Vermont Native Flowers: 9 Gorgeous Species for a Vibrant Garden

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Nestled in the northeastern part of the North America, Vermont is one of the six states that collectively form the picturesque New England region. The state is celebrated for its diverse array of landscapes, extensive forests and scenic waterways, making it a biodiversity hub. Vermont aka Green Mountain state experiences the typical New England climate with warm summers and cold winters that shaped up the native trees and plants to adapt to these temperature extremes.
What makes Vermont special is the breathtaking seasonal transitions it offers, particularly during fall. The iconic sugar maple (Acer Saccharum), the state tree, paints the hillsides with a remarkable display of color-changing foliage, ranging from bright yellow to burnt orange. Adding to this beauty is the state flower, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), that grows in the countryside forming a beautiful purple carpet while attracting plenty of honeybees with its nectar-rich flowers. Along with coping up with the changing weather conditions, the plant species in Vermont contribute to the ecological richness of this region.
In this post, we will introduce you to 9 Beautiful Vermont Native Flowers that combine beauty with functionality. Whether your yard is soaked in full sun or tucked in shade, there's a plant that can easily thrive.
But before we dive in...
What are Native Plants?

Vermont native plants are indigenous species that have historically thrived in the westernmost edge of the New England region which we now call "Vermont". These plants have been present in the area long before the European settlers arrived and have adapted well to the specific climatic conditions of the region. In addition to supporting the livelihoods of native residents, these plants have cultivated intricate relationships with local wildlife, serving as vital food sources for insects, birds, and animals. They also stand as an essential component of the region's ecosystems.
Integrating Vermont's native plants into your garden is a thoughtful way to create vibrant outdoor spaces that double as havens for local wildlife. By selecting to grow these species you can design a water-wise garden that is free from chemicals and requires minimal maintenance. You can also develop a sense of environmental stewardship and enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing a healthy landscape within your surroundings.
Why are Vermont Native Plants Important?

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, on private land, we've removed the native trees and herbaceous perennial plants which our local wildlife needs and have replaced them with non native plants that do little or nothing to help.

In contrast, the trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants that are native to specific areas are especially well-adapted to provide food sources and shelter for many beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife. Native vegetation helps int recycling nutrients into the soil more efficiently, and retain more storm water than any kind of turf grass. Many species of native plants can survive in poor soil conditions, are drought tolerant and deer resistant once established, which also makes them a great choice for most gardeners. By simply planting native plants of Vermont to garden beds or other landscaping efforts, we can directly help to reduce atmospheric CO2, create fertile soil, and reestablish a healthy local ecosystem.
Vermont Native Plants for Landscaping
Below, I share just a handful of Vermont native plants, and split them into two major groups based on sun exposure: Full Sun and Partial Shade. Each one of the flowering plants listed will attract bees, butterflies, and many other beneficial insects and wildlife; and all can be found in My Home Park's pre-designed gardens for Vermont.
Full Sun
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia Cardinalis

Cardinal Fflower is vibrant perennial known for its remarkable ability to attract pollinators, especially hummingbirds. Its vibrant scarlet red hue makes it a favorite pick in any native plant garden as it adds a lively burst of color to a landscape. The tubular, lance-shaped flower arrangements appearing in mid to late summer, resemble small nectar cups that create an irresistible allure for the nectar-loving creatures.
With an impressive height of 2-4 feet tall, Cardinal Flower commands attention in any garden setting, making it a good fit for borders and perennial beds. While it has a preference for moisture-rich environments, the plant can tolerate a range of soil types, making it a versatile addition to a garden.
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

New England Aster stands out as one of the most beautiful wildflowers native to the US. During late summer to fall, the plant produces daisy-like blooms that appear in vibrant colors like violet, blue, purple and even pink. Being a late-season bloomer, it becomes a valuable resource of food for pollinators and beneficial insects, offering nectar and pollen when other flowers are scarce. The unique lance-shaped leaves with hairy undersides add an extra layer of charm to its appearance.
Also, the modest height of 3-6 feet adds a nice vertical dimension to the garden and works well for mixed plantings and borders. This species thrives in full sun and needs about 6-8 hours of daily sun exposure. Planting in moist, well-draining soils rewards gardeners with optimal blooms.
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata

