Native Plant List for New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont
Last updated: November 12, 2026
Native Plants for New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont
New England’s northern tier offers some of the most rewarding native plant gardening in the country. From the rocky coast of Maine to Vermont’s mountain valleys, these three states share a climate that supports an incredible range of woodland wildflowers, tough native shrubs, and elegant ferns that have thrived here for thousands of years.
Whether you’re planting a shady woodland garden, a sunny pollinator meadow, or a low-maintenance foundation border, the species below will reward you with seasonal color, wildlife value, and the kind of resilience that only locally adapted plants can deliver. These are plants that belong here — they don’t need coddling, they support native bees and birds, and they look beautiful doing it.
How to Use This List
We’ve organized these plants into tables by type — trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, and grasses. Each entry includes light and moisture preferences so you can match plants to your specific site conditions. Most of these species are hardy in USDA Zones 3–6, which covers the majority of NH, ME, and VT.
Looking for where to buy? Visit our Native Plant Nursery Directory to find a nursery near you that specializes in locally sourced native plants.
See Also:
- New England Native Flowering Shrubs for Your Yard
- Native Plants of Maine for Landscaping
- Connecticut Native Plants for Landscaping
- Best Privacy Trees for New England
Native Trees
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Trees
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balsam Fir | Abies balsamea | F-P | A | 75 ft | Open growth in hot dry locations, evergreen |
| Black maple | Acer nigrum | F-P | A | 60-80 ft | Like Sugar Maple but tolerates alkaline, clay soils |
| Striped Maple | Acer pensylvanicum | P-S | A-W | 16-33 ft | Shade-loving understory tree; striped bark, sex-changing flowers |
| Red Maple | Acer rubrum | F-P | A | 60 ft | Excellent fall color; tolerates wet spring soil |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | F-P | A | 75 ft | Excellent fall color, beautiful large shade tree |
| Mountain Maple | Acer spicatum | F-P | A | 10–25 ft | Useful in naturalizing |
| Yellow Birch | Betula alleghaniensis | F-P | A | 100 ft | Does best in cool soils, beatuiful bark |
| Mountain Paper Birch | Betula cordifolia | F-P | A-W | 40-60 ft | Relative of Paper Birch; white peeling bark; cool, moist, high sites |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | F | A | 70 ft | White bark year-round, tolerates poor, dry soil |
| Gray Birch | Betula populifolia | F | A | 40 ft | Does well in poor soils; good for naturalizing |
| American Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | F | A | 30 ft | Use for naturalizing; tolerates periodic flooding |
| Red Hickory | Carya ovalis | F-P | A-D | 60-100 ft | Deep taproot; reddish inner bark; sweet nuts; dry uplands |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentata | F-P | A | 60–100 ft | Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus alternifolia | F-P | A | 25 ft | Moist soil is important, white flowers in June |
| Fireberry Hawthorn | Crataegus chrysocarpa | F-P | A | 6-20 ft | Drought-tolerant thorny shrub; long-lasting red fruit |
| Scarlet Hawthorn | Crataegus coccinea | F-P | A-D | 20-35 ft | Also sold as C. pedicellata; glossy red fruit persists for birds |
| Copenhagen Hawthorn | Crataegus intricata | F-P | A-D | 3-10 ft | Dense thorny thicket; variable fruit color; good shelterbelt plant |
| Bigfruit Hawthorn | Crataegus macrosperma | F-P | A-D | 10-23 ft | Early spring bloomer; tolerates clay soils; red fruit for birds |
| Dotted Hawthorn | Crataegus punctata | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Thorny, flat-topped crown; red fruit persists, feeds birds in winter |
| (Champlain) Hawthorne | Crataegus submollis | F | A | 30 ft | Red fruits in fall attract birds |
| Fleshy Hawthorn | Crataegus succulenta | F-P | A-W | 13-26 ft | Most wide-ranging US hawthorn; thorny thicket shrub, red fleshy fruit |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F | A | 80 ft | Good fall color; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Black Ash | Fraxinus nigra | F-P | W | 40-60 ft | Swamp tree; Critically Endangered due to emerald ash borer |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | F-P | A | 60 ft | Grows fast; tolerates salt, drought, alkaline soil |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | F | A | 40-60 ft | Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease |
