Native range

Native plants of Rhode Island

124 wild species and 17 plant groups in the BloomsEye library grow wild somewhere in Rhode Island, read from Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS. The 118 garden forms of them are listed apart below, each naming its wild parent.

Showing 1 to 60 of 141 plants

How this list is made

Derived from each plant's native-range record, checked against Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants and USDA PLANTS with every decision on a ledger; Rhode Island is read off the record's own range, and the order is how many of the state's counties record each plant, as stored in the BloomsEye library, which was written with AI assistance. Of these 141 plants, 130 have been checked against outside sources (1 fully verified); the rest have not been checked yet, and each plant's own page says which. The cards are AI-generated illustrations.

Range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 4.0, adapted) and USDA PLANTS. How the native range is credited.

Arrowwood
Viburnum dentatum
Full sunZones 3–88 ftModerate
Black Gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Full sunZones 4–940 ftModerate
Common Pussy Willow
Salix discolor
Full sunZones 2–716 ftModerate
Downy Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
Part sunZones 4–920 ftModerate
Eastern Red Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
Foliage
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Part shadeZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Northern Bayberry
Myrica pensylvanica
Full sunZones 3–77 ftModerate
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
Full sunZones 1–645 ftModerate
Foliage
Red Maple
Acer rubrum
Full sunZones 3–949 ftModerate
Shadblow Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
Part shadeZones 4–824 ftModerate
Silky Dogwood
Cornus amomum
Part shadeZones 4–88.5 ftModerate
Smooth Sumac
Rhus glabra
Full sunZones 3–912 ftModerate
Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Part shadeZones 3–96 ftHigh
Swamp Milkweed
Asclepias incarnata
Full sunZones 3–93.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Full sunZones 4–95 ftLow
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Full sunZones 3–940 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
White Oak
Quercus alba
Full sunZones 3–965 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Full sunZones 3–96.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Full sunZones 3–98.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
American Hazelnut
Corylus americana
Full sunZones 4–910 ftModerate
American Holly
Ilex opaca
Full sunZones 5–935 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
American Hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
Part shadeZones 3–932 ftModerate
American Linden
Tilia americana
Full sunZones 3–870 ftModerate
Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Full sunZones 3–85 ftModerate
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Part sunZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Full shadeZones 3–91.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Part shadeZones 3–93.5 ftHigh
Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Full sunZones 2–957 ftModerate
Common Witch Hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Full sunZones 3–817 ftModerate
Foliage
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Full sunZones 2–945 ftModerate
False Solomon's Seal
Maianthemum racemosum
Part shadeZones 3–82.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Hay Scented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Part shadeZones 3–82 ftModerate
Foliage
Marginal Wood Fern
Dryopteris marginalis
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Mountain Laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Part shadeZones 5–99 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Nannyberry Viburnum
Viburnum lentago
Full sunZones 3–716 ftModerate
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
New York Aster
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Northern Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolor
Full sunZones 3–92.5 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia
Part shadeZones 3–720 ftModerate
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Part shadeZones 3–88 inLow
Possumhaw Viburnum
Viburnum nudum
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Purple Lovegrass
Eragrostis spectabilis
Full sunZones 5–91.5 ftLow
Foliage
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis
Part shadeZones 3–94 ftHigh
Foliage
Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Part shadeZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Soft Rush
Juncus effusus
Full sunZones 4–93 ftHigh
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Part shadeZones 4–99.5 ftModerate
Swamp Azalea
Rhododendron viscosum
Part shadeZones 4–95 ftModerate
Listed as toxic to dogs and cats
White-Tinged Sedge
Carex albicans
Part shadeZones 4–81.5 ftModerate
American Hornbeam
Carpinus caroliniana
Part shadeZones 3–925 ftModerate
American Wintergreen
Gaultheria procumbens
Part shadeZones 3–88 inModerate
Listed as toxic to cats
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Full sunZones 5–98.5 ftModerate
Carolina Rose
Rosa carolina
Full sunZones 4–93.5 ftModerate
Clustered Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
Full sunZones 4–82.5 ftModerate
Foliage
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
Full sunZones 3–859 ftModerate
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Part shadeZones 5–923 ftModerate
Garden Phlox
Phlox paniculata
Full sunZones 4–83.5 ftModerate
Golden Ragwort
Packera aurea
Part shadeZones 3–81.5 ftModerate
Hardy Hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos
Full sunZones 5–94 ftHigh
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
Full sunZones 4–96 ftModerate

Recorded across Rhode Island

How many of the state's 5 counties record each wild species growing wild, from USDA PLANTS: a plant recorded in many counties is widespread in Rhode Island; one recorded in few may be local, or simply under-recorded. A county's absence is not evidence a plant is absent. 109 of the wild species carry a county record here.

