HERBACEOUS PLANTS - ANNUALS, BIENNIALS, PERENNIALS

Actaea pachypoda

Doll's Eyes, White Baneberry

D-M; pS-Sh

L Spr.

F

Can take dry shade, deer resistant

Actaea rubra

Red Baneberry

M; pS-Sh

Spr.

F

Allium canadense

Wild Garlic

E Sum.

Allium cernuum

Nodding Onion

M-D; pS

threatened

ML Sum.

Allium tricoccum

Wild Leek, Ramp

M;pS-Sh

Sum.

Anemone canadensis

Canada Anemone

M-W;pS-pSh

E Sum.

Can be weedy in some areas

Anemone quinquefolia

Wood anemone

M; Sh

Spr.

*

ephemeral

Anemone virginiana

Thimbleweed

D-M;pS-pSh

M Sum.

Large petals, when in seed is easily confused w/A. cylindrica which has tiny curved petals

Anemonella thalictroides

Rue Anemone

M;Sh-pS

Spr.

*

Well-drained, slightly acid; Double & pink cultivars available

Angelica atropurpurea

Purple-Stemmed Angelica

M;S

EM Sum.

T

Antennaria neglecta

Pussy Toes

D;pS

L Spr.

Antennaria parlinii ssp fallax (A. plantaginifolia)

Plantain-leaved Pussytoes

D;Sh

*

groundcover

Apocynum cannabinum

Indian Hemp

ML Sum.

Butterfly

Apocynum androsaemifolium,

Spreading Dogbane

Butterfly, showier than A cannabinum

Aquilegia canadensis

Wild Columbine

D-M;S pS

E Sum.

*T

Well drained soil

Aralia racemosa

Spikenard

Arisaema dracontium

Green Dragon

M-W;Sh;H

Rare

E Sum.

*TF

Arisaema triphyllum

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

M;Sh;H

Spr.-Sum.

*TF

Asarum canadense

Wild Ginger

M-D;Sh

Spr.

*

Groundcover; mild drought OK

Asclepias incarnata

Swamp Milkweed

W-M;S-pSh

M Sum.

*

Butterfly

Asclepias quadrifolia

Woodland Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Common Milkweed

W-D;S-pSh

M Sum.

Butterfly, spreads

Asclepias tuberosa

Orange Milkweed, Butterfly Weed

M-D;S-pS; Sand

Scarce

M Sum.

*

Butterfly; well-drained

Aster cordifolius

Heart-Leaved Aster, Blue Wood Aster

D-M;S-pSh

ML Fall

*

Aster divaricatus

White Wood Aster

M-D;S-Sh

L Sum.- Fall

*

spreads

Aster laevis

Smooth Blue Aster

M-D;S-pS;L

Fall

*

Prefers well drained

Aster lanceolatus

White Aster

M-D;S-pS

L Sum.-Fall

weedy

Aster lateriflorus

Calico Aster

M-D;S-pSh

Can be Weedy

Aster lowrieanus

Lowrie's Aster

M-D;S-pSh

Similar to A. cordifolius

Aster macrophyllus

Bigleaf Aster

M-D;pS-Sh

Well drained,rich

Aster novae-angliae

New England Aster

M; S-pS

Fall

*T

May need staking

Aster pilosus var. pilosus

Hairy Frostweed Aster

M-D, pSh-S

ML Fall

*

prostrate cultivar avail.

Aster prenanthoides

Zig-Zag Aster

M; pSh-pS

M Sum-M Fall

*

Aster puniceus

Swamp Aster

M-W;S-pS

L Sum - M Fall

Aster sagittifolius

Arrow-Leaved Aster

D-M;S-pS

Fall

Aster schreberi

Schreber's Aster

M;pSh

Scarce

M Sum - M Fall

Aster umbellatus

Flat-Topped White Aster

M;S-pS

Blephilia hirsuta

Hairy Blephilia

Scarce

Sum

mint

Calopogon tuberosus

Grass Pink

W-M;S-pS;A

*

Wet meadows & bogs

Caltha palustris

Marsh Marigold

W-M; S-Sh

M Spr

Standing water OK in spring

Campanula americana

(Campanulastrum americanum)

Tall Bellflower

M;pSh

Critically imperiled (S1)

L Sum - L Fall

*

Biennial. Probably extirpated in the FL area, but grows well and is very attractive.  Obtain local seed from exchanges & other gardeners (prolific seed producer)

