PLANT LISTS FOR ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES ON CAPE COD
Plants Native to Cape Cod
Trees
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Shadblow Amelanchier canadensis
Gray Birch Betula populifolia
Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
American Beech Fagus grandifolia
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
American Holly Ilex opaca
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana
Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida
Wild Cherry Prunus serotina
White Oak Quercus alba
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea
Red Oak Quercus rubra or Q. borealis
Black Oak Quercus velutina
Pussy Willow Salix discolor
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
White Pine Pinus strobes
Shrubs
Bearberry Arctostaphylos
uva-ursi
Red
Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Bunchberry Dogwood Cornus canadensis
Sweet Fern Comptonia
peregrina
American Filbert Corylus americana
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Inkberry Ilex glabra
Winterberry Ilex verticillata
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia
Fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica
Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron nudiflorum
Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina
Pasture
Rose Rosa carolina
Swamp Rose Rosa
palustris
Virginia
Rose Rosa virginiana
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Goldenrod Solidago sp.
Steeplebush Spirea tomentosa
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Witherod Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides
Perennials
Swamp Milkweed Aesclepias incarnate
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberose
White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus
False Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Pink Coreopsis Coreopsis rosea
Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Cardinal
Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Lupine Lupinus perennis
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
Tufted Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera
Goldenrod Solidago sp.
Grasses
Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Tussock Sedge Carex stricta
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa
Soft Rush Juncus effuses
Black Grass Juncus gerardi
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Little Bluestem Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Drought Tolerant Plants
Trees
Shadblow Amelanchier canadensis
Gray Birch Betula populifolia
American Smoketree Cotinus obovatus
Hawthorne Crataegus crusgalli
Ginko Ginko biloba
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana
Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica
Austrian Pine Pinus nigra
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida
Japanese Black Pine Pinus thunbergiana
Wild Cherry Prunus serotina
White Oak Quercus alba
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Shrubs
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Heather Calluna vulgaris
Blue Mist Spirea Caryopteris x clandonensis
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina
Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Sheep Kill Kalmia angustifolia
Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica
Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa
Beach Plum Prunus maritima
Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina
Pasture Rose Rosa carolina
Virginia Rose Rosa virginiana
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosumArrowwood
Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago
Perennials
Beach Wormwood Artemisia stelleriana
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberose
Snowbank Boltonia asteroides
Daisy Chrysanthemum sp.
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Daylily Hemerocallis sp
Lupine Lupinus perennis.
Spotted Mint Monarda punctata
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
Goldenrod Solidago sp.
Grasses
Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Little Bluestem Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium
Ferns
Hay-Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plants for Moist Areas
Trees
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Shadblow Amelanchier canadensis
Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis or B. lutea
Gray Birch Betula populifolia
Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia
Hawthorne Crataegus crusgalli
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica
Austrian Pine Pinus nigra
Pin Oak Quercus palustris
Red Oak Quercus rubra or Q. borealis
Black Oak Quercus velutina
Pussy Willow Salix discolor
Shrubs
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum
Bunchberry Dogwood Cornus canadensis
Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea
Witch Alder Fothergilla gardeni
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Inkberry Ilex glabra
Winterberry Ilex verticillata
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia
Fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens
Flame Azalea Rhododendron calendulaceum
Rosebay Rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum
Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron nudiflorum
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Japanese Skimmia Skimmia japonica
Steeplebush Spirea tomentosa
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Witherod Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides
Perennials
Astilbe Astilbe sp.
Swamp Milkweed Aesclepias incarnate
Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum
White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus
New England Aster Aster novae-angliae
Snowbank Boltonia asteroides
False Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Pink Coreopsis Coreopsis rosea
Bishops Weed Epimedium sp.
Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Hosta Hosta sp.
Gayfeather Liatris sp.
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
Grasses
Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Tussock Sedge Carex stricta
Black Grass Juncus gerardi
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Ferns
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina
Autumn Fern Dryopteris erythrosora
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plants for Wet Areas
Shrubs
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum
Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea
Winterberry Ilex verticillata
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia
Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens
Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron nudiflorum
Swamp Rose Rosa palustris
Steeplebush Spirea tomentosa
Perennials
Swamp Milkweed Aesclepias tuberosa
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum
False Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Grasses
Tussock Sedge Carex stricta
Soft Rush Juncus effuses
Black Grass Juncus gerardi
Ferns
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Plants for Shade
Trees
Pagoda Dogwood Cornus alternifolia
American Beech Fagus grandifolia
Shrubs
Spotted Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Bunchberry Dogwood Cornus canadensis
Witch Alder Fothergilla gardeni
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Oak Leaf Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia
Inkberry Ilex glabra
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia
Fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens
Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron nudiflorum
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Japanese Skimmia Skimmia japonica
Perennials
Wild Columbine Aquilegia Canadensis
Jack in the Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum
Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum
Hosta Hosta sp.
