Native Iowa Landscaping Plants

Bottle Gentian

• "Weird looking" and "striking" is how Illinois Wildflowers describes the bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii). An erect perennial wildflower of Iowa wetlands, the bottle gentian requires fertile damp soil in which to grow. The plant grows to 2 feet, with one or more unbranched stems rising from the ground. At the top is the flower clusters, resembling miniature, purple bottles arranged in a circle. The flowers appear as if they are large buds that forgot to open. The best way to mix bottle gentians into your landscape is to select a damp area and plant potted specimens in it. Bottle gentians attract bumblebees, as they are hefty enough to make their way into the flower to collect its nectar.

Eastern Wahoo

• You can use the Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) in bird gardens, woodland gardens or as a screen for privacy or as a hedge. This small tree/large shrub native to the damp habitats of Iowa's forests will grow to 20 feet and has a reputation for bright red berries and excellent fall foliage. Eastern wahoo possesses leaves that are dark green in spring and summer, but take on reddish shades in autumn. The flowers result in red fruit that birds and other forms of wildlife cannot resist. Be aware that every part of this Iowa plant is toxic if eaten. Despite growing near streams and in moist places, Eastern wahoo will not grow if the ground is saturated and drains poorly, warns the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Bur Oak

• The bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is an Iowa native species suitable for large open landscapes as a shade or specimen tree. In Iowa, bur oak occurs on the drier upland hillsides, preferring full sunshine locations and growing well in alkaline soils. The tree grows to 80 feet, with dark-green leaves up to 10 inches that turn a yellow-brown hue in fall. The acorns have a scaly cap covering half of their length. Bur oak has a gray-brown bark that the University of Connecticut Plant Database calls distinct. As the bur oak grows, its canopy of branches will spread to the point where it almost equals the tree's height.

Prairie Blazing Star

• As tall as 4 feet, the prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya) is a perennial that forms clumps. Growing wild in the prairies, woodlands, roadsides and fields of the Midwest, including Iowa, this plant produces puffy, fluffy lavender flower heads atop stalks featuring dense foliage. Prairie blazing star blooms during July and August, with the flowers and subsequent seeds attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds. Use this Iowa native in cut flower gardens, wildflower gardens and in naturalized areas, recommends the Missouri Botanical Garden.