Landscaping with native plants is enjoyable and rewarding. Native plants are those species that naturally originate within that specific region. Since they have evolved to thrive in their natural habitats, they make gardening easier, requiring less water and fewer amendments. They support the natural ecosystem and provide a valuable food source and nectar for native birds, wildlife, and insect pollinators. We want to showcase 31 beautiful native plants recommended for the Northeast.
Northeastern gardeners generally have mild summers and cold winters. There is usually plenty of moisture throughout the year, but there may be an occasional drought or deluge. The northeastern states encompass a wide range of climate zones, so one of the most important things to consider when planning your garden is to learn which USDA plant hardiness zone you live in.
Once you know your hardiness zone, you will be prepared to choose the best plant for your site. Look also at the micro-climate conditions within your yard. For example, how much sunlight do different parts of your yard receive? What type of soil do you have? Is the soil well-drained, or does it hold water for a long time? With this information, you can make well-informed decisions about which plants will thrive in your landscape.
You may be surprised how many beautiful native plants you can grow in your northeastern garden. Read on to learn more about 31 spectacular native plant species, from stately trees to low-growing groundcovers, that can grow in your yard!
Trees
If you have enough space in your landscape, consider planting a tree or two. Trees are attractive and easy to grow. They provide shade, beauty, and habitat for wildlife. Many native trees have excellent curb appeal and provide year-round interest that you can enjoy and appreciate.
American Hop-Hornbeam
The American hop-hornbeam requires well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought.
 | botanical name Ostrya virginiana |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
 | height 25 – 40 feet |
 | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
The American hop-hornbeam is a slender shade tree native to eastern North America. This attractive tree grows well in full sun or as an understory tree with partial shade. It appreciates medium-moisture, well-drained soil but also tolerates some drought.
American hop-hornbeam makes an appealing landscaping tree. It is easy to grow, low-maintenance, and it stays smaller than many other shade tree species. The simple leaves have rough, serrated edges, and the bark is smooth. In the autumn, American hop-hornbeam has attractive yellow foliage. Birds enjoy foraging and roosting in these trees.
Eastern Redbud
Eastern redbud blooms in the spring and attracts many different pollinators.
| | botanical name Cercis canadensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 15 – 25 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The eastern redbud is a small to medium-sized tree native to central and eastern North America. Redbuds are a familiar sight in springtime as their showy pinkish-purple flowers bloom in early spring along roadways, forest edges, parks, and gardens. Redbuds are one of the first flowering trees to bloom in the spring, attracting birds, pollinators, and plenty of admiration.
It’s easy to work a flowering redbud tree into your landscape if you have extra space. These trees thrive in full sun and also partial shade. They prefer organically rich, medium-moisture soil. Redbuds tend not to grow straight trunks but more often gracefully curved trunks with several low branches, giving them the appearance of a tall shrub.
Silky Dogwood
The silky dogwood does best when planted near a water source and will grow to reach 6 to 12 feet tall.
| | botanical name Cornus amomum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6 – 12 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 8 |
Silky dogwood is a small deciduous tree or large shrub with a compact, rounded form. It is native to eastern North America and is typically found in rich, moist, shaded woodlands. For the home gardener, this is an excellent plant for a shade garden or moist area near a pond, stream, or wetland.
Silky dogwood blooms in the springtime and into early summer. The clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers are very showy and attract butterflies and other pollinators. By late summer, silky dogwood bears colorful clusters of small, round, purplish fruits that attract hungry birds. These plants will spread by root suckering, forming a dense thicket or hedge unless they are thinned regularly.
Sugar Maple
Surprisingly, sugar maples attract lots of birds and different pollinators.
| | botanical name Acer saccharum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 40 – 80 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The sugar maple is probably best known for its spectacular fall color and as the tree used to make maple syrup. Sugar maples are an important tree in northeastern hardwood forests, and they also make beautiful landscaping trees. Grow them in full sun or partial shade with organically rich, medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
Sugar maple blooms in the springtime, and although the flowers aren’t particularly showy, they attract birds and pollinators. By early summer, you will see the familiar helicopter-like seed capsules that twirl to the ground.
This tree produces a dazzling display of beautiful fall foliage. The sugar maple is an excellent choice if you have the space for a full-sized shade tree.
