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There are a variety of native plants that can be added current plants to home landscapes in Iowa. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommend native wildflowers for woodland gardens. Some of these wildflowers include wild columbine, Jack-in-the-pulpit, goat’s beard, shooting star and wild geranium. These woodland wildflowers are usually found at garden centers or can be purchased through mail-order nurseries in the spring – do not remove them from natural woodland areas.

Native ferns can be good additions in shady locations, these include lady fern, ostrich fern and cinnamon fern. Shrubs can also successfully be grown in partial shade, native deciduous shrubs that do well include gray dogwood, bush honeysuckle and common witchhazel. The horticulturists advise the only native evergreen shrub that doesn’t do well in shady areas is the Canadian yew.