Ironwood is a small deciduous tree, which grows well in shady areas. Its smooth, gray bark has vertical grooves, giving the appearance of rippling muscles along the trunk. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same tree); white female and green male flowers bloom in early spring. The female flowers are followed by papery, winged nutlets. The dark-green leaves turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Ironwood is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Striped Hairstreak (Satyrium liparops), and Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis). It thrives in moist soils and tolerates periodic flooding. Use Ironwood as a shade tree, street tree, and understory tree in woodland gardens.
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.
Feather Reed Grass is a low-maintenance ornamental grass. The feathery, purple-tinged flowers bloom May-June, followed by golden-brown seed heads that last until winter. Feathery Reed Grass is good both fresh-cut and dried for floral arrangements. It has a narrow, upright growing habit, which makes it a good plant for tight spaces. Use as an accent, or plant in masses. It mixes well with shrubs and flowering perennials, and can be used in rain gardens and other low, moist areas of the yard.
White Doll’s Daisy has delicate, aster-like flowers with narrow, white (sometimes pink or purple) rays and yellow centers. The flowers bloom August-October, adding white to the fall garden. The flowers are good fresh-cut for bouquets. Taller plants need support; however, cutting back plants in late spring keeps them compact. Use White Doll’s Daisy for naturalizing or in meadows and wildflower gardens.
Paper Birch is a short-lived deciduous tree with beautiful, white bark that that peels in papery strips. Catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear just before the leaves emerge. The flowers are followed by cone-like fruits holding small, winged seeds. The seeds are a food source for a variety of birds. The dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall. Paper Birch grows best in areas where the soil is shaded, cool, and moist. Keep the root system moist by using mulch and watering during dry weather. This tree can be short-lived in New Jersey. It does not tolerate heat and humidity well, and grows best in areas with cool summers. Under the proper growing conditions, Paper Birch is an excellent specimen tree. It can also be used in woodland gardens.
River Birch is a large deciduous tree with pinkish-brown, peeling bark, which provides year-round ornamental interest. The dark green, diamond-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall. It prefers moist to wet soils, and tolerates periodic flooding. An adaptable tree, it will also grow in drier soils. Give this large tree with an extensive root system room to grow! Use River Birch as a specimen tree, or plant it in wet areas, such as rain gardens or along edges of ponds or streams.
Sweet Birch is a large deciduous tree with reddish-brown to reddish-black bark. The cherry-like bark is smooth on young trees and scaly on mature ones. The catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear just before the leaves emerge. The leaves turn golden-yellow in the fall. The seeds are a food source for a variety of birds. Sweet Birch is a host tree for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillar), including Green Comma (Polygonia faunus). Crushed twigs have a wintergreen-like odor. Birch oil from this tree was once used to flavor candy and medicine, and the sap was used to make birch beer. This tree does well in areas where the soil is shaded, cool, and moist. Trees planted in full sun should be mulched and watered during periods of drought. Give this tree plenty of room to grow! Use Sweet Birch as a canopy tree in woodland gardens, or as a shade tree in moist areas of a large yard or park.
Migrating butterflies and other pollinators nectar on the late summer blooming flowers, and birds eat the seeds.
Lady Fern is a deciduous fern with light-green, lace-like fronds that grow in a circular clump. It is relatively easy to grow. While it prefers part shade and moist, organic soils, it is more tolerant of sun and dry soils than most other ferns. Use Lady Fern massed in shade gardens, woodland gardens, or along ponds or streams.