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Native Plants for Your Yard

Enter your ZIP code to see native plants matched to your EPA ecoregion, or browse the full library. Every plant has photos, region-specific maintenance notes, and pet-toxicity sourcing from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

The library below has three sections. Featured natives have hand-written guides: HOA-friendly, dog-safe, drought-tough picks with in-depth notes. More natives from across the US come from our nationwide plant database, ordered by nursery availability. Toxic warnings are common yard plants that send dogs to the emergency vet, with a safe native swap for each.

Looking for a landscaping rebate or an HOA-ready plan? Browse our rebate directory or the HOA grass-rule guide.

See native plants for your area

Enter your ZIP code to see native plants matched to your EPA ecoregion, ranked HOA-friendly first.

Featured Native Plants with In-Depth Guides (33)

Hand-written profiles with photos, maintenance notes, and ASPCA toxicity sourcing. Many of these natives range across large parts of the country; each card lists its native regions. All are non-toxic to dogs per the ASPCA.

Light

Water

HOA

Showing 33 of 33 plants.

Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

Autumn Sage

Salvia greggii

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos and more

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

No photo yet

Blackfoot Daisy

Melampodium leucanthum

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos and more

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Cedar Sage (Salvia roemeriana)

Cedar Sage

Salvia roemeriana

shadelow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, Cross Timbers

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

part sunmedium water

Native to North Texas

Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata

part sunlow water

Native to East Texas, Pineywoods and more

No photo yet

Damianita

Chrysactinia mexicana

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, Trans-Pecos

Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)

Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor)

Dwarf Palmetto

Sabal minor

part sunmedium water

Native to East Texas, Pineywoods and more

Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)

Flame Acanthus

Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

No photo yet

Gregg's Mistflower

Conoclinium greggii

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

No photo yet

Gulf Muhly

Muhlenbergia capillaris

full sunlow water

Native to Gulf Coast Prairie, South Texas Plains and more

Horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis)

Horseherb

Calyptocarpus vialis

part sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

Indian Blanket

Gaillardia pulchella

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Inland Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)

Inland Sea Oats

Chasmanthium latifolium

shademedium water

Native to East Texas, Pineywoods and more

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Coreopsis lanceolata

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

No photo yet

Lindheimer's Muhly

Muhlenbergia lindheimeri

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau

No photo yet

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

full sunlow water

Native to Blackland Prairie, Edwards Plateau and more

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea)

Mealy Blue Sage

Salvia farinacea

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana)

Mexican Plum

Prunus mexicana

part sunlow water

Native to Blackland Prairie, Cross Timbers and more

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

full sunmedium water

Native to North Texas

No photo yet

Plateau Goldeneye

Viguiera dentata

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

No photo yet

Prairie Verbena

Glandularia bipinnatifida

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Rain Lily (Zephyranthes drummondii)

Rain Lily

Zephyranthes drummondii

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairie and more

No photo yet

Spiderwort

Tradescantia ohiensis

part sunlow water

Native to Blackland Prairie, Edwards Plateau and more

Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus texensis

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)

Texas Lantana

Lantana urticoides

full sunlow water

Native to North Texas

Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens)

Texas Ranger

Leucophyllum frutescens

full sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)

Turk's Cap

Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii

part sunlow water

Native to Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and more

No photo yet

Winecup

Callirhoe involucrata

full sunlow water

Native to Blackland Prairie, Edwards Plateau and more

More Natives from Across the United States (120)

The most nursery-available natives from our nationwide plant database, HOA-friendly picks first. Pet-safety status varies by species; each plant page shows its sourced ASPCA status.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

part sunhigh waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Prairie Dropseed

Sporobolus heterolepis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Blue Giant-hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)

Blue Giant-hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis)

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Heart-leaf Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)

Heart-leaf Foamflower

Tiarella cordifolia

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)

Bush-honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)

Showy Tick Trefoil

Desmodium canadense

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii)

Prairie Milkweed

Asclepias sullivantii

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Seep Muhly (Muhlenbergia reverchonii)

Seep Muhly

Muhlenbergia reverchonii

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Pink Tickseed (Coreopsis rosea)

Pink Tickseed

Coreopsis rosea

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa)

Mexican Buckeye

Ungnadia speciosa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Butterfly Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)

Butterfly Gaura

Oenothera lindheimeri

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Berlandier's sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri)

Berlandier's sundrops

Calylophus berlandieri

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia lunarioides)

Anacacho Orchid Tree

Bauhinia lunarioides

part sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Wavy Hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa)

Wavy Hairgrass

Deschampsia flexuosa

part shadelow waterHOA-friendly
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Longhead-coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)

