Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

While it can be tempting to ornate our gardens and landscapes with beautiful plants that are invasive to Kentucky, many gorgeous species are native to the area. Not only do native plants support regional biodiversity and ecological systems in place for wildlife, but they require less work as they are adapted to the local climate. As spring has started to show herself, see which ones you can find out and about!

Wild Blue Phlox phlox divaricata – Ground Cover Tiny blue and light purple flowers could take the place of lawn grass that requires lots of maintenance. Wikimedia Commons
Rusty Blackhaw viburnum rufidulum – Tree In the spring, this tree blooms white flowers, but in the fall, they bloom maroon. Jay Sturner – Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Redbud cercis canadensis – Tree This tree blooms pink flowers from March to May, and shouldn’t be confused with its western twin, which likes the drier climates of California and Arizona. Famartin – Wikimedia Commons
Coral Honeysuckle lonicera sempervirens – Vine A hummingbird’s true love. You’ll find other pollinators attracted to this beauty as well. Famartin – Wikimedia Commons
Crossvine bignonia capreolata – Vine You’ll see these large, golden flowers starting in March, on a vine that can climb up to 50 feet. Melissa McMasters – Flickr
Wild Hydrangea hydrangea arborescens – Shrub These bloom midsummer and have short-lived, heavy white flowers. Fritzflohrreynolds – Wikimedia Commons
Great Blue Lobelia lobelia siphilitica – Flower Overdosing this plant could kill you, but this plant earned its somewhat suggestive name because Native Americans used to think it could treat syphilis. Eric Hunt – Wikimedia Commons
Spicebush lindera benzoin – Shrub Spot little yellow flowers on this bush in April before they evolve into their spicy-scented selves. Dan Keck – Wikimedia Commons
Swamp Milkweed asclepias incarnata – Flower Because Louisville used to be swamplands, you might find this guy even in the muddiest conditions. Teune- Wikimedia Commons
New England Aster symphyotrichum novae-angliae – Flower This daisy-like flower blooms in fall and is an excellent pollinator, especially for monarch butterflies. The Cosmonaut – Wikimedia Commons
Sensitive Fern onoclea sensibilis KY Native Fern Ryan Hodnett – Wikimedia Commons

Do you have a news tip?

SEND A NEWS TIP

Subscribe to LEO Weekly Newsletters

Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.

Signup

By clicking “subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.

Subscribe to LEO Weekly Newsletters

Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.

To sign up now, enter your email address in the field below and click the Subscribe button.

By clicking “Subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.

Kelsey Knott is a freelance writer, former educator, and published poet who has called Louisville home for the last 12 years. When she's not reading or playing Animal Crossing, you'll find her cozied up...