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Asimina triloba

Pawpaw is a small understory tree or large shrub, which grows to form thickets. It has large, drooping, tropical-like leaves. Its cup-shaped, purple flowers bloom April-May, followed by large, green, edible fruits that taste like a mixture of bananas and pineapples. As the fruit ripens in the fall, it turns a brownish color. The fruit is a food source for birds and small mammals. This plant’s large, green leaves turn yellow in the fall. Pawpaw is a host plant to butterfly larvae (caterpillars), including Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) and Pawpaw sphinx (Dolba hyloeus). Use as shrub border or woodland edge plant, in rain gardens, along the edges of ponds or streams, or as a specimen tree in a shade garden.

Asclepias tuberosa

Butterfly Weed is a long-blooming, drought-tolerant, wildlife-friendly perennial. Its showy, bright orange flowers bloom in flat-topped clusters, June-August. The nectar is attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; it has special value for native bees. The flowers are followed by attractive seed pods, which are used in dried flower arrangements. Butterfly Weed is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Queen (Danaus gilippus), and Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). Butterfly Weed does not have milky sap like other milkweeds; however, like other milkweeds, the leaves contain cardiac glycosides. When ingested by Monarch butterfly larvae feeding on the leaves, these substances make them (and the adult butterflies) toxic to birds and other predators. This plant’s deep tap root makes it difficult to transplant once established. Use Butterfly Weed in sunny borders, meadows, rain gardens, and butterfly gardens.

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed is a wildlife-friendly perennial. The large, thick leaves are light green with red veins. Rounded clusters of fragrant, pinkish-purple flowers bloom June-August. Large, bumpy seed pods split open when ripe to release silky, wind-dispersed seeds. The seed pods are used in dried floral arrangements. This plant’s nectar is a food source for butterflies, native bees, bumblebees, and honeybees. Common Milkweed is an important nectar source and larval (caterpillar) host plant for Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies. The leaves and stems have a milky sap, which contains cardiac glycosides. When ingested by Monarch butterfly larvae feeding on the leaves, the cardiac glycosides make them (and the adult butterflies) toxic to birds and other predators. Common Milkweed grows well in poor, dry soils. It spreads by self-seeding and rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. This plant is best used in wildlife gardens, meadows, and other naturalized areas.

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry is a wildlife-friendly, multiple-stemmed deciduous shrub, featuring clusters of white flowers which bloom in May. The flowers are followed by blue-black berries. The edible, tart fruit can be used to make jams or jellies, and is a food source for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage is red. Black Chokeberry has a colonial growth habit and may spread through suckers. Plant Black Chokeberry in groups to create native hedges, along the banks of ponds or streams, or in woodland areas around your yard.

Armeria maritima

Sea Thrift is a compact, drought- and salt-tolerant evergreen. Its stiff, grass-like leaves grow in a low, dense mound. Its ball-like, pink to white flowers bloom on wiry stalks extending above the foliage, April-May; the flowers are good fresh-cut. Removing the spent flowers will encourage additional blooms. This tough plant thrives in poor, dry soils, and it must have good drainage. Its tolerance to saltwater spray makes it an excellent choice for seashore gardens. It is also a great plant for rock gardens. Use Sea Thrift as an edging plant or as groundcover for small areas.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bearberry is a ground-hugging, wildlife-friendly evergreen shrub. Its green, leathery leaves darken to a reddish-purple color in the fall. Clusters of tiny, bell-shaped, pink to white flowers bloom on red stems, April-May. The nectar attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, and it has special value for native bees. The flowers are followed by berry-like fruits, which ripen to a bright red color in the fall. The berries persist into the winter and provide food for birds and other wildlife. Bearberry is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rocky Mountain Clearwing (Hemaris senta), Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios), Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija), Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), and Elf (Microtia elva). Bearberry grows well in sandy or rocky soils. Use it as an edging plant or evergreen groundcover, in rock gardens, along rock walls, or on slopes for erosion control.

Aquilegia canadensis

Eastern Columbine is a shade-loving, wildlife-friendly perennial with attractive foliage and uniquely shaped flowers. The drooping, bell-like, red and yellow bi-colored flowers with backward-pointing tubes, bloom April-May. This plant is a hummingbird magnet. It provides nectar not only for hummingbirds, but also bees, butterflies, and hawk moths. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae, including the Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius). Its seeds are consumed by birds, including finches and buntings. Eastern Columbine self-seeds and will form colonies. The foliage remains attractive throughout the summer in moist soil conditions. Eastern Columbine is a wonderful addition to native plant gardens or wildlife habitat areas. Use it in beds, borders, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, or naturalized areas. It can also be grown as a container plant.

Anthemis tinctoria

Golden Marguerite is an easy-to-grow, long-blooming perennial. The finely cut, fern-like, aromatic foliage grows in a rounded mound. Its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom on erect stems from June-September; the flowers are good fresh-cut. This plant can spread aggressively by self-seeding. Removing the spent flowers extends the bloom time and prevents seed formation. The foliage should be cut back after blooming to encourage basal growth. Plants can be divided every 2-3 years. Golden Marguerite requires good drainage, and does not grow well in clay soils. It will tolerate dry soil and droughty conditions. Use Golden Marguerite as an accent plant, in massed plantings, or in containers.

Anemone quinquefolia

Wood Anemone is a delicate, early-spring perennial. It features a whorl of deeply-cut, dark green leaves and a solitary white flower that blooms atop a 4 to 8-inch stalk, April-May. The graceful movement of the slender flower stalks in the wind led to its other common name, Wind Flower. Wood Anemone is a spring ephemeral — the plants die back in mid-summer. This plant forms colonies and makes a good spring groundcover for shady areas. It will re-seed itself; seedlings flower after 3-4 years of growth. It prefers moist to wet soil conditions. Use Wood Anemone in masses in woodland gardens or along shady edges of ponds or streams.

Amsonia tabernaemontana

Eastern Bluestar is an easy-to-grow, clump-forming perennial. Clusters of light blue, star-shaped flowers bloom at the top of stems in late spring to early summer. Eastern Bluestar prefers moist, well-drained soils, but will tolerate some drought once established.