Washington Hawthorn
These dense, small-growing trees make a good hedgerow.
| | botanical name Crataegus phaenopyrum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 25 – 30 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The Washington hawthorn is an attractive small tree native to the eastern United States. Grow it in full sun or light, dappled shade with medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Washington hawthorn makes a good tree for a hedgerow, or grow it along the street for a bit of privacy, or use it as an accent tree.
Washington hawthorn has showy white flower clusters that bloom in the late spring or early summer. The flowers attract butterflies and make a beautiful addition to the landscape. By fall, the branches bear multiple bunches of bright reddish-range fruits that birds and small mammals love to eat. This plant also has excellent fall foliage with shades of yellow, orange, and scarlet red.
Shrubs
Shrubs offer many benefits to the home garden. They provide year-round color and interest, many having beautiful flowers or colorful fall foliage. Shrubs also provide structure and diversity to your yard, increasing curb appeal and attracting birds and beneficial insects.
Shrubs can be worked into a shade garden or fully sunny location because there are beautiful native shrubs for just about any habitat!
American Hazelnut
The American hazelnut shrub will produce edible nuts that attract squirrels, birds, and other small critters.
| | botanical name Corylus americana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 10 – 16 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The American hazelnut is a medium to large-sized shrub that makes an attractive addition to the landscape. It makes a good hedge plant and will multiply by root suckers to form a large, dense thicket unless pruned regularly. When the root suckers are removed, the American hazelnut makes a beautiful accent shrub to be grown in a sunny or shady location.
American hazelnut blooms in the early spring, before most trees have leafed out yet. These plants are monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are long catkins, while the female flowers are greenish-white and appear more flower-like.
Its fertilized flowers become edible nuts that squirrels, birds, and other small animals relish. This shrub also has colorful and showy autumn foliage.
Lowbush Blueberry
Lowbush blueberry produces edible berries for both humans and animals.
| | botanical name Vaccinium angustifolium |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 8 |
If you have room for a few small shrubs, make way for some lowbush blueberries. These attractive little plants are a great addition to your edible landscape, pollinator-friendly garden, bird garden, or any other arrangement of native plants. Blueberry bushes will grow best, with the most flowers and fruit, in full sun but also tolerate partial shade. Grow blueberries in nutrient-rich, moist, well-drained, acidic soil.
Blueberry is an excellent option if you have a sunny spot for a fruiting shrub. The lowbush blueberry stays quite small and compact and still produces delicious fruits. Small, white, bell-like flowers bloom in the spring, attracting native bees and other species of pollinators. You will enjoy your first fruits by mid-summer unless the birds get to them first. Blueberries are great for attracting fruit-eating birds to your yard.
Swamp Azalea
These low-growing shrubs have a uniquely shaped flower that entices hummingbirds.
| | botanical name Rhododendron viscosum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial shade |
| | height 3 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
Swamp azalea is a native shrub found naturally in rich, moist woodlands. For the home gardener, it would be a great option for a low-lying shade garden in a periodically wet area where it may be difficult to find other plants to grow. You can also use swamp azalea for a hedge or attractive accent plant.
Swamp azalea blooms from late spring into mid-summer. The flowers may be white or pale pink and attract pollinators and hummingbirds. These shrubs don’t become very dense but make attractive landscaping plants. In the fall, the leaves turn beautiful bright shades of yellow and orange.
Virginia Rose
Virginia rose provides lots of food and shelter for varied wildlife.
| | botanical name Rosa virginiana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 4 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The Virginia rose, also known as the common wild rose, is a perennial shrub native to eastern North America. This wild rose plant also makes a nice addition to the native plant garden, particularly in a naturalized area. Plants are thorny and will grow into a dense thicket, providing abundant food and shelter for wildlife.
Virginia rose blooms in the summer months. The bright pink flowers are showy and attractive. The flowers attract many butterflies and bees because of their simple, open form. By late summer or early fall, the rose hips have developed and continue to provide color, interest, and food for hungry wildlife throughout the rest of the growing season.
Winterberry Holly
The winterberry holly is typically found in wet, moist woodlands.
| | botanical name Ilex verticillata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 6 – 12 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
Unlike many holly species that have evergreen leaves, the winterberry holly is a medium-sized deciduous shrub. This plant is native to central and eastern North America and grows in moist woodlands.
