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Tilia tomentosa

Silver Linden is a medium-large, deciduous tree featuring fragrant, pale yellow flowers, which bloom June-July. The nectar is highly valued by pollinators — when the tree is in bloom, you can hear it “buzz” with the sound of busy bees! The leaves are green above and silver below, giving this tree its common name. It will tolerate a range of soils, but prefers moist, fertile, well-drained, loamy soil. The Silver Linden demonstrates high drought-tolerance, once established. It is also tolerant of urban conditions. Use Silver Linden as an ornamental shade tree, a street tree, city tree, or as a specimen for large areas in your yard.

Tilia cordata

Littleleaf Linden is a deciduous tree with yellow flowers blooming in June. Its nectar is an attractive food source to native bees and butterflies. Littleleaf Linden will tolerate a range of soils, but prefers moist, fertile, well-drained, loamy soil. It is drought-tolerant once established. It also tolerates heavy pruning and urban areas. Use Littleleaf Linden as an ornamental shade tree, a street tree, city tree, lawn tree, or as a specimen in large areas of the yard.

Tilia americana

American Basswood, or American Linden, is a large tree with fragrant, yellow flowers blooming in June. The nectar attracts butterflies, native bees, and honeybees. Honey made from this tree is considered exceptional! Syrup can also be made from the sap. American Basswood is intolerant of air pollution and urban conditions; however, it is tolerant of drought and clay soils. Plant American Basswood in your yard as a specimen tree or shade tree.

Tiarella cordifolia

Heartleaf Foamflower features tiny, pink blossoms, which open into white flowers on airy, terminal clusters in May. It prefers organically rich, moist soil; the soil should not be allowed to dry out. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. Use Heartleaf Foamflower in your shade garden, rain garden, along edges of ponds, or as a groundcover.

Tephrosia virginiana

Goat’s Rue features attractive, yellow-pink bi-colored flowers, which bloom May-August. The nectar is a valued food source for native bees and butterflies. Goat’s Rue is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Southern Cloudywing (Thorybes bathyllus). The seeds are eaten by ground birds. The roots fix nitrogen in the soil; they also contain rotenone, which is toxic to insects and fish. Goat’s Rue can be planted by seed; plant it in meadows, borders, and naturalized areas of your yard. It is difficult to transplant once established.

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii

New York Aster features violet-purple flowers, which bloom July-October. This prolific bloomer provides fall color to the yard. It offers a valuable nectar source for native bees and butterflies, and its dried seeds provide food for birds. Use New York Aster in the front of borders, as an edging plant, or in sunny meadows and naturalized areas of your yard.

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Calico Aster features white flowers, which bloom September-October. The nectar offers a food source for native bees. Calico Aster attracts beneficial insects, which prey upon garden pest insects in your yard. It is a host plant for butterfly larvae (caterpillars) of the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterfly. Use Calico Aster in borders, planted in groups for hedges or screens, or along walkways in your yard.

Symphyotrichum laeve

Smooth Blue Aster features violet-purple flowers with yellow centers, which bloom August-October. The nectar provides a food source for native bees. It is very tolerant of drought and dry, rocky soils, making it a good choice for Jersey-Friendly Yards. Use Smooth Blue Aster in borders, butterfly gardens, and naturalized areas of your yard.

Staphylea trifolia

American Bladdernut is a fast-growing, suckering, small tree or large shrub. Greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers bloom April-May, leading to showy fruit in the fall. The dried seed capsules, called “bladders,” hang in clusters from the tree and offer late fall and early winter interest. The dried seed capsules also add ornamental value to dried flower bouquets.

Spodiopogon sibiricus

Flower stalks of Frost Grass rise above the bamboo-like foliage, blooming July-February. The flowers give a shimmering appearance when backlit by sunlight. The leaves turn a purplish-red in the fall. This plant needs moist, well-drained soil and enough sunlight to encourage erect growth. Frost Grass does not tolerate hot, dry areas; plant it in a protected site in your yard. Use it as an accent plant or plant in groups in borders.