Native Plant List for New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey
This is a "starter" list of native plants for New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey. It is intended for residential or commercial landscapers who want to create attractive and varied native landscapes.
See Also:
New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder | Acer negundo | S | W-D | 30-50' | Migrating birds eat seeds; male and female plants |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F-P | W-D | 40-75' | Brilliant orange to crimson and scarlet in the fall |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum | F-P | A-W | 60-75' | Lacy-like leaves with a white bloom on the underside |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | S | A | 80' | Fantastic orange fall color; classic maple syrup |
| Black or Sweet Birch | Betula lenta | F-P | A | 60' | Deciduous tree; wintergreen aroma from leaves, twigs |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40-70' | Modest yellow color; seeds attract birds |
| Gray Birch | Betula populifolia | F-P | A | 30' | White bark; yellow fall color |
| Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | F-S | A-W | 20-30' | Crisp, green summer foliage turns red-orange in fall |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | F-P | W-D | 50-75' | Yellow fall color; interesting warts on trunk in winter |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F | D | 15-25' | Pea-like blooms in spring along twigs and branches |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | A | 20' | Show-stopping creamy white flowers in April-May |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus Florida | S | A | 25-30' | Large white flowers in spring; loved by wildlife |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | S | A | 50-75' | Dark green summer foliage turns to golden |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F-P | A | 60-80' | Yellow, maroon, purple fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | F-P | A | 50-60' | Grows fast; tolerates salt; yellow fall color |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | D-A | 30-40' | Good for screening; attracts birds |
| Sweet Gum | Liquidambar styraciflua | F-S | A-W | 60-100' | Yellow, orange, scarlet, purple in fall; fruit litter prob. |
| Tulip Poplar | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 40-100' | Attracts hummingbirds, squirrels; butterfly host plant |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia virginiana | P-S | A-W | 20-30' | 3" creamy white lemon-scented flowers all summer |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F-P | A | 40-60' | Yellow, orange, red, purple in fall; fruit attracts birds |
| American Sycamore | Plantanus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70-100' | Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark |
| Eastern Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | F-P | A-W | 40-50' | Short-lived; messy tree; modest fall color |
| Wild Plum | Prunus americana | F-P | W-D | 12-20' | Nice flowers in spring; 1" red-yellow fruit; low upkeep |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | A-W | 50-80' | Prized wood; edible fruit; leaves, twigs, bark poison |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60-100' | Brown, red, wine fall color; birds, squirrels eat acorns |
| Swamp White Oak | Quercus bicolor | P-S | W | 50-60' | Yellow to red-purple fall color |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea | F-P | D | 75' | Brilliant scarlet fall color; rapid growth |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris | P-S | A-W | 60-80' | Russett, bronze, red fall color |
| Chestnut Oak | Quercus prinus | P | A | 60-70' | Useful lumber; acorns feed much wildlife |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60-75' | Russet red to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina | P-S | D | 50-60' | Reddish brown fall color |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F-P | A-W | 50+' | Host plant for butterflies |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | F-P | D-A | 30-60' | Yellow flwrs (Apr); yellow, orange, pink, scarlet in fall |
| Basswood | Tilia americana | P-S | A-W | 60-80' | Wood used for carving; nectar makes honey; seeds attract wildlife |
New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled Alder | Alnus rugosa | F-P | A-W | 15-25' | Provides wildlife habitat |
| Smooth Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-S | W | 15-20' | Yellow and orange fall colors; fruit eaten by birds |
| Shadbush Serviceberry | Amelanchier canadensis | F | D | 1-20' | White flowers bloom in early spring; edible fruit |