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
Grasses
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Ferns
Lady Fern Athyrium felix-femina
Autumn Fern Dryopteris erythrosora
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plants for Sun
Trees
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis or B. lutea
Paper Birch Betula papyrifera
Gray Birch Betula populifolia
American Smoketree Cotinus obovatus
Hawthorne Crataegus crusgalli
Ginko Ginko biloba
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
American Holly Ilex opaca
Eastern Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana
Austrian Pine Pinus nigra
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida
Japanese Black Pine Pinus thunbergiana
Wild Cherry Prunus serotina
White Oak Quercus alba
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea
Pin Oak Quercus palustris
Red Oak Quercus rubra or Q. borealis
Black Oak Quercus velutina
Pussy Willow Salix discolor
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
White Pine Pinus strobus
Shrubs
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa
Heather Calluna vulgaris
Blue Mist Spirea Caryopteris x clandonensis
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina
Red Osier Dogwood Cornus sericea
American Filbert Corylus americana
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Inkberry Ilex glabra
Winterberry Ilex verticillata
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica
Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa
Beach Plum Prunus maritima
Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra
Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina
Pasture Rose Rosa carolina
Swamp Rose Rosa palustris
Virginia Rose Rosa virginiana
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Steeplebush Spirea tomentosa
Lilac Syringa sp.
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Witherod Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago
Wiegela Wiegela florida
Perennials
Beach Wormwood Artemisia stelleriana
Weed Asclepias tuberosa
New England Aster Aster novae-angliae
Blue False Indigo Baptisia australis
Snowbank Boltonia asteroides
False Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Daisy Chrysanthemum sp.
Goldstar Chrysogonum virginianum
Pink Coreopsis Coreopsis rosea
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
Globe Thistle Echinops ritro
Bishops Weed Epimedium sp.
Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Daylily Hemerocallis sp.
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Gayfeather Liatris sp.
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Lupine Lupinus sp.
Spotted Mint Monarda punctata
Russian Sage Perovskia atriplicifolia
Tufted Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
Stonecrop Sedum sp.
Goldenrod Solidago sp.
Heart Leaved Alexanders
Zizia aptera
Grasses
Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Tussock Sedge Carex stricta
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa
Soft Rush Juncus effuses
Black Grass Juncus gerardi
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Little Bluestem Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium
Ferns
Hay-Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plants for Part Sun
Trees
Red Maple Acer rubrum
Shadblow Amelanchier canadensis
Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis or B. lutea
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
Ginko Ginko biloba
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
American Holly Ilex opaca
Red Oak Quercus rubra or Q. borealis
Black Oak Quercus velutina
White Pine Pinus strobus
Shrubs
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Bunchberry Dogwood Cornus canadensis
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina
American Filbert Corylus americana
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Witch Alder Fothergilla gardeni
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens
Oak Lead Hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia
Inkberry Ilex glabra
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia
Mountain Laurel Kamia latifolia
Fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Sweet Azalea Rhododendron arborescens
Flame Azalea Rhododendron calendulaceum
Rosebay Rhododendron
Rhododendron maximum
Pinxterbloom Azalea Rhododendron nudiflorum
Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis
Japanese Skimmia Skimmia japonica
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Witherod Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides
Nannyberry Viburnum lentago
Perennials
Swamp Milkweed Aesclepias incarnata
Wild Columbine Aquilegia canandensis
White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus
Astilbe Astilbe sp.
False Blue Indigo Baptisia australis
Snowbank Boltonia asteroides
False Turtlehead Chelone glabra
Daisy Chrysanthemum sp
Goldstar Chrysogonum virginianum.
Black Snakeroot Cimicifuga racemosa
Globe Thistle Echinops ritro
Bishops Weed Epimedium sp.
Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium maculatum
Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum
Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum
Daylily Hemerocallis sp.
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Hosta Hosta sp.
Gayfeather Liatris sp.
Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis
Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Lupine Lupinus perennis
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens
Tufted Creeping Phlox Phlox stolonifera
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
Heart
Leaved Alexanders Zizia aptera
Grasses
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Ferns
Hay-Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Autumn Fern Dryopteris erythrosora
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Vines
Virgins Bower Clematis virginiana
Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Salt Tolerant Plants
Trees
Paper Birch Betula
papyrifera
Gray Birch Betula
populifolia
Ginko Ginko biloba
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Austrian Pine Pinus
nigra
Pitch Pine Pinus
rigida
Japanese Black Pine Pinus thunbergiana
Wild Cherry Prunus serotina
White Oak Quercus alba
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea
Pin Oak Quercus palustris
Red Oak Quercus rubra or Q. borealis
Black Oak Quercus velutina
Pussy Willow Salix discolor
Shrubs
Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Red Chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia
Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa
Blue Mist Spirea Caryopteris x clandonensis
Summersweet Clethra alnifolia
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens
Spicebush Lindera benzoin
Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica
Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa
Beach Plum Prunus maritima
Fragrant Sumac Rhus aromatica
Virginia Rose Rosa virginiana
Low Bush Blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Witherod Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides
Perennials
Beach Wormwood Artemisia stelleriana
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa
Daylily Hemerocallis sp.
Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
Stonecrop Sedum sp.
Goldenrod Solidago sp.
Grasses
Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Common Hairgrass Deschampsia flexuosa
Soft Rush Juncus effuses
Black Grass Juncus gerardi
Switch Grass Panicum virgatum
Little Bluestem Grass
Schizachyrium scoparium
DESCRIPTIVE
PLANT LIST FOR ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES ON CAPE COD
KEY:
DT = Drought Tolerant S = Sun
M = Moist PS = Part Sun
W = Wet ST = Salt Tolerant
SH = Shade CC = Cape Cod Native
TREES
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) CC, M, S, PS Large canopy deciduous tree with tiny red flowers and red fruits that give the tree a reddish appearance in spring; very high wildlife value and aesthetic value in both spring and fall when leaves turn bright red; relatively fast-growing; shallow, wide spreading roots; to 100tall x 75wide.
Shadblow (Amelanchier canadensis) CC, DT, M, PS Large understory, deciduous, multi-trunked tree with smooth grey bark streaked with whitish lines; white flowers bloom before leaves in April; graceful landscape tree; fruit provides high wildlife value; gold fall color; shallow, fibrous roots; to 50x 35.
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis or B. lutea) M, S, PS Medium height deciduous tree with slightly pendulous branching and papery curling yellowy bark; susceptible to various diseases but with very high wildlife value; deep lateral root system; to 75x 50.
Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) S, ST Medium height deciduous tree with exfoliating white bark; can handle moderately dry soils in full sun; sensitive to disease but very high wildlife value and attractive in the landscape; showy yellow autumn color; deep lateral roots; to 75x 50.
Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) CC, DT, M, S, ST Narrow, columnar, deciduous tree with glossy wedge-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall; chalky white to black trunk; tolerant of different soils and growing conditions with very high wildlife value; shallow, fibrous wide-spreading roots; to 50 x 25.
Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) CC, M, SH Small understory, white flowering, deciduous tree; often multistemmed; horizontal or tiered branching; very high wildlife value; shallow, fibrous roots; to 35x 20.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) CC, PS Large, flowering, understory deciduous tree with dense horizontal, tiered branching; four large white bracts surround small yellow flowers in spring as leaves are unfolding; beautiful landscape tree with very high wildlife value when placed in a partially shaded location; showy autumn foliage; deep lateral root system; to 50x 50.
American Smoketree (Cotinus americanus) DT, S Small understory, narrow, open-branched tree with greenish feathery flowering spikes; fruit gives tree a pinkish-grey smoke-like look in late summer; shallow, fibrous roots. to 30x 20.
Hawthorne (Crataegus crusgalli) DT, M, S Small understory, densely branched, white- flowering tree; species has thorns but thornless cultivars available; red berries provide intermediate wildlife value; susceptible to insects and diseases; taproot; attractive landscape tree; to 35x 35.
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) CC, SH Large, dense canopy tree with smooth
gray bark; grown for its statuesque beauty and provides high wildlife value; very tolerant of shade; wide spreading, shallow roots; to 100x 75.
Ginko (Ginko biloba) DT, S, PS, ST Coarse, large canopy deciduous tree with high tolerance to difficult growing conditions; fan-shaped leaves turning yellow in autumn; one of the oldest trees on earth-a living fossil; to 80x 40.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) CC, M, S, PS Small understory, densely branched deciduous tree with fragrant yellow blooms after foliage drops in autumn; coarse, dull green leathery leaves turn yellow in fall; nice small native tree for the landscape with low wildlife value; spreading lateral roots; to 35x 35.
American Holly (Ilex opaca) CC, S, PS Tall, conical, broad-leaved evergreen tree with shiny spine-tipped leaves; females produce red clusters of berries that require nearby male for berry-set; good wildlife value and effective landscape specimen; to 30.
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) CC, DT, S, ST Conical, densely branched, slow growing evergreen tree with reddish, exfoliating bark and blue-green berries; prefers dry upland conditions in full sun with very high wildlife value; a host for cedar apple rust; taproot; to 75x 35.
