Lincoln, NE 68516
For gardeners in Lincoln, Nebraska, selecting native plants can create a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that benefits pollinators and other animals. This curated list of 25 native plants, including perennial forbs, annual forbs, grasses, shrubs, and small trees, offers a diverse selection of species well-suited to the Central Great Plains ecoregion. Each plant has been chosen for its high value to wildlife, contribution to garden aesthetics, and ease of cultivation for home gardeners.
Perennial Forbs
Perennial forbs form the backbone of many native plant gardens, offering long-lasting beauty and ecological benefits. In Lincoln, Nebraska, several species stand out for their adaptability and wildlife value:
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Attracts butterflies and bees, provides seeds for birds, and offers long-lasting summer blooms
- Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Essential host plant for monarch butterflies, produces vibrant orange flowers, and thrives in poor soils
- Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) – Drought-tolerant with distinctive drooping petals, attracts pollinators and provides winter interest
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Fragrant lavender flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, naturalizes well in prairie settings
- Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) – Tall spikes of purple flowers attract butterflies and add vertical interest to gardens
- Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) – Thrives in moist areas, supports monarchs, and attracts various pollinators with pink flower clusters
- Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) – Tall, sunflower-like blooms serve as beacons for pollinators and provide seeds for birds
- Blue Sage (Salvia azurea) – Late-season blue flowers provide crucial nectar for migrating butterflies and hummingbirds
- Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) – Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies with clusters of white flowers
Annual Forbs
Annual forbs play a crucial role in native plant gardens, providing quick color and attracting pollinators throughout the growing season. Several species are particularly well-suited to Lincoln’s climate and ecosystem:
- Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) – This legume produces yellow flowers that attract bees and butterflies, while its seeds provide food for birds and small mammals
- Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) – Featuring daisy-like yellow and maroon flowers, this plant attracts a variety of pollinators and is drought-tolerant
- Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) – A iconic prairie plant that provides abundant seeds for birds and supports numerous pollinators with its large flower heads
- Spider Milkweed (Asclepias viridis) – An important host plant for monarch butterflies, with unique greenish-white flowers that attract various pollinators
- Prairie Larkspur (Delphinium virescens) – Tall spikes of white to pale blue flowers attract hummingbirds and long-tongued bees
Native Grasses
Native grasses are essential components of the Great Plains ecosystem, providing food, shelter, and nesting materials for wildlife while also contributing to soil health and erosion control. In Lincoln, Nebraska, several grass species are particularly well-suited for native plant gardens:
- Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) – Features unique oat-like seed heads that attract birds and small mammals, while its clumping habit adds texture to gardens
- Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) – Forms fine-textured mounds with delicate, arching foliage and fragrant flower panicles that attract butterflies
- Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) – A tall, golden-plumed grass that provides excellent winter cover for wildlife and seeds for birds
- Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) – A low-growing, drought-tolerant grass with distinctive eyelash-like seed heads that attract birds
Shrubs and Trees
These woody plants provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, mammals, and insects throughout the year. Here are some excellent choices for the Central Great Plains ecoregion:
- Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) – Produces white flowers in spring that attract pollinators, followed by dark berries favored by birds, especially northern cardinals
- Black Currant (Ribes nigrum) – Offers long-lasting fruit for birds and small mammals, while its flowers support bees and other pollinators
- Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) – Features white flower clusters in spring that attract butterflies, followed by blue-black berries eaten by birds and small mammals
- Western Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) – Produces early spring flowers important for native bees, followed by berries enjoyed by various bird species
- Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – Offers unique fall blooms that support late-season pollinators and dense foliage for bird habitat
- Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) – Provides early spring flowers for pollinators and summer fruits for birds and mammals
- Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) – A larger tree that offers nesting sites for birds and supports various pollinators with its fragrant blooms
