New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–8; it flowers in Sep and Oct and reaches 3–5 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Sep–Oct
Connecticut · Zones 5–7
Native Plants for Connecticut
Connecticut gardens sit in the Northeast — a landscape of northern hardwood forest, granite hills, and cool wet meadows. The plants below evolved with that climate (cool, humid continental) and are hardy through zones 5–7, so once established they shrug off the local weather without fuss, fertilizer, or much water.
the Northeast
Ecoregion: Northeastern Coastal Forest
Collections for Connecticut
Find the right natives for your yard.
Each collection is filtered to what actually grows in Connecticut. Pick the goal that fits your conditions.
Pollinators
48 native species
For bees
45 native species
Butterflies
43 native species
Hummingbirds
15 native species
For birds
26 native species
Deer-resistant
36 native species
Full sun
44 native species
For shade
15 native species
Drought-tolerant
24 native species
Clay soil
39 native species
Rain garden
25 native species
Groundcovers
12 native species
Flowering shrubs
12 native species
Grasses
6 native species
Low-maintenance
29 native species
Evergreen
5 native species
Fall color
13 native species
Fragrant
11 native species
Notable natives
Plants to know in Connecticut.
A cross-section of the 57 species native to your region — the workhorses worth starting with.
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
6–10 ft tall and it flowers in May and Jun — an easy fit for Connecticut, hardy in zones 3–8 here.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–9; it blooms Jul through Sep and reaches 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–8; it blooms Mar through May and reaches 1–2 ft.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
A Connecticut native at 6–12 in tall that flowers in Apr and May, comfortable in zones 3–8.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–9; it blooms May through Jul and reaches 1.5–2 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry–average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Short-Toothed Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum muticum
2–3 ft tall and it blooms Jul through Sep — an easy fit for Connecticut, hardy in zones 4–8 here.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–8; it blooms Apr through Jun and reaches 1.5–2 ft.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Dense Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
2–4 ft tall and it flowers in Jul and Aug — an easy fit for Connecticut, hardy in zones 3–9 here.
- Full sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Aug
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–9; it blooms Jun through Aug and reaches 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis
A Connecticut native at 15–25 ft tall that flowers in Apr and May, comfortable in zones 3–8.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
A Connecticut native at 20–30 ft tall that flowers in Mar and Apr, comfortable in zones 4–9.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 20–30 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–8; it blooms Apr through Jun and reaches 1.5–2.5 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Native to Connecticut and hardy in zones 3–9; it blooms Jun through Sep and reaches 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
8–15 ft tall and it blooms Apr through Sep — an easy fit for Connecticut, hardy in zones 4–9 here.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 8–15 ft
- Blooms Apr–Sep
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
A Connecticut native at 3–5 ft tall that blooms Jun through Aug, comfortable in zones 3–9.
- Part shade
- Average
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Sourcing
Where to buy Connecticut natives
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.