Native Plant List for New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern New Jersey
Last updated: September 5, 2026
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.
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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 ft | Migrating birds eat seeds; male and female plants |
| 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 | W-D | 40–75 ft | Brilliant orange to crimson and scarlet in the fall |
| Silver Maple | Acer saccharinum | F-P | A-W | 60–75 ft | Lacy-like leaves with a white bloom on the underside |
| Sugar Maple | Acer saccharum | S | A | 80 ft | Fantastic orange fall color; classic maple syrup |
| Mountain Paper Birch | Betula cordifolia | F-P | A-W | 40-60 ft | Relative of Paper Birch; white peeling bark; cool, moist, high sites |
| Black or Sweet Birch | Betula lenta | F-P | A | 60 ft | Deciduous tree; wintergreen aroma from leaves, twigs |
| River Birch | Betula nigra | F | A-W | 40–70 ft | Modest yellow color; seeds attract birds |
| Gray Birch | Betula populifolia | F-P | A | 30 ft | White bark; yellow fall color |
| Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | F-S | A-W | 20–30 ft | Crisp, green summer foliage turns red-orange in fall |
| Mockernut Hickory | Carya tomentosa | F-P | A-D | 50-80 ft | Slow-growing; thick-shelled nuts; very dry-tolerant on uplands |
| American Chestnut | Castanea dentata | F-P | A | 60–100 ft | Chestnut blight-susceptible; mostly stump sprouts now |
| Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | F-P | W-D | 50–75 ft | Yellow fall color; interesting warts on trunk in winter |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | F | D | 15–25 ft | Pea-like blooms in spring along twigs and branches |
| Fringetree | Chionanthus virginicus | F-P | A | 20 ft | Show-stopping creamy white flowers in April-May |
| Flowering Dogwood | Cornus Florida | S | A | 25–30 ft | Large white flowers in spring; loved by wildlife |
| Dotted Hawthorn | Crataegus punctata | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Thorny, flat-topped crown; red fruit persists, feeds birds in winter |
| Fleshy Hawthorn | Crataegus succulenta | F-P | A-W | 13-26 ft | Most wide-ranging US hawthorn; thorny thicket shrub, red fleshy fruit |
| Green hawthorn | Crataegus viridis | F-P | A-W | 20-35 ft | Small tree, white spring flowers, red fruit holds into winter |
| American Beech | Fagus grandifolia | S | A | 50–75 ft | Dark green summer foliage turns to golden |
| White Ash | Fraxinus americana | F-P | A | 60–80 ft | Yellow, maroon, purple fall color; butterfly larval plant |
| 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 | 50–60 ft | Grows fast; tolerates salt; yellow fall color |
| Butternut | Juglans cinerea | F | A | 40-60 ft | Edible nuts; declining from butternut canker disease |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Juniperus virginiana | F-P | D-A | 30–40 ft | Good for screening; attracts birds |
| Sweet Gum | Liquidambar styraciflua | F-S | A-W | 60–100 ft | Yellow, orange, scarlet, purple in fall; fruit litter prob. |
| Tulip Poplar | Liriodendron tulipifera | F | A | 40–100 ft | Attracts hummingbirds, squirrels; butterfly host plant |
| Sweetbay Magnolia | Magnolia virginiana | P-S | A-W | 20–30 ft | 3" creamy white lemon-scented flowers all summer |
| Sweet Crabapple | Malus coronaria | F-P | A | 15-30 ft | Fragrant pink spring blooms; sour fruit feeds birds; forms thickets |