| Allegheny Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis | F-P | D-A | 40' | Showy white flowers (Mar-June); edible fruit (Jun-Jul) |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | F-P | W-D | 5-10' | Bright red fruit and scarlet to pinkish-orange fall color |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | D-W | 3-5' | Dependable showy orange, burgendy, purple fall color |
| Sea Myrtle | Baccharis halimifolia | F-P | W | 3-10' | White flower heads; attractive fall foliage |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W-A | 3-8' | Blooms attract butterflies; emergent in shallow water |
| Sweet Pepperbush | Clethra alnifolia | F-P | W-A | 2-4' | Ivory white fragrant blooms in summer |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6-15' | Flat white flower head mid-spring -- not fragrant |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | F-S | W-D | 8-15' | 2" dia. hemispherical inflorescences for 1 wk, May-Jun |
| Red-osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea | F-P | W-A | 3-10' | White flowers in spring; twigs, berries turn red in fall |
| Witchhazel | Hamamelis virginiana | F-S | A-D | 8-20' | Golden yellow flowers in fall |
| Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F-P | W-A | 6-10' | Greenish white flowers bloom in spring |
| Virginia Sweetspire | Itea virginica | F-P | W-D | 3-6' | White blooms in early summer; red, orange in fall |
| Marsh Elder | Iva frutescens | F | A-W | 8' | Evergreen; inconspicuous flowers |
| Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | P-S | W-A | 8-15' | Yellow blooms in early spring |
| Wax Myrtle | Myrica cerifera | P-S | D-A | 15-20' | Olive-green leaves, fragrant when crushed |
| Northern Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | F | D-W | 5-8' | Semi-evergreen; transplants well |
| Common Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | F-P | A-D | 6' | Thicket-forming; responds to pruning; purple foliage |
| Beach Plum | Prunus maritima | F | A-D | 10' | White spring blossoms; fruit used to make preserves |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F-P | D | 2-6' | Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color |
| Dwarf-winged Sumac | Rhus copalina | F-P | D | 20-30' | Red fall color; winter food for birds and wildlife |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F | D-A | 9-15' | Velvety red fruit on female plants lasts into winter |
| Staghorn Sumac | Rhus typhina | F | D | 9-15' | Vibrant red and gold autumn foliage |
| Swamp Rose | Rosa palustris | F | W-A | 4-6' | Frag. flowers (summer); red hips (winter); fall color |
| Silky Willow | Salix sericea | F-P | W-A | 12' | Provides good wildlife habitat |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F-P | W-A | 5-10' | Pinnate leaves; blooms in early summer |
| Arrowwood | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | W-A | 6-12' | Creamy-white blooms in spring |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | F-P | A-D | 18' | White flat-topped inflorescenses 5" diameter in May |
| Black Haw | Viburnum prunifolium | F-P | A-D | 8-15' | Creamy-white flowers in spring |
| Cranberry Bush | Viburnum trilobum | F-P | A-W | 8-12' | White flowers; bright red edible bird-attracting fruit |
New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey Perennials - Sun
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star | Amsonia montana | F-P | A | 2' | Light blue flowers in May |
| Canada Anemone | Anemone canadensis | F-P | A | 12-18" | Strong growing plant produces single white blooms |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 1-2.5' | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F | A-D | 2-3' | Brilliant orange flowers; butterfly host plant |
| New England Aster | Aster novi-angliae | F | A | 3-7' | Bright lavender flwrs with yellow ctrs late summer-fall |
| False Indigo | Baptisia australis | F | A-D | 3-6' | Blue spikes of pea-shaped flowers (May-Jun) |
| Boltonia | Boltonia asteroides | F | A-D | 4' | Tall plant with white or pink flowers, resemble asters |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | F | W | 1-2' | 1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring and summer |
| River Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | F-S | A | 48" | Grass turns copper in fall; bamboo-like appearance |
| White Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | F-P | A | 1-3' | White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall |
| Pink Turtlehead | Chelone lyonii | F-P | A-W | 24-30" | Showy pink flowers July through September |
| Tickseed | Coreopsis lanceolata | F-P | D-A | 12-36" | Showy deep yellow flowers on tall stems in May, June |
| Pale Coneflower | Echinacea pallida | F-P | D-A | 24-36" | Large daisy-like flowers with drooping purp-pink petals |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | F | A-D | 3' | Daisy-like flowers with rose-purple rays |
