HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM VI A. Existing Species ListExisting
Species List
Category Common Name Scientific Name Native to WI?
Landscaping
Point Value
Resilience Weight
(1–10)Additional Notes
Low Deciduous Shrubs Azalea Rhododendron (Azalea)
spp.No (mixed) 1 4
Many cultivated hybrids; prefer acidic, well-
drained soils.
Perennial Catmint Nepeta spp. No 1 5 Aromatic, drought-tolerant, attractive to
pollinators; non-native ornamental.
Perennial Lily Lilium spp. No (mixed)1 5 Many hybrid lilies exist; some North American
natives also.
Perennial Daylily Hemerocallis spp. No 1 4 Popular, hardy ornamental, though not a North
American native.
Perennial Ornamental Grass Varies No (mixed)1 5 Many ornamental grasses available; check for
invasive potential.
Perennial Lady’s Mantel Alchemilla spp. No 1 4 Low-growing ornamental, non-native.
Perennial Jack Frost Brunnera macrophylla No 1 4 Shade-tolerant foliage plant, non-native.
Perennial Black Bugbane Cimicifuga simplex
“Brunette”No 1 5 Ornamental Actaea cultivar, dark foliage, non-
native variety.
Perennial Peony Paeonia spp. No 1 5 Showy flowers; many cultivated hybrids.
Perennial Pachysandra Pachysandra spp. No (mixed)1 4 Common groundcover; some species can be
invasive (Pachysandra terminalis).
Perennial Astilbe Astilbe spp. No 1 4 Moisture-loving shade ornamental from Asia.
Perennial Hosta Hosta spp. No 1 4 Very common shade ornamental, non-native.
Low Deciduous Shrubs Gro-Low Sumac Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Low’ Yes (★)1.1 8 Aromatic sumac cultivar; very drought-tolerant
groundcover shrub.
Perennial Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Yes (★)1.1 8 Native bee balm; excellent for pollinators,
fragrant leaves and flowers.
Perennial Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii Yes (★)1.1 9 Iconic prairie grass; very drought-tolerant, deep-
rooted for soil stabilization.
Perennial Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis Yes (★)1.1 7 Early-spring woodland ephemeral; prefers moist,
rich soils.
Perennial Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor Yes (★)1.1 7 Native wetland iris; good near ponds or rain
gardens.
Perennial Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa Yes (★)1.1 9 Showy orange milkweed; essential for monarch
caterpillars, very drought-tolerant.
Perennial Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis Yes (★)1.1 7 Bright red blooms attract hummingbirds; prefers
moist soil.
Perennial Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Yes (★)1.1 8 Primary monarch host plant; spreads readily,
best in naturalized areas.
Perennial Coreopsis (Lanceleaf)Coreopsis lanceolata Yes (★)1.1 7 Bright yellow, long-blooming prairie flower;
drought-tolerant.
Perennial Geranium Geranium maculatum Yes (★)1.1 7 Native woodland geranium; pinkish-purple
blooms, spring ephemeral.
Perennial Ginger (Wild)Asarum canadense Yes (★)1.1 6 Shade-loving groundcover; distinctive heart-
shaped leaves.
Perennial Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans Yes (★)1.1 9 Tall prairie grass, excellent for erosion control
and wildlife cover.
Perennial Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum Yes (★)1.1 6 Unique woodland plant; prefers moist, shady
habitats.
Perennial Jacob’s Ladder Polemonium reptans Yes (★)1.1 6 Delicate woodland flowers, good for partial
shade.
Perennial Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium Yes (★)1.1 9 Compact warm-season grass with beautiful fall
color; drought-tolerant.
Perennial Lupine (Wild)Lupinus perennis Yes (★)1.1 8 Host plant for Karner blue butterfly; needs well-
drained, sandy soils.
Perennial Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum Yes (★)1.1 6 Graceful woodland fern, prefers cool, moist
shady sites.
Perennial New England Aster Aster novae-angliae
(Symphyotrichum)Yes (★)1.1 8 Late-season purple blooms for pollinators; easy
to grow.
Perennial Nodding Onion Allium cernuum Yes (★)1.1 7 Edible, attractive pink nodding flowers, good in
rock gardens.
Perennial Pale Purple Coneflower Echinacea pallida Yes (★)1.1 8 Graceful, drought-tolerant coneflower with pale
petals.
Perennial Phlox (Prairie)Phlox pilosa Yes (★)1.1 7 Fragrant clusters of pink/purple blooms, loved by
butterflies.
Perennial Prairie Blazing Star Liatris pycnostachya Yes (★)1.1 8 Tall spikes of purple flowers; excellent pollinator
magnet.