| Black Gum | Nyssa sylvatica | F-P | A | 40–60 ft | Yellow, orange, red, purple in fall; fruit attracts birds |
| Table Mountain Pine | Pinus pungens | F | D | 20-40 ft | Rocky ridgetops only; spiny serotinous cones; fire-adapted |
| Pitch Pine | Pinus rigida | F | D-A | 40–60 ft | Fire-adapted conifer for sandy, rocky, or barren infertile sites |
| American Sycamore | Plantanus occidentalis | F-P | A-W | 70–100 ft | Leaves drop all summer; white mottled bark |
| Eastern Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | F-P | A-W | 40–50 ft | Short-lived; messy tree; modest fall color |
| Wild Plum | Prunus americana | F-P | W-D | 12–20 ft | Nice flowers in spring; 1" red-yellow fruit; low upkeep |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | F-P | A-W | 50–80 ft | Prized wood; edible fruit; leaves, twigs, bark poison |
| White Oak | Quercus alba | F-P | D | 60–100 ft | Brown, red, wine fall color; birds, squirrels eat acorns |
| Swamp White Oak | Quercus bicolor | P-S | W | 50–60 ft | Yellow to red-purple fall color |
| Scarlet Oak | Quercus coccinea | F-P | D | 75 ft | Brilliant scarlet fall color; rapid growth |
| Shingle Oak | Quercus imbricaria | F | A-W | 50-65 ft | Willow-like unlobed leaves; tolerates clay/wet soil; avoid spring cuts |
| Blackjack Oak | Quercus marilandica | F | A-D | 20–50 ft | Tolerates poor, dry, rocky soil; very slow-growing |
| Chinkapin Oak | Quercus muehlenbergii | F-P | A-D | 40-60 ft | Limestone-loving shade tree; sweet low-tannin acorns feed wildlife |
| Pin Oak | Quercus palustris | P-S | A-W | 60–80 ft | Russett, bronze, red fall color |
| Chestnut Oak | Quercus prinus | P | A | 60–70 ft | Useful lumber; acorns feed much wildlife |
| Red Oak | Quercus rubra | F-P | D-A | 60–75 ft | Russet red to bright red fall color; grows rapidly |
| Shumard Oak | Quercus shumardii | F-P | A | 60-100 ft | Fast-growing large shade tree, tolerant of alkaline soil |
| Black Oak | Quercus velutina | P-S | D | 50–60 ft | Reddish brown fall color |
| Black Locust | Robinia pseudoacacia | F-P | A-D | 30–50 ft | Fast nitrogen-fixer; suckers freely; toxic parts; Appalachian/Ozark |
| Black Willow | Salix nigra | F-P | A-W | 50 ft or more | Host plant for butterflies |
| Sassafras | Sassafras albidum | F-P | D-A | 30–60 ft | Yellow flwrs (Apr); yellow, orange, pink, scarlet in fall |
| Showy Mountain Ash | Sorbus decora | F-P | A | 15–30 ft | Cold-hardy small tree; winter berries bitter; not Europ. mountain ash |
| Basswood | Tilia americana | P-S | A-W | 60–80 ft | Wood used for carving; nectar makes honey; seeds attract wildlife |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | F-P | A | 40-60 ft | Fast shade tree; mucilaginous inner bark; some Dutch elm disease risk |
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 ft | Provides wildlife habitat |
| Smooth Alder | Alnus serrulata | F-S | W | 15–20 ft | Yellow and orange fall colors; fruit eaten by birds |
| Shadbush Serviceberry | Amelanchier canadensis | F | D | 1–20 ft | White flowers bloom in early spring; edible fruit |
| Allegheny Serviceberry | Amelanchier laevis | F-P | D-A | 40 ft | Showy white flowers (Mar-June); edible fruit (Jun-Jul) |
| Roundleaf Serviceberry | Amelanchier sanguinea | F-P | A-D | 4-10 ft | Thicket-forming shrub for dry, sandy or rocky soil; sweet edible fruit |
| Red Chokeberry | Aronia arbutifolia | F-P | W-D | 5–10 ft | Bright red fruit and scarlet to pinkish-orange fall color |
| Black Chokeberry | Aronia melanocarpa | F-P | D-W | 3–5 ft | Dependable showy orange, burgendy, purple fall color |
