Nebraska Natives

Brown Fox Sedge takes its name from the fox-tail appearance of its midsummer seed heads. This abundant North American native grows across wet meadows and other moist open habitats. Fruiting clumps provide bird forage and cover for small wetland animals. It adapts to sun or partial shade and soils ranging from wet to moderately dry.

Awl-fruited Sedge has several long-used names, including Prickly Sedge and Fox Sedge, reflecting its pointed seed heads. It is native to North American riverbanks, floodplain forests, and marshes and establishes quickly in disturbed wetlands. Caterpillars feed on the foliage; woodcocks, ducks, and swamp sparrows eat the seeds. Plant in sun or shade with reliably moist to wet soil.

Narrow-leaved Cattail Sedge, also called Squarrose Sedge, comes from North American wet meadows, floodplains, and lakeshores. Its cattail-like spikes rise from narrow foliage during the cool-season growth cycle. Wetland insects use sedge foliage, and waterfowl feed among the seed heads. Give it sun or partial shade and moist soil that can flood seasonally.

Lance-fruited Oval Sedge has also been called Broom Sedge, a name linked to its broom-like fruiting form. It belongs to sunny North American marshes, floodplains, and wet sandy ground. Moths and skipper caterpillars use the foliage, while waterfowl, songbirds, turtles, and small mammals eat the seeds. This clumping, cool-season perennial suits wetland gardens and restoration sites.

Broad-leaved Woolly Sedge is native to North American wet meadows and mineral-rich wetlands, where calcareous soil is common. Its broad, softly textured leaves and June seed spikes distinguish it from finer sedges. Native sedge foliage can host insects, while its seeds contribute to wetland bird forage. Plant it in sun or partial shade with consistently moist to wet, often alkaline soil.

Field Oval Sedge is a North American native of open woods, swamps, and prairies; the older name Troublesome Sedge reflects its vigorous spread. Triangular green stems carry compact, yellow-brown seed clusters. Dense growth can shelter small insects and birds in rough habitat. Use it where a strong colonizing sedge is welcome, from sun to shade and medium-moist to dry soil.

Common Lake Sedge is a historic component of North American lake margins and marshes, spreading through underground rhizomes. Its tall stands provide wetland cover, and its leaves host Broad-Winged Skipper and brown butterfly caterpillars. Waterfowl and songbirds eat its seeds, while some wetland mammals browse the roots. Reserve this vigorous sedge for large, wet restoration sites.

Porcupine Sedge is a native of North American fens, marshes, sedge meadows, and wet prairies, also known as Bottlebrush Sedge. Its bristly seed heads give the common names their character. Wetland insects use its foliage and waterfowl forage for sedge seeds among the stems. Grow it in full sun and wet soil that may flood for short periods.

Pale Sedge has long been part of North American wet meadows and limestone-rich wetlands; its other name, Limestone Meadow Sedge, describes that habitat. It grows in cool weather and carries pale spring to early-summer flower spikes above narrow leaves. Like other sedges, its growth supports small wetland insects and seed-foraging birds. Choose moist to wet, often alkaline soil in sun or shade.

Bristly Cattail Sedge is a North American wetland native named for its spiny, cattail-like seed heads. Bright yellow-green blades form a mound and grow most actively in the cool seasons. Its wetland foliage and seeds offer cover and forage for insects and waterbirds. Plant in consistently moist soil; it tolerates temporary flooding and a wide range of light.

Plains Oval Sedge, historically also called Shortbeak Sedge, occurs across North American open ground, from dry disturbed sites to seasonally flooded margins. Golden-brown oval seed spikes stand above a compact mound in fall. Like other native sedges, it contributes seed and cover to birds and habitat for small insects. Its wide moisture tolerance makes it useful in sunny or partly shaded restoration plantings.

Copper-shouldered Oval Sedge, also called Bicknell's Sedge, is a native of North American prairies and open uplands. This cool-season perennial forms upright clumps and tolerates loam, clay, or sand from medium-wet to fairly dry. Grasshoppers feed on its leaves, and seed-eating birds including Prairie Chickens and sparrows use its fruit. It is a useful sedge for sunny, mixed native plantings.

