The species-to-replace highlighted in this article are frequently found in garden centers and at community plant sales and, as a result, frequently planted in Iowa landscapes. All of these species are non-native, originating from Asia, Europe, or other areas of the world. Some of these species are invasive; others have great potential to become invasive. Not all species on this list are invasive; some are aggressive spreaders or over-planted.
Listed below are species that can be used instead of the more common non-native species. These suggested replacements are selected because they
- have similar (or better) ornamental attributes, like flowers and fall color;
- are similar in size;
- prefer similar growing conditions, in particular, light and soil conditions;
- are winter hardy in Iowa;
- are native or non-problematic non-natives.
Use the lists below to increase species diversity, support wildlife like birds and insects, and reduce the proliferation of invasive non-native species in natural areas.
What is Native | Trees | Shrubs | Perennials | Vines | More Information
What is Native?
A native plant is described as any plant endemic to an area. Often, that area is defined by political boundaries like state lines, but it can also be defined by boundaries created by geographical features (mountain ranges, rivers, oceans, etc), climatic zones (continental, desert, etc.), ecoregions (grasslands, forests, etc.), and/or soil types (sandy, fertile, etc.), among other things.
In the United States, native is typically defined as any organism found in that region before European colonization. The region can be defined by geographic features (east of the Rocky Mountains, east of the Mississippi River, etc.), ecoregions (the Great Plains, the eastern temperate forests, etc.), county or state lines, and/or commonly accepted political regions (the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, etc.).
For this article, native is defined as areas east of the Rocky Mountains within the United States and Canada. This area is primarily grassland or forest with a continental climate. Those species native to areas within the state boundaries of Iowa are also noted.
Trees
Callery Pear
Pyrus calleryana | Native to China, Vietnam
An invasive spreading by seed, especially along roadsides and in woodlands | Also called Bradford pear
Alternatives:
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Crabapple (Malus)
- Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus) | native
- Hawthorn (Crataegus) | some species native
- Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) | native
- Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) | native
- Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) | native
Amur Maple
Acer ginnala (syn: A. tataricum subsp. ginnala) | Native to Mongolia, Korea, Japan
Spreads aggressively by seed
Alternatives:
- American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) |native to parts of Iowa
- Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hawthorn (Crataegus) | some species native
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) | native to parts of Iowa
- American cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Crabapple (Malus)
- Redbud (Cercis canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) | native
- Smoketree (Cotinus) | some species native
Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata | Native to China, Japan, Korea
Spreads aggressively by seed, especially in woodland edges
Alternatives:
- Hazelnut (Corylus) | native; some species native to Iowa
- American hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Smoketree (Cotinus) | some species native
- Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis syn: S. canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
White Mulberry
Morus alba | Native to China
Spreads aggressively by seed, especially in disturbed sites; easily confused with the native red mulberry
Alternatives:
- Linden; Basswood (Tilia) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red mulberry (Morus rubra) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) | native
- Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) | native
Siberian Elm
Ulmus pumila | Native to eastern Siberia, China
Spreads aggressively by seed
Alternatives:
- American Elm (Ulmus americana) Dutch elm resistant cultivars and hybrids | native to parts of Iowa, hybrids may contain parentage from non-native species
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) | native
- Red maple (Acer rubrum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) | native to parts of Iowa
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides | Native to Eastern and Central Europe; Western Asia
Potentially seeds in woodland areas, displacing natives
Alternatives:
- Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Black maple (Acer nigrum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Cucumbertree magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) | native
- Red maple (Acer rubrum) | native to parts of Iowa
- American linden (Tilia americana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) | native
- Katsuratree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
- Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) | native to parts of Iowa
- Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) | native to parts of Iowa
Shrubs
Japanese Barberry
Berberis thunbergii | Native to Japan
Invasive spreading by seed, especially in woodlands
Alternatives:
- Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.) | native
- New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) use dwarf cultivars | native to parts of Iowa
- Shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa syn; Potentilla fruticosa) | native
- Tor Birchleaf spirea (Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor')
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) | native
- Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica syn: Myrica pensylvanica) | native
- Weigela (Weigela florida)
- Shrub roses (Rosa)
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | native to parts of Iowa
Burning Bush
Euonymus alatus | Native to China, Japan, Korea
Invasive spreading by seed, especially in woodlands | Also called winged euonymus
