| Bur Marigold | Bidens laevis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 6 of 120 |
| Burr Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | Sun or part shade | 64 of 120 |
| Bushy Bluestem | Andropogon glomeratus | Grass | Full sun | 14 of 120 |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | Wildflower | Full sun | 84 of 120 |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | Tree | Full sun | 83 of 120 |
| Button Bush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 96 of 120 |
| California Field Sedge | Carex praegracilis | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Canada Germander | Teucrium canadense | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 71 of 120 |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 63 of 120 |
| Canada Wildrye | Elymus canadensis | Grass | Tolerates shade | 5 of 120 |
| Canada Yew | Taxus canadensis | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 9 of 120 |
| Canadian Hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 53 of 120 |
| Canadian Milkvetch | Astragalus canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 19 of 120 |
| Canadian Rush | Juncus canadensis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 8 of 120 |
| Cane Reed | Arundinaria gigantea | Shrub | Full sun | 87 of 120 |
| Cardinalflower | Lobelia cardinalis | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 58 of 120 |
| Catbird Grape | Vitis palmata | Vine | Sun or part shade | 12 of 120 |
| Cattail Sedge | Carex typhina | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 27 of 120 |
| Cherrybark Oak | Quercus pagoda | Tree | Full sun | 22 of 120 |
| Chickasaw Plum | Prunus angustifolia | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 37 of 120 |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | Tree | Full sun | 12 of 120 |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea | Fern | Tolerates shade | 43 of 120 |
| Closed Bottle Gentian | Gentiana andrewsii | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 120 |
| Coastal Plain Willow | Salix caroliniana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 36 of 120 |
| Cockspur Hawthorn | Crataegus crus-galli | Tree | Full sun | 57 of 120 |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 95 of 120 |
| Common Cowparsnip | Heracleum maximum | Wildflower | Full sun | 6 of 120 |
| Common Duckmeat | Spirodela polyrrhiza | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 35 of 120 |
| Common Duckweed | Lemna minor | Perennial | Full sun | 24 of 120 |
| Common Goldstar | Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 61 of 120 |
| Common Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 104 of 120 |
| Common Juniper | Juniperus communis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 3 of 120 |
| Common Maidenhair | Adiantum capillus-veneris | Fern | Tolerates shade | 11 of 120 |
| Common Rush | Juncus effusus | Rush | Full sun | 66 of 120 |
| Common Selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 95 of 120 |
| Common Sneeze Weed | Helenium autumnale | Wildflower | Full sun | 54 of 120 |
| Common Spikerush | Eleocharis palustris | Sedge | Full sun | 13 of 120 |
| Common Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 34 of 120 |
| Common Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 80 of 120 |
| Coon's Tail | Ceratophyllum demersum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 15 of 120 |
| Copper Iris | Iris fulva | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 3 of 120 |
| Crested Sedge | Carex cristatella | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 16 of 120 |
| Crimsoneyed Rosemallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | Wildflower | Full sun | 44 of 120 |
| Crowned Beggarticks | Bidens coronata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 8 of 120 |
| Cucumber Tree | Magnolia acuminata | Tree | Sun or part shade | 41 of 120 |
| Cutleaf Coneflower | Rudbeckia laciniata | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 50 of 120 |
| Deertongue | Dichanthelium clandestinum | Grass | Full sun | 61 of 120 |
| Devil's Beggartick | Bidens frondosa | Annual | Sun or part shade | 54 of 120 |
| Ditch Stonecrop | Penthorum sedoides | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 59 of 120 |
| Dotted Smartweed | Polygonum punctatum | Wildflower | Full sun | 64 of 120 |
| Drooping Sedge | Carex prasina | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 20 of 120 |
| Eastern Black Walnut | Juglans nigra | Tree | Full sun | 108 of 120 |
| Eastern Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | Tree | Full sun | 92 of 120 |
| Eastern Dogwood | Cornus florida | Tree | Tolerates shade | 118 of 120 |
