GreatPlants for the Eastern Great Plains

Trees for eastern Nebraska—Large, Small, Evergreens, Shrubs
Perennials for Part Shade and Shade
Plants for Wet Sites
Ornamental Grasses

Perennials for Sun
Agastache – Agastache rupestris – rose/orange/purple tubular blooms create a lovely sunset effect above silvery hyssop-scented foliage from summer-fall; best in hot, sunny areas in poor soil; desert-type needing low humidity and open exposure; 18-24” h.
Alyssum, hardy – Alyssum spp. – small silvery leaves on 8” mounds; bright yellow flowers cover plants in May; plant in full sun with a well-drained soil; excellent for the rock garden and cascading over stone walls.
Amsonia or bluestar – Amsonia spp. – easy to grow with light blue star-like flowers atop thin stems growing to 3' h. in spring; bluestar (A. tabernaemontana) tolerates wet sites, has willow-like leaf; shining bluestar (A. illustris) tolerates drought, has glossy leaf; threadleaf bluestar (A. ciliata) has narrow leaf turns yellow in fall.
Artemisia – Artemisia spp. – soft, gray foliage a must for the hot, sunny border; must have a well-drained site to perform best; fringed sage (A. frigida) is an 18” native similar to ‘Silver Mound' (A. schmidtiana); ‘Sea Foam' (A. versicolor) gives a frothy appearance; ‘Silver Brocade' (A. stelleriana) forms a dense ground hugging mat; all benefit from a summer or late winter pruning.
Aster – Aster spp. – easy to grow for the fall garden; combine well with grasses; pinch stems in early summer for compact habit; ‘Bluebird' (A. laevis) and prairie asters prefer drier soils; ‘Woods' (A. x dumosus) is clean, compact, mildew and rust resistant.
Aster, aromatic – Aster oblongifolius – mounded form with narrow leaves covered with sky blue flowers in fall; native to dry, upland prairies; looks great with little bluestem and goldenrods; spreads by rhizomes; 2' high; pinch in early summer to prevent flopping; ‘October Skies' is nice.
Aster, ‘My Antonia' – Aster fendleri – pure white flowers with yellow centers in fall on 12” plants with glossy dark green leaves; pinch in late spring to encourage compact habit and more flowers; tough as nails.
Bachelor Button, perennial – Centaurea spp. – prefers full sun and good drainage; 18-24” tall; knapweed (C. dealbata) has deeply fringed lavender to pink flowers and mountain bluet (C. montana) has deep blue flowers with a reddish-tinged center; blooms in late spring to early summer; shear after blooming to remove seed for new flush of growth.
Basket-of-Gold – Aurinia saxatilis – nice gray-green mounds of foliage to 15”; clusters of bright yellow flowers in early spring; requires full sun and good drainage; shear back half after flowering.
Blanket Flower – Gaillardia x grandiflora – coarsely toothed, gray-green leaves; 3-4” solitary flowers of yellow and maroon; seedheads form lovely red spheres; nice dwarf selections; prefers well-drained soil; can be short lived, allow to reseed.
Boltonia – Boltonia asteroides – blue-green bushy plants with topped with white daisy-like flowers in early fall; ‘Snowbank' is an excellent 4' selection; ‘Pink Beauty' has soft pink flowers; full sun and deep, organic soils are best; easy to grow and combines well with Russian sage and Autumn Joy sedum.
Broomflower, winged – Genista sagittalis – mat forming plant with dark evergreen, winged stems to 8” tall and 2' wide; golden-yellow flowers in tips of stems in summer; grows well in poor dry or well-drained soils; slow growing but worth the wait.
Butterfly Plant – Buddleja davidii – shrubby plants with long panicles of fragrant lavender-blue, white, pink, or purple flowers in summer; cut woody stems to the ground in spring; late to break dormancy in spring.
Candytuft – Iberis sempervirens – attractive dark evergreen, needle-like leaves; nice ground cover to 15”; a profusion of cute 4-petaled white flowerheads in spring; prune in spring and after flowering for new growth; ‘Autumn Snow' blooms on a 12” plant in spring and fall; ‘Compacta' is a 4-6” dwarf.
Caryopteris – Caryopteris x clandonensis – attractive narrow gray-green foliage on woody, shrub-like plants; may die back to the ground in winter; cut back hard in spring to new growth; 1-2” blue flower clusters with long showy stamens along upper stems in late summer to fall; easy to grow; often referred to as blue-mist spirea, although it is not a true spirea.
Catmint – Nepeta spp. – spreading mass of dark green to grayish green foliage, spiked blue flowers bloom mid to late summer; leaves are aromatic when crushed; cut back when flowers fade to encourage another flush; ‘Walker's Low' (N. x faassenii) is a compact mound 10-12” with long flowering stems; ‘Sweet Dream' (N. subsessilis) has large, two-tone soft pink flowers on 18” stems.
Daisy, shasta – Leucanthemum spp. – hardy perennial forming dense colonies once established; white flowers with yellow centers borne on individual 1-3' stems from June-July; leaves are evergreen; ‘Snow Lady' is a 10” dwarf; ‘Crazy Daisy' has fully double creamy white flowers.
Dianthus hybrids – Dianthus spp. – compact, sun-loving plants; blooming late spring to early summer usually in shades of white to red with a spicy fragrance; easy to grow when provided great drainage; ‘Prairie Pink' has large double bright pink flowers on 18” stems, blooms all season; ‘First Love' has flowers changing from pure white to deep rose from April-frost.
Flax, blue – Linum perenne – azure blue flowers emerge in spring on 18” wiry stems and needle-like leaves, making the blooms appear to be floating from a distance; prune back after flowering; will not return if winter drainage is poor; ‘Lewisii' is a light blue native flax; ‘Album' is white flowered.
Fleabane – Erigeron spp. – daisy-like flowers with many, slender petals of white, blue or pink; many excellent ground covers with finely hairy, silvery leaves; ‘Alpine Snow' (E. compositus) has sparkling white blooms on 6” stems, needs sharp drainage; E. aurantiacus has large copper-orange blooms on 15” stems.
Gaura or apple blossom grass – Gaura lindheimeri – loose sprays of airy white or pink flowers held above 2-4' stems, said to represent butterflies; blooms in late summer, profusely in cool nights of autumn; prefers rich, well-drained soils.
Geranium, hardy – Geranium spp. – dependable workhorse; use massed as a groundcover or accent; prefers wet or dry soils in full sun to part shade; shear back by half after flowering to promote a new flush of growth; foliage often has excellent fall color remaining semi-evergreen in winter; ‘Biokovo' has delicate pink flowers; ‘Bevan's Variety' has deep magenta flowers; ‘Johnson's Blue' is long blooming with bright blue flowers; ‘Album' has snow white flowers.
Jupiter's Beard – Centranthus ruber – small, coral red flowers are domed above upright stems growing 1-3' h.; grows well in a wide soil range, especially useful in rocky crevices where soil is limited; shear back by half after flowering to promote a new flush of growth; ‘Albus' has white flowers.
Knautia – Knautia macedonica – dark purple to dark red scabiosa-like flowers from July to frost attracts butterflies and is wonderful for cutting; short lived in heavy, wet soils; pinch in spring to promote compact growth; 2-3' h.; ‘Mars Midget' is a 16” dwarf with ruby-red flowers; ‘Melton Pastels' blooms a variety of pink, red, salmon, and light blues on 4' tall plants.
Lamb's Ear – Stachys byzantina – 6” h. mats of velvety white, woolly leaves; can spread aggressively, but can be controlled by dividing; fuzzy flower spikes with small pink flowers arrive in late spring, can be removed as they develop; ‘Silver Carpet' is a non-flowering variety.
Mullein – Verbascum spp. – large leaves form basal rosettes of dark green or silvery, woolly leaves; grows upright 2-6' h.; dense clusters of 1” yellow flowers with dark reddish-purple eyes; blooms second year then dies, allow to reseed; ‘Jackie' is a 16-18” dwarf with pale peachy-pink flowers; ‘Violetta' has dark purple flowers on a 3' plant; ‘White Bride' has snow white flowers on a 2' plant.
Onion, ornamental – Allium spp. – clumps of grasslike leaves topped by rounded or nodding flower heads; blooms spring-fall; grows best in full sun with any well-drained garden soil; especially nice in rock gardens; ‘Forescate' (A. schoenoprasum) has attractive deep pink ball-like flowers in spring, growing 12-18” h.; ‘Cowlick' (A. senescens ssp. glaucum) has mauve flowers in fall, growing 6-12” h.