Campanula rotundifolia

Harebells

D-M;S;R

*T

Well drained, crevices; commercial sources usually European forms

Cardamine bulbosa

Spr. Cress

Spring

annual

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue Cohosh

M;Sh;H;N

E Spr

F

Rich woods

Chamaelirium luteum

Devil's Bit

M-W;S-pS;H

Minimize competition; dioecious-needs both sexes to set seed

Chelone glabra

White Turtlehead

M-W;S-pSh

L Sum - Fall

*

Chimaphilia maculata

Spotted Wintergreen

D;Sh-pS;Sand; A

difficult

Chimaphilia umbellata

Pipsissewa

M-D;pS-Sh; Sand; A

difficult

Cimicifuga (Actaea)  racemosa

Bugbane, Black Cohosh

M;pS-Sh

Scarce

ML Summer

*

Well drained

Claytonia caroliniana

Broad-Leaved Spring-Beauty

M;pS-Sh

EM Spr

Ephemeral; can be dry in summer

Claytonia virginica

Narrow-Leaved Spring-Beauty

M;pS-Sh

EM Spr

Ephemeral; can be dry in summer

Clintonia borealis

Bluebead Lily

M;Sh;H;A

F

difficult

Collinsonia canadensis

Richweed, Stoneroot

M;pSh

L Sum-E Fall

Rich soil, fragrant

Comandra umbellata

Bastard Toadflax

Convolvulus (Calystegia) sepium

Hedge Bindweed

ML Sum

Invasive native. Don't encourage

Coptis groenlandica

Goldthread

M;Sh;H;A

difficult

Corydalis aurea var aurea

Golden Corydalis

Threatened NYS (S2) probably extirpated in Cayuga Basin

Spr-Sum

Take care NOT to get weedy perennial C. lutea; C aurea is a winter annual & weed in Western US, poisonous to cattle

Serious issues with introducing threatened species from another source!

Corydalis sempervirens

Pink Corydalis

D-M;S-pS

Rare

*

Can be weedy. Prob. extirpated in Ithaca

Cryptotaenia canadensis

Honewort

Sum

Very small flowers

Cypripedium acaule

Moccasin Flower, Pink Lady's Slipper

PS-pSh;M;H:A

Very difficult - poor acid humus

Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens (C. pubescens, C. calceoleus var pubescens)

