Green Roof or Rooftop Garden Plant List

Many commercial landscapers recommend succulents (mostly Sedums, which are non-native), because of the high rate of evaporation/transpiration on a rooftop due to sun and wind. Prairie plants for dry soil may also be used, especially those with shorter root systems. These plants are very well adapted to hot, windy, dry conditions (the prairie in August). On top of City Hall in Chicago (11 stories up) there are 20,000 plants of more than 100 species, including shrubs, vines and even two trees! Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Junegrass, Koeleria macrantha Lupine, Lupine perennis Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparius Dotted Mint, Monarda punctata Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus Wild Petunia, Ruellia humilis New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus Wild Stonecrop, Sedum ternatum White Prairie Clover, Dalea candida Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

Hummingbird Garden Plant List

Dry Soil Medium Soil Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Downy Phlox, Phlox pilosa New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus amercanus Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Wild Petunia, Ruellia humilis Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Royal Catchfly, Silene regia Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis Moist Soil Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis Wild Iris, Iris shrevei Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Monkeyflower, Mimulus ringens Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Marsh Phlox, Phlox glaberrima Palm Sedge, Carex muskingumensis

Wild Bergamot

Butterfly Garden Plant List

Dry Soil Medium Soil Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Leadplant, Amorpha canescens Nodding Wild Onion, Allium cernuum Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus Sky Blue Aster. Aster azureus Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Stiff Aster, Aster ptarmicoides New England Aster, Aster novea-angliae Downy Sunflower, Helianthus mollis Lanceleaf Coreopsis. Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Pale Purple coneflower, Echinacea pallida Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallid Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Lupine, Lupinus perennis Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Dotted Mint, Monarda punctata Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Sweet Black-eyed Susan, R. subtomentosa Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Wild Petunia, Ruella humilis Ohio Goldenrod,Solidago ohioensis Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Junegrass, Koeleria macrantha Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Little Bluestem, Andropogon scopariu Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis

Common Milkweed

Prairie Plant List 1 Dry Soil—Short Prairie Medium Soil—Short Prairie Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Leadplant, Amorpha canescens Nodding Wild Onion, Allium cernuum Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Stiff Aster, Aster ptarmicoides New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallid Shooting Star, Dodecatheon meadia Roundhead Bushclover, Lespedeza capitata Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Lupine, Lupinus perennis Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium Dotted Mint, Monarda punctata Roundhead Bushclover, Lespedeza capitata Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Wild Petunia, Ruella humilis Wild Quinine, Parthenium integrifolium Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa Solomon’s Seal, Polygonatum biflorum Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Junegrass, Koeleria macrantha Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Prairie Dropseed, Sporobolus heterolepis

Shooting Star

Prairie Plant List 2

Dry Soil—Tall Prairie Medium Soil—Tall Prairie Leadplant, Amphora canescens Nodding Wild Onion, Allium cernuum Butterflyweed, Asclepias tuberosa Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Sky Blue Aster, Aster azureus New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis Hairy Aster, Aster pilosus Blue False Indigo, Baptisia australis Stiff Aster, Aster ptarmicoides White False Indigo, Baptisia lactea Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Purple PrairieClover, Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallid Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida Showy Sunflower, Helianthus laetiflorus Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Downy Sunflower, Helianthus mollis Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yucciflorium Roundhead Bushclover, Lespedeza capitata Ox Eye Sunflower, Helianthus helianthoides Rough Blazingstar, Liatris aspera Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Lupine, Lupinus perennis Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Wild Quinine, Parthenium integrifolium Dotted Mint, Monarda punctata Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Sweet Black-eyed Susan, R. subtomentosa Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckis triloba Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa Compassplant, Siliphium laciniatum Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Prairie Dock, Siliphium terebinthinaceum Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans Moist Soil—Tall Prairie Nodding Wild Onion, Allium cernuum Blue Flag Iris, Iris versicolor Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata Wild Iris, Iris shrevei New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Pale Indian Plantain, Cacalia atriplicifolia Dense Blazingstar, Liatris spicata Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Canada Tick Trefoil, Desmodium canadense Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Dogtooth Daisy, Helenium autumnale Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Ox Eye Sunflower, Helianthus helianthoides Rosinweed, Siliphium integrifolium

