Why Plant Native? Birds, pollinators and wildlife depend on native plants for food, nesting and cover. Native plants are well adapted to survive in their native area, are beautiful, and are essential to our ecosystem. Insect protein is a main food source for baby birds and for attracting more birds. Native plants attract butterflies to your garden with flowers and host plants for their caterpillars.
Here are a few NYS native plants.
- Full Sun
- Maryland Golden Aster, Moss Phlox, Yarrow, Butterfly Milkweed, Showy Aster, Brown Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, Showy Goldenrod
- Full to Partial Sun, Low Growing
- Woodland Stonecrop, Barren Strawberry, Robin’s Plantain, Wild Geranium
- Partial Sun to Shade, Low Growing
- Wild Blue Phlox, Labrador Violet, Bellwort, Jacob’s Ladder, Showy Skullcap, Wild Columbine, Goatsbeard, White Wood Aster
Ferns are excellent additions for woodland, part sun areas, and to add a textured appearance, and are deer resistant.
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Maidenhair Fern, Christmas Fern, Lady Fern, Male Fern
Native Shrubs have beautiful pollinator attracting blooms and provide berries in summer through fall. Some provide winter food.
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New Jersey Tea, Low Bush Blueberry, Black Raspberry, Black Elderberry, Highbush Blueberry, Virginia Rose, Swamp Azalea, Red-twig Dogwood, American Hazelnut, Pussy Willow, Inkberry
Read About It! Learn more about native plants and sustainable gardening with these books:
- The Good Garden by Chris McLaughlin
- At Home with Nature by John Gidding
- Grow Native by Lynn Steiner