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper

M;pSh;H;N

*

Easiest native Cyp. to grow

Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin

Northern Small Yellow Lady's Slipper

M;pSh; N-L

Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum

Southern Small Yellow Lady's Slipper

M-D;pSh; A

Cypripedium reginae

Showy Lady's Slipper

M-W;S-pS;N-L

*

Moderately difficult

Dentaria (Cardamine) maxima

Large Toothwort

M;Sh

M Spr

Dentaria diphylla

Two-Leaved Toothwort

M-W;Sh;H

M Spr

Ephemeral

Dentaria laciniata

Cut-Leaved Toothwort

M;Sh

M Spr

Ephemeral

Desmodium canadense

Tick-Trefoil

M;pS-pSh

ML Sum

Desmodium glutinosum

Pointed-Leaved Tick-Trefoil

M;Sh-pSh

L Sum

Dicentra canadensis

Squirrel Corn

M;Sh-pS;H

M Spr

Ephemeral; can be dry in summer

Dicentra cucullaria

Dutchman's-Breeches

M;Sh-pS;H

M Spr

Ephemeral, can be dry in summer

Dicentra eximia

Wild Bleeding Heart

M;Sh-pS

 Scarce in FL

L Spr-Sum

*

watch out for hybrid cultivars

Disporum lanuginosum

Yellow Mandarin

M;Sh-pSh;H

Scarce

L Spr

F

Epigaea repens

Trailing Arbutus

M;pS-Sh; San/H;A

Spr

Difficult; well drained sandy or humusy soil

Epilobium angustifolium

Fireweed

M; S-pS

M Sum

aggressive

Epilobium glandulosum

Glandular Willowherb

M; S-pSh

M Sum

Quite weedy

Erigeron annuus

Daisy Fleabane

M-D;pSH-S

Sum-Fall

Annual, reseeds

Erigeron philadelphicus

Philadelphia Fleabane

M;pSh-pS

EM Sum

*

Erigeron pulchellus

Robin's Plantain

M;pSh-pS

ML Spr

*T

Erythronium americanum

Trout Lily

M;pSh-Sh

E Spr

T

Ephemeral; difficult to flower

Eupatorium fistulosum

Hollow Joe Pye Weed

M-W;S-pS

L Sum

*

Eupatorium maculatum

Spotted Joe-Pye Weed

W; S-pS

L Sum-E Fall

*

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Boneset

M-W;S-pS

L Sum-E Fall

Eupatorium purpureum

Sweet Joe-Pye Weed

M-W:S-pS

L Sum

*

Eupatorium rugosum

White Snakeroot

D-M;pS-Sh

L Sum-Fall

weedy

Euthamia graminifolia

Narrow-Leaved Goldenrod

M;S

L Sum

Fragaria vesca, ssp. Americana and ssp. vesca

Woodland Strawberry

M;pSh

ML Spr

F

edible

Fragaria virginiana

Field Strawberry

M;pSh-S

ML Spr

F

edible

Galearis spectabilis

Showy Orchis

M;pSh

Spr

Rich moist, rockywoodlands

Gaultheria procumbens

Wintergreen

M-D;pS-Sh;A

F

Evergreen groundcover; edible

Gaura biennis

Gaura

M-D;S-pS

 Sum-E Fall

Biennial, weedy

Gentiana andrewsii

Prairie Bottle Gentian

M;pS

Rare

Fall

Gentiana clausa

Closed Gentian

M-W;pS

Scarce

Fall

Gentianopsis crinita

Fringed Gentian

M;S-pS;N

Very difficult. Site specific, biennial

Geranium maculatum

Wild Geranium

M;pS-Sh

M Spr-E Sum

*

Can take some summer drought

Geranium robertianum

Herb Robert

M-D;pS-Sh

M Spr-L Sum

Weedy but cute

Goodyera pubescens

Rattlesnake Plantain

M;pSh; A

L Sum-E Fall

Helenium autumnale

Sneezeweed

M;S-pS

Fall

Wet meadows

Helianthus decapetalus

Ten-Rayed Sunflower

M;pSh

ML Sum

*T

Open woods; Can spread

Helianthus divericatus

Woodland Sunflower

M-D;S-pSh

Sum

aggressive

Helianthus tuberosus

Jerusalem Artichoke

M;S-pS

Sum

T

Edible, very aggressive, hard to eradicate

Heliopsis helianthoides

Ox-Eye/False Sunflower

M-D;S-pS

M Sum

*T

aggressive

Hepatica acutiloba

Sharp-Lobed Hepatica

M;pSh-Sh;H;L

E Spr

T

Hepatica americana

Round-Lobed Hepatica

M;pSh-Sh;H

E Spr

*T

Hibiscus moscheutos ssp moscheutos (H. palustris)

Swamp Rosemallow

M-W;S

L Sum

*T

Hydrastis canadensis

Goldenseal

M;pS-Sh;H;N

Rare

ML Spr

F

Slow growing, cool, sl.-acid-neutral soil

Hydrophyllum canadense

Broad-Leaved Waterleaf

M;pS-Sh

E Sum

Variegated leaves in sun, can spread

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Virginia Waterleaf

M;pS-Sh

E Sum

Can spread

Hypericum punctatum

St. John's-Wort

M-D;pSh

E Sum-E Fall

Hypoxis hirsutus

Yellow Star Grass

M-D;S-pS

Sum

Impatiens capensis

Orange Jewelweed,

M-W;pSh

ML Sum

Impatiens pallida

Pale/Yellow Jewelweed

M-W; pSh

ML Sum

Iris versicolor

Blue Flag

W-M;S-pSh

EM Sum

*T

Can take standing water

Jeffersonia diphylla

Twinleaf

M-D;Sh; N-L

Rare

M Spr

*

Great foliage; flower short-lived

Lilium canadense

Canada Lily

M-W;S-pSh;A

M Sum

*T

Deer love it

Lilium philadelphicum var philadelphicum

Wood Lily

M-D;S-pS; Sand; A

Sum

Difficult. Acidic, well-drained sand/soil.

Lilium superbum

Turk's Cap Lily

M-W;S-pSh

ML Sum

*

Lithospermum latifolium

Broad-Leaved Gromwell, Puccoon

D-M;Sh

Rare

L Spr-E Sum

Not showy but neat if you have it

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower

M-W;S-pS

Scarce

ML Sum

*T

Very showy - some odd cultivars

Lobelia inflata

Indian Tobacco

M-D;S-pSh

M Sum

Weedy, not very showy

Lobelia siphilitica

Great Blue Lobelia

M-W;pS-pSh

L Sum-Fall

*T

Short lived - spread seeds

Lupinus perennis

Wild Lupine

S;Sand;,A

Rare

L Spr-E Sum

*

Well-drained, acid; dormant after flowers

Lysimachia ciliata

Fringed Loosestrife

M-W; S-pSh

ML Sum

Maianthemum canadense

Canada Mayflower

W-D;pS-Sh;N-A

No alkalinity, ephemeral

Mentha arvensis

Field Mint

M-W;S-pSh

L Sum

Mertensia virginica

Virginia Bluebells

M; pS-Sh

Scarce

ML Spr

*T

Ephemeral; Can be dry in summer

Mimulus ringens

Monkey Flower

M-W;S-pS

Sum

Short lived, can naturalize

Mitchella repens

Partridgeberry

M-D;pS-Sh; H;A

EM Sum

F

Slow growing groundcover, keep free of much leaf litter

Mitella diphylla

Miterwort,Mitrewort, Bishop's-Cap

M-D;pSh-Sh;

L Spr

Monarda didyma

Oswego Tea, Bee Balm

M-D;S-pSh

ML Sum

*T

Can spread (sun, moist soil)

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm

M-D;S-pS

ML Sum

*

Myosotis laxa

Wild (Small-Flowered) Forget-Me-Not

W-M;pS-S

L Spr-M Sum

Very small flowers; edge of water

Oenothera biennis

Evening Primrose

D-M;S

M Sum-Fall

T

night flowering; aggressive biennial

Oenothera parviflora

Sundrop

D-M;S

Sum

biennial

Oenothera perennis

Small Sundrop

D-M;S

Sum

*T

biennial

Osmorhiza longistylis

Long-Styled Sweet Cicely

M; pSh-Sh; L?

Spr

Oxalis montana

Common Wood Sorrel

M;pSh-pS; A

L Spr-M Sum

Oxalis stricta

Yellow Wood Sorrel

D-M;S

L Spr-M Fall

Very weedy!