Grow winterberry holly in full sun or partial shade with medium to wet soil. Use it in a rain garden where it will get regular moisture, or grow it as a hedge plant.
Winterberry holly is a dioecious plant that blooms in the summer. Both male and female flowers are small and white, developing in small clusters at the base of the leaves. The flowers attract pollinators, which help in cross-pollination and the creation of beautiful bunches of small red fruits. The fruits persist on female plants throughout the fall and early winter, providing an excellent food source for hungry birds.
Wildflowers
Luckily for gardeners, there are a great number of beautiful native wildflowers that grow well in the home landscape. You can find flowers for any condition, from sun to shade and from wet soil to dry. Grow some flowering plants to bloom in the spring, summer, and fall to maximize your garden’s showiness and attract more birds and butterflies to your yard.
American Spikenard
This shrubby wildflower has clusters of greenish-white flowers.
| | botanical name Aralia racemosa |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 3 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
American spikenard is an interesting and unusual plant native to central and eastern North America. It grows in full sun or partial shade with medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This herbaceous perennial can be started from seed, root cuttings, or division of larger clumps. While not technically a shrub, the American spikenard grows into shrubby-looking clusters and can be used as a hedge or edging plant. It also makes an interesting addition to a woodland garden.
American spikenard has large compound leaves and thick, fuzzy-looking stems. In early to mid-summer, it blooms with large, loose clusters of tiny greenish-white flowers. By autumn, it develops clusters of bright burgundy-red fruits favored by birds. A large clump of American spikenard looks very much like a medium-sized shrub in your wildlife-friendly garden.
Butterfly Milkweed
Popular with butterflies, butterfly milkweed is also attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
| | botanical name Asclepias tuberosa |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1.5 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
Butterfly milkweed is a native wildflower that ranks at the top of my list of favorite butterfly and pollinator-friendly plants. This is one of many varieties of milkweed, and any of the native milkweeds is a worthwhile addition to your pollinator garden.
Butterfly milkweed has orange flowers that bloom in the summer months. Butterflies, native bees, and many other beneficial insects love the flowers, and this is the larval host plant for the monarch butterfly caterpillar.
Butterfly milkweed is very easy to start from seed. Plants will soon develop a deep taproot, helping them become drought tolerant but difficult to transplant once established. After flowering, milkweeds produce showy seedpods filled with windblown seeds, each with an attached tuft of soft, white fluff. Collect your seeds and use them to grow more milkweed!
Culver’s Root
These tall, unique wildflowers will grow to 4 to 7 feet tall.
| | botanical name Veronicastrum virginicum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 4 – 7 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Culver’s root is a native perennial wildflower that grows in open woodlands, moist meadows, and grasslands. Plants grow best in full sun but will also tolerate light shade. They need moist, well-drained soil. This plant can be started from seed or greenhouse-grown plants and will grow into large clumps, so be sure to give it plenty of space.
Culver’s root blooms from late spring into early summer. The finger-like spikes of small white flowers attract plenty of bees and other pollinators. Whorls of lancelike leaves grow up the tall stems, making an interesting and attractive foliage pattern even while these plants aren’t blooming.
Great Blue Lobelia
Great blue lobelia prefers full sun and moist soil conditions.
| | botanical name Lobelia siphilitica |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The great blue lobelia, also known as the blue cardinal flower, is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America. This beautiful plant grows well in full sun to partial shade and prefers medium moisture to wet soil. If you have a consistently moist part of your landscape and are looking for a compatible plant, this would be a great option.
Great blue lobelia blooms from mid-summer until early fall. The showy purple-blue flowers are fairly large and tubular. The flower spikes will attract the attention of hummingbirds and bees, as well as people. Great blue lobelia can be grown from seed and can self-seed in ideal conditions to form large colonies.
New England Aster
These popular wildflowers are known to be deer and rabbit-resistant and come back year after year.
| | botanical name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 3 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The New England aster is a spectacular wildflower native to eastern North America. This plant loves a sunny site with medium moisture and well-drained soil. It is not bothered by deer or rabbits and will grow into a large, showy cluster that you can enjoy year after year.
New England aster blooms in the late summer and into fall. Asters will light up your landscape as the summer flowers are winding down for the year. The bold pinkish-purple flowers have dark yellow centers and attract many butterflies and bees. If plants grow too tall and lean over, you can stake them to keep them upright.