Hairy Wood Chess, also known as Hairy Woodland Brome, is a cool-season native grass of North American woodlands; it was once grouped with other Bromus species. Its dark leaves and tall clumps give structure to lightly shaded, moderately moist sites. Wild Turkeys, Ruffed Grouse, and small mammals eat its seeds, while deer and rabbits browse young growth. Plant it where a woodland edge needs a taller native grass.

River Bulrush has long occupied shallow-water margins of North American lakes, rivers, and marshes; older botanical names placed it in Scirpus and Schoenoplectus. Its tall stems and spreading rhizomes make dense cover for wetland invertebrates and waterbirds. This vigorous perennial is suited to large restoration areas rather than a small ornamental bed. Grow it in full sun with consistently wet soil or standing water.

Hairy Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum) is a distinctive North American native plant. Hairy stems and aromatic foliage frame pale flower clusters that become busy feeding stations for summer pollinators. It matures at approximately 36 inches tall and flowers from early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry-medium to medium conditions, with loamy soil or sandy soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Wild Four O'Clock (Mirabilis nyctaginea) is a distinctive North American native plant. Magenta-purple flowers open later in the day on branching plants, offering nectar to evening-active pollinators. It matures at approximately 48 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer through mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun, in dry to medium conditions, with loamy soil, sandy soil or dry soil. Space plants 24–36 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata) is a distinctive North American native plant. Rounded greenish flower clusters mature into seed valued by wild turkey, while deep roots help this native legume handle drought. It matures at approximately 48 inches tall and flowers from mid to late summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry to medium conditions, with loamy soil, sandy soil or dry soil. Space plants 18–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) is a distinctive North American native plant. Broad leaves and large white umbels give this imposing biennial a strong presence in moist meadows and woodland edges. It matures at approximately 96 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in medium to medium-wet conditions, with loamy soil, clay soil or wet soil. Space plants 24–36 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens) is a distinctive North American native plant. Silvery foliage and purple flower spikes make this deep-rooted prairie legume a durable choice for dry gardens and pollinator plantings. It matures at approximately 36 inches tall and flowers from late spring to early summer through early to mid summer. Plant it in full sun to partial shade, in dry to medium conditions, with loamy soil, sandy soil or poor soil. Space plants 12–24 inches apart for healthy growth and airflow.

Early Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata) is a native perennial valued for its nectar-rich red and green flowers. Upright plants reach about 5 feet tall and bloom from late spring through midsummer, attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. This adaptable wildflower grows in full sun through shade and tolerates loamy or sandy soils across a broad moisture range. Seed requires 60 days of cold, moist stratification and light for germination.

The Nebraska Blend combines annual and perennial wildflowers selected for ornamental planting in the Midwestern United States. Its current component profile features Lance-Leaved Coreopsis, New England Aster, Purple Coneflower, and Shasta Daisy. Eastern Nebraska aligns with Midwest conditions while western sites fit the Western region, making location an important consideration. 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.

North American Wildflower Blend combines annual and perennial favorites selected to perform across many regions of the United States. The varied species create a broad tapestry of familiar colors, with annuals providing quick blooms and perennials adding longer-term persistence. Local climate and soil conditions determine which flowers become most prominent, giving each planting its own regional character.

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.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is an eastern North American perennial prized for vivid red flower spikes from midsummer into fall. It grows best in consistently moist soil in full sun to partial light and is well suited to rain gardens, pond edges, and wet meadows. The tubular flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds and also draw butterflies and bees. Mature plants commonly reach 3 to 5 feet tall.

Purple Love Grass grows low to the ground in dense tufts, 8-18" tall. In late summer the fine-textured, stiff inflorescence appears like reddish-purple clouds hovering at ground level. Eventually this inflorescence breaks off and floats around like a tumbleweed.

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 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.

Asclepias viridis, commonly known as Spider Milkweed or Green Milkweed, is a native North American species with a long ecological history tied to grasslands and prairies of the central and southern United States. Its distinctive greenish-white flowers arranged in rounded clusters give it a spider-like appearance, attracting a wide array of pollinators, especially butterflies, and serving as an essential host plant for monarch caterpillars.