Haliburton Native Plants
Forbs (Herbaceous Perennials)
Prairie Cinquefoil
Herbaceous perennial reaching 30-60 cm tall. Features pinnately compound leaves and clusters of white to cream flowers blooming in summer. Prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Suitable for rock gardens, prairie gardens, and dry, sunny borders. Native to most of North America.
Prairie Smoke
Herbaceous perennial growing 20-40 cm tall. Features finely divided, fern-like leaves and nodding, pinkish flowers followed by feathery seed heads resembling smoke plumes. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Attracts native bees. Provides early spring and late season interest. Suitable for rock gardens, prairie gardens, and dry meadows. Native to western and central North America.
Riddell’s Goldenrod
Herbaceous perennial reaching 90-150 cm tall. Features distinctive folded leaves and flat-topped clusters of yellow flowers. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and full sun. Important late-season nectar source. Excellent for rain gardens and wet meadows.
Rough Blazingstar
Herbaceous perennial reaching 60-120 cm tall. Features grass-like leaves and spikes of purple, tufted flowers blooming from top to bottom in late summer to fall. Prefers well-drained, sandy soils and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Attracts butterflies and supports native bees. Deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant. Suitable for prairie gardens, meadows, and sunny borders. Native to central and eastern United States.
Russian Sage (Cultivar)
Herbaceous perennial growing 90-150 cm tall with woody base. Features deeply cut, aromatic gray-green foliage and tall spikes of small lavender-blue flowers blooming mid-summer through fall. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun. Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects. Deer-resistant due to aromatic foliage. Excellent for dry gardens, herb gardens, and xeriscape plantings. Not native to North America but widely naturalized.
Sharp-lobed Hepatica
Early spring perennial reaching 8-20 cm tall. Features three-lobed evergreen leaves and blue to purple flowers blooming before new leaves emerge. Prefers rich, well-drained woodland soils and partial shade. Forms small colonies slowly through rhizomes. Important early nectar source. Suitable for woodland gardens and naturalizing in deciduous shade. Native to eastern North America.
Silverweed
Low-growing perennial herb spreading by stolons, forming mats up to 10 cm tall. Features compound leaves with silvery undersides and solitary yellow flowers blooming late spring to mid-summer. Prefers moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in coastal areas, tolerating salt spray. Useful for erosion control in wet areas and as a groundcover in rain gardens. Provides food for various waterfowl. Also known as Silverweed for its distinctive leaf coloration.
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed
Herbaceous perennial growing 1-2 m tall. Features whorled, lance-shaped leaves and large, flat-topped clusters of mauve-pink flowers blooming in late summer to fall. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Provides late-season food for wildlife. Suitable for rain gardens, pond edges, and moist meadows. Native to eastern and central North America.
Spreading Dogbane
Herbaceous perennial growing 60-150 cm tall with opposite, oval leaves. Produces small, pink to white bell-shaped flowers from early to mid-summer. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. All parts contain toxic cardiac glycosides. Used historically for fiber and medicine. Suitable for meadows, woodland edges, and naturalized areas. Spreads by both seeds and rhizomes, can be aggressive in ideal conditions.
Spring Beauty
Spring ephemeral perennial reaching 8-20 cm tall. Features narrow leaves and delicate white flowers with pink veining blooming in early spring. Grows from deep tuber, emerging before trees leaf out. Prefers rich, moist woodland soils and partial to full shade. Self-seeds readily to form colonies. Completely dormant by midsummer. Suitable for woodland gardens and naturalizing under deciduous trees. Native to eastern North America.
Shrubs
Alternate leaved Dogwood
Deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 5-8 m tall. Features distinctive horizontal branching and alternate leaves, unlike most dogwoods. Produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by blue-black berries. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. Provides food for birds and wildlife. Adds unique architectural interest to woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes. Native to eastern North America.