Moist Soil—Tall Prairie continued Cupplant, Siliphium perfoliatum Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Prairie Dock, Siliphium terebinthinaceum Bottlebrush Sedge, Carex comosa Ohio Goldenrod, Solidago ohioensis Porcupine Sedge, Carex hystericina Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Awl Fruited Sedge, Carex stipata Blue Vervain, Verbena hastate Fox Sedge, Carex vulpinoidea Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculate Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum Virginia Wild Rye, Elymus virginicus Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum Dark Green Bulrush, Scirpus atrovirens Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans Prairie Cordgrass, Spartina pectinata

Woodland Plant List Partial to Full Shade Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis Jacob’s Ladder, Polemonium reptans Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum Solomon’s Seal, Polygonatum biflorum Calico Aster, Aster lateriflorus Northern Sea OatsChasmanthium latifolium Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica Palm Sedge, Carex muskingumensis Wild Blue Phlox, Phlox divaricata

Open Woodland/Savanna/Edge Plant List

Partial Sun and Partial Shade Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Solomon’s Seal, Polygonatum biflorum Jack in the Pulpit, Arisaema triphyllum Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckis hirta Calico Aster, Aster lateriflorus Sweet Black-eyed Susan, R. subtomentosa Blue False Indigo, Baptisa australis Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba White False Indigo, Baptisa lactea False Solomon’s Seal, Smilacina racemosa Pale Indian Plantain, Cacalia atriplicifolia Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum Tall Bellflower, Campanula americana Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea Shootingstar, Dodecatheon meadia Viriginia Wild Rye, Elymus virgatum Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Silky Wild Rye, Elymus villosus Sweet Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum Bottlebrush Grass, Hystrix patula Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis

Rain Garden and Detention Basin Plant List Medium soil—Full Sun Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnate Sweet Black-eyed Susan, R. subtomentosa New England Aster, Aster novea-angliae Cupplant, Siliphium perfoliatum White False Indigo, Baptisa lacteal Ohio Goldenrod, Solidago ohioensis Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculata Prairie Smoke, Geum triflorum Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Palm Sedge, Carex muskingumensis Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Fox Sedge, Carex vulpinoidea Marsh Phlox, Phlox glaberrima Indian Grass, Sorghastrum nutans Downy Phlox, Phlox pilosa Moist Soil—Full Sun Nodding Wild Onion, Allium cernuum Blue Flag Iris, Iris versicolor Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata Wild Iris, Iris shrevei New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae Prairie Blazingstar, Liatris pycnostachya Pale Indian Plantain, Cacalia atriplicifolia Dense Blazingstar, Liatris spicata Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica Canada Tick Trefoil, Desmodium canadense Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Dogtooth Daisy, Helenium autumnale Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Ox Eye Sunflower, Helianthus helianthoides Rosinweed, Siliphium integrifolium Cupplant, Siliphium perfoliatum Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Prairie Dock, Siliphium terebinthinaceum Bottlebrush Sedge, Carex comosa Ohio Goldenrod, Solidago ohioensis Porcupine Sedge, Carex hystericina Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Awl Fruited Sedge, Carex stipata Blue Vervain, Verbena hastate Fox Sedge, Carex vulpinoidea Ironweed, Vernonia fasciculate Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum Virginia Wild Rye, Elymus virginicus Golden Alexander, Zizia aurea Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum Dark Green Bulrush, Scirpus atrovirens Prairie Cord Grass, Spartina pectinata Indian Grass,Sorghastrum nutans