| Eastern Gamagrass | Tripsacum dactyloides | Grass | Full sun | 20 of 120 |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 116 of 120 |
| Eastern Redcedar | Juniperus virginiana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 106 of 120 |
| Eastern Swampprivet | Forestiera acuminata | Tree | Tolerates shade | 9 of 120 |
| Eastern White Oak | Quercus alba | Tree | Sun or part shade | 120 of 120 |
| Eastern White Pine | Pinus strobus | Tree | Sun or part shade | 40 of 120 |
| Eastern Woodland Sedge | Carex blanda | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 77 of 120 |
| Fall Panicgrass | Panicum dichotomiflorum | Grass | Full sun | 62 of 120 |
| Field Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Horsetail | Sun or part shade | 74 of 120 |
| Forked Rush | Juncus dichotomus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 6 of 120 |
| Fowl Mannagrass | Glyceria striata | Grass | Tolerates shade | 75 of 120 |
| Fox Sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 83 of 120 |
| Foxglove Beardtongue | Penstemon digitalis | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 51 of 120 |
| Fragrant Flatsedge | Cyperus odoratus | Sedge | Full sun | 71 of 120 |
| Frank's Sedge | Carex frankii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 79 of 120 |
| Fringed Brome | Bromus ciliatus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 7 of 120 |
| Fringed Sedge | Carex crinita | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 41 of 120 |
| Gay Feather | Liatris spicata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 22 of 120 |
| Georgia Bulrush | Scirpus georgianus | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 59 of 120 |
| Giant Cutgrass | Zizaniopsis miliacea | Grass | Full sun | 5 of 120 |
| Giant Goldenrod | Solidago gigantea | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 45 of 120 |
| Golden Ragwort | Packera aurea | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 63 of 120 |
| Golden Tickseed | Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 19 of 120 |
| Graceful Sedge | Carex gracillima | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 19 of 120 |
| Grassleaf Rush | Juncus marginatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 48 of 120 |
| Gray Birch | Betula populifolia | Tree | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 9 of 120 |
| Gray's Sedge | Carex grayi | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 34 of 120 |
| Great Laurel | Rhododendron maximum | Tree | Tolerates shade | 31 of 120 |
| Greater Bladder Sedge | Carex intumescens | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 36 of 120 |
| Greater Straw Sedge | Carex normalis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 20 of 120 |
| Green Arrow Arum | Peltandra virginica | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 12 of 120 |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Tree | Tolerates shade | 104 of 120 |
| Green Bulrush | Scirpus atrovirens | Sedge | Full sun | 59 of 120 |
| Green Hawthorn | Crataegus viridis | Tree | Full sun | 13 of 120 |
| Greenwhite Sedge | Carex albolutescens | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 22 of 120 |
| Groundnut | Apios americana | Vine | Tolerates shade | 54 of 120 |
| Hairawn Muhly | Muhlenbergia capillaris | Grass | Full sun | 17 of 120 |
| Hairy Sedge | Carex lacustris | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Halberdleaf Rosemallow | Hibiscus laevis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 27 of 120 |
| Hazel Alder | Alnus serrulata | Tree | Full sun | 72 of 120 |
| Hercules's Club | Aralia spinosa | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 58 of 120 |
| Highbush Blueberry | Vaccinium corymbosum | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 35 of 120 |
| Hobblebush | Viburnum lantanoides | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos | Tree | Full sun | 103 of 120 |
| Hop Sedge | Carex lupulina | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 44 of 120 |
| Hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 86 of 120 |
| Illinois Bundleflower | Desmanthus illinoensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 25 of 120 |
| Inland Rush | Juncus interior | Rush | Sun or part shade | 7 of 120 |
| Interrupted Fern | Osmunda claytoniana | Fern | Tolerates shade | 29 of 120 |
| Jack in the Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 93 of 120 |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 54 of 120 |
| Jointleaf Rush | Juncus articulatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 8 of 120 |