American Elderberry
Deciduous shrub growing 1.5-3 m tall. Features compound leaves and large, flat-topped clusters of small white flowers in early summer, followed by edible purple-black berries. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Attracts pollinators and provides food for birds. Berries used for food and medicine. Suitable for naturalized areas, wildlife gardens, and edible landscapes. Native to eastern and central North America.
American Hazelnut
Deciduous shrub growing 2.5-4.5 m tall. Features rounded, doubly-serrate leaves and produces edible hazelnuts. Male flowers appear as catkins in early spring before leaves emerge. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for wildlife and humans. Forms thickets in favorable conditions. Suitable for naturalized areas, wildlife gardens, and edible landscaping. Native to eastern North America.
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Beaked Hazel
Deciduous shrub reaching 2-5 m tall. Features oval, doubly-serrate leaves and produces edible hazelnuts enclosed in distinctive beaked husks. Male flowers appear as catkins in early spring. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils and partial shade. Provides food for wildlife and humans. Suitable for woodland edges, naturalized areas, and understory plantings. Native to northern and western North America.
Bearberry
Evergreen groundcover growing 15-30 cm tall and spreading up to 1.8 m wide. Features small, leathery leaves and clusters of small, pink to white urn-shaped flowers in spring, followed by red berries. Prefers well-drained, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Extremely cold-hardy and drought-tolerant once established. Provides year-round interest and food for wildlife. Useful for erosion control on slopes and as a native alternative to non-native groundcovers.
Bebb’s Willow
Deciduous shrub or small tree growing 2-8 m tall. Features elliptical leaves with wavy margins and catkins appearing in early spring. Adaptable to various soil conditions and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates both dry and wet soils. Provides early season food for pollinators and cover for wildlife. Suitable for naturalized areas, wetland margins, and erosion control. Native to most of North America.
Black Chokeberry
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Produces clusters of white flowers in late spring, followed by edible purple-black berries. Features glossy, dark green leaves turning brilliant red in fall. Prefers moist, well-drained acidic soils but adaptable to various conditions. Tolerates full sun to partial shade. Berries are high in antioxidants and attractive to birds. Suitable for hedges, mass plantings, and rain gardens. Native to eastern North America.
Bog Birch
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Features small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous catkins. Bark is smooth and dark brown. Prefers wet, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in bogs, fens, and wet meadows. Tolerates seasonal flooding and cold temperatures. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Useful for wetland restoration projects and naturalized areas in moist sites. Native to northern North America.
Buffaloberry
Deciduous shrub reaching 1-3 m tall. Features oval leaves with silvery undersides and small, yellowish flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Produces edible but bitter red berries. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Provides food for wildlife. Suitable for poor soils, woodland edges, and wildlife gardens. Native to northern North America.
Trees
American Plum
Deciduous shrub or small tree growing 3-8 m tall. Features finely toothed, ovate leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers in early spring before leaves emerge. Produces edible, tart plums. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Provides food for wildlife and early nectar for pollinators. Suitable for naturalized areas, wildlife gardens, and edible landscapes. Native to eastern and central North America.
American Sycamore
Deciduous tree growing 30-40 m tall with a spreading crown. Features large, maple-like leaves and distinctive mottled bark that peels in patches. Produces round, spiky seed balls. Prefers deep, moist soils and full sun. Tolerates wet soils and urban conditions. Provides nesting sites for birds and food for wildlife. Suitable for large landscapes, parks, and urban settings. Native to eastern North America.
Balsam Poplar
Deciduous tree growing 20-30 m tall with a narrow crown. Features triangular to ovate leaves with serrated edges and fragrant, resinous buds. Prefers moist soils and full sun. Tolerates poor soils and cold temperatures. Fast-growing but short-lived. Provides food and habitat for wildlife. Suitable for windbreaks, erosion control, and reclamation of disturbed sites. Native to northern North America.
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Black Cherry
Deciduous tree growing 15-30 m tall with a narrow to rounded crown. Features finely toothed, lance-shaped leaves and long clusters of small white flowers in late spring. Produces small, dark purple fruits. Prefers well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Important food source for birds and wildlife. Valuable timber tree. Suitable for naturalized areas and large landscapes. Native to eastern North America.
