Archives

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot is a highly adaptable, wildlife-friendly perennial. Its showy, tubular, white, pink, or purple flowers form round, wispy clusters atop tall stems, July through September. The foliage is fragrant, offering additional interest in the garden. Wild Bergamot is valued by hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, which benefit from the nectar. The genus Monarda is prone to powdery mildew, but this species, Monarda fistulosa, offers some resistance. Use Wild Bergamot in borders, meadows, and naturalized areas in your yard.

Ammophila breviligulata

American Beachgrass is an evergreen grass, ubiquitous to the northeastern seaside landscape. Yellow, inconspicuous flowers bloom on spikes, May-September. It is commonly used as a dune stabilizer along the east coast. Rhizomes (underground stems) travel vertically and horizontally for up to 20 feet, creating a “net,” which holds the sand in place. As sand builds up around the plant, the vertical stems grow higher; this continuous process builds the dune. American Beachgrass is best planted during its dormancy period, October-March.

Spartina pectinata

Prairie Cordgrass is a tall, stiff, warm-season perennial grass. Its clustered branches of yellow-brown flowers bloom on spikelets, July-August. Its sharp-edged leaves have earned it one of its common names, Ripgut. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. Prairie Cordgrass provides habitat and nesting materials for birds and wildlife. It prefers wet, fertile, loamy soil and will tolerate periodic flooding; it creates thick stands in optimum conditions. However, it will also tolerate dry soils, where it will not grow or spread as quickly. The native habitat of Prairie Cordgrass includes freshwater marshes, as well as low roadside areas. Use it to aid in erosion control around ponds, or plant it in your rain garden. This plant is also used to vegetate large swales and retention basins.

Aruncus dioicus

Goat’s Beard is a tall perennial with astilbe-like flowers. Large feathery spikes of small, creamy-white flowers bloom April-June. This perennial is dioecious (male and female flowers are on separate plants); the males have slightly showier flowers. The flowers can be used fresh-cut or dried in floral arrangements. The nectar attracts butterflies and bees. Goat’s Beard is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Dusky Azure (Celastrina nigra). It prefers consistently moist soils and can tolerate occasional flooding. Plant Goat’s Beard in masses in the back of borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, or along edges of ponds or streams. It can also be used as a specimen or as a screening plant.

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.

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Yellowroot is a low-growing shrub with yellowish bark and roots. Clusters of small, star-like, purple flowers with yellow centers bloom April-May. The attractive, green foliage can turn a golden-yellow, orange, or sometimes slightly purple color in the fall. Plant Yellowroot as a groundcover or low-growing shrub in moist, shady areas of your yard.

Vitis aestivalis

Summer Grape is a woody deciduous vine. Its flowers are fragrant, but not showy; they bloom May-June, and attract pollinating bees. Summer Grape is primarily grown for its edible, blue-purple fruit, but its foliage is also attractive in summer, and the shaggy bark of the woody vine provides ornamental interest in winter. The fruit provides a food source for birds and wildlife, September-October. Plant Summer Grape strategically to grow on a trellis, fence, or other structure in your yard. The flexible vines can be used to make decorative wreaths.

Viburnum prunifolium

Blackhaw is a wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub featuring white flowers, which bloom April-May. The nectar is attractive to native bees and butterflies. The fruit is pinkish-rose and matures to bluish-black; it provides a good food source for birds and wildlife. The edible fruit is used for preserves and jellies. Blackhaw can be planted as a shrub border or as a small specimen tree in your yard.

Veronica spicata

Speedwell features deep blue-purple flowers on tall spikes, which bloom June-August. Deadhead flowers to promote continuous blooms. Speedwell prefers constant moisture in well-drained soil, but it will tolerate drought once established. The genus Veronica contains many cultivars offering other colors and characteristics. Use it in rock gardens and borders around your yard.