Penstemon hybrids – Penstemon spp. – beautiful summer blooming perennials with erect flower spikes; tubular flowers and showy seed heads; allow to reseed to perpetuate in the garden; needs well-drained, dry soils; shell-leaf penstemon (P. grandiflorus) is a 2-4' native with light pink, purple or white flowers; hairy penstemon (P. hirsutus) is a 8” dwarf covered with long-lasting violet flowers, fuzzy all over!
Peony – Paeonia spp. – 2-3'h. herbaceous shrub; large single or double flowers bloom purple, red, pink, white, or yellow in late spring; thrives in a wide soil range; top dress in late fall; ‘Sarah Bernhardt' (P. lactiflora) has late blooming, fragrant, deep pink double flowers on 35” stems; ‘Anemoniflora' (P. officinalis) has single red flowers with large centers filled with orange-yellow stamens on 14” stems.
Phlox, garden – Phlox spp. – panicles of flowers in various colors top this plant mid-late summer; upright plant growing up to 3-4' h.; requires well-drained, fertile soil; avoid top watering plants during hot, humid months; deadhead after flowering for repeat blooming; ‘Alpha' (P. maculata) is a mildew-resistant variety with bright rose flowers, ‘David' (P. paniculata) has fragrant snow white flower heads, also highly mildew-resistant.
Pincushion Flower – Scabiosa spp. – ruffly petals in shades of blue, pink, white, and yellow edge the mounded heads of this 2-3” flower; 1-2' stems are loosely clothed in lance-shaped to three-lobed leaves; grows best in average, well-drained soil; deadheading promotes new blooms; S. lucida has reddish-lilac flowers on 10” plants with glossy leaves, excellent for rock gardens; ‘Mongolian Mist' (S. superba) has dark purple-blue flowers above deep green textured mounds.
Plumbago or leadwort – Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – deep blue flowers cluster at the tip of 12” stems that creep through the garden; foliage turns orange in fall and dies back to the ground each winter; new growth emerges in late spring; prefers sunny, well-drained areas, will tolerate dry areas, won't tolerate dry shade.
Rock Cress – Arabis caucasia – compact 6” plants with dense masses of snow white flowers in early spring; 1” leaves have soft hairs and are evergreen; excellent when combined with spring bulbs; best in full sun and well-drained soil; ‘Variegata' has striking cream-edged leaves with white flowers.
Rock Rose – Talinum calycinum – succulent thin leaves resemble moss rose; purplish-pink flowers on 1” stems open in the afternoon; reseeds to form colony of plants; native to the Nebraska Sandhills.
Russian Sage – Perovskia atriplicifolia – 4' spikes of lavender-blue flowers arise from silver foliage from mid-late summer; prefers average to rich well-drained soil, drought tolerant; tough and dependable; pinch back in spring for more compact blooming habit.
Salvia – Salvia azurea – slender stalks reach 4' in late summer; topped with clusters of bright, clear blue flowers; can get lanky, pinch by early summer for compact habit; very drought tolerant; a rare white flowered strain exists and is available through the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum from a native seed source.
Sea Lavender – Limonium latifolium – leathery, shiny green leaves form 18” mounds; slender 3' branches give rise to airy clusters of tiny lavender flowers in late summer; grows best in average, well-drained soil, drought tolerant; easy to grow; ‘Violetta' has dark purple-blue flowers.
Sea Thrift – Armeria maritima – dense tufts of grass-like, gray-green evergreen leaves; 8” stems are topped with 1” rounded, rosy-pink flower heads; prefers well-drained moist soil, drought tolerant once established, perfect for rock gardens; ‘Alba' has pure white flowers; ‘Rubrifolia' has fine, shiny reddish-purple foliage.
Sedum, stonecrop – Sedum spp. – fleshy dark green to blue-gray leaves, often turning red in the fall and evergreen; starry flower clusters of red, pink, or yellow top the plants; prefers average, well-drained soils; durable groundcover or rock garden plant. ‘Himalayan Skies' (S. dasyphyllum) is a more robust and showy sedum growing to 2” with blue-gray foliage and pink flowers; ‘Angelina' (S. rupestre) has golden conifer shaped leaves on 6-8” trailing stems, orange fall color.
Sedum, tall – Sedum spp. – succulent, fleshy leaves; 2' stems topped with large flower heads in fall; extremely drought and heat tolerant; clumps can get full with age and flower load, pinch by early summer for compact form; ‘Autumn Joy' has rosy-salmon flowers; ‘Neon' (S. sieboldii) has deep purplish-pink flowers on 15” stems; ‘Indian Chief' (S. telephium) has coppery red flowers on 15” stems.
Skullcap – Scutellaria spp. – ‘Smoky Hills' (S. resinosa), the native prairie skullcap, has mouse-eared leaves and deep purple flowers on 10” plants; ‘Mongolian Skies' (S. scoridifolia) has shiny leaves and bluish-purple flower spikes in early summer; shear back by ½ after flowering for new flush; very drought tolerant.
Snow-in-Summer – Cerastium tomentosum – small, silvery, woolly leaves form a dense 8” h. carpet; plant is covered in late spring by 1” white flowers; the five petals are deeply notched, giving the appearance of a 10-petaled flower; shear after flowering to promote new compact growth; needs full sun and excellent drainage.
Soapwort – Saponaria ocymoides – 10” tall ground cover with dark green leaves; masses of small bright pink flowers cover the plant for a full month in late spring; shear back by half after flowering for new compact growth; works well as an edger and in rock or wall gardens; ‘Rubra Compacta' has brilliant red flowers over 2” clumps of foliage; ‘Snow Tips' is a nice white selection.
Spiderwort – Tradescantia species – clumps of green grass-like foliage topped with three-petaled flowers; plant in full sun with well-drained soils; many colorful hybrids are available that perform best in moist soils; cut back hard after flowering for a new flush; Ohio spiderwort (T. ohioensis) and Western spiderwort (T. occidentalis) are more drought tolerant and have lavender-blue flowers.
Spiderwort, dwarf – Tradescantia tharpii – narrow, hairy, 12” leaves emerge early spring; flowers, hued from blue to purple to rose to pink, cover plants in May; semi-dormant in the heat of summer, reappearing in fall for another flush.
Spurge, cushion – Euphorbia polychroma – dark green leaves form a 1' mound; bracts turn bright yellow in early spring which make them a good companion with bulbs; performs best in well-drained soil in full sun; also grows well in poor, gravelly soil.
Sulphur Flower – Eriogonum umbellatum – long flowering 10” alpine plant with gray-green foliage, rounded yellow flowers appear in early summer; grows best in full sun with well-drained soil, and will also tolerate drought; long lived plant; combines well with snow-in-summer and dianthus; also called buckwheat.
Sundrops – Calylophus serrulatus – ‘Prairie Lode' is an outstanding native plant that blooms butter yellow flowers all summer long; flowers are borne on a 6” subshrub ground cover.
Sunray Flower – Inula ensifolia – compact, 16” plant with sword-like leaves; a profusion of small, golden, daisy-like flowers last for over one month in the summer; grows best with full sun in average soil.
Tansy, snowy – Tanacetum niveum – fragrant, lacy, silvery leaves grow to 18” h.; covered with ½” white daisies in late spring; grows well in a wide range of soil types and is very drought tolerant; short lived, allow reseeding.
Thyme – Thymus spp. – attractive ground covers or cushion plants with purple to pink flowers for the rock or herb garden; woolly thyme (T. praecox ‘Pseudolanuginosus') and mother of thyme (T. serphyllum) are best suited as ground cover; English and French thyme are the hardiest for the Midwest; excellent drainage or raised beds are essential for survival.
Veronica – Veronica spp. – excellent perennial selections available as mat-forming ground covers or sturdy plants to 2' tall; flowers in spike form; all need well-drained, sunny sites for best growth; moderately drought tolerant; Woolly veronica (V. pectinata) is a 2-3” h. rock garden plant with white fuzzy serrated leaves; Turkish veronica (V. liwanensis) is a 1-2” h. mat-forming plant covered with dark blue flowers April-June.
Woadwaxen – Genista multibracteata – 2-3' subshrub with dark green foliage appearing narrow and winged; showy yellow flowers cover the plant in summer; prefers sunny areas in dry soil.
Yarrow, fernleaf – Achillea millefolium – feathery leaves grow on stems 1-2' tall; flowers rise above in flat-topped clusters; easily cultivated in any garden soil; drought tolerant, ‘Appleblossom' has soft pink flowers on compact plants; ‘Debutante' has a wide variety of colors in dense, 6” flower heads; ‘Hoffnung' has antique yellow flowers on 18” stems.
