Chart of New York City Area Native Plants for the Garden

To assist you with your gardening choices. Click on plant type below.

• TREES
• SHRUBS
• WOODY VINES
• WILDFLOWERS
• FERNS
• GRASSES, SEDGES, & RUSHES

KEY            
Sun: F=Full, P=Part, S=Shade          
Moisture: D=Dry, A=Average, W=Wet          
Comments: A=needs/tolerates acid soil (pH<6.5), Bi=attracts birds, Bu=attracts butterflies or their caterpillars,  
C=colonial (vegetative reproduction), CUT=cut flowers, DY=flowers/fruits for dried arrangements, D=dioecious  
(sexes on different plants) - install 1 male for every 4-5 females, E=evergreen, F=fall color, G=groundcover  
H=attracts hummingbirds, T=attractive bark/trunk, W=high wildlife value      
             
TREES TREES TREES TREES TREES TREES TREES
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Red Maple Acer rubrum F-P D-W 40-75' (F) crimson; early red flowers in spring; CUT  
Striped Maple or Moosewood Acer pensylvanicum P-S A 15-20' T (light stripes);
F (yellow); A
Acer spicatum
Sugar Maple Acer saccharum S A 80' F (orange); maple syrup  
Paw Paw Asimina triloba P-S A-W 40' F(orange); C; unique fruit that resembles and tastes like banana  
River Birch Betula nigra F A-W 40-70' F (yellow); Bi, T (peeling layers, salmon color); popular in hort trade  
Gray Birch Betula populifolia F-P A 30' C; fast growing, short-lived; CUT; T(white w/ black markings); F(yellow) Betula alleghaniensis, B. papyrifera,
Ironwood Carpinus caroliniana F-S A-W 20-30' T (muscular, smooth), F (red-orange); ornamental catkins with papery bracts, DY; Bu  
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata F-P A 70-90' F (yellow to golden brown); Bi; butterfly larval plant Carya glabra, C. cordiformis, Juglans cinerea
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis F-P D-W 50-75' F (yellow); T (gray smooth to textured); Bi; butterfly larval plant  
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis F D 15-25' Pink pea-like blooms in spring along twigs and branches, CUT; T (smooth, dark) There are also white flowered forms.
Fringetree Chionanthus virginicus F-P A 20' D; Delicate fragrant white flowers, spring. Female plants have small, dark blue fruits like olives; CUT; Bi  
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida S A 25-30' White (or pink) flowers in spring; CUT; T(square plates); Bi, fruit imp for fall migrant birds Cornus alternifolia,
C. rugosa
Common Persimmon Diospyros virginiana F-P A-W 30-50' F(yellow, orange); T (black w/ square furrows); edible fruits; Bu  
American Beech Fagus grandifolia S A 50-75' T (smooth, gray); Bi; tiered branches cast deep shade  
White Ash Fraxinus americana F-P A 60-80' F(yellow, maroon, purple); Bu Fraxinus pennsylvanica
American Holly Ilex opaca F-P D-A 20-40' Broad leaved E; D; Bi, T (smooth, gray); CUT  
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana F-P D-A 30-40' Good for screening; E; Bi; W  
Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua F-S A-W 60-100' F(orange, scarlet, purple); fruit persistent prickly balls  
Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera F A 40-100' H; Bu; Showy, tri-colored flowers in May, CUT  
Sweetbay Magnolia Magnolia virginiana P-S A-W 20-30' Large, creamy, lemon-scented flowers all summer, CUT; popular hort plant  
Black Gum Nyssa sylvatica F-P A 40-60' Good architecture; F (orange, red, purple); Bi  
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida F D 80-100' E; rapid growth; Bi; Tolerates drought Pinus echinata, P. resinosa
Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus F-P A to 200' Long, soft, flexible needles; long female cones; CUT; popular ornamental; Bi  
American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis F-P A-W 70-100' T (white & green mottled); Street trees are different species - London plane trees  
Large Tooth Aspen Populus grandidentata F D-W 50-70' Fast growing, F; leaves flutter in wind Populus deltoides, P. tremuloides
White Oak Quercus alba F-P D 60-100' Brown, red, wine F; Bi; W Quercus bicolor for wet areas
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea F-P D 75' Brilliant scarlet F; rapid growth; Bi; W Quercus rubra, Q. velutina, Q. palustris for wet areas
Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus P A 60-70' Acorns; T (dark w/ deep furrows); Dry, thin soils; W  
Post Oak Quercus stellata F D 60' Acorns; T (shaggy, blocky); Common in Pinelands; W Quercus marilandica
