Native & Nativar Plants: Popular Choices for Indiana Landscapes
As homeowners become more conscious of sustainability, pollinator support, and long-term landscape success, native plants have become one of the fastest-growing trends in landscape design. But if you’ve spent any time researching plants, you’ve probably come across another term as well: nativar. So what’s the difference between native plants and nativars, and which should you choose for your Indiana landscape? The good news is that both can play valuable roles in creating beautiful, environmentally friendly outdoor spaces.
What Is a Native Plant?
A native plant is a species that naturally occurs in a region before significant human intervention. These plants evolved alongside local wildlife, insects, and environmental conditions, making them exceptionally well-adapted to Indiana’s soils, weather patterns, and ecosystems.
Benefits of native plants include:
- Excellent support for pollinators and beneficial insects
- Adaptation to Indiana’s climate and seasonal changes
- Reduced need for fertilizers and supplemental watering once established
- Increased biodiversity and habitat creation
- Natural resistance to many local pests and diseases
What Is a Nativar?
A nativar is a cultivated variety of a native plant that has been selected for specific traits such as flower color, compact size, stronger stems, longer bloom times, or improved disease resistance. While nativars maintain many of the characteristics of the native species, they often offer landscape advantages that appeal to homeowners and designers. For a lot of homeowners, a thoughtful combination of native plants and nativars provides the best balance between ecological value and visual appeal.
Benefits of nativars include:
- More predictable growth habits
- Improved performance in residential landscapes
- Extended bloom periods
- Compact forms suitable for smaller spaces
- Unique colors and ornamental features
Popular Native Plants for Indiana Landscapes
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
One of Indiana’s most recognizable native perennials, Purple Coneflower produces vibrant pink-purple blooms throughout summer and attracts butterflies, bees, and songbirds.
Why homeowners love it:
- Long bloom season
- Excellent pollinator support
- Winter seed heads provide seasonal interest and bird food
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
This bright orange milkweed species serves as a host plant for Monarch butterflies and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
What homeowners love:
- Supports Monarch populations
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Striking summer color
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
This native prairie grass adds movement, texture, and year-round interest to landscapes.
Why homeowners love it:
- Attractive blue-green summer foliage
- Copper-orange fall color
- Excellent winter structure
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Cheerful yellow flowers make this native perennial a favorite in both formal and naturalized settings.
What homeowners love:
- Easy to grow
- Attracts pollinators
- Reliable summer color
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot offers lavender blooms that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Why homeowners love it:
- Exceptional pollinator value
- Fragrant foliage
- Cottage garden appeal
Popular Nativars for Indiana Landscapes
‘PowWow Wild Berry’ Coneflower
A compact, floriferous selection of Purple Coneflower that produces abundant blooms without staking.
What homeowners love:
- More flowers per plant
- Strong upright habit
- Excellent for smaller gardens
‘Northwind’ Switchgrass
A refined cultivar of native Switchgrass, ‘Northwind’ Switchgrass is known for its strong vertical growth and clean appearance.
Why homeowners love it:
- Architectural structure
- Four-season interest
- Works well in modern landscape designs
‘Fireworks’ Evening Primrose
An attractive four-season cultivar, ‘Fireworks’ Evening Primrose is host to a wide variety of pollinators and is deer- and rabbit-resistant.
What homeowners love:
- Persistent canary yellow flowers in summer
- Unique deep burgundy-red fall foliage
- Works well in rock gardens and dry conditions
‘Millenium’ Ornamental Onion
While not native itself, ‘Millenium’ Ornamental Onion is a pollinator powerhouse frequently paired with native plantings because of its long bloom period and exceptional bee activity.
Why homeowners love it:
- Easy care
- Long-lasting blooms
- A pollinator magnet
‘Jeana’ Garden Phlox
A cultivated selection, ‘Jeana’ Garden Phlox is known for its exceptional disease resistance and outstanding butterfly attraction.
What homeowners love:
- Improved mildew resistance
- Long bloom season
- Excellent pollinator performance
Which Is Better: Native or Nativar?
The answer depends on your goals. If maximizing ecological benefit is your primary objective, native species often provide the greatest support for pollinators and wildlife. If you’re seeking a more refined appearance, smaller plant sizes, or enhanced ornamental traits, nativars can be an excellent addition. Wasson designers often design landscapes that incorporate both. Native species provide ecological function, while carefully selected nativars add structure, color, and reliability in residential settings.
Creating a Landscape That Works Hard and Looks Beautiful
Native and nativar plants prove that sustainable landscaping doesn’t have to sacrifice beauty. Whether you’re building a pollinator garden, updating foundation plantings, or creating an outdoor living space surrounded by natural beauty, these plants can provide lasting value for both your property and the environment. Our design team can help you select the right combination of plants for your site’s sun exposure, soil conditions, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic goals. The result is a landscape that thrives in Indiana’s climate while providing beauty, interest, and ecological benefits for years to come.