Chapter 4 Native Plants for Landscape Use In Kentucky A publication of the Louisville Water Company Wellhead Protection Plan, Phase III Source Reduction Grant # X9-96479407-0 Chapter 4 Native Plants for Landscape Use in Kentucky Native Wildflowers and Ferns The U. S. Department of Transportation, (US DOT), has developed a listing of native plants, (ferns, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees), that may be used in landscaping in the State of Kentucky. Other agencies have also developed listings of native plants, which have been integrated into the list within this guidebook. While this list is, by no means, a complete report of the native species that may be found in Kentucky, it offers a starting point for additional research, should the homeowner wish to find additional KY native plants for use in a landscape design, or to check if a plant is native to the State. A reference book titled Wildflowers and Ferns of Kentucky, which was recommended by personnel at the Salato Wildlife Center as an excellent reference for native plants, was also used to develop the list. (A full bibliography is listed at the end of this chapter.) While many horticultural and botanical experts may dispute the inclusion of specific plants on the listing, or wish to add more plants, the list represents the latest information available for research, by the amateur, at the time. The information listed within the list was taken at face value, and no judgment calls were made about the suitability of plants for the list. The author makes no claims as to the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of this list. It is unknown at this time where seeds or live plants of the native species listed may be obtained. A partial list of nurseries, etc., in Kentucky where native plants may be purchased has been prepared and is contained in Chapter 5. Additional agencies, societies, and universities have been noted at the end of this discussion, should the homeowner wish for additional information. Research into these plants should be performed by using the scientific name. The listings within the table are color coded to facilitate understanding the list. Plants have been listed in alphabetical order by scientific name, and in general categories. ♦ Common Name entries highlighted in green, indicates that the listing was confirmed by additional sources as being native to Kentucky; ♦ Common Name entries highlighted in blue, indicates that the listing has been previously confirmed, and is included within this guidebook; ♦ Scientific Name entries highlighted in green also indicates that the scientific or latin name was confirmed by additional resources as being native to Kentucky; ♦ Scientific Name entries highlighted in blue also indicates that the scientific or Latin name was confirmed previously, and has been included within this guidebook; and ♦ Any Common or Scientific Name entry that is black is listed as a wildflower or fern that is found in Kentucky, but may or may not be native to the state. The information is not available to us at this time to make that determination. Refer to Chapter 7, Index, to find the plant names that are highlighted in blue. Not all plants listed in the guide were included in the list because some plants within the guide are difficult to find in the Louisville, Kentucky area, are considered to be invasive exotic plants, or are considered to be weeds, or non-native plants. Native Shrubs and Trees Shrubs and trees native to the state were listed by the US DOT, as well. Both lists were confirmed by Chapter 4 Page 1 Native Plants Available for Landscape Use in Kentucky using additional reference materials, such as the US Department of Agriculture, (USDA), state agencies, (i.e. the Kentucky Plant Council), and other reference materials, which are listed at the end of the chapter. All species that were found on at least two lists were used and highlighted in green. Entries highlighted in blue indicate that the shrub or tree is mentioned within this guide, either as a toxic plant, or as undesirable by Louisville Metro Government. This guide does not specifically discuss trees and shrubs, as it is out of the scope of the project, other than invasive, toxic or other unwanted species. Many of the trees and shrubs may be purchased as seedlings or as small trees from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. This agency offers many services including bundled trees available for planting, individual trees for purchase, seedlings, and/or batches of native trees for larger native plantings. In addition, trees and shrubs that are native to the state may often be purchased from the local nursery. These species are naturally hardy and easy to care for, and are a part of the usual merchandise of the areas. Before planting the native trees and shrubs, make sure that they are allowed according to zoning restrictions