Sassafras Sassafras albidum F-P D-A 30-60' Small, fragrant yellow flowers in spring; Fragrant leaves shaped like mittens; F(orange, pink, scarlet); attractive dark blue fruits in fall, Bi; CUT; W  
Basswood Tilia americana P-S A-W 60-80' Heart-shaped leaves; honey from nectar; CUT; W  

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SHRUBS SHRUBS SHRUBS SHRUBS SHRUBS SHRUBS SHRUBS
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Bottlebrush Buckeye Aesculus parviflora F-S A 4-8' C; Large leaves; White spire of flowers in summer; slow growing Aesculus glabra
Smooth Alder Alnus serrulata F-S W 15-20' F(yellow, orange); Bi, DY; C Alnus rugosa
Downy Serviceberry Amelanchier
arborea
F-P D-A 15-25' Yellow-orange-red F, white flowers April CUT; edible fruits, Bi Amelanchier canadensis, A. laevis
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia F-P W-A 5-10' White flowers spring, CUT; dark green leaves; bright red fruit; F(scarlet, orange); C Aronia melanocarpa
Groundsel Tree Baccharis halimifolia F-P W 3-10' White flower heads; plumed seeds in fall Iva frutescens
New Jersey Tea Ceanothus americanus P-S A 2-3' Clusters of small white-flowers in summer; CUT; deep purple fruits in fall, Bi  
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis F-P A-W 3-8' Emergent in shallow water; fragrant, globe-like blooms; Bu  
Leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata F-P W 3' A; E; C; Flowers white, spring; Bu  
Sweet Pepperbush Clethra alnifolia F-P A-W 2-4' C; White fragrant blooms in summer, CUT; butterfly larval plant; popular hort plant  
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina F D 4' A; prostrate, aromatic; C; D;  
Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea F-P A-W 3-10' White flowers in spring, CUT; twigs, berries turn red in fall; Bi Cornus amomum, C. racemosa for drier sites
American Hazelnut Corylus americana F-S A 12-15' Edible nuts; Bi; C Corylus cornuta
Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli F D-A 20-30' White flowers in spring, CUT; red fruit in sum, Bi; red F Crataegus uniflora, C. coccinea, C. mollis
Bush Honeysuckle Diervilla lonicera S D 3' C; fast growth; Yellow & red flowers in summer, H, CUT; NYC near the southern limit on East coast Lonicera canadensis 
Leatherwood Dirca palustris P A 6' Slow growing; Flowers pale yellow, April; F(soft yellow); attractive architecture in winter  
Strawberry-bush Euonymus americanus S A 7' Striking red fruit capsule in fall, CUT  
Black Huckleberry Gaylussacia baccata P-S D-A 1-3' Black fruits in summer, edible, Bi; C; A; Bu; W Gaylussacia frondosa, G. dumosa
Witchhazel Hamamelis virginiana P-S D-A 8-20' Multi-stemmed shrub, vase shape with fan-like branches and smooth gray bark. Unusual yellow flowers in fall, CUT; Bi  
False Heather Hudsonia tomentosa F D 12" A; prostrate, E; showy yellow flowers in summer; G Hudsonia ericoides
Wild Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens P A 3-5' A; C; fast growth; Large, dark green leaves; Showy pink & white flowers in summer, CUT; DY  
Shrubby St. Johnswort Hypericum prolificum F D-A 3' Twiggy habit; Flowers buttercup yellow for 3-4 weeks. Easy to please shrub Hypericum hypericoides, H. stans, H. densiflorum
Inkberry Ilex glabra P-S A 4-8' Broad leaved E; C; D; Bi. Nearly identical to the exotic Ilex crenata  
Winterberry Holly Ilex verticillata F-P D-A 6-15' Large deciduous leaves; Clusters of bright red berries on female plants in winter, Bi; D; CUT; very popular horticultural plant Ilex laevigata
Virginia Willow Itea virginica F-P D-W 3-6' White blooms early summer; F(red, orange, maroon)  
Dwarf Juniper Juniperus communis F D 6' E, aromatic; Bi; G  
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia F-P D-W 9' Showy, fragrant white flower clusters; broad-leaved E; C; A; CUT Kalmia angustifolia
Fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa, syn. Eubotrys r. F-P A-W 3-13' Small, white, bell-shaped flowers late spring; C; A; CUT  
Spicebush Lindera benzoin P-S A-W 8-15' Yellow blooms in early spring; leaves fragrant; F(yellow); Bu (esp for Spicebush Swallowtail)  
Maleberry Lyonia ligustrina F-P A-W 6-12' Small, white flowers in June; F; A; C; CUT Lyonia mariana
Northern Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica F D-A 5-8' Semi-evergreen; transplants well; leaves & berries fragrant; Bu; DY; Bi Myrica cerifera
Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa F A-W 3' Showy yellow flowers mid-summer  
Beach Plum Prunus maritima F D-A 10' White fragrant flowers in spring, CUT; purple edible fruit, Bi; T (black, good architecture); Bu Prunus americana
White Laurel Rhododendron maximum P-S A-W 6-10' Light pink, fragrant, showy flowers in May; H; C; A; CUT  
Pinkster Azalea Rhododendron periclymenoides F-P A 6-10' Fragrant white flowers in late spring, H; dark green leaves, open habit; A; CUT Rhododendron atlanticum
Swamp Azalea Rhododendron viscosum P A-W 5-8' F(red & gold); attractive red fruit cluster persists in winter, DY, Bi; CUT Ledum groenlandicum,
Rhododendron canadense
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina, syn. R. hirta F D 9-15' C; D; F(red-orange); Female plants bear showy red fruit clusters showy in late summer that persist through winter, Bi; DY Rhus aromatica, R. copallinum, R. glabra
Dogberry Ribes cynosbati F-P A-D 5' Stems often prickly, growth rate moderate to fast; F(yellow to purple); fruit fleshy, pale red, prickly, late summer, Bi Ribes hirtellum
(thornless),
R. rotundifolium
Climbing Prairie Rose Rosa setigera F A 13' Climbing, thorny; white & pink, fragrant flowers in June; deep green compound leaves; red hips (winter), Bi; F; CUT  
Prairie Rose Rosa carolina F A 4-6' Pink, fragrant flowers in June; deep green compound leaves; thorns; red hips (winter), Bi; F; CUT Rosa palustris, Rosa virginiana, R. blanda
Common Blackberry Rubus allegheniensis F-P D-A 6' Thorny; growth rate fast, C; white flowers summer; edible black fleshy fruit in late summer; Bi Rubus occidentalis,
R. flagellaris, R. hispidus
Flowering Raspberry Rubus odoratus P A 6' Thornless; C; fast growth rate;
Maple-shaped light gray-green leaves. Flowers purple, showy, summer; CUT
 
Pussy Willow Salix discolor F A-W 6-15' A lovely sign of spring - the silvery catkins on the male plants; D; Bu; CUT; DY Salix humilis
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis F-P A-W 5-10' Divided leaves; white flowers in early summer; C; growth rate fast. Fruit fleshy, black, late summer; Bi  
Meadowsweet Spiraea alba F A-W 5' C; A; Flowers pink,
showy, summer, CUT; Bu. Tough, resilient, fast growing
Spiraea alba var.
latifolia
Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia P A 15' 3-parted leaves; ornamental papery "bladder" contains seeds in the fall, DY  
Canada Yew Taxus canadensis P-S D-A 6' E; slow growth; Red, fleshy fruit, Bi; Long Island is southern limit on the east coast.  
Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum F-P A 6-12' F(red); edible fruit, Bi; A; CUT; W  
Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon F W 6" Trailing, E, edible fruit, Bi; A Vaccinium oxycoccos
Early Lowbush Blueberry Vaccinium pallidum F-P D-A 24" Small white bell-shaped flowers in late spring; edible fruits in summer; F, A; CUT Vaccinium angustifolium, V. stamineum
Maple-leaf Viburnum Viburnum acerifolium F-P D-A 6' Pie-shaped clusters of creamy-white flowers; F; CUT; dark blue fruits in fall, Bi Viburnum dentatum
Hobblebush Viburnum alnifolium P-S A 6' C; Showy, flat clusters of creamy-white flowers; F; CUT; purple fruits in fall, Bi. Southern limit is Sussex Co, NJ & Westchester Co, NY  
Possumhaw Viburnum nudum P-S W 5-20' Clusters of small white-flowers in summer; CUT; dark blue fruits in fall, Bi Viburnum lentago
Black Haw Viburnum prunifolium F-P A-W 8-15' Creamy-white flowers in spring; dark blue fruits in fall, Bi  
Prickly Ash Zanthoxylum americanum P-S A 25' D; Stems prickly, aromatic; tolerates calcareous soils; W  

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WOODY VINES WOODY VINES WOODY VINES   WOODY VINES WOODY VINES
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi F D 6" C; E; G Fast-creeping mat; F (bronzy red); small white flowers in late spring; red fruit late summer that persists into winter; Bu; One of our finest groundcovers and most adaptable species  
Dutchman's Pipe Aristolochia
macrophylla
F-S A 6-30' Well-behaved woody vine grown for large, shady foliage; Bu; Must be supported  
Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans F-P D-A 20-40' Shiny dark green, divided leaves; Orange flowers; H; fast growth; can be aggressive  
American Bittersweet Celastrus scandens P A 20' DY, CUT, Fast growing climber; Yellow & orange capsules in fall, persist in winter, Bi. (Asian bittersweet, a very destructive invasive vine, is C. orbiculatus).  