Bioswale and Ravine—Erosion Control Plant List Dry Soil Medium Soil Smooth Aster, Aster laevis Lavender Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Hairy Aster, Aster pilosus New England Aster, Aster novea-angliae Stiff Aster, Aster ptamicoides Hairy Aster, Aster pilosus Canada Milk Vetch, Astragalus canadensis Blue False Indigo, Baptisa australis Partridge Pea, Cassia fasciculate White False Indigo, Baptisa lactea Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Pale Indian Plantain, Cacalia atriplicifolia Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Partridge Pea, Cassia fasciculata Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida Wild Senna Cassia hebecarpa Showy Sunflower, Helianthus laetiflorus Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata Roundhead Bushclover, Lespedeza capitata Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea Lupine, Lupinus perennis Canada Tick Trefoil, Desmodium canadense Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Showy Sunflower, Helianthus laetiflorus Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Downy Sunflower, Helianthus mollis Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Ox Eye Sunflower, Helianthus helianthoides Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa Showy goldenrod, Solidago speciosa Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Sweet Black-eyed Susan, R.subtomentosa Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Compassplant , Siliphium laciniatum Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans Big Bluestem, Andropogon gerardi Sideoats Grama, Bouteloua curtipendula Canada Wild Rye, Elymus canadensis Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum Little Bluestem, Andropogon scoparium Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans

Container and Planter Plant List

Below is a list of native plants by Genus name that may be suitable for your container. Check the planting label at the nursery to see which ones would be the most ideal for your container location. U—indicates upright or taller plants that provide the “thrill” in your container M—indicates plants that have a mounding habit, providing the “filler” in your pot T—indicates trailing plants that will overflow your container and be the “spillers” Aquilegia (U)—Columbines such as Wild Columbine Aster (U,M)—Asters such as Stiff Aster, Hairy Aster and Smooth Aster Campanula (U,M,T)—Bellflowers such as Tall Bellflower and Marsh Bellflower Carex (U,M)—Sedges such as Palm Sedge and Fox Sedge Coreopsis (U)—Coreopsis such as Stiff Coreopsis and Sand Coreopsis Echinacea (U)—Coneflowers such as Purple coneflower and Pale Purple Coneflower Eleocharis (U,M)—Spike Rushes such as Blunt Spike Rush and Needle Spike rush Equisetum (U)—Horsetails such as Scouring Rush and Pipes Eragrostis (U,M)—Love Grasses such as Creeping Love Grass and Purple Love Grass Erigeron (U,M)—Fleabanes such as Annual Fleabane and Daisy Fleabane Ferns (U,M)—Maidenhair Fern, and Marsh Shield Fern Gaillardia (U)—Blanket Flowers Geum (M)—Prairie Smoke Gentiana (U,M)—Gentians such as Yellow Gentian, Bottle Gentian and Stiff Gentian Helenium (U)—Sneezeweeds Helianthus (U)—Sunflowers such as Petioled Sunflower Heuchera (M)—Coralbells such as Alumroot Juncus (U,M)—Rushes such as Common Rush and Path Rush Lobelia (M)—Lobelias such as Great Blue and Cardinal Flower Oxalis (M)—Wood Sorrels such as violet Wood Sorrel and Common Wood Sorrel Polygonum (U)—Smartweeds such as Water Heartease and Water Smartweed Ranunculus (M)—Buttercups such as Creeping Buttercup and Swamp Buttercup Rudbeckia (U)—The Susans such as Black-eyed Susan or Brown-eyed Susan Sporobolus (M,T)—Prairie Dropseed Veronica (U)—Speedwells such as Purslane Speedwell Vines (T)—Virginia Creeper, Wild Grape , Virgin’s Bower, Trumpet Vine Viola (M)—Violets such as Smooth Yellow Violet, Common Blue Violet and Hairy Wood Violet Zizia (U)—Golden Alexanders

