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New Hampshire Native Plants: 12 Awesome Perennials for Your Yard

Written by: Wyatt Shell
Posted: October 7, 2024
balsam fir trees on a mountain top

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New Hampshire is a gorgeous New England state, renowned for its beautiful and mountainous landscapes, deep woods, and rocky shoreline. New Hampshire is also home to some awesome native plants, some of which you might see every day. Did you know the Granite State's native trees, like the mighty White Pine (Pinus strobus), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), and beautiful Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) are all native to this region? As ubiquitous as these giants might be, they are just a handful of the hundreds of native New Hampshire plants. In this post, I'll walk you through a collection of just 12 of these species, focusing on a handful that act as beautiful, low maintenance additions to your landscape or garden that will offer amazing positive impacts on your local ecosystem. But first, let's dig into what native plants actually are.

New Hampshire Native Plants

a painted lady butterfly on a colony of prairie everlasting

Put simply, plants native to New Hampshire are those species that have grown in the area defined by that state's lines (and across much of eastern North America) for many thousands of years. This means that the native plants we interact with today - like those seen at native plant sales in your area - are the descendants of ancestral species that were growing in and supporting New Hampshire's ecosystems long before the arrival of European colonists. In that huge amount of time, these species have become uniquely well-adapted to thrive in New Hampshire, from the White Mountains to the coast, while providing critical wildlife habitat. Some of these species also happen to be amazing plants for the home yard, requiring far less maintenance than lawns or other ornamental plants, and improving the look and ecological value of your home.

Why are native plants important?

a large expanse of felled trees

As we describe in all of our state posts, there has been an ongoing and incredible loss of animal life worldwide over the past 150 years. This is a tragedy that has affected almost every major group of wildlife, including the many bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial pollinators that allow our natural world to function. A leading driver of this crash is land mismanagement: as humans, we've spent far too long removing the native trees and herbaceous perennial plants our local ecosystems need to function well and replacing them with other plants that do little or nothing to help. These plants include everything from ornamental flowers, shrubs, or trees from far away, to monocultural crops like lawns.

a monarch butterfly feeding on a purple aster flower

By contrast, because they have existed in the same area for thousands of years, any native plants are well adapted to the local climate and typically provide food and shelter for many wildlife species, including the pollinators, other beneficial insects, and birds we love to see in our yards. Many species of native plants can survive in poor soils and are drought tolerant and deer resistant once established. Simply by choosing plants that are native for our rain gardens, cottage gardens, and other flower beds, we can directly help to improve soil health and reestablish a healthy habitat with excellent wildlife value. New Hampshire is actually well ahead of the curve in this regard, having passed the Native Plant Protection Act back in 1987, which specifically states that native plant species should be protected and conserved throughout the state.

New Hampshire Plants for Landscaping

Below, I share a handful of New Hampshire native plants, and split them into three major categories: Full Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade. Each one of these native species will support many beneficial insects and some can be found, along with other New Hampshire native plants, in My Home Park's pre-designed gardens for New Hampshire.

Native Plants for Full Sun

Bee Balm

Monarda fistulosa

a cluster of wild bergamot flowers

Even if you're new to native plants, there's a good chance you've heard of Bee Balm (also called Wild Bergamot), which is one of many herbaceous perennials native to New Hampshire and many other parts of North America. This is an incredibly adaptable plant that will tolerate most soil types (except very wet soil) and will thrive so long as it gets enough sun. Its lovely lavender flowers will attract butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds during its mid summer bloom. Easy to maintain, this plant requires only rare division to keep in one place.

Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

purple blooms of anise hyssop

While not technically native beyond the upper Midwest, Anise Hyssop (also called Lavender Hyssop) has become an extremely popular and "honorary" native in many regions of eastern North America and beyond. This plant is a certifiable pollinator powerhouse, meaning tons of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects will visit; and, with its fragrant foliage and very well-behaved growth habit, is justifiably embraced by many ecologically conscientious gardeners across the country. This long blooming plant will offer up gorgeous purple flowers from summer well into Fall.

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

bright orange flowers of butterfly weed

Native to almost every state east of the Rockies, Butterfly Weed is a ubiquitous and amazing herbaceous perennial. Its orange, showy flowers are a welcome addition to native plant gardens with tons of sun and very dry soil. Also called Orange Milkweed or Butterfly Milkweed, this early summer bloomer is a critical host plant for both Queen and Monarch Butterflies.