| June Grass | Koeleria macrantha | Grass | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Knotgrass | Paspalum distichum | Grass | Full sun | 6 of 120 |
| Kurapia | Phyla nodiflora | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Lanceleaf Tickseed | Coreopsis lanceolata | Wildflower | Full sun | 17 of 120 |
| Largeleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton amplifolius | Perennial | Full sun | 2 of 120 |
| Limestone Meadow Sedge | Carex granularis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 46 of 120 |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | Grass | Full sun | 62 of 120 |
| Littleleaf Buttercup | Ranunculus abortivus | Plant | Tolerates shade | 84 of 120 |
| Loblolly Pine | Pinus taeda | Tree | Full sun | 12 of 120 |
| Longbeak Buttercup | Ranunculus longirostris | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 7 of 120 |
| Longhair Sedge | Carex comosa | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Longleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton nodosus | Perennial | Full sun | 37 of 120 |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 120 |
| Maryland Senna | Senna marilandica | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 42 of 120 |
| Melic Mannagrass | Glyceria melicaria | Grass | Full sun | 10 of 120 |
| Mexican Cardinal Flower | Lobelia fulgens | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 58 of 120 |
| Mexican Muhly | Muhlenbergia mexicana | Grass | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Missouri Ironweed | Vernonia missurica | Wildflower | Full sun | 12 of 120 |
| Missouri River Willow | Salix eriocephala | Tree | Tolerates shade | 11 of 120 |
| Moss Pink | Phlox subulata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 14 of 120 |
| Mountain Azalea | Rhododendron canescens | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Mountain Laurel | Kalmia latifolia | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 59 of 120 |
| Muscadine | Vitis rotundifolia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 14 of 120 |
| Muskingum Sedge | Carex muskingumensis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 12 of 120 |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | Tree | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Necklace Sedge | Carex projecta | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Needle Spikerush | Eleocharis acicularis | Sedge | Full sun | 24 of 120 |
| Needlepod Rush | Juncus scirpoides | Rush | Tolerates shade | 10 of 120 |
| New Jersey Tea | Ceanothus americanus | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 62 of 120 |
| New York Fern | Thelypteris noveboracensis | Fern | Tolerates shade | 48 of 120 |
| New York Ironweed | Vernonia noveboracensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 9 of 120 |
| Nodding Beggartick | Bidens cernua | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 29 of 120 |
| Nodding Lady's Tresses | Spiranthes cernua | Wildflower | Full sun | 42 of 120 |
| Northern Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 115 of 120 |
| Nuttall's Reedgrass | Calamagrostis coarctata | Grass | Full sun | 11 of 120 |
| Ohio Buckeye | Aesculus glabra | Tree | Tolerates shade | 78 of 120 |
| Osage-Orange | Maclura pomifera | Tree | Full sun | 57 of 120 |
| Oval-Leaf Sedge | Carex cephalophora | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 57 of 120 |
| Overcup Oak | Quercus lyrata | Tree | Sun or part shade | 32 of 120 |
| Pale Touch-Me-Not | Impatiens pallida | Annual | Tolerates shade | 66 of 120 |
| Panicled Bulrush | Scirpus microcarpus | Sedge | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Parsley Hawthorn | Crataegus marshallii | Tree | Tolerates shade | 2 of 120 |
| Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 56 of 120 |
| Pawpaw | Asimina triloba | Tree | Tolerates shade | 111 of 120 |
| Peachleaf Willow | Salix amygdaloides | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Pecan | Carya illinoinensis | Tree | Full sun | 35 of 120 |
| Pennsylvania Smartweed | Polygonum pensylvanicum | Wildflower | Full sun | 71 of 120 |
| Philadelphia Daisy | Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 64 of 120 |
| Pickerelweed | Pontederia cordata | Wildflower | Full sun | 8 of 120 |
| Pin Cherry | Prunus pensylvanica | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris | Tree | Full sun | 72 of 120 |
| Pinnate Prairie Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | Wildflower | Full sun | 41 of 120 |
| Pitch Pine | Pinus rigida | Tree | Full sun | 39 of 120 |
| Planertree | Planera aquatica | Tree | Tolerates shade | 8 of 120 |
| Possumhaw | Ilex decidua | Tree | Tolerates shade | 25 of 120 |
| Post Oak | Quercus stellata | Tree | Full sun | 110 of 120 |
