Wetland Plants
Printable Plants for Wetlands List
Note About Scientific Names: The scientific name has been included for all plants on this list. Many species have been hybridized and are commercially available. However, these hybrids and cultivars are not truly native species. Depending on your goal this may not matter to you; however, if you are attempting a restoration, it is important to acquire only plants with the exact scientific name listed. The reason for this is that many hybrids will not reproduce and spread.
Note About Aggressive Species: Several species have been labeled “aggressive” or “potentially aggressive.” If your goal is a tidy formal bed, these species may not suit your needs. On the other hand, if you are planning a restoration or beautification, where rapid spreading is desirable, these plants should not be problematic.
Wetland Plants
Bloom Time: May-Jun
Height: 4′-8′
Comments: Can live in standing water
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Bloom Time: Aug-Oct
Height: 2′-4′
Comments: Butterfly friendly
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Bloom Time: Jun-Aug
Height: 6′-10′
Comments: Shrub
Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 2′-5′
Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
Bloom Time: Jun-Sep
Height: 1′-3′
White Water Lily (Nymphaea tuberosa)
Bloom Time: Jun-Sep
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Bloom Time: Jul-Oct
Height: 3′-8′
Comments: Hummingbird and butterfly friendly
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)
Bloom Time: May-June
Height: 1′-3′
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Bloom Time: Apr-Mary
Height: 8″-24″
Comments: Tolerates light shade
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Bloom Time: Jul-Oct
Height: 2′-5′
Yellow Star Grass (Hypoxis hirsuta)
Bloom Time: May-Jun
Height: 6″
Yellow Water Lily (Nuphar advena)
Bloom Time: Jun-Sep
Comments: AKA spatterdock
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 2′-4′
Comments: Tolerates shade, Hummingbird and butterfly friendly
Joe-Pye-Weed (Eupatorium maculatum)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 2′-5′
Comments: Butterfly friendly; Tolerates shade
Marsh Phlox (Phlox glaberrima interior)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 20″-30″
Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 8″-18″
Comments: Will form groundcover
Queen-of-the-Prairie (Filipendula rubra)
Bloom Time: Jun-Jul
Height: 4′-5′
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Height: 2′-4′
Comments: Butterfly friendly
Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica shrevei)
Bloom Time: May-Jun
Height: 1′-3′
Comments: Year-round water
Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)
Bloom Time: Jul-Sep
Height: 2′-5′
Comments: Potentially aggressive; Butterfly friendly
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Bloom Time: Jul-Sep
Height: 1′-3′
Common Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)
Bloom Time: Jul-Sep
Height: 4′-6′
Comments: Butterfly friendly
Marsh (Spike) Blazingstar (Liatris spicata)
Bloom Time: Aug-Sep
Height: 3′-53
Comments: AKA gayfeather; Hummingbird & butterfly friendly
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
Bloom Time: Aug-Oct
Height: 2′-5′
Comments: Potentially aggressive
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Bloom Time: Aug-Sep
Height: 2′-5′
Comments: Potentially aggressive; Hummingbird friendly
Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
Bloom Time: Jun-Sep
Height: 1′-4′
Comments: Year-round clean water
Common Bur Reed (Sparganium eurycarpum)
Bloom Time: Jun-Aug
Height: 2′-4′
Comments: Year round water; Exotic seed head
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
Bloom Time: Feb-Mar
Height: 1′-2'
Comments: First thing to bloom in spring; Extremely unusual bloom
Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus)
Bloom Time: May-Jun
Height: 1′-3′
Comments: Year round water; Exotic bloom