Panax quinquefolia

American Ginseng

M;Sh;H;N

M Spr

F

Difficult; well drained soil

Panax trifolius

Dwarf Ginseng

M;Sh;H;N

EM Spr

Ephemeral

Penstemon digitalis

Foxglove Beardtongue

M;S-pSh

EM Sum

No consensus re: native vs. naturalized

Penstemon hirsutus

Hairy Beardtongue

M-D;S-pS

M-L Sum

*

Well-drained, rocky, sandy

Phlox divaricata

Wild Blue Phlox

M;pS-Sh

ML Spr

*

Phlox subulata

Moss Phlox

S;R-Sand

ML Spr

*T

Must be well drained; some highly colored cultivars are hybrids

Phryma leptostachya

Lopseed

M;pSh

Scarce

ML Sum

Rich moist woods

Phytolacca americana

Pokeweed

D-M;S-pSh

ML Sum

F

Weedy & large, poisonous fruit

Platanthera blephariglotis

White Fringed Orchid

M;S

*T

Platanthera dilatata

Bog Candles

M; pSh

*

Platanthera grandiflora

Large Purple Fringed Orchid

M-W; pSh; A

M Sum

*

bogs

Platanthera lacera

Ragged Fringed Orchid

W;S-pS;A

M Sum

bogs

Platanthera psycodes

Small Purple Fringed Orchid

M; pSh

M Sum

*T

Difficult; moist rich woodland soil

Podophyllum peltatum

Mayapple

W-D;pS-Sh

L Spr

Deciduous ground cover

Pogonia ophioglossoides

Rose Pogonia

M-W;S-pS;A

E Sum

*

"easiest bog orchard to grow"

Polemonium reptans

Jacob's Ladder

M;pS-pSh;H

L Spr-M Sum

T

Semi-dormant in summer; well drained

Polygonatum biflorum (P. commutatum)

Smooth Solomon's Seal

M;Sh

L Spr

*TF

Giant Sol. Seal is tetraploid variety of this species, which is otherwise 12-18"

Polygonatum pubescens

Hairy Solomon's Seal

M;Sh

M Spr

*TF

Porteranthus trifoliatus

Bowman's Root

M-D;S-pSh

E Sum

*T

Potentilla canadensis

Common Cinquefoil, Old-Field Cinquefoil

D-M;S-pS

M Sum

Prenanthes altissima

Rattlesnake Root, White Lettuce

D;Sh-pS

L Sum

Looks weedy once flower stalk elongates

Pycnanthemum incanum

Hoary Mountain Mint

M-D;S-pS

ML Sum

Ranunculus septentrionalis (R. hispidus)

Marsh Buttercup

M;S-pSh

M Spr-E Sum

Consistently moist; slightly acidic preferred

Rudbeckia laciniata

Cut-Leaved Coneflower

M-D;S-pSh

M Sum-E Fall

*T

Spreads. "Golden Glow" is double form.

Sagittaria latifolia

Arrowhead

W

L Sum

wetlands

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

M-D;pS-Sh;L

EM Spr

*T

Well drained; sterile double forms available

Sarracenia purpurea

Pitcher Plant

W;S-pS;A

L Spr

F

Acid bog

Scrophularia marilandica

Figwort

M-D;pS-Sh

L Sum

Not showy, but takes dry shade

Senecio aureus

Golden Ragwort

M-D;S-pSh

ML Spr

*

good groundcover, best in large groups, regular soil

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Blue-Eyed Grass

M;S-pS

EM Sum

Large flowered cultivars likely hybrid

Smilacina racemosa

False Solomon's Seal

M-D;pS-Sh

L Spr-E Sum

*F

Now considered Maianthemum...

Smilacina stellata

Starry False Solomon's Seal

M;S-Sh

L Spr- E Sum

F

Requires 2 different clones to fruit (Maianthemum...)

Solidago altissima

Tall Goldenrod

M-D;pS-S

E Fall

Solidago arguta

Sharp-Toothed Goldenrod

M;pSh-S

Fall

Solidago bicolor

Silverrod, White Goldenrod

M-D;S-pS

L Sum-M Fall

Not very showy, but tough

Solidago caesia

Blue-Stemmed/Wreath Goldenrod

D-M; Sh-pS

EM Fall

*

takes dry shade & woodland, under 3 ft

Solidago canadensis

Canada Goldenrod

M;pS-S

E Fall

Very aggressive - avoid

Solidago flexicaulis

Zig-Zag Goldenrod

M-D;Sh-pS

L Sum-M Fall

*

woodland, under 3 ft; showy

Solidago gigantea

Smooth/Early Goldenrod

M;S-pS

L Sum-E Fall

Can be weedy

Solidago juncea

Early Goldenrod

D-M;S

E Fall

Solidago nemoralis

Old-Field Goldenrod

D; S-pS;Sand

M Fall

Drought tolerant; poor soil best

Solidago patula

Rough-Leaved Goldenrod

M-W;S

EM Fall

Very large, spreads

Solidago rugosa

Rough Goldenrod, Tall Hairy Goldenrod

M-D;S-pS

EM Fall

*

spreads rapidly, pulls easily; cultivar Fireworks less aggressive (but still IS)

Solidago ulmifolia

Elm-Leaved Goldenrod

M-D;pSh-pS

Rare

M Fall

A woodland goldenrod

Streptopus rosea

Rosy Twisted Stalk

M;Sh;H; A?

