Pennsylvania offers gardeners an incredible variety of beautiful flowers that thrive in the state’s diverse climate and growing conditions. From vibrant native wildflowers to classic garden favorites, you have countless options to create stunning displays throughout your landscape.
Whether you’re looking for woodland species like trilliums and Virginia bluebells, prairie natives such as coneflowers and bee balm, or versatile perennials like hydrangeas and phlox, Pennsylvania’s growing zones support an impressive range of flowering plants. You’ll discover options that bloom from early spring through late fall, providing continuous color and interest in your garden while supporting local wildlife and pollinators.
50. Blue Violet
The Common Blue Violet grows close to the ground and makes a charming addition to Pennsylvania gardens. You’ll love its purple flowers with distinctive white throats and three hairy lower petals.
This hardy perennial thrives in USDA zones 3-10, making it perfect for Pennsylvania’s climate. Some people consider this beautiful blue wildflower a weed because it can randomly appear in lawns.
You can grow Blue Violets in various environments, including wet clay soil. They perform well at the base of trees where other flowers struggle.
The blooming period extends from mid-spring through late summer, giving you months of color. Your violets will flourish in full sun to partial shade conditions.
Consider using Blue Violets for rock gardens or as edging plants. They provide excellent ground cover and require minimal maintenance once established.
Pennsylvania hosts both stemmed and stemless violet varieties, with the Common Blue Violet being stemless. The flowers and leaves emerge directly from underground stems.
These native wildflowers also serve as host plants for fritillary butterflies, adding ecological value to your garden.
49. Creeping Phlox
Creeping phlox creates stunning carpets of color across Pennsylvania gardens each spring. This low-growing perennial spreads naturally to form dense mats of needle-like foliage.
You’ll love how these hardy plants bloom in shades of pink, white, purple, and lavender. The flowers completely cover the plant for several weeks in early spring.
Moss phlox grows well in sandy or rocky soils and tolerates many different conditions. It’s perfect for rock gardens, slopes, and areas where you need erosion control.
Your creeping phlox will thrive in sunny locations throughout Pennsylvania. The semi-evergreen foliage looks attractive most of the year, providing structure even when not blooming.
This native Pennsylvania flower works beautifully as ground cover or spilling over retaining walls. You can also use it to edge garden beds and pathways.
Creeping phlox requires little maintenance once established. Simply remove weeds that might compete for nutrients and give it an occasional pruning to keep it looking fresh.
The plant spreads by underground runners, gradually expanding your colorful display each year.
48. Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata)
Fringed loosestrife brings cheerful yellow blooms to Pennsylvania’s wetland areas. This native perennial wildflower produces star-shaped butter-yellow flowers that nod gracefully on erect stems.
You’ll love how this adaptable plant thrives in moist conditions where other flowers struggle. It grows 3-6 inches tall with opposite, lance-shaped green leaves.
The plant gets its name from the small hairs covering the leaf stalks, giving it a distinctive fringed appearance. These hairs distinguish it from other Lysimachia species you might encounter.
Your garden will benefit from its 6-week blooming period from early summer through early fall. The bright yellow flowers attract native bees and provide important pollen.
Plant fringed loosestrife near ponds, streams, or in rain gardens where it can spread naturally. Space plants 24 inches apart when growing in groups.
This easy-to-grow perennial tolerates partial to full sunlight and makes an excellent groundcover for shady, moisture-loving areas.
47. Wild Lupine
Wild lupine brings stunning purple spikes to your Pennsylvania garden. This native perennial herb grows naturally in Pennsylvania’s woodlands and prairies, making it perfectly suited for local growing conditions.
You’ll love watching this member of the bean family reach up to 2 feet tall. The distinctive flower spikes create dramatic vertical interest in your landscape design.
Wild lupine thrives in well-draining soil and prefers full sun to partial shade. You can plant it in naturalized areas or formal garden beds with equal success.
The plant produces attractive seed pods after flowering, adding seasonal interest to your garden. These pods contain seeds that will self-sow, creating new plants for future seasons.
Your local pollinators will appreciate wild lupine’s nectar-rich blooms. Butterflies and bees frequently visit these purple flower spikes throughout the growing season.
Plant wild lupine in spring or fall for best establishment. Water regularly during the first growing season, then this drought-tolerant native will manage with minimal care.
The gray-green foliage provides an attractive backdrop even when the plant isn’t blooming. This makes wild lupine a valuable addition to your Pennsylvania perennial garden.
46. Spotted Touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)
You’ll find this charming annual wildflower with cornucopia-shaped flowers thriving in Pennsylvania’s moist, shaded areas. The distinctive orange blooms feature striking red or dark orange spots that make them instantly recognizable.
Spotted Touch-me-not grows well in environments that many other plants can’t tolerate, including soggy soil and deep shade. You can plant it in areas where other flowers struggle to survive.
This fascinating plant earned its name from its explosive seed dispersal method. When ripe seeds are touched, they burst open dramatically, scattering seeds in all directions.
Your plants will grow up to 4 or 5 feet tall and produce multiple light orange blooms with dark spots. The flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to your garden.
Blooms begin in mid-summer and continue into fall, providing extended color. You’ll appreciate how this native wildflower self-sows vigorously, returning year after year once established.
Plant yours in consistently moist, well-drained soil under partial to full shade for best results.
45. New England Aster
New England Aster brings stunning purple blooms to your Pennsylvania garden when most other flowers are fading. This native Pennsylvania wildflower creates spectacular displays in late summer and fall.
