If you’re interested in taking part in No Mow May or are just looking for ways to help out your local ecosystem, here are some native Iowa plants to help you get started.
All the plants on this list are perennials. If you’re looking to establish a growing garden, make sure to plant more than one to help with pollination and natural seeding.
Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Attractive to bees and butterflies, bee balm has a long bloom time and can serve as a pillar of a pollinator garden.
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Spread: 2-3 feet
- Bloom time: July to September
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Dry to medium
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Cardinal flower can work great around downspouts or other areas around your yard or garden that stay wet. Very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, it brings a nice later bloom.
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Spread: 1-2 feet
- Bloom time: July to September
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Medium to wet
Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
An early bloomer popular with hummingbirds, the foliage also offers good ground cover through the rest of the season.
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Spread: 1-1.5 feet
- Bloom time: April to May
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Medium
Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Native to the Great Plains, coneflowers are great for bees, butterflies and birds and are very adaptable to your needs.
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 feet
- Bloom time: June to July
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: Dry to medium
Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum)
Host to more than 30 pollinator species, Joe Pye weed is a great addition to any sunny pollinator garden. It can be a great addition to a meadow or bioswale, as long as there’s sufficient moisture in the soil.
- Height: 5-7 feet
- Spread: 2-4 feet
- Bloom time: July to September
- Sun: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Medium
Source: Des Moines Register
