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Celtis occidentalis

Common Hackberry is a medium to large, wildlife-friendly deciduous tree. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant); the tiny, greenish flowers bloom in April-May. The female flowers produce round, fleshy, dark purple, berry-like fruits valued by birds and wildlife as a food source. Berries can cause tree litter, so avoid planting this tree near walkways and sidewalks. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum), Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton), American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), and Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). Common Hackberry can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and air pollution, making it suitable for urban areas. Use it as a lawn tree or street tree.

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea is a low-growing, wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub. Showy, fragrant, white flower clusters bloom May-July and are good fresh-cut. The flowers are a nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. New Jersey Tea is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”), Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis), and Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta). Young, yellow twigs add color to the winter landscape. The common name originated when the dried leaves were used as a tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. Use New Jersey Tea in shrub borders, wildlife gardens, or as a groundcover on slopes.

Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory is a large, deciduous tree, which gets its name from its unique bark. The gray, “shaggy” bark is broken up into long, thin, peeling plates, adding ornamental interest for all seasons. The medium-green, compound leaves turn a golden color in the fall. This tree is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The flowers are followed by edible, hard-shelled nuts, which provide food for birds and other wildlife. People also enjoy eating the nuts. Hickory wood is hard and used in a variety of products, including baseball bats, and also used to smoke and cure meats. Give this large and lovely tree plenty of room to grow! Use Shagbark Hickory as a specimen tree or shade tree in large yards or in parks.

Carya glabra

Pignut Hickory is a large deciduous tree with yellowish-green leaves turning golden-yellow in the fall. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The female flowers are followed by nuts, but not until the tree is about 25 years old. The nuts are inside husks, which split open in the fall when ripe; the nuts are a food source for wildlife. Early settlers called this tree Pignut Hickory when they found their hogs would eat the nuts, which are too bitter for human consumption. This tree is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Luna Moth (Actias luna), Funerary Dagger (Acronicta funeralis), and Giant Regal (Citheronia regalis). It tolerates both dry and moist soils. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use Pignut Hickory as a tall shade tree in large yards and in parks.

Carya cordiformis

Bitternut Hickory is a large deciduous shade tree distinguished by its bright yellow winter buds. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The nuts are bitter and inedible for humans, but are consumed by wildlife. This tree is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Luna Moth (Actias luna), Funerary Dagger (Acronicta funeralis), and Giant Regal (Citheronia regalis). The medium green, compound leaves turn yellow in the fall. Bitternut Hickory prefers moist, organically-rich soil. Give this large tree plenty of room to grow! Use as a tall shade tree in large yards and in parks.

Carya tomentosa

Mockernut Hickory is a large deciduous tree with yellowish-green leaves turning yellow in the fall. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The difficulty in extracting the edible nuts from the husks led to its common name. The nuts are a food source for a variety of wildlife. Mockernut Hickory prefers moist, organically rich soil. Give this tree plenty of room to grow! Use it as a tall shade tree in large yards and in parks.

Carex stricta

Tussock Sedge is a clump-forming, wildlife-friendly sedge adapted to grow in or near water. It has grass-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers, which bloom on spikes, May-June. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. As the old leaves die, they build up around the living plant, making a “tussock” or little hill. The tussocks trap water, helping other aquatic plants to establish. Tussock Sedge provides habitat for wildlife, including frogs, toads, salamanders, ducks, herons, rails, snipes and sparrows. Birds use its leaves and stems to build nests and also feed on its seeds. Tussock Sedge is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice), Mulberry Wing (Poanes massasoit), and Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua). Use it in moist to wet areas of the yard and in areas affected by seasonal flooding. Plant it in rain gardens or along edges of ponds or water gardens. It can also be used as an accent plant.

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge is a low-growing, semi-evergreen perennial sedge, which grows well in shade. The bright-green, arching, grass-like leaves grow in soft clumps. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a nice groundcover.

Capsicum annuum

Ornamental Pepper is an annual vegetable commonly planted in ornamental gardens for its vibrant, colorful fruits. Plants are available with fruits in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep the plants well-watered, and avoid disturbing the roots when cultivating. Mulching is recommended. For a splash of color and edible fruits, plant it in beds, borders, or any sunny garden area. It is also good as a container plant, and can be brought indoors to overwinter in a sunny location.

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold is a mounded, succulent perennial with large, showy, bright yellow flowers, which bloom April-June. The common name is misleading, since the flowers resemble buttercups rather than marigolds. The glossy leaves are described as having a heart or kidney shape. When ripe, the seed pods split open to disperse the seeds. As the common name suggests, this plant prefers wet, boggy soils. Use it in rain gardens, bog gardens, or shallow water margins of ponds and water gardens.