You’ll love how these flowers can grow up to 5 feet tall with bright yellow centers surrounded by up to 40 purple rays. The vibrant purple flowers make this variety a favorite among both gardeners and pollinators.
Your garden will benefit from this deer-resistant beauty that thrives in Pennsylvania’s climate. The Monarch butterflies will visit during their migration to drink the nectar from these late-season blooms.
You can plant New England Aster in medium to moist well-drained soils where it will naturalize beautifully. This rain garden plant adapts well to various growing conditions throughout Pennsylvania.
Your autumn garden will come alive with these spectacular flowers that provide crucial late-season food for pollinators. The scientific name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae reflects recent reclassification, though gardeners still know them by their beloved common name.
44. Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
Jacob’s ladder brings delicate beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its distinctive ladder-like foliage and charming blue flowers. This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
The plant gets its name from the unique arrangement of its leaves, which appear on alternate sides of the stem like rungs on a ladder. You’ll love the bright green compound leaves with up to 27 leaflets that create an attractive foliage mound.
Cup-shaped blue flowers with yellow stamens bloom from early spring into early summer. The blooms range from light blue to deep purple, adding lovely color to shady spots.
Jacob’s ladder is popular with beginning gardeners because it’s easy to grow and maintain. You’ll find it grows best in moist, well-draining soil and cool summer temperatures.
This clump-forming perennial typically reaches 18-24 inches tall and wide, making it an ideal choice for your Pennsylvania shade garden.
43. Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Swamp milkweed brings stunning pink to rose-purple flowers to your Pennsylvania garden. This native perennial creates striking clusters at the top of tall stems that reach 4-5 feet high.
You’ll love the dark-green, narrow lance-shaped leaves that grow opposite each other on branched stems. The leaves may turn purple late in the growing season, adding extra visual interest to your landscape.
This moisture-loving perennial thrives in wet, mucky soils but performs well in average garden conditions too. You can plant it in full sun for best results, though it tolerates some shade.
Your garden will become a crucial host for monarch butterflies when you add swamp milkweed. The leaves provide essential food for monarch caterpillars, making it perfect for pollinator gardens.
The upturned pink flowers bloom in June and July, creating excellent cut flowers for bouquets. You’ll appreciate the long-lasting stems that work beautifully in summer arrangements.
This milkweed works wonderfully in rain gardens and naturalized landscapes. It’s an excellent choice for supporting vital pollinators while adding beautiful color to your Pennsylvania garden.
42. Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)
You might be surprised to learn that Pennsylvania can support cold-hardy cacti in your garden. The Eastern Prickly Pear is the only cactus native to the eastern United States and thrives in challenging conditions.
This hardy plant produces stunning 3-inch wide yellow flowers from June through July. The bright blooms often feature red centers and attract numerous pollinators to your garden.
Your prickly pear will form low, spreading mounds of flat, fleshy green pads. These drought-tolerant plants prefer full sun and sandy, well-drained soil conditions.
The cactus is remarkably cold-hardy, surviving temperatures down to -30°F. This makes it perfect for Pennsylvania’s climate zones.
After flowering, your plant will produce reddish-purple fruits that are edible. Both the pads and fruits can be harvested for culinary use.
You’ll find this undemanding cactus easy to grow once established. Plant it in spring or early summer in your garden’s driest, sunniest spots for best results.
41. Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Rattlesnake Master brings unique architectural beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its striking appearance. This native perennial produces luminous clusters of small, egg-shaped flower heads topped with tiny greenish-white flowers and white pointed bracts.
The plant grows 3 to 5 feet tall with sword-shaped, spiny-edged leaves that resemble yucca plants. Its blue-gray foliage creates a dramatic backdrop for the thistle-like bluish-silver summer blooms.
You’ll find Rattlesnake Master is easy to grow and trouble-free in your garden. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for dry or rocky areas.
This drought-tolerant prairie species develops a deep taproot system. The sweet-scented flowers attract various pollinators during mid-summer blooming.
Your established plants will be difficult to transplant due to their taproot. However, they’ll reward you with years of low-maintenance beauty and interesting texture in native plant gardens or prairie-style landscapes.
40. Wild Sweet William
Wild Sweet William brings delicate beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its star-shaped blooms. This native wildflower produces fragrant clusters of white to blue-violet flowers that appear in early spring.
You’ll love how this evergreen perennial attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard. The sweetly scented flowers make it a wonderful addition near patios or walkways where you can enjoy their fragrance.
Wild Sweet William grows to roughly 2 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for borders or naturalized areas. It sends up its purple-blue flowers on thin stems during summer blooming periods.
This hardy native thrives in various soil types and tolerates mild droughts once established. It grows well in full sun to partial shade conditions, giving you flexibility in placement.
The plant spreads naturally through self-seeding, releasing seeds in fall for next year’s display. Look for purplish spots or streaks along the main stem as a key identifying feature of this charming wildflower.
39. Hairy Beard Tongue (Penstemon hirsutus)
You’ll love this charming native wildflower that brings delicate beauty to Pennsylvania gardens. Hairy Beardtongue produces graceful spikes of tubular flowers in lovely shades of lavender, purple, pink, and white.
This herbaceous perennial grows 18-24 inches tall with distinctly fuzzy stems that give it its common name. The woolly stems sometimes display attractive reddish coloring.
You can enjoy blooms from late spring to early summer that last for a month or longer. The tubular flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Hairy Beardtongue tolerates various light conditions from full sun to partial shade. It thrives in well-drained soils and becomes drought tolerant once established.