M Spr

F

Difficult? Evenly moist, cool location

Symplocarpus foetidus

Skunk Cabbage

W;Sh-pSh

VE Spr

Interesting flower; seasonally inundated

Tephrosia virginiana

Goat's Rue

S-pSh;Sand-R; A

Rare

E Sum

Difficult, resent transplant/dividing; needs well drained spot

Thalictrum dioicum

Early Meadow Rue

M; pS-Sh; R

ML Spr

Flowers not showy; well drained; drier in summer OK

Thalictrum pubescens

Tall Meadow Rue

M-W;S-Sh

M Sum

*T

Tiarella cordifolia var. cordifolia

Foam Flower (Running)

M-D;pSh-Sh;H

L Spr-M Sum

*

Stoloniferous; var collina (Wherry's,  clumping) blooms longer but is native further south.  Cultivars often Wherry's or hybrids.

Trientalis borealis

Starflower

M-D;pS-Sh; A

Spr

Ephemeral; woodland or bog

Trillium erectum

Wake Robin

M; pSh; H; A

M Spr

*

(+ var. album)

Trillium grandiflorum

White Trillium, Large-Flowered Trillium

M;pS-pSh; H; N

ML Spr

*T

Trillium undulatum

Painted Trillium

M;pSh;A

L Spr

Difficult; cool, moist, acid, well drained; extremely difficult to propagate-get proof prior to purchase

Triosteum perfoliatum

Tinker's-Weed, Wild Coffee, Horse Gentian

M;pSh;H

L Spr- E Sum

Interesting orange seeds

Uvularia grandiflora

Large-Flowered Bellwort

M;pS-Sh;H;N-L

EM Spr

*F

May go dormant in summer

Uvularia perfoliata

Perfoliate Bellwort

M; Sh-pSh

Believed extirpated

MLSpr

F

Well drained soil

Uvularia sessilifolia

Sessile-Leaved Bellwort, Wild Oats

M-D;pS-Sh

Spr

F

Veratrum viride

False Hellebore

W-M;pS-Sh

M Sum

Ephemeral; seasonal inundation good

Verbena hastata

Blue Vervain

M-W;S-pS

M Sum

Verbena urticifolia

White Vervain

M,S-pS

ML Sum

Not very showy, somewhat weedy

Veronicastrum virginicum

Culver's Root

M-W;S-pS

L Sum- E Fall

*

Viola canadensis

Canada Violet

M;pS-Sh;H

Spr

*

Viola conspersa

Dog Violet

M-D;S-pSh

Spr

*

Heat tolerant woodlander

Viola cucullata

Marsh Blue Violet

W-M;pS

Spr

Wet meadows & bogs

Viola pallens

Northern White Violet

M; pS-pSh

Spr

Viola palmata

Palmate Violet

M;Sh;H

Scarce

Spr

Viola pubescens

Downy Yellow Violet

M;pS-Sh;H

M Spr

*

Viola rostrata

Long-Spurred Violet

M-D;S-pSh

Spr

Heat tolerant woodlander

Viola sagittata var.ovata

Ovate-Leaved Blue Violet

M-D;S-pS

Spr

True blue flowers; dry, poor or rocky soils

Viola sororia

Common Blue Violet

M-W;S-Sh

ML Spr

*T

spreads! Rhizomes! Even in dry spots

Viola striata

Creamy-White Violet

M-D;S-pSh

Scarce

M Spr-E Sum

Happiest in rich, moist, but can take dry

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Barren Strawberry

M-D;S-Sh

M Spr

*

Groundcover; too aggressive in mixed beds; not edible

Zizia aptera

Heart-leaved Alexanders

M-D;S-pSh

LSpr-E Sum

*

Takes only moderately dry

Zizia aurea

Golden Alexanders

M-D;pS-Sh

L Spr-E Sum, Fall

T

Self-sows

FERNS & FERN ALLIES

Adiantum pedatum

Maidenhair Fern

M-W; Sh

*T

Athyrium filix-femina

Lady Fern

M-D;Sh

*T

Athyrium thelypteroides

Silvery Spleenwort

Cystopteris bulbifera

Bulblet Fern

M-D; Sh

Well drained

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Hay-scented Fern

weedy

Diplazium pycnocarpon

Narrow-Leaved Glade Fern

Scarce

Dryopteris carthusiana

Spinulose Wood Fern

*T

Dryopteris goldiana

Goldie's Fern

M;Sh

Scarce

*

Dryopteris intermedia

Evergreen Wood Fern

M;Sh

*

Dryopteris marginalis

Marginal Wood Fern

M-D;Sh

*

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern

M;S-Sh

*T

Onoclea sensibilis

Sensitive Fern

M-W;Sh

Spreads

Osmunda cinnamomea

Cinnamon Fern

W

Osmunda claytoniana

Interrupted Fern

Osmunda regalis

Royal Fern

W

wetlands

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Broad Beech Fern

Scarce

Polypodium virginianum

Common Polypody, Rock Cap Fern

M;Sh;L

Rocky, well drained,

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

M-D;pSh-Sh

*

Pteridium aquilinum

Bracken Fern

S

weedy

Thelypteris noveboracensis

New York Fern

weedy

GRASSES, SEDGES, RUSHES

Agrostis hyemalis

Hair Grass

M-D, S

ML Sum

Light, airy; short lived but self sows

Andropogon gerardii

Big Bluestem

M;

