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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.

Chamaedaphne calyculata

Leatherleaf is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to wet soils. It has leathery, green leaves and small, bell-shaped, white flowers, which bloom April-May. This shrub is used by birds and other wildlife for nesting and cover. It grows well in boggy locations. Use Leatherleaf in moist borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, or along edges of ponds or other water features.

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Atlantic White Cedar is a medium to large, aromatic evergreen tree with a tall, narrow form and straight trunk. The scaled, blue-green leaves have a flat, fan-like structure. The wood is decay-resistant and has traditionally been used to make boats, shingles, and other building materials. This tree prefers acidic, organically-rich sandy soils. It naturally grows in low, wet areas, including freshwater swamps, river banks, and wet woodlands. Atlantic White Cedar is often used for bog and wetland restorations. Use it in rain gardens and other moist areas of the yard, or as a specimen tree.

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.

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Common Buttonbush’s fragrant, white, spherical-shaped flowers resemble pin cushions. The flowers bloom in June, followed by round, button-like fruits enclosing small nutlets, which persist into winter. The flowers provide a nectar source for native bees and butterflies. Buttonbush is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Titan sphinx (Aellopos titan) and Hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor). It prefers moist to wet conditions, and can tolerate flooding. The plants can be pruned or cut to the ground in early spring. Use Buttonbush in shrub borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, and other moist areas of the yard, or plant along edges of ponds and other water features.

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.