Longhead-coneflower

Ratibida columnifera

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)

Closed Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Red-osier Dogwood

Cornus sericea

part sunhigh waterHOA-friendly
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)

Seaside Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Coyote-mint (Monardella villosa)

Coyote-mint

Monardella villosa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Wright's Skullcap (Scutellaria wrightii)

Wright's Skullcap

Scutellaria wrightii

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum)

Dwarf Azalea

Rhododendron atlanticum

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens)

Black Dalea

Dalea frutescens

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Rock Penstemon (Penstemon baccharifolius)

Rock Penstemon

Penstemon baccharifolius

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

part sunhigh waterHOA-friendly
Leadplant (Amorpha canescens)

Leadplant

Amorpha canescens

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Narrow-leaf Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)

Narrow-leaf Coneflower

Echinacea angustifolia

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Bear-grape (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Bear-grape

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

part shadelow waterHOA-friendly
Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)

Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Snakeherb (Dyschoriste linearis)

Snakeherb

Dyschoriste linearis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Bigfoot Waterclover (Marsilea macropoda)

Bigfoot Waterclover

Marsilea macropoda

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Rock Rose (Pavonia lasiopetala)

Rock Rose

Pavonia lasiopetala

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Missouri Primrose (Oenothera macrocarpa)

Missouri Primrose

Oenothera macrocarpa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Prairie ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

Prairie ironweed

Vernonia fasciculata

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Alpine Strawberry

Fragaria vesca

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
American Senna (Senna hebecarpa)

American Senna

Senna hebecarpa

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Bunchleaf Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus)

Bunchleaf Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Dense Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Gayfeather (Liatris pycnostachya)

Prairie Gayfeather

Liatris pycnostachya

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Great Blanket-flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Great Blanket-flower

Gaillardia aristata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)

Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Panicled Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

Panicled Dogwood

Cornus racemosa

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Mexican Feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima)

Mexican Feathergrass

Nassella tenuissima

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Bicknell'S Sedge (Carex bicknellii)

Bicknell'S Sedge

Carex bicknellii

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Canoe Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Canoe Birch

Betula papyrifera

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis)

Narrowleaf Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Northern White-cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

Northern White-cedar

Thuja occidentalis

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Western Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Western Blue-eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium bellum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)

Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

part sunhigh waterHOA-friendly
Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Rocky Mountain Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)

Rocky Mountain Blazing Star

Liatris ligulistylis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
California-poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

California-poppy

Eschscholzia californica

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Purple Giant-hyssop (Agastache scrophulariifolia)

Purple Giant-hyssop

Agastache scrophulariifolia

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Scarlet Bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius)

Scarlet Bugler

Penstemon centranthifolius

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Rattlesnake-master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

Rattlesnake-master

Eryngium yuccifolium

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Dotted Gayfeather (Liatris punctata)

Dotted Gayfeather

Liatris punctata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Large beardtongue (Penstemon grandiflorus)

Large beardtongue

Penstemon grandiflorus

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Candle Anemone (Anemone cylindrica)

Candle Anemone

Anemone cylindrica

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Beach Plum (Prunus maritima)

Beach Plum

Prunus maritima

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Fragrant Sage (Salvia clevelandii)

Fragrant Sage

Salvia clevelandii

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Common Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)

Common Sneezeweed

Helenium autumnale

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata)

Prairie Coreopsis

Coreopsis palmata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii)

Prairie alumroot

Heuchera richardsonii

part sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens)

Deer Grass

Muhlenbergia rigens

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Marin Iris (Iris douglasiana)

Marin Iris

Iris douglasiana

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)

Field Pussytoes

Antennaria neglecta

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Flame Lily (Lilium philadelphicum)

Flame Lily

Lilium philadelphicum

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Sulfur-buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum)

Sulfur-buckwheat

Eriogonum umbellatum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Foothill Lupine (Lupinus albifrons)

Foothill Lupine

Lupinus albifrons

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Golden Zizia (Zizia aurea)

Golden Zizia

Zizia aurea

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea)

Foxglove Penstemon

Penstemon cobaea

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Four-nerve Daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa)

Four-nerve Daisy

Tetraneuris scaposa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Pacific Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Pacific Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Lewis's mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii)

Lewis's mock orange

Philadelphus lewisii

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

False Sunflower

Heliopsis helianthoides

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
White Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides)

White Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides)

Prairie Goldenrod

Solidago ptarmicoides

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Lyreleaf Greeneyes (Berlandiera lyrata)

Lyreleaf Greeneyes

Berlandiera lyrata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)