Scarce

L Sum

*

Bromus altissimus (B latiglumis)

Earlyleaf Brome

M-D; pS-S

L Spr-E Sum

*

Cool season; early greening, nice seeds

Bromus ciliatus

Fringed Brome Grass

M-D; pS-S

Cool season; nice seeds

Carex aquatilis

Northern Water Sedge

Scarce

E Sum

Carex comosa

Sedge

Carex grayii

Asa Gray's Sedge

M; Sh-pS

Rare

E Sum

*F

Carex hirtifolia

Hairy Sedge

E Sum

Carex intumescens

Swollen-Fruited Sedge

E Sum

Carex pennsylvanica

Woodland Sedge

M; pSh

*

Grass-like groundcover in wooded area

Carex plantaginea

Plantain-Leaved Sedge

M; Sh-pSh

L Spr-E Sum

*

Short, Wide leaves, woodland

Carex platyphylla

Broad-leaved Sedge

M; Sh-pSh

*

Short, Wide leaves; woodland

Carex prasina

Swamp Sedge

Carex vulpinoidea

Foxtail Sedge

E Sum

Danthonia sp.

Oatgrass

M; S-pS

ML Sum

low

Elymus canadensis

Prairie Wild Rye

D-W;pSh-S

ML Sum-Fall

*

Blue tinged leaves; great in meadows

Elymus hystrix

Bottle-Brush Grass

M-D;SH-pS

ML Sum

*

Elegant for shade

Elymus riparius

Riverbank Wild Rye

W-M; pSh-S

L Sum

Elymus villosus

Hairy Wild Rye

Scarce

Elymus virginicus

Virginia Wild Rye

W-M; S-Sh

L Sum-Fall

Equisetum arvense

Common Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale 

Scouring Rush

W

Interesting in bogs, spreads

Juncus tenuis

Path Rush

EM Sum

weedy

Panicum clandestinum

Deer-Tongue Grass

M;pSh-S

Rare

M Sum

*

Schizachyrium scoperium (Andropogon scoparius)

Little Bluestem

L Sum-E Fall

*

Golden fall color

Scirpus atrovirens

Common Bulrush

Sorghastrum nutans

Indian Grass

Scarce

L Sum-M Fall

*F

Interesting seeds

VINES

Adluma fungosa

Allegheny vine

Rare

*

Climbing Bleeding Heart

Amphicarpa bracteata

Hog Peanut

L Sum.

Can overgrow neighbors

Apios americana

Groundnut, Wild Bean

L Sum.

Celastrus scandens

American bittersweet

M-D;S-Sh

L Spr

*TF

Fruits terminal- the more aggressive oriental bittersweet has axial fruit

Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis (C. verticillaris)

Purple Clematis

M,pS;N; R

Scarce

Spr

F

Rocky woods & ledges

Clematis virginiana

Virgin's Bower

M;S-pS

L Sum-Fall

F

Can spread aggressively

Echinocystis lobata

Wild Cucumber

L Sum-E Fall

F

Weedy, can overgrow neighbors

Lonicera sempervirens

Coral Honeysuckle

M;S-pS

L Spr-L Fall

*TF

? native?

Menispermum canadense

Canada Moonseed

Scarce

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia Creeper

W-D;S-Sh

TF

scarlet fall color, large climber, rampant, can overwhelm competition

Vitis aestivalis, V labrusca, V riparia, V vulpina

Wild Grapes: Summer, Fox, River, Frost

M; S-pS

F

Rampant, hard to control, wildlife value

SHRUBS, TREES

Acer negundo

Black Maple

M-D;pS-S

M Spr

weedy

Acer pensylvanicum

Striped Maple, Moosewood

M;pS-Sh;A

Spr

*

Cool acidic soil; nice bark

Acer rubrum

Red Maple

W-D;S-pSh

VE Spr

*

Red flowers, fall foliage; prefers moist rich

Acer saccharinum

Silver Maple

M;pS-S

VE Spr

Can take moderately dry; weak wood

Acer saccharum

Sugar Maple

M;S-pSh;N

VE Spr

*

Day-glo orange fall color

Acer spicatum

Mountain Maple

M;pS-Sh;A

L Spr

Cool acidic soil

Amelanchier sp.

Shadbush, Serviceberry

M-D;pS-S

E Spr

*F

Tough, wildlife value; tree form or shrub

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Bear Berry

Sand; A

?

