Kentucky Native Plants

Want to go native? Find the best selection of biological species for the State of Kentucky here at Nature Hills Nursery! Native trees are better able to cope with the local environmental conditions of an area and typically require less attention than non-natives and hybrids! They establish faster and thrive!

Choosing indigenous trees for your State means you will know your tree will happily grow for you with few issues! Tolerating local growing zones, and climate, weather, and anything else your State can throw at them! Plus you’ll feed pollinators, songbirds, and wildlife by providing them with a tree they recognize!

Best Kentucky Native Trees

Kentucky has summers that vary from warm to hot and humid, while winters are cool with occasional bouts of very cold arctic air. Kentucky is entirely USDA planting zone 6 (both 6a and 6b). Including a wide range of biomes from Bluegrass, to Appalachian Plateaus and Mississippian Plateau, from the Shawnee Hills to the Jackson Purchase. You will enjoy a wide variety of native trees in this State!

The Tulip Poplar Tree is the Kentucky State Tree but you have a wide variety of other native trees to choose from in this great state including the Kentucky Coffee Tree!

What Tree Grows Best in Kentucky?

Find your Hardiness Zone and then choose any tree that has a range that includes zone 6! Check with your local County Extension Office for more information if needed.

While many of these trees are native to much of the Eastern US, these are some of the most signature trees you will find growing in Kentucky!

Best Evergreen Trees For Kentucky

Check out these other Kentucky Native Evergreen Trees that keep their leaves year-round! These are favorites to the State bird - the Northern Cardinal.

American Holly Bush/Tree
Eastern Hemlock Tree
Eastern Red Cedar (Redcedar)
Eastern White Pine
Loblolly Pine

Native Flowering Trees to Grow in Kentucky

Perfume your yard, and feed pollinators and hummingbirds nectar and pollen they evolved alongside in your State!

American Hornbeam
American Hop Hornbeam
Bald Cypress Trees
Black Gum Trees (aka: Black Tupelo Tree)
Buckeye Trees - Bottlebrush, Red, Ohio & Yellow
Carolina Silverbell Tree
Dogwood Trees - Pagoda, Roughleaf, Silky, Swamp, Red, Pink, White, and Gray
Eastern Redbud Trees
Fringetree (Fringe Tree) & Grancy Greybeard Tree
Magnolia - Southern and Cucumber Tree
Oak Trees - Black, Blackjack, Bur, Red, Nuttall, Overcup, Pin, Scarlet, Shingle, Shumard, Swamp Chestnut, White & Willow
Pussy Willow
Sweet Birch and River Birch
Smoketree
Tulip Tree (Tulip Poplar)
Sourwood Trees
Sweetgum Tree
Witchhazel Tree
Yellowwood Tree

What Are Native Shade Trees in Kentucky?

Kentucky can get some very warm and sunny summer temperatures so you need a shade tree to help beat cooling costs and give your backyard seating some lush relief from the sun! Plus you’ll need strong trees for the snow load in the winter.

American Basswood (Linden)
Blacklocust (Black Locust) Tree
Box Elder Tree
Catalpa/Northern Catalpa
Cottonwood/Eastern Cottonwood Tree
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Hackberry/Sugarberry Tree
Quaking Aspen
Black, Red, Silver, and Sugar Maple Trees
American Sycamore
Washington Hawthorn
Black Willow Tree

Native Fruit & Nut Trees for Kentucky

We love edible landscaping trees that look great and feed you too! Plus these and many of the trees above are wildlife trees that many creatures depend on for food.

American Beech
American Chestnut Tree
American Plum and Chickasaw Plum
Black Cherry Tree
Black Walnut Tree
Pawpaw Trees
American Persimmon Tree
Black, Bitternut, Butternut, Red, Shagbark, Shellbark, and Pignut Hickory Trees
Hardy Pecan Trees
Red Mulberry Tree
Allegheny & Downy Serviceberry
Hazelnut/Filbert Tree/Shrub

Much Needed Natives!

Whether you are adding shade or flowers, privacy, or a lasting legacy to your landscape, Nature Hills is here to help you find the perfect tree for your Kentucky landscape!

Help keep your State's native biodiversity intact by planting trees native to your area! Nature Hills is committed to helping you preserve your State’s unique beauty with plants and trees that are sure to do well in your garden without impacting your native flora and fauna!

FAQ's for Buying Kentucky Native Plants Online

What are the best native trees to plant in Kentucky?

Kentucky gardeners can enjoy a wide range of native trees that thrive in the state's zone 6 growing conditions. Top-performing species include the Tulip Poplar (Kentucky’s state tree), Eastern Redbud, Black Walnut, Kentucky Coffee Tree, and American Sycamore. These trees handle local weather, improve soil health, and support native wildlife effortlessly.

Why should I choose native trees for my Kentucky landscape?

Native trees in Kentucky are better adapted to the soil, rainfall, and seasonal swings of the region. Once established, they require less water and maintenance, resist pests and diseases, and provide natural food and shelter for local species—including pollinators and songbirds like the Northern Cardinal, Kentucky’s state bird.

What evergreen trees grow well in Kentucky?

Keep your yard green all year long with hardy native evergreen trees like Eastern Red Cedar, Eastern White Pine, American Holly, and Eastern Hemlock. These evergreens offer winter interest, block wind, provide privacy, and serve as valuable habitat for birds and wildlife—even during Kentucky’s snowier months.

Which native flowering trees support pollinators in Kentucky?

For blooms that benefit bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, choose pollinator-friendly native trees like Eastern Redbud, Dogwood, Carolina Silverbell, Tulip Poplar, and Fringe Tree. These flowering trees are beautiful and biologically essential, offering nectar, pollen, and host sites for native insects and beneficial larvae.

Can I grow native fruit or nut trees in Kentucky?

Yes! Kentucky is ideal for native edible trees like Pawpaw, American Persimmon, Black Cherry, Hazelnut, and Shagbark Hickory. These trees not only offer delicious harvests for people and wildlife alike, but also blend seamlessly into the natural landscape—making them perfect for edible landscaping and food forests.

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