Native gardens are definitely having a moment. There’s a good reason for their popularity: They help create a landscape that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable, low-maintenance, and well-suited to life in the Nutmeg State. One of the easiest ways to join this worthy trend is by planting non-invasive flowers and shrubs — plants that have naturally adapted to Connecticut’s climate and soil.
These plants also help support and protect our local ecosystem. Native plants provide food for pollinators and other essential wildlife. Invasive plants are the popular flowers and shrubs at the garden center because they’re so pretty. But invasives like burning bush and multiflora roses can kill off important native plants by crowding them out — hoarding the nutrients they need to survive, taking over root systems, and ultimately making the environment less hospitable. When our native plants fail to grow, bees, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife lose their food sources, negatively impacting the entire ecosystem.
Whether you’ve got full sun, deep shade, or a mix of both, there are plenty of native plants that will thrive in your yard. These non-invasive beauties will also support pollinators, birds, and local biodiversity.
Our favorite sun-loving native plants
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) A classic garden favorite, purple coneflower produces long-lasting pinkish-purple blooms from mid-summer into fall. It attracts butterflies and bees and thrives in full sun. Bonus: It’s also naturally repellent to deer.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Milkweed is a monarch magnet. This bright orange variety is particularly eye-catching and blooms from May through September. It prefers dry, sunny spots and offers bold color with minimal upkeep. It’s perfect for borders and tolerant to drought.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)Tough, cheerful, and drought-tolerant, these cheerful, golden-yellow perennials light up sunny borders and wildflower gardens from late summer into early fall. They’re a great alternative to non-native marigolds, mums, and sunflowers.
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) The late blooming aster brings deep purple to pink flowers just when other plants are fading, and it’s a vital food source for pollinators in early autumn. It’s also a favorite of goldfinches, who love to eat the aster’s seeds.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) Also known as sweet pepperbush, this fragrant, deciduous shrub produces white or pink flower spikes in mid to late summer and thrives in sun to part shade. It’s deer-resistant, and relatively pest-free — and it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Native picks for shadier spots
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) The columbine’s delicate red-and-yellow hanging flowers bloom from spring to early summer. This pretty perennial wildflower is perfect for partial shade and more natural, woodland-style gardens.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) An earlier bloomer, this low-growing perennial makes for a lush groundcover. Its heart-shaped leaves and delicate white or pink flower spikes grow in spring, and it thrives in shade and moist soil.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) Bluebells are a spring favorite that bursts into bloom with soft blue flowers in April or May, then go dormant in summer. They’re especially great for shaded beds and under trees. Habitat destruction has threatened the bluebell, so planting this pretty flower in your garden will benefit the species.
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) This deciduous shrub brings early yellow flowers in spring and — as a bonus — bright yellow fall foliage. It grows well in partial shade. If you love garden guests, the spicebush attracts both native birds and spicebush swallowtail butterflies.
Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) This native viburnum delivers joy throughout the year, with delicate white flowers in spring, berries in summer, and deep purple foliage in fall. It’s an adaptable shrub that handles shade well and supports a variety of wildlife.
Why choose native plants?
Native plants are beautiful, but they’re also a smart choice for the environment and your convenience. Because they’ve adapted to our climate and ecosystem, these plants naturally:
- Require less water and fertilizer
- Resist pests and diseases better
- Support local pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects
- Help preserve Connecticut’s unique ecological balance
Ultimately, choosing native plants over non-native actually protects our local ecosystem, while also making your garden easier to care for.
No matter your property’s conditions — sunny, shady, or somewhere in between — you can find a beautiful variety of native flowers and shrubs that are sure to flourish. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re always here to help.