Yarrow, woolly – Achillea tomentosa – lacy, silvery-gray carpet of foliage; golden-yellow flat-topped flowers on 12” stems rise above the leaves in spring; needs excellent drainage, great in rock gardens; ‘Aurea' has bright yellow flowers in early spring; ‘Maynard's Gold' has golden flowers over 6” h. foliage.
Yucca – Yucca spp. – erect, sword-like, bluish-green leaves form handsome clumps to 30” wide; leafless flower stalks rise to 5' in late spring with many creamy-white nodding flowers; drought tolerant plants thrive for many years with little care; ‘Bright Edge' and ‘Variegata' are beautiful yellow and white variegated leaf forms; soap tree (Y. elata) is a 7-8' plant with creamy-white flowers tinged green to rose.

Native Wildflowers  
Artemisia, fringed – Artemisia frigida – soft, silver-gray foliage with arching stems growing to 30” h.; a must for the hot, sunny border; needs a well-drained site for best performance; cut back after flowering for a new flush; a native similar to ‘Silver Mound'.
Artemisia, Silver King – Artemisia ludoviciana – bright white leaved plant growing to 3' tall; prefers a sunny, well-drained site; ‘Valerie Finnis' is a more compact form with wide, white, jagged leaves.
Aster, aromatic – Aster oblongifolius – mounded form with narrow leaves covered with sky blue flowers in fall; native to dry, upland prairies; looks great with little bluestem and goldenrods; spreads by rhizomes; 2' high; pinch in early summer to prevent flopping; ‘October Skies' is nice.
Aster, ‘My Antonia' – Aster fendleri – pure white flowers with yellow centers in fall on 12” plants with glossy dark green leaves; pinch in late spring to encourage compact habit and more flowers; tough as nails.
Aster, smooth – Aster laevis – 3½' h. native with narrow leaves; covered with masses of sky blue flowers in fall; ‘Bluebird' has large, cone-shaped clusters of violet-blue flowers with golden centers; tolerates a wide range of moisture levels and soil types; does not require staking.
Baptisia, dwarf blue – Baptisia minor – gray-green, usually 3-parted leaves; spikes of indigo-blue, pea-like flowers in spring; followed by 2-3”, showy, black seed pods; 1-2' h.; full sun, deep soils; slow to establish.
Baptisia, white wild – Baptisia lactea – gray-green, usually 3-parted leaves; spikes of white, pea-like flowers in June; followed by 2-3”, showy, black seed pods; 3-4' h.; full sun, deep soils; slow to establish.
Black-eyed Susan, Missouri – Rudbeckia missouriensis – large, showy, yellow, daisy-like flowers with black center cones in summer; 18” h. stems over a 12” mound of fuzzy leaves, prefers almost any well-drained, dry soil.
Catchfly, royal – Silene regia – upright stems to 3' h.; brilliant crimson flowers in summer; flowers have fringed tips; needs well-drained, sunny location for best growth; allow plant to reseed to perpetuate; great for rock gardens.
Clematis, Fremont's – Clematis fremontii – bush type (non-vining) clematis quickly emerging to 15” in early spring; purple, urn-shaped, nodding flowers appear in late April followed by silky seedheads; needs dry, well-drained site and several years to reach maturity; long lived if planted in the proper location.
Compass Plant – Silphium laciniatum – large, deeply cut leaves to 15” long, resembles an oak leaf; upright stalks to 6' with many yellow sunflower-like flowers in late summer; bold, long lived prairie native.
Coneflower, narrowleaf – Echinacea angustifolia – 2' plant covered from July-August with long, narrow, drooping petals in shades from pink to white; prefers sunny areas with well-drained soils native to Nebraska.
Coneflower, pale purple – Echinacea pallida – similar to E. angustifolia, except larger overall; growing to at least 4' h.
Coneflower, prairie – Ratibida pinnata – bright yellow petals droop down from a 4-5' h. stalk, long, summer-bloomer; prefers sunny areas with well-drained soils.
Coreopsis, lanceleaf – Coreopsis lanceolata – bright yellow flowers float above 2-3' native plants from June-frost; easy to grow; prefers sunny areas with well-drained soil; ‘Sterntaler' is a 16” plant with a brown ring around yellow petals.
Coreopsis, threadleaf – Coreopsis verticillata – fine, thread-like leaves create an airy quality for this 1-3' h. plant; starry, butter-yellow flowers bloom in masses throughout the summer; grows best in rich, well-drained soil, drought tolerant once established; ‘Moonbeam' has pale yellow flowers; ‘Zagreb' is a compact 15” plant.
False Indigo, fragrant – Amorpha nana – tiny, grayish leaves form a bushy 2' plant; attractive pink flower spikes with a honey fragrance; tough and drought tolerant native; a gem for the rockery.
Fameflower – Talinum spp. – thin, succulent-leaves resemble moss rose; grows best in dry conditions, drought tolerant, perfect for rock gardens ; reseeds to form colony of plants; Rock Rose (T. calycinum) has 1” purplish-pink flowers on a 4” plant, native to the Nebraska Sandhills; T. okanoganense has white flowers on a gray-green, cushion-forming, 2-3” plant.
Gayfeather, dotted – Liatris punctata – lavender flower heads appear in 1-3” spikes on a 1' h. plant; blooms in September; prefers well-drained soils, drought tolerant.
Gayfeather, rough – Liatris aspera – lavender buttons bloom along stems growing up to 2½' h.; prefers well-drained sandy soils in open areas, drought tolerant.
Golden Alexander – Zizia aurea – yellow flowers arranged like umbrellas rise above dark green foliage from spring-early summer; 30” tall prairie native.
Goldenrod – Solidago spp. – showy golden-yellow plumes from late summer-fall; combines well with grasses; easy-to-grow perennials botanically cannot cause hay fever; ‘Fireworks' (Solidago rugosa) has lacy, golden blooms from mid September-October; grows up to 4' h.; ‘Golden Fleece' (S. sphacelata) grows 15-18” h.; rich textured with heavy flowers.
Leadplant – Amorpha canescens – native shrubby plant with small gray-white leaves forming 4' h. bushy plants; topped with rich, blue-purple flower spikes in early summer; very drought tolerant; prune hard in early spring for compact growth.
Milkweed, butterfly – Asclepias tuberosa – vibrant orange flowers top 2' tall plants in late spring; ornamental seed pods follow; plant in late spring and water sparingly to establish; grows well poor to average, sandy soil; once established, plants are extremely drought tolerant and thrive with little care; ‘Hello Yellow' has showy yellow flowers from June-August.
Milkweed, swamp – Asclepias incarnata – 2-4' native plant is covered with dusty pink flower heads in summer; followed by interesting seed heads; extremely drought tolerant; ‘Ice Ballet' has long-lasting white flowers on 40” plants
Mountain Mint – Pycnanthemum virginianum – fragrant minty foliage forms bushy 2' h. plants; white or lavender flowers spotted with purple top the plants in summer; easy to grow, does not spread by runners; pinch for compact habit.
New Jersey Tea – Ceanothus americanus – Handsome, durable, 18-36” shrub with clean foliage; abundant clusters of white flowers in late spring; slow to establish but worth the wait; limit competition from aggressive plants; grows best in well-drained soil; dried leaves make an excellent prairie tea.
Obedience Plant – Physostegia virginiana – clusters of tubular pink flowers top 3-4' stems; grows best in sunny areas with moist to wet soil; control the spreading habit of this plant by dividing it every couple of years; ‘Alba' has white flower on a 2' h. plant.
Onion, nodding pink – Allium cernuum – 1-2' h. clumps of whitish, grasslike leaves; topped by nodding flowers in shades from pink to white; blooms in mid-late summer; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Onion, prairie – Allium stellatum – 8-15” clumps of grasslike leaves; topped by rounded lavender-pink flower heads; blooms in mid-late summer; best in full sun in any well-drained garden soil.
Pasque Flower – Pulsatilla spp. – western native with silky, hairy leaves; delicate cup-shaped flowers in early spring followed by feathery seed heads; P. patens is native pasque flower with lavender flowers; P. vulgaris is a European species including ‘Alba' with white flowers, ‘Heiler Hybrids' with a wide variety of floral hues on 12” stems, ‘Papageno' with fringed, semi-double flowers, and ‘Rubra' with crimson-violet flowers; all need well-drained, dry soils.
Penstemon cobaea – beautiful 1-2' perennial with erect flower spikes; large tubular flowers bloom in May in shades of purple, pink, and white; followed by showy seed heads; allow to reseed to perpetuate in the garden; needs sunny, well-drained to dry soils.