Purple Clematis Clematis occidentalis F-P A-W 6' Semi-woody climber; C; fast growth; Large, drooping, satiny leaves (may irritate skin); Flowers violet, showy, spring, CUT; ornamental seed heads in fall, DY Clematis virginiana (virgins bower) similar to the Asian C. terniflora. Flowers white, profuse. Too aggressive for most gardens.
Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens F-P A 15-25' Red/yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, H; red berries, Bi; one of the longest flowering native plants Lonicera dioca
Moonseed Menispermum canadense F-P D-A 12' A; C; G; Dark blue berries, poisonous to humans; W  
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens P-S D-A 8" Creeping carpets; E; G; Small white flowers in summer; scarlet red berries all winter  
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia F-P A 30-50' Excellent red F; blue berries in fall; Bi; fast growth, can be aggressive; G  
Catbrier Smilax glauca P-F D-A 10-20' Thorny vine with small fragrant flowers; Bi Smilax rotundifolia,
S. herbacea
Fox Grape Vitis labrusca P A 35' C; fast growth; Shreddy, reddish-brown bark; Edible, dark purple fruits in fall; Bi Vitis aestivalis,
Vitis riparia

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WILDFLOWERS WILDFLOWERS   WILDFLOWERS WILDFLOWERS WILDFLOWERS
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Doll's Eyes Actaea alba, A. pachypoda P-S A 32" Showy white berries on bright purple stems in summer. Plant poisonous
Actaea rubra
Ramps, Wild Leek Allium tricoccum P-S A 12" Broad, strappy leaves preceed flowers; tuber edible; spring ephemeral
Allium canadense
Yellow Giant Hyssop Agastache nepetoides F-P D-A 3-8" Light yellow flowers in late summer, Bu; fast growth; DY
Agastache
scrophulariifolia, Teucrium canadense
Blue Star Amsonia tabernaemontana F-P A-W 2' Light blue flowers in May above broad green leaves; DY; F(yellow, orange); easy garden plant  
Rue Anemone Anemonella thalictroides P-S A 6" Upright white blooms aloft delicate foliage; spring ephemeral; C Anemone quinquefolia, A. canadensis
Field Pussytoes Antennaria neglecta F-P D-A 6" Semi-evergreen mat of gray-green leaves, G; small white flowers like cotton swabs in spring; larval food plant of American Lady butterfly, Bu Antennaria plantaginifolia
Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis F-P D-A 1-2.5' Unique red and yellow flowers, H; Finely textured foliage; popular garden plant  
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum P-S A 12+" Unusual flowers in Mar-May; red berries late summer-fall  
Wild Ginger Asarum canadensis P-S A 6" Large, heart-shaped leaves; G  
Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata F A-W 12-36" Pink flowers summer, CUT; Bu; larval food plant of Monarch butterflies, Bu; DY Asclepias purpurascens
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa F D-A 2-3' Brilliant orange flowers, CUT; Bu, larval food plant of Monarch butterflies, Bu; DY  
Blue Wood Aster Aster cordifolius, syn. Symphyotrichum cordifolium P-S D-A 1-3' Blue-lavender flowers in fall, Bu; fast growth Aster divaricatus, syn. Eurybia divaricata
New England Aster Aster novae-angliae, syn. Symphyotrichum n-a. F A 3-7' Bright lavender flowers with yellow centers late summer; Bu; CUT Aster novi-belgii,
syn. Symphyotrichum n-b.
