A native Sedum might work, depending on how wet/dry the stumps are.

I got sedum to grow on a stump, and I also have a small piece of resurrection fern, both in the shade. There are some native annuals that take sun...but you'll need to water them. What about Oenotheras? Or some of the native iris that really don't need much soil? Or Antennarias? I have those in both sun and shade.

I tried some other stump planting, but the chipmunks who lived below tossed everything out repeatedly. Make sure you don't have dwellers below before planting.

Thanks for your follow-up posts.

Here is a photo of one of the stumps in question:

It does look as if some grass was growing sort of up onto the stump over this past summer. Not sure if any animals are living in the stumps.

The sedum native to our area is Sedum ternatum, but I know Sedum ternatum prefers partial shade and alkaline soils. Do stumps tend to be acidic or alkaline, or does it depend on the type of tree it once was?

Oenothera is a possibility...is a decaying stump considered to be similar to a rocky or sandy soil then? There are no trees or shrubs that hang over the stumps, so they don't collect a lot of leaves on them. They stumps are basically just in the middle of lawn in pretty much all day sun.

I think decaying wood uses up a lot of nitrogen though? I guess I'm trying to understand the general biology of decaying stumps. Perhaps it's best to just use the stumps as perches for container plants.

Would there be some vines which could be planted beside the stumps to grow up and over the stumps?
Fill the top of the stump with soil and seed some annuals?
I use containers on stumps too.

I am new here. But what about Aquilega canadensis (wild columbine)?
I have planted in old stumps before, and my plants did very well.
But I had marigolds in them. I am new to the planting native "bug" and realized that my profusely growing hare bells are native and that is why they do so well!

How beautiful a few different sedums would be in the stumps or even a terra cotta pot w/ anything that trails over, I agree the sedum would make an excellent choice!

I have used the terra cotta pot before and everyone loved it. it was so unique with the stump and it helped me to diversify a little bit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Inflatable Castle

Hi Topie,
If you could put a little bit of soil in the stump crevices I think Hens and Chicks would work well for you on your stumps. I use them in a stone wall near my driveway and they require almost no care and thrive in all day sun, much like cactus. You can also get varieties of sedum at a nursery and they will tell you which ones trail and if they get a reddish tinge which I find adds interest.
Another idea. If you want to get them drilled out you can do that. I had two done in my back yard and I think it was $50 a stump and they are gone forever and there is grass there now.
Tina

Thanks xaroline, that is a great idea to try a native vine in the stump area. Maybe a vine planted in the ground slightly away from the stump will do well, and then I can kind of drape it over the stump. A container planting I think will work great too. I think I can fit a container in that hollowed out area of the stump.

ohioholly, welcome to native plant world! You're lucky to have some thriving harebells growing...I love harebells. Am planning to grow some this year from seed. I think the area where this stump is may be a little too sunny for columbine. The eastern red columbine in our yard is growing in a more shady area...have the feeling it may fry in all-day sun. But thanks anyway for the suggestion!

Thanks also trowelgal for the Hens and Chicks suggestion. I'm pretty sure Hens and Chick are native to Europe though...

Anyway, I think I'll try the vine and container plant combination and see how that goes.

Thanks again everyone!