Penstemon, shell-leaf – Penstemon grandiflorus – tubular spike flowers bloom in early summer on a 2-4' plant; showy seed heads help penstemon perpetuate in the garden; needs sunny, well-drained, dry soils; ‘Prairie Snow' has large white flowers; ‘War Axe' has a wide color range, including pinks, reds, and purples.
Phlox, prairie – Phlox pilosa – 1-2' h. plant with soft, hairy stems; fragrant, pink, star-like flowers bloom from May-July; grows best full sun with dry to moist soils; ‘Eco Happy Traveler' has an abundance of flowers on 12” stems.
Primrose, Missouri – Oenothera macrocarpa – 6” creeping plant with glossy, dark green leaves; bright yellow, saucer-shaped flowers bloom late spring-early summer; prefers average, well-drained soil; extremely heat- and drought-tolerant once established.
Poppy Mallow, purple – Callirhoe involucrata – low growing, cut-leaf native to 12” tall and 4' wide; dies back to crown each year; bright purple, cup-shaped flowers all summer; easy to grow, drought tolerant.
Prairie Clover, purple – Dalea purpureum – erect prairie plant with tiny, bright purple, cylindrical heads blooming in summer; thin, stiff stems grow 2-3' h.; fernlike foliage; ‘Stephanie' is a compact plant growing 15-18” h.; foliage is darker green; same flower heads are more abundant.
Pussytoes – Antennaria dioica – tiny, silver-green leaves in low-growing rosettes are covered with pink-tipped, off-white flowers in early spring; grows well in rock gardens, as it prefers poor soil areas that are dry and sandy; ‘Rubra' has silver-white foliage with wine-red flowers.
Rattlesnake Master – Eryngium yuccifolium – 4' blue-gray, sword-like foliage is very similar to that of yucca; bristly, greenish-white flower heads appear from mid- to late-summer
Sage, pitcher – Salvia azurea pitcherii – slender stalks reach 4' in late summer; topped with clusters of bright, clear blue flowers; can get lanky, pinch by early summer for compact habit; very drought tolerant; ‘Nekan' is a native with sky blue flowers.
Skullcap, prairie – Scutellaria resinosa – ‘Smoky Hills' is a native with 4-12” square stems and mouse-eared leaves; deep purple flowers with two white patches are somewhat similar to snapdragon flowers; slightly hairy all over; shear back by ½ after flowering for new flush; very drought tolerant.
Spiderwort, prairie – Tradescantia bracteata – native plant growing 1' tall with green, grass-like foliage; multi-colored, three-petaled flowers are long-blooming; plant in full sun with well-drained soils; cut back hard after flowering for a new flush.
Spiderwort, Western – Tradescantia occidentalis – clumps of green grass-like foliage topped with lavender-blue, three-petaled flowers; plant in full sun with well-drained soils; cut back hard after flowering for a new flush.
Wild Petunia – Ruellia humilis – 1-2' h. native plant; small, petunia-like, lavender flowers are long-blooming; slightly hairy all over; prefers sunny areas in dry to slightly moist soils.
Wild Quinine – Parthenium integrifolium – wide, green leaves are grown on 2-4' stems topped by huge, flat-topped clusters of flowers; rounded, star-like flowers bloom white in mid-summer; this native prefers dry, sunny areas.
Yucca – Yucca spp. – erect, sword-like, bluish-green leaves form handsome clumps to 30” wide; leafless flower stalks rise to 5' in late spring with many creamy-white nodding flowers; drought tolerant plants thrive for many years with little care; ‘Bright Edge' and ‘Variegata' are beautiful yellow and white variegated leaf forms.

Perennials for Part Shade  
Anemone, Japanese – Anemone hybrids – a diverse group of plants; Japanese anemone bloom in fall with pink flowers; snowdrop (A. sylvestris) has pure white nodding flowers in spring; best in rich, evenly moist soils.
Astilbe – Astilbe spp. – excellent for shady, moist locations; plume-like flowers in spring to midsummer, complimented by fernlike foliage; wide range of plant habit and flower colors (white to purple).
Blackberry Lily – Belamcanda chinensis – narrow iris-like foliage; 2” orange flowers in summer followed by seed heads that resemble blackberries; well-drained, organic soils; ‘Hello Yellow' is a dwarf with abundant clear yellow flowers.
Bleeding Heart – Dicentra species – old fashioned bleeding heart as lovely dissected leaves and heart-shaped flowers in rosy red or white in spring; goes dormant in heat of summer; fern-leaf bleeding heart only 12” high with rosy pink blooms and persistent foliage.
Campanula – Campanula spp. – bell-shaped flowers in various shades of blue, plus white and pink; with a wide variety of species, there's a campanula for almost any garden situation; C. carpatica has violet-blue bell-shaped flowers atop 15” h. heart-shaped foliage from June-August; C. elatinoides is perfect for rock garden with starry blue flowers above 4” h. plants; C. persicifolia has large bells in a variety of colors on 40” stems.
Columbine – Aquilegia spp. – bright green deeply lobed leaves; beautiful “spurred” flowers in all colors in late spring; best in rich, well-drained soil; many excellent cultivars and hybrids available.
Coral Bells –Heuchera spp. – mostly evergreen leaves form basal mounds of foliage to 12”; naked stalks topped with cherry red to pale pink flowers in spring; many new and exciting selections; purple leaf selections prefer 2/3 shade and green leaf forms prefer 2/3 sun.
Daylily – Hemerocallis spp. – clumps of grass-like foliage growing around 2' h.; trumpet-shaped flowers bloom a day at a time from early summer to early fall in a wide variety of colors; tolerates heat, drought, and shade; ‘Catherine Woodbury' has long-lasting, 6”, mauve flowers on 30” plants; ‘Happy Returns' is early and continuously blooming with 3” pale yellow flowers on a 18” plant.
Foxglove – Digitalis spp. – biennial or perennial; basal foliage first year, flowering 2nd year with pendulous flowers; allow to reseed to perpetuate in the garden; needs consistent moisture;
Goat's Beard – Aruncus dioicus – handsome feathery foliage resembles astilbe or fern; showy plumes of white flowers top plants in early summer; best in moist, organic soils; 4' high, 2' wide.
Jacob's Ladder – Polemonium spp. – cup-shaped flowers in shades of blue, white, and pink bloom above finely divided foliage in spring-summer; taller species grow well in moist, average garden soil; dwarf species need well-drained, gravelly areas.
Lady's Mantle – Alchemilla mollis – gray-green 18” mat forming foliage covered with tiny yellow-green flowers in spring; shear back after flowering for a new flush of growth; best in rich, moist soils but tolerates dry soils.
Lily, Oriental – Lilium spp. – trumpet-shaped flowers on upright stems in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes; prefers well-drained, fertile soil in sunny to lightly-shaded areas.
Loosestrife, Gooseneck – Lysimachia clethroides – pure white flowers appear in widely arching spikes from July to September; foliage turns a lovely burnished color in fall; prefers moist, cool soil in full sun, will tolerate drier soil in part-shade.
Meadow Rue – Thalictrum spp. – fern-like foliage reminiscent of columbine; 2' foliage topped with flowering stalks to 3'+; puffs of airy flowers in summer; ‘Hewitt's Double' is a popular selection.
Mist Flower – Eupatorium spp. – attractive leaves in whorls; up to 12” clusters of mauve to purple flowers in early fall; favorite of butterflies; ‘Gateway' (E. purpureum) is more compact to 5' h.; ‘Chocolate' (E. rugosum) is a selection with white flowers and purple foliage to 4' h.
Monkshood – Aconitum spp. – attractive, dark green, glossy leaves; hooded purple flowers top 3-4' high stems in autumn; best in semi-shaded, moist and fertile soil; avoid windy, exposed sites.
Plumbago or Leadwort – Ceratostigma plumbaginoides – dark green summer foliage turns bronzy-red in fall with gentian blue flowers to frost; emerges late in spring; best in well-drained soils; excellent groundcover, spreading slowly but surely.
Violet – Viola spp. – fragrant flowers in shades and combinations of blue, purple, yellow, pink, and white; plants to 3-6” h.; spreads by seeds and creeping stems; prefers cool, moist soil in part-shade.
 
Perennials for Shade  
Ajuga – Ajuga spp. – dense mats of dark purple to silver-green and white foliage; best on moist, fertile soil, protected from winter winds; 8” purple flower spikes in spring. Combines well with sweet woodruff.