Smooth Blue Aster Aster laevis, syn. Symphyotrichum laeve F D 3' Showy blue flowers in late summer; Bu; lovely blue-green foliage; CUT Aster spectabilis, syn. Eurybia s.; A. concolor, syn. Symphyotrichum
False Indigo Baptisia australis F-P D-A 3-6' Blue spikes of pea-shaped flowers in spring, Bu; 3-parted leaves; slow growth; DY Baptisia tinctoria
False Aster Boltonia asteroides F D-W 4' Our native daisy! Tall plant with white or pink flowers in fall  
Marsh Marigold Caltha palustris F W 1-2' Bright yellow flowers; spring ephemeral (N.B. very similar to exotic invasive lesser celandine {Ranunculus ficaria}) Senecio aureus
Harebell Campanula rotundifolia P D-A 8-14" Blue bell-shaped blooms throughout growing season; CUT  
Cutleaf Toothwort Cardamine concatenata P A-W 8-16" Terminal clusters of four-petaled white or pinkish flowers; Bu; spring ephemeral Cardamine diphylla
Blue Cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides P-S A 1-2' Blue-green toothed leaves; blue berries in cluster; late spring flws; poisonous  
White Turtlehead Chelone glabra F-P A 1-3' Narrow, long leaves; white flowers bloom late summer, CUT; Bu Chelone lyonii
Green-and-Gold Chrysogonum virginianum F-P A 6-12" Yellow blooms early spring through summer; dark green broad leaves; C; Bu; G  
Maryland Golden Aster Chrysopsis mariana F D 2-3' Bright yellow clusters of daisy-like flowers in summer, Bu; slow growth Chrysopsis falcata,
syn. Pityopsis falcata
Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa P-S A 3-5' Attractive, divided leaves; Long slender candle-like clusters of white flowers in summer, Bu  
Spring Beauty Claytonia virginica F-S A 3-5' Pink-white flowers spring; linear, strapy leaves; spring ephemeral Claytonia caroliniana
Bluebead Lily Clintonia umbellulata P-S A 12" A; yellow flw spg; does well under conifers Clintonia borealis
Canada Horsebalm Collinsonia canadensis P-S A 3-4' C; Large leaves smell of citronella; small flowers pale yellow and sweet smelling in late summer  
Tickseed Coreopsis lanceolata F-P D-A 12-36" Gold flws on tall stems in early summer; Common in wildflwr seed mixes Coreopsis rosea, C. tripteris
Bunchberry Cornus canadensis P-S A 6" A; G; Sweet, white dogwood flowers late summer above a whorl of leaves  
Pink corydalis Corydalis sempervirens F-P D-A 24" Wintergreen annual or biennial; pink& yellow flws, tolerates calcareous soils. Good for rock gardens Corydalis aurea
Hoary Tick Trefoil Desmodium canescens F-P D-A 4.5' White flws mid-summer; Bu Desmodium glutinosum, D. rotundifolium, D. viridiflorum
Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria S A 1' White-yellow flowers resemble pantaloons in spring, attractive lacy leaves; C; spring ephemeral Dicentra canadensis
Fringed Bleeding Heart Dicentra eximia F-P A 12-18" Attractive foliage and pink and white flowers growing in mounds  
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea F D-A 3' Large, daisy-like flowers with reflexed rose-purple petals, Bu; Bi (goldfinches eat seeds); CUT; DY Echinacea pallida
Fireweed Epilobium angustifolium F D-A 4-6' Fast growth; showy, magenta flws; C; CUT; DY An excellent substitute for the noxious weed, Lythrum salicaria, purple loosestrife.
Yellow Trout Lily Erythronium americanum P-S A 3-6" Large, six-petalled yellow flowers Erythronium albidum
Mistflower Eupatorium coelestinum, syn. Conoclinium c. F-P A 1-3' Dense clusters of starry, periwinkle flowers late summer, Bu; CUT Pluchea purpurascens
Hollow Joe-Pye Weed Eupatorium fistulosum F A 3-10' Pinkish-purple clusters above lance-like whorled leaves, Bu (swallowtails); CUT Eupatorium dubium, E. maculatum, E. purpureum
White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugosum,
syn. Ageratina altissima
F-P D-A 2-4' Flat-top clusters of small white starry flowers in fall, C; Bu; fast growth. Eupatorium perfoliatum, E. hyssopifolium
Queen of the Prairie Filipendula rubra F-P A-W 3-7' Airy tufts of pink flws in summer; CUT; Endangered in the wild in our region  
Fringed Gentian Gentianopsis crinita F-P A-W 3' Biennial; Spectacular blue-violet flowers in fall, CUT Gentiana andrewsii, G. clausa
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum F-S A 1-2' 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer; divided foliage; G Geranium carolinianum
Sweet Everlasting Gnaphalium obtusifolium, syn. Pseudognaphalium o. F D 3' Aromatic leaves; small, scaly white flowers in late summer, DY; Bu Anaphalis margaritacea
Swamp Sunflower Helianthus angustifolius F A-W 6' Yellow flowers in late summer, Bu, CUT; DY Helianthus decapetalus, Bidens laevis
Round-lobed Hepatica Hepatica americana P-S A 6" Delicate blue-lavender flowers in March-April. Beautiful semi-evergreen, mottled leaves unfurl after petals have dropped. Spring ephemeral Hepatica acutiloba
Cow Parsnip Heracleum lanatum F-P A-W 10' Flat, white floral panicle; wooly leaves; Bu; DY Osmorhiza claytonii,
O. longistylis
Alumroot Heuchera americana F-P A 1-3' Grn-purp bell-shaped flwrs on leafless stalk (spr-sum), G  