Alternatives:
- Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hazelnut (Corylus) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Smoketree (Cotinus) | some species native
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis syn: S. canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) | native
- Fothergilla (Fothergilla spp.) | native
- Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Withrod (Viburnum nudum) | native
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) | native to parts of Iowa
Glossy Buckthorn
Frangula alnus | Native to Europe
Aggressively speeds by seed
Alternatives:
- Hazelnut (Corylus) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- American elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis syn: S. canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) | native to parts of Iowa
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Summersweet clethra (Clethra alnifolia) | native
Common Buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica | Native to Europe
Invasive spreading by seed, especially in woodlands
Alternatives:
- Hazelnut (Corylus) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) | native to parts of Iowa
- Sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina) | native
Privet
Ligustrum spp. | Native to Asia
Spreads easily by seed
Alternatives:
- Inkberry (Ilex glabra) | native
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier) | native; some species native to Iowa
- Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) | native
- Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) | native to parts of Iowa
- Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia)
- Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) | native
Bush Honeysuckle & Tartarian honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii & Lonicera tatarica | Native to Asia
Invasive spreading by seed, especially in woodlands
Alternatives:
- Dogwood (Cornus) | some species native; some species native to parts of Iowa
- Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Summersweet clethra (Clethra alnifolia) | native
- Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) | native
- Hazelnut (Corylus) | native; some species native to Iowa
Perennials
Goutweed
Aegopodium podagraria | Native to Europe
Spreads aggressively by runners | Also called bishop's weed, bishop's goutweed
Alternatives:
- Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) | native to parts of Iowa
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hosta (Hosta)
- Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) | native
- Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
- Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
- Barrenwort (Epimedium)
- Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) | native
Butterflybush
Buddleja davidii | Native to China
May spread by seed when sterile cultivars are not used
Alternatives:
- Blue giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata)
- Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Catmint (Nepeta)
- Calamint (Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta)
- Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) | native to parts of Iowa
Creeping Bellflower
Campanula rapunculoides | Native to Europe, Asia
Spreads aggressively by runners
Alternatives:
- Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) | native to parts of Iowa
- Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides)
- Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) | native
- Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata)
- Spiked blazing-star (Liatris spicata) | native
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis | Native to Europe
Spreads aggressively by runners
Alternatives:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) | native to parts of Iowa
- Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) | native
- False lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum)
- Bloody geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
- Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense)
- Golden ragwort (Packera aurea) | native to parts of Iowa
- Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Barrenwort (Epimedium)
Dames Rocket
Hesperis matronalis | Native to central and southern Europe
Spreads aggressively by seed, easily confused with garden phlox
Alternatives:
- Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Blue giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spiked blazing-star (Liatris spicata) | native
- Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Hoary vervain (Verbena stricta) | native to parts of Iowa
- Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Largeleaf aster (Eurybia macrophylla) | native to parts of Iowa
- White wood aster (Eurybia divaricata)
- Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) | native
Purple Loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria | Native to Europe
Invasive spreading by runners and seed, especially in wet locations
Alternatives:
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Beebalm (Monarda didyma) | native
- Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Blue vervain (Verbena hastata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spiked blazing-star (Liatris spicata) | native
- Culver's root (Veronicastrum virginicum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Spiked speedwell (Veronica spicata)
- Perennial sage (Salvia)
Amur Silver Grass
Miscanthus sacchariflorus | Native to Japan, Korea, China
Spreads aggressively by runners, especially in wet areas | Also called silver banner grass, pampas grass
Alternatives:
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora)
- Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) | native to parts of Iowa
- Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) | native to parts of Iowa
- Siberian iris (Iris sibirica)
Ribbon Grass
Phalaris arundinaceae var. picta | Native to Asia, Europe
Spreads aggressively by runners, the variegated form is more typical in gardens | Also called reed canary grass
Alternatives:
- Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Bristle-leaf sedge (Carex eburnea) | native to parts of Iowa
- Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra)
- Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) | native
- Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) | native to parts of Iowa
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) | native to parts of Iowa
Periwinkle
Vinca minor | Native to Europe, western Asia
Spreads aggressively by runners
Alternatives:
- Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) | native
- Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) | native
- Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) | native
- Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) | native
- Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana)
- Bloody geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
- Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Barrenwort (Epimedium)
- Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) | native to parts of Iowa
- False lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) | native to parts of Iowa
Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans | Native to Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia
Spreads aggressively by runners | Also called carpet bugle, common bugle
Alternatives:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) | native to parts of Iowa
- Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) | native
- Blue Violet (Viola sororia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Meehan’s mint (Meehania cordata) | native
- Mazus (Mazus reptans)
- Serbian bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana)
- Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) | native to parts of Iowa
- Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) | native to parts of Iowa
Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus repens | Native to Europe, Asia
Spreads aggressively by runners
Alternatives:
- Barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) | native
- Silverweed (Argentina anserina) | native to parts of Iowa
- Goldenstar (Chrysogonum virginianum) | native
- Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana)
- Creeping speedwell (Veronica repens)
- Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata) | native to parts of Iowa
- Barrenwort (Epimedium)
- Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense)
Orange Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva | Native to Europe, Asia
Spreads aggressively by runners | Also called common daylily, ditch daylily, tiger daylily
Alternatives:
- Pale coneflower (Echinacea pallida) | native to parts of Iowa
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) | native to parts of Iowa
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | native to parts of Iowa
- Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata) | native
- Michigan lily (Lilium michiganense) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) | native to parts of Iowa
- Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) | native to parts of Iowa
- Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) | native to parts of Iowa
- Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) | native to parts of Iowa
- Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Garden daylily (Hemerocallis) | named cultivars and hybrids are clump-forming
Vines
Porcelain Berry
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata | Native to northeastern Asia
Spreads aggressively by seed
Alternatives:
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) | native
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia) | native; some species native to parts of Iowa
- American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
Bittersweet, Asiatic
Celastrus orbiculatus | Native to China, Japan
Invasive spreading by seed, easily confused with American bittersweet | Also called Oriental bittersweet, round leaf bittersweet
Alternatives:
- American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) | native to parts of Iowa
- American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) | native
- Red honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) | native to parts of Iowa
Sweet Autumn Clematis
Clematis terniflora | Native to Korea
Spreads aggressively by seed | Also called sweet autumn virginsbower
Alternatives:
- Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
- Heartleaf peppervine (Ampelopsis cordata) | native
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) | native
Wintercreeper
Euonymus fortunei | Native to China
Spreads aggressively by runners
Alternatives:
- Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) | native to parts of Iowa
- Aaron's beard (Hypericum calycinum)
- Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) | native to parts of Iowa
- Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) | native
- Lenten rose (Helleborus spp.)
- Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) | native
- Allegheny pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) | native
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) | native to parts of Iowa
- European ginger (Asarum europaeum)
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica | Native to eastern Asia
Invasive spreading by seed, especially in woodlands
Alternatives:
- Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) | native to parts of Iowa
- Red honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) | native to parts of Iowa
- American groundnut (Apios americana) | native to parts of Iowa
- American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) | native
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) | native to parts of Iowa
- Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) | native to parts of Iowa
- Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) | native
More Information
- Shade Trees for Iowa
- Small-Statured Trees for Iowa
- Groundcovers for Sun
- Groundcovers for Shade
- Perennials for Sun (PDF)
- Perennials for Shade (PDF)
- Perennial Vines for Iowa
Photo credits: 1: Jill Lang/AdobeStock; 2: Aaron Steil; 3: Aaron Steil; 4: Aaron Steil; 5: Aaron Steil; 6: Aaron Steil; 7: Gentle.Cam/AdobeStock; 8: Cindy Haynes; 9: Cindy Haynes; 10: Aaron Steil; 11: Aaron Steil; 12: Cindy Haynes; 13: Cindy Haynes; 14: Barbara/AdobeStock; 15: bykot/AdobeStock; 16: Aaron Steil