Aralia – Aralia racemosa – 3-5'h. native with green heart-shaped leaves; greenish-white plumes of flowers appear from June-August; followed by clusters of black fruits; prefers sunny to part shade areas with well-drained soils.
Arum – Arum italicum – stemless, showy arrow-shaped leaves blotched with cream in spring; dormant in mid-June, resumes growth in early fall; columns of vivid red fruits later in fall; the 12” leaves best in fall into early winter; excellent combined with bergenia or coral bells.
Astilbe – Astilbe spp. – excellent for shady, moist locations; plume-like flowers in spring to midsummer, complimented by fernlike foliage; wide range of plant habit and flower colors (white to purple)
Barren Strawberry – Waldsteinia ternata – native to Siberia; glossy dark green strawberry-like leaves form 8” mounds of foliage in early spring; yellow flowers in loose clusters in April to May; tough, dependable; nice combined with bleeding hearts.
Bergenia, Heartleaf – Bergenia cordifolia – large, glossy dark green leaves with clusters of showy rosy-pink flowers in early spring to 15”; foliage has reddish tones in fall; rich, organic soils.
Bishops Weed – Aegopodium podagraria – dense foliaged ground cover that spreads aggressively; best confined to restrict growth; beautiful creamy-white variegation on leaves; flat-topped white flowers in summer not significant; foliage burns in hot summer months is not provided some shade; 18” h.
Bleeding Heart – Dicentra species – old fashioned bleeding heart as lovely dissected leaves and heart-shaped flowers in rosy red or white in spring; goes dormant in heat of summer; fern-leaf bleeding heart only 12” high with rosy pink blooms and persistent foliage.
Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis – wavy, deeply lobed leaves are bluish green topped with solitary white flowers in spring; dormant by early to midsummer; best in rich, organic soils.
Bluebells, Virginia – Mertensia virginica – blue-green mouse-ear shaped leaves emerge early spring; tubular blue flower clusters in spring; plant disappears in early summer to reappear next spring; 12” h.
Brunnera – Brunnera spp. – sky blue flowers in spring and handsome lush 1' foliage all season; best in rich, moist, well drained soil; does well around shaded water features in the garden.
Celandine Poppy – Stylophorum diphyllum – light green deeply lobed leaves emerge in early spring to 20”; bright yellow 2” flowers in April; excellent woodland wildflower from Missouri; can reseed.
Columbine – Aquilegia spp. – bright green deeply lobed leaves; beautiful “spurred” flowers in all colors in late spring; best in rich, well-drained soil; many excellent cultivars and hybrids available.
Comfrey – Symphytum grandiflorum – hairy stems and oval leaves form 15” clumps topped with tubular blue flowers in spring; ‘Variegata' has cream and green foliage; ‘Hidcote Blue' rich blue selection.
Corydalis lutea – blue-green, fernlike foliage and abundant golden yellow flowers in spring; reliable easy plant for moist or dry shade; will happily reseed in moist gardens; 12-15” high.
Doll's Eye's – Actaea spp. – native woodland perennial with coarse, dark green leaves; topped with pearl white berries on red stalks in fall; easy to grow in rich, organic soils.
English Ivy – Hedera helix – rich dark green leaves with prominent veins; spreads to form ground cover or climbing vine; can be aggressive in rich, moist soils; plant hardy, drought tolerant selections.
Epimedium – Epimedium spp. – attractive delicate foliage and interesting red or yellow flowers in spring; slow to establish but worth the wait; consistent moisture for best growth.
Euonymus, Winter Creeper – Euonymus fortunei – classic evergreen ground cover that spreads rapidly; dark green, green & white or green & gold leaves; bright accent for shade; 18” high.
Fern – attractive, soft tropical looking woodland perennials; cultivate in a humus-rich soil, out of the wind, mulched with leaf mold for the best results; excellent in full or dappled shade.
Hosta – Hosta spp. – tough, lovely plants with blue-green, dark green, variegated or gold leaves that are narrow, broad, wavy or twisted; dwarf forms or giant 3' plants; nice flower spires in summer to early fall.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum – a 2-3' high woodland native with large 3-part leaves and unique green flower with brown stripes in spring; needs rich, organic soil and consistent moisture to perform best; beautiful red-orange seed heads in fall resemble a mini corn cob.
Lamiastrum galeobdolon – ‘Herman's Pride' has handsome foliage with dapples of silver on dark green leaves forms 10” upright clumps; small yellow flowers whorled around the stems in spring; shear back by ½ after flowering.
Lamium – Lamium spp. – beautiful leaves with bright silvery-white leaves and bright pink or white flowers in spring; prune back by ½ after flowering for new growth; if plants repeatedly dry out, bare patches appear.
Lenten Rose – Helleborus orientalis – leathery, evergreen foliage; nodding white, cream, pink to purple, cup-shaped flowers in spring; easy to grow and long lived; 18” high and wide; tolerates wet or dry.
Lily-of-the-Valley – Convallaria majalis – nice old-fashioned ground cover with lush 8” leaves and arching, one-sided flower stalks with white fragrant blossoms in early spring; aggressive to plant in a confined space or keep the site dry to deter spreading.
Lobelia – Lobelia spp. – stiffly, erect plant to 3' high with lance-shaped leaves; bright blue flowers in late summer; hardy, undemanding native woodland plant that grows along streams.
Lungwort – Pulmonaria longifolia – long lance-shaped dark green leaves with silvery spotting to 12” h; clusters of blue tubular flowers top plants in spring; nice combined with spring bulbs.
Mahonia, creeping – Mahonia repens – evergreen growing up to 1' h. and spreads by underground stems; holly-like foliage is bluish-green turning purplish in winter; golden flowers appear in spring, followed by clusters of dark bluish-purple fruit maturing in late summer; grows best in average, well-drained soil in sun to part shade.
Pachysandra – Pachysandra spp. – leathery, toothed leaves; valuable semi-evergreen ground cover forming dense stands; flowers not significant; performs best with consistent moisture but tolerates some drought; 8” h.
Phlox, Woodland – Phlox divaricata – showy 2-3” clusters of lilac blue to white flowers in spring on 12” plants; early summer dormancy after scattering seeds; excellent weaver between hostas.
Rodgersia – Rodgersia henricii – attractive large basal leaves with up to seven 10” long leaflets making up one big leaf; astilbe-like pink flower stalk in summer to 5' h; best in rich, organic soil and consistent moisture.
Sedge – Carex spp. – many different grass-like plants in wide variety of color, form, and size for wet or dry soils, sun or shade; there is a Carex for any garden situation; too little known and too little used.
Shooting Star – Dodecatheon meadia – delicate white, cascading flowers with yellow tips set above rosette of leaves; flowers in early spring and goes dormant by May; rich, organic soils.
Solomon's Seal – Polygonatum spp. – attractive woodland native forms colonies with dark green leaves arranged along arching stems and small, pendulous white flowers hang below the 2-4' stems in spring; variegated forms from Japan are showy and brighten a shady corner of the garden; tolerates wet or dry.
Sweet Woodruff – Galium odoratum – dark green whorled leaves give rise to loose clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring; crushed leaves scented; nice with Ajuga or Solomon's seal.
Toadlily – Tricyrtis hirta – forms patches with arching stems and soft, hairy pointed leaves clasp stems; small orchid-like spotted flowers open in fall; moist fertile soil is ideal, but they tolerate dry shade.
Variegated Bishop's Weed – Aegopodium spp. – lovely variegated leaves bear white flat-topped flowers in summer; an aggressive groundcover but dry soil will help keep it at bay; great filler between large shrubs; 18” h.
Vinca – Vinca minor – glossy, evergreen leaves are dark green, or variegated white or gold, forming dense ground cover; blue, white or purple flowers in early spring; aggressive so plant in confined space.
Wild Geranium – Geranium maculatum – five-petaled flowers in various shades of purple appear atop deeply divided leaves from April-June growing to 2' h.
Wild Ginger – Asarum canadense – woodland 6-8” native with heart-shaped leaves for attractive ground cover; rich, organic soils for best growth.
 
Trees for the Eastern Great Plains
Large Deciduous Trees (over 25' tall)
Ash, black – Fraxinus nigra – native to wet sites from Iowa to Canada; very cold tolerant; 'Fall Gold' selected from native stand in Manitoba, seedless, holds yellow fall color late; Northern Gem' is a hybrid with broad oval shape and excellent hardiness.
Ash, green – Fraxinus pennsylvanica – native, amazingly adaptable; often over planted; 'Cimmaron' is rated one of the best by commercial growers; 'Prairie Spire' is an upright selection; 'Patmore' has an oval shape.