Hummingbird Sage

Salvia spathacea

part sunlow waterHOA-friendly
New Jersey-tea (Ceanothus americanus)

New Jersey-tea

Ceanothus americanus

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Moss Phlox

Phlox subulata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Smooth Rose (Rosa blanda)

Smooth Rose

Rosa blanda

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha)

Golden columbine

Aquilegia chrysantha

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Checker-mallow (Sidalcea malviflora)

Checker-mallow

Sidalcea malviflora

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Mallow-rose (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Mallow-rose

Hibiscus moscheutos

full sunhigh waterHOA-friendly
Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis)

Pigeonberry

Rivina humilis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Dwarf Cherry (Prunus pumila)

Dwarf Cherry

Prunus pumila

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
California Wild Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

California Wild Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Coastal Tidytips (Layia platyglossa)

Coastal Tidytips

Layia platyglossa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida)

Orange Coneflower

Rudbeckia fulgida

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Onion (Allium stellatum)

Prairie Onion

Allium stellatum

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Soapweed yucca (Yucca glauca)

Soapweed yucca

Yucca glauca

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

California Fuchsia

Epilobium canum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

Toyon

Heteromeles arbutifolia

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Drooping Prairie-coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)

Drooping Prairie-coneflower

Ratibida pinnata

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Kentucky Coffee-Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus)

Kentucky Coffee-Tree

Gymnocladus dioicus

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Waukegan Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

Waukegan Juniper

Juniperus horizontalis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus succulentus)

Arroyo Lupine

Lupinus succulentus

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Crevice alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)

Crevice alumroot

Heuchera micrantha

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Purple Love Grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)

Purple Love Grass

Eragrostis spectabilis

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Prairie Cinquefoil (Drymocallis arguta)

Prairie Cinquefoil

Drymocallis arguta

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

Firecracker penstemon

Penstemon eatonii

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)

Blueblossom

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Wild Onion (Allium cernuum)

Wild Onion

Allium cernuum

part sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Stiff Sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus)

Stiff Sunflower

Helianthus pauciflorus

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Fiddleneck (Phacelia tanacetifolia)

Fiddleneck

Phacelia tanacetifolia

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

Black Sage

Salvia mellifera

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)

Showy Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Muskingum Sedge (Carex muskingumensis)

Muskingum Sedge

Carex muskingumensis

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
Star False Solomon's-seal (Maianthemum stellatum)

Star False Solomon's-seal

Maianthemum stellatum

part shademedium waterHOA-friendly
White Sage (Salvia apiana)

White Sage

Salvia apiana

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)

Culver's Root

Veronicastrum virginicum

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly
Western silver aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum)

Western silver aster

Symphyotrichum sericeum

full sunlow waterHOA-friendly
Antelope Horn Milkweed (Asclepias asperula)

Antelope Horn Milkweed

Asclepias asperula

full sunmedium waterHOA-friendly

Browse Plants by Region

Soil, rainfall, and climate decide which natives thrive. Pick your EPA ecoregion to see the right subset of plants for your area. More regions are added as our nursery data grows.

Edwards Plateau (Texas Hill Country)

Austin, San Antonio, Fredericksburg

Alkaline limestone soil, thin and rocky in places, 25–35 inches annual rainfall, hot summers with mild winters.

Blackland Prairie

Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano

Heavy black clay, alkaline-to-neutral pH, 30–40 inches annual rainfall, hot humid summers with occasional hard freezes.

Post Oak Savannah

Bryan, College Station, Brenham

Sandy loam soils, mildly acidic to neutral, 35–45 inches annual rainfall, oak-dominated savannah-and-woodland mix.

South Texas Plains (Brush Country)

San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo

Sandy to clay loam over caliche, alkaline pH, 20–30 inches annual rainfall, very hot summers with mild winters.

Pineywoods (East Texas)

Tyler, Lufkin, Nacogdoches

Sandy acidic soils, 40–60 inches annual rainfall, humid summers, oak-pine-hardwood forest cover.

Trans-Pecos (Chihuahuan Desert)

El Paso, Marfa, Alpine

Alkaline rocky soils over limestone or igneous bedrock, less than 15 inches annual rainfall in lowlands, hot dry summers, cold winters at higher elevations.

Coastal Prairies (Gulf Coast)

Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi

Sandy to clay loam, mostly neutral to slightly alkaline, 35–55 inches annual rainfall, humid subtropical climate, hurricane risk.

Cross Timbers

Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Mineral Wells

Sandy to sandy-loam soils over sandstone, mildly acidic, 28–35 inches annual rainfall, oak-dominated woodlands.

