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Chrysopsis mariana

Maryland Goldenaster’s clusters of daisy-like, bright yellow flowers bloom August-October, adding color to the fall garden. This drought-tolerant plant grows well in dry, sandy soils. Use it in borders or wildflower gardens, along woodland edges, or as a groundcover in partly shady areas.

Chionanthus virginicus

White Fringetree is a small, deciduous tree with a spreading, rounded crown. It is usually dioecious (separate male and female trees); a male tree must be in the area to pollinate females for fruit production. Drooping clusters of slightly fragrant, showy, white flowers bloom May-June on both male and female trees; the male flowers tend to be showier than the female ones. The female flowers are followed by round fruits, which ripen to a dark bluish-black in late summer. The fruits provide food for birds and other wildlife. The wide, dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall. White Fringetree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rustic sphinx (Manduca rustica). Use it as speciman tree in small yards, or grow in groups as a border, tall hedge, or screen. It makes a good urban tree due to its high tolerance of air pollution.

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.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Katsura Tree is a deciduous understory tree with beautiful, heart-shaped leaves. It is dioecious (male and female flowers appear on separate trees); a male must be in the area to pollinate females for fruit production. Tiny, red male and green female flowers bloom March-April. If pollinated, female flowers are followed by greenish seed pods. The leaves emerge reddish-purple in spring and change to a blueish-green in summer. Fall foliage turns vivid shades of yellow, apricot, and red, and the fallen leaves have a pleasant, spicy fragrance. Katsura Tree tolerates full sun, but prefers some shade protection in the late afternoon. It grows best in moist, well-drained soils, and is not drought-tolerant. Use as specimen tree, shade tree, or street 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.

Celtis occidentalis

Common Hackberry is a medium to large, wildlife-friendly deciduous tree. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant); the tiny, greenish flowers bloom in April-May. The female flowers produce round, fleshy, dark purple, berry-like fruits valued by birds and wildlife as a food source. Berries can cause tree litter, so avoid planting this tree near walkways and sidewalks. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum), Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton), American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), and Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa). Common Hackberry can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and air pollution, making it suitable for urban areas. Use it as a lawn tree or street tree.

Celosia argentea

Celosia is a long-blooming annual with plume-like, vividly colored flowers on erect stems. The flowers bloom throughout summer and into fall, and are good fresh-cut or dried. This plant thrives in hot, humid weather. Use massed in beds and borders, as an edging plant, or in containers.

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea is a low-growing, wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub. Showy, fragrant, white flower clusters bloom May-July and are good fresh-cut. The flowers are a nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. New Jersey Tea is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”), Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis), and Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta). Young, yellow twigs add color to the winter landscape. The common name originated when the dried leaves were used as a tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. Use New Jersey Tea in shrub borders, wildlife gardens, or as a groundcover on slopes.

Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory is a large, deciduous tree, which gets its name from its unique bark. The gray, “shaggy” bark is broken up into long, thin, peeling plates, adding ornamental interest for all seasons. The medium-green, compound leaves turn a golden color in the fall. This tree is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree); the non-showy flowers bloom April-May. The flowers are followed by edible, hard-shelled nuts, which provide food for birds and other wildlife. People also enjoy eating the nuts. Hickory wood is hard and used in a variety of products, including baseball bats, and also used to smoke and cure meats. Give this large and lovely tree plenty of room to grow! Use Shagbark Hickory as a specimen tree or shade tree in large yards or in parks.