| Tamarack | Larix laricina | F | W-A | 80 ft | Good for moist-wet sites & well drained sites |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylavatica | F- P | A | 50 ft | Excellent yellow-orange fall leaf color |
| American hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | F-P | A-D | 40 ft | Slow to establish after transplanting |
| White Spruce | Picea glauca | F-P | A | 60 ft | Good specimen or windbreak; evergreen |
| Black Spruce | Picea mariana | F-P | A | 40 ft | Tolerates wet sites; evergreen |
| Jack Pine | Pinus banksiana | F | D | 50 ft | Useful for windbreaks in sandy soil; evergreen |
| Red Pine | Pinus resinosa | F | D | 80 ft | Good windbreak; tolerates dry soils well |
| Pitch Pine | Pinus rigida | F | D-A | 40–60 ft | Fire-adapted conifer for sandy, rocky, or barren infertile sites |
| White Pine | Pinus strobus | F | A-D | 80 ft | Handsome specimen; not tolerant of salt |
| Bigtooth Aspen | Populus grandidentata | F | A-D | 70 ft | Fast growing; short lived; good yellow fall color |
| Quaking Aspen | Populus trembuloides | F | A | 50 ft | Fast growing, short lived; good yellow fall color |
| Canada Plum | Prunus nigra | F-P | A-W | 15–30 ft | Very cold-hardy thicket plum; fragrant bloom, tart fruit |
| Pin Cherry | Prunus pensylvanica | F | A | 35 ft | Adaptable; fast growing; tolerates poor soil |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F | A | 60 ft | White flowers (spring); wildlife food source |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F | A | 80 ft | Large tree; transplant when young |
| Chinkapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife |
| Dwarf Chinkapin Oak | Quercus prinoides | F-P | D-A | 4-6 ft | Clonal shrub oak; sweet acorns; thrives in dry sandy/rocky soil |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F | A | 75 ft | Transplants readily; good fall red leaf color |
| Bebb Willow | Salix bebbiana | F-P | A-W | 5-20 ft | Fast-growing wetland shrub; early bee forage; tolerates heavy soils |
| Heartleaf Willow | Salix eriocephala | F-P | A-W | 10-20 ft | Shrubby wetland willow; silky catkins; roots easily from cuttings |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F | W-A | 35 ft | Tolerates wet soils; twigs can cause lawn litter |
| Balsam Willow | Salix pyrifolia | F-P | W | 3-16 ft | Cold-climate bog shrub; fragrant leaves; needs wet soil |
| American Mountainash | Sorbus americana | F | A | 30 ft | Fruits good in wildlife landscape |
| Showy Mountain Ash | Sorbus decora | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Cold-hardy small tree; winter berries bitter; not Europ. mountain ash |
| White Cedar | Thuja occidentalis | F-P | A | 60 ft | Useful hedge plant; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Basswood | Tilia americana | F-P | A | 80 ft | Tolerates alkaline soil; use in urban landscape |
| Eastern Hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | F-S | A | 70 ft | Does not tolerate drought or windy sites |
| Rock Elm | Ulmus thomasii | F-P | A-D | 60-80 ft | Corky-winged bark; dry rocky uplands; tougher wood than American elm |
| Prickly Ash | Zanthoxylum americanum | P-S | A | 6-15 ft | Thorny thicket shrub; host plant for giant swallowtail butterflies |
Native Shrubs
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Shrubs
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downy Serviceberry | Amelanchier arborea | F-P | A | 25 ft | Edible/wildlife landscapes; orange fall color |
| Shadblow Serviceberry | Amelanchier canadensis | F-P | A | 20 ft | Edible/wildlife landscapes; yellow/gold fall color |
| Alleghany Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis | F-P | A | 25 ft | Edible/wildlife landscapes; spring leaves bronze |
| Roundleaf Serviceberry | Amelanchier sanguinea | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit |
| Bog Rosemary | Andromeda polifolia | F-P | W | 12 in | Evergreen leaves; requires moist acidic soil |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | W-A | 6 ft | Tolerates wet or dry soils; wine-red fall color |
| Resin Birch | Betula glandulosa | F-P | W-A | 1-4 ft | Bog/alpine shrub; glandular twigs; distinct from Bog Birch |
| Bog Birch | Betula pumila | F-P | W | 2-10 ft | Wetland obligate shrub; calcareous fens & bogs; not for dry sites |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F | W | 6 ft | Good for wetland plantings |