*F

groundcover

Aronia arbutifolia

Red Chokeberry

W-D;pS-S

Scarce

Spr

F

Prefers bogs & swamps

Aronia melanocarpa

Black Chokeberry

W-D; pS-S

Scarce

L Spr

*F

Can survive dry, not happily

Betula alleghaniensis

Yellow Birch

M-W;Sh-S

L Spr

Rich woods

Betula papyrifera

Paper Birch

M;pSh-S;A

Scarce

M Spr

Difficult; short lived; cool moist soil

Carpinus caroliniana

American Hornbeam, Musclewood

M-W;S-pSh

M Spr

F

Carya cordiformis

Bitternut Hickory

M-W;pS-S

Spr

F

Carya ovata

Shagbark Hickory

M-D;pS-S

Spr

F

Can take moderately dry soil; peeling bark

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea

D;pS-S; R/Sand; A

M Sum

*

Well-drained soil

Celtis occidentalis

Hackberry

W-D;S-pS

Scarce

E Spr

F

butterfly

Cephelanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush

M-W;S-pS

Sum

*

Often in standing water

Cornus alternifolia

Alternate-Leaved Dogwood

M-W;S-pSh

E Sum

*F

Bird food source

Cornus amomum

Silky Dogwood

M-W;S-pSh

L Spr

*F

Cornus canadensis

Bunchberry

M;pSh-Sh;H;A

L Spr E Sum

F

Groundcover, wants cool soil

Cornus florida

Flowering Dogwood

M;S-pSh;A

L Spr

*F

prone to anthracnose

Cornus racemosa

Gray Dogwood

W-D;S-pSh

EM Sum

*F

Spreads by stolons

Cornus rugosa

Round-Leaved Dogwood

W-D;S-pSh;R

E Sum

F

Gravelly slopes

Cornus sericea

Red-Osier Dogwood

W-D;S-pS;

L Spr-M Sum

*T

Spreads (stoloniferous); only moderate dryness, prefers wet

Corylus americana

American Hazel

M-D;pS-Sh

Scarce

VE Spr

F

Crataegus sp.

Hawthorn

M-D;S

E Sum

*TF

thorns!  Well-drained

Dasiphora floribunda (Potentilla fruiticosa)

Shrubby Cinquefoil

W-D; S-pS

Scarce

Sum

Nurseries sell sterile European cultivars; pure species &, local genotype hard to find.  Well-drained soil.

Diervilla lonicera

Bush Honeysuckle

M-D, pSh-pS;R

EL Sum

Rocky soils

Dirca palustris

Leatherwood

M;pS-Sh;A-L

M Spr

Rich soil, wide pH range; slow grower

Fagus grandifolia

American Beech

M;S-Sh

Spr

Root suckers

Fraxinus americana

White Ash

M;S-pS

Spr

Rich woods

Fraxinus pensylvanica

Red Ash

M-D;S-pS

Extrpatd?

Spr

Moist-wet woods; early fall color; cultivars available; believed to be extirpated in the wild in Cayuga Lake Basin

Gymnocladus dioica

Kentucky Coffee-Tree

M-D;S-pSh

Rare

Rich alluvial soils; large pods on females

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch-Hazel

M;S-Sh

ML Fall

*

Seasonally wet-moderately dry OK

Ilex verticillata

Winterberry

M-W;S-pSh;A

Spr

*F

Only female has berries, needs male

Juglans cinerea

Butternut

M;S-pS

F

Well drained, but needs ground water

Juglans nigra

Black Walnut

M;S-pS;L

E Sum

F

Rich soil; not much will grow underneath it

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain Laurel

M-D;S-pSh;A

scarce

E Sum

Well-drained

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush

M-W;pS-Sh;A-L

M Spr

*F

Only female has berries, needs male

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tulip Poplar

M;S-pS

E Sum

Rich soil

Lonicera canadensis

Fly Honeysuckle

M-W;pSh

L Spr

Running understory shrub

Magnolia acuminata

Cucumber Magnolia

M;S-pS

Spr

Rich soil

Malus coronarius

Crababpple

M; S-pSh

L Spr

*F

Nyssa sylvatica

Tupelo, Black Gum

M-W; S-pS

Scarce

Good fall color, slow growing

Physocarpus opulifolius

Ninebark

M-D;S-pS

Scarce

E Sum

*T

Pinus resinosa

Red Pine

M-D;S

*TF

Reddish bark, good specimen tree; well drained soil

Pinus rigida

Pitch Pine

M-D;S-pS;A

*F

If leader destroyed, forms twisted shrub

Pinus strobus

White Pine

M-D;S-pS;A

*

Platanus occidentalis

Sycamore

M;S-pS

F

Winter bark interest

Populus deltoides

Eastern Cottonwood

M; S-pS

F

Weak wood, best naturalized

Prunus americana

Wild Plum

M-D;S-pS

Spr

*F

Massed naturalized best; colonizes

Prunus serotina

Black Cherry

M-D;S-pS

E Spr

F

Attracts tent caterpillars, disease prone

Prunus virginiana

Choke Cherry

M-D;S-pS

Spr

shrubby

Quercus alba

White Oak

M-D; S-pS

F

Quercus rubra

Red Oak

M;S-pS

F

Fast growing

Rhododendron maximum

Great Laurel, Rosebay

M; S-Sh;A

Rare

M Sum

*

Rhododendron prinophylum

Rose Shell Azalea

M;S-pSh;A

Spr

*

Deciduous; fragrant

Rhus aromatica

Fragrant Sumac

M-D;S-pS

E Sum

Weedy; well drained soil

Rhus typhina

Staghorn Sumac

M-D;S-pS

M Sum

F

Spreads; good fall color

Rosa blanda

Smooth Rose

M-D;S-pS

EM Sum

Thornless, can be trained as climber

Rosa carolina

Pasture Rose

M-D;S-pS

Sum

Short, suckers

Rosa pallustris

Swamp Rose

M-W;S

Sum

F*

best color, longest bloom; suckers

Rosa setigera

Prairie Rose

M;S-pS

Sum-F

*T

Long bloom, good color, climber (arguable native)

Rubus odoratus

Purple Flowering Raspberry

M;S-pSh

Sum

*F

Large, showy flowers plus edible fruit!

