- Best Native Plants for Your New Hampshire Yard<\/a>
- 1. Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Labrador Violet (Viola labradorica)<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum)<\/a><\/li>
- 9. White Oak (Quercus alba)<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Plants vs. Non-Natives<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About Native Plants of New Hampshire<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Best Native Plants for Your New Hampshire Yard<\/h2>
1. Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Black-tupelo.jpg\")
Photo Credit: yujie chen<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Among the most attractive trees in the U.S., black tupelo<\/a>, also known as black gum, is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 50 feet tall. Black tupelo grows best in full sun and prefers moist soil with good drainage. The leaves are dark green in summer and bright red in fall. <\/p>
Black tupelo has a dioecious flowering habit, which means a male and female tree are required to produce fruits. Bees love the nectar from the flowers. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Tree<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Dark green in summer and bright red in fall<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Sandy, clay, rich, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Non-toxic<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Blue-Cohosh.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: H. Zell<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Best grown in partial shade, blue cohosh<\/a> prefers moist soil with good drainage. It looks beautiful with its blue-green foliage and blooms during spring, producing bright yellow flowers. The flowers mature into bright blue berries during fall.<\/p>
Blue cohosh attracts bees and flies when in full bloom. Grow this plant cautiously, as it’s toxic to humans and pets. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Herb<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 3 feet tall and a foot wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Blue-green, with bright yellow flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Rich, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
3. Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Eupatorium-perfoliatum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: H. Zell<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This herb looks beautiful with clusters of small, aromatic, off-white flowers. Boneset<\/a> blooms from late summer to fall and attracts butterflies and bees. Boneset requires little maintenance and can grow up to 6 feet. It can also prevent deer from entering your lawn. <\/p>
Boneset grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist soil with good drainage. Historically, American Indians and European settlers used boneset to treat colds and fevers. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Herb<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial <\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Green, with off-white flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Sandy, clay, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
4. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"round](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/rsz_5849383481_49bf5bed7d_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: WIDTTF<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A distinctive shrub with aromatic, tubular, spiky white flowers, buttonbush can grow up to 12 feet tall. It’s a fast-growing plant that blooms from early summer to early fall. Buttonbush<\/a> grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade. Bees and butterflies love the shrub\u2019s flowers. <\/p>
Buttonbush prefers moist soil with good drainage. It contains cephalathin, making it toxic to humans and pets. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Shrub<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Dark green, with white flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Sandy, clay, moist, well-drained soil <\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
5. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Vaccinium_corymbosum_Beeren-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Darkone<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Highbush blueberry is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. It grows upright and looks distinctive, with reddish-green spring leaves that turn to blue-green in summer and red in fall. Highbush blueberry<\/a> requires around an inch of water during fruit development and not more than that. Overwatering can damage the shrub.<\/p>
Highbush blueberry grows best in full sun and can tolerate partial shade. It prefers moist soil with good drainage. Highbush blueberry blooms throughout the spring and early summer, producing bell-shaped white flowers with a pink hue. Butterflies, bees, and birds love them. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Shrub<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Reddish-green in spring, blue-green in summer, and red in fall. White flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Non-toxic<\/li> <\/ul>
6. Labrador Violet (Viola labradorica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Viola-labradorica.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecie\u0144, Nova<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> An attractive, long-blooming, low-growing perennial, labrador violet<\/a> prefers moist soil with good drainage. It blooms from mid-spring to late summer, producing heart-shaped, purple-tinged flowers that birds and butterflies love. You can deadhead to extend blooming even further. <\/p>
Labrador violet requires about six hours of direct sunlight a day to thrive. It can also tolerate partial shade. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Herb<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 0.5 feet tall and just as wide <\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Greenish purple, with purple-tinged flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Sandy, loamy, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Non-toxic<\/li> <\/ul>
7. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Caltha-palustris.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: H. Zell<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Blooming from early spring to mid-summer, marsh marigold produces clusters of bright yellow flowers that syrphid flies and bees love. It grows best under full sun and prefers moist, acidic soil with good drainage. Marsh marigold<\/a> is also deer-resistant. <\/p>
Marsh marigolds feature kidney-shaped, glossy green leaves. This plant is toxic to humans and pets, as the leaves contain protoanemonin. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Herb<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Green, with bright yellow flowers <\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Rich, moist, acidic, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
8. Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Acer-spicatum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A small understory tree, mountain maple grows best under full sun and prefers moist soil with good drainage. It looks beautiful with its medium-green foliage. The leaves turn reddish-orange during fall. Mountain maple<\/a> can resist diseases and insects. <\/p>
Mountain maple blooms during spring, producing clusters of upright spikes of yellow flowers. The tree\u2019s bark is used in leather tanning.<\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Tree<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide <\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Medium green, with yellow flowers<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Rich, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
9. White Oak (Quercus alba<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"from](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/White-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Colin Durfee<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This attractive tree grows dark green leaves that turn red during fall. It’s a large deciduous hardwood that grows up to 100 feet in height and 90 feet wide. Be sure to plan for enough space in your landscaping before planting this tree. White oak<\/a> is commonly used for making furniture. <\/p>
White oak comfortably lasts 500 to 600 years. However, it grows at a rate of 2 feet per year, which is pretty slow. White oak is prone to many diseases and pests. <\/p>
- Growth habit: <\/strong>Tree<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 100 feet tall and 90 feet wide<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage: <\/strong>Dark green in summer and red in fall<\/li>
- Sunlight needs: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil preferences: <\/strong>Sandy, moist, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Water needs: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential hazards: <\/strong>Toxic to humans and pets<\/li> <\/ul>
10. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata<\/em>)<\/h3>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 100 feet tall and 90 feet wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide <\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 0.5 feet tall and just as wide <\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 3 feet tall and a foot wide<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>Up to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide<\/li>
- 2. Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)<\/a><\/li>