Acadian Plains and Hills

Bangor, Portland, Augusta

Acidic, often thin soils over glacial till and bedrock, 42–50 inches of precipitation with heavy snow, cool summers and long cold winters.

Arizona/New Mexico Mountains

Flagstaff, Payson, Show Low

Rocky volcanic and limestone soils, 15–25 inches of precipitation split between winter snow and a summer monsoon, cold nights year round.

Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Riverhead, Toms River, Southampton

Deep sandy acidic soils with very fast drainage, 42–48 inches of rain, humid summers and moderate winters, ocean influence.

Blue Ridge

Asheville, Boone, Roanoke

Acidic loam on steep slopes, 45–80 inches of precipitation depending on elevation and aspect, cool summers, moderate winters.

Central Appalachians

Johnstown, Charleston, Lexington

Thin acidic soils on steep forested slopes, 40–50 inches of precipitation, cool summers and long cold winters at elevation.

Central Basin and Range

Reno, Salt Lake City, Carson City

Alkaline, often salty basin soils, under 12 inches of rainfall, cold winters and hot arid summers.

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains

San Jose, Oakland, Santa Rosa

Clay loam to rocky hillside soils, mild wet winters, dry summers moderated by coastal fog in some areas.

Central California Valley

Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield

Deep alluvial soils, hot dry summers, 10–20 inches of winter rainfall, frequent summer water restrictions.

Central Corn Belt Plains

Chicago, Rockford, Joliet

Deep black prairie soils, 34–40 inches of rain, cold windy winters and warm humid summers, very little natural shade.

Central Great Plains

Wichita, Salina, Hastings

Deep loam, sometimes over caliche, 22–32 inches of rain falling mostly in spring and early summer, high wind, hot dry late summers.

Central Irregular Plains

Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin

Clay and silt loam over rolling ground, 36–44 inches of rain, cold winters and hot summers with a reliable late-summer dry spell.

Coast Range

Santa Rosa, Eureka, Crescent City

Acidic forest soils, 40–100+ inches of winter rainfall, cool foggy summers, mild winters.

Driftless Area

Galena, La Crosse, Dubuque

Thin soils over limestone bluffs with deep loess ridges, 32–36 inches of precipitation, cold winters, warm summers, steep slopes.

Eastern Corn Belt Plains

Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis

Heavy glacial till over a high water table, 36–42 inches of rain, cold winters and warm humid summers, slow drainage.

Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo

Old lakebed and sandy shoreline soils, 30–40 inches of precipitation with heavy lake-effect snow, cold winters moderated near the water.

Erie Drift Plain

Buffalo, Cleveland, Erie

Clay-rich glacial drift over rolling ground, 34–42 inches of precipitation with lake-effect snow, wet springs, moderate summers.

High Plains

Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland

Deep but dry loam over caliche, 15–22 inches of rain concentrated in summer storms, high wind, wide temperature swings.

Huron/Erie Lake Plains

Toledo, Detroit, Ann Arbor

Heavy level clay over former lakebed, 30–36 inches of precipitation, slow drainage, cold winters and warm humid summers.

Interior Plateau

Cincinnati, Nashville, Louisville

Thin soils over limestone with karst drainage, 45–52 inches of rain, hot humid summers and mild winters.

Interior River Valleys and Hills

Peoria, Springfield, Evansville

Deep alluvial bottomland soils below wooded bluffs, 38–48 inches of rain, wet springs and dry late summers, cold winters.

Madrean Archipelago

Sierra Vista, Nogales, Bisbee

Rocky slope soils between desert basins, 12–20 inches of precipitation dominated by the summer monsoon, mild winters with occasional frost.

Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain

Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, Wilmington

Flat sandy soils over a high water table, 42–48 inches of rain, humid summers and mild winters, salt exposure near the bay and ocean.

Mississippi Alluvial Plain

Memphis, Greenville, Vicksburg

Deep heavy alluvial clay over a high water table, 48–56 inches of rain, hot humid summers and short mild winters.

Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Jackson, Grenada, Greenwood

Deep wind-deposited loess, highly erodible when exposed, 50–58 inches of rain, hot humid summers and mild winters.

Mojave Basin and Range

Las Vegas, Lancaster, Palmdale

Sandy, fast-draining alkaline soils, under 10 inches of annual rainfall, extreme summer heat with winter frosts.

North Central Hardwood Forests

Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud

Loamy glacial soils with frequent wetlands and lakes, 28–34 inches of precipitation, cold snowy winters and warm summers.

Northeastern Coastal Zone

New York, Boston, Providence

Sandy glacial soils near the coast, 40–50 inches of precipitation, cold winters moderated by the ocean, salt exposure along the shore.