Perennial Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis Yes (★)1.1 9 Fine-textured bunchgrass; superb for dry, sunny
sites.
Perennial Prairie Smoke Geum triflorum Yes (★)1.1 7 Unique pink wispy seed heads; good for rock
gardens/prairies.
Perennial Quinine (Wild)Parthenium integrifolium Yes (★)1.1 7 Uncommon native with white composite flowers;
pollinator-friendly.
Perennial Rattlesnake Master Eryngium yuccifolium Yes (★)1.1 8 Spiky spherical blooms, highly drought-tolerant.
Perennial Red Milkweed Asclepias incarnata
(Swamp Milkweed)Yes (★)1.1 7 Prefers moist soil; pinkish-red blooms, excellent
for monarchs.
Perennial Smooth Penstemon Penstemon digitalis Yes (★)1.1 7 Versatile white-flowered penstemon; good for
pollinators.
Perennial Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Yes (★)1.1 7 Purple blooms that open in morning; drought-
tolerant.
Perennial Tufted Hair Grass Deschampsia cespitosa Yes (★)1.1 7 Cool-season bunchgrass, good for partly shady,
moist sites.
Perennial Vervain (Hoary)Verbena stricta Yes (★)1.1 7 Purple flower spikes; drought-tolerant, good for
prairie gardens.
Perennial Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica Yes (★)1.1 6 Early spring ephemeral with blue flowers, prefers
moist shade.
Perennial Yellow Coneflower Ratibida pinnata Yes (★)1.1 8 Tall prairie wildflower with drooping yellow petals.
Perennial Stonecrops Sedum spp.Yes (★)1.1 8 Some native sedums thrive in dry, rocky areas;
pollinator-friendly.
Perennial Blazing Star Liatris spp.Yes (★)1.1 8 A group of native gayfeathers; attract butterflies.
Perennial Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Yes (★)1.1 8 Iconic yellow daisy-like flowers; easy to grow in
many conditions.
Low Evergreen Shrubs Boxwood Buxus spp. No 2 4
Formal evergreen shrub used in hedges; can be
prone to winter burn in harsh climates.
Low Evergreen Shrubs Juniper (Sergeant,
Creeping, Andorra)Juniperus spp. No (mixed) 2 5
Low-growing junipers; good for slopes,
groundcovers, can handle poor soils.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Weigela Weigela spp. No 3 4
Ornamental blooms; non-native, can be used in
foundation plantings.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp. No 3 4
Ornamental, non-native; some species can be
invasive.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Forsythia (Virginia, Rugosa) Forsythia spp. No 3 4 Early spring flowers; non-native ornamental.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Ninebark Physocarpus spp. No (mixed) 3 6
Native species exist (P. opulifolius), but many
ornamental cultivars.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Shrub Rose Rosa spp.Yes (★) 3.3 7
Includes native wild roses; good pollinator
resource, watch for suckering/spread.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs
Viburnum (Arrowwood,
Wayfaring, etc.)
Viburnum spp. (e.g., V.
dentatum)Yes (★) 3.3 8
Many native viburnums; valued for berries,
pollinator support.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Potentilla Potentilla spp.Yes (★) 3.3 7
Cinquefoils; bright blooms, good for border
plantings.
Medium Deciduous
Shrubs Bush Honeysuckle Diervilla spp.Yes (★) 3.3 7
Native Diervilla are non-invasive (unlike Lonicera
genus). Good pollinator shrub.
Tall Deciduous Shrubs Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
“aurea”No (★) 5 7
Elderberry is generally native; “aurea” is a
cultivar with golden foliage.
Tall-Med Evergreen
Shrubs Juniper (Pfitzer) Juniperus x pfitzeriana No 5 5
Hybrid juniper; widely used for foundation
plantings, salt-tolerant.
Tall-Med Evergreen
Shrubs Yew (Japanese) Taxus spp. No 5 4
Shade-tolerant evergreen; note that
berries/seeds are toxic.
Tall Deciduous Shrubs Dogwood (Gray, Pagoda)Cornus spp.Yes (★) 5.5 8
Many native dogwoods for understory/wetland
edges; good wildlife value.
Low Deciduous Trees Flowering Crabapples Malus spp. No (mixed) 10 5
Many hybrids; ornamental blooms; some
improved disease-resistant cultivars.
Low Deciduous Trees Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata No 10 5
Ornamental, fragrant blooms; non-native but
popular as a small street tree.
Low Deciduous Trees Hazelnut Corylus spp.Yes (★) 11 8
Native hazelnuts (C. americana) provide nuts for
wildlife; adaptable shrub/small tree.