| Leatherleaf | Chamaedaphne calyculata | F-P | W | 1-3 ft | Evergreen bog shrub; acidic, saturated soil; early white flowers |
| Sweetfern | Comptonia peregrina | F-P | A-D | 36 in | Aromatic foliage; good in dry and sandy soil |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | F-S | A | 15 ft | Suckering; white fall fruits eaten by many birds |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea | F | W-A | 6 ft | Red stems attractive in winter; tolerates wet soil |
| American Filbert | Corylus americana | F-P | A | 15 ft | Wildlife eats fruit; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Swamp Loosestrife | Decodon verticillatus | F-P | W | 3-8 ft | Wetland shrub for pond margins; tolerates standing water |
| Northern Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla lonicera | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Suckering shrub for dry rocky sites; yellow flowers age red |
| Leatherwood | Dirca palustris | P-S | A | 4–6 ft | Yellow fall color; thrives in moist, shady sites |
| Common Witchhazel | Hamamelis virginiana | F-P | A | 15 ft | Avoid drought; yellow flowers/leaves in fall |
| Beach Heather | Hudsonia tomentosa | F | D | 6-12 in | Silvery dune mat; needs full sun, pure sand, excellent drainage |
| Winterberry | Ilex verticillata | F-P | W-A | 10 ft | Bright red fruits persist into midwinter |
| Common Juniper | Juniperus communis | F | A-D | 36 in | Takes drought, wind, sterile or alkaline soils |
| Lambkill | Kalmia angustifolia | F-P | A | 36 in | Adaptable to many soils; best in acidic soil |
| Bog Laurel | Kalmia polifolia | F-P | W | 1-2 ft | Low bog shrub; needs year-round saturated acidic peat |
| Labrador Tea | Ledum groenlandicum | F-P | W-A | 36 in | Transplants well; good for moist-to-wet sites |
| Sweetgale | Myrica gale | F | A-D | 4 ft | Bushy plant; dark green, aromatic foliage |
| Northern Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | F-P | A-D | 6 ft | Good for massing; useful in poor soil sites |
| Bush Cinquefoil | Potentilla fruticosa | F | A-D | 4 ft | Summer-flowering shrub; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Beach Plum | Prunus maritma | F | A | 6 ft | Good for edible landscape; salt-tolerant |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | F | A | 30 ft | White flowers in spring; wildlife food source |
| Bear Oak | Quercus ilicifolia | F | D | 6-15 ft | Thicket-forming shrub oak; dry sandy/rocky barrens only |
| Rhodora | Rhododendron canadense | F-P | W-A | 36 in | Magenta flowers in spring; best in acidic soil |
| Roseshell Azalea | Rhododendron prinophyllum | F-P | A-D | 4-8 ft | Fragrant pink azalea; disjunct range, tolerates drier rocky sites |
| Staghorn Sumac | Rhus typhina | P | A-D | 25 ft | Suckering; good mass plant for dry slopes |
| Meadow Rose | Rosa blanda | F | A | 5 ft | Single light pink flowers; suckering plant |
| Carolina Rose | Rosa carolina | F | A | 5 ft | Pink single flowers midsummer |
| Virginia Rose | Rosa virginiana | F | A | 5 ft | Good in dry & seaside landscape; good barrier |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | F-P | A | 3-6 ft | Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting |
| Purple-Flowered Raspberry | Rubus odoratus | P | A | 3-6 ft | Thornless shrub; rose-purple flowers Jun–Aug; maple-like leaves |
| American Elder | Sambucus canadensis | F | A | 12 ft | Edible landscapes; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Scarlet Elder | Sambucus pubens | F | A | 20 ft | Flowers in July; red fruit mid-summer |
| Three-Toothed Cinquefoil | Sibbaldiopsis tridentata | F-P | A-D | 2-6 in | Evergreen mat for rocky, lean soil; rare/high-elev only south of VA |
| Canadian Yew | Taxus canadensis | P-S | A | 6 ft | Hardiest yew; good for shady landscape |
| Poison Sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | F-P | W | 6-30 ft | Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant |
| Highbush Cranberry | V. opulus var. trilobum | F-P | A | 12 ft | Use for screening; good for wildlife landscapes |
| Velvetleaf Blueberry | Vaccinium myrtilloides | F-P | A-D | 6–24 in | Low colonial shrub; edible berries; needs acidic, well-drained soil |
| Highbush Blueberry | Vaccinum corymbosum | F | A | 8 ft | Edible/wildlife landscapes; best in acidic soil |
| Mapleleaf Viburnum | Viburnum acerifolium | P-S | A | 6 ft | Good for mass plantings in shady sites |