| Joe-Pye-Weed | Eupatorium spp. | F-P | A | 6-8' | Pink, purple or white flowers |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 1-2' | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Swamp Sunflower | Helianthus angustifolius | F | A | 6' | Yellow flwrs in late summer, fall; more blooms in June |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | F-P | A | 1-3' | Grn-purp bell-shaped flwrs on leafless stalk (spr-sum) |
| Swamp Rose Mallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | F | A | 4-7' | 4-6" wht-pink flwrs with purp-crimson base (sum-fall) |
| Blue Flag Iris | Iris versicolor | F-P | A | 2-3' | 3-4" blue flowers with yellow and white markings |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spp. | F-P | A-D | 1-3' | Spike-like flowers late summer and early fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | F-P | A-W | 1-3' | Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall |
| Monarda | Monarda spp. | F-P | A | 3-4' | Bloom July-August and beyond; attracts hummingbirds |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | F | A | 48-64" | Warm season grass; sod forming; red-tinged foliage |
| Beardtongue | Penstemon spp. | F | D | 2-4' | Attracts hummingbirds |
| Summer Phlox | Phlox paniculata | F-P | A-W | 24-48" | Attractive fall flowers attract butterflies |
| Brown-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia fulgida | F-P | A | 5' | Good, lasting cut flowers |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp. | F | A-D | 3-7' | Common yellow wildflower |
New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey Perennials - Shade
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | P-S | A | 18-36" | Airy fan-shaped bl-grn fronds on delicate black stems |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 1-2.5' | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Spikenard | Aralia racemosa | P-S | A-W | 3-5' | Bushy plant; sm. wht flwrs produce red berries in fall |
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | A | 12+" | Spathe appears Mar-May; red berries late summer-fall |
| Goat's Beard | Aruncus dioicus | P-S | A | 4-6' | 6-10" plumes of small cream-colored flowers |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadensis | P-S | A | 6" | Evergreen ground cover; heart-shaped glossy leaves |
| Blue Wood Aster | Aster cordifolius | P-S | A-D | 1-3' | Blue flowers in September-October |
| Green-and-Gold | Chrysogonum virginianum | F-P | A | 6-12" | Yellow blooms early spring through summer |
| River Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | F-S | A | 48" | Grass turns copper in fall; bamboo-like appearance |
| Black Cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 3-8' | Long slender candle-like clusters of wht flwrs; sum-fall |
| Spring Beauty | Claytonia virginica | S-F | A | 3-5' | Pink-white flowers Feb-May; plant dormant after |
| Dutchman's Breeches | Dicentra cucullaria | S | A | 1' | White-yellow flowers resemble pantaloons in spring |
| Fringed Bleeding Heart | Dicentra eximia | F-P | A | 12-18" | Attractive foliage and pink and white flowers |
| Shield Fern | Dryopteris spp. | P-S | A | 18-24" | Varied genera of ferns, some with interesting fall color |
| Yellow Trout Lily | Erythronium americanum | P-S | A | 3-6" | Large, six-petalled yellow flowers |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 1-2' | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | S | D | 1-3' | Green-purple flwrs bloom on leafless stalks spr-sum |
| 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 | P-S | W | 1-3' | Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | P-S | A-W | 1-2' | Nodding, trumpet-like 1" blue flwrs spring, early sum. |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamonea | P-S | A-W | 24-48" | Circ. cluster of arching fronds, reddish fertle fronds |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2-6' | Bipannate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves |
| Allegheny spruge | Pachysandra procumbens | P-S | A | 9-12" | Spikes of pink, white flwrs (spr); dark foliage in shade |
| Creeping Phlox | Phlox stolonifera | P-S | A | 6" | White, pink, purple-violet trumpet-shaped flwrs (spr) |
| Jacob's Ladder | Polemonium reptans | P-S | A | 1' | Terminal clusters of light blue bell-shaped flwrs (Apr) |
| Bloodroot | Sanguineria canadensis | S | A | 6-10" | 2" white flwrs with yellow centers; roots have red sap |
| Celandine Poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum | S | A | 18" | 2" wide lemon-yellow flowers bloom spring, early sum |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | P-S | A | 6-12" | Evergreen ground cover; feathery flowers Apr-June |
| Trillium | Trillium spp. | S | A | 6"-1' | White or pink flowers have three broad petals |
| Sun Exposure | Soil Moisture | Drought Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| F = Full Sun | W = Wet | E = Excellent |
| P = Part Sun | A = Average | G = Good |
| S = Shade | D = Dry | M = Moderate |
| P = Poor |