Ash, Manchurian – Fraxinus mandshurica – 'Mancana' is a seedless selection from Manitoba; native to northeast China; dense oval crown; transplants easily; tolerates drought and excess moisture; clear yellow fall color; reported resistance to leaf curling aphid and ash borer; narrow leaf gives tree a fine texture; young trees planted west of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
Ash, white – Fraxinus americana – native to eastern Nebraska; good reddish-purple fall color; avoid planting in stressed sites; 'Autumn Applause' and 'Autumn Blaze' from a Minnesota tree, 'Windy City' from Illinois; all highly prone to borers and frost cracks.
Baldcypress – Taxodium distichum – fine, feathery foliage is sage green in summer turning cinnamon in fall with interesting cones; nice central leader, bark and horizontal branches for winter interest; tolerates wet or dry soils; avoid stressful sites.
Birch, river – Betula nigra – a beautiful tree with exfoliating cinnamon brown bark; avoid high pH soils; 'Heritage' has lighter bark; 'Little King' is a nice dwarf form; native to wet areas as far west as Iowa; performs well on upland soils.
Birch – Betula spp. – 'Whitespire', an Asian white birch selection, is considered resistant to bronze birch borer; the native paper birch is highly desirable when properly sited; avoid planting in heavy clay and stressed sites.
Buckeye, Ohio – Aesculus glabra – very adaptable Midwestern native; distinctive rounded tree with dense deer-resistant foliage; interesting greenish-yellow flower panicles in spring followed by clusters of tan, leathery seed pods.
Buckeye, yellow – Aesculus flava – more upright and taller than Ohio buckeye; dense, dark green summer leaves; handsome, trouble-free tree with greenish-yellow flowers in spring; smooth fruit capsule.
Corktree, Amur – Phellodendron amurense – unusual tree from China ; thick, corky bark and picturesque habit; very tough, adaptable tree; handsome dark green leaves can turn yellow in fall; slow growing.
Elm, hybrids – Ulmus spp. – several species and cultivars deserve to be planted; disease resistant hybrid selections include ‘Pioneer', ‘Discovery', ‘Morton', and ‘Triumph' are all good.
Ginkgo – Ginkgo biloba – very interesting fan-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in fall; with age becomes an imposing, beautiful specimen; very adaptable to soil extremes; has existed, unchanged for over 150 million years.
Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis – excellent, old Great Plains tree with legendary tolerance; irregular habit when young; matures to stately, rounded crown; interesting corky, knobbed bark; 'Prairie Pride' resistant to nibble gall and witches broom.
Hickory , bitternut – Carya cordiformis – our most common native hickory; does not transplant easily, plant when young; beautiful tree with large, compound leaves that turn golden yellow in fall; smooth bark.
Hickory, shagbark – Carya ovata – great shaggy bark; difficult to transplant, plant a nut or small tree; beautiful tree with large, compound leaves that turn golden yellow in fall; plant in deep, rich well-drained soils for best growth; slow-growing, but worth it.
Hickory , shellbark – Carya laciniosa – similar to shagbark hickory in many ways, especially with the shaggy bark; shellbark hickory has leaves with 7-9 leaflets whereas shagbark only has 5.
Kentucky Coffeetree – Gymnocladus dioicus – amazingly adaptable native; beautiful winter outline with rugged branches; interesting ridged bark on older trees; rich bluish-green foliage turning yellow in fall; female trees produce leathery seed pods.
Linden, American – Tilia americana – also known as basswood; develops nice oval-rounded crown with age; large, lustrous leaves turn yellow in fall; fragrant flower clusters in June; needs room to grow; a very adaptable tree native to the Great Plains.
Linden, littleleaf – Tilia cordata – very pyramidal shape; good yard tree that tolerates wet or dry soils; densely branched; leaves turn a reasonable yellow in fall; 'Greenspire', 'Glenleven', 'Legend' and 'Chancellor' are excellent selections.
Linden , silver – Tilia tomentosa – nice silvery undersides of leaves; tough, drought tolerant; ' Green Mountain ' and 'Satin Shadow' are improved selections.
Maple, Freeman – Acer x freemanii – a fast growing hybrid between red and silver maples; good on tough sites; 'Autumn Blaze' has nice central leader and fall color; 'Celebration' has upright habit; 'Marmo' is selected from the Morton Arboretum near Chicago.
Maple, sugar – Acer saccharum – beautiful tree; choose proven cultivars such as 'Legacy', 'Green Mountain', 'Caddo', 'Commemoration', 'Fall Fiesta'; prefers deep, rich soil and avoid planting in stressed landscape sites; in the future, look for 'Table Rock', from mature trees growing in Table Rock, Nebraska having consistent fall color, and drought and heat tolerance.
Oak, bur – Quercus macrocarpa – one of the best native trees; large, lustrous, deep green leaves; grayish, flaky bark develops into rugged ridged trunks; tolerates drought, wind, extreme cold and heavy soils; interesting mossy capped acorns
Oak, black – Quercus velutina – tough native similar to red oak but native to more upland forests; handsome glossy leaf and great orange-red fall color; excessive taproot, transplant when young; needs full sun; tolerates variety of soil types.
Oak, blackjack – Quercus marilandica – slow-growing with dense, twiggy crown; leaves cling through winter making it a great windbreak tree; handsome spatula shaped leaves; tough, scrubby oak.
Oak, chestnut – Quercus prinus – native to eastern U.S.; dark green, lustrous leaves turn yellow to orange-yellow in fall; will show chlorosis (yellow leaves) on high pH soil; good for wet sites; pretty, rich dark brown acorns.
Oak, chinkapin – Quercus muehlenbergii – very well adapted to alkaline soils; chestnut-like leaves turn yellow in fall; nice bright bark and picturesque branching for winter interest; a tough, adaptable tree that should be planted more; native to southeastern Nebraska .
Oak, English – Quercus robur – good across Nebraska ; matures into a massive, round-topped tree; handsome leaves.
Oak, overcup – Quercus lyrata – handsome tree with oval-rounded crown; tolerates wet or dry soils; acorn almost completely covered by the cap; this could become an important landscape tree; branches upturned; leaves drop earlier in the fall.
Oak, post – Quercus stellata – dense, round-topped crown; handsome leathery leaves almost star-shaped; native to Oklahoma and Kansas ; dense wood once used for fence posts.
Oak, red – Quercus rubra – a very reliable native oak with large lustrous leaves and beautiful fall color from russet to bright red in fall; try to locate trees that came from seeds collected in the Midwest for reliable performance and fall color.
Oak, sawtooth – Quercus acutissima – fast growing oak with sawtooth-edged leaves; long lustrous leaves look like a chestnut and have nice yellow fall color; avoid high pH soils and heavy clay; appears to thrive in our climate and is drought tolerant.
Oak, scarlet – Quercus coccinea – rich, glossy leaves turn a beautiful scarlet color in fall; avoid high pH soils; more rounded outline when mature; drought tolerant; prefers a protected site; native as far west as Missouri and Minnesota.
Oak, shingle – Quercus imbricaria – interesting narrow leaves held through winter; rich, glossy green in summer and bronze in fall; drought tolerant and grows well in heavy cleay; native as far west as Kansas.
Oak, swamp white – Quercus bicolor – lustrous, dark green leaves with bronze-yellow fall color; flaky, grayish-brown bark and round-topped crown; tolerates drought or wet; 45-50' h.
Oak, white – Quercus alba – native to southeastern Nebraska; great majestic tree; good rich red to wine fall color; a durable long-lived tree; somewhat slow-growing, worth the wait.
Persimmon – Diospyros virginiana – nice corky bark; attractive glossy, dark green leaves; interesting fruit great for wildlife.
Tulip Tree – Liriodendron tulipifera – nice large shade tree with large, flag-like leaves that turn a beautiful yellow in fall; prefers deep, well-drained soil, but rather adaptable; avoid planting in stressful sites such as street trees or parking fringe.
Walnut, black – Juglans nigra – the old standard, tough and reliable; plants can grow under walnuts, including the full palette of shade lovers: viburnum, yews, hosta, and vinca.
Yellowwood, American – Cladrastis kentukea – medium size tree with pendulous clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring; handsome smooth bark; the attractive compound leaves turn yellow in fall.
 
Small Deciduous Trees (under 25' tall)  
Buckeye, red – Aesculus pavia – leaves are dark, lustrous and early to emerge in spring; nice flowers clusters of carmine red in late spring; good, rich soil for best results; from full sun to almost heavy shade; drops leaves early in fall without any coloring.