| Sea Myrtle | Baccharis halimifolia | F-P | W | 3–10 ft | White flower heads; attractive fall foliage |
| Bog Birch | Betula pumila | F-P | W | 2-10 ft | Wetland obligate shrub; calcareous fens & bogs; not for dry sites |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis | F-P | W-A | 3–8 ft | Blooms attract butterflies; emergent in shallow water |
| Leatherleaf | Chamaedaphne calyculata | F-P | W | 1-3 ft | Evergreen bog shrub; acidic, saturated soil; early white flowers |
| Sweet Pepperbush | Clethra alnifolia | F-P | W-A | 2–4 ft | Ivory white fragrant blooms in summer |
| Silky Dogwood | Cornus amomum | P-S | A-W | 6–15 ft | Flat white flower head mid-spring -- not fragrant |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | F-S | W-D | 8–15 ft | 2" dia. hemispherical inflorescences for 1 wk, May-Jun |
| Red-osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea | F-P | W-A | 3–10 ft | White flowers in spring; twigs, berries turn red in fall |
| 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 |
| Trailing Arbutus | Epigaea repens | P-S | A | 4-6 in | Fragrant evergreen groundcover; acidic soil; never dig from wild |
| Witchhazel | Hamamelis virginiana | F-S | A-D | 8–20 ft | Golden yellow flowers 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 | 6–10 ft | Greenish white flowers bloom in spring |
| Virginia Sweetspire | Itea virginica | F-P | W-D | 3–6 ft | White blooms in early summer; red, orange in fall |
| Marsh Elder | Iva frutescens | F | A-W | 8 ft | Evergreen; inconspicuous flowers |
| Bog Laurel | Kalmia polifolia | F-P | W | 1-2 ft | Low bog shrub; needs year-round saturated acidic peat |
| Spicebush | Lindera benzoin | P-S | W-A | 8–15 ft | Yellow blooms in early spring |
| Staggerbush | Lyonia mariana | F-P | A-D | 2-6 ft | Needs dry, sandy, acidic soil; avoid clay and lime |
| Wax Myrtle | Myrica cerifera | P-S | D-A | 15–20 ft | Olive-green leaves, fragrant when crushed |
| Northern Bayberry | Myrica pensylvanica | F | D-W | 5–8 ft | Semi-evergreen; transplants well |
| Common Ninebark | Physocarpus opulifolius | F-P | A-D | 5–10 ft | Thicket-forming; responds to pruning; purple foliage |
| Beach Plum | Prunus maritima | F | A-D | 10 ft | White spring blossoms; fruit used to make preserves |
| Bear Oak | Quercus ilicifolia | F | D | 6-15 ft | Thicket-forming shrub oak; dry sandy/rocky barrens only |
| Fragrant Sumac | Rhus aromatica | F-P | D | 2–6 ft | Showy orange to reddish-purple fall color |
| Dwarf-winged Sumac | Rhus copalina | F-P | D | 20–30 ft | Red fall color; winter food for birds and wildlife |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | F | D-A | 9–15 ft | Velvety red fruit on female plants lasts into winter |
| Staghorn Sumac | Rhus typhina | F | D | 9–15 ft | Vibrant red and gold autumn foliage |
| Swamp Rose | Rosa palustris | F | W-A | 4–6 ft | Frag. flowers (summer); red hips (winter); fall color |
| Northern Dewberry | Rubus flagellaris | F-P | D-A | 6-12 in (trails 3-8 ft) | Trailing bramble, roots at tips; prickly stems; spreads readily |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | F-P | A | 3-6 ft | Fast-spreading edge bramble; cut spent canes after fruiting |
| Silky Willow | Salix sericea | F-P | W-A | 12 ft | Provides good wildlife habitat |
| Elderberry | Sambucus canadensis | F-P | W-A | 5–10 ft | Pinnate leaves; blooms in early 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 |