This low-maintenance perennial works beautifully in wildflower gardens, dry woodlands, or open fields. The leaves turn beautiful red in fall, adding seasonal interest.
You’ll appreciate that this native plant serves as a larval host for Checkerspot butterflies while requiring minimal care.
38. Painted Trillium
The painted trillium features distinctive crescent-shaped magenta marks at the base of white petals, making it one of the most recognizable spring wildflowers you’ll encounter. This native perennial produces a single elegant bloom that sits atop three whorled leaves.
You’ll find that Pennsylvania is home to seven of America’s 39 trillium species, with painted trillium being among the most anticipated spring arrivals. The wavy-margined petals display reddish purple splotches that serve as pollinator guides.
Growing painted trillium requires specific conditions that mimic its natural woodland habitat with moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. You’ll need to provide consistent moisture while avoiding waterlogged conditions.
This clump-forming perennial thrives in shaded or part-shaded areas where it adds quiet elegance to your garden. The painted trillium prefers acid soils but can adapt to more alkaline conditions when given adequate shade and moisture.
37. Virginia Wild Rye
Virginia Wild Rye brings natural beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its distinctive grass-like appearance. This cool-season grass features flat leaves that grow in bunches and creates an attractive upright display.
You’ll notice the foliage grows to about one foot tall during most of the growing season. The real show begins in June when much taller seedheads appear that resemble wheat stalks.
This fast-growing native grass is very moisture tolerant and adapts well to various growing conditions. You can plant it in full sun or moderate shade depending on your garden’s layout.
Virginia Wild Rye works wonderfully as a natural border or backdrop for your flower beds. Its graceful seedheads add movement and texture to your landscape throughout the summer months.
The plant’s upright growth habit makes it perfect for creating natural screens or filling in bare spots in your yard. You’ll appreciate how it provides year-round interest with its changing seasonal appearance.
This native Pennsylvania grass requires minimal maintenance once established. It’s an excellent choice for gardeners who want beautiful results without constant upkeep.
36. Trillium Grandiflorum
You’ll find Trillium grandiflorum to be one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved spring wildflowers. This native perennial creates stunning displays in your woodland garden with its pure white blooms.
Each flower features three pristine white petals that emerge from a whorl of three broad leaves. The flowers can reach up to 4 inches across and gracefully fade to pink as the season progresses.
You can enjoy these spring ephemerals blooming from April into May in Pennsylvania’s woodlands. They’re commonly called Great White Trillium or Wood Lily.
Your trillium plants prefer partial shade and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH. They thrive in deciduous forest conditions.
These perennials grow from rhizomes and form attractive clumps over time. You’ll notice the plants go dormant by midsummer, so consider interplanting with ferns or hostas to fill the gaps.
The flowers represent years of patient growth, as each bloom is the culmination of seven to ten years’ development.
35. Yellow Coneflower
Yellow Coneflower brings vibrant color to your Pennsylvania garden with its bright golden blooms. This native perennial stands tall and creates stunning displays from mid-spring through fall.
You’ll love how Yellow Coneflower thrives in well-drained, dry soil that isn’t overly rich. Plant it in full sun for maximum flowering potential.
The scientific name Ratibida pinnata identifies this endangered species in Pennsylvania. Despite its rare status, it’s an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.
Your local birds will thank you for planting Yellow Coneflower. Goldfinches especially love visiting these flowers for seeds and nectar.
Butterflies and native bees frequent the blooms throughout the growing season. Monarchs are particularly attracted to these bright yellow flowers.
You can encourage more blooms by removing spent flowers regularly. This deadheading technique stimulates the plant to produce additional flowers.
Yellow Coneflower is one of nine coneflower species native to North America. It’s known for its impressive height and cheerful appearance.
This hardy perennial requires minimal maintenance once established. It tolerates drought conditions well and returns reliably each year.
34. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Bloodroot is a stunning spring ephemeral wildflower native to Eastern North America that brings early beauty to your Pennsylvania garden. You’ll love its pristine white flowers with golden-yellow centers that emerge before the leaves unfurl.
The plant gets its name from the crimson sap that flows through its roots and stems. This bloody-looking sap runs through every part of the plant and its rhizomatous roots.
You’ll find the flowers grow singly on vertical stems about 6 inches long. Each bloom measures 1.5 to 3 inches across when fully opened with 8 to 16 white petals.
The unique leaves start cigar-shaped and slowly unfurl into large, water lily-like foliage. Your bloodroot will thrive in partial shade with moist, well-draining soil under deciduous trees like oak.
You can combine bloodroot with other woodland wildflowers and ferns for early-season interest. The plant is generally pest and disease-free, making it perfect for low-maintenance shade gardens.
33. Buttercup (Ranunculus)
Buttercup flowers bring delicate beauty to Pennsylvania gardens with their multi-petaled rosette-shaped blooms. You’ll love their vibrant colors ranging from yellow and pink to orange, red, purple, and white.
The Pennsylvania buttercup (Ranunculus pensylvanicus) is native to eastern North America and thrives in the state’s climate. This perennial naturally grows in moist meadows and along stream banks.
You can easily grow buttercups by planting the bulbs in fall for beautiful spring blooms. They prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
Pennsylvania buttercup has relatively uncomplicated care requirements and adapts well to various environments. Keep the soil consistently moist since these plants naturally grow near water sources.
Your buttercups will reward you with brilliant double-ruffled petals that make stunning additions to garden beds and floral arrangements. These charming flowers originated in Central Asia but have been cultivated for many different growing conditions.
32. Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
You’ll fall in love with the charming yellow trout lily that brings early spring color to Pennsylvania’s woodland areas. This native wildflower produces distinctive nodding yellow flowers that bloom in March through May.
The plant gets its name from the mottled leaves that resemble trout markings. These elliptic leaves are beautifully marbled with purple and bronze patterns.
Your yellow trout lily will thrive in partial to full shade with moist soil conditions. It naturally grows in deciduous forests, wooded slopes, and along streams throughout eastern North America.
Each flower features elegantly reflexed petals that are often brushed with purple on the outside. The blooms rise above the basal foliage on naked stems, creating an enchanting display.
This spring ephemeral blooms and dies back before tree canopies fully leaf out. The plant forms colonies over time, spreading naturally in suitable woodland conditions.
You can expect your trout lily to reach 6-12 inches in height and spread. It provides important early-season nectar for pollinators when few other flowers are available.
31. White Trillium
White trillium brings elegant beauty to your Pennsylvania woodland garden with its distinctive three-petaled white blooms. This native wildflower graces forest floors throughout the state during spring.
You’ll find white trillium particularly abundant in western Pennsylvania, where it creates stunning displays in shaded woodlands. The large white flowers gradually fade to pink by late spring, adding seasonal color variation to your garden.
Each flower features three white petals, three light green sepals, and six stamens emerging from a whorl of three broad leaves. The blooms can reach up to 4 inches across, making them quite showy in your shade garden.
Plant white trillium in rich, moist soil under dappled shade for best results. The plants take 2-5 years to reach their full height of 1-2 feet, so patience pays off with these woodland gems.
White trillium blooms in April and May, earning it the nickname “wakerobin” since it appears before robins return. You can enjoy these spring ephemerals in naturalized woodland settings or formal shade gardens.
30. Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Woodland phlox brings delicate beauty to your Pennsylvania shade garden with its fragrant clusters of soft blue flowers. This native perennial wildflower thrives in the dappled shade beneath trees and shrubs.
You’ll love how this creeping perennial grows 9-12 inches tall and spreads to form beautiful carpets of color. The plant blooms for nearly a month in mid to late spring, filling your garden with sweet fragrance.
Plant your woodland phlox in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It performs best when kept evenly moist but can tolerate some drought once established.
The fragrant lavender-blue blossoms attract butterflies and provide early nectar for pollinators. Tiger swallowtail butterflies find the flowers especially appealing.
This low-maintenance groundcover spreads slowly to form clumps and helps prevent weeds in bare soil areas. You can also find improved varieties like ‘Blue Moon’ with larger blooms for even more garden impact.
29. Dutchman’s Breeches
Dutchman’s Breeches will add unique charm to your Pennsylvania garden with their distinctive pantaloon-shaped flowers. These spring-blooming wildflowers get their name from their resemblance to old-fashioned breeches hanging on a clothesline.
You’ll find these native plants grow 4 to 10 inches tall with lacy, fern-like leaves. The white flowers dangle gracefully from arched stems, each adorned with bright yellow tips.
Plant them in moist woodlands or shaded areas where they’ll thrive naturally. They prefer rocky woods and slopes with good drainage.
These perennials bloom from March through May, providing early season color when few other flowers are active. After blooming, the entire plant dies back until the following spring.
Your garden will benefit from their ability to attract bumblebees, making them valuable for pollinators. They’re perfect for naturalizing in woodland gardens or shaded borders where you want low-maintenance native beauty.
28. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Mountain laurel makes a stunning addition to your Pennsylvania garden as the state flower of Pennsylvania. This broadleaf evergreen shrub keeps your landscape looking vibrant year-round.
You’ll love the gorgeous flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. The blooms start as deep pink buds and open to reveal pale pink or white petals in attractive clusters.
Your mountain laurel will thrive in various light conditions since it’s very adaptable and can grow in both full shade and full sun. This flexibility makes it perfect for different spots in your yard.
The plant grows throughout the eastern half of the United States and prefers cool areas with moist soil. You can grow it as a shrub or train it as a small tree.
Your garden will benefit from mountain laurel’s deer-resistant properties while still attracting pollinators. The glossy evergreen leaves provide beautiful structure even when the plant isn’t blooming.
27. Wild Blue Phlox
Wild Blue Phlox brings delicate beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its fragrant spring blooms. This native Pennsylvania wildflower has been growing naturally in the state long before European settlers arrived.
You’ll love how this woodland phlox creates spreading clumps that reach 12 to 18 inches tall. The five-petaled flowers come in shades of pale lavender to blue, with occasional pastel pink or white varieties.
Wild Blue Phlox thrives in partial shade and moist, well-drained soils. It’s perfect for woodland edges, naturalized areas, and stream banks in your landscape.
The fragrant blooms appear from April to June, attracting butterflies, clearwing moths, and hummingbirds to your garden. This makes it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscaping.
You can use Wild Blue Phlox as ground cover since it forms vast colonies with its spreading habit. It’s also called woodland phlox and tolerates deep shade better than many flowering plants.
26. Goldenrod (Solidago)
Goldenrod brings stunning golden yellow blooms to your Pennsylvania garden from late summer through fall. This native perennial wildflower grows tall and slim with fluffy flower spikes that create beautiful displays.
About 30 different native goldenrod species bloom during summer and fall in Pennsylvania. Many look similar except for fine details in their flowers, stems, and leaves.
You’ll find goldenrod incredibly easy to grow in any sunny location. It thrives in average or even poor soil conditions, making it perfect for challenging garden spots.
