If you’re planning to revamp your garden, choosing the right plants is key. Luckily, there are plenty of common plants in Pennsylvania that are perfect for creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape.
Native plants—those that have been growing here long before European settlers arrived—are your best bet.
They are perfectly adapted to the local climate and support native pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. They also require less water and maintenance, which is a big win for landscaping in State College, PA.
In this blog, you’ll find a guide to the best native trees, shrubs, native perennials, and more. From moist soil lovers like Virginia bluebells to drought-tolerant plants like butterfly weed, these plants are easy to care for and will bring natural beauty to your landscape.
(You might also want to read up on native vines here: Native Vines Pennsylvania Is Known For)
Key Takeaways
Pennsylvania native plants are low-maintenance, eco-friendly, and perfectly suited to support local wildlife.
Choosing native plants helps create sustainable landscapes that thrive in wet soils or drought conditions.
Landscape II makes it easy to design beautiful, low-maintenance gardens with Pennsylvania's best native species.
Why Native Plants are Perfect for Your Landscape
Want a garden that looks great, supports nature, and is easy to maintain? Go for Pennsylvania native plants.
Let’s dig into why native plants should be your go-to for landscaping.
Low maintenance, high reward
The best thing about native plant species? They don’t ask for much.
Since they’re used to Pennsylvania’s wet soil and drought swings, they’ll need less watering, fertilizing, and pest control. That means fewer headaches for you and more beauty for your yard.
Support local wildlife
By planting native plants, you’re doing your part to help out local wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and native bees rely on the food and shelter that native perennials and trees provide.
Plants like cardinal flowers and wild blue phlox add vibrant color to your garden, as well as attract beneficial insects that help keep your ecosystem healthy.
Tough and sustainable
Native species are built to last. Their deep roots help stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and thrive in both moist soils and dry conditions.
Need something for full sun? Go with butterfly weed. Have a shady, damp spot? Virginia bluebells and wild ginger are perfect. These plants adapt easily, needing little care or soil amendments.
Choosing native plants also means less need for fertilizers and water while avoiding invasive non-native species. It’s a simple way to help both your garden and the environment.
(Need more ideas? This insightful read will help you create a beautiful garden on a budget.)
Top Pennsylvania Native Plants to Add to Your Landscape
These beautiful, low-maintenance Pennsylvania native plants will add color and texture to your yard while supporting the local ecosystem. Here’s a look at some of the best options to incorporate into your landscape.
Native trees
1. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)
The eastern white pine is the gentle giant of Pennsylvania’s native evergreen trees. With its soft needles and towering height, it’s a great choice for creating natural privacy or offering year-round greenery.
This tree does best in full sun and provides a habitat for local birds looking for shelter. It’s a must-have for adding depth and texture to your space, no matter the season.
2. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
If you’re looking to brighten up your yard with some white flowers in early spring, the flowering dogwood delivers every time.
This tree is a burst of beauty with its delicate blossoms, followed by striking red berries that appear in the fall. Not only does it add a pop of color, but it also attracts local birds. Its rounded growth habit makes it a charming addition to smaller spaces or as a focal point in a garden bed.
3. Red maple (Acer rubrum)
The red maple brings autumn to life with its fiery red and orange leaves in early fall. It thrives in moist soils, which makes it a top pick for areas with more water or along stream banks.
Known for its strong, vibrant branches, this native tree is both beautiful and practical and offers cooling shade during the hot summer months while adding an extra layer of texture to your landscape. Its dramatic fall show is something to look forward to every year.
Native shrubs
4. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Looking for a splash of color as the weather cools down? Winterberry is a deciduous shrub that lights up in early fall with vibrant red berries that attract local birds.
It can tolerate wet soil and is a perfect choice for areas that stay moist or swampy. The bright berries stand out against bare branches in winter, adding beauty and life to the landscape during the colder months.
5. Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Summersweet fills your garden with fragrant flowers in late summer when many other plants have stopped blooming. Its dense, upright stems are perfect for creating natural borders or adding height to garden beds.
This shrub thrives in part shade and wet soils and is ideal for those tricky areas in your garden where other plants might struggle. Its blooms’ sweet scent will attract pollinators, so you can expect a garden buzzing with life throughout the season.
6. Northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Northern Spicebush is a perfect choice for those shaded, wooded areas in your yard. With its dark green leaves that give off a delightful fragrance when crushed, this deciduous shrub brings a sensory experience to your garden.
Aside from its beauty, it’s also a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly and provides essential food for caterpillars. This shrub does well in partial shade and is ideal for woodland gardens or spots with part shade.
Here's a list of more shrubs that thrive in the Pennsylvania climate: Top Pennsylvania Flowering Shrubs for Stunning Landscapes
Native perennials
7. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
With its brilliant orange flowers, butterfly weed is a standout native perennial plant that thrives in full sun and drought-tolerant conditions.
This hardy plant is perfect for dry areas in your garden, and its vibrant blooms attract Monarch butterflies, making it a must-have for pollinator-friendly gardens.
8. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Known for its striking tall spikes of bright red blooms in late summer, the cardinal flower is a great addition to gardens with moist soils. It thrives near water features or in areas that stay damp, adding bold color while attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
9. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Virginia bluebells bring a soft touch to woodland gardens with their delicate, light blue flowers that bloom in early spring. These perennials thrive in partial shade and moist soil, which makes them ideal for shaded areas under trees or along stream banks.
10. Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata)
For a low-growing groundcover that’s perfect for part shade to full sun, wild blue phlox offers a carpet of soft blue flowers in late spring. This herbaceous perennial is well-suited for woodland gardens and provides a splash of color while supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Native grasses
11. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass combines beauty and function effortlessly. Its tall, feathery flower heads add movement and texture to your landscape while its deep roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
This drought-tolerant grass is perfect for areas needing minimal care but maximum impact. Ideal for filling large spaces or reinforcing slopes, switchgrass adapts well to various conditions and makes a stunning, low-maintenance addition to any garden.
12. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
For a pop of color in the fall, little bluestem is the perfect grass. Its slender blades start out a soft blue-green in summer and turn into fiery shades of red and orange as autumn arrives.
Thriving in full sun and fertile soil, this grass is a natural fit for meadows or open spaces. It adds color and texture throughout the year and is a great choice for naturalizing areas by providing a habitat for native species.
Native ferns
13. Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
With its tall, arching fronds and vibrant green color, the Cinnamon Fern is a standout in shaded, damp spots. It grows best in rich, moist soil, particularly near stream banks or wooded areas.
As the fronds develop in early summer, they add height and visual appeal to the landscape. Its cinnamon-colored spore fronds provide a unique contrast among the greenery and bring a natural elegance to any shaded garden.
14. Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
The Sensitive Fern is perfect for quickly covering shaded areas. This fern spreads easily and offers a thick, leafy ground cover that brings rich texture to woodland gardens.
While its name refers to its sensitivity to frost, this Pennsylvania native plant is a hardy choice throughout the warmer months as it adds depth and character to areas that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Wildflowers
15. Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)
Black-Eyed Susan is a garden classic. Known for its vibrant yellow flowers that bloom from early summer to early fall, it handles both moist and dry conditions.
Plus, it attracts butterflies and adds color and life to your garden. Its bright flower heads are easy to care for, giving your landscape a sunny boost with little effort.
16. Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
With its tall, golden spires, Showy Goldenrod lights up your garden in late summer. This hardy plant does well in both moist soil and dry areas and provides height and texture while attracting native bees and other pollinators.
The bold yellow flowers make it a standout in wildflower gardens or borders and bring warmth and charm to your space as summer fades.
Need a little more help in planning your garden? You can consult with landscape professionals to find which plants will suit your garden best.
Why Choose Native Plants Over Non-Native Species
Non-native plants may look appealing, but they often need extra water, fertilizers, and maintenance to thrive. Worse, they can become invasive, crowding out native plants and supporting fewer species of local wildlife like pollinators and birds.
In contrast, native plants are naturally adapted to the local environment, requiring less care while supporting native species.
Choosing Pennsylvania’s native plants helps create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden that benefits your landscape and the ecosystem. It’s also an eco-friendly way to follow responsible landscaping techniques.
Native Plant Gardens Made Easy—Trust Landscape II
Creating a beautiful garden with Pennsylvania native plants doesn’t have to be complicated. If you're looking for a low-maintenance yard that thrives in the local climate and still looks amazing, Landscape II is here to help.
With over 50 years of experience, we know how to design landscapes that highlight the natural beauty of native species while fitting perfectly into your space.
From tackling wet soil challenges to selecting the perfect combination of woody trees and yellow flowers, we handle every step. Our team of landscape specialists will make sure your yard is not only beautiful but also easy to care for and beneficial to local wildlife. Call Landscape II today, and let’s bring your native garden vision to life.
Summary
Incorporating Pennsylvania native plants into your garden is a rewarding way to add natural beauty while supporting local ecosystems.
Imagine the vibrant yellow flowers of Black-Eyed Susans swaying in the breeze or the lush dark green leaves of spicebush providing shelter for native wildlife. These plants look stunning and are perfectly adapted to the environment, which makes them low-maintenance and sustainable.
Transforming your yard into a space that benefits you and the environment is easier than you think. Let Landscape II design a native plant garden that’s both beautiful and also a sanctuary for pollinators and local species. Looking for budget-friendly ways to enhance your yard? Check out our blog, '14 Low-Cost, Cheap, Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants is Pennsylvania known for?
Pennsylvania is known for its diverse array of native plants, including black-eyed susans, cardinal flowers, and Virginia bluebells.
Many native trees, such as the eastern white pine and flowering dogwood, as well as native perennials like butterfly weed and wild blue phlox, are also common throughout the state.
Want more ideas? Check out our blog on the Best Landscaping Plants in PA.
How many plants are native to Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to approximately 2,100 native plants. These include a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and ferns that have thrived in the state long before the arrival of European settlers.
What is the native tree of Pennsylvania?
The eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is the official native tree of Pennsylvania. Known for its evergreen needles and graceful appearance, it plays a crucial role in providing habitat for wildlife and stabilizing soils in forested areas.
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