| Poverty Rush | Juncus tenuis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 78 of 120 |
| Prairie Blazing Star | Liatris pycnostachya | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 120 |
| Prairie Cordgrass | Spartina pectinata | Grass | Full sun | 15 of 120 |
| Prairie Dropseed | Sporobolus heterolepis | Grass | Sun or part shade | 3 of 120 |
| Prickly Bog Sedge | Carex atlantica | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 17 of 120 |
| Pumpkin Ash | Fraxinus profunda | Tree | Sun or part shade | 14 of 120 |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | Wildflower | Full sun | 19 of 120 |
| Purplehead Sneezeweed | Helenium flexuosum | Wildflower | Full sun | 50 of 120 |
| Purpleleaf Willowherb | Epilobium coloratum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 34 of 120 |
| Purplestem Beggarticks | Bidens connata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 120 |
| Pussy Willow | Salix discolor | Tree | Tolerates shade | 8 of 120 |
| Quaking Aspen | Populus tremuloides | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 120 |
| Ravenfoot Sedge | Carex crus-corvi | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 23 of 120 |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | Tree | Sun or part shade | 95 of 120 |
| Red Mulberry | Morus rubra | Tree | Tolerates shade | 120 of 120 |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | Tree | Sun or part shade | 118 of 120 |
| Red Osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 34 of 120 |
| Red-Barked Dogwood | Cornus alba | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 34 of 120 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 34 of 120 |
| Rice Cutgrass | Leersia oryzoides | Grass | Full sun | 67 of 120 |
| River/Red Birch | Betula nigra | Tree | Full sun | 82 of 120 |
| Riverbank Grape | Vitis riparia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 28 of 120 |
| Riverbank Wildrye | Elymus riparius | Grass | Tolerates shade | 32 of 120 |
| Rough Avens | Geum laciniatum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 9 of 120 |
| Rough-Leaf Dogwood | Cornus drummondii | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 57 of 120 |
| Roundleaf Goldenrod | Solidago patula | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 11 of 120 |
| Royal/Flowering Fern | Osmunda regalis | Fern | Tolerates shade | 37 of 120 |
| Rufous Bulrush | Scirpus pendulus | Sedge | Full sun | 48 of 120 |
| Sand Dropseed | Sporobolus cryptandrus | Grass | Full sun | 7 of 120 |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix interior | Tree | Full sun | 65 of 120 |
| Sandcherry | Prunus pumila | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 1 of 120 |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | Tree | Full sun | 119 of 120 |
| Sawtooth Sunflower | Helianthus grosseserratus | Wildflower | Full sun | 19 of 120 |
| Scarlet Indian Paintbrush | Castilleja coccinea | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 9 of 120 |
| Sea Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | Grass | Tolerates shade | 73 of 120 |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata | Tree | Sun or part shade | 100 of 120 |
| Shallow Sedge | Carex lurida | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 72 of 120 |
| Sharpwing Monkeyflower | Mimulus alatus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 74 of 120 |
| Shellbark Hickory | Carya laciniosa | Tree | Tolerates shade | 91 of 120 |
| Short's Sedge | Carex shortiana | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 25 of 120 |
| Shortleaf Pine | Pinus echinata | Tree | Full sun | 46 of 120 |
| Shumard Red Oak | Quercus shumardii | Tree | Full sun | 75 of 120 |
| Sideoats Grama | Bouteloua curtipendula | Grass | Full sun | 13 of 120 |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 48 of 120 |
| Silky Willow | Salix sericea | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 47 of 120 |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum | Tree | Sun or part shade | 115 of 120 |
| Skunk Cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 2 of 120 |
| Slender Woodoats | Chasmanthium laxum | Grass | Tolerates shade | 13 of 120 |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | Tree | Tolerates shade | 118 of 120 |
| Smooth Azalea | Rhododendron arborescens | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 8 of 120 |
| Smooth Hedgenettle | Stachys tenuifolia | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 47 of 120 |
| Smooth Phlox | Phlox glaberrima | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 41 of 120 |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 94 of 120 |
