8 Best Native Plants for Rhode Island

Rhode Island, with its vibrant cities like Providence and Newport, is a state that prides itself on its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. And what better way to celebrate this unique blend of city charm and natural splendor than by adorning your surroundings with the 8 best native plants for Rhode Island? 

These extraordinary plants infuse your outdoor space with captivating aesthetics and play a crucial role in preserving the local ecosystem. Let’s take a closer look at the hidden treasures that await in Rhode Island’s diverse landscapes.

Native plants offer the following benefits:

• Adapted to local climate and soil conditions, requiring less maintenance and watering.
• Provide habitat and food for local wildlife, supporting biodiversity.
• Help conserve water resources by reducing the need for irrigation.
• Promote pollination and attract beneficial insects.
• Contribute to the preservation of the local ecosystem and protect against invasive species.

In this article, we’ll cover the following:

• 8 Native Plants for Your Rhode Island Backyard
  1. American Angelica
  2. Red Columbine
  3. Purple Milkweed
  4. Yellow Wild Indigo
  5. Northern Blue Flag
  6. Violet Wood-Sorrel
  7. Bloodroot
  8. White Ash
• How to Choose Native Plants for Your Rhode Island Landscape
• FAQ About Native Rhode Island Plants
• Where to Find Native Plants in Rhode Island

8 Native Plants for Your Rhode Island Yard

1. American Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea)

Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

American angelica adds a touch of elegance to Rhode Island’s landscapes. With its cream-colored, greenish tiny flowers delicately adorning its tall stems, this native marvel is a beauty. As the seasons unfold, the flowers gracefully transition into dry seed-like fruits. Standing tall and proud, it gives any landscape a sense of height and structure.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Clay, clay, loam. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.

Duration: Perennial.

Fragrance: It has a floral sweet scent.

Bloom time: Fall and summer.

Water needs: Medium to wet.

Mature height: 3 – 10 feet

Maintenance: Low. Under optimal growing conditions, the American angelica can be cultivated from seed and even self-seed if the spent flower umbels are left undisturbed.

2. Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Red columbine is a native plant that adds vibrant colors to your landscape. As the early spring unfolds, a spectacle takes center stage as this plant’s red and yellow flowers burst into full bloom. Like nature’s trumpet call, these tubular blossoms beckon hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees to partake in their nectar-filled delights. 

When the flowers have completed their performance, the red columbine transforms, becoming a ground cover that blankets the earth with its foliage. Like a vibrant tapestry woven by nature’s hand, it adds a touch of beauty to any landscape.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.

Duration: Semi-evergreen perennial.

Fragrance: No fragrance.

Bloom time: Spring and summer.

Water needs: Low to moderate.

Mature height: 8 to 10 inches.

Potential hazards: Toxic to humans and animals if ingested. 

Maintenance: Low. Columbine has a self-seeding ability, allowing it to spread and establish new plants effortlessly. In the second year, these seedlings burst into bloom, gracing your garden with another round of flowers.

3. Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)

Photo Credit: Judy Gallagher / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Purple milkweed is the secret ingredient that adds a touch of beauty to Rhode Island’s backyards. Picture a magnificent fashion show of colors, with flowers ranging from regal deep purple to delicate rose-pink, showcasing nature’s most exquisite shades on its botanical runway. 

But there’s more to this beautiful plant than meets the eye. Purple milkweed hosts the monarch butterfly larvae, creating a bustling butterfly hotspot in your garden. With purple milkweed, your Rhode Island yard transforms into a showstopper, turning your outdoor space into a captivating spectacle.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Well-drained.

Duration: Perennial.

Fragrance: It has a lilting honey fragrance

Season of interest: Spring to summer.

Water needs: Low to Moderate.

Mature height: 2 – 3 feet

Potential hazards: Poisonous to humans, pets, and other animals. 

Maintenance: Low. The purple milkweed is a plant that can be pretty invasive. It spreads aggressively through seeds and rhizomes, making it unsuitable for small gardens.

4. Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)

Photo Credit: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Yellow wild indigo is a smooth, upright perennial that stands tall and proud, commanding attention with its striking appearance. Picture clusters of small, bright yellow to cream-colored flowers resembling delicate peas adorning the stems above a lush foliage mound. 

The leaves, reminiscent of clover, are trifoliate and sport a delightful gray-green hue. The yellow wild indigo invites you to turn your garden into a captivating tapestry of yellow shades. 

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Sand. Acid. Moist but well-drained.

Duration: Deciduous perennial.

Fragrance: No fragrance.

Bloom time: Late spring and summer.

Water needs: Dry to moderate.

Mature height: 2 to 3 feet

Potential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals if ingested. 

Maintenance: Low. It is advisable not to relocate this plant once it has established itself. Attempting to grow it from seed may pose a challenge.

5. Northern Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)

Photo Credit: D. Gordon E. Robertson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Prepare to be captivated by the northern blue flag. Its sword-shaped blue-green leaves, clumped together, create a striking visual display. It possesses a mass of enchanting blue, lavender, and white blossoms, each with three upright inner standards and distinctively marked sepals. 