| Hobblebush | Viburnum alnifolium | P-S | A | 8 ft | Open shrub; good for naturalized landscape |
| Arrowwood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | A | 15 ft | Durable; good hedge; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Squashberry | Viburnum edule | P-S | A-W | 2-6 ft | Cold-hardy boreal shrub; tart edible red berries, moose browse |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | F-P | A | 15 ft | Good for wildlife and naturalized landscapes |
| Downy Arrowwood | Viburnum rafinesqueanum | F-P | A-D | 4–8 ft | Compact native viburnum for dry shade; fall color |
Native Perennials & Wildflowers
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Ground Cover and Vines
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing Fumitory | Adlumia fungosa | P-S | A-W | 6-13 ft (vine) | Lacy biennial vine; small pink flowers; climbs rocks/shrubs. |
| Running Serviceberry | Amelanchier stolonifera | F-P | A | 24 in | Stoloniferous groundcover; forms thickets |
| American Hog-Peanut | Amphicarpaea bracteata | P-S | A | 1–5 ft vine | Twining legume vine; lilac flowers Jul–Sep; edible underground seeds |
| Field Pussytoes | Antennaria neglecta | F-P | D-A | 2–12 in | Drought-tolerant mat-forming groundcover; host plant for American lady |
| American Groundnut (Potato Bean) | Apios americana | F-P | W-A | 6-10 ft (vine) | Twining vine, fragrant maroon flowers, edible tubers; moist soil |
| Wild Sarsaparilla | Aralia nudicaulis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries |
| Bearberry | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | F-P | A-D | 6 in | Best in poor, sandy, acidic soils; salt-tolerant |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | F-P | A | -- | Climbing vine; dioecious; tolerates alkaline soil |
| Western Blue Virgin's Bower | Clematis occidentalis | P-F | A | 1-10 ft | Wiry climbing vine; rocky, well-drained sites only |
| Virginbower | Clematis virginiana | F | A | -- | Climbing vine; best in alkaline soil |
| Bunchberry | Cornus canadensis | P-S | A | 6 in | Groundcover; white flowers & red berries (birds) |
| Wild Cucumber | Echinocystis lobata | F-P | A-W | 15-25 ft (annual vine) | Fast annual vine; spiny inedible fruit; reseeds readily |
| Trailing Arbutus | Epigaea repens | P-S | A | 4-6 in | Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild |
| Climbing False Buckwheat | Fallopia scandens | F-P | A-W | 10-20 ft (vine) | Fast twining native vine; fall/winter bird seed; give it room |
| Sweet-scented Bedstraw | Galium triflorum | P-S | A | 6-24 in trailing groundcover | Fragrant shade groundcover for rich, consistently moist soil |
| Checkerberry | Gaultheria procumbens | P-S | A | 6 in | Evergreen groundcover; leaves reddish in fall |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus | F-P | A-W | 15-25 ft (vine) | Twining perennial vine; toxic to dogs; female plants produce hop cones |
| Creeping Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis | F | A-D | 12 in | Tolerates hot, dry, alkaline soil; evergreen |
| Twinflower | Linnaea borealis | P-S | A-W | 2-4 in | Evergreen groundcover for cool, acidic, shaded sites; slow to spread |
| Limber Honeysuckle | Lonicera dioica | F-P | A-D | 3-10 ft vine | Non-invasive native vine; berries for birds only; hummingbirds |
| Moonseed | Menispermum canadense | P-F | A-W | Climbs 15-20 ft | Twining native vine; poisonous fruit resembles wild grapes |
| Climbing Hempvine | Mikania scandens | F-P | W | 6–12 ft | Twining wetland vine; frothy white blooms; host for little metalmark |
| Partridgeberry | Mitchella repens | S | A | 2 in | Delicate plant; red fruits persist into winter |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| Woodbine | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | F-S | A-D | -- | Hardy vine; maroon in fall; takes alkaline soil |
| Thicket Creeper | Parthenocissus vitacea | F-P | A-D | 20-35 ft climbing vine | Fast vine; toxic berries; often confused with Virginia Creeper |
| Arrowleaf Tearthumb | Polygonum sagittatum | F-P | W | 1–6 ft | Prickly scrambling wetland annual; pink-white flower heads, Jul–Oct |
| Cloudberry | Rubus chamaemorus | F-P | W | 4-10 in | Acidic bog only; rare outside AK; dioecious, needs both sexes to fruit |
| Northern Dewberry | Rubus flagellaris | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft) | Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily |
| Smooth Carrionflower | Smilax herbacea | P-S | A | 6–15 ft (vine) | Herbaceous vine; carrion-scented flowers; non-woody, no prickles |
