How To Choose Keystone Native Plants For Your Ecoregion

Are you part of the growing movement for gardeners, homeowners, and plant lovers to learn more about and grow more native plants? Understanding native plants is an important step in learning about the ecosystems, wildlife, and natural world that we live in. However, it can be challenging to know where to begin, and which plants are best for your yard. 

That’s where keystone plants come in! If you want to help support pollinators and help restore habitats for wildlife right in your own yard or garden, this is a great place to begin. Read on to learn how keystone plants play an important role in a healthy ecosystem. Plus, find out which native plants are best for the pollinators in your own ecoregion.

Learn More:

• What is a keystone species? 
• What is an ecoregion? 
• What ecoregion are you in? 
• Keystone native plant collections for your ecoregion
• Keystone native plant lists for your ecoregion

A keystone species is any species in an ecosystem that has a significant influence on the diversity of other species in its environment. In the plant world, a keystone species is a native plant that provides a significant resource to support habitat for wildlife. These native plants provide essential food, shelter, and ecosystem support – especially for healthy populations of birds, butterflies, and native bees. 

The Natural Resources Defense Council describes a keystone species as “the glue that holds a habitat together.” A keystone species is not necessarily the biggest or the most common in an ecosystem - but it plays a critical role in that ecosystem with many other species relying on it.

Professor Doug Tallamy and Homegrown National Park define a keystone plant as “the most productive plants that support the most species.” Tallamy’s studies show that just a few genera of native plants provide the majority of resources for ecosystem support - especially when it comes to provided food for pollinators like bees and butterflies. 

Native plant keystone species, such as Goldenrod, Rudbeckias, Coreopsis, as well as Oak and Willow trees, are plants that support the lifecycle of the most species of bees and caterpillars. Growing these plants is a great way to get started with native plant gardening, and an easy way to maximize the benefits for pollinators and wildlife in your yard.

A keystone species is not a formal designation, but the term has been in discussion for decades. This term gives us a helpful way to understand just how important one species can be for habitat and ecosystem health.

Common keystone native plant species include:

• Coreopsis  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds
• Lupines  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds
• Sunflowers  -  Shop Seeds
• Asters  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds
• Goldenrod  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds
• Rudbeckias  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds
• Gaillardia  -  Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Across the United States there lies a spectacular array of landscapes, each region beautiful in its own way. Scientists have developed a system to understand these unique ecosystems by studying and mapping these diverse landscapes - these systems are called Ecoregions.

Ecosystem: is a community of plants, animals, and microorganisms and the physical environment in which they interact - including air, water, and soil.

Ecoregion: is a specific region where the ecosystems and the environmental resources are generally similar. 

The EPA has published a framework of mapped ecoregions developed by scientists, regional EPA offices, and federal and state resource management agencies. These ecoregions help us understand the communities of life around us, whether they’re on land, in water, or in the soil. 

EPA Level 2 Ecoregions Map

The EPA has 4 levels of ecoregions. Level 1 includes 12 broad regions - the largest and most general ecoregions. The map above, Level 2, shows more detail. Level 3 and Level 4 each offer a more and more detail within the broader region it’s nested in. 

For more details, visit the EPA to learn more about Ecoregions of North America 

As a home gardener, it’s fascinating to understand the ecoregion you live and garden in. This information can also help you understand the similarities or differences from your garden to a friend or family member’s garden. Learning about your ecoregion will give you clues about your soil, considerations about your climate, and native plant communities.

• Use the map above to find your ecoregion
• Or, use this tool from bplant.org to find your ecoregion 

Once you’ve found your ecoregion, read on to find keystone native plants for your area.

Whether you’re growing a garden, planting a wildflower meadow, or even growing in containers on a balcony or patio - you can help support pollinators and wildlife! Yes, even small plantings play an important role in supporting a healthy ecosystem. 

To make gardening with native plants easier, American Meadows has introduced new plant collections featuring native plant keystone species. We’ve created a collection for three ecoregions of the eastern and midwestern United States. 

New! Native Plant Collection For The Mixed Wood Plains Ecoregion
(Ecoregion 8.1)

New! Ecoregion Native Plant Collection For The Central USA Plains Ecoregion
(Ecoregion 8.2)

New! Native Plant Collection For The Southeastern USA Plains
(Ecoregion 8.3)

Together, our small actions add up to create and support a healthy web of life. More and more gardeners like you are striving to grow native plants that will help support a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard. 