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) CC, DT, M Densely branched, conical, deciduous tree with glossy, leathery leaves that turn bright red in autumn; excellent form in the landscape and of intermediate wildlife value; demands moisture but tolerates drought; taproot; to 75 x 50.
Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) DT, M, S, ST Densely pyramidal evergreen when young becoming broad, open and flat topped with age; good seaside evergreen with attractive bark and lustrous foliage; good windbreak or screening tree, and a specimen if room to spread; fairly tolerant of pollution; to 50 x 20.
Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) CC, DT, S, ST Short-lived, open-branched evergreen tree; colonizes open, dry areas and has a very high wildlife value; needle bundles of three twisted needles each; requires sandy soil; short taproot; to 75x 50.
Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergiana) DT, S, ST Tough, dark green evergreen for seaside conditions growing into shapely irregular specimen; transplants well and requires little care; to 40.
White Pine (Pinus strobus) CC, S, PS Long-lived, potentially massive evergreen; good screen tree for sun to part sun, protected sites; very high wildlife value; fast growing; large lateral roots; to 100x 75.
Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina) CC, DT, S, ST Small deciduous, white flowering, fragrant tree with scale-like dark bark and glossy, leathery leaves; likes open, dry, old field conditions and provides very high wildlife value; to 60x 30.
White Oak (Quercus alba) CC, DT, S, ST Tall, wide canopied, long lived, deciduous tree with furrowed, light gray bark; grows both in woods and open areas and provides very high wildlife value; deep taproot and lateral roots; to 100x 100.
Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) CC, DT, S, ST Tall and wide deciduous tree with smooth to fissured black bark; bristle-tipped glossy leaves; prefers dry infertile soil in upland locations and provides very high wildlife value; very deep taproot; to 75x 75.
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) M, S, ST Conical, deciduous tree used frequently in landscapes; prefers moist sites and heavy soils; very high wildlife value; shallow, fibrous roots; to 75x 50.
Red Oak (Quercus rubra, or Q. borealis) CC, M, S, PS, ST Tall, large conopied deciduous tree; fast-growing for landscapes and good street tree; black, furrowed bark and bristle-tipped leaves; offers very high wildlife value and tolerant of varying soil types; deep lateral roots; to 100x 75.
Black Oak (Quercus velutina) CC, M, S, PS, ST Tall and wide deciduous tree with shallow to deeply furrowed ash-gray bark; very high wildlife value; often hybridizes with red oak and two are hard to tell apart; to 100x 75.
Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) CC, M, S, ST Small understory, columnar, multi-trunked deciduous tree known for its fuzzy, silvery gray catkins in the early spring appearing before leaves; prefers moist sites and has a high wildlife value; susceptible to various diseases and blights; shallow, fibrous roots; to 35x 20.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) CC, DT, S Conical, irregularly-shaped, large understory tree with open branching; aromatic twigs and three different leaf forms that turn various shades of red, yellow, orange and purple in the fall; interesting tree with low wildlife value; taproot; to 50x 35.
SHRUBS
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) CC, DT, S, ST Prostrate, trailing evergreen groundcover with glossy leaves and urn-shaped white blooms tinged with pink on bright red stems; low wildlife value; indispensable in the landscape in inhospitable settings; makes a thick groundcover where there is no foot traffic; to 6.
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) CC, M, W, S, PS, ST Narrow spreading shrub becoming leggy with age; clusters of white flowers in spring yield red berries with intermediate wildlife value; glossy thick leaves turn orange to red in autumn; can form colonies by suckering; to 12.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) CC, M, S, PS, ST Small shrub often suckering into large colonies; clusters of white flowers in spring yield black berries with intermediate wildlife value; glossy, smooth leaves turn crimson red in autumn; to 6.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) DT, S Low, flowering, evergreen shrub prostrate, or upright branching depending on variety; leaf color may be green, gray, yellow or reddish, often changing color in winter; bloom color according to variety; much loved by honeybees and humans alike; to 2.
Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) DT, S, ST Low mounded, nearly herbaceous shrub blooming blue in late summer; silvery foliage benefits from hard spring pruning; attractive in the landscape; to 3.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) CC, W, S Medium height, wide spreading and loosely branched shrub on the edge of wetlands; flowers creamy white and fragrant balls in mid summer that are attractive to honeybees; leaves poisonous to humans; wildlife value low; to 12.