New York Ironweed
Ironweed attracts pollinators when other blooms slow down in fall.
| | botanical name Vernonia noveboracensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 4 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
New York ironweed is a late-season bloomer native to the eastern United States. This herbaceous perennial grows tall and spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding, so be prepared to give it space to spread and naturalize. This plant will make a great addition to your landscape if you have a sunny spot with consistently moist soil.
New York ironweed blooms from late summer into fall. The showy pinkish-purple flowers develop atop tall stems and look like a cluster of fuzzy tufts. These flowers are very attractive to butterflies and native bees. The mature seed heads attract seed-eating birds, or you can deadhead spent flowerheads to prevent these plants from self-seeding.
Northern Blazing Star
This low-maintenance wildflower attracts pollinators and other beneficial critters to your garden.
| | botanical name Liatris scariosa |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The northern blazing star is a very showy wildflower native to the central and eastern United States. This plant is easy to grow from seed or by dividing mature clusters. Grow it in a location with full sun and dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.
This species of blazing star has large, fluffy-looking purple flowers. The flowers bloom in mid to late summer and may continue blooming into early fall.
This plant is an excellent choice for a pollinator garden as the flowers will attract a multitude of butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. In the autumn months, birds will stop by to forage on the showy dried seedheads.
Smooth Aster
This lavender-colored aster thrives in full sun, open woodlands, and prairies.
| | botanical name Symphyotrichum laeve |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Smooth aster is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to central and eastern North America. This plant grows in open woodlands, grasslands, prairies, glades, hillsides, and roadsides. It is easy to grow in full sun with dry to medium moisture and well-drained soil.
Smooth aster is a medium-sized plant that provides greenery for most of the growing season. As the temperatures drop in the fall, it comes into full bloom. The flowers are pale purple with amber centers, blooming in loose clusters. The flowers attract late-season butterflies and native bees and make good cut flowers.
Spotted Beebalm
The native spotted beebalm is drought-tolerant and has small, attractive flowers.
| | botanical name Monarda punctata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Spotted beebalm, also known as spotted horsemint of dotted beebalm, is an herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States. This plant is a member of the mint family and has aromatic leaves. It thrives in full sun or light shade and prefers dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil.
Spotted beebalm has a relatively long blooming period, often lasting through the warm summer months. It has showy pale purple bracts with hooded flowers that are creamy white to pale yellow with bright pink spots.
The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and beneficial insects. Plants will grow into dense clumps, spreading by seed and rhizomes. Do some regular thinning of dense clusters to maintain plant vigor.
Ten-Petal Sunflower
The ten-petal sunflower blooms from mid-summer into mid-fall and will attract birds and various pollinators.
| | botanical name Helianthus decapetalus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 4 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The ten-petal sunflower, also known as forest sunflower or roughleaf sunflower, is a perennial wildflower native to central and eastern North America. This showy wildflower grows best in full sun with medium-moisture, well-drained soil. This sunflower species will grow into large bushy clusters, so be sure to allow plenty of space to sprawl.
Ten-petal sunflower blooms from mid-summer into mid-fall. The flowers are bright yellow and showy and make a nice display.
Butterflies and bees will visit the flowers, and later in the fall, seed-eating birds will come by to pick apart the dried seedheads. Ten-petal sunflowers are easy to start from seed and will spread by self-seeding.
Wild Columbine
Columbine will thrive best in a shady spot with moist soil.
| | botanical name Aquilegia canadensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Wild columbine is an herbaceous perennial native to open woodlands, prairies, and glades of eastern North America. It grows best in a shaded location and would be an excellent addition to a shade garden. Wild columbine is easy to start from seed and will readily self-seed in the garden.
This columbine blooms in the springtime and is an attractive early flower for your landscape. The uniquely shaped dangling flowers are red and yellow and attract early-season hummingbirds and pollinators.
Once established, columbine is fairly resistant to drought. By mid-summer, particularly in hot, sunny locations, the foliage tends to decline or die back but should regrow with vigor the following spring.
Wild Indigo
Wild indigo grows around 2 to 3 feet tall and will attract many pollinators.
| | botanical name Baptisia tinctoria |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
This bushy, herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern United States. This plant grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. Grow it in dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Once established, plants develop a deep and extensive root system, helping them tolerate dry soil and occasional drought.
