- What is a Native Plant?<\/a><\/li>
- New York Native Flowers<\/a>
- Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)<\/a><\/li>
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)<\/a><\/li>
- Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)<\/a><\/li>
- New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Grasses for New York<\/a>
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)<\/a><\/li>
- Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Shrubs for New York<\/a>
- American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)<\/a><\/li>
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)<\/a><\/li>
- Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Native Trees of New York State<\/a>
- River Birch (Betula nigra)<\/a><\/li>
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Choose the Best New York Native Plants<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What is a Native Plant?<\/h2>
According to the USDA, native plant<\/a> species \u201chave evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat.\u201d <\/em>They can include plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees. In North America, native plants are considered to be those that were on the continent before European settlement.<\/p>
Environmentally friendly native plants help to create a sustainable landscape<\/a> in many ways:<\/p>
They save water:<\/strong> Native plants have adapted to the area\u2019s climate and ecosystem and may need less water than non-native plants.<\/p>
They reduce chemical use:<\/strong> Native plants have developed defenses to localized pests and diseases. This means you won\u2019t need to use as much (if any) pesticide. They\u2019re also lower-maintenance, meaning you\u2019ll need less fertilizer.<\/p>
They attract wildlife:<\/strong> Native plants offer food and shelter for native insects and animals. Pollinators are attracted to flowering plants, while the seeds and fruits of trees and shrubs provide food for squirrels, deer, birds, and other animals<\/p>
If you\u2019re ready to add something new to your New York garden or yard, consider one or more of these 12 New York native plants. <\/p>
New York Native Flowers<\/h2>
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Great](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Great-Blue-Lobelia-Lobelia-siphilitica.jpg\")
Photo Credit: mr_coffee<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you hope to attract pollinators to your yard, great blue lobelia<\/a> (also called the blue cardinal flower) is a good choice. This native plant\u2019s blue flowers attract several species of bees for pollen and nectar. Caution:<\/strong> Members of the lobelia family can be toxic if ingested: The ASPCA reports<\/a> that lobelia are toxic to domestic animals. <\/p>
- Plant Type: <\/strong>Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>4-9<\/li>
- Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> Summer<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun, partial shade<\/li>
- Water Needs: <\/strong>Medium to high<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Sandy, loamy, clay <\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Mature Height: <\/strong>3 feet<\/li>
- Hazards:<\/strong> Poisonous to humans, domestic animals <\/li> <\/ul>
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Wild-Bergamot-Monarda-fistulosa-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Wild bergamot, which grows in clumps, is another good choice to attract pollinators to your garden. Part of the family that includes bee balm plants, it produces bright lavender flowers in late summer that attract hummingbirds<\/a>, bees, and butterflies.<\/p>
Flowers and leaves of wild bergamot<\/a> have been used for a tea to ease the symptoms of respiratory ailments.
<\/p>- Plant Type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-9<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun or partial shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Shallow, rocky soil or clay that\u2019s moist, well-drained, or dry-ish<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> Summer<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Natural rainfall should be sufficient; withstands dry soil for a while<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> Can reach 4 feet in height<\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Moderately flammable\/risk of fire<\/li> <\/ul>
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria<\/em>) <\/h3>
![\"Dutchman's](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Dutchmans-Breeches-Dicentra-cucullaria.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This native wildflower produces downward-hanging white flowers that resemble pantaloons, hence its name. Dutchman\u2019s breeches<\/a> plants grow in clumps, and spread through underground tubers. However, it\u2019s not aggressive or invasive, so it will be a well-mannered addition to your garden. <\/p>
- Plant Type:<\/strong> Flower <\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Prefers part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Acidic, damp soil<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage<\/strong>: Deciduous <\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> Mid-spring <\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> High until dormancy<\/li>
- Mature Size: <\/strong>\u00bd to 1 foot high<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong>Can contract downy mildew or rust.<\/li> <\/ul>
Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Beardtongue](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Beardtongue-Penstemon-digitalis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: undefined undefined<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Beardtongue is a clump-forming perennial. In early spring, it attracts pollinators to your garden with its white, tubular flowers. (Though some cultivars of beardtongue<\/a> have pink tips and deep red stems.) It is a low-maintenance plant that works well for borders or slopes.
<\/p>- Plant Type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3 to 8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Moist to dry soil; can tolerate clay soil<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> May-July<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Medium<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 4 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Needs well-drained soil to avoid root rot.<\/li> <\/ul>
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/New-England-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ryan Hodnett<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> The New England aster<\/a> offers a palate of colors for your garden or as cut flowers for your home. Depending on the cultivar, its flowers can range from pink to deep purple and provide nectar to late-season pollinators. While they may need to be staked due to their height, they are non-invasive, so they\u2019ll stay where you plant them.
<\/p>- Plant Type:<\/strong> Flower<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 4-8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Well-drained clay, loam, sand<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Perennial<\/li>
- Foliage:<\/strong> Deciduous<\/li>
- Bloom Time:<\/strong> Late summer-early fall<\/li>
- Water Needs:<\/strong> Medium<\/li>
- Mature Height:<\/strong> 3-6 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards:<\/strong> Powdery mildew<\/li> <\/ul>
Native Grasses for New York<\/h2>
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"image](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Little-Bluestem-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: rockerBOO<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This herbaceous bunchgrass offers a colorful and low-maintenance addition to your landscape. In late summer, little bluestem<\/a> seeds develop into a fluffy cluster of silver-white flowers; at maturity, stems can be cut for indoor use. The seeds provide winter food for birds and the plant gives winter