Spotted Wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) CC, SH Low, evergreen groundcover with lance-shaped shiny green, white veined leaves; tiny, fragrant white to pink blooms in spring; to 4.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) CC, M, W, SH, S, PS, ST Medium height, narrow, open deciduous shrub with glossy leaves turning yellow in fall; heavily perfumed, upright white flower spikes in mid summer produce brown capsules of intermediate value to wildlife; versatile and useful in the landscape; to 12.
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) M, W, S Densely twiggy, medium height shrub with reddish purple bark on new stems; flowers white, flat-topped clusters in spring yielding porcelin blue berries with very high wildlife value in late summer; purplish red fall color; to 12.
Bunchberry Dogwood (Cornus canadensis) CC, M, SH, PS Seemingly herbaceous, prostrate mat of foliage considered a very small shrub; tiny clusters of flowers surrounded by four large white bracts become scarlet red to orange berries with low wildlife value; whorled leaves at top of stem turned red to purple in autumn; spotty groundcover; to 3.
Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) CC, DT, PS, S, ST Small, mounding, open branched deciduous shrub forming extensive thickets in dry soil; resinous twigs and foliage; low wildlife value; makes effective groundcover in the landscape; to 3.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) DT, M, W, S Upright spreading to arching medium height shrub with bright blood red to purple bark on new stems; flowers white, flat-topped clusters in spring yielding white berries with very high wildlife value I late summer; orange-red to purple fall color; to 12.
American Filbert (Corylus americana) CC, S, PS Mounded, suckering, multi-stemmed shrub; coarse-textured foliage turning yellow-orange in autumn; long yellow catkins in spring before leaves; edible nut and intermediate wildlife value; to 12
Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea repens) CC, DT, S, PS, ST Creeping, prostrate mat of dull, crinkled evergreen foliage; fragrant flower in early spring white to pale pink producing whitish raspberry-like fruits; low wildlife value; buy potted plants as natives have deep taproot not easily transplantable; to 6.
Witch Alder (Fothergilla gardeni) M, SH, PS Small, dense, upright deciduous shrub with a crooked branch appearance; dull green, leathery and woolly leaves turning brilliant yellow to orange to scarlet red in fall; honey-scented bottlebrush-like white blooms in spring; low wildlife value; to 3.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) CC, M, SH, PS Prostrate herb-like small shrub spreading by trailing stems; glossy, smooth leathery leaves are red-green in spring and purple-green in winter; waxy, nodding white bell-shaped flowers produce scarlet red, pulpy berries lasting most of the year; low wildlife value but leaves and berries edible to humans and taste wintergreen; to 6.
Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) SH, PS, ST Small shrub with shaggy, exfoliating reddish brown bark and leaves similar in look to red oak; lightly fragranced flowers are cone-shaped greenish white spikes turning purplish; leaves poisonous to humans and low wildlife value but highly attractive in the landscape; to 6.
Inkberry (Ilex glabra) CC, M, SH, S, PS Mounding, medium height evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and black berries in fall; high wildlife value and useful, attractive and versatile in the landscape; many cultivars smaller than species; to 9.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) CC, M, W, S Medium height, upright-spreading and twiggy deciduous shrub; small, dull green leaves turning red-green to black throughout growing season; small white flowers produce scarlet red to orange berries that persist into early spring; high wildlife value but fruit poisonous to humans; clusters of these in the landscape look like a forest fire when covered in berries; to 12.
Sheep Laurel or Lambkill (Kalmia angustifolia) CC, DT, M, W, SH, PS Small, trailing, evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves and delicate lavender purple to crimson red clusters of flowers in spring; very low wildlife value and all parts poisonous to humans; to 3.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) CC, M, SH, PS Large, wide spreading, flowering evergreen shrub; glossy thick leaves and perfumed white to pale pink, flat-topped clusters of flowers in June; very low wildlife value and all parts poisonous to humans but high aesthetic value; to 30.
Fetterbush (Leucothoe racemosa) CC, M, SH, PS Small evergreen shrub with arching g branches; waxy white perfumed flowers in spring and brown capsuled fruit in fall offering low wildlife value; useful in the moist, shady landscape; to 6.
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) CC, M, SH, S, PS, ST Medium height, graceful, picturesque horizontal and ascending branching deciduous shrub; aromatic twigs and leaves (when crushed); glossy leaves turning yellow in fall and greenish yellow, spicy scented flowers in small clusters in early spring; glossy red berries of very high wildlife value; to 12.
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) CC, DT, S, ST Mounding, medium height shrub with with aromatic, glossy foliage and white to gray berries; high wildlife value and good for mass planting in the landscape; to 12.
Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) DT, S, ST Small, densely branching deciduous shrub with interesting exfoliating gray-brown to orangy brown bark; small hairy leaves in groups of 5-7 and buttercup yellow blooms in early June through late September; low wildlife value; useful in the landscape for color and durability; to 4.
Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) DT, S, ST Rounded, densely branched, suckering shrub with white flowers that yield dull purple to red fruits in late summer; fruits valued by humans and wildlife; salt tolerant landscape plant; to 6.
Sweet Azalea (Rhododendron arborescens) M, W, SH, PS Large, wide spreading, deciduous shrub with picturesque, ascending branching; glossy leaves turn deep red to purple in fall and white funnel-shaped white blooms are deeply fragrant in early summer; low wildlife value and all parts poisonous to humans; good for moist, low sun areas; to 20.
Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) M, PS Medium height, irregular, picturesque branching and blooming deciduous shrub; early summer blooms are yellowk orange, red and combinations thereof; low wildlife value and all parts poisonous to humans; to 12.
Rosebay Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) M, PS Large, loose and open evergreen shrub with rose or purplish pink to white blooms in June; can form thickets in moist, shady and protected places; to 15.
Pinxterbloom Azalea (Rhododendron nudiflorum) CC, M, W, SH, PS Mid height, horizontal to ascending picturesque branching, deciduous, flowering shrub; dull green leaves turn dull yellow in fall; light pink to purplish blooms with light fragrance in early spring before or with emergence of leaves; low wildlife value and all parts poisonous to humans; good for swampy areas; to 9.
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) DT, S, ST Medium height, mounding, densely tangled branching, coarse-textured deciduous shrub; glossy leaflets of three resemble poison ivy; females bloom yellow in early spring before leaves; fruit a dark wine colored berry persisting until early spring; very high wildlife value; cultivars make good groundcover in the landscape; to 12.
Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra) CC, DT, S Tall, wide-spreading deciduous shrub with leaves of 11-31 leaflets and forming colonies from underground suckers; grows in waste places; leaves turn an orange-red-purple combination in fall and has scarlet fruits; to 15.
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) CC, DT, S Large, loose, open and spreading deciduous shrub or scraggly tree with velvety, brown branches that look like stags horns; suckers into large colonies in waste places or poor soil; yellow, red and orange leaf color in fall and scarlet pyramidal fruit clusters persisting throughout winter; to 25.
Pasture Rose (Rosa carolina) CC, DT, S Small, densely branched deciduous shrub forming thickets; 5-7 leaflets turn yellowish to orange to red in fall; deep pink, 5-petaled blooms with bright yellow centers produce bright red rose hips in late summer; intermediate wildlife value; to 4.5.
Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) CC, W, S A wetland rose with branches that are smooth between spines, and 5-9 leaflets that are wrinkled and dull green; ??
Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) CC, DT, S, ST Tough, native rose with reddish colored, prickly canes; forms dense clusters of erect stems with glossy, dark green foliage changing to purple, orange-red and yellow in fall and bright red hips persisting into winter; good barrier or hedge for seaside conditions and sandy soil; to 6.
Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) CC, DT, M, SH, S, PS Medium, upright branching to arching, somewhat leggy shrub; leaves composed of 5-11 leaflets turning yellow green in fall; large flat-topped white flower clusters yield purple to black berries with red-purple stems; edible for humans and very high wildlife value; interesting in the landscape and some cultivars very attractive; to 12.
Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica) M, SH, PS Small, mounding, densely branched evergreen producing red-maroon buds that open to white clusters of tiny, sweet scented flowers on both males and females; females produce bright red berries persisting into winter; excellent landscape plant; to 4.
Steeplebush (Spirea tomentosa) CC, M, W, S Small, mounding, erect-branching deciduous shrub; dull, wrinkled leaves turn yellowish in fall; spire-shaped terminal spikes of bright pink to rose to purple blooms cover plant in late summer; intermediate wildlife value; to 6.
Lilac (Syringa sp.) S Common, variably-sized flowering shrub of interest in spring while flowering; nostalgic and aesthetic value while flowering; some species tend towards mildewy leaves in the summer months; numerous cultivars of all sizes and colors; to 12.
Low Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) CC, DT, M, S, PS, ST Small, open-branched twiggy shrub appearing as a groundcover in sunny woods and old fields; leaves turn red to purple in fall and spring-blooming, white bell-shaped flowers produce edible blueberries; wildlife and human value very high; makes a good, loose groundcover in the landscape; to 2.
High Bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) CC, DT, M, S, PS, ST Medium, spreading, deciduous shrub; multiple stems from base with bright green or red winter twigs; leaves turning red in fall; white bell flowers in spring becoming edible blueberries; very high wildlife and human value; versatile in the landscape; to 12.
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) CC, DT, M, S, PS, ST Medium upright branching to arching flowering shrub; creamy white, flat-topped flowers in spring yield blue to black berries high in wildlife value; glossy leaves turn maroon purple in fall; to 12.
