Native plants are a wonderful addition to any landscape. Here in Iowa, we often times focus on tallgrass prairie plants. This is because historically, most of Iowa was just that; a tallgrass prairie. These plants usually require full sun, but in our changed landscape, that isn’t always possible. I am often asked what people can do in their shaded yards, so I made an easy-to-read list to answer this question! 

All of these plants are native to Iowa and bring many benefits to the ecosystem! Some of these benefits are increased water infiltration, providing habitat and food for local wildlife, including pollinators,  and reduced maintenance compared to traditional turf lawns.

Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

• Sun: Full to Shade
• Soil: Wet to Dry
• Height: 1-3 ft
• Bloom: Apr-Jun
• Host Plant: Pink-patched Looper Moths, Columbine Duskywings

This flower is long and tubular, lending itself to wildlife with long mouth parts like long tongued bees and Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. These blooms mean Spring has sprung and welcomes our pollinators with bountiful nectar and pollen when those resources are scarce. These short-lived perennials will readily self seed and adapt to most conditions.

Solomon’s Seal

Polygonatum biflorum

• Sun: Partial to Shade
• Soil: Medium to Dry
• Height: 1-3 ft
• Bloom: May-Jul

As a spring ephemeral, it supports our native bees and other pollinators as they emerge from their overwintering habitats. The creamy white blooms dangle below the broad leaves like little bells. Once pollinated, it produces circular blue fruits that songbirds love to snack on.

White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima

• Sun: Partial to Shade
• Soil: Moist to Dry
• Height: 1-4 ft
• Bloom: Jul-Oct
• Host Plant: Clymene Moth, Hitched Arches

This fall blooming plant provides needed nectar resources for bees getting ready to overwinter. The blooms are white, small tubular structures that bees and butterflies alike enjoy. The clusters of flowers provide a nice landing pad for butterflies to rest on.

Tall Bellflower

Campanula americana

• Sun: Partial to Shade
• Soil: Moist to Medium
• Height: 3-6 ft
• Bloom: Jul-Sep
• Biennial

Native bumble bees, leaf-cutter bees, butterflies, and skippers love its nectar! The Tall Bellflower is a stunning addition to any native garden and will steal the show with its many blooms.

Sweet Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium purpureum

• Sun: Partial to Shade
• Soil: Moist to Dry
• Height: 4-6 ft
• Bloom: Jul-Sep
• Host Plant: Plume Moth, Slender Flower Moth, Joe Pye Weed Borer Moth, Bold-feathered Grass Moth

This plant is deer resistant and attracts several butterflies like Monarchs and Swallowtails. it is typically robust and sturdy meaning it will stay upright with no need to stake. They produce huge clusters of nectar rich blooms that attract many pollinators.

Yellow Jewelweed

Impatiens pallida

• Sun: Full to Shade
• Soil: Wet to Medium
• Height: 2-5 ft
• Bloom: Jul-Oct

Also known as Touch-me-nots because their seed pods explode when touched! These flowers are annual and will spread seeds readily. While it will grow in a variety of conditions, it prefers mucky soils. They pull pollinators of all types and grow well along streams, ponds, and bogs.

Virginia Wildrye

Elymus virginicus

• Sun: Full to Shade
• Soil: Wet, Moist
• Height: 2.5 ft
• Bloom: Mar-Apr

Good native habitat has both flowers and grasses. This plant provides important hiding spots for insects and wildlife. It is a native cool season grass found in wet conditions. They are great for erosion control since it has an extensive root system.

Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

• Sun: Partial to Shade
• Soil: Medium
• Height: 2 ft
• Bloom: Apr-May

The blooms provide early season nectar resources for queen bumble bees and other pollinators. These subtle beauties are only around for a short time in Spring and starts dormanc mid Summer. While they are here, they are covered in pollinators from Swallowtail butterflies to huge bumble bees.

Wild Ginger

Asarum canadense

• Sun: Shade
• Soil: Medium
• Height: 6 inches
• Bloom: Apr-Jun

This creates a great ground cover that stays green all season! The very unique brown-purple flowers hide under the foliage. It spreads through rhizomes and seeds. The hidden blooms attract pollinators with a sweet fragrance although the flowers can also self pollinate. It tolerates deer browsing, erosion, and wet soils.

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

• Sun: Full to Shade
• Soil: Medium
• Height: 1 ft
• Bloom: Apr-Jul

This woodland flower is found naturally in rich, mesic forests, but will adapt to different condions. It is easy to grow and very showy with its many pink blooms. It is a bushy plant and great habitat for our native wildlife.