Garden forms of Rhode Island natives

118 garden forms, each a named selection of a species that grows wild in Rhode Island and each naming its wild parent. A garden form is not the wild plant, so it is listed here and never counted above.

  • Abbotswood

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Alma Pötschke

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Pötschke' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Alpine Carpet Juniper

    Juniperus communis 'Mondap' · Garden form of Juniperus communis

  • Amazing Grace

    Phlox subulata 'Amazing Grace' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Amber Jubilee

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Jefam' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Amethyst Falls Wisteria

    Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls' · Garden form of Wisteria frutescens

  • Aquavita Juniper

    Juniperus virginiana 'FARROWJVBF' · Garden form of Eastern Red Cedar

  • Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'Farrow' · Garden form of Redosier Dogwood

  • Arctic Fire Yellow Dogwood

    Cornus sericea 'SMNCSBD' · Garden form of Redosier Dogwood

  • Athena Gold False Sunflower

    Heliopsis helianthoides 'Inhelsogia' · Garden form of False Sunflower

  • Baby Joe Dwarf Joe Pye Weed

    Eutrochium purpureum 'Baby Joe' · Garden form of Sweet Joe Pye Weed

  • Bailey Compact American Cranberrybush

    Viburnum opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact' · Garden form of American Cranberrybush Viburnum

  • Berry Heavy

    Ilex verticillata 'Spravy' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Poppins

    Ilex verticillata 'FarrowBPop' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Berry Scape Aronia

    Aronia arbutifolia 'UCONNAA001' · Garden form of Red Chokeberry

  • Blackhawks Big Bluestem

    Andropogon gerardi 'Blackhawks' · Garden form of Big Bluestem

  • Blaze

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Blaze' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Blue Blaze Viburnum

    Viburnum dentatum 'Blubzam' · Garden form of Arrowwood

  • Blue Muffin Viburnum

    Viburnum dentatum 'Christom' · Garden form of Arrowwood

  • Blue Paradise

    Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Bobee Northern Bayberry

    Myrica pensylvanica 'Bobzam' · Garden form of Northern Bayberry

  • Brandywine Viburnum

    Viburnum nudum 'Bulk' · Garden form of Possumhaw Viburnum

  • Bridesmaid Mountain Laurel

    Kalmia latifolia 'Bridesmaid' · Garden form of Mountain Laurel

  • Bright Eyes

    Phlox paniculata 'Bright Eyes' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Bubblegum Pink Garden Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Ditomfra' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Bunny Blue Sedge

    Carex laxiculmis 'Hobb' · Garden form of Carex laxiculmis

  • Candy Stripe

    Phlox subulata 'Candy Stripe' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Carol Mountain Laurel

    Kalmia latifolia 'Carol' · Garden form of Mountain Laurel

  • Carousel Mountain Laurel

    Kalmia latifolia 'Carousel' · Garden form of Mountain Laurel

  • Cheer Drops Arborvitae

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smntdgt' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Cherokee Brave

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Brave' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherokee Chief

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Chief' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherokee Princess

    Cornus florida 'Cherokee Princess' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Cherry Berries Wintergreen

    Gaultheria procumbens 'Gaulsidh5' · Garden form of American Wintergreen

  • Claire Grace

    Monarda fistulosa 'Claire Grace' · Garden form of Wild Bee Balm

  • Cloud Nine

    Cornus florida 'Cloud Nine' · Garden form of Flowering Dogwood

  • Columnar White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Fastigiata' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Coppertina

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Coral Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'Coral Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Crimson Comet Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Smcbm' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Danica

    Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • David

    Phlox paniculata 'David' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • DeGroot's Spire

    Thuja occidentalis 'DeGroot's Spire' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Densa Inkberry

    Ilex glabra 'Densa' · Garden form of Inkberry Holly

  • Deschampsia Goldtau Grass

    Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau' · Garden form of Tufted Hairgrass

  • Diabolo

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Drummond's Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Drummond's Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Dwarf White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Nana' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • Early Sunrise

    Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' · Garden form of Coreopsis grandiflora

  • Elf Mountain Laurel

    Kalmia latifolia 'Elf' · Garden form of Mountain Laurel

  • Emerald Blue

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Emerald Green

    Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Emerald Pink

    Phlox subulata 'Emerald Pink' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Eye Candy Moss Phlox

    Phlox subulata 'Eye Candy' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Eye Shadow Moss Phlox

