Native Plants in Maine
The native plants that belong in Maine gardens — grouped by sun, soil, and wildlife value.
32 native plants suit Maine's ecoregions and USDA zones 3–6. Below they're grouped by how you'd use them — full sun, shade, wet soil and rain gardens, dry, drought-prone ground, deer-resistant picks, groundcovers, pollinators, birds and hummingbirds — with a species table and when to plant.
Data updated: August 2026Sources & method · Corrections
When to plant natives in Maine
Plant after your last spring frost — roughly April 21 in the milder south to May 22 in the colder north. Fall is often even better for perennials and shrubs — the soil is still warm and roots settle before winter, ahead of the first frost around September 18 in the north to October 17 in the south.
For full sun
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
- New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium maculatum
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Blue Vervain Verbena hastata
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
For shade
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Common Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
- Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca
For wet soil & rain gardens
- Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
- New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium maculatum
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Blue Vervain Verbena hastata
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
For dry, drought-prone spots
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Deer-resistant
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Groundcovers
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
- Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca
For pollinators
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca
- Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
- New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium maculatum
- Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum
- Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Blue Vervain Verbena hastata
- Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
- Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata
For birds
- Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- Blue Vervain Verbena hastata
- Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
- Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
- Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium
- Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea
- Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
- Winterberry Ilex verticillata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Common Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
For hummingbirds
- Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
- Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana
- Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Identify Maine wildflowers by color
| Bloom color | Native wildflowers (typical U.S. bloom) |
|---|---|
| Gold | Black-Eyed Susan — Golden yellow (Jun–Sep), Golden Alexanders — Chartreuse-gold (Apr–Jun) |
| Pink | Common Milkweed — Dusty mauve-pink (Jun–Jul), Swamp Milkweed — Rose pink (Jul–Aug), Spotted Joe-Pye Weed — Mauve-pink (Jul–Sep), Obedient Plant — Pink (Aug–Sep), Wild Geranium — Lavender-pink (Apr–Jun), Creeping Phlox — Pink to lavender (Apr–May) |
| Purple | New England Aster — Royal purple (Sep–Oct), Blue Vervain — Violet-blue (Jul–Sep) |
| Red | Wild Columbine — Red & yellow (Apr–Jun), Cardinal Flower — Electric scarlet (Jul–Sep), Wild Ginger — Hidden maroon (Apr–May) |
| White | Common Boneset — Foamy white (Aug–Sep), Foamflower — Foamy white (Apr–May), Common Yarrow — White (wild form) (May–Aug), Woodland Strawberry — Small white, five-petaled (Apr–Jun) |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
All 32 native plants for Maine
| Plant | Type | Sun | Soil moisture | Height | Typical bloom (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | Jun–Sep |
| Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 3–5 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 3–4 ft | Jul–Aug |
| New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 3–5 ft | Sep–Oct |
| Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Dry / Medium | 1–2.5 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Full sun | Wet / Medium | 2–4 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Eutrochium maculatum | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 4–7 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Common Boneset Eupatorium perfoliatum | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 3–5 ft | Aug–Sep |
| Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 1.5–2.5 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Obedient Plant Physostegia virginiana | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 2–4 ft | Aug–Sep |
| Blue Vervain Verbena hastata | Perennial wildflower | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 3–5 ft | Jul–Sep |
| Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 1.5–2 ft | Apr–Jun |
| Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia | Perennial wildflower | Part sun / Shade | Medium | 6–12 in | Apr–May |
| Wild Ginger Asarum canadense | Groundcover | Shade / Part sun | Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides | Fern | Shade / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 1–2 ft | — |
| Cinnamon Fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum | Fern | Part sun / Shade | Wet / Medium | 2–4 ft | — |
| Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica | Sedge | Shade / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 6–12 in | — |
| Creeping Phlox Phlox subulata | Groundcover | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 2–4 ft | — |
| Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii | Ornamental grass | Full sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 4–7 ft | — |
| Common Yarrow Achillea millefolium | Perennial wildflower | Full sun | Dry / Medium | 1.5–3 ft | May–Aug |
| Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 5–10 ft | Jun–Aug |
| Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Dry / Medium / Wet | 5–10 ft | May–Jun |
| Red-Twig Dogwood Cornus sericea | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 6–9 ft | May–Jun |
| Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun / Shade | Medium / Wet | 6–10 ft | May–Jun |
| American Elderberry Sambucus canadensis | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 6–12 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Winterberry Ilex verticillata | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Wet / Medium | 5–10 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis | Small tree / large shrub | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Wet | 15–25 ft | Apr–May |
| Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Evergreen shrub (groundcover) | Full sun / Part sun | Dry | 4–8 in | Apr–May |
| Common Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus | Shrub | Full sun / Part sun / Shade | Dry / Medium | 3–6 ft | Jun–Jul |
| Woodland Strawberry Fragaria vesca | Groundcover perennial | Part sun / Shade / Full sun | Medium | 4–8 in | Apr–Jun |
| Chokecherry Prunus virginiana | Large shrub or small tree | Full sun / Part sun | Medium / Dry | 10–20 ft | May–Jun |
Bloom months are a typical window across the species' U.S. range, not a local calendar — the same plant opens weeks later in the north and at altitude than it does in the south. Use it for ordering the season, and let the plants in front of you set the dates.
Confirm any plant is native to your county with your state Native Plant Society before planting.
Plant these instead of common invasives in Maine
| Skip this invasive | Plant this native instead |
|---|---|
| Japanese Barberry | Inkberry Holly |
| Burning Bush (Winged Euonymus) | Arrowwood Viburnum |
| Multiflora Rose | Ninebark |
| Autumn Olive | Serviceberry |
| Bush Honeysuckle (Morrow's & Tatarian) | Red-Twig Dogwood |
| Glossy Buckthorn | Winterberry |
| Oriental Bittersweet | Trumpet Honeysuckle |
| Purple Loosestrife | Dense Blazing Star |
| Japanese Knotweed | Spotted Joe-Pye Weed |
| Goutweed (Bishop's Weed) | Pennsylvania Sedge |
Start here: Maine native-plant guides
- Best Native Plants for Shade Gardens in Maine — Maine's mature tree canopy leaves a lot of yards short on sun — here's what actually thrives underneath it, from woodland groundcovers to understory shrubs.
- Deer-Resistant Native Plants for Maine Gardens — No plant is truly deer-proof, but these Maine natives are reliably low on the menu, thanks to scent, sap, and texture deer tend to avoid.
- Identify Maine Wildflowers by Bloom Color — Start with color, then narrow down by bloom time and habitat — a practical field guide to identifying Maine's native wildflowers.
- Native Alternatives to Common Invasive Plants in Maine — Still have burning bush or barberry in the yard? Here's what to plant instead, species by species, using Maine natives that do the same job better.
- Native Groundcovers for Maine Yards — Ten plants already native to Maine — from sun-baked coastal ledge to shaded dooryards under old maples — can replace thirsty lawn and bagged mulch for good, whatever your yard's soil and light look like.
- When to Plant Natives in Maine: A Season-by-Season Guide — From bare-root spring planting to fall's best-of-the-year window, here's when to put each type of Maine native in the ground.
The Maine natives worth asking for
The natives worth asking for in Maine — with the botanical name to say at the counter, so you get the plant that feeds something.
The complete Native Plants of Maine
The native plants that belong in your yard — what to plant for pollinators, by zone, with bloom timing and a species table.
Want it on paper? See the printable Native Plants of Maine.