Crabapple – Malus spp. – dozens of cultivars available; consider disease resistant cultivars with persistent fruit: ' Adams ' with pink flowers, ‘David' with white flowers, and ‘Indian Summer' with rose red flowers.
Dogwood, corneliancherry – Cornus mas – large; very hardy; sulfur yellow flowers in early spring; clean summer foliage; nice winter habit; 'Golden Glory' is a nice small tree form; tolerates drought and full sun to part shade; red fruit in fall for wildlife.
Dogwood, gray – Cornus racemosa – large native with good reddish-purple fall color, white fruit clusters in fall; attractive purple fruit clusters enjoyed by songbirds.
Dogwood, pagoda – Cornus alternifolia – beautiful layered small tree; white flowers in spring followed by black fruit clusters.
Fringetree, American – Chionanthus virginicus – this southeastern U.S. native grows with multiple stems, spreading crowns; best in open shade; cloud-like, pure white flowers in late spring; thick, green leaves; fruits of female trees mature to dark blue and are ornamental.
Goldenrain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata – beautiful in flower and fruit set; tough, adaptable tree; very drought tolerant.
Hawthorn – Crataegus spp. – good, tough, small tree; nice fruit effect in fall; white flower clusters in spring; better types worth trying include cockspur hawthorn, 'Winter King' hawthorn, Russian hawthorn, and Washington hawthorn.
Hophornbeam, American – Ostrya virginiana – good, tough, native tree; slow-growing, worth the wait; resistant to ice storm breakage; interesting hoplike fruits in summer; yellow fall color; also known as ironwood.
Ironwood – Carpinus caroliniana – also called musclewood; wonderful, sinewy bark; tolerates shady conditions; nice slow-growing tree; grown in a clump or single stem.
Japanese Pagoda – Sophora japonica – late summer flowers add extra beauty to this mid-size tree; suffers twig dieback; tolerates heat, drought, and pollution.
Japanese Tree Lilac – Syringa reticulata – great ornamental with fragrant white flower clusters in late spring; beautiful cherry-like bark; ‘Ivory Silk' is a heavy bloomer, even in youth, and its dark green leaves are not bothered by pests.
Maple, Amur – Acer ginnala – multi-stemmed habit; dark green foliage leafs out early in spring and turns a brilliant red or yellow in early fall; pretty red samaras (winged seeds) persist through winter.
Maple, Korean – Acer pseudosieboldianum – six-lobed, serrated foliage turns red and orange in fall; blooms in spring are purple instead of the usual maple color of green or yellow.
Maple, Shantung – Acer truncatum – great ornamental from Asia ; small star-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall; drought tolerant.
Oak, gambel – Quercus gambelli – shrubby growth habit with glossy green foliage turning golden yellow in fall; tolerates dry conditions and alkaline soil.
Oak, dwarf chinkapin – Quercus prinoides – great small native tree; shiny, leathery leaves; excellent for small spaces.
Pawpaw – Asimina triloba – large, dark green tropical foliage in summer to golden yellow in fall; interesting dark brown flowers in early spring and large edible fruit in fall that tastes like custard-banana; tolerates wet or dry soils and up to ¾ shade.
Pear, ornamental – Pyrus calleryana – glossy green foliage turning shades of purple, red, and orange in fall; fruit is small and an insignificant litter problem; adapts well to drought and a wide variety of soil types; ‘Aristocrat' has wide-angled branches making them capable of withstanding snow load; ‘Chanticleer' has a narrow habit also making it snow tolerant, and is also disease resistant.
Redbud – Cercis canadensis – great native ornamental prefers growing in some shade; select from northern seed source; pretty purple flowers in spring; attractive heart shaped leaves turn butter yellow in fall.
Serviceberry, Allegheny – Amelanchier laevis – multi-stemmed habit with foliage emerging purple, turning dark green in summer, and yellow-orange-red in fall; showy flowers in late April.
Serviceberry, apple – Amelanchier x grandiflora – native; great four-season tree—flower, leaf, fruit, bark, and branching habit. The apple serviceberry selections 'Autumn Brilliance', 'Forest Prince', 'Robin Hill' are all excellent.
Serviceberry, downy – Amelanchier arborea– multi-stemmed habit with green foliage turning yellow-orange to red in fall; red berries in June are enjoyed by birds.  
 
Evergreen Trees  
Cedar, eastern red – Juniperus virginiana – upright evergreen tolerates wide range of soils and climate; ‘Canaerti' is a great cultivar with tufted foliage; ' Taylor ' is an outstanding GreatPlants selection from central Nebraska noted for its narrow, upright habit.
Douglasfir – Pseudotsuga menziesii – one of the noblest conifers; unique cones are adorned with “tails”; not as drought tolerant as spruce; fails on dry, poor soils; injured by high winds
Fir, balsam – Abies balsamea – nice fragrance; ' Canaan ' is a variety that should be tried more.
Fir, concolor – Abies concolor – one of the most beautiful evergreens; bright blue new growth eventually makes for soft, blue-green needles; should be planted more.
Fir, Fraser – Abies fraseri – very similar to balsam fir, not quite as hardy, needs consistent moisture.
Fir, Korean – Abies koreana – deep purple cones amid short, green needles with white banding underneath; heat tolerant, but prefers cooler areas.
Fir, Nikko – Abies homolepis – glossy, green, 1” needles on a fairly narrow tree holding its pyramidal shape in old age; fairly wind tolerant, except in dry, winter winds.
Pine, Bosnian – Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis – similar to Austrian pine; worth a look.
Pine, Jack – Pinus banksiana – extremely cold hardy; gnarly growth habit.
Pine, Lacebark – Pinus bungeana – beautiful mottled bark; avoid windy, exposed sites.
Pine, Limber – Pinus flexilis – native to Kimball county; very flexible branches are plume-like with twisted blue-green needles; for well-drained, dry soils only.
Pine, Ponderosa – Pinus ponderosa – reliable native with long needles and beautiful bark; for well-drained dry soils; avoid overwatering.
Pine, Red – Pinus resinosa – attractive reddish bark; very cold hardy and drought tolerant.
Pine, White – Pinus strobus – tolerates wetter conditions than most pines; nice soft needles.
Spruce, Black Hills – Picea glauca var. densata – nice alternative to blue spruce; short, dark green needles; likes to be kept moist; tolerates tough sites and conditions; extremely hardy.
Spruce , Norway – Picea abies – beautiful weeping habit and attractive long cones on this durable tree from Europe ; dislikes windy, dry sites.
Spruce, Serbian – Picea omorika – arching, ballerina effect on branches; deep green with white undersides; adaptable; a young tree is doing well in Kimball , Nebraska .  
 
Large Shrubs for eastern Nebraska (over 7' tall at maturity)
Bayberry, northern – Myrica pennsylvanica – semi-evergreen to deciduous shrub; dark, leathery green foliage is aromatic when crushed; chalky blue-gray berries are used to make wax.
Buckeye, bottlebrush – Aesculus parvifolia – typical buckeye leaflets on a multi-stemmed, shrubby plant; beautiful 8-12”, white panicles in July; doesn't readily fruit; more pest-resistant compared to other Aesculus.
Burning Bush – Euonymus alatus – interesting winged stems and dense form; dark green leaves turn crimson in fall; avoid alkaline soils.
Buttonbush – Cephalanthus occidentalis – native; grows in moist or dry sites; interesting white flower balls in summer a favorite of bees and butterflies; glossy green leaves; prune in spring to return to summer condition.
Cherry, Nanking – Prunus tomentosa – early white, fragrant flowers; tart, showy cherries in early summer; 'Bionca' is a nice white fruited form from Siberia ; exfoliating bark; densely branched; handsome shrub that should be used more.
Dogwood, gray – Cornus racemosa – large native with good reddish-purple fall color, white fruit clusters in fall; attractive purple fruit clusters enjoyed by songbirds.
Dogwood, redosier – Cornus sericea –wonderful red stems on this dependable suckering shrub;
many improved selections available.
Dogwood, roughleaf – Cornus drummondii – woolly foliage with creamy white flowers and white
berries; tolerates drought and a wide soil range; good for erosion control.
Dogwood, silky – Cornus amomum – pretty white flowers top this plant from May-June;
followed by showy,blue berries; great for moist sites.
Holly, Meserve – Ilex x merserveae – cold hardy evergreen holly; nice, shiny, blue-green foliage;
white flowers in summer; females have red berries in fall.
Holly, winterberry – Ilex verticillata – green to dark green foliage, somewhat shiny above, somewhat hairy below; berries turn bright red and glossy in October and hold well through winter.
Lilac, common – Syringa vulgaris – large, showy, fragrant flowers bloom lilac in May; many cultivars are available with a wide variety in blooms; many are susceptible to mildew.
