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Part Of The American Meadows Meadowscaping Learning Center

Idaho Native Plants, State Flowers & State Bird

Native plants are adaptable, low-maintenance, and beautiful. They are the best choice for habitat-friendly gardens and thriving ecosystems. Find top picks for native plants in your state - and learn about your state bird and state flowers! 

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Why You Need Native Plants  |  Native Plants By State

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)

Hello native plant enthusiasts! In the list below, you will find popular native plants and wildflower seeds, available from American Meadows, that have a native distribution in your state. You’ll also find information about your state bird, state flower, and state wildflower!

About Our Native Plant Lists For Each State

  • The links will take you to a single plant or seed selection for the plant listed -- but in many cases, we offer multiple cultivars for each plant, and we may offer both seeds and potted plants to grow the plant on your list. This list is a work in progress as we expand our native plant educational resources. 
  • The list for your state is a great place for getting started with native plants - but it is by no means a comprehensive listing of the hundreds of native plants growing in each state. 

Idaho State Bird, State Flower & State Wildflower

Idaho State Flower and Bird

Mountain Bluebird ~ Sialia currucoides
The Mountain Bluebird sings its seldom-heard but sweet warble in high meadows at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. It may venture as far north as central Alaska and is sometimes called the Arctic Bluebird. Nesting in tree holes and bird boxes, this species incubates two sets of five or six blue eggs in a season.

Syringa ~ Philadelphia lewisii
No state flower has as many names as Idaho's, and none raises as many questions. This confusion over the flower's proper name is the fault of the old herbalists who united jasmine, mock orange, and lilac under once classification, Syringa. The kind of Syringa chosen as Idaho's state flower grows to twelve feet in height. In early summer it is covered with masses of fragrant white flowers. Glistening petals surround numerous bright yellow stamens. After the flower's four petals fall, the green seed capsule, set in a cup made by four sepals, continues to decorate the shrub. In late summer this seed capsule ripens and releases the seeds.

From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issues July 24, 1992:

Idaho State Flower and Bird
Idaho Wildflower - Yellow Skunk Cabbage Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers, issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.

About Native Plants

  • Native plants are essential for healthy ecosystems and habitat. They have evolved over time with local wildlife and climate conditions. Many pollinators have special relationships with native plants that they rely on for survival. For instance, some bees are specialists and require nectar and pollen from specific native plants to survive; and butterflies and moths often have specific host plants needed to nourish their caterpillars. For example, Asclepias (Milkweed or Butterfly Weed) is the host plant required for Monarch caterpillars to survive and grow into Monarch Butterflies!
  • It’s OK to grow native plants in your yard that may not be native to your state or region. Remember – just because a plant is not native, does not necessarily mean that it is invasive or harmful. In fact, growing well-behaved introduced plants that are suited to your growing conditions can still provide many benefits to your yard (especially when compared to a traditional turf lawn).  
  • Know before you grow – It's always a good idea to learn what plants are native, well-behaved, and invasive or aggressive in your region before digging in.
  • Learn More: All About Native Plants

Explore our full selection of native plants and seeds

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