Indiana Wildlife Federation
A brief word about
invasive exotic plants:

While sometimes attractive, non-native plants that are introduced into the Hoosier environment pose a threat to existing, established plant life. Some exotics are able to grow exponentially, starving out native plant life. This rapid growth in turn disturbs the natural food chain for wildlife in our state.
Invasive Exotics
to avoid:
Purple loosestrive, Lithrum
Burning Bush, Euonymus
Highbush Cranberry, Viburmum opulus (don't confuse with native American Cranberrybush, V. trilobum )
Reed Canary Grass, Phalaris
Honeysuckle species including:
Japanese, Lonicera japonica
Amur, L. maackii
Tartarian, L. tatarica

Morrow, L morrowii

NWF

 
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NATIVE INDIANA PLANTS

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NATIVE INDIANA PLANTS tolerate the soil and weather conditions in our area. They require less fertilizer, fewer pesticides, and less water. Native plants are necessary for healthy wildlife populations and help prevent the spread of invasive, exotic species.

On this page, you will find native trees, shrubs, vines, and nectar plants appropriate for your Wildlife Habitat.

redMaple
The Red Maple is a beautiful and popular native Hoosier tree. It's colorful Fall foliage display makes it a favorite, and a perfect addition to your Wildlife Habitat!
NATIVE TREES
EVERGREEN:
Eastern Red Cedar,
Juniperus virginiana
Hemlock,
Tsuga canadensis
White Pine,
Pinus strobus
DECIDUOUS:
Hackberry,
Celtis occidentalis
Tulip Poplar,
Liriodendron tulipifera
Shagbark Hickory,
Carya ovata
Red Maple,
Acer rubrum
Oaks,
Quercus (all spp.)
Redbud,
Cercis canadensis
Black Gum,
Nyssa sylvatica

NATIVE SHRUBS
Serviceberry, Amelanchier
New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus
Spicebush, Lindera benzoin
Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius
Sumac, Rhus
Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis
Gray Dogwood, Cornus racemosa
Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum
Virginia Sweetspire, Itea virginica
Winterberry Holly, Ilex verticillata
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus
Coralberries, Symphoricarpos
Viburnums, Viburnum (most spp.)
elderberry
Elderberry

trumpet creeper
Trumpet Creeper
NATIVE VINES

Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus

Trumpet Creeper, Campsis radicans
Wooly Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia

NATIVE NECTAR PLANTS

Nearly every blooming tree, shrub, perennial, or annual will provide some nectar for butterflies. This list includes favorites in many habitats:

Redbud, Cercis canadensis
Aster, Aster spp.
Dogwood, Cornus spp.
Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
Bee balm, Monarda spp.
Phlox, Phlox spp.
Liatris, Liatris spp.
Purple Coneflower, Echinacea
Summer Sweet, Clethra
asters
White Aster

LARVAL FOOD SOURCES
Nectar only meets part butterflies' food requirements. Many species lay their eggs only on specific plants, and to keep these butterflies in your habitat, one needs to provide their larval, or caterpillar, food as well.

Monarchs are common and particularly interesting butterflies. Their migration to Mexico can be followed on Monarch Watch. Attract them to your yard with their specific larval food, any of five kinds of Milkweed: common, showy, swamp, butterfly weed, or annual Blood Flower.

Pesticides ravage butterflies, their eggs, and caterpillars when sprayed on flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawns. Try to accept some damage on your leaves rather than using chemicals.

 

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cypress trees of southern Indiana
The list of native plant life is Indiana is long. Some plants are very common, while others are endangered. All can be threatened by invasive species if we do not diligently keep their populations under control.

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