Salix discolor

Pussy Willow

M-W;S-pS

VE Spr

*T

Salix nigra

Black Willow

Sambucus canadensis

American Elderberry

M-W;S-pS

EM Sum

*TF

Edible

Sambucus pubens

Red-Berried Elder

M;S-pS

L Spr

*T

S. racemosa ssp. pubens

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras

M-D;S-pS

L Spr

Good bird tree, fall color

Shepherdia canadensis

Buffaloberry

F

Sorbus americana

American Mountain Ash

M; S-pS

*TF

Spirea alba var. alba

Meadowsweet

M;S-pS

Spreads

Spirea alba var. latifolia

Meadowsweet

D-M;S-pS

Spreads; takes drier soils & has wider leaves than var. alba

Staphylea trifolia

Bladdernut

M-D;S-pSh

Scarce

ML Spr

F

Bark; in sun can sucker to large size

Symphoricarpos albus var. albus

Snowberry

M-D;S-pSh

Scarce

Sum

*TF

Nurseries mostly carry var. laevigatus, a Western native

Tilia americana

Basswood

M Sum

Tsuga canadensis

Eastern Hemlock

M-D;S-Sh

*F

Wooly adelgid is fatal; little grows beneath

Ulmus rubra

Slippery Elm

M-D;S-pS

E Spr

Vaccinium corymbosum

High-Bush Blueberry

W-D;S;A

ML Spr

F

Edible fruit

Viburnum acerifolium

Maple-Leaved Viburnum

M-D;Sh-S

L Spr

*

Cream & pink fall color; Vib. leaf beetle problems

Viburnum alnifolium

Hobblebush

M;Sh

E Spr

*F

Viburnum leaf beetle; needs cool soil

Viburnum cassinoides (V nudum var cassinoides)

 Witherod

W-D;S-pS

*F

Viburnum leaf beetle

Viburnum lentago

Nannyberry

M-D;S-pSh

L Spr

F

Viburnum recognitum (V dentatum var lucidum)

Arrow Wood

M-D;S-pSh

E Sum

F

Viburnum leaf beetle

Viburnum trilobum (V, opulus var americanum)

Cranberry Viburnum

M-W;S-pS

L Spr-E Sum

*TF

Viburnum leaf beetle

Zanthoxylum americanum

Prickly Ash

Scarce

L Spr

Species

Common Name

Native Region

Notes

Centurea maculosa

Spotted Knapweed

Europe

Invasive

Cercis canadensis

Redbud

SE U.S.

OK if in area, very weedy

Chelidonium majus

Greater Celandine

Europe, Asia

Invasive, orange sap stains & can be irritant

Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

White (Oxeye) Daisy

Europe, Asia

Edible leaves, can be impossible to avoid

Coreopsis tinctoria

Golden Tickseed

Great Plains

Naturalized here

Corydalis solida

Corydalis

Eurasia

Ephemeral, readily naturalizes

Daphne mezereum

February Daphne

Eurasia

Fragrant, very early flowers

Dianthus armeria

Deptford Pink

Europe

Cute but aggressive

Dipsacus fullonum

Common Teasel

Europe

1-2 Interesting plants can easily become a thorny thicket

Echinacea purpurea

Pink Coneflower

Midwest US

Not really naturalized here yet, but spreads

Filipendula rubra

Queen of the Prairie

Great Plains

Naturalized here

Hesperis matronalis

Dame's Rocket

Europe

Butterfly nectar. Can be invasive in moist/wet areas - deadhead

Iris pseudacorus

Yellow Flag Iris

Europe

Invasive

Lythrum salicaria

Purple Loosestrife

Europe

Invasive

Myosotis sylvatica

Garden Forget-Me-Not

Europe & Asia

Impossible to avoid in some areas. Deadhead if you can!

Ranunculus ficaria

Lesser Celandine

Europe, W. Asia

Invasive & hard to kill

Rudbeckia fulgida (R speciosa)

Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan

SE & Midwestern US

Some cultivars can get aggressive (e.g.'Goldsturm')

Rudbeckia hirta

Black-Eyed Susan

East U.S.

Widely naturalized

Rudbeckia triloba

Brown-Eyed Susan

East U.S.

Widely naturalized, smaller flowers

Saponaria officinalis

Bouncing Bet

Europe, Asia

Very invasive, do not encourage.

Silene latifolia ssp. alba (Lychnis alba)

Bladder Campion

Europe

Very weedy.

Trillium cuneatum

Sweet Betsy

SE U.S.

Will naturalize if introduced to an area

Verbascum blattaria

Moth Mullein

Europe, Asia

More delicate than V thapsus

Verbascum thapsus

Common Mullein

Eurasia

Self sows

Viola odorata

English Violet, Sweet Violet

Europe, Asia, Africa

Lovely smell, hard to prevent, stoloniferus