Wild Anemone
Name: Anemone canadensis
Growing Conditions: Shade to part sun; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Zones: 3–9
Description: An easy-to-grow perennial with attractive white flowers in spring. It thrives in moist, organic-rich soil and works well as a groundcover, quickly spreading to cover large areas.
Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid
Name: Cypripedium parviflorum
Growing Conditions: Part shade; moist, acidic soil
Size: Up to 16 inches tall
Zones: 3–7
Description: A long-lived orchid with distinctive yellow, slipper-shaped flowers that bloom in spring. It can take time to become established.
Carolina Lupine
Name: Thermopsis villosa
Growing Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Zones: 3–10
Description: A resilient native perennial with vibrant pea-like flowers in spring. Its fuzzy foliage and tall growth make it well suited to the middle or back of garden borders.
Merrybells
Name: Uvularia grandiflora
Growing Conditions: Shade; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Zones: 3–9
Description: An easy-to-grow woodland perennial with delicate yellow flowers that hang from the stems in spring. Planting it in groups creates a stronger visual display.
Virgin's Bower
Name: Clematis virginiana
Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 8 feet tall
Zones: 4–8
Description: A vigorous vine with fragrant, star-shaped white flowers in midsummer. Tufted seed heads add ornamental interest in fall.
Foamflower
Name: Tiarella cordifolia
Growing Conditions: Part sun to shade; moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 1 foot tall
Zones: 3–8
Description: An attractive groundcover with white flowers appearing from late spring to early summer. It works especially well planted among hostas and ferns.
Maidenhair Fern
Name: Adiantum pedatum
Growing Conditions: Shade; moist, humus-rich soil
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Zones: 3–8
Description: A delicate native fern with graceful fronds that brings an elegant appearance to shaded garden areas. It may take some time to establish but eventually forms lush clumps.
Jacob's Ladder
Name: Polemonium reptans 'Stairway to Heaven'
Growing Conditions: Part sun; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 1 foot tall
Zones: 3–8
Description: A compact native groundcover with attractive variegated pink, white, and green foliage and small blue flowers. It works well in woodland-style plantings.
Trillium
Name: Trillium grandiflorum
Growing Conditions: Shade; moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 10 inches tall
Zones: 4–8
Description: A woodland wildflower that produces striking white flowers above shiny green foliage in early spring. Over time, plants develop into attractive clumps.
Woodland Iris
Name: Iris setosa
Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 14 inches tall
Zones: 3–6
Description: A lesser-known perennial with blue-violet flowers and grass-like foliage. It forms spreading but nonaggressive clumps.
American Coralbells
Name: Heuchera americana
Growing Conditions: Part sun; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 1 foot tall
Zones: 4–9
Description: A resilient native perennial valued for its attractive foliage. Selected varieties can feature decorative variegated leaves.
Eastern Bluestar
Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana
Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Zones: 4–9
Description: A tall perennial with blue, star-shaped flowers in spring. Its foliage turns yellow in fall, while its pest-resistant nature makes it a low-maintenance garden choice.
Wild Ginger
Name: Asarum canadense
Growing Conditions: Shade; well-drained soil
Size: Up to 10 inches tall
Zones: 4–6
Description: An excellent groundcover for shady areas, featuring fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves and small burgundy flowers hidden beneath the foliage in late spring.
Swamp Milkweed
Name: Asclepias incarnata
Growing Conditions: Full sun; moist soil
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Zones: 3–6
Description: A butterfly-attracting perennial, especially valuable for monarch butterflies. It produces showy pink flowers in midsummer and adapts well to typical garden conditions.
Culver's Root
Name: Veronicastrum virginicum
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist soil
Size: Up to 5 feet tall
Zones: 4–7
Description: A tall border perennial with upright stems covered in white, pink, or blue flowers during summer. It works particularly well toward the back of garden borders.