| Softstem Bulrush | Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | Sedge | Full sun | 41 of 120 |
| Sour Gum/Tupelo | Nyssa sylvatica | Tree | Tolerates shade | 113 of 120 |
| Sourwood Tree | Oxydendrum arboreum | Tree | Tolerates shade | 69 of 120 |
| Southern Magnolia | Magnolia grandiflora | Tree | Tolerates shade | 3 of 120 |
| Southern Red Oak | Quercus falcata | Tree | Sun or part shade | 77 of 120 |
| Squarestem Spikerush | Eleocharis quadrangulata | Sedge | Full sun | 24 of 120 |
| Squarrose Sedge | Carex squarrosa | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 58 of 120 |
| Star Duckweed | Lemna trisulca | Perennial | Full sun | 1 of 120 |
| Steeplebush | Spiraea tomentosa | Shrub | Full sun | 31 of 120 |
| Stiff Dogwood | Cornus foemina | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 18 of 120 |
| Strawcolored Flatsedge | Cyperus strigosus | Sedge | Full sun | 109 of 120 |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | Tree | Tolerates shade | 120 of 120 |
| Sugarberry | Celtis laevigata | Tree | Tolerates shade | 46 of 120 |
| Sugarcane Plumegrass | Saccharum giganteum | Grass | Full sun | 13 of 120 |
| Swamp Chestnut Oak | Quercus michauxii | Tree | Full sun | 35 of 120 |
| Swamp Loosestrife | Decodon verticillatus | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 10 of 120 |
| Swamp Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Wildflower | Full sun | 68 of 120 |
| Swamp Rose | Rosa palustris | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 62 of 120 |
| Swamp Smartweed | Polygonum hydropiperoides | Perennial | Full sun | 52 of 120 |
| Swamp Sunflower | Helianthus angustifolius | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 20 of 120 |
| Swamp Tupelo | Nyssa biflora | Tree | Full sun | 9 of 120 |
| Swamp White Oak | Quercus bicolor | Tree | Sun or part shade | 57 of 120 |
| Sweet Gum | Liquidambar styraciflua | Tree | Full sun | 105 of 120 |
| Sweet Woodreed | Cinna arundinacea | Grass | Tolerates shade | 74 of 120 |
| Switchgrass | Panicum virgatum | Grass | Full sun | 37 of 120 |
| Tapertip Rush | Juncus acuminatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 62 of 120 |
| Texas Red Oak | Quercus texana | Tree | Full sun | 4 of 120 |
| Thicket Sedge | Carex abscondita | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 20 of 120 |
| Thinfruit Sedge | Carex flaccosperma | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 38 of 120 |
| Three-Way Sedge | Dulichium arundinaceum | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 17 of 120 |
| Toad Rush | Juncus bufonius | Rush | Full sun | 10 of 120 |
| Torrey's Rush | Juncus torreyi | Rush | Full sun | 17 of 120 |
| Troublesome Sedge | Carex molesta | Sedge | Full sun | 17 of 120 |
| Trumpet Vine | Campsis radicans | Vine | Full sun | 101 of 120 |
| Tulip Tree | Liriodendron tulipifera | Tree | Full sun | 111 of 120 |
| Twisted Sedge | Carex torta | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 26 of 120 |
| Upright Sedge | Carex stricta | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 9 of 120 |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 61 of 120 |
| Virginia Creeper | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 107 of 120 |
| Virginia Iris | Iris virginica | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 33 of 120 |
| Virginia Pine | Pinus virginiana | Tree | Full sun | 81 of 120 |
| Virginia Sweetspire | Itea virginica | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 26 of 120 |
| Virginia Water Horehound | Lycopus virginicus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 60 of 120 |
| Virginia Wildrye | Elymus virginicus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 90 of 120 |
| Washington Hawthorn | Crataegus phaenopyrum | Tree | Full sun | 11 of 120 |
| Water Hickory | Carya aquatica | Tree | Sun or part shade | 9 of 120 |
| Water Knotweed | Polygonum amphibium | Perennial | Full sun | 17 of 120 |
| Water Oak | Quercus nigra | Tree | Full sun | 8 of 120 |
| Water Tupelo | Nyssa aquatica | Tree | Full sun | 7 of 120 |
| Western Brackenfern | Pteridium aquilinum | Fern | Tolerates shade | 63 of 120 |
| Western Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | Tree | Full sun | 42 of 120 |
| Western Snowberry | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 1 of 120 |
| Western Wheatgrass | Pascopyrum smithii | Grass | Full sun | 4 of 120 |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | Tree | Full sun | 95 of 120 |
| White Doll's Daisy | Boltonia asteroides | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 12 of 120 |
| White Edge Sedge | Carex debilis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 28 of 120 |
