Indigenous plants are those native to the locale in question. Indigenous plants are sometimes allowed to co-exist with lawn grass, exotic ground covers or garden vegetation, especially if they are not aggressive growers. Indeed, some homeowners favor indigenous plants, growing native specimens either as a matter of principle or for practical reasons (e.g., their drought-tolerance) -- or both.
For example, some people will include indigenous plants in a woodland garden. And because some types of wildflowers grow under the forest canopy in their natural habitats, they can be fitting candidates for shade gardens in your landscaping. Examples of plants indigenous to eastern North America that can be used in shade gardens include:
Note, however, that not all "wildflowers" are indigenous to an area, simply because they grow wild there. For example, while there is a type of lupine that is indigenous to New England (U.S.), the showiest type of lupine that grows wild there is not a native. Many wildflowers in your area may have been introduced from far-away lands; some may even be invasive.