Curtis’ goldenrod grows in nearby Washington and Greene Counties to Allegheny County. This rare Pennsylvania species prefers dry to moist well-drained soils.
The blue-stemmed variety tolerates shade or partial shade unlike other sun-loving species. It grows 1-3 feet tall and often bends in an arch shape.
Once considered a weed, goldenrod is now valued by gardeners for its reliable performance. These perennials return year after year with minimal care required.
25. Christmas Fern
Christmas fern brings year-round beauty to your Pennsylvania garden with its rich, dark green fronds. This native Pennsylvania fern grows naturally throughout the state’s woodlands.
You’ll love how this evergreen fern stays attractive 365 days a year. The bristly pinnae create beautiful texture in your shade garden.
Christmas fern is incredibly easy to grow since it’s not picky about soil conditions. You can plant it in almost any type of soil and watch it thrive.
The fertile fronds have a unique appearance with upper parts that are noticeably smaller and narrower. These sections wither in winter while the rest stays green.
Your Christmas fern will grow in attractive clusters from a central rootstock. This clumping habit makes it perfect for filling shaded areas under trees.
Plant your Christmas fern in part shade with well-drained, humus-rich soil for best results. This hardy native makes an excellent landscaping choice for Pennsylvania gardens.
24. Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
The celandine poppy brings bright golden blooms to your Pennsylvania shade garden each spring. These cheerful yellow flowers measure about 2 inches across and feature four delicate petals.
You’ll love how this native wildflower thrives in woodland conditions. The plant produces clusters of sunny blossoms atop blue-green foliage that emerges early in the season.
Your celandine poppies will perform best in partial to full shade with rich, moist soil. They prefer humus-rich conditions but can tolerate various soil types with proper care.
This perennial forms clumps that reach 12-16 inches tall and spreads about 10 inches wide. The foliage remains attractive through summer if you provide adequate moisture.
One of the best features is how generously it self-sows throughout your garden over time. You can also propagate new plants by dividing established clumps or sowing seeds in fall.
The plant may go dormant during hot, dry summers but will return reliably each spring. Under ideal conditions, you might enjoy a second flush of blooms in late summer.
23. Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana)
You’ll fall in love with Eastern Bluestar’s delicate charm and easy-going nature. This tough yet graceful perennial brings reliable beauty to your Pennsylvania garden year after year.
In late spring, you’ll enjoy clusters of soft blue, star-shaped flowers that create a stunning display. The blooms attract butterflies, hummingbird moths, and native bees to your garden.
Your Eastern Bluestar will develop an attractive vase-shaped growth habit that becomes more striking with age. Mature plants average 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, making them perfect for middle garden borders.
The narrow, willow-like foliage stays attractive all summer long. You’ll get a bonus show in fall when the leaves turn brilliant golden yellow.
This American Horticultural Society selection thrives in both sun and partial shade. It handles moist soils well and spreads naturally into nearby woodland areas.
You can plant Eastern Bluestar in native gardens or meadowscapes where it adds unique texture and color. It looks particularly stunning when planted in groups.
22. Violet (Viola sororia)
You’ll fall in love with the charming Common Blue Violet, a native Pennsylvania wildflower that brings delicate beauty to your garden. This low-growing perennial features heart-shaped leaves topped with lovely blue-violet flowers.
The flowers display five petals with conspicuous white throats, creating an elegant contrast. You’ll discover that violet flowers come in various shades, including blue-violet, pink-purple, and white varieties.
Your violets will thrive in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. They can tolerate full sun if moisture levels remain adequate.
These versatile plants bloom from spring through early summer, spreading naturally through self-seeding. You’ll appreciate that violets serve as host plants for fritillary butterflies in Pennsylvania.
Your Common Blue Violet will establish itself as excellent groundcover in woodland gardens or naturalized areas. The plants remain compact and well-behaved while providing consistent spring color year after year.
21. Eastern Red Columbine
Eastern Red Columbine brings stunning red and yellow blooms to your Pennsylvania garden. This native wildflower thrives in partial shade and creates eye-catching displays in late spring.
You’ll love watching hummingbirds visit these nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The striking red and yellow color combinations make it a favorite nectar source for ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies.
This perennial grows 1-3 feet tall and adapts well to various conditions. You can plant it in rocky woodlands, slopes, or filtered sun areas for best results.
The delicate, fernlike foliage forms attractive mounds of lobed green leaves. Your garden will benefit from this Pennsylvania native’s easy care requirements and reliable blooming habit.
Eastern Red Columbine self-seeds readily, giving you more plants each year. The Virginia Native Plant Society recognized this beauty as Wildflower of the Year in 1998, highlighting its garden value.
20. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
You’ll love this tall native Pennsylvania perennial that brings late-season color to your garden. Joe-Pye weed produces stunning clusters of pinkish-purple flowers from July through September.
This impressive plant grows 4-7 feet tall and thrives in Pennsylvania’s climate. You can plant it in both moist and well-drained soils, making it quite versatile for different garden locations.
The vanilla-scented flower clusters can reach 12-18 inches across. Your garden will become a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators when these blooms appear.
You’ll find Joe-Pye weed works well in partial to full shade. It adapts to various growing conditions, though it prefers some moisture.
This Missouri native perennial features dark green, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls around sturdy stems. The plant forms attractive clumps that return year after year.
Your pollinator garden will thrive with this butterfly-attracting wildflower. It’s perfect for rain gardens, meadow plantings, or naturalized areas where you want reliable late-summer blooms.