Wild indigo blooms in the late spring. The pea-like flowers are buttery yellow and attract native bees and butterflies. Wild indigo is a larval host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly. Individual plants may appear thin and spindly, so allow plants to develop into dense clumps for the best visual appeal.
Wild Lupine
This wild lupine prefers cooler climates but thrives best in full sun.
| | botanical name Lupinus perennis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1 – 2.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Wild lupine is an herbaceous perennial wildflower native to central and eastern North America, where it’s found in meadows, fields, and other grasslands in addition to gardens. In the home landscape, grow lupine in full sun with dry to medium-moisture soil. This plant prefers cooler climates and is generally short-lived but will spread by rhizomes and self-seeding.
Wild lupine blooms in the late spring and into summer. The flowers are large and showy spikes of pale purple pea-like blossoms.
Lupines are attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds and are also the larval host plants for several different butterfly species. A mature lupine will look bushy and appear like a small shrub.
Vines
Vines can be a very useful addition to the garden. Some can be grown as a ground cover, while others can be used to adorn an arbor, climb along a fence, or be fully displayed on a trellis. Some vines grow large and vigorously, while others stay fairly small and compact. The following are a few examples of native vines for New England gardeners.
Groundnut
American groundnut vines will thrive in moist locations and grow around 16 feet tall.
| | botanical name Apios americana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 8 – 16 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
American groundnut is an interesting vine native to central and eastern North America. It grows naturally in moist forests, wet meadows, and along wetland edges. This plant can be easily grown from tubers in full sun or light shade. Give it a location with consistently moist soil.
Groundnut has edible tubers that can be both harvested and replanted. Harvesting some of the tubers, even if you don’t plan to eat them, is a good idea because they will spread to form dense colonies.
The groundnut blooms in the summer with bunches of showy reddish-brown pea-like flowers that attract pollinators. It is also a larval host plant for the silver-spotted skipper butterfly.
Wild Grape
The local wildlife loves wild grape’s tart, edible fruit.
| | botanical name Vitis labrusca |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 10 – 40 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Wild grape, also known as fox grape, is a hardy grapevine native to central and eastern North America. Grow your grape on a sturdy arbor or trellis, as this woody vine can grow quite long. You can always prune it back if it gets too large for the available space. In the wild, grapes often use other trees and shrubs for support.
Wild grape blooms in late spring or early summer. The flowers are small and white or creamy yellow. By mid-summer, the flowers give way to round purple fruits, which are, of course, edible. The fruits have a tart taste but will be consumed by plenty of hungry wildlife.
Virginia Creeper
A fast-growing vine, the Virginia creeper can grow low to the ground and climb over structures.
| | botanical name Parthenocissus quinquefolia |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 15 – 20 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 10 |
Virginia creeper is a common native vine found in many different settings, from full sun to full shade and from dry to moist soils. Virginia creeper is happy to creep along on the ground and act as a loose ground cover, but it will also climb over fences, walls, arbors, large rocks, and trees. You won’t need to do anything special to grow Virginia creeper, but you may need to put in a little effort to keep it under control because it will grow quickly.
As an ornamental plant, the Virginia creeper can be handy in the landscape. The flowers are small and insignificant but produce small round fruits that attract wildlife, and it has showy red fall foliage. You can plant it on a hillside to help prevent soil erosion or grow it in a large shaded naturalized area where you want some natural greenery.
Ground Covers
Ground covers can be very useful in the garden. These low-growing plants add interest and appeal and add another layer of plant height you can use in landscaping. Ground covers are especially valuable to grow along borders and edges or along walkways or other areas where you want shorter plants. Some ground covers stay small and compact, while others sprawl freely. Choose the ones that work best for your needs.
The bird’s foot violet will grow to be around 4 to 8 inches tall and can be found in moist, woody areas.
| | botanical name Viola pedata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to full shade |
| | height 4 – 8 inches |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Bird’s foot violet is an herbaceous perennial native to the central and eastern United States. In its natural habitat, it is commonly found in moist woodlands and streambanks. For the home gardener, it can be grown from seed or by dividing larger clusters. This plant doesn’t like disturbance, so plan to grow it in a naturalized woodland garden where it can be at peace.
Bird’s foot violet blooms in the springtime. The flowers are showy and purple or bicolored with dark and light purple. The leaves are attractive, deeply lobed, and delicate-looking.