| Roundleaf Greenbrier | Smilax rotundifolia | F-S | A-D | 10–20+ ft (vine) | Thorny climbing vine; dense wildlife cover, winter berries |
| Bristly Greenbrier | Smilax tamnoides | F-P | A | 10–20 ft | Bristly woody vine; blue-black winter berries for birds |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | F | W-A | 4–8 in | Edible/wildlife landscapes; acidic soil |
| Lowbush Blueberry | Vaccinum angustifolium | F | A | 24 in | Edible/wildlife landscapes; acidic soil |
| Fox Grape | Vitis labruscas | F | A | -- | Handsome foliage; good vine for arbors |
| Riverbank Grape | Vitis riparia | F-P | W-A | 20-50 ft (climbing vine) | Vigorous riverbank vine; cold-hardy parent of hybrid wine grapes |
| Barren Strawberry | Waldsteinia fragarioides | P-S | A | 3-6 in | Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible |
Native Ferns
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Flowering Perennials
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baneberry | Actaea pachypoda | P-S | A | 24 in | Attractive, but poisonous fruit |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A-W | 1-4 ft | Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome |
| Wild Chives | Allium schoenoprasum | F-P | W-A | 8–20 in | Native chive of wet shores and meadows; lavender globes June–Aug |
| Wide Leek | Allium tricoccum | P-S | A | 6–16 in | Ramps; spring wild onion of rich woods; harvest one leaf, not bulbs |
| Wood Anemone | Anemone quinquefolia | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer |
| Mountain Death Camas | Anticlea elegans | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with edible Camassia |
| Puttyroot | Aplectrum hyemale | P-S | A | 10–16 in | Woodland orchid; pinstriped winter leaf; late-spring bloom; don't dig |
| Spreading Dogbane | Apocynum androsaemifolium | F-P | D-A | 1–2 ft | Colonizing perennial; fragrant pink bells, summer; toxic sap |
| Hemp Dogbane | Apocynum cannabinum | F-P | A-D | 2–5 ft | Toxic fiber plant; small white flowers May–Aug; spreads by roots |
| Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | F-S | A-D | 12 in | Early spring flowers |
| Spikenard | Aralia racemosa | P-S | A-D | 36 in | Good for back of border |
| Silvery Cinquefoil | Argentina anserina | F | W-A | 6–12 in | Yellow flowers, silvery leaves; native ME/NH/VT, introduced MA; spreads by runners |
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | W-A | 12 in | Flower green and brown; bright red fruit |
| Milkweed | Asclepias syriaca | F | D | 36 in | Attracts butterflies |
| Green Comet Milkweed | Asclepias viridiflora | F-P | D | 1–2 ft | Low prairie milkweed; green flower balls, monarch host; toxic |
| New England Aster | Aster novae-angliae | F-P | A-D | 24 in | Fall flowering; deep purple |
| New York Aster | Aster novi-belgii | F-P | A-D | 24 in | Fall flowering; purple |
| American Sea Rocket | Cakile edentula | F | D | 6-18 in | Annual beach dune pioneer; salt-tolerant; not native on Pacific coast |
| Wild Calla | Calla palustris | P-S | W | 6-12 in | Bog/pond-margin arum; needs saturated soil or shallow water |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | F-P | W-A | 12 in | Showy yellow flowers in early spring |
| Harebell | Campanula rotundifolia | F-P | A-D | 12 in | Delicate blue-purple flowers |
| Cut-leaved Toothwort | Cardamine concatenata | P-S | A | 6–15 in | Spring ephemeral; whorl of 3 cut leaves, white-pink flowers Mar–May |
| Creeping Sedge | Carex laxiculmis | P-S | A-D | 0.3–1.5 ft | Evergreen dry-shade sedge; slow clumping groundcover, deer resistant |
| Seersucker Sedge | Carex plantaginea | P-S | A | 8–12 in | Puckered-leaf shade sedge; rich moist soil, slow clump, deer resistant |
| Blue Cohosh | Caulophyllum thalictroides | P-S | A-D | 36 in | Blue fruits; back of border |
| Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | P-S | W-A | 24 in | Interesting white flowers in midsummer |
| Striped Wintergreen | Chimaphila maculata | P-S | D-A | 4–10 in | Evergreen white-striped leaves; nodding white flowers; don't dig |
| Pipsissewa | Chimaphila umbellata | P-S | D-A | 4–12 in | Evergreen forest subshrub; waxy pink flowers Jun–Aug; hard to grow |
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta maculata | F-P | W | 3-6 ft | Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens |
| Field Thistle | Cirsium discolor | F-P | D | 3–7 ft | Native thistle; white-woolly leaf undersides; bees, goldfinches |