19. False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
False sunflowers bring cheerful yellow blooms to your Pennsylvania garden from summer through fall. These native North American perennials grow 3-5 feet tall and produce daisy-like flowers.
You’ll love how easy these plants are to grow. They thrive in full sun and tolerate various soil types with minimal care.
The scientific name comes from Greek words meaning “sun appearance” and “like sunflower.” False sunflowers are more compact than true sunflowers and less likely to flop over.
These drought-tolerant perennials are perfect for low-maintenance gardens. They attract bees and butterflies while providing long-lasting blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms throughout the season. You can divide clumps every few years to maintain plant vigor.
False sunflowers work well in borders, garden beds, or naturalized areas. Their bright yellow flowers add warmth to your landscape until autumn frost arrives.
18. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
Blazing Star brings stunning vertical drama to your Pennsylvania garden with its tall, distinctive flower spikes. This North American native perennial thrives in the state’s climate and soil conditions.
You’ll love how these drought-tolerant plants produce striking purple or white flower spikes that reach 3-4 feet tall. The blooms appear in mid-summer and last for 4-6 weeks.
What makes Blazing Star unique is how its flowers bloom from top to bottom along the spike. This creates an eye-catching display that stands out in your flower borders.
The grass-like foliage forms neat clumps at the base of the plant. Your garden will benefit from this pollinator magnet that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the blooming season.
Plant Blazing Star in full sun with well-drained soil for best results. Once established, these hardy perennials tolerate summer heat and dryness beautifully.
You can use them as striking individual specimens or mass plant them for dramatic impact in your Pennsylvania landscape.
17. Wild Columbine
Wild Columbine brings striking beauty to Pennsylvania gardens with its distinctive red and yellow blooms. This native Pennsylvania perennial creates eye-catching displays from late spring through early summer.
You’ll love how these graceful flowers nod delicately on tall stems, reaching heights of 1-3 feet. The unique drooping flowers are red and yellow and measure about 1.5 inches across.
Your garden will attract hummingbirds and butterflies when you plant Wild Columbine. These pollinators are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms that appear from April through July.
This adaptable flower thrives in partial shade to filtered sunlight. You can successfully grow it in various soil conditions, from woodland edges to rocky slopes and riverbanks.
Wild Columbine works beautifully in woodland gardens, rock gardens, and cottage-style landscapes. The delicate compound foliage adds texture even when the plant isn’t blooming.
You’ll find this herbaceous perennial easy to establish with high germination rates. Once planted, it returns reliably each year, making it a low-maintenance addition to your Pennsylvania garden.
16. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Sneezeweed brings vibrant yellow blooms to your Pennsylvania garden when many other flowers start fading. This native perennial wildflower thrives in Pennsylvania’s climate and soil conditions.
You’ll love how this upright, clump-forming perennial grows 3-5 feet tall with daisy-like flowers. The bright yellow petals surround button-like centers, creating eye-catching displays in late summer through fall.
This adaptable plant grows well in various site conditions from full sun to partial sun. It prefers moist to wet soils, making it perfect for rain gardens or naturally damp areas in your yard.
Your garden will become a pollinator paradise with sneezeweed. The abundant blooms attract butterflies and bees during late summer when these insects need nectar sources most.
The dark green, lance-shaped leaves complement the cheerful flowers beautifully. One plant can produce up to 100 flower heads in a branching display, giving you weeks of continuous color.
15. Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Sweet William brings vibrant color clusters to your Pennsylvania garden with its distinctive flattened flower heads. This fragrant flowering plant produces blooms from late spring through the first frosts.
You’ll find flowers in white, pink, red, and burgundy shades, often featuring bicolor combinations with contrasting eyes. The densely packed clusters create stunning visual impact in borders and rock gardens.
This slow-growing plant reaches about 2 feet tall and works well as a biennial or short-lived perennial. You can also grow it as an annual in Pennsylvania’s climate.
Sweet William thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. The plant attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your garden with its spicy-sweet fragrance.
You’ll appreciate how easy Sweet William is to care for once established. The sturdy stems make excellent cut flowers that last well in bouquets.
Plant Sweet William in mixed borders or containers for best results. Its compact growth habit and long blooming period make it perfect for Pennsylvania gardens.
14. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
The cardinal flower is a tall perennial native to the eastern United States that will add stunning color to your Pennsylvania garden. Its brilliant red blooms make it one of the most eye-catching flowers you can grow.
You’ll love how this hardy native plant attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your outdoor space. The flower spikes bloom from midsummer through early fall, providing months of vibrant display.
Cardinal flowers typically reach 2-4 feet tall with lance-shaped, glossy green leaves. The two-lipped red blossoms are densely packed on upright spikes that rise above the foliage.
This perennial thrives in moist conditions, making it perfect for rain gardens or areas near water features. You can easily grow cardinal flowers in partial shade to full sun locations throughout Pennsylvania.
The plant returns year after year and requires minimal maintenance once established. It’s an excellent choice for wildlife gardens since it provides nectar for pollinators during late summer when many other flowers have finished blooming.
13. Solomon’s Seal
Solomon’s Seal brings elegant beauty to your Pennsylvania shade garden with its graceful arching stems and delicate bell-shaped flowers. This perennial woodland plant produces small, tubular blooms in creamy-white to yellow-green colors.
You’ll find this native plant thriving in Pennsylvania’s woodlands naturally. The smooth Solomon’s Seal variety displays one to four flowers dangling from leaf axils along each stem.