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos F A 4-7' Large, white or pink flowers in summer; CUT; DY Kosteletzkya virginica
Azure Bluet, Quaker Ladies Houstonia caerulea F-P D-W 4" G; tiny blue flws in spring; common in lawns Houstonia longifolia, H. purpurea
Broad-Leaved Waterleaf Hydrophyllum canadense P-S A-W 20" Purple-white flws summer Hydrophyllum virginianum
Yellow Star Grass Hypoxis hirsuta F-P D-A 6" Grass-like leaves; 6-petaled yellow flowers in early summer  
Crested Dwarf Iris Iris cristata P-S A 16" Sword-shaped, blue-green leaves with showy violet-blue flowers in April; CUT; G Iris verna
Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor F-P W 2-3' Sword-shaped, blue-green leaves with showy violet-blue flowers in early summer; CUT; DY Iris prismatica
Round-headed Bushclover Lespedeza capitata F-P D-A 4' DY, Bu; Creamy white, pea-like flowers with a magenta spot at base in dense, rounded heads in late summer Lespedeza intermedia,
L. procumbens, L. repens
Rough Blazing Star Liatris aspera F-P D-A 3-5' Spikes of pink-purple flowers late summer; CUT; Bu; Bi (seeds); DY Liatris pycnostachya var. pycnostachya, L. spicata
Turk's Cap Lily Lilium superbum F A 6-10' Whorls of lance-shaped leaves, purple-mottled stems; in summer up to 40 showy red-orange blossoms; H; CUT; DY  
Wood Lily Lilium philadelphicum F-P D-A 32" Bright orange showy flws, CUT Lilium canadense
Sea Lavender Limonium carolinianum F A-W 12" Delicate, blue-lavender flowers bloom in summer, CUT; DY; Rosette of fleshy leaves  
Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis F-P W 3-5' Terminal clusters of bright red flowers 1.5" long in fall  
Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica F-P A-W 1-3' Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall Lobelia spicata
Seedbox Ludwigia alternifolia F-P A-W 3' Large, 4-petaled flws; DY  
Wild Blue Lupine, Sundial Lupine Lupinus perennis F-P D 12-30" Spire of blue-violet, pea-shaped flowers, Bu; Attractive, dissected leaves; CUT  
Canada Mayflower Maianthemum
canadense
P-S A 8" Small, oval leaves grow slowly, G; small spire of white flowers in spring, red berries in summer  
Indian Cucumber Root Medeola virginiana S A 18" Long leaves in 2 whorls around the stem; small greenish flowers, purple berries; late spring  
Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica P-S A-W 1-2' Nodding, pale blue flowers; CUT; spring ephemeral  
Scarlet Bee Balm (Oswego Tea) Monarda didyma F-P A 1-3' Minty fragrant foliage; bright red, tubular flowers; Bu; CUT
Wild Bergamot Monarda fistulosa F-P A 1-3' Minty fragrant foliage; violet, tubular flowers; Bu; CUT Monarda media
Horsemint Monarda punctata F-P A 1-3' Minty fragrant foliage; pink-beige-purple-brown spotted, tubular flowers; Bu; CUT  
Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis F-P D-A 2-6' Lemon colored flowers open at twilight; very hardy; fast growth; CUT; DY Oenothera fruticosa,
O. perennis
Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia humifusa F-P D-A 6-18" Beautiful yellow flowers; edible fruits & paddles; G; Our only native cactus  
Violet Wood Sorrel Oxalis violacea P-S A 16" Showy violet flws; interesting foliage; great for rock gardens  
Allegheny Spurge Pachysandra procumbens P-S A 9-12" Attractive foliage, two-toned leaves, G; Native to PA and south, the one sold at nurseries is from Japan and can be invasive  
Tall White Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis F-P A 30-50" Long blooming white flowers in summer Penstemon hirsutus, P. pallidus
Summer Phlox Phlox paniculata F-P A-W 24-48" Attractive fall flowers attract butterflies Phlox divaricata
Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera P-S A 6" White, pink, violet flws; G Phlox subulata
Clammy Ground Cherry Physalis heterophylla F-P D-A 3' C; smallish flws resemble tomato; fleshy fruits; DY Physalis longifolia, P. pubescens
Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum P-S A 12-18" Tall, umbrella-like leaves; solitary white bloom in spring; C; G  
Jacob's Ladder Polemonium reptans P-S A 1' Terminal clusters of light blue bell-shaped flws; easily naturalizes  
Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum P-S A 2-3' Tall, arching stems; small bell-shaped white flowers late spring; red berries in summer. Common garden plant Polygonatum pubescens,
Smilacina racemosa, Streptopus amplexifolius, S. roseus
Virginia Jumpseed Polygonum virginianum F-S D-A 3-4' Large foliage, insignificant white flowers; good as textural interest in garden  
Pickerel-Weed Pontederia cordata F-P W 3' Lustrous foliage, spike of blue flws summer; W; C  
Old Field Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex F-P D-A 24" Semi-evergreen, divided leaves; G; small yellow flowers early summer Potentilla anserina, P. canadensis
Hoary Mountainmint Pycnanthemum
incanum
F-P D-A 3' Very small, white-lavender flowers, Bu; fragrant thyme/mint leaves; DY Pycnanthemum muticum, P. virginianum
Meadow Beauty Rhexia virginica F-P A-W 3' Unusual 4-petaled rose flws summer Rhexia mariana