| Poison Sumac | Toxicodendron vernix | F-P | W | 6-30 ft | Severely allergenic wetland shrub; identification only, do not plant |
| Velvetleaf Blueberry | Vaccinium myrtilloides | F-P | A-D | 6–24 in | Low colonial shrub; edible berries; needs acidic, well-drained soil |
| Arrowwood | Viburnum dentatum | F-P | W-A | 6–12 ft | Creamy-white blooms in spring |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | F-P | A-D | 18 ft | White flat-topped inflorescenses 5" diameter in May |
| Black Haw | Viburnum prunifolium | F-P | A-D | 8–15 ft | Creamy-white flowers in spring |
| Cranberry Bush | Viburnum trilobum | F-P | A-W | 8–12 ft | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nodding Wild Onion | Allium cernuum | F-P | A-D | 8–20 in | Dry soil; nodding white-pink summer flowers; deer resistant |
| Blue Star | Amsonia montana | F-P | A | 24 in | Light blue flowers in May |
| Canada Anemone | Anemone canadensis | F-P | A | 12–18 in | Strong growing plant produces single white blooms |
| Field Pussytoes | Antennaria neglecta | F-P | D-A | 2–12 in | Drought-tolerant mat-forming groundcover; host plant for American lady |
| Mountain Death Camas | Anticlea elegans | F-P | A-D | 1-2.5 ft | HIGHLY TOXIC bulb/foliage; do not confuse with edible Camassia |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 12–30 in | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Butterfly Weed | Asclepias tuberosa | F | A-D | 24–36 in | Brilliant orange flowers; butterfly host plant |
| New England Aster | Aster novi-angliae | F | A | 3–7 ft | Bright lavender flwrs with yellow ctrs late summer-fall |
| False Indigo | Baptisia australis | F | A-D | 3–6 ft | Blue spikes of pea-shaped flowers (May-Jun) |
| Boltonia | Boltonia asteroides | F | A-D | 4 ft | Tall plant with white or pink flowers, resemble asters |
| American Sea Rocket | Cakile edentula | F | D | 6-18 in | Annual beach dune pioneer; salt-tolerant; not native on Pacific coast |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | F | W | 12–24 in | 1-1.5" bright yellow flowers in spring and summer |
| Fox sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | F-P | A-W | 1–3 ft | Sunny wet meadow sedge; bristly brown spikes; rain gardens, pond edges |
| River Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | F-S | A | 4 ft | Grass turns copper in fall; bamboo-like appearance |
| White Turtlehead | Chelone glabra | F-P | A | 12–36 in | White to pink 1-1.5" flowers summer into fall |
| Pink Turtlehead | Chelone lyonii | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Showy pink flowers July through September |
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta maculata | F-P | W | 3-6 ft | Extremely toxic; wetlands/ditches only, not for gardens |
| Atlantic Pigeonwings | Clitoria mariana | F-P | D | 1–2 ft | Twining vine; dry sandy/rocky soil; showy upright lavender flowers |
| Tickseed | Coreopsis lanceolata | F-P | D-A | 12–36 in | Showy deep yellow flowers on tall stems in May, June |
| Whorled Tickseed | Coreopsis major | F-P | D-A | 2–4 ft | Whorled leaves, bright yellow summer blooms, pollinator favorite |
| American Dittany | Cunila origanoides | F-P | A-D | 8-18 in | Fragrant, late-blooming; needs lean rocky soil, not rich beds |
| Pale Coneflower | Echinacea pallida | F-P | D-A | 24–36 in | Large daisy-like flowers with drooping purp-pink petals |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea | F | A-D | 36 in | Daisy-like flowers with rose-purple rays |