| Bluebead Lily | Clintonia borealis | P-S | A | 12 in | Yellow bell-shaped flowers; blue fruit not for eating |
| Whitemouth Dayflower | Commelina erecta | F-P | D | 1–3 ft | Sandhill perennial; sky-blue 1-day flowers May–Oct; drought-hardy |
| Threeleaf Goldthread | Coptis trifolia | P-S | A-W | 3–6 in | Evergreen northern groundcover; white star flowers, golden rhizomes |
| Wild Comfrey | Cynoglossum virginianum | P-S | A-D | 1–2.5 ft | Woodland perennial; pale blue spring flowers, rough leaves; toxic |
| Squirrel Corn | Dicentra canadensis | P-S | A | 6–10 in | Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant |
| Flat-top White Aster | Doellingeria umbellata | F-P | A-W | 3–6 ft | Tall wet-meadow aster; flat white clusters, Jul–Sep; checkerspot host |
| Round-Leaved Sundew | Drosera rotundifolia | F | W | 2–10 in | Carnivorous bog rosette; sticky red leaves; white flowers Jun–Aug |
| Philadelphia Fleabane | Erigeron philadelphicus | F-P | A | 1–2.5 ft | Early spring daisy; fine white-pink rays, nodding buds; reseeds |
| Trout-lily | Erythronium americanum | P-S | A | 6 in | Flowers early-spring |
| Joe-pye Weed | Eupatorium maculatum | F | W-A | 4 ft | Purple flowers in fall; attracts butterflies |
| Boneset | Eupatorium perfoliatum | F | W-A | 24 in | Green flowers; good for drying |
| Late Boneset | Eupatorium serotinum | F-P | A-W | 2–6 ft | White fall flower clusters; top late-season insect magnet; reseeds |
| Woodland Strawberry | Fragaria vesca | F-P | A | 3–8 in | Low runner-forming ground cover; white flowers, tiny sweet berries |
| Showy Orchis | Galearis spectabilis | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring woodland orchid; purple hood, white lip; propagated plants only |
| Northern Gentian | Gentianella amarella | F-P | W-A | 4–16 in | Fringed purple autumn flowers; wet mountain meadows & fens |
| Carolina Crane's-Bill | Geranium carolinianum | F-P | D-A | 6–18 in | Native annual geranium; pale pink flowers Mar–Jul; beaked fruits |
| White Avens | Geum canadense | P-S | D-A | 1–3 ft | Small white summer flowers in shade; hooked burs; reseeds |
| Western Rattlesnake Plantain | Goodyera oblongifolia | S-P | A | 8–16 in | Evergreen orchid of conifer forests; white-striped leaves; don't dig |
| Downy Rattlesnake Plantain | Goodyera pubescens | P-S | D-A | 8–16 in | Evergreen orchid; white-veined leaves, white flower spike Jul–Aug |
| Virginia Stickseed | Hackelia virginiana | P-S | A | 1–4 ft | Woodland-edge biennial; tiny white flowers, clinging burs, summer |
| Woodland Sunflower | Helianthus divaricatus | F-P | A-D | 2½–6 ft | Rhizomatous colonizer for dry shade; yellow blooms July–Sept |
| Cow parsnip | Heracleum maximum | F-P | A-W | 4-8 ft | Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun |
| Pale Jewelweed | Impatiens pallida | P-S | A-W | 2–5 ft | Annual; pale yellow hummingbird flowers; explosive pods; reseeds |
| Blue Flag | Iris versicolor | F-P | W-A | 24 in | Elegant form; blue-purple flowers |
| American Water-willow | Justicia americana | F-P | W | 1–3 ft | Emergent aquatic; stabilizes stream banks; white-lavender flowers |
| Tall Blue Lettuce | Lactuca biennis | F-P | A-W | 3–8 ft | Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin |
| Wood Nettle | Laportea canadensis | P-S | A-W | 1-5 ft | Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host |
| Indian Tobacco | Lobelia inflata | F-P | D-A | 1–2 ft | Annual lobelia; tiny pale blue flowers, inflated pods; toxic |
| Whorled Loosestrife | Lysimachia quadrifolia | F-P | A | 1–3 ft | Whorled leaves, starry yellow flowers; dry oak woods; Macropis bees |
| Starry False Lily | Maianthemum stellatum | P-S | A-D | 8-18 in | Rhizomatous woodland groundcover; starry flowers; berries inedible |
| Indian Cucumber-root | Medeola virginiana | P-S | A | 12–24 in | Whorled leaves; upper leaf bases turn red around dark fruit |
| American Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | F-P | W-A | 6in-2ft | Native wetland mint; spreads by rhizome; flowers at leaf joints |
| Spotted Beebalm | Monarda punctata | F | D | 1-3 ft | Thyme-scented; purple-spotted flowers draw wasps and bees |
| Indian Pipe | Monotropa uniflora | S | A-W | 3-10 in | Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant |
| Bay Forget-me-not | Myosotis laxa | F-P | W-A | 4-16 in | Tiny blue wildflower for wet soil; native, not the garden species |
| Spatterdock | Nuphar advena | F-P | W | 0-1 ft above water | Aquatic perennial; shade-tolerant, tolerates slow current |
