Native Flowers of Knoxville

Neighborhood Coordinator

Debbie Sharp
[email protected]
(865) 215-3232

400 Main St., Room 546
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Purple aster (Aster)Purple Aster
These hardy, sunny-faced lavender and pink flowers (with yellow centers) look like tiny daisies.
Virginia bluebells (Mertensia)Virginia Bluebells
When it grows in masses, this species makes a spectacular show.
Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias)Butterfly Milkweed
Gorgeous orange bloomer loved by hummingbirds and butterflies, especially the Monarch.
Bee balm (Monarda)Bee Balm 
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and of course bees, as its name suggests.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia)Spiderwort
They open up in the morning. However, they close during in the afternoon in direct sunlight.
Wild columbine (Aquilegia)Wild Columbine
Leaves are lobed and grouped in threes, growing from the base and of the flowering stems.
Tennessee coneflower (Echinacea)Tennessee Coneflower
This classic light pink coneflower is one of the nation's rarest wildflowers.
Bleeding heart (Dicentra)Bleeding Heart
Evergreen plant for Eastern shade gardens. A variety of birds and mammals eat the berries of this plant.
Wild Geranium (Geranium)Wild Geranium
Good for Eastern shade gardens. Seeds attract Mourning Doves, Bobwhite Quail, and White-tailed Deer.
Max sunflower (Helianthus)Max Sunflower
Deer and numerous species of birds eat the seeds. It is also a useful wildlife cover plant.
Dense blazing star (Liatris)Dense Blazing Star
Specially adapted to hummingbird visitation. The stem juice is said to relieve itching from poison ivy.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)Cardinal Flower
As most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, this species depends on hummingbirds.
Shooting star (Dodecatheon)Shooting Star
Bees are the main pollinators.  They extract the pollen by vibrating their bodies against the tube.
Solomon's seal (Polygonatum)Solomon's Seal
The leaf stalk breaks away, leaving a distinctive scar said to resemble the official seal of King Solomon.
Fire pink (Silene)Fire Pink
A common name for members of this genus is Catchfly, which refers to the sticky hairs or exudates which trap insects.
Turtlehead (Chelone)Turtlehead
The flowers, the shape of which suggest a turtle head, are purple; the lower lip bearded with tiny yellow hairs.



Source: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center