Northeastern Highlands

Kingston, Plattsburgh, Rutland

Thin rocky acidic soils over glacial till, 40–50 inches of precipitation with heavy snow, short cool summers and severe winters.

Northern Allegheny Plateau

Binghamton, Elmira, Corning

Acidic soils on steep dissected slopes, 36–44 inches of precipitation, cool short summers and cold snowy winters.

Northern Glaciated Plains

Aberdeen, Fargo, Grand Forks

Loam and clay over glacial till with prairie potholes, 18–24 inches of precipitation, extreme cold winters, warm dry summers.

Northern Lakes and Forests

Duluth, Marquette, Traverse City

Sandy and rocky acidic glacial soils, 28–34 inches of precipitation with heavy snow, short cool summers and long cold winters.

Northern Piedmont

Lancaster, Reading, Baltimore

Rolling limestone and shale soils, 40–48 inches of rain through the year, warm humid summers, moderately cold winters.

Northwestern Glaciated Plains

Great Falls, Havre, Minot

Glacial till and clay with shallow potholes, 12–18 inches of precipitation, extreme cold winters, short warm summers, persistent wind.

Northwestern Great Plains

Billings, Rapid City, Casper

Clay and sandy soils over shale, 12–18 inches of precipitation, cold windy winters, hot dry summers punctuated by sudden storms.

Ozark Highlands

Springfield, Fayetteville, Branson

Thin rocky soils over chert and dolomite, 42–48 inches of rain, hot humid summers, moderately cold winters, dry exposed glades.

Piedmont

Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh

Deep red clay soils, 45–50 inches of rain through the year, hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional hard freezes.

Puget Lowland

Seattle, Tacoma, Everett

Fast-draining glacial outwash and till, 30–50 inches of rain falling mostly October through April, mild winters, dry summers.

Ridge and Valley

Harrisburg, Knoxville, Chattanooga

Limestone valley soils alternating with thin rocky ridges, 40–50 inches of rain, cold winters and warm humid summers.

Sierra Nevada

Fresno, Visalia, Sonora

Decomposed granite and rocky loam, hot dry summers in the foothills, snow above roughly 3,000 feet.

Sonoran Basin and Range

Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa

Rocky, alkaline desert soils, 3–12 inches of biseasonal rainfall, the hottest summers in the United States.

Southeastern Plains

Richmond, Raleigh, Columbia

Sandy to loamy soils over rolling terrain, 45–55 inches of rain spread through the year, hot humid summers and mild winters.

Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains

Rockford, Milwaukee, Madison

Rich loam over glacial till, 32–36 inches of precipitation, cold snowy winters and warm humid summers, generally reliable moisture.

Southern California Mountains

San Bernardino, Big Bear Lake, Idyllwild

Granitic, rocky slope soils, 15–40 inches of annual precipitation with snow above roughly 5,000 feet, long dry summers.

Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim

Sandy loam to clay soils, 10–15 inches of winter rainfall, mild year-round temperatures, marine influence near the coast.

Southern Coastal Plain

Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa

Sandy, fast-draining soils over a high water table, 50–60 inches of rain concentrated in summer, mild winters with little or no frost.

Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Naples

Sand and limestone over a very high water table, 50–65 inches of rain concentrated May through October, no frost, hurricane exposure.

Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains

Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo

Sandy to loamy glacial till with kettle lakes and wetlands, 32–38 inches of precipitation, cold snowy winters and warm summers.

Southern Rockies

Durango, Santa Fe, Steamboat Springs

Thin rocky soils on steep terrain, 15–40 inches of precipitation depending on elevation, deep snow, intense sun, cold nights.

Southwestern Tablelands

Pueblo, Raton, Trinidad

Shallow rocky soils over sandstone and shale breaks, 13–20 inches of rain mostly in spring and summer storms, high wind, wide swings.

Western Allegheny Plateau

Pittsburgh, Columbus, Charleston

Acidic soils on steep wooded slopes, 38–45 inches of rain, cold winters and humid summers, and a great deal of shade.

Western Corn Belt Plains

Des Moines, Omaha, Cedar Rapids

Deep black prairie loam, 28–38 inches of rain falling mostly in the growing season, cold windy winters, hot humid summers.

Toxic to Dogs: Avoid in Yards With Pets (6)

These plants are commonly sold at US garden centers but are flagged toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Each page includes symptoms, the (888) 426-4435 hotline, and a recommended dog-safe native swap.

Turn these plants into a yard plan

Pollinator Patch takes you from browsing native plants to a real front-yard plan: pick species suited to your region, arrange them, and get a layout you can print and share. Free on iPhone, Android, and the web.