Pond and Wetland Plant List Pond Submerged—totally underwater Marginal—shallow water (2”), mud or edge Fanwwort—Cabonba caroliniana Common Water Plantain—Alisma subcordatum Hornwort, Coontail—Ceratophyllum demersum Sedges—Carex spp. Anacharis, Com. Waterweed—Elodea anadensis Rushes—Juncus sp Am. Eelgrass, Wild Celery—Vallisneria americana Arrow Arum—Peltandra virginic

Water Smartweed—Polygonum amphibium Emergent—root in bottom, but some foliage Great Bulrush—Scirpus validus is above water level Common Bur Reed—Sparganium eurycarpum Sweet Flag—Acorun calamus Scouring Rush—Equisetem hyemale Floating—grow on surface with roots, hanging Blue Flag Iris—Iris virginica in the water American Lotus—Nelumbo lutea Floating Manna Grass—Glyceria septentrioralis American Water Lily—Nyphea tuberose Small Duckweed—Lemna minor Pickerelweed—Pontederia cordata Floating Hearts—Nymphoides cordata Pondweeds—Potamogeton spp. Common Water Meal—Wolffia columbiana Arrowheads—Sagittaria spp. Narrow-leaf Cattail—Typha angustifolia Broad-leaf Cattail—Typha latifolia Wetland Trees and Shrubs Grasses, Sedges and Rushes Glossy Black Chokeberry—Aronia melanocarpa Big Bluestem—Andropogon gerardi River Birch—Betula nigra Blue Joint Grass—Calamagrostis Canadensis New Jersey Tea—Ceanothus americanus Brown Fox Sedge—Carex vulpinoedea Hackberry—Celtis occidentalis Lance-Fruited Oval Sedge—Carex scoparia Buttonbush—Cephalanthus occidentalis Silky Wild Rye—Elymus villosus Dogwoods—Cornus spp. Rice Cut Grass—Leersia oryzoides Hawthorns—Crataegus spp. Switch Grass—Panicum virgatum Winterberry—Ibex verticellata Great Bulrush—Scirpus atrovirens American Larch, Tamarack—Larix laricina Dark Green Bulrush—Scripus validus Red Mulberry—Morus rubra Prairie Cord Grass—Spartina pectinata Eastern Cottonwood—Populus deltoids Prairie Dropseed—Sporobolus pectinata Shrubby Cinquefoil--Potentilla fruiticosa Swamp White Oak--Quercus bicolor American Black Currant--Ribes americanum Pussy Willow--Salix discolor Sandbar Willow--Salix interior Black Willow--Salix nigra Elderberries--Sambucus spp. Narrow-leaf Meadowsweet--Spirea alba American Basswood, Linden--Tilia americana

Forbs Swamp Milkweed--Asclepias incarnata Canadian Milk Vetch--Astragalus canadensi Tickseed Sunflower--Bidens aristos Marsh Marigold--Caltha palustris Turtlehead--Chelone glabra Spotted Joe Pye Weed--Eupatorium maculatum Common Boneset--Eupatorium perfoliatum Sweet Joe Pye Weed--Eupatorium purpureum Queen of the Prairie--Filipendula rubra Gentians--Gentiana spp. Sneezeweed--Helenium autumnale Ox Eye Sunflower--Heliopsis helianthoides Spotted Jewelweed--Impatiens capensis Wild Blue Iris--Iris shrevei Blue Flag Iris--Iris versicolor Dense Blazing Star, Gayfeather--Liatrus spicat Cardinal Flowe--Lobelia cardinalis Great Blue Lobelia--Lobelia siphilitica Common Water Horehound--Lycopus americanus Monkeyflowe--Mimulus ringen Obedient Weed--Physostegia virginiana Mountainmint--Pycnanthemum virginianum Sweet Black-eyed Susan--Rudbeckia subtomentosum Goldenrods--Solidago spp.

Also check entries under Moist Prairies and Rain Gardens