Iowa Natives

Don't let the name fool you! This is mainly an Eastern native plant. Known botanically as Helianthus occidentalis, the Western Sunflower has a distinctive growth habit that makes it easy to recognize. Most of its leaves cluster in a rosette at the plant’s base, while a slender stalk rises from the center and can reach about three feet tall. A brilliant yellow flower head appears at the top of the stem. Because the stalk bears very few leaves, the species is also commonly called the “naked-stemmed sunflower” or “few-leaved sunflower.”

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native North American prairie grass with a rich history as a foundational species in tallgrass ecosystems, valued for its resilience and ecological benefits. It features fine-textured, upright blue-green blades that turn striking shades of red, orange, and bronze in the fall, reaching about 2–4 feet tall. Adapted to a wide range of soils, it thrives in full sun with minimal water or fertilizer once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-maintenance landscapes.

Indian Steel is a clump-forming perennial grass with an upright, open habit typically growing upwards of 5' tall. Under the right circumstances it can be 7-8' tall. Features slender (1/2" wide), blue-green leaf blades (8-12" long) which turn yellow in fall and retain some gold color throughout the winter.

Gloriosa daisies, also known as Rudbeckia hirta 'Gloriosa,' are a vibrant and dynamic variety of the traditional Black-eyed Susan, renowned for their striking appearance and robust growth. Originating from North America, these daisies have been cultivated since the 18th century and have become a staple in gardens for their cheerful and resilient nature. Gloriosa daisies are characterized by their large, radiant blooms with a distinctive color gradient, featuring fiery, orange to red petals with a dark, central cone.

Carex comosa is a large tufted wetland sedge. The narrow leaves are lime green and shiny. In late spring triangular culms rise above the foliage to 5’ bearing large chartreuse bottlebrush shaped spikes. Attractive warm brown seed spikes follow. This bold sedge flourishes in sun or part sun in damp or wet sites. Plants prosper in difficult wet mucky soils or even in shallow water.

The Obedient Plant Physostegia is a sun-loving flowering plant that produces pink flowers that blooms late summer and into fall! This variety spreads very fast with a large underground root system.

The Divaricata Phlox is a beautiful blue to lavender colored variety that gives off a wonderful aroma, making it a home garden favorite! This fragrant variety is a showstopper in any garden, container or vase!

The Upright Prairie Coneflower is a beautiful meadow wildflower that produces an abundance of beautiful, vibrant yellow petals. This breathtaking variety is known for growing wild in the plains states. The Prairie Coneflower gets its name for its yellow petals surrounding tall cones. This flowering plant produces light-green foliage that creates a beautiful backdrop for the textured blooms.

Planting a prairie recreates a piece of our natural heritage and can provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. This mix of tall prairie flowers can be planted alone or with our Tallgrass Mixture. It is best for moderate to moister sites, and the height ranges from 24 to 96 inches.

The Sweet Joe Pye Weed Eutrochium is easy to grow and its vanilla-scented flowers are irresistible for Monarchs, Swallowtails and many other butterflies. If you want to attract butterflies to your garden, this is the plant variety for you! The Sweet Joe Pye Weed can reach up to 7 feet high and does great in shady locations. This beautiful flower blooms pale pink to pale purple flowers from July to September.

Mexican Hat Ratibida, also known as Ratibida columnifera, is a striking perennial flower native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. This plant, often referred to as the "Mexican Hat" due to its distinctive flower shape, has a rich history in native gardens and landscapes. The plant is characterized by its unique, cone-shaped flowers with reddish-brown, drooping petals that resemble a sombrero hat, which contrast beautifully with its bright yellow center.

Planting a prairie recreates a piece of our natural heritage and can provide habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife. This mix of short prairie flowers can be planted alone or with our Shortgrass Mixture. It is best for moderate to drier sites, and the height ranges from 12 to 36 inches.

Spotted Joe Pye Weed, is a distinctive perennial native to North America's moist meadows and woodlands. Named after Joe Pye, a Native American herbalist, this plant has a rich history in traditional medicine. It is recognized for its tall, elegant growth, typically reaching heights of 4 to 6 feet, and its unique spotted stems that give it its common name.

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a native North American herb with a rich history and distinctive characteristics. Historically used by Indigenous peoples for its medicinal properties, Boneset earned its name from its traditional use in treating fevers and musculoskeletal ailments. Originating from the eastern United States, this perennial plant is recognized for its unique features and growing habits. Boneset typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and has a bushy, upright growth habit.

The Stiff Goldenrod Solidago produces stunning, large and slightly flat golden flowers that are bee attracting powerhouses! These beautiful golden flowers bloom later in summer and into early fall. In fall, the leaves will turn a beautiful shade of red.

