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Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood is a lovely, spring-blooming deciduous tree. Its showy, white flowers appear April-May, offering a valuable nectar source for native bees. The flowers are followed by oval-shaped fruits, which mature to a bright red color in late summer; the fruits are a food source for birds.

Cornus amomum

Silky Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub, native to moist lowlands. Clusters of tiny, white flowers bloom May-June, followed by white, berry-like fruits, which turn blue as they ripen in August. The fruits are a food source for birds. The twigs and leaves are identifiable by silky strands on their undersides, hence its common name. This shrub is easy to transplant. Use in woodland gardens or in naturally moist areas of the yard, such as rain gardens or along ponds or streams. Visit Native Plant Society of NJ “Profiles & Photos” for additional information and photos.

Cornus alternifolia

Alternateleaf Dogwood is a small, deciduous tree, sometimes planted as a shrub. Its horizontal branches give it a layered appearance. Clusters of fragrant, white flowers bloom May-June, followed by blue-black fruits, which ripen in late summer. The fruits provide food for birds and other wildlife. The leaves turn red-purple in the fall. Alternateleaf Dogwood is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”). Water during periods of drought and mulch to keep the roots moist. Use as a specimen tree for small yards, or plant in masses in shrub borders or woodland gardens.

Coreopsis lanceolata

Lanceleaf Tickseed’s yellow, daisy-like flowers with flat, yellow centers bloom May-July. The flowers are good fresh-cut. Butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial pollinators value the nectar. This plant aggressively self-seeds, but that can be minimized by removing spent flowers, which also encourages more blooms. Its common name originated from the resemblance of the seeds to ticks. Plants can be cut back in the summer to control straggly growth and divided every two to three years to maintain plant vigor. Use Lanceleaf Tickseed in masses in wildflower gardens, meadows, or other naturalized areas.

Clethra alnifolia

Summersweet is a multi-branched deciduous shrub with dark green, aromatic leaves. It is one of the few summer-flowering shrubs that will bloom in shade. The sweetly fragrant, white flowers bloom in upright clusters on the tips of stems, July-August.

Chimaphila maculata

Spotted Wintergreen is a low-growing evergreen perennial. The thick, dark green, waxy leaf has a white stripe down the center and serrated edges. Small, fragrant, waxy, white, or pale pink flowers bloom on erect, red stalks, June-August. The flowers attract insect pollinators. The flowers turn upward after fertilization and develop into attractive, dried seed capsules. The leaves have a darker, purplish color in the winter. Use Spotted Wintergreen in woodland gardens, shady naturalized areas, or as a groundcover. It is a good plant to keep if already growing in your yard.

Chasmanthium latifolium

Indian Woodoats is one of the most shade-tolerant ornamental grasses. Its green flowers emerge on long, arching stems above the foliage, August-September. The distinctive, large, drooping seed heads turn reddish-brown and resemble oats as they mature. The leaves resemble bamboo and turn golden-bronze in the fall. This plant retains its color and seed heads through the colder months, adding interest to the winter landscape. Cuttings are excellent in dried flower arrangements. Indian Woodoats is a host to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Pepper and Salt Skipper (Amblyscirtes hegon), Bell’s Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes belli), and Bronze Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes aenus). It tolerates full sun if the soil is moist, but prefers indirect sun. This plant will self-seed. Use Indian Woodoats as an ornamental grass in shade gardens, borders, naturalized areas, meadows, and along water features.

Chamaedaphne calyculata

Leatherleaf is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to wet soils. It has leathery, green leaves and small, bell-shaped, white flowers, which bloom April-May. This shrub is used by birds and other wildlife for nesting and cover. It grows well in boggy locations. Use Leatherleaf in moist borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, or along edges of ponds or other water features.

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Atlantic White Cedar is a medium to large, aromatic evergreen tree with a tall, narrow form and straight trunk. The scaled, blue-green leaves have a flat, fan-like structure. The wood is decay-resistant and has traditionally been used to make boats, shingles, and other building materials. This tree prefers acidic, organically-rich sandy soils. It naturally grows in low, wet areas, including freshwater swamps, river banks, and wet woodlands. Atlantic White Cedar is often used for bog and wetland restorations. Use it in rain gardens and other moist areas of the yard, or as a specimen tree.

Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud is a New Jersey native tree. It is covered with dense clusters lavender-pink flowers that bloom directly from branches before the leaves emerge. The flowers are a nectar source for native pollinators.