| White Meadowsweet | Spiraea alba | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 3 of 120 |
| Whitegrass | Leersia virginica | Grass | Tolerates shade | 69 of 120 |
| Whiteroot Rush | Juncus brachycarpus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 35 of 120 |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 81 of 120 |
| Wild Blue Phlox | Phlox divaricata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 102 of 120 |
| Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 13 of 120 |
| Willow Oak | Quercus phellos | Tree | Full sun | 35 of 120 |
| Winged Sumac | Rhus copallinum | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 94 of 120 |
| Winter Bentgrass | Agrostis hyemalis | Grass | Sun or part shade | 37 of 120 |
| Witherod Viburnum | Viburnum cassinoides | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 15 of 120 |
| Woolgrass | Scirpus cyperinus | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 61 of 120 |
| Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod | Solidago rugosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 37 of 120 |
| Yellow Indian Grass | Sorghastrum nutans | Grass | Full sun | 51 of 120 |
| Yellow Wood | Cladrastis kentukea | Tree | Sun or part shade | 19 of 120 |
Where this comes from
- Native range
- USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, the same records behind the county checker.
- Sold by nurseries
- USDA PLANTS plant characteristics, Commercial Availability “Routinely Available”. It is a national flag, so a plant here can still be hard to find at a garden centre near you.
- Plant details
- USDA PLANTS: growth habit and duration from the plant profile; shade and wet-soil tolerance, bloom period, mature height and showy flowers, fruit or fall colour from the plant characteristics.
- Left out
- Any plant a state regulates as invasive or noxious, or that GRIIS flags as invasive in the lower 48, even where it is native. So is any species USDA records as both native and introduced in the lower 48, because the form nurseries sell is usually the introduced one.
- Photos
- Public domain, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-SA, credited under each photo.
- Citation
- USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov), retrieved June 13, 2026. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Questions
What plants are native to Kentucky?
This page lists the 337 plants that USDA PLANTS records as native to Kentucky and routinely available from nurseries: 93 trees, 39 shrubs, 96 wildflowers, 93 grasses and sedges, 7 ferns and 9 vines. They are a small part of Kentucky's native flora, chosen because you can buy them. Each one carries a map of the Kentucky counties where USDA records it growing wild.
What trees are native to Kentucky?
This page lists 93 trees native to Kentucky that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Eastern White Oak, Red Mulberry and Sugar Maple, each recorded as native in all 120 Kentucky counties.
What shrubs are native to Kentucky?
This page lists 39 shrubs native to Kentucky that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include American Black Elderberry, Northern Spicebush and American Hazelnut, each recorded as native in at least 109 of Kentucky's 120 counties.
What wildflowers are native to Kentucky?
This page lists 96 wildflowers native to Kentucky that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Wild Blue Phlox, Common Blue Violet and Common Selfheal, each recorded as native in at least 95 of Kentucky's 120 counties.
Is my plant native to Kentucky?
Search this page by common or scientific name. A plant missing from it can still be native to Kentucky: the page lists only natives that nurseries routinely sell, and it leaves out any plant a state regulates as invasive. For a county-level answer on any plant, enter its name in Ezina's checker. Every answer links the record it came from.
Is a plant native to Kentucky native everywhere in Kentucky?
Not necessarily. USDA records nativity county by county, and 225 of the 337 plants on this page are recorded as native in fewer than half of Kentucky's 120 counties. A county with no record may simply never have been surveyed for that plant, so read each card's map as where the plant is known to grow wild rather than as a boundary.
Grow natives easily with Ezina
How it works
We provide the tools you need to succeed.
010.1Identify
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
010.2Care
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
010.3Plan
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Compiled from peer-reviewed research, USDA documentation,
and direct scientific observation across the United States.