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Carpinus betulus

European Hornbeam is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a lovely, oval shape. Its smooth, gray bark has vertical grooves, giving the appearance of rippling muscles along the trunk. It is monoecious (separate male and female flowers grow on the same tree). The small, greenish female and yellowish male flowers appear in March before the leaves emerge, followed by drooping clusters of small nutlets in the summer. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. Use European Hornbeam as a shade or street tree. It can also be used as a hedge or screen planting; it responds well to heavy pruning, which is best done from fall to mid-winter.

Carex stricta

Tussock Sedge is a clump-forming, wildlife-friendly sedge adapted to grow in or near water. It has grass-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers, which bloom on spikes, May-June. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. As the old leaves die, they build up around the living plant, making a “tussock” or little hill. The tussocks trap water, helping other aquatic plants to establish. Tussock Sedge provides habitat for wildlife, including frogs, toads, salamanders, ducks, herons, rails, snipes and sparrows. Birds use its leaves and stems to build nests and also feed on its seeds. Tussock Sedge is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice), Mulberry Wing (Poanes massasoit), and Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua). Use it in moist to wet areas of the yard and in areas affected by seasonal flooding. Plant it in rain gardens or along edges of ponds or water gardens. It can also be used as an accent plant.

Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge is a low-growing, semi-evergreen perennial sedge, which grows well in shade. The bright-green, arching, grass-like leaves grow in soft clumps. This plant spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form a nice groundcover.

Capsicum annuum

Ornamental Pepper is an annual vegetable commonly planted in ornamental gardens for its vibrant, colorful fruits. Plants are available with fruits in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Keep the plants well-watered, and avoid disturbing the roots when cultivating. Mulching is recommended. For a splash of color and edible fruits, plant it in beds, borders, or any sunny garden area. It is also good as a container plant, and can be brought indoors to overwinter in a sunny location.

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold is a mounded, succulent perennial with large, showy, bright yellow flowers, which bloom April-June. The common name is misleading, since the flowers resemble buttercups rather than marigolds. The glossy leaves are described as having a heart or kidney shape. When ripe, the seed pods split open to disperse the seeds. As the common name suggests, this plant prefers wet, boggy soils. Use it in rain gardens, bog gardens, or shallow water margins of ponds and water gardens.

Callirhoe involucrata

Purple Poppy Mallow is a lovely, drought-tolerant perennial with a long bloom period. The attractive, deeply lobed foliage forms a dense mat, which chokes out weeds. Its cup-shaped, magenta flowers start blooming in the spring and continue through the summer and well into the fall. This perennial is a nectar source for bees and a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). It grows well in hot, sunny, dry locations. Purple Poppy Mallow is a versatile plant, which fits into both formal and wildflower gardens. Use it in sunny borders and beds, rock gardens, meadows, hanging baskets, or as a cascading plant over walls. Excellent groundcover for covering slopes and steep banks.

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub with graceful, arching branches and spectacular fruits. Light lavender to pink flowers bloom June-August, followed by showy, bright purple, berry-like fruits, which encircle the stems. The fruits, which remain until early winter, are a source of food for many species of birds. American Beautyberry is a good shrub to plant under trees. Use massed in the back of a shrub border or in a woodland garden.

Calamagrostis x acutiflora

Feather Reed Grass is a low-maintenance ornamental grass. The feathery, purple-tinged flowers bloom May-June, followed by golden-brown seed heads that last until winter. Feathery Reed Grass is good both fresh-cut and dried for floral arrangements. It has a narrow, upright growing habit, which makes it a good plant for tight spaces. Use as an accent, or plant in masses. It mixes well with shrubs and flowering perennials, and can be used in rain gardens and other low, moist areas of the yard.

Bracteantha bracteata

Strawflower is an annual, which blooms June to frost in a variety of colors (yellow, orange, red, pink, and white). The daisy-like flowers have a straw-like texture. It is an “everlasting,” meaning it retains its color and shape when dried. Strawflower is excellent for both fresh-cut and dried flowers. Use taller varieties in beds or borders and shorter ones as edging plants or in containers.

Boltonia asteroides

White Doll’s Daisy has delicate, aster-like flowers with narrow, white (sometimes pink or purple) rays and yellow centers. The flowers bloom August-October, adding white to the fall garden. The flowers are good fresh-cut for bouquets. Taller plants need support; however, cutting back plants in late spring keeps them compact. Use White Doll’s Daisy for naturalizing or in meadows and wildflower gardens.