Witherod Viburnum (Viburnum cassinoides) CC, M, S, PS, ST Medium upright branching to arching flowering shrub; creamy white, flat-topped flowers in spring yield yellow, pink, red, blue and black berries, often at the same time providing high wildlife value; glossy leaves turn orange to red to maroon in fall; to 12.
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) DT, M, S, PS Small tree or large shrub with slender, arching branches; creamy white, flat-topped flowers in spring yield multi-colored berries that eventually turn black in color; provide high wildlife value; glossy dark green leaves sometimes turn purplish in fall, but not always; to 18.
Wiegela (Wiegela florida) S Spreading, densely branching, rounded shrub with branches that arch to the ground; showy flowers of all colors according to variety in May and June; non-descript foliage when not flowering; to 9.
PERENNIALS
Astilbe (Astilbe sp.) M, PS Lush, deeply cut foliage in colors from green to bronze yield to brightly colored flower spikes in summer; to 3.
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) M, PS, SH Delicate woodland or shade perennial with leaves lobed into three parts and nodding, red flowers in spring; fruit capsules in late summer disperse many small, round seeds when jostled; to 18.
Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) CC, M, W, SH Distinctive flower that fits its name; showy red berries in fall; to 2.
Beach Wormwood (Artemisia stelleriana) DT, S, ST Gray, chrysanthemum-like leaves with a soft, felty texture; good for massing in dry conditions; to 2.
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) CC, M, W, PS Bushy perennial with leafy stems of narrow, long leaves; intense purple-pink flowers nearly all summer; good nectar source for butterflies; to 4.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) CC, DT, S, ST Perennial of grasslands with characteristic bright orange blooming in flat-topped terminal clusters; hairy stem with opposite, narrow leaves; produces seed pods with fuzzy, wind-born seeds; excellent nectar source for butterflies (Monarchs) and bees; to 3.
White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus) CC, M, PS Perennial ground-covering aster blooming white in late August; to 2.
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) M, S Fast-growing perennial forming a large mass; showy purple and orange flowers in September; late summer nectar source for butterflies; to 6.
Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) S, PS Member of the Pea family blooming blue in early summer on tall spikes; attractive lupin-like foliage on tall plants; to 5.
False Aster (Boltonia asteroides) DT, M, S, PS Showy white/pink aster-like flowers in late summer on tall plants; to 5.
False Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) CC, M, W, S, PS White or pink, late summer- blooming perennial demanding moist to wet conditions; flowers resembling turtleheads grow in a spike or close cluster to top of plant; important to butterflies; to 4.
Daisy (Chrysanthemum sp.) DT, S, PS Large family of carefree, heavily blooming and ground-covering perennials in various colors in late summer and fall; to 3.
Golden Star (Chrysoganum virginianum) S, PS Low groundcover with bright golden flowers blooming over a long period during summer; adaptable to various growing conditions except for wet conditions; to 8.
Black Snakeroot (Cimicifuga racemosa) PS Tall and stately white spires on stiff wiry stems far above attractive foliage in late summer; to 6.
Pink Coreopsis (Coreopsis rosea) CC, M, S Long-flowering, pink blooming perennial with narrow, tapered foliage; to 1.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) S, DT Purple, pink or white long-lasting blooms on tall stems in summer and late summer; excellent landscape plant and loved by butterflies, especially Monarchs; to 4.
Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) S, PS A bold, showy plant with steel blue, spiny, ball-shaped blooms in the summer that dry well; to 4.
Barrenwort (Epimedium sp.) M, S, PS Ground cover with attractive, somewhat heart-shaped leaves on wiry stems and flowers in spring of various colors; to 1.
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) CC, M, S, PS Tall perennial of moist places that blooms
with small, purplish pink flowers clustered together at or near top of stem;
leaves whorled around stems; of value to bees and butterflies; to 8.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) SH, PS Herbaceous groundcover with tiny whorled leaves and small white flowers that smell of fresh hay; to 9.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) CC, DT, M, S, PS Spreading, bushy perennial with large, lobed leaves in 5 parts and pale pink-purple blooms on top of hairy stems in early spring; seed pods look like cranes bills, hence common name of Cranebill; to 20.
Daylily (Hemerocallis sp.) DT, S, PS, ST Hemerocallis flava, Lemon daylily, and H. fulva, Orange daylily, have been in use here since Colonial times; common cultivars tolerant of many landscape conditions and bloom in various colors and styles; to 3.
Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) CC, M, W, S, PS, ST Wild perennial herb found in fresh or brackish wetlands; pink or creamy white flowers borne in late summer 4-7 inches across; leaves are 4-7 inches long and white felty underneath; to 8.
