Top 20 Most Common Flowering Plants in Washington

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Top 20 Most Common Flowering Plants in Washington

Washington, Illinois, United States, boasts a vibrant urban tapestry that is dotted with lush green spaces, providing a perfect habitat for a plethora of native flowers. Among these blossoms are Amur honeysuckle, Mayapple, and Virginia springbeauty. These flowers add a touch of elegance to the city's landscape, symbolizing the resilience and beauty of nature. With their vibrant colors and delicate petals, they contribute to the visual splendor of Washington while playing a vital role in supporting the local ecosystem.

Most Common Flower Plants

Amur honeysuckle

1. Amur honeysuckle

Amur honeysuckle is a massively-branched, perennial shrub with dark green leaves, aromatic white flowers, and luscious burgundy berries that are inedible to humans but relished by birds propagating the seeds. This East Asian native shrub has been utilized in landscape decoration, wildlife cover, and erosion control. However, it is no longer recommended for planting due to invasiveness issues.

Mid spring, Late spring, Summer

Mayapple

With only two leaves and one flower, the mayapple is showy and unique. The name stems from the blooming time in the Northern Hemisphere and the fact that the flowers resemble those of apple trees. The fruit of the mayapple that develops over the summer can, if fully ripened, be used in jams and jellies, while the unripe fruit and other parts of this plant are all poisonous and could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma.

Virginia bluebells

3. Virginia bluebells

The virginia bluebells is a woodland wildflower that blooms for a short period during spring before returning to its dormant state. The flowers start as purplish-pink buds that open into subtly-scented, trumpet-shaped sky blue blossoms. It was known to be used by the Cherokee in the treatment of certain ailments.

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Virginia springbeauty

4. Virginia springbeauty

Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica) has tiny underground tubers (kind of like potatoes) that taste like chestnuts and are utterly delicious. Early American colonists consumed them, but only when they were desperate because it took a lot of time to collect enough for a meal. Its genus name is in honor of John Clayton, who made essential contributions to the study of plants.

Common milkweed

5. Common milkweed

Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as common milkweed, is a flowering perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It contains milky latex which can be toxic to sheep, cows, and other larger mammals (including humans) if it is consumed in large amounts. Many insect species are attracted to common milkweed, most notably monarch butterflies.

Late spring, Summer, Fall

Purple coneflower

6. Purple coneflower

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is an herb native to North America that flourishes in prairie environments or open wooded areas. The purple coneflower makes a good addition to a flower bed or garden because its blooms last the whole summer and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

White snakeroot

7. White snakeroot

When you're around white snakeroot, it is a good idea to exercise caution. This plant contains a toxin called tremetol which causes a potentially fatal illness. What’s more, if animals who are lactating eat white snakeroot, the tremetol is secreted in the milk and can be passed on to humans in this way. Many early European settlers are suspected to have died of this so-called "milk-sickness" before they understood the plant's hazards.

Common blue violet

8. Common blue violet

The common blue violet is an attractive wildflower known for its blue to purplish white hues. It is common in North America, where it is sometimes associated with a weed. The plant is popular as an ornamental, and it is a state flower in several states in the US. Its flowers and leaves are edible and safe to be planted near pets.

Spring, Early summer

Eastern redbud

9. Eastern redbud

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small understory tree native to North America. In spring or early summer clusters of purple-pink flowers appear on bare branches and sometimes on the trunk. The characteristic seed pod reveals that Eastern redbud belongs to the legume family, which makes it a cousin to peas, and locust trees.

Wild blue phlox

10. Wild blue phlox

Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata) also goes by the names of woodland phlox or Louisiana phlox, and it’s indigenous to eastern North America. The flowers sit atop hairy, sticky stems. In the wild, it loves to grow along stream banks. “Phlox” is Greek for “flame” because some flowers of this species have intensely vibrant colors.

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Bloodroot

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a plant species native to eastern North America. In the wild its early spring blooms can be seen spreading across the forest floor or along riverbanks. Its common name comes from its reddish orange-sap, which can be made into a dye. Bloodroot seeds are often spread by ants who take them back to their nests.

Black cherry

12. Black cherry

Black cherry (Prunus serotina) is a medium-sized, deciduous forest tree native to the Americas, but also naturalized in parts of Europe. It features inflorescence with small white blooms that become clusters of dark cherries, edible when pitted. Mature trees have gray-to-black, distinctly crackled bark. The glossy leaves are poisonous to livestock. It is a highly reproductive pioneer species with invasive potential.

Tulip poplar

13. Tulip poplar

The tulip poplar is not a poplar at all but is a member of the magnolia family. It gets its name from the tulip-shaped flowers that are green and yellow. It is the tallest Eastern hardwood and was prized by Native Americans as a favorite tree to use to make dugout canoes.

Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Common sunflower

14. Common sunflower

The common sunflower is recognizable for its bright flower on a very tall stem. It is often grown in gardens. These flowers have been important in culture: they were worshipped by the ancient Inca people, and today, they represent eco-friendly movements. The artist Vincent van Gogh made a famous series of paintings about common sunflower. Wild versions of the plant branch out to many flower heads, but domesticated plants typically only have one.