Bur Oak
Deciduous tree growing 20-30 m tall with a broad, rounded crown. Features variable, deeply lobed leaves and large acorns with fringed cups. Adaptable to various soil conditions and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Important food source for wildlife. Fire-resistant bark. Suitable for large landscapes, parks, and savanna restorations. Native to central and eastern North America.
Butternut
Deciduous tree reaching 15-25 m tall. Features compound leaves and produces edible nuts enclosed in sticky, elongated husks. Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soils and full sun. Provides food for wildlife. Historically valued for its wood and medicinally. Currently threatened by butternut canker disease. Suitable for large landscapes and reforestation projects where disease is not prevalent. Native to eastern North America.
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Eastern Red Cedar
Evergreen tree growing 9-20 m tall with a pyramidal to columnar form. Features scale-like leaves and produces small, blue, berry-like cones. Adaptable to various soil conditions and full sun. Extremely drought-tolerant. Provides year-round cover and food for wildlife. Wood is aromatic and rot-resistant. Suitable for windbreaks, erosion control, and as a native evergreen in challenging sites. Native to eastern and central North America.
Eastern White Pine
Evergreen conifer reaching 20-30 m tall with a pyramidal to rounded crown. Features soft, bluish-green needles in clusters of five and long cones. Prefers well-drained, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Important for wildlife habitat and historically valued for timber. Suitable for windbreaks, large landscapes, and as a fast-growing evergreen screen. Native to eastern North America.
Grass
Big Bluestem
Tall, warm-season perennial bunchgrass and state grass of Illinois. Grows 4-8 feet tall forming blue-green clumps through short rhizomes. Deep root system extends 8-15 feet, making it extremely drought tolerant. Distinctive blue-green foliage turns bronze-orange in fall. Produces reddish-purple flowering heads in late summer. Slow to establish but very long-lived once mature. Essential component of tallgrass prairie ecosystems.
Bluejoint grass
Cool-season perennial grass forming loose to dense tufts, reaching 60-150 cm tall. Features flat, lax leaves and open, purplish panicles that turn golden in fall. Prefers moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Spreads by rhizomes, forming colonies in favorable conditions. Important for wetland habitats, providing cover and nesting material for wildlife. Effective for erosion control along shorelines. Suitable for rain gardens, meadows, and naturalized areas.
Bottlebrush Grass
Cool-season perennial grass reaching 0.6-1.2 m tall. Features green foliage and distinctive bottlebrush-like seed heads that persist into winter. Blooms in mid to late summer. Prefers well-drained soils and partial shade to full sun. Tolerates dry conditions once established. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Adds unique texture to garden designs. Suitable for woodland edges, partially shaded meadows, and naturalized areas.
Sedges
Bebb’s sedge
Clump-forming sedge growing 30-90 cm tall. Features narrow, upright leaves and spiky brown flower heads. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in wetlands, meadows, and along shorelines. Provides food and cover for wildlife, particularly waterfowl. Useful for erosion control in wet areas and as a component in rain gardens. Tolerates seasonal flooding. Native to much of North America.
Bur-reed Sedge
Clump-forming sedge growing 60-90 cm tall. Features broad leaves and elongated, interrupted flower spikes. Prefers moist, rich soils and partial to full shade. Often found in deciduous woodlands and along streambanks. Forms large, attractive clumps, adding structure to shaded gardens. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Suitable for woodland gardens, naturalized areas, and as a backdrop in shade gardens. Native to eastern North America.
Cyperus-like Sedge
Clump-forming sedge reaching 60-120 cm tall. Features broad leaves and distinctive arching, bristly seed heads. Prefers consistently wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in marshes, swamps, and along pond edges. Provides important habitat and food for wetland wildlife. Useful for shoreline stabilization and water filtration. Suitable for pond margins, rain gardens, and wetland restoration projects. Native to North America and Eurasia.
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