• Gardeners have many choices in native, perennial plants.John Burke/Creatas/Getty Images
  
  Gardeners living in every region of the United States have a wealth of choices in native, perennial plants. Many of these plants give the extra benefit of flowers, brightening up even the dreariest landscape. Native perennials are hardier and less problematic to grow, compared with many nonnative plant species. Plants have adapted to their regions growing conditions making them less fussy. Growing the native in its preferred environment assures a healthy plant for years to come.
  
  

Swamp Sunflower

• yellow flowers image by Lisa Eastman from Fotolia.com
  
  Swamp sunflower (Helianthus augustifolius) is a native, flowering perennial that grows well throughout USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10. Also called narrowleaf sunflower, due to its smallish, narrow leaves, plants are multi-branched with purplish stems. Leaves are thin, with a roughish feel. From late summer into fall, plants fill with masses of yellow, daisy-like flowers attracting butterflies and birds. The sunflower works well in wildlife or mixed perennial gardens.
  
  Plants grow relatively fast, growing up to 6 feet in height with a 4-foot spread. Swamp sunflower is adapted to growing in a wide range of soils. It has a medium tolerance to drought and grows best with frequent watering. Its high tolerance to salty conditions makes it a suitable choice for coastal landscapes. Plants grow best situated in full sun.
  
  

Rudbeckia

• Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) image by Richard McGuirk from Fotolia.com
  
  Also called black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia fulgida) is a native, flowering perennial. Plants are well adapted growing throughout zones 3 through 9. The rudbeckia has a bunching habit, with hairy, green foliage. Flowers are yellowish-orange, daisy-like, with brown centers and fill the plant's canopy throughout the year. Plants attract butterflies and birds making it a suitable choice in wildlife gardens. Rudbeckia works well in mixed perennial gardens, and flowers are suitable for cutting. Deadheading spent blooms promotes blooming.
  
  Plants grow in full sun to partial shade conditions, reaching a mature height and spread of up to 3 feet rather quickly. Rudbeckia prefers growing in well-draining soils kept moist, but does not grow well in consistently wet areas. It has a low tolerance to drought and salt, making this an unsuitable choice for coastal gardens.
  
  

Stokes' Aster

• Stokes' aster (Stokesia laevis) is a native, flowering perennial growing well throughout zones 5 through 10. Plants have long, narrow, evergreen leaves and springtime bring cornflower-like blooms in mixed colors of blue, white, purple and pink. Flowers average 3 to 4 inches in size. The aster flowers are suitable for cutting, lasting approximately one week. This hardy native attracts butterflies and is well suited for use in mixed perennial, wildlife or native gardens and along borders.
  
  Growing relatively fast, stokes' aster reaches up to 2 feet in height and spread at maturity. Plants grow and flower best situated in full sun and have a medium tolerance to drought conditions. It prefers growing in well-drained, moist sites. This aster has a low tolerance to salty conditions, making it unsuitable for gardens lining coastal areas.