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Sempervivum tectorum

Hens and Chicks is a mat-forming succulent with tightly-packed, rosette-shaped, evergreen leaves. Red-purple flowers bloom from upright stalks, June-July. After the parent plant flowers, it dies back, and the numerous offspring proliferate, filling in nooks and crannies in your rock garden or edge. Hens and Chicks provides winter interest, as it persists through cold temperatures. It tolerates poor soil and air pollution. Use Hens and Chicks in rock gardens, edges, containers, or as a small-area groundcover for your yard. Hens and Chicks provides best appeal when planted in a mass.

Schizachyrium scoparium

Little Bluestem is an ornamental grass with small, delicate, purplish-blue-bronze flowers, which appear in August. Leaf blades are blue at the base, turning green at the tip. Dried seed heads are silvery-white and offer winter interest. Use Little Bluestem in massed plantings in borders, native gardens, and meadows, or simply as an accent plant in your yard.

Salvia spp.

Salvia,or Sage, is a large genus offering many species in various sizes and colors. Sage is a wildlife-friendly plant, which is very attractive to hummingbirds, numerous native butterfly species, native bees, bumblebees, and honey bees. Sage is typically a low-maintenance plant tolerant of dry soil. It offers consistent summer blooming. Use it in mixed borders and butterfly gardens, or to provide colorful accents around your yard.

Rudbeckia fulgida

Orange Coneflower features daisy-like flowers with bright yellow-orange rays and brown-purple center disks. The long bloom time lasts from June-October. This plant provides a nectar source for bees, and birds feed on the dried seeds. Use Orange Coneflower in naturalized gardens, rain gardens, in masses in the perennial border of your yard, and as fresh-cut flowers.

Rhododendron mucronulatum

Korean Rhododendron is a deciduous shrub, which is unusual for Rhododendrons. It features rosy-purple flowers which bloom in early spring, from mid- to late-March to early April. Situate this plant in a northern exposure in the yard or garden to avoid blooming too early, as buds are susceptible to frost. Use Korean Rhododendron in shrub borders, foundation plantings, or natural areas. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

Rhododendron maximum

Great Laurel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree. Clusters of white to purplish-pink flowers bloom in June, providing a valued food source for bumblebees. Use Great Laurel in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural areas around your yard. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

Rhododendron catawbiense

Catawba Rhododendron is a broadleaf evergreen shrub. Large clusters of lilac to purple to rose flowers bloom April-June, providing a valued food source for bumblebees. Use Catawba Rhododendron in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural areas around your yard. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

Phlox subulata

Moss Phlox is a vigorous, spreading, mat-forming evergreen perennial. It features red-purple to violet-purple to pink to white flowers, which bloom March-May to create an early spring carpet of color. Use Moss Phlox for edging, cascading walls, and as a groundcover in select areas of your yard.

Phlox divaricata

Wild Blue Phlox offers slightly fragrant, loose clusters of blue-violet flowers April-May. This wildlife-friendly flower offers nectar to visiting pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It is susceptible to powdery mildew; maintain good air circulation between plants to prevent this fungal disease. Use Wild Blue Phlox in mixed borders, wildflower gardens, shade gardens, and for woodland groundcover around your yard.

Petunia x hybrida

Petunia is a flowering plant grown as an annual in New Jersey. Its green, thick leaves are slightly sticky. Its large, fragrant, funnel-shaped or ruffled flowers come in a variety of sizes and colors. This plant flowers non-stop from spring to frost. Removing the spent flowers encourages more blooms. Petunias are adaptable to many different soil types and conditions. Use Petunias in cascading beds, containers, hanging baskets, and in annual or mixed borders around your yard for a burst of long-lasting color.