within your city or town. Also, make sure that the trees and shrubs are not listed as a toxic or other unwanted species, which is discussed within this guide, and, prior to purchase, insure that the Scientific or Latin name matches that discussed here. Additional research on native trees and shrubs may be accomplished by contacting the agencies listed at the end of the chapter, or by consulting any of the reference books or web sites listed at the end of the chapter. No claim is made as to the completeness of the listing. It is as accurate as is possible, with the information currently available to us at this time. Again, the listing reflects the results of the research completed to date, and makes no claim based on opinions of professional horticulturists, botanists, foresters, silvaculturists, or Department of Agriculture or Fish and Wildlife personnel. The listing is designed to serve as a starting point for the homeowner’s selection of native species. Table I - Listing of Native Plants of Kentucky Type Name Scientific Name Ferns* Southern Maidenhair Fern Adiatum capillus-veneris Northern Maidenhair Fern Adiatum pedatum Bradley’s Spleenwort Asplenium bradleyi Scott’s Spleenwort Asplenium ebenoides Mountain Spleenwort Asplenium montanum Lobed Spleenwort Asplenium pinnatifidum Ebony Spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron Blackstem Spleenwort Asplenium resiliens Walking Fern Asplenium rhizophyllum Wall rue Asplenium ruta-muraria Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes Lady Fern Athryrium fillix-femina Cut-leaf Grape Fern Botrychium dissectum Rattlesnake Fern Botrychium virginianum Bladder Fern Cystopteris bulbifera Fragile Fern Cystopteris protusa Tennessee Bladder Fern Cystopteris tennesseeensis Hay-scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula Silvery Glade Fern Deparia acrostichoides Glade Fern Diplazium pycnocarpon Chapter 4 Page 2 Native Plants Available for Landscape Use in Kentucky Table I - Listing of Native Plants of Kentucky, (con.) Type Name Scientific Name Ferns*, (con.) Goldie’s Wood Fern Dryopteris goldiana Wood Fern Dryopteris intermedia Marginal Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis Sensitive Fern, Bead Fern Onoclea sensibilis Adder’s Tongue Fern Ophioglossum engelmannii Adder’s Tongue Fern Ophioglossum pycnostichum Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea Interrupted Fern Osmunda claytoniana Royal Fern Osmunda regalis Broad Beech Fern Phegopteris hexagonoptera Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides New York Fern, Tapering Fern Thelypteris novaboracensis Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustrus Blunt-lobed Woodsia Woodsia obtusa Netted Chain Fern Woodwardia areolata Annuals/Biennials American Bellflower, Tall Bellflower* Campanula americanum Annual Fleabane Erigeron annuus Common Sunflower Helianthus annuus Pale Lobelia, Spiked Lobelia* Lobelia spicata Common Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis Black-eyed Susan* Rudbeckia hirta Butterweed Senecio glabellus Perennials Sweet Flag, Calamus* Acorus calamus White Baneberry*, Doll’s Eyes, Baneberry Actaea pachypoda Purple Gerardia Agalinis purpurea Slender Garardia Agalinis tenuifolia Giant Hyssop Agastache nepetoides American or False Aloe* Agave virginica White Snakeroot Ageratina rugosum Southern Agrimony Agrimonia parviflora Downy Agrimony Agrimonia pubescens Woodland Agrimony Agrimonia rostellata Colic Root Aletris farinosa Southern Water Plantain Alisma subcordatum Wild Garlic* Allium canadense Nodding Onion* Allium cernuum Wild Leek Allium tricoccum Wild Onion* Allium vinaele Hog Peanut Amphicarpaea bracteata Bluestar* Amsonia tabernaemontana Canada Anemone, Meadow Anemone* Anemone canadensis Wood Anemone Anemone quinquefolila Thimbleweed, Thimbleflower,Tall Anemone* Anemone virginiana Rue Anemone* Anemonella thalictroides Hairy Angelica* Angelica venosa Chapter 4 Page 3 Native Plants Available for Landscape Use in Kentucky Table I - Listing of Native Plants of Kentucky, (con.) Type Name Scientific Name Perennials, (con.) Pussytoes, Everlasting Antennaria plantaginifolia One-flowered Pussytoes Antennaria solitaria Groundnut Apios americana Puttyroot Aplectrum hyemale Indian Hemp, Dogbane* Apocynum cannabinum Columbine* Aquilegia canadensis Smooth Rock Cress Arabis laevigata Hairy Rock Cress Arabis hirsuta Lyre-leaved Rock Cress Arabis lyrata Missouri Rock Cress Arabis missouriensis Rock Cress Arabis perstellata Apikenard Aralia racemosa Green Dragon* Arisaema dracontium Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Indian Turnip* Arisaema triphyllum Goatsbeard* Aruncus dioicus Wild Ginger* Asarum canadense Clasping Milkweed Asclepias amplexicaulus Poke Milkweed Asclepias exaltata Prairie Milkweed Asclepias hirtella Swamp Milkweed* Asclepias incarnata Smoothseed Milkweed Asclepias perennis Purple Milkweed* Asclepias purpurascen,