| Joe-Pye-Weed | Eupatorium spp. | F-P | A | 6–8 ft | Pink, purple or white flowers |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 12–24 in | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Swamp Sunflower | Helianthus angustifolius | F | A | 6 ft | Yellow flwrs in late summer, fall; more blooms in June |
| Woodland Sunflower | Helianthus divaricatus | F-P | A-D | 2½–6 ft | Rhizomatous colonizer for dry shade; yellow blooms July–Sept |
| Western Sunflower | Helianthus occidentalis | F-P | A-D | 2–4 ft | Naked flower stalk above basal rosette; dry sun, not aggressive |
| Cow parsnip | Heracleum maximum | F-P | A-W | 4-8 ft | Striking wildflower; sap is phototoxic, causes skin burns in sun |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | F-P | A | 12–36 in | Grn-purp bell-shaped flwrs on leafless stalk (spr-sum) |
| Swamp Rose Mallow | Hibiscus moscheutos | F | A | 4–7 ft | 4-6" wht-pink flwrs with purp-crimson base (sum-fall) |
| Blue Flag Iris | Iris versicolor | F-P | A | 24–36 in | 3-4" blue flowers with yellow and white markings |
| Tall Blue Lettuce | Lactuca biennis | F-P | A-W | 3–8 ft | Biennial; milky sap can irritate skin |
| Blazing Star | Liatris spp. | F-P | A-D | 12–36 in | Spike-like flowers late summer and early fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | F-P | A-W | 12–36 in | Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall |
| Lanceleaf Loosestrife | Lysimachia lanceolata | P-F | A-W | 1-2 ft | Nodding yellow blooms on prairie perennial; needs consistent moisture |
| 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 |
| Monarda | Monarda spp. | F-P | A | 3–4 ft | Bloom July-August and beyond; attracts hummingbirds |
| Eastern Prickly-pear | Opuntia humifusa | F | D | 4–12 in (spreads 2–6 ft) | Native cactus, yellow flowers, sharp glochids, sandy/rocky soil |
| Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | F | A | 4–5⅓ ft | Warm season grass; sod forming; red-tinged foliage |
| Wild Quinine | Parthenium integrifolium | F-P | A-D | 2-4 ft | Long-blooming white prairie forb; handle foliage with gloves |
| Beardtongue | Penstemon spp. | F | D | 2–4 ft | Attracts hummingbirds |
| Spotted Phlox | Phlox maculata | F-P | A-W | 2-3 ft | Fragrant pink wet-meadow perennial; blooms June-Aug |
| Summer Phlox | Phlox paniculata | F-P | A-W | 2–4 ft | Attractive fall flowers attract butterflies |
| Texas Frogfruit | Phyla nodiflora | F-P | W-D | 2-6 in, spreading 3+ ft | Mat-forming lawn alternative; butterfly host; tolerates mowing |
| Pokeweed | Phytolacca americana | F-P | A | 4-10 ft | Poisonous perennial; exceptional fall bird food; self-sows |
| 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 |
| Gray-headed Coneflower | Ratibida pinnata | F-P | A-D | 3-5 ft | Long-blooming prairie perennial with drooping yellow rays, anise scent |
| Cloudberry | Rubus chamaemorus | F-P | W | 4-10 in | Acidic bog only; rare outside AK; dioecious, needs both sexes to fruit |
| Brown-eyed Susan | Rudbeckia fulgida | F-P | A | 5 ft | Good, lasting cut flowers |
| Wild Petunia | Ruellia humilis | F-P | D-A | 6-18 in | Low bushy prairie/glade native; drought-tolerant, butterfly host plant |
| Lyreleaf Sage | Salvia lyrata | F-P | A-D | 0.5-2 ft | Flat lobed rosette; lavender spikes; tolerates mowing, self-seeds |
| 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 |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp. | F | A-D | 3–7 ft | Common yellow wildflower |
| Aromatic Aster | Symphyotrichum oblongifolium | F | D-A | 1-2.5 ft | Dry/rocky sites; cultivar 'October Skies' widely sold |