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

a large carpenter bee feeding on a new england aster

A true stunner in any landscape or garden, New England Aster's profusion of purple flowers are a joy from summer into fall. While monarch caterpillars do not feed on this plant, the adults will fuel up on its nectar before beginning their annual migration to Mexico. This species will thrive in medium to moist soil and full sun to light shade. If it's height ever threatens to overwhelm, stems can be cut back in early June to maintain appearances.

Lowbush Blueberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

lowbush blueberry blossoms on an overcast day

Lowbush Blueberry offers a delightful combination of ecological value and ornamental charm. Its white flowers attract native bees and other pollinators in the spring before maturing into sweet berries that provide vital nourishment for birds and other local wildlife. This low-growing shrub features vibrant red fall color, adding year-round interest to your garden, and thrives in acidic soils with excellent drought resistance. Its compact, ground-hugging form and ecological value makes it ideal for edible landscaping, supporting local biodiversity, or naturalizing sunny, well-drained areas. If Lowbush Blueberry is too short for your liking, its close cousin - Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) - takes on a more traditionally shrub-like growth habit and height.

Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

cheery pink swamp milkweed flower clusters

Much like Butterfly Weed, Swamp Milkweed is a beacon for pollinators, providing critical support as a host plant for Monarch Butterflies and attracting native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its fragrant, pink blooms. Ideal for wetter soils, this resilient perennial thrives in rain gardens or moist sunny areas, making it both ecologically significant and garden-friendly. Its tall, graceful stems and nectar-rich flowers not only beautify the landscape but also contribute to sustaining native wildlife populations.

Native Plants for Partial Shade

Early Figwort

Scrophularia lanceolata

ruddy red early figwort flowers in sunlight

Early Figwort is a hidden gem for pollinator gardens, offering a unique nectar source for native bees, flies, and wasps. Its small, tubular flowers are specially adapted for these beneficial insects, making it an essential ecological player in supporting diverse pollinator communities. This hardy perennial thrives in various soil conditions, displaying impressive drought tolerance and adaptability. With its upright form and understated blooms, it adds a touch of wild charm to naturalized plantings or meadow-style gardens.

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

clustered white flowers of new jersey tea

New Jersey Tea is a compact shrub that offers tremendous ecological value with its clusters of fragrant white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This hardy native also supports birds by providing seeds and serves as a host plant for several butterfly species, including the Spring Azure. With excellent drought resistance and adaptability to a variety of soils, New Jersey Tea makes a resilient addition to sunny garden spots. Its deep roots improve soil health, while its elegant foliage adds structure and beauty to any landscape.

Obedient Plant

Physostegia virginiana

flower spires of obedient plant

Obedient Plant produces playful spikes of tubular pink or white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This perennial thrives in sunny, moist conditions and will spread to create an impressive display, making it a bold addition to wildflower or rain gardens. While its name stems from the ability to bend its flowers and have them stay in place, its vigorous growth habit means it may require a watchful eye in more formal settings. That said, its adaptability, nectar-rich blooms, and ability to support pollinators make it a valuable player in any native garden.

Native Plants for Full Shade

Zigzag Goldenrod

Solidago flexicaulis

bright yellow flowers of zigzag goldenrod

Zigzag Goldenrod brightens shaded garden spaces with sprays of yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects in late summer and fall. This adaptable perennial thrives in partial to full shade, making it a valuable source of nectar when few others are blooming. Deer-resistant and low-maintenance, it can naturalize gracefully while providing ecological support. Its zigzagging stems add visual interest, lending a touch of whimsy to woodland or shaded native plant gardens.

Tall American Bellflower

Campanula americana

blue-violet flowers of tall american bellflower

Tall American Bellflower offers gorgeous blue, star-shaped blooms that rise elegantly on tall stems, providing nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This eye-catching native thrives in medium to moist, sunny to partly shaded spots, bringing height and vertical interest to gardens. Its long blooming season adds color and supports diverse pollinators during summer months. With minimal maintenance needs, it’s a charming and ecologically beneficial choice for wildflower meadows or naturalized garden settings. Bear in mind that, as a biennial, it is important to give this species a chance to spread its seeds to ensure the population sticks around in your yard.

What you can do today

garden tools hanging from an exterior wall in a backyard

If you live in New Hampshire, My Home Park has a collection pre-designed gardens that bring together multiple species of New Hampshire native plants produced by an expert, organic grower in New Hampshire. These gardens are designed to bloom from early spring to early fall, beautifying your landscape while supporting wildlife. Browse and buy kits from our catalog for New Hampshire or explore our offerings for other states in the greater New England region today!

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Garden background for the impact overview.