Hosta (Hosta sp.) M, SH, PS Clumping, leafy, lush-foliaged plants for shade in diverse colors, heights and textures; to 3.
Blazing Star (Liatris sp.) M, S, PS Majestic spike of purple, purple pink or white flowers in early summer above grassy foliage; used by bees and butterflies; to 5.
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) CC, M, SH, S, PS Magnificent red flower for moist to wet areas; short-lived and requires regular replanting; to 4.
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) M, S, PS Striking spikes of blue in late summer and early fall; to 4.
Lupine (Lupinus perennis) CC, DT, S, PS Late spring blooming bright blue spikes above whorls of attractive foliage; valuable to butterflies; to 2.
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) CC, DT, M, PS Prostrate evergreen groundcovering vine with fragrant, waxy pink and white berries in early summer yielding scarlet berries; berries attractive to wildlife; to 2.
Dotted Mint (Monarda punctata) DT, S Lavender bracts surround visually insignificant flowers that are valuable to butterflies; a self-seeding biennial preferring open sand; to 2.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) S Long spikes of silvery blue flowers on silver gray foliage; long blooming period in summer and late summer; aromatic foliage; used by bees; to 4.
Tufted Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) S, PS Fragrant, profusely blooming groundcover in spring on short, erect stems in multiple colors; to 12.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) DT, S, ST Also known as coneflower or yellow daisy; long yellow to orange petals with dark brown conical, central disk June through August; leaves and stems hairy; versatile in the landscape; to 2.5.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) SH Low groundcover for massing in shade; white flowers in early spring; to 6.
Stonecrop (Sedum sp.) S, ST Creeping types makes good rock garden plants while upright varieties belong in the perennial garden; used by bees when in bloom, which happens in the fall; to 2.5.
Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) CC, DT, S, ST Yellow-flowered perennial of the dunes and uplands, blooming in late summer to fall; often blamed for hay-fever but generally innocent (Ragweed blooms at the same time); excellent late summer nectar source for Monarch butterflies and others; to 6.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) M, SH, PS Small white flowers blooming on the ends of spikes emerging from broad heart-shaped, hairy leaves; to 12.
Heartleaf Golden Alexanders (Zizia aptera) S, PS Heavily textured bright green foliage sports golden yellow blooms in early spring; important food source for butterflies; to 2.
GRASSES
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) CC, DT, M, S Tall grass for dry, sunny sites; foliage starts blue-green and turns coppery in the fall; to 6.
Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) CC, DT, SH, PS, ST Rugged, wiry grass growing in woodland areas; stays green in deepest of droughts; excellent groundcover; to 18.
Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta) CC, M, W, S Grass-like sedge of marshes, swamps, and swales forming large hummocks; slender leaf blades and seedheads.
Common Hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) CC, DT, S, PS, ST Perennial clumping grass with gold bloom; drought tolerant and suitable to use with heath and heather plantings; to 1.
Salt Rush (Juncus effuses) CC, W, S, ST Low growing, unbranched, clumping rush; to 3.
Black Grass (Juncus gerardi) CC, M, W, S, ST Low-growing, salt tolerant rush found in high tidal marshes; grows with the Spartina and Distichlis grasses; to 5.
Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) CC, DT, M, S, PS, ST Perennial, warm-season grass forming picturesque, vase-shaped clumps in varying conditions; good replacement for the invasive Miscanthus where ornamental grass is desired; to 4.
Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) CC, DT, S, ST Perennial, warm-season (germinating) grass with blue-green growth in spring and red fall color accompanied by fluffy silver seedheads; clump-forming and good massed; to 5.
FERNS
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) M, SH Fine textured fern requiring moisture; to 3.
Hay Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) S, PS Creeping foliage forming colonies; sweet scent like mown hay; to 2.
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) M, SH, PS An evergreen fern with attractive fall color and colorful foliage during the warm season; to 2.
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) M, W, SH, PS Upright fern with cinnamon colored hairs at base of each frond; to 3.
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) M, W, SH, PS Medium tall fern forming a tussock in wetlands; to 3.
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) SH Leathery, evergreen foliage with individual parts that look like Christmas stockings; to 2.
VINES
Virgins Bower (Clematis virginiana) CC, DT, M, SH, S, PS Climbs by twisting leaf stalks; heavily branched at top and stringy and open at bottom; small, fragrant white flowers from July to September; to 15.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) CC, DT, M, SH, S, PS, ST Prostrate habit or climbing by aerial rootlets and tendrils; pinkish to red green spring foliage becoming green, then bright red in autumn; high wildlife value and highly adaptable to most conditions; to 35.