| Tall Meadow-rue | Thalictrum pubescens | F-S | A-W | 3-6 ft | Airy white summer bloom; moist to wet soil; sun to shade |
| Virginia Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana | F-P | A-W | 1-2 ft | Grass-like clumps; purple flowers close by afternoon |
| Wingstem | Verbesina alternifolia | F-P | A-W | 3-8 ft | Spreads by rhizome in moist soil; late-summer yellow blooms |
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 in | Airy fan-shaped bl-grn fronds on delicate black stems |
| White Snakeroot | Ageratina altissima | P-S | A-W | 1-4 ft | Toxic woodland perennial; part shade, moist soil; spreads by rhizome |
| Wood Anemone | Anemone quinquefolia | P-S | A | 4–8 in | Spring-ephemeral groundcover; toxic sap, disappears by early summer |
| Wild Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis | P-S | A-D | 12–30 in | Unique red and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds |
| Wild Sarsaparilla | Aralia nudicaulis | P-S | A | 1-2 ft | Rhizomatous woodland ground cover; white umbels, dark berries |
| Spikenard | Aralia racemosa | P-S | A-W | 3–5 ft | Bushy plant; sm. wht flwrs produce red berries in fall |
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | P-S | A | 12 in or more | Spathe appears Mar-May; red berries late summer-fall |
| Goat's Beard | Aruncus dioicus | P-S | A | 4–6 ft | 6-10" plumes of small cream-colored flowers |
| Wild Ginger | Asarum canadensis | P-S | A | 6 in | Evergreen ground cover; heart-shaped glossy leaves |
| Blue Wood Aster | Aster cordifolius | P-S | A-D | 12–36 in | Blue flowers in September-October |
| Wild Calla | Calla palustris | P-S | W | 6-12 in | Bog/pond-margin arum; needs saturated soil or shallow water |
| 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 |
| Eastern star sedge | Carex radiata | P-S | A-W | 8–18 in | Fine-leaved woodland sedge; shade; good dry-shade groundcover |
| River Oats | Chasmanthium latifolium | F-S | A | 4 ft | Grass turns copper in fall; bamboo-like appearance |
| Green-and-Gold | Chrysogonum virginianum | F-P | A | 6–12 in | Yellow blooms early spring through summer |
| Black Cohosh | Cimicifuga racemosa | P-S | A | 3–8 ft | Long slender candle-like clusters of wht flwrs; sum-fall |
| Spring Beauty | Claytonia virginica | S-F | A | 3–5 ft | Pink-white flowers Feb-May; plant dormant after |
| White Clintonia | Clintonia umbellulata | P-S | A-W | 6–16 in | Shade woodland groundcover; speckled white flowers, blue-black berries |
| Squirrel Corn | Dicentra canadensis | P-S | A | 6–10 in | Spring ephemeral woodland wildflower; toxic, deer resistant |
| Dutchman's Breeches | Dicentra cucullaria | S | A | 12 in | White-yellow flowers resemble pantaloons in spring |
| Fringed Bleeding Heart | Dicentra eximia | P-S | A | 12–18 in | Attractive foliage and pink and white flowers |
| Shield Fern | Dryopteris spp. | P-S | A | 18–24 in | Varied genera of ferns, some with interesting fall color |
| White Trout Lily | Erythronium albidum | P-S | A | 4–10 in | Spring ephemeral; slow to establish, never dig from the wild |
| Yellow Trout Lily | Erythronium americanum | P-S | A | 3–6 in | Large, six-petalled yellow flowers |
| Sweet-scented Bedstraw | Galium triflorum | P-S | A | 6-24 in trailing groundcover | Fragrant shade groundcover for rich, consistently moist soil |
| Wild Geranium | Geranium maculatum | F-S | A | 12–24 in | 1" lavender-purple flowers in spring and summer |