Below are keystone native plant lists created by the experts at Homegrown National Park. These lists include accessible, easy to grow, and versatile native plants that are perfect for beginners and experts alike. These plants are for anyone who wants to grow pollinator plants to help make our world a better place. These keystone native plants can be grown in containers on a balcony or patio, grown in a traditional garden bed, or grown in a large meadow. Whether you’re replacing your lawn, or just starting small with a container garden, these are must-have plants for your next planting project.

Click on the link to shop for native plants and seeds from American Meadows.

Using your ecoregion is a different approach than using state boundaries to find native plant recommendations. Remember, each plant has its own native range and its own growing requirements. 

Grass-Leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) 

Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) | Shop Plants

Helenium autumnale | Shop Plants

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrochium cordifolium) | Shop Plants

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrochium leave) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

New England Aster (Symphyotrochium novae-angliae) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Grass-Leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) | Shop Plants

White Goldenrod (Solidago bicolor)

Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) Shop Plants

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

Helenium autumnale | Shop Plants

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrochium cordifolium) | Shop Plants

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

New England Aster (Symphyotrochium novae-angliae) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Dasiy (Erigeron compositus)

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Shop Seeds

Hairy False Goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrochium leave) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) | Shop Seeds

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Coast Phacelia (Phacelia californica)

Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

Pacific Aster (Symphyotrochium chilense)

Shop Our Ecoregion Native Plant Collection For The Mixed Wood Plains

Grass-Leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

Helenium autumnale | Shop Plants

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) | Shop Plants

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrochium cordifolium) | Shop Plants

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

New England Aster (Symphyotrochium novae-angliae) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Shop Our Ecoregion Native Plant Collection For The Central USA Plains

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata)

Grass-Leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

Helenium autumnale | Shop Plants

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Orange Coneflower or Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) | Shop Plants

Brown Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrochium cordifolium) | Shop Plants

New England Aster (Symphyotrochium novae-angliae) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Shop Our Ecoregion Native Plant Collection For The Southeastern USA Plains

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)

Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) Shop Plants

Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) | Shop Plants

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) | Shop Plants

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

Large Flower Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Helenium autumnale | Shop Plants

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

Ashy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) | Shop Plants

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) | Shop Plants

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrochium cordifolium) | Shop Plants

Maryland Golden-Aster (Chrysopsis mariana)

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Wreath Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) Shop Plants

Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) | Shop Plants

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Shop Seeds

Nuttall’s Sunflower (Helianthus nuttallii)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) | Shop Seeds

Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrochium oblongifolium) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrochium leave) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fascisulata) | Shop Plants

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

New England Aster (Symphyotrochium novae-angliae) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrochium leave) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Prairie Ironweed (Vernonia fascisulata) | Shop Plants

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) | Shop Seeds

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) | Shop Seeds

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Calico Aster (Symphyotrochium laterflorum) | Shop Plants

Large Flower Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)

Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) | Shop Seeds

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) | Shop Seeds

Nuttall’s Sunflower (Helianthus nuttallii)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) | (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Hairy False Goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa)

Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) | Shop Seeds

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) | Shop Seeds

Tahoka Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia)

Desert Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

Cobweb Thistle

Great Valley Gumplant

Bigelow’s Sneezeweed

Lacy Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) | Shop Seeds

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Shop Seeds

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Western Coneflower (Rudbeckia occidentalis)

Desert Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

Pacific Aster (Symphyotrochium chilense)

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) | Shop Seeds

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Shop Seeds

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Tahoka Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia)

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Desert Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata) | Shop Seeds

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron speciosus) (Found in our Native West Wildflower Seed Mix)

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Shop Seeds

Nuttall’s Sunflower (Helianthus nuttallii)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Tahoka Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia)

Mexican Hat Plant (Ratibida columnifera) | Shop Seeds

Desert Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

White Heath Aster (Symphyotrochium ericoides) | Shop Seeds

Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrochium leave) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Large Flower Tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora)

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) | Shop Seeds

Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)

Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennia)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) | Shop Plants | Shop Seeds

Explore our wide range of native wildflower seeds, including regional mixes and rare and hard-to-find species. We also offer a wide range of native perennial plants, including woodland wildflowers, shrubs, and ornamental grasses, and native grass seeds. 

When shopping on our site, use our Plant Advantages filter to find wildflowers native to North America.

Explore all of the native plants, flower seeds, grass seeds, and flower bulbs available from America Meadows. All are backed by our Dig In Guarantee.