Garden Phlox is a classic favorite in any native plant garden, celebrated for its showy flowers which emerge in mid summer to early fall. The flowers characterized by five petals, come in an exquisite array of colors like pink, lavender, red and white. Adding to the visual spectacle is the subtle fragrance that creates a delightful sensory experience for onlookers while attracting scores of pollinators. The narrow elliptical green foliage compliments the vibrant flowers and create a beautiful harmony of color.
With an upright growth of a modest 2-4 feet height, Garden Phlox works well for creating a garden focal point without overwhelming the surrounding flora. The plant prefers sunny spots with well-draining, moist soils for optimal growth.
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed is a showy wildflower that is known for attracting different species of butterflies, particularly the monarch butterflies. The bright orange, nectar-rich flowers appear from early to late summer and offer a beautiful contrast to the stiff, dark green foliage. With a bushy growth and a modest height of 1-1.5 feet tall, the plant makes for a best choice for perennial beds and borders.
This native beauty thrives well in sunny areas and requires well-draining soils with moderate watering. It is also well-suited for mass plantings to create a vibrant carpet of color and support numerous pollinators in your garden.
False Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides

False Sunflower, also called Oxeye Sunflower or Early Sunflower, is often confused with the true sunflower due to the striking visual similarities (hence the name 'false'). Part of its scientific name, "helianthoides" translates to "sunflower-like". The plant is recognized for its rapid growth and can reach a height of 3-5 feet to create a warm presence in the garden. In summer this species erupts with daisy-like, buttery yellow flowers and will often remain in bloom all the way through early fall.
False Sunflower makes for a great addition to a native plant garden as it supports many beneficial insects and pollinators. It thrives in well-draining soils and requires minimal watering once established. The plant also benefits from deadheading to achieve a tidy appearance.
Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearly everlasting is a native perennial that belongs to the Aster family. The plant grows up to 2 feet tall and produces small clusters of delicate flowers that last from summer through winter. These button-like flowers emerge from the wooly silverish green stems and feature pearly-white petals surrounding yellow centers. Even as the stems dry out, the flowers retain their timeless beauty justifying its common name 'Pearly everlasting'. Their remarkable ability to retain color and form makes them a sought-after choice for dry floral arrangements. Apart from its aesthetic appeal, the plant also acts as a host for butterfly species like the Painted Lady and American Lady. One can easily grow this native gem in a full sun to part shade region with well-draining soil types.
Part Shade
White Baneberry
Actaea pachypoda

White Baneberry is one of the native wildflowers of North America which can provide year-long visual interest to any landscape. It produces clusters of beautiful white flowers during spring, that transition into white berries which last from summer until winter. From a distance, these berries look like pearly white beads and resemble doll's eyes with their deep purple dots, explaining the plant's other names White Beads, Doll's Eyes. Do note that these berries are poisonous to humans and animals, and act as food sources for only a few types of birds.
The plant has a modest height of 2-4 feet and works as a tall ground cover when planted in groups. It is a moisture loving plant that prefers well-draining soils and grows best in shade gardens or areas with dappled sunlight
Jacob's Ladder
Polemonium reptans

Jacob's Ladder is a robust perennial loved by garden enthusiasts for its low-maintenance and resilient nature. The plant has a creeping habit and its lush green leaves grow in a ladder like fashion resembling the description of the ladder in the biblical Jacob's dream, explaining its common name. It can reach heights of 1-3 feet tall with a spread of 1.5 feet to 2 feet. Complimenting its unique foliage are clusters of bell-like flowers in hues of blue or lavender which emerge from mid spring through summer. Along with adding beauty to a garden, these blooms also attract a wide variety of beneficial insects.
The plant exhibits a self seeding nature and requires very minimal care once established. It can thrive in different soil types as long as they offer good drainage. Grow it in shady spots and keep it away from direct sun to avoid scorching its leaves.
Yellow Giant Hyssop
Agastache nepetoides

Yellow giant hyssop is an attractive perennial that commands attention with its nearly 6 feet height. Between mid summer to fall, the plant produces clusters of pale yellow flowers that gracefully emerge from the stiff green stems. While not as showy as the other wildflowers, these blooms play a crucial role in supporting the needs of the local pollinators. The real charm of the plant lies in its arrow-shaped green leaves with serrated edges that can add a burst of liveliness to any landscape.
Yellow giant hyssop is tolerant of a variety of soil types and grows well in partial shade gardens. It is one of those non aggressive, non invasive plants which is easy to grow and control, despite the self seeding nature.
What You Can Do Today?

If you live in Vermont, My Home Park offers low maintenance, pre-designed gardens that bring together diverse sets of native plants produced by expert, organic growers. These gardens are designed to bloom from early Spring to Fall, beautifying your landscape while supporting wildlife. Check out our catalog for Vermont or in any of the other states we serve to get started today!
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