Your Solomon’s Seal will grow best in part shade to shade conditions with rich, moist, well-drained soil. It’s drought tolerant once established and has few disease problems.
This plant makes an excellent companion for shade-loving plants like ferns and hostas. You can find Solomon’s Seal at most garden centers, with variegated varieties offering additional visual interest through white or light green leaf streaks.
The plant slowly spreads through underground rhizomes, creating attractive colonies over time in your woodland garden areas.
12. Blueflag Iris (Iris versicolor)
The Blue Flag Iris is a beautiful semi-aquatic plant that thrives in Pennsylvania’s wetland conditions. You’ll love its striking blue-violet flowers that appear on 2 to 3 foot stalks.
This native perennial blooms in May and June with gorgeous flowers featuring yellow throats. The bloom time can last well into August under the right conditions.
You’ll notice the sword-shaped, bluish-green leaves form attractive clumps. The flower colors range from blue to deep blue-violet with purple veins and yellow-white centers.
Blue Flag Iris is visited by numerous bumblebees, mason bees, and sweat bees making it excellent for pollinators. Hummingbirds also enjoy these flowers while deer typically avoid them.
This versatile plant grows well along water features or in regular garden beds. You can plant it in rain gardens where it handles wet conditions beautifully.
The angular seed capsules split open to release seeds for natural propagation. You’ll find this low-maintenance iris perfect for adding color to your Pennsylvania garden.
11. Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack-in-the-Pulpit is one of Pennsylvania’s most fascinating native wildflowers. This perennial woodland plant blooms from April to June and can be found in all Pennsylvania counties.
The plant features a unique hooded structure that resembles something from science fiction. You’ll notice tiny flowers along the edges of this distinctive hood-like covering.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit grows up to 2 feet high but is typically much smaller. It sprouts each spring from an underground corm.
This woodland beauty thrives in your shaded garden areas. The plant prefers moist, shady locations and tolerates wet, boggy conditions where other flowers struggle.
You can plant Jack-in-the-Pulpit in humus-rich, consistently moist soils with partial to full shade. It naturally forms small clusters over time.
During fall, you’ll enjoy bright red berries that add seasonal interest. This easy-to-cultivate plant makes an excellent choice for your woodland or shade garden.
10. Wild Geranium
Wild geranium makes an excellent addition to your Pennsylvania garden with its charming pink to light violet blooms. Also known as Cranesbill, this native wildflower features five-parted, deeply lobed leaves that create attractive foliage.
You’ll find this perennial thrives in shady, wooded areas and along roadsides throughout the state. The beautiful wildflower blooms from mid-spring well into summer, displaying five pink or purplish petals with ten stamens.
Wild geranium is perfect for beginner gardeners since it’s easy to grow and pairs beautifully with other woodland natives. Your plants will adapt to various conditions, from average to well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
The flowers love moist, humusy soils where they’ll naturalize without becoming aggressive. You can even grow them in poor clay soils successfully.
After flowering, the seed pods develop an interesting beak-like appearance that gives the plant its Cranesbill nickname. You won’t need to deadhead these plants since they typically don’t repeat bloom during the growing season.
9. Lupine
Lupines bring stunning vertical color to Pennsylvania gardens with their tall flower spikes. These charismatic plants feature bold raceme flowers and palm-like foliage that create dramatic garden displays.
You can plant lupines in spring or fall for best results. Also called bluebonnets, lupines attract butterflies and pollinators while being deer-resistant and low-maintenance.
These perennials bloom from spring through summer months. The plants exhibit blossoms in open or dense whorls on long, thick, upright spikes well above the foliage.
Their nectar-rich flowers make them a favorite among pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem. This makes lupines an excellent choice for supporting local wildlife in your Pennsylvania garden.
You’ll find plenty of lupine species and cultivars that grow quite well in ornamental gardens. The flowers come in various colors including purple, pink, white, and yellow.
Being native wildflowers in much of the US and Canada, learning how to grow and care for lupines is simple. They combine beauty with ecological benefits perfectly.
8. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed brings vibrant orange blooms to your Pennsylvania garden from early summer through fall. This native North American perennial grows about 2 feet tall and spreads 1.5 feet wide.
You’ll love how this low-maintenance flower attracts butterflies throughout the growing season. It serves as a crucial host plant for monarch butterfly larvae.
Plant your Butterfly Weed in a sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of full sun daily. This hardy perennial thrives in well-drained, sandy soil conditions.
The plant produces bright orange, flat-topped flower clusters that bloom for many weeks. After flowering, decorative seed pods form with silky white hairs that disperse in the wind.
Butterfly Weed develops a deep taproot system that makes it extremely drought tolerant once established. This resilient wildflower flourishes in harsh conditions where other plants struggle.
You can use the attractive seed pods in dried flower arrangements during winter months.
7. Virginia Bluebells
Virginia bluebells are graceful spring wildflowers that will enchant you with their delicate beauty. These Pennsylvania natives bloom from late March through early May, creating stunning displays in woodland gardens.
You’ll love how the flowers change colors as they develop. The buds start pink and transform to purple, then blue all on the same plant. This creates a beautiful multicolored effect that’s truly magical.
These herbaceous perennials grow 1-2 feet tall with smooth, oval leaves in blue-green shades. They prefer partial shade and moist soil conditions, making them perfect for woodland settings.
As spring ephemerals, Virginia bluebells have a unique growing pattern. They emerge in early spring, bloom quickly, then go dormant by mid-summer before trees leaf out fully.
