Helenium flexuosum
Yellow daisy-like flowers bloom May through August, providing nectar for pollinators.
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Zizia aurea
Yellow umbels of flowers bloom in late spring, providing a welcome source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Andropogon gerardii
Big Bluestem is a tall, attractive, drought-tolerant native grass with colorful foliage and enormous benefits for wildlife.
Campsis radicans
Large clusters of orange-red tubular-shaped flowers bloom June-August, offering stunning color all summer long.
Hylotelephium telephium
Sedum is an easy-to-grow perennial with succulent green leaves and dense clusters of rosy-pink, star-shaped flowers which bloom from late summer until frost (August-October). With age the flower color changes to a burgundy-red, and the attractive dried flower heads can last well into the winter months. Sedum is an excellent choice for dry,sunny areas of the yard. It can be planted as a specimen or in masses.
Scaevola aemula
Fanflower is a sprawling, tender perennial grown as an annual in New Jersey. Bluish-purple, fan-shaped flowers with yellow “throats” bloom on trailing stems non-stop throughout the spring and summer. Fanflower thrives in the heat of summer. This plant tolerates dry, sandy soils and salt spray, making it a good choice for seashore gardens. Use Fanflower in beds, containers, and hanging baskets, or as an annual groundcover.
Panicum amarum
Coastal Panicgrass is a clump-forming, warm season, perennial grass that supports wildlife throughout the year.
Zinnia spp.
The Zinnia genus contains many species with flowers ranging in sizes and colors, including red, yellow, pink, orange, and purple. Zinnia is one of the easiest annuals to grow. Each brightly colored, daisy-like flower blooms on a single, erect stem. The flowers bloom from June to frost and attract many pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies. They also make excellent fresh-cut flowers. This annual will re-seed itself for next season. It is susceptible to powdery mildew; minimize overhead watering and wetting leaves to avoid this disease. Use Zinnia in mixed borders, beds, butterfly gardens, and for colorful accents around your yard. Smaller varieties can be used for edging and in containers.
Yucca gloriosa
Moundlily Yucca, or Spanish Dagger, is an evergreen shrub with a unique form similar to Yucca filamentosa. It features creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers, which bloom on an erect 5- to 8-foot panicle, July-August. The dried fruits persist atop the panicles. The leaves are thick and have sharp, dagger-like tips, hence its common name. Spanish Dagger is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Cofaqui Giant Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui) and Yucca Giant Skipper (Megathymus yuccae). Its drought- and salt-tolerance make it a good choice for coastal gardens. Plant it as a specimen, in groups, in borders, or for accents around your yard.
Yucca filamentosa
Adam’s Needle, or simply Yucca, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with a unique form. It features yellowish-white flowers, which bloom in clusters on 3- to 6-foot panicles reaching above the foliage, May-July. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. The leaves are thick, fibrous blades, which extend both vertically and horizontally from the center of the basal stem, terminating in a sharp point — like a needle. Adam’s Needle is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Yucca Giant-Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) and Cofaqui Giant-Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui). Yucca perfers dry, sandy soil and is drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for New Jersey yards. Plant Adam’s Needle in groups as accents, around foundations or borders, or as stand-alone specimens in your yard.