At maturity, the Rattlesnake Master Eryngium produces uniquely shaped beautiful white blooms that reach up to 4 feet high! This variety prefers moist soils and sites with full sun to partial shade. The Rattlesnake Master has been used medicinally by American Indians as a diaphoretic.

The Plains Coreopsis is an annual native that forms clusters of stunning bi-colored blooms of deep red that turn into a bright yellow. This variety makes for a great cut flower and can be grown anywhere in the United States. Plains is deer resistant and easy to grow.

The Fireweed Epilobium is a beautiful, brightly colored flower that is a great landscape variety for planting on hills and borders. This amazing variety produces bright pink flower spikes along this large landscape plant.

Aromatic Aster, also known as Aster oblongifolius or Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, is a hardy native perennial with a dense, bushy habit. Abundant lavender-purple flowers with yellow centers bloom in autumn, providing valuable late-season nectar for pollinators. The foliage releases a pleasant fragrance when brushed. Well suited to borders and native plantings, this compact aster thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and becomes drought tolerant once established.

The False Sunflower is a very beautiful, early blooming flower that will brighten up any landscape and can be enjoyed from June until August. This very hardy plant that can survive in most climates and soil types. The False Sunflower is an early variety that is aggressive and therefore may not be suitable for small landscape plantings. This variety is a short-lived perennial.

This mixture contains annuals and perennials that are native to the Midwestern United States and south central Canada. This area includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, eastern Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, eastern Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, southern Manitoba and Ontario.

Lance Leaf Coreopsis seeds come from a hardy, drought-tolerant perennial known for its bright, daisy-like yellow flowers with a reddish center. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for adding color to gardens, especially in xeriscaping or low-maintenance landscapes. Growing up to 2–3 feet tall, Lance Leaf Coreopsis attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its long bloom period—typically from early summer to fall—provides continuous interest in the garden. The seeds are easy to sow and germinate quickly, making it a great option for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

The pretty blossoms of Yellow (Coneflower) consists of bright skirts of hard to find yellow daisy-like petals surrounding a brown bristly center. This variety's deep taproot allows the coneflower to survive in very dry conditions, but it is also happy in humus-rich garden soil and full sun. The Yellow Coneflower is visited by nectar seeking butterflies in June and small seed eating birds in the fall.

The Midwest Blend contains wildflower species that are native to or naturalized to the Midwest US and will brighten up any landscape. This blend is formulated for IL, IN, IA, eastern KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, eastern NE, OH, WI, southern Manitoba and Ontario.

The White Swan Echinacea is a beautiful slightly curved flower that produces beautiful, creamy extra wide petals that look lovely in a bouquet. This variety produces pure white petals with an orange-brown disk that is absolutely beautiful.

The Purple Echinacea is a coneflower that is a sturdy perennial that is native to the Midwest, Southeast and naturalized throughout the Northeast. One of the most popular wildflowers, the Purple Coneflower can withstand dry conditions, though it performs best in cooler seasons, without irrigation. This variety readily reseeds itself.

The Pale Purple Echinacea is a coneflower that blooms its pale purple to pink blooms in the early summer before most other flowers! This beautiful coneflower is loved for its nectar by hummingbirds and butterflies and will grow up to 3 feet tall. Try planting this variety with the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), which has a deeper purple flower and will bloom just when Pale Purple Coneflower bloom cycle is ending. Planting these two together will give you many, many weeks of beautiful, bright Echinacea blooms.

The Whorled Asclepias is a beautiful brilliant white flower that will grow anywhere and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love it! This Butterfly Weed variety is native to the Midwest but can grow almost anywhere is the USA and provides nectar to many pollinators. This easy to grow, attractive perennial blooms mid to late summer and will spread easily without thinning.

The Perennial Lupine produces beautiful spikes of purple colored flowers that will bloom from late spring throughout summer! This Lupine variety grows to be about 18-36” tall with vibrant spikes. This variety can be planted throughout a flower meadow or in the garden bed. The Perennial is easy to establish and grow, and Lupines are deer resistant and blooms year after year.

The Bravado Echinacea (coneflower) produces beautiful rosy pink petals with a golden-brown center that adds a bright pop of color to any garden. This variety is a sturdy perennial that reseeds well. The Bravado is by far one of the most popular wildflowers!

The Iowa Blend combines annual and perennial wildflowers selected for ornamental planting in the Midwestern United States. Its current component profile features Shasta Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan, Lance-Leaved Coreopsis, and New England Aster. Iowa’s open, sunny landscapes and cold winters fit a Midwestern mixture containing prairie-associated flowers and garden favorites. The mixture contains both native species and non-native flowers adapted to the region, creating varied colors, heights and bloom periods. Sow in a sunny, prepared, weed-free seedbed and keep the surface consistently moist while seedlings establish.