| Canada Toadflax | Nuttallanthus canadensis | F | D | 6–24 in | Winter annual; blue-violet spurred flowers on sandy ground, spring |
| American White Waterlily | Nymphaea odorata | F | W | Floating leaves; no emergent height | Aquatic perennial; still water 1-4 ft deep |
| Violet Woodsorrel | Oxalis violacea | F-P | D-A | 4–10 in | Spring bulb wildflower; rose-violet flowers Apr–Jun, shamrock leaves |
| American Ginseng | Panax quinquefolius | P-S | A | 8-24 in | Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock |
| Dwarf Ginseng | Panax trifolius | P-S | A | 3–8 in | Tiny spring ephemeral; white ball of flowers, dormant by summer |
| Canadian Lousewort | Pedicularis canadensis | F-P | D-A | 6–14 in | Hemiparasitic spring wildflower; yellow/red hooded flowers Apr–Jun |
| Obedient Plant | Physostegia virginiana | F-S | A-D | 24 in | flowers pink; leaves dark green; cut flowers |
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | F-P | A | 4-10 ft | Poisonous perennial; exceptional fall bird food; self-sows |
| Marsh Fleabane | Pluchea odorata | F-P | W-A | 1–3 ft | Salt-tolerant, fragrant; pink flower clusters late summer–fall |
| Fringed Polygala | Polygala paucifolia | P-S | A | 3–6 in | Gaywings; magenta winged flowers in mossy north woods; never dig |
| Solomon's Seal | Polygonatum pubescens | P-S | A | 12–30 in | Arching stems w/ white flowers (spring) |
| American Jumpseed | Polygonum virginianum | P-S | A | 1–3 ft | Shade perennial; wiry white flower spikes Jul–Oct; seeds jump |
| Common Cinquefoil | Potentilla simplex | F-P | A-D | 4-10 in | Mat-forming groundcover; tolerates mowing, poor soil; deer resistant |
| Rabbit Tobacco | Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium | F-P | A-D | 1-3 ft | Annual/biennial; dry poor soils; cream everlasting flowers fall |
| American Wintergreen | Pyrola americana | P-S | A | 4–12 in | Evergreen woodland wildflower; fungus-dependent, do not transplant |
| Bloodroot | Sanguinaria canadensis | P-S | A | 12 in | Showy white flowers in early spring |
| Purple Pitcher Plant | Sarracenia purpurea | F-P | W | 4-12 in (rosette) | Carnivorous bog obligate; needs sphagnum/peat & rainwater |
| Tall Goldenrod | Solidago altissima | F-P | A-D | 3–7 ft | Spreads by rhizome; vital late-season pollinator nectar source |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | F-P | A | 2-5 ft | Fast-spreading fall bloomer, superb for pollinators; needs room |
| Zigzag Goldenrod | Solidago flexicaulis | P-S | A | 1–3 ft | Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall |
| Smooth Hedgenettle | Stachys tenuifolia | P-F | A-W | 1-3 ft | Pink mint flowers Jun-Aug; wet meadows/rain gardens; spreads rhizome |
| Star Chickweed | Stellaria pubera | P-S | A | 6–12 in | Spring woodland groundcover; starry white flowers Mar–May |
| Skunk Cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | P-S | W-A | 1–2 ft | Deep-shade wetland forb; thermogenic spring bloom; toxic raw |
| Lake Huron Tansy | Tanacetum bipinnatum | F | D | 8–16 in | Rare Great Lakes dune/Maine riverbank endemic; threatened/endangered |
| American Germander | Teucrium canadense | F-P | W-A | 1–3 ft | Native mint; lavender spikes Jun–Aug; bumblebee magnet; spreads |
| Tall Meadow-rue | Thalictrum pubescens | F-S | A-W | 3-6 ft | Airy white summer bloom; moist to wet soil; sun to shade |
| Rue Anemone | Thalictrum thalictroides | P-S | A | 4–9 in | Spring ephemeral; white to pink flowers Mar–May, dormant by summer |
| Foam Flower | Tiarella cordifolia | P | A | 6 in | Delicate white flowers in early spring |
| Crane-fly Orchid | Tipularia discolor | P-S | A-D | 10–20 in | Woodland orchid; purple-backed winter leaf; never dig from wild |
| Virginia Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon |
| Red Trillium | Trillium erectum | P-S | A | 8–16 in | Maroon 3-petaled spring flowers; slow; buy propagated plants only |
| Painted Trillium | Trillium undulatum | P-S | A-W | 8–20 in | Acid woodland trillium; white petals with crimson V; never dig |
| Clasping Venus's Looking Glass | Triodanis perfoliata | F-P | D-A | 6–20 in | Native annual; violet star flowers in clasping leaves, spring |
| American Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis | P-S | A-W | 3–7 ft | Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant |
| Largeflower Bellwort | Uvularia grandiflora | P-S | A | 12–30 in | Woodland perennial; nodding yellow bells in spring; perfoliate leaves |
| Wild-oats | Uvularia sessilifolia | P-S | A | 6–18 in | Cream, bell-shaped flowers in early spring |