Wild bergamot

15. Wild bergamot

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a wildflower related to mint. It is also known as bee balm and indeed attracts a great many bees (hummingbirds like it as well). Wild bergamot is sometimes used to make strong-flavored tea. One variant is cultivated specifically for its lemony-scented essential oil.

White clover

16. White clover

White clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herb, one of the most cultivated species of clover. It can be found on lawns and grasslands all over the world. White clover is often cultivated as a forage plant and used for green manure in agriculture.

Late spring, Summer

Black-eyed susan

17. Black-eyed susan

The black-eyed susan is a flowering black and yellow plant with curving leaves. It is culturally important in the Southern U.S., and is often used to attract butterflies to gardens. It long ago spread throughout North America and much of the world. Black-eyed susan is the state flower of Maryland and was important in the history of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Late spring, Summer, Fall

Common chicory

18. Common chicory

Common chicory is used in a variety of culinary applications around the world, most commonly with coffee. It is occasionally also added during the beer-brewing process to inject a coffee-like flavor. The leaves can be boiled or eaten raw in salad or with pasta. Common chicory is also a simple livestock fodder. In European folklore, the small blue flowers could be used to magically open locked doors.

Mid summer, Late summer, Fall

Ditch lily

The ditch lily is a perennial plant known for its captivating lily-like blooms. Its natural habitats are meadows and forests, but it is also a common garden plant in temperate regions around the world. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plant will bloom new ones for weeks. Ditch lily's young buds and flowers are edible either raw or cooked. As a bonus to vegetarians, the flowers contain more fats than most vegetables.

Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Common dandelion

20. Common dandelion

*Taraxacum officinale*, widely known as common dandelion, is a herbaceous perennial that can be found in temperate regions all over the world, in habitats with moist soils. The most popular feature of this plant is its fruits, furry spheres that are easily carried by the wind. Although it is generally considered a weed, common dandelion is actually edible and very nutritious.

Spring, Early summer, Mid summer

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More Plants in Washington

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Washington, Illinois, nestled in the fertile heartland with diverse urban vegetation, provides an ideal milieu for , , and to flourish. This confluence of growth and urbanization raises ecological concerns, as these toxic botanicals pose threats to public health and native species. The city grapples with the dual challenge of nurturing its verdant urban landscape while combating the pervasive spread of these hazardous flora.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Washington, Illinois shakes off the winter chill, its landscapes undergo a jubilant reawakening. Amidst the city's transitioning tapestry, heralds Spring with its colorful burst, dots urban gardens with delicate hues, and punctuates public spaces with its emblematic presence. These bloomers not only accentuate the city's seasonal rhythm but also resonate with local heritage, adding flourishing touches to the community's springtime spirit.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring unveils its vivacity in Washington, Illinois, with a splash of blossoms and the promise of renewal. Amidst the urban scape, residents eagerly anticipate the fruits of the season. The bursts with juicy delight, a local favorite that marks the beginning of the cycle. The resilient follows, threading through the city gardens, its produce synonymous with Spring's gusto. Lastly, the resonates with the community's spirit of growth, its fruits emblematic of the city's embrace of nature's gifts.

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Most Common Fruits

Nestled within a climate that swings from brisk winters to warm summers, Washington, Illinois offers an ideal backdrop for , , and to thrive. Its urban gardens and community orchards, sustained by civic engagement, create a verdant mosaic where these fruit plants flourish. Integral to local heritage, the fruits not only nourish the populace but also enliven community events and reflect an ethos of ecological stewardship.

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Most Common Trees

Washington, Illinois, United States boasts an urban greenscape that thrives amidst the city's unique environmental conditions. Native trees like , , and add to the city's green identity, playing a crucial role in its aesthetic, cultural, and ecological fabric. These trees contribute to the city's beauty, provide shade and habitat for wildlife, and reflect the rich natural heritage of the region. Trusted sources confirm the presence of these hallmark local trees in Washington.

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Most Common Weeds

Nestled within Illinois, Washington battles with a persistent spread of invading garden weeds, fostered by its fertile soil and changeable Midwestern climate. These uninvited guests, notably , , and , entrench themselves firmly in the urban landscape. Their tenacity turns garden maintenance into Sisyphean tasks, as they hungrily colonize both manicured lawns and untamed nooks, manifesting the ceaseless struggle against nature's wild inclinations in this green-woven city.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Nestled in the temperate climate of the Midwest, Washington, Illinois is graced with lush parks and residential areas conducive to growing magnificent trees. The cityscape is adorned by , known for its grand stature and vibrant fall colors, adding to local biodiversity. Towering provide shade and are interwoven with community lore. The robust stand as living monuments, offering ecological benefits and a touch of majesty to the urban environment.

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Most Common Plants

In Washington, you can find Pokeweed, Amur honeysuckle, Mulberry, Virginia creeper, Poison ivy, and more! There are 50 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

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