| Indian Physic | Gillenia stipulata | P-S | D-A | 2-3 ft | Airy white flowers; dry shade perennial; root historically emetic |
| Oak Fern | Gymnocarpium dryopteris | P-S | W-A | 6-14 in | Spreading colony fern for cool, moist deep shade |
| Alumroot | Heuchera americana | S | D | 12–36 in | Green-purple flwrs bloom on leafless stalks spr-sum |
| Hairy Alumroot | Heuchera villosa | P-S | A-D | 8-12 in (to 3 ft bloom) | Rock-dwelling native parent of 'Bronze Wave' & other cultivars |
| Wood Nettle | Laportea canadensis | P-S | A-W | 1-5 ft | Stinging hairs; moist shade; red admiral butterfly host |
| Twinflower | Linnaea borealis | P-S | A-W | 2-4 in | Evergreen groundcover for cool, acidic, shaded sites; slow to spread |
| Cardinal flower | Lobelia cardinalis | F-P | W | 3–5 ft | Terminal clusters of bright red flowers 1.5" long in fall |
| Great Blue Lobelia | Lobelia siphilitica | P-S | W | 12–36 in | Elongated cluster of pale-dark blue flwrs late sum-fall |
| Starry False Lily | Maianthemum stellatum | P-S | A-D | 8-18 in | Rhizomatous woodland groundcover; starry flowers; berries inedible |
| Virginia Bluebells | Mertensia virginica | P-S | A-W | 12–24 in | Nodding, trumpet-like 1" blue flwrs spring, early sum. |
| Winged Monkeyflower | Mimulus alatus | P-S | W-A | 1-3 ft | Wet-soil wildflower; violet blooms July-Sept; shade to part shade |
| Indian Pipe | Monotropa uniflora | S | A-W | 3-10 in | Non-photosynthetic; parasitizes fungi; never dig or transplant |
| Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamonea | P-S | A-W | 2–4 ft | Circ. cluster of arching fronds, reddish fertle fronds |
| Royal Fern | Osmunda regalis | P | A-W | 2–6 ft | Bipannate blade; pinnae resemble locust tree leaves |
| Yellow wood sorrel | Oxalis stricta | F-S | W-A | 4-12 in | Weedy native groundcover; oxalate leaves, not for eating |
| Allegheny spruge | Pachysandra procumbens | P-S | A | 9–12 in | Spikes of pink, white flwrs (spr); dark foliage in shade |
| American Ginseng | Panax quinquefolius | P-S | A | 8-24 in | Shade woodland herb; wild roots scarce/protected, buy nursery stock |
| Creeping Phlox | Phlox stolonifera | P-S | A | 6–12 in in flower | White, pink, purple-violet trumpet-shaped flwrs (spr) |
| Jacob's Ladder | Polemonium reptans | P-S | A | 12 in | Terminal clusters of light blue bell-shaped flwrs (Apr) |
| Bloodroot | Sanguineria canadensis | S | A | 6–10 in | 2" white flwrs with yellow centers; roots have red sap |
| Zigzag Goldenrod | Solidago flexicaulis | P-S | A | 1–3 ft | Shade-loving goldenrod with zigzag stem; blooms late summer-fall |
| Celandine Poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum | S | A | 18 in | 2" wide lemon-yellow flowers bloom spring, early sum |
| Skunk Cabbage | Symplocarpus foetidus | P-S | W-A | 1–2 ft | Deep-shade wetland forb; thermogenic spring bloom; toxic raw |
| Foamflower | Tiarella cordifolia | P-S | A | 6–12 in | Evergreen ground cover; feathery flowers Apr-June |
| Trillium | Trillium spp. | S | A | 6–12 in | White or pink flowers have three broad petals |
| American Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis | P-S | A-W | 3–7 ft | Stings on contact, wear gloves; native butterfly host plant |
| Common Blue Violet | Viola sororia | F-S | A-W | 3-8 in | Spreads by rhizome; fritillary butterfly host |
| Barren Strawberry | Waldsteinia fragarioides | P-S | A | 3-6 in | Evergreen woodland groundcover; yellow flowers; fruit not edible |
| 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 |
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