Your garden will benefit from their early nectar source for native bees and butterflies. These long-lived perennials spread through rhizomes, eventually forming attractive colonies that return year after year.
6. Columbine (Aquilegia)
Columbine brings a delicate, woodland charm to your Pennsylvania garden with its nodding blooms and lacy foliage. These graceful perennial wildflowers belong to the buttercup family and adapt beautifully to various growing conditions.
You’ll love the unique star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The blossoms come in stunning colors including blue, red, pink, yellow, purple, and white, with many featuring attractive bi-color combinations.
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is native to eastern North America and displays beautiful red and yellow drooping flowers. This variety grows 2-3 feet tall and blooms from May through June.
Your columbine will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, making it perfect for Pennsylvania’s climate. Plant them in sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained, fertile soil of average quality.
These old-fashioned flowers naturalize easily and require minimal maintenance once established. The compound leaves create an airy, graceful appearance that complements other shade garden plants beautifully.
Columbine works wonderfully in woodland gardens, rock gardens, or mixed perennial borders where you want to add romantic appeal.
5. Purple Phlox
Purple phlox brings stunning color and sweet fragrance to Pennsylvania gardens. These beloved native flowers have been growing naturally in the state long before European settlers arrived.
Wild phlox offers something for every garden, from short ground-covering types to tall border plants. You can choose from several purple varieties to match your landscape style.
Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) creates a low, spreading carpet with needle-like leaves. This variety produces masses of starry purple flowers in early spring that cover the entire plant for 3-4 weeks.
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) grows upright and reaches up to 4 feet tall. Purple varieties like ‘Violet Flame’ create bold displays in borders with their large, fragrant flower clusters.
Violet Pinwheels Phlox blooms early in spring with gorgeous star-like blooms that carpet the ground. This makes an excellent choice for pathway edging or groundcover.
Purple phlox thrives in sunny locations with well-draining soil. Choose disease-resistant varieties for best results in Pennsylvania’s climate.
4. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan brings bright yellow blooms to your Pennsylvania garden from summer through fall. This native North American wildflower features cheerful daisy-like flowers with dark chocolate centers.
You’ll love how easy these flowers are to grow. They adapt well to clay, loam, and sandy soils and prefer full sun with moderate moisture.
Plant your black-eyed Susans in well-drained soil with moderate fertility. Avoid areas where lawn fertilizer might provide excess nitrogen, as this can reduce flowering.
These hardy perennials bloom for months on end and make excellent cut flowers. The blooms last well in vases and provide long-lasting indoor beauty.
Your garden will benefit from their ecological value as they attract pollinators and butterflies. Black-eyed Susans work perfectly in wildflower gardens, borders, or naturalized areas.
They’re particularly stunning when planted in groups, creating masses of golden color that brighten any landscape throughout the growing season.
3. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are perfect native wildflowers for Pennsylvania gardens. These hardy perennials bloom from summer through fall with striking daisy-like flowers.
You’ll find many colorful varieties beyond the classic purple coneflower. Popular options include pink, white, orange, and yellow cultivars that add vibrant color to your landscape.
These flowers need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. Coneflowers are very heat tolerant and can handle Pennsylvania’s hot summers with minimal care.
Your garden will attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators when you plant coneflowers. The flowers also make excellent cut flowers that last over a week in bouquets.
Coneflowers are naturally deer resistant and have few pest problems. This makes them ideal for low-maintenance gardening in Pennsylvania.
You can leave the seed heads on plants through winter for added interest. The cone-shaped centers provide food for birds and create attractive winter structure in your garden.
These American native plants work well in mixed borders, wildflower meadows, or cottage garden settings throughout Pennsylvania.
2. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee balm brings vibrant colors and delightful fragrance to your Pennsylvania garden. This native North American perennial thrives in the state’s climate and soil conditions.
You’ll love how these colorful, quirky flowers attract pollinators to your yard. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to the nectar-rich blooms throughout the growing season.
Bee balm performs best in full sun or partial shade with well-draining soil. It’s surprisingly easy to grow and maintain in Pennsylvania’s variable weather.
The flowers bloom from late spring through summer’s end. You can choose from varieties like Balmy Lilac with gorgeous purple blooms or Kardinal with brilliant raspberry red flowers.
This member of the mint family grows 3-4 feet tall. Your garden will benefit from bee balm’s pollinator-friendly appeal and aromatic foliage.
Plant bee balm in your vegetable garden as a beneficial companion plant. It helps attract helpful insects while adding beautiful color to your landscape.
1. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas bring stunning beauty to Pennsylvania gardens with their large, showy blooms and vibrant colors. These beloved flowering shrubs thrive in the state’s climate and offer months of gorgeous displays.
Most hydrangea varieties grow well throughout Pennsylvania since they’re hardy to zone 3. You’ll find they adapt to various growing conditions while producing spectacular flower clusters.
Plant your hydrangeas in moist, well-drained soil for best results. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun locations with adequate moisture.
The timing for hydrangea blooms in Pennsylvania is crucial for optimal flower production. Peak blooming typically occurs during summer months when conditions are ideal.
Popular varieties include the classic ‘Annabelle’ with its white globe-shaped flowers and PeeGee hydrangeas with cone-shaped blooms. PeeGee hydrangeas are extremely cold-hardy and can even be trained into small tree forms.
Early spring is the best planting time in Pennsylvania. This allows plants to establish strong root systems before summer heat arrives.
Your hydrangeas will reward you with beautiful cut flowers and create stunning focal points in your landscape design.