| Green False Hellebore | Veratrum viride | F-P | W | 2–6 ft | Bold pleated leaves, green flower plume; highly toxic, wet sites |
| White Vervain | Verbena urticifolia | F-P | A | 2-5 ft | Airy white spikes; moist soil; native alt to V. bonariensis |
| Cowpen Daisy | Verbesina encelioides | F | D | 1–3 ft | Golden crownbeard; annual yellow daisy, long bloom; weedy |
| Field Pansy | Viola bicolor | F-P | A-D | 2–8 in | Native wild pansy; winter annual, pale blue flowers in spring |
| Sweet White Violet | Viola blanda | P-S | A | 2 in | Small white flowers, ground cover, self-sows |
| Canada Violet | Viola canadensis | P-S | A | 8–16 in | Leafy-stemmed woodland violet; fragrant white flowers Apr–Jun |
| Marsh Blue Violet | Viola cucullata | P-S | W-A | 6–12 in | Blue flowers; moist to wet soil, not drought tolerant; self-sows |
| Labrador Violet | Viola labradorica | F-P | A-D | 6 in | Magenta flowers; reddish foliage; self-sows |
| Downy Yellow Violet | Viola pubescens | P-S | A-D | 6 in | Yellow flowers |
| Round-leaved Violet | Viola rotundifolia | P | W-A | 3–6 in | Yellow flowers, leaves large, round & leathery |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | F-S | A-W | 3-8 in | Spreads by rhizome; fritillary butterfly host |
Native Grasses & Sedges
New Hampshire, Maine & Vermont Perennial Ferns
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Sun | Moisture | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum aleuticum | F-S | W-A | 1-3 ft | Fan-shaped fronds on black stems; moist, mineral-rich rock crevices. |
| Maidenhair Fern | Adiantum pedatum | P-S | A | 18 in | Delicate black stem, fronds almost circular |
| Lady Fern | Athyrium filix-femina | P-S | W-A | 18 in | Lacey Fronds; reddish in spring |
| Hay-scented Fern | Dennstaedtia punctilobula | F-P | A-D | 12–24 in | Fragrant lacey fronds; tolerates hot, dry sites |
| Spinulose Wood Fern | Dryopteris carthusiana | P-S | A | 24 in | Lacey fronds; reddish in spring |
| Marginal Wood Fern | Dryopteris marginalis | F-P | A-D | 24 in | Fronds blue-green; tolerates rocky sites |
| Field Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | F-P | A-W | 8–24 in | Ancient fern relative; aggressive rhizomes; toxic to livestock |
| Scouring Rush | Equisetum hyemale | F-P | W-A | 2-5 ft | Evergreen, jointed stems; spreads by rhizome; toxic to livestock |
| Oak Fern | Gymnocarpium dryopteris | P-S | W-A | 6-14 in | Spreading colony fern for cool, moist deep shade |
| Shining Clubmoss | Huperzia lucidula | P-S | A-W | 4–8 in | Glossy evergreen clubmoss of acidic shade; toxic, don't dig |
| Fan Clubmoss | Lycopodium digitatum | P-S | D-A | 4–10 in | Evergreen clubmoss; fan-shaped branchlets; never dig; toxic |
| Ostrich Fern | Mattuccia struthiopteris | P-S | A | 36 in | Beautiful fronds; fiddleheads edible |
| Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis | F-P | W-A | 12–24 in | Easy to grow; spreads |
| Interrupted Fern | Osmunda claytoniana | F-S | W-D | 36 in | Spreads well; luxurient spring growth |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | F-S | W-A | 36 in | Vase-shaped; sterile fronds finely dissected |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmundastrum cinnamomeum | P-S | W-A | 36 in | Attractive cinnamon color fertile frond (spring) |
| Purple Cliffbrake | Pellaea atropurpurea | F-P | D | 4-12 in | Evergreen rock fern; needs limestone crevices, not garden soil |
| Long Beech Fern | Phegopteris connectilis | P-S | A | 6–24 in | Smaller size fern, low growing, spreads well |
| Broad Beech Fern | Phegopteris hexagonoptera | P-S | A-W | 8-20 in | Deciduous colonial fern, winged rachis; spreads by rhizome in shade |
| Christmas Fern | Polystichum acrostichoides | P-S | A | 12 in | Leathery, evergreen fronds |
| Marsh Fern | Thelypteris palustris | F-P | W | 1-2.5 ft | Spreads by rhizome; wetland fern, tolerates more sun than most ferns |
Resources
| 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 |
Ready to Start Planting?
The best time to plant native species in northern New England is spring (after last frost) or early fall (September). Start with 3–5 species that match your site’s sun and soil conditions, and expand from there. Your local native plant nursery can help you choose the right plants for your yard — find one here.
Looking for a nursery that carries native New England plants?
Browse our native plant nursery directory: Maine · New Hampshire · Vermont · Connecticut