    Phlox subulata 'Eye Shadow' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Fire Chief

    Thuja occidentalis 'Fire Chief' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Fireworks Goldenrod

    Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' · Garden form of Solidago rugosa

  • Gentsch White

    Tsuga canadensis 'Gentsch White' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Golden Globe

    Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Goldfinger

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Happy Face Yellow

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Happy Face Yellow' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Heavy Metal

    Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Holmstrup

    Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Hummingbird

    Clethra alnifolia 'Hummingbird' · Garden form of Summersweet

  • Jeana

    Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Jeddeloh Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Laura

    Phlox paniculata 'Laura' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Lemony Lace Elderberry

    Sambucus racemosa 'SMNSRD4' · Garden form of Red Elderberry

  • Little Devil

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Luminary Ultraviolet

    Phlox paniculata 'Ultraviolet' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Luna Pink Swirl

    Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna Pink Swirl' · Garden form of Hardy Hibiscus

  • Luna White

    Hibiscus moscheutos 'Luna White' · Garden form of Hardy Hibiscus

  • Major Wheeler

    Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' · Garden form of Coral Honeysuckle

  • Mango Tango

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Mango Tango' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • McKay's White

    Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • New England Aster 'Barr's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Barr's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • New England Aster 'Harrington's Pink'

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Nicky

    Phlox paniculata 'Nicky' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Northwind

    Panicum virgatum 'Northwind' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Nugget

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Nugget' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Orange Perfection

    Phlox paniculata 'Orange Perfection' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Orange Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Orange Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Patricia Ballard

    Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Patricia Ballard' · Garden form of New York Aster

  • Pink Beauty

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Pink Spire

    Clethra alnifolia 'Pink Spire' · Garden form of Summersweet

  • Pink Whisper

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Whisper' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Professor Kippenberg

    Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Professor Anton Kippenberg' · Garden form of New York Aster

  • Purple Beauty

    Phlox subulata 'Purple Beauty' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Purple Dome

    Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' · Garden form of New England Aster

  • Purple Phlox

    Phlox paniculata 'Purple' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Rainbow Pillar

    Amelanchier canadensis 'Rainbow Pillar' · Garden form of Shadblow Serviceberry

  • Red Ace

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Red Sprite

    Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Red Wings

    Phlox subulata 'Red Wings' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Rheingold

    Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Robert Poore

    Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Ruby Spice

    Clethra alnifolia 'Ruby Spice' · Garden form of Summersweet

  • Sarah Mountain Laurel

    Kalmia latifolia 'Sarah' · Garden form of Mountain Laurel

  • Scarlet Flame

    Phlox subulata 'Scarlet Flame' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • Shamrock Inkberry Holly

    Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' · Garden form of Inkberry Holly

  • Shenandoah

    Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' · Garden form of Switchgrass

  • Sixteen Candles

    Clethra alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles' · Garden form of Summersweet

  • Snow Flurry

    Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry' · Garden form of Symphyotrichum ericoides

  • Starfire

    Phlox paniculata 'Starfire' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Sugar Shack Buttonbush

    Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' · Garden form of Buttonbush

  • Summer Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Tangerine

    Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine' · Garden form of Potentilla

  • Techny

    Thuja occidentalis 'Techny' · Garden form of Arborvitae

  • Tiger Eyes Sumac

    Rhus typhina 'Bailtiger' · Garden form of Staghorn Sumac

  • Tiny Wine

    Physocarpus opulifolius 'SMNPOTW' · Garden form of Ninebark

  • Twilight Zone

    Schizachyrium scoparium 'Twilight Zone' · Garden form of Little Bluestem

  • Vanilla Spice

    Clethra alnifolia 'Caleb' · Garden form of Summersweet

  • Weeping Hemlock

    Tsuga canadensis 'Sargentii' · Garden form of Eastern Hemlock

  • Weeping White Pine

    Pinus strobus 'Pendula' · Garden form of Eastern White Pine

  • White Delight

    Phlox subulata 'White Delight' · Garden form of Creeping Phlox

  • White Flame

    Phlox paniculata 'White Flame' · Garden form of Garden Phlox

  • Winter Gold

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Gold' · Garden form of Winterberry

  • Winter Red

    Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' · Garden form of Winterberry

Plant groups native to Rhode Island

17 plant groups sold under one name whose wild species grow in Rhode Island; the count beside each is how many of its wild species the record finds in the state.

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Native to your own county

This page is the whole state. In the free garden planner, enter your ZIP and Garden Check lists these same plants for your location, marks the ones recorded growing wild in your county, and places any of them in your plan; its Browse tab answers for any of the 65 states, provinces and territories with no account.

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