Which plant is native to Pennsylvania?

Which plant is native to Pennsylvania?

• A. Astilbe: Astilbe chinensis
• B. Garden phlox: Phlox paniculata
• C. Andromeda: Pieris japonica
• D. Kousa dogwood: Cornus kousa

Answer: (B)

Knowing which plants are native to Pennsylvania helps gardeners work with the local ecosystem and choose species that have evolved in this area. Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, is native to eastern North America, including Pennsylvania, so it occurs naturally within the state’s range and fits into the local plant community without being introduced from elsewhere. The other options come from other regions: Astilbe chinensis is from China, Andromeda Pieris japonica is from Japan, and Kousa dogwood Cornus kousa is from East Asia. They can be grown ornamentally in Pennsylvania, but they are not native to the state.

Knowing which plants are native to Pennsylvania helps gardeners work with the local ecosystem and choose species that have evolved in this area. Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, is native to eastern North America, including Pennsylvania, so it occurs naturally within the state’s range and fits into the local plant community without being introduced from elsewhere. The other options come from other regions: Astilbe chinensis is from China, Andromeda Pieris japonica is from Japan, and Kousa dogwood Cornus kousa is from East Asia. They can be grown ornamentally in Pennsylvania, but they are not native to the state.