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Actaea rubra

Red baneberry is a bushy flowering perennial that offers a delightful textured appearance in the shade garden.

Allium tricoccum

This shade-loving plant features creamy white flowers clustered atop a single stalk.

Anemone canadensis

Windflower exhibits small white flowers that bloom above whirled leaves from May-July.

Hydrangea quercifolia

Oak Leaf Hydrangea is a flowering, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with oak-like, dark green leaves. Large flower clusters bloom May to July; flowers are white turning to pale pink and are good cut or dried.

Catharanthus roseus

Madagascar Periwinkle is a tender perennial grown as an annual in New Jersey. It has attractive, glossy leaves and rose-pink, phlox-like flowers, which bloom from June to frost. Cultivars offer additional color choices, including red, purple, and white. This plant thrives in summer heat, and is drought-tolerant once established. It grows best in well-drained soil. Minimize overhead watering to avoid root rot. Use Madagascar Periwinkle in beds and borders, as an edging plant, or as an annual groundcover. It can also be used in containers.

Pentas lanceolata

Egyptian Starcluster is a flowering tropical plant grown as an annual in New Jersey. It has lush, green foliage and large, rounded clusters of star-shaped flowers, which are available in a variety of colors (pink, lavender, red, and white). This plant flowers prolifically from summer to frost. The nectar attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Egyptian Starcluster grows best in organically rich soils. Plant it in beds, borders, and containers, or use it indoors as a houseplant. If desired, outdoor plants can be moved indoors for overwintering.

Chelone glabra

White Turtlehead has white, pink-tinged flowers, which bloom August-October. The blooms resemble the head of a turtle, thus its common name. Butterflies and hummingbirds benefit from the nectar. It is a host plant for butterflyand moth larvae (caterpillars), including Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton). White Turtlehead requires moist soil, and will tolerate wet soil. Use it in borders, edges of rain gardens, shade gardens, and moist naturalized areas.

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot is a highly adaptable, wildlife-friendly perennial. Its showy, tubular, white, pink, or purple flowers form round, wispy clusters atop tall stems, July through September. The foliage is fragrant, offering additional interest in the garden. Wild Bergamot is valued by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, which benefit from the nectar. The genus Monarda is prone to powdery mildew, but this species, Monarda fistulosa, offers some resistance. Use Wild Bergamot in borders, meadows, and naturalized areas in your yard.

Aruncus dioicus

Goat’s Beard is a tall perennial with astilbe-like flowers. Large feathery spikes of small, creamy-white flowers bloom April-June. This perennial is dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate plants); the males have slightly showier flowers. The flowers can be used fresh-cut or dried in floral arrangements. The nectar attracts butterflies and bees. Goat’s Beard is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra). It prefers consistently moist soils and can tolerate occasional flooding. Plant Goat’s Beard in masses in the back of borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, or along edges of ponds or streams. It can also be used as a specimen or as a screening plant.

Solenostemon scutellarioides

Coleus is grown for its boldly patterned, multi-colored leaves. Varieties are available in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and white. Coleus prefers moist, organic soils and will tolerate shade. Pinch back stem tips to keep plant compact and bushy; remove flowers as they appear to promote lush leaf growth. Coleus provides beautiful color accent when mixed with flowering perennials. Use in groups in beds and borders or in pots and hanging baskets. Plants can be potted in fall and brought indoors to overwinter as houseplants.