Brown-eyed Susan Rudbeckia fulgida F-P A 5' Gold & chocolate flowers in fall, CUT; DY; Bu R. hirta, R. laciniata
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis S A 6-10" Showy white flowers in April; unique leaves; spring ephemeral  
Common Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea F-P W 12" A; unusual leaves collect insects for food; purple flws in spg; found in bogs  
Early Saxifrage Saxifraga virginiensis F-P D-A 4" Small, white flws in spring; good for rock gardens; Bu  
Downy Skullcap Scutellaria incana F-P D-A 2-3' Showy blue flowers in late summer; Bu; lovely blue-green foliage; CUT Scutelaria integrifolia
Fire Pink Silene virginica F-P D-A 20" Scarlet flws in summer; H; good for rock gardens Silene caroliniana, S. stellata
Stout Blue-eyed Grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium
F-P A-W 20" Thin, grassy foliage; iris-blue flowers in early summer Sisyrinchium atlanticum, S. mucronatum
Bluestem Goldenrod Solidago caesia F-S D-A 1-3' Stems are studded with clusters of tiny yellow flowers; Bu Solidago bicolor, S. flexicaulis
Sweet Goldenrod Solidago odora P D 1-2' Anise-scented leaves; showy yellow floral cluster in fall, Bu; CUT; DY Solidago juncea,
S. nemoralis
Seaside Goldenrod Solidago sempervirens F A 1-8' Fleshy leaves, rather large yellow flowers early fall; CUT; DY; Bu Solidago rugosa
Celandine Poppy Stylophorum diphyllum S A 18" Bright green leaves with toothed margins; showy lemon-yellow flowers in spring; spring ephemeral  
Amrican Bur-reed Sparganium americanum F-P W 3' C; grasslike; flws bur-shaped; W Sparganium eurycarpum
Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus
foetidus
F-P A-W 2' C; unusual flws in Feb/Mar; large, showy leaves  
Virginia Spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana F-P A 18-36" Grass-like leaves & 3-petaled violet-blue flowers  
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia P-S A 6-12" E; G; feathery flowers spring Mitella diphylla
Wake Robin Trillium erectum S A 16" Flowers dark red, large and showy, April-June. Spreads slowly. Our hardiest trillium. Trillium grandiflorum,
T. undulatum, T. cernuum
Bellwort Uvularia perfoliata P-S A 12" Yellow, bell shaped flowers in late spring; C Uvularia grandiflora, U. sessilifolia, Disporum lanuginosum
False Hellebore Veratrum viride P-S A-W 4-6' Grn-yellow flws spg; showy, pleated foliage  
Blue Vervain Verbena hastata F-P A-W 5' Elongated leaves; flowers blue in terminal spikes in summer; Bu Verbena stricta
New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis F-P W 4-6' Deep reddish purple flowers clustered in flat panicles in late summer; Bu  
CulverÕs Root Veronicastrum virginicum
F A-W 6' Spikes of light blue to white flowers, June-Sept, Bu, CUT; easy garden plant Cimicifuga racemosa
Birdfoot Violet Viola pedata F-P D-A 6" Flowers lilac-violet with conspicuous orange centers in spring, Bu; divided foliage. Good for rock gardens Viola brittoniana
Yellow Forest Violet Viola pubescens P-S A 8" Showy yellow flowers
early spring, Bu
Viola blanda,
V. rotundifolia
Canada Violet Viola canadensis P-S D-A 8" White-lavender flowers early spring, Bu, G; Fast growth Viola rostrata, V. palmata
Barren Strawberry Waldsteinia fragarioides F-P A 8" Creamy yellow flowers; Bu; G  
Golden Alexanders Zizia aurea F-P D-A 32" Showy yellow flowers
summer, Bu
Zizia aptera

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FERNS FERNS FERNS   FERNS FERNS FERNS
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum P-S A 18-36" A delicate spiral of airy leaflets on black, wiry stems. Spreads slowly; one of our most beautiful native ferns  
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina S A-W 18-24" Delicate & lacy arching fronds, red stems at maturity; slowly creeping; C, G  
Hay-Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula F-P A 32" C; G; aggressive spreader, not clump forming, leaves sweet smelling  
Toothed Wood Fern Dryopteris carthusiana P-S A-W 24" E; grayish-green deeply cut leathery fronds; forms clumps; C; G Dryopteris cristata, D. clintoniana, D. goldiana
Marginal Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis P-S A-W 18-24" Lacy cut blue-green fronds; forms clumps; C; G Dryopteris intermedia
Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris P-S A-W 4-6' Large, vase-shaped clusters, persistent reproductive fronds; C; DY  
Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis F-P W 12-24" Showy reproductive fronds, a cluster of small black beads. Does well in full sun, but keep moist, itÕs sensitive to drought; aggressive spreader; C; G; DY  
Interrupted Fern Osmunda claytoniana S A-W 3-4' Fertile leaflets interrupt the fronds; light green circular clusters of leaves Osmunda cinnamomea
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis P A-W 2-5' Bi-pinnate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves; clump forming  
Common Polypody Fern Polypodium virginianum P-S A-W 12" E; C; Easily grows on thin layers of organic soil.  