Low Evergreen Trees Juniper (Mountbatten)Juniperus chinensis
‘Mountbatten’No 12 6
Ornamental juniper cultivar; good for compact
evergreen screening.
Medium Deciduous Trees Paperbark Maple Acer griseum No 15 5
Ornamental maple with attractive bark; non-
native.
Medium Deciduous Trees Winter King Hawthorn Crataegus viridis No (★)³ 15 6
Attractive fruit; some hawthorn species are
native, but C. viridis is mostly SE US.
Medium Deciduous Trees Callery Pear Pyrus calleryana No 15 3
Ornamental pear; can be invasive; prone to
splitting in storms.
Medium Deciduous Trees Serviceberry Amelanchier spp.Yes (★) 16.5 8
Excellent for multi-season interest (flowers,
berries); supports pollinators.
Medium Deciduous Trees Hornbeam (Musclewood)Carpinus caroliniana Yes (★) 16.5 8
Understory tree; prefers moist, shaded sites;
good for naturalized landscapes.
Medium Deciduous Trees Ironwood/Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana Yes (★) 16.5 8
Tough understory tree; adapts to dry, rocky soils;
good wildlife value.
Tall Deciduous Trees Chanticleer Pear Pyrus calleryana
'Chanticleer'No 30 4
Ornamental flowering pear; can be invasive in
some regions.
Tall Deciduous Trees Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii No (★)² 30 8
Often considered native to southern WI; good
wildlife value, tolerant of limestone soils.
Tall Deciduous Trees Ginkgo (male cultivars) Ginkgo biloba No 30 8
Extremely hardy, pest-resistant; non-native but
excellent urban street tree.
Tall Deciduous Trees State Street Miyabe Maple Acer miyabei 'Morton' No 30 7
A less-common ornamental maple; good urban
tolerance.
Tall Deciduous Trees Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Yes (★) 33 8
Tough, drought-tolerant shade tree; supports
native butterflies.
Tall/Med Evergreen Trees Juniper (Red Cedar)Juniperus virginiana Yes (★) 33 8
Eastern red cedar; tolerant of dry, poor soils;
good winter cover for birds.
Tall/Med Evergreen Trees Arborvitae Thuja spp. (e.g., T.
occidentalis)Yes (★) 33 7
Common hedging/screening evergreen, prefers
moist soil.
Tall/Med Evergreen Trees Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis Yes (★) 33 7
Prefers cool, moist, shaded habitats; sensitive to
drought and wind.
Tall Evergreen Trees Firs Abies spp. No (mixed) 40 6
Some fir species are native (Balsam Fir) but
code lumps them generally.
Tall Evergreen Trees Serbian Spruce Picea omorika No 40 6
Ornamental spruce from the Balkans; graceful
form.
Tall Evergreen Trees Black Hills Spruce Picea glauca var. densata Yes (★) 44 8
A regional variant of white spruce; good
hardiness, tolerates cold.
Tall Evergreen Trees Pine (except Austrian)Pinus spp. (not P. nigra) Yes (★) 44 8
Many pines (e.g., white pine, red pine) are
native; good screening & wildlife benefits.
Shade Trees Birch (River, Paper)Betula spp. (e.g., B. nigra,
B. papyrifera)No in code¹ 50 7
River and paper birch can be native; however,
the original code did not mark them as native.
Shade Trees Linden (Basswood,
Redmond, Little Leaf)
Tilia spp. (e.g., T.
americana)No in code¹ 50 7
American basswood (T. americana) is native, but
some ornamental lindens are non-native.
Shade Trees Elms (hybrids) Ulmus spp. No 50 6
Dutch elm disease-resistant hybrids available;
can handle urban conditions fairly well.
Shade Trees Honey Locust (male
cultivars)
Gleditsia triacanthos var.
inermis No 50 7
Tolerates city stress; male cultivars avoid messy
seed pods.
Shade Trees Maple (Red)Acer spp. (e.g., Acer
rubrum)Yes (★) 55 8
Native red maples can tolerate various soil
conditions and provide bright fall color.
Shade Tree Oak (White)Quercus spp. (e.g.,
Quercus alba)Yes (★) 55 9
White oak group provides high wildlife value,
deep roots, and strong storm resilience.
Notes:
1. Some entries (e.g., Betula spp., Tilia spp.) may have native species but were not starred in the original code list.
2. Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is native in southern WI.
3. Some hawthorns (e.g., Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’) are more common in SE U.S., though other Crataegus spp. are native to WI.
4. Sambucus canadensis is typically native in WI; “aurea” is a golden cultivar.