Native violet species attract native bees and other pollinators. This plant is also a larval host plant for fritillary butterflies. Grow bird’s foot violet in groupings for maximum enjoyment.
Canadian Wild Ginger
This low-maintenance ground cover is commonly found in wooded areas.
| | botanical name Asarum canadense |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 0.5 – 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 7 |
Canadian wild ginger is an herbaceous perennial ground cover native to central and eastern North America. This plant grows naturally in cool, moist woodlands.
In the home garden, it is very easy to grow in a shade garden with medium-moisture, well-drained soil. Wild ginger spreads readily by rhizomes to form an effective ground cover.
This is an attractive, low-maintenance plant. Canadian wild ginger blooms in the springtime, but the flowers are at ground level and difficult to see without deliberately looking for them. Wild ginger is primarily grown as a foliage plant. The large, rounded, heart-shaped leaves grow into dense clusters, expanding each year to form a beautiful, naturalized display of vegetation.
Coral Bells
Coral bells grow best in the shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil.
| | botanical name Heuchera americana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
There are many showy cultivars of coral bells, but this species is the wild form, native to central and eastern North America. It grows naturally in moist woodlands and along streamsides.
In the home landscape, grow it in your shade garden with rich, moist, well-drained soil. In cooler climates, coral bells also grow well in full sun.
Coral bells make an excellent foliage plant. They form attractive leafy rosettes that spread via rhizomes. These plants have a shallow root system and benefit from mulching to help keep the soil moist and to help protect them during colder winter freezes.
This plant blooms in early to mid-summer. The flowers are small and white and develop along tall flowering stems.
New York Fern
New York fern prefers wet, acidic soil and grows low to the ground.
| | botanical name Thelypteris noveboracensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The New York fern is native to moist woodlands of eastern North America. It spreads by rhizomes and can form large colonies and make a very attractive ground cover. Grow New York fern in your shade garden with medium-moisture soil.
It grows a bit taller than some ground covers, but because of its spreading nature, it can easily fill in small to medium-sized areas with attractive greenery.
The New York fern can tolerate both wet soils and acidic soils. The fronds unfurl fresh each spring and last throughout the growing season. They dwell into the winter months before dying back. Grow your ferns alongside some spring-blooming wildflowers. As the wildflowers finish blooming and start to die back, the ferns will be just starting to look their best.
Rue Anemone
These tiny little wildflowers can be seen sprinkled throughout moist wooded areas.
| | botanical name Anemonella thalictroides |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 0.5 – 0.75 foot |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Rue anemone, also known as windflower, is an attractive spring-blooming wildflower. This plant is native to rich, moist forests of central and eastern North America. In the home landscape, it is a good addition to a shade garden with rich, moist, well-drained soil.
In early spring, you will see rue anemone blooming with its small, showy, pink or white flowers. The flowers bloom singly or in pairs and attract early-season pollinators.
After flowering, the plant goes dormant, so this would be a great wildflower to plant alongside some ferns. As the rue anemone dies back, the ferns will fill in the space with their foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Native plants can be started from seed, divided from an established plant from a gardening friend, sometimes grown from cuttings, or purchased from a reputable native plant grower. If you have a local botanical garden or garden club, they will likely have native plant sources to share. Do not remove native plants from their natural habitat because this disturbs the ecosystem.
If you are growing perennials from seed, you can generally directly sow them in the fall, and they will sprout in the spring. If you are dividing established plants or purchasing young plants from a garden center, early spring or late fall is an ideal time to transplant. Summer is generally not an ideal time for transplanting or starting seeds.
If you have the space to grow a few plants, you have the space to grow native species. You don’t need to convert your entire yard to a native plant garden, although you certainly could. An easy way to start is by using a raised bed garden. Raised beds are small, compact, and very versatile. You can grow a beautiful assortment of wildflowers in a raised bed and still enjoy the benefits of native plants, including offering valuable habitat to the birds and pollinators who come to visit.
There is no shortage of beautiful and easy-to-grow native plants for northeastern gardens. Study the space you have available and choose an assortment of plants that will grow well in your particular location. Grow a rainbow of different flowers that bloom throughout the growing season. Incorporate some vines, shrubs, and ground covers for added variety. If you have the space, include an attractive native tree in your landscape. You will soon have a colorful and vibrant yard you can enjoy and be proud of throughout the year!