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides P-S A 12-36" E; Easy to cultivate. Attractive year-round, low maintenance, long-lived, clump forming  
Bracken Fern Pteridium aquilinum F-P D-A 2-3' Fronds divided into 3 segments, held aloft on a wiry stem; not clumped; aggressive spreader; C  
New York Fern Thelypteris
noveboracensis
P A 18" C; G; aggressive spreader, not clump forming.  
Broad Beech-Fern Thelypteris
hexagonoptera (=Phegopteris h.)
P A 24" C, S; Fronds nearly triangular in outline. Spreads slowly; can form large patches in shade Thelypteris phegopteris

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GRASSES SEDGES & RUSHES   GRAMINOIDS GRAMINOIDS
Common Name Scientific Name Sun Moist. Ht.     Comments Other Species
Sideoats Grama Bouteloua
curtipendula 
F D-A 30" One sided oat-like spikes; narrow, bluish-gray leaves in dense clump. F(golden brown, orange). Bi; CUT; DY  
Blue Wood Sedge Carex flaccosperma P-S A 12" Broad, waxy gray-green leaves; Blooms and fruits May-June; BU Carex plantaginea
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica P A 20" Thin, long, draping clumps of leaves; Bu, C, G Carex swanii,
C. umbellata
Tussock Sedge Carex stricta F-P A-W 2-3' Densely tufted, forming permanent, low tussocks. Blooms and fruits May-Aug. Butterfly larval plant  
River Oats Chasmanthium latifolium F-P A 48" F (copper); DY; CUT  
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia
flexuosa
P-S D-A 36" Leaves shorter than wiry, delicate flowering stems; DY  
Three-way Sedge Dulichium arundinaceum F-P W 1-2' Will thrive in up to 2" standing water; resembles short bamboo; C; BU  
Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus P-S D-A 3' Distinguished by relatively stiff, erect spikes in summer Elymus canadensis 
Bottlebrush Grass Elymus hystrix
(
Hystrix patula)
F-P A 3-5' Stems in small tufts. Blooms and fruits summer; DY  
Purple Love Grass Eragrostis spectabilis F A 18-24" Fluffy clouds of bronze-red inflorescences in fall; CUT; DY Eragrostis capillaris
Canada Rush Juncus canadensis F-P A-W 3' Rapid growth; green foliage & flower  
Smooth Rush Juncus effusus F-P A-W 3' Bright green cylindrical sheath-like stems; brownish inflorescence peeks out  
Common Wood Rush Luzula multiflora F-P A 4-6" Leaves reddish in bloom. Flowers dense early spring. Late spring fruits, dispersed by ants Luzula acuminata
Wire-stem Muhly Muhlenbergia frondosa F-P A 40" Leaves dull blue-green; G; blooms fall Muhlenbergia
schreberi
Switch Panic Grass Panicum virgatum F-P D-W 4-6' Leaves bluish green, F(gold); grows in clumps  
Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium F-P D-A 2-4' F(copper, orange) in fall; CUT; DY; Bu Andropogon virginicus, A. gerardii
Wool Grass Scirpus cyperinus F W 3-5' Clumping grass-like perennial; long, slender leaves; wooly brown seed heads in fall; CUT Juncus canadensis
Yellow Indian Grass Sorghastrum nutans F-P D-A 3-6' Foliage green-blue; F(gold/orange/bronze); inflorescence gold-brown; CUT; DY  
Tall Dropseed Sporobolus asper F-P D-A 4' Stems tufted. Blooms and fruits Aug.-Oct. Inflorescence purplish, cylindrical Sporobolus neglectus,
S. vaginiflorus
Eastern Gama Grass Tripsacum dactyloides F-P A-W 9' C; Showy purple & orange flowers in summer, CUT; Host to larva of a rare moth (Amphipoea erepta)  

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