Lilac, late – Syringa villosa – small, fragrant, purple-white, trumpet-shaped blooms appear in clusters in June; most pest and disease resistant than common lilac.
Seven Son Flower – Heptacodium miconioides – small, white, fragrant flowers in late summer; showy, burgundy sepals remain for about another month; attractive, tan, exfoliating bark.
Sumac, cutleaf – Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata'– large, green leaves have a feathery-like appearance, fall color is shades of yellow, orange, and red; yellowish-green, pyramidal flowers give way to hairy, red, berry-like clusters in fall
Sumac, fragrant – Rhus aromatica – leaves are arranged in leaflets of three that are dark, shiny green above and hairy below; foliage turns bright orange to reddish-purple in fall.
Sumac, staghorn – Rhus typhina – furry branch tips like a stag's horn; nice crimson fruit clusters in fall tip branches.
Viburnum, American cranberrybush – Viburnum trilobum – 'Wentworth' has flat-topped white flower in spring; handsome maple-like leaves turn red in fall; showy orange-red fruit set lasts well into winter.
Viburnum, arrowwood – Viburnum dentatum – shiny, green, toothed leaves are puckered between the veins and turn yellow or dark reddish-purple in fall; flat-topped white flowers are followed by blue fruit.
Viburnum, blackhaw – Viburnum prunifolium – a large shrub that can be pruned to form a small tree; glossy dark green leaves turn a beautiful yellow-orange-red fall color; white flat-topped flowers lead to showy rose to blue-black fruit clusters in summer and fall.
Viburnum, Koreanspice – Viburnum carlesii – rounded leaves are densely hairy below and somewhat above, turning bright red in fall; pinkish-white flowers in late April are extremely fragrant.
Viburnum, nannyberry – Viburnum lentago – nice, large native shrub; glossy green leaves turn orange-red in fall; flat-headed creamy white flower clusters followed by blue-black fruit; great for song birds; tough as nails!
Wahoo, eastern – Euonymus atropurpureus – large; native shrub with good rose red fruit capsules and orange-red fall color.
Yellowhorn – Xanthoceras sorbifolia – this Chinese native has large, shiny compound leaves; showy upright clusters of tubular white, red-centered flowers in spring; plant in enriched garden soils; surprisingly adaptable; protect from wind and avoid overhead watering during establishment.  
 
Small/Medium Shrubs for eastern Nebraska (under 5' tall at maturity)  
Beautyberry – Callicarpa americana –tiny, lilac flowers appear among large, green leaves in spring; bright magenta to violet fruit matures in the fall is clustered around the stems..`
Boxwood, Korean – Buxus microphylla koreana – tiny, round, evergreen leaves; grows well in fertile, well-drained soil with protection from extreme elements.
Chokeberry, black – Aronia melanocarpa – upright; nice, black fruit clusters can persist all winter; glossy green leaves have nice wine red fall color; tough, adaptable plant; 'Viking' for large fruit, 'Elata' for glossy leaves, 'Autumn Magic' fall color.
Coralberry – Symphoricarpos orbiculatus – native suckering shrub good for massing, tough sites and shady areas; great red-purple fruit clustered along arching stems all through winter; 'Chenault' is a nice low-growing cultivar.
Cotoneaster – Cotoneaster spp. – cranberry cotoneaster has small glossy leaves on arching branches, showy red berries in late summer. Spreading cotoneaster has attractive foliage that turns yellow, orange, red in fall.
Currant – Ribes spp. – good for massing, wildlife and tough sites; clove currant (R. odoratum) has yellow trumpet shaped flowers, spicy fragrance; black fruit in summer; alpine currant (R. alpinum) is one of the first shrubs to leaf out, very hardy; ‘ Red Lake ' (R. rubrum) has bright red berries.
Honeysuckle, dwarf bush – Diervilla lonicera – sprawling habit forming mounds of green foliage with yellow to red tube-like flowers from June-July.
Hydrangea, oakleaf – Hydrangea quercifolia – oak-like leaves are dark green above and hairy, white below turning red to reddish-purple in fall; showy, pyramidal flowers clusters bloom throughout summer beginning in white and aging to pink and tan; old stems have exfoliating cinnamon bark.
Hydrangea, ‘Annabelle' – Hydrangea arborescens – 12” wide, rounded flower clusters of white sterile flowers bloom upright throughout summer; dies to the ground in winter, should be cut back by spring; prefers well-drained soil in shade to part-shade.
Juniper, horizontal – Juniperus horizontalis – 1-2' h. x 4-8' w. groundcover with green to blue-green needles turning purplish in winter; bark exfoliates a cinnamon-brown color; adaptable to most conditions.
Kerria, Japanese – Kerria japonica – extremely textured and toothed leaves are borne on gracefully arching stems that are loaded with bright yellow flower from April-May; prefers well-drained soil in shade to part-shade; shear back periodically to rejuvenate growth.
Lilac, dwarf Korean – Syringa meyeri – 4' h. x 6' w. is a good, compact, late-flowering form.
Lilac, Miss Kim – Syringa patula – 6' h. x 4' w. is a good, compact, late-flowering form.
Ninebark, common – Physocarpus opulifolius – dense, bushy shrubs for hedge plantings; nice papery bark; arrow-shaped leaves; dwarf ninebark (P. opulifolius ‘Nana') grows 4-6' h. with white flowers; ‘Nugget' is a yellow-leaved selection growing to 6' tall and wide.
Potentilla – Potentilla fruticosa – very tough, dense, bushy shrub; wide color range; ‘Prairie Snow' an excellent white flowered selection and ‘Jackman' a golden-yellow variety both from USDA Cheyenne Station.
Rose, Chuckles – Rosa x ‘Chuckles' – flowers are close to the wild form with single, wide-open blossoms; deep pink petals with a white central blush; slightly fragrant.
Rose, redleaf – Rosa rubrifolia – purple foliage in sunny areas with reddish-violet stems, light pink flowers and bright red hips lasting into winter.
Rose, Sea Foam – Rosa x ‘Sea Foam' – double, white flowers with a light fragrance appear among dark green, glossy foliage.
Rose, Theresa Bugnet – Rosa x ‘Theresa Bugnet' – dark red buds open to large, double pink flowers among bluish-green foliage; fragrant.
Serviceberry, Regent – Amelanchier alnifolia – 'Regent' is a 3-4' h selection from North Dakota with large sweet fruit; pendulous white flowers in spring; attractive rounded leaves turn yellow-orange in fall.
Snowberry – Symphoricarpos alba – clusters of white fruit tip thin arching stems in late fall; blue-green scalloped leaves; suckers to create a dense thicket; best in confined space or erosion control.
Spirea, Grefsheim – Spiraea cineria – gray-green leaves densely cover arching branches that are covered with small, star-like, white flowers in late spring.
Spirea, Korean – Spiraea fritschiana – large, flat-topped, white flower clusters to 7” across compliment the rich green leaves; very reliable.
Sumac, ‘Gro-low' – Rhus aromatica – 'Gro-Low' is an excellent woody groundcover for challenging growing conditions; small yellow flowers in spring; shiny, dark green foliage turns orange red in fall
Viburnum, ‘Alfredo' – Viburnum trilobum – a compact variety growing to 6' h. with small, red berries in late summer and bright orange-red foliage in fall
Viburnum, ‘Blue Muffin' – Viburnum dentatum – a true dwarf growing to 4' h.; heavy blooms are followed by a good set of dark blue fruit.
Viburnum, compact Korean spice – Viburnum carlesii ‘Compactum' – 3' h. plant with dark green and disease resistant foliage; light pink blooms in spring are highly fragrant.
Viburnum, dwarf fragrant – Viburnum farreri ‘Nanum' – white flowers bloom in early spring on this 2-3' h. shrub; red turning black fruit in late summer is followed by reddish-purple fall foliage.
Viburnum, ‘Mohawk' – Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk' – dark, leathery green foliage on a semi-evergreen 8-10' h. shrub; dark red flower bud open to reveal fragrant, pinkish-white flower clusters in late spring; fall foliage is a brilliant orange-red.
Weigela – Weigela florida – dark green summer foliage on a 4-6' shrub; slightly fragrant tubular flowers in shades of purple, red, pink, and white in early summer; adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions.
Yew, Japanese – Taxus cuspidata – an evergreen with dark green foliage with many variety with many different growing habits; extremely site adaptable; ‘Nana' is a creeper; ‘Capitata' is a small, conical tree; ‘Densa' is a low-growing, dwarf shrub.