Support Us Button Widget

Become an expert on native flowers

Keep local love growing with local plants.

Black-eyed Susan flowers

City Editor Ally spotted these beauties in the Greenbush neighborhood. | Photo by 608today

Table of Contents

You love local food, music, business, and art — so while you’re planning your garden, why not choose local plants, too?

Recently, the US Department of Agriculture released an updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map — a resource that gardeners and growers across the country can use to determine which perennial plants can grow in their area. The interactive map was last updated in 2012, so this newest version has been 10+ years in the making.

Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, provide sustenance to native wildlife, and save water by thriving on normal rainfall. Plus, they’re more visually diverse than, say, lawn grass.

Consider planting some Wisconsin florae of your own, we’ll get you started with these native flowers that can thrive in the fall.

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Water needs: Moist, Dry
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: March-November

Growing tips: Black-eyed susan can become aggressive without competition, so consider planting it alongside other plants on this list.

Attracts: Birds, butterflies (Bordered Patch + Gorgone Checkerspot)

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Water needs: Moist, dry
Light needs: Sun, shade, part-shade
Bloom time: May-September

Growing tips: Butterfly Milkweed attracts aphids, which you can deal with by spraying with soapy water, blasting with high-pressure streams, or by leaving the aphids for ladybugs.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies (Monarch + Grey Hairstreak)

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Water needs: Dry
Light needs: Sun, part-shade
Bloom time: April-September

Growing tips: Purple coneflower thrives in lean soil with ~six hours of direct sunlight daily.

Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies

Blazing Star

Liatris pycnostachya

Water needs: Medium (high drought tolerance)
Light needs: Sun
Bloom time: June-Dec.

Growing tips: This flower thrives in temperatures ranging from 55 to 75º.

Attracts: Butterflies

More from 608today
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 11 places to play golf around Madison are sure to make for a good round.
Check out these 14 yoga opportunities around Madison which offer beginner classes, memberships, hot yoga, and more.
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city.
Prepare for fall weather in Madison with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
Check out these brunch restaurants, cafes, and diners in Madison, serving a variety of egg dishes, mimosas, bloody marys, and more.
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
Football season is upon us, and we have the need-to-know info about the Badgers + how to make the most out of game days.
Here’s what makes Madison a great sports city.
From lifting weights, indoor rock climbing, personal training, dance fitness, boxing classes, and martial arts programs — we’ve rounded up some gyms and fitness offerings around Madison.
Consider these our Hollywood signs.