While the fruit forms as a capsule, this blue Iris thrives best by dividing its rhizomes after the blooms fade. Invite the blue flag into your Rhode Island yard, and let its presence transport you to a world of floral splendor.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun, partial sun.

Soil: Clay, loam. Acid, neutral. Moist, poorly drained soil.

Duration: Deciduous Perennial.

Fragrance: Slightly fragrance.

Season of interest: Spring and summer.

Water needs: Wet.

Mature height: 2 to 3 feet

Potential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals. 

Maintenance: Low. After the first frost, trim back the leaves above the crown. This helps the plants prepare for winter and encourages healthy growth in the spring.

6. Violet Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis violacea)

Photo Credit: Ilona Loser / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Prepare to be enchanted by the delicate beauty of the violet wood-sorrel. This native plant weaves a tapestry of color and charm into Rhode Island’s landscapes. It has long-stemmed leaves emerging gracefully from the base, surpassing the flowering stem in length. And then, at the end of each stem, behold a delightful cluster of 4 to 19 flowers, like a miniature bouquet, showcasing shades of lavender and pinkish-purple.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9 

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Loam, sand. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Well-drained.

Duration: Perennial

Fragrance: No fragrance.

Season of interest: Spring and summer.

Water needs: Low to moderate.

Mature height: 6 to 10 inches

Potential hazards: Toxic if ingested in large amounts. 

Maintenance: Moderate. It has to be planted during fall.

7. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Photo Credit: Ryan Hodnett / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Bloodroot is a native plant that adds a touch of magic to any landscape. Imagine a single leaf and flower rising on separate stems. Watch as the leaf gently wraps around the flower bud like a protective embrace. On a smooth stalk, a solitary white flower takes center stage. 

Flowers open during the day and close their petals when night falls. The fleeting performance leaves you in awe of nature’s beauty. Get ready to welcome bloodroot into your garden, and be prepared for a botanical spectacle.

Plant type: Herbaceous

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 8

Sun: Part shade to full shade.

Soil: Clay, loam. Acid, alkaline, neutral. Moist but well-drained.

Duration: Perennial.

Fragrance: Light floral fragrance.

Season of interest: Spring

Water needs: Moderate 

Mature height: 6 to 10 inches

Potential hazards: Poisonous to humans, pets, and other animals. 

Maintenance: Low. It is propagated by division during autumn or by seed. Its germination can be erratic over the following 2 years.

8. White Ash (Fraxinus americana)

Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Elevate your Rhode Island backyard to new heights of beauty by introducing beautiful white ash trees. These magnificent specimens thrive in the local climate and offer a long-lasting display throughout the seasons. 

Picture the distinctive bark, boasting a stunning palette ranging from yellow-brown to light gray, adorned with corky textures and deep furrows that accentuate the tree’s character. In the spring, delicate clusters of small, pale green to purple flowers emerge, forming graceful panicles that sway in the gentle breeze. As summer transitions into fall, prepare to be spellbound by the sight of matured, one-winged samaras.

Plant type: Tree

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Clay, loam, sand. Acid, neutral. Moist but well-drained.

Duration: Deciduous perennial

Fragrance: No fragrance.

Season of interest: Spring, summer, and autumn.

Water needs: Moderate

Mature height: 60 to 80 feet

Maintenance: Moderate. Best sited in locations protected from strong winds. Generally tolerant of urban conditions, particularly if well-sited in the landscape.

How to Choose Native Plants for Your Rhode Island Yard

Enhance the beauty of your garden by incorporating native plants, but remember to choose wisely to ensure their success. When selecting plants for your Rhode Island yard, it’s crucial to consider factors such as sunlight, soil quality, and irrigation. 

Since Rhode Island falls within USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7, opting for plants that thrive in these conditions is essential. By making informed choices and selecting well-suited plants for your region, you’ll create a garden that flourishes with vibrant life, bringing you year-round joy and beauty.

FAQ About Native Rhode Island Plants

Where to Find Native Plants in Rhode Island

When landscaping your backyard in Rhode Island, turn to local nurseries for sourcing native plants. Choosing native plants from local nurseries ensures that they are well-adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, making them more resilient and easier to maintain in the long run.

To find native plants for your garden, explore native nurseries, the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, and community plant and nature conservation groups. These valuable sources can provide you with a wealth of information and connect you with like-minded individuals who share a passion for native plant conservation and gardening.

However, selecting the right plants is just the first step. To ensure your yard’s continued health and vitality, ongoing care and maintenance are essential. Properly caring for your lawn will contribute to its long-term success and keep your landscape looking its best.

Need help from a pro? Hire a lawn care pro near you to handle the yard’s mowing, trimming, and edging. We can connect you with trusted pros in Coventry, Providence, Cumberland, and many other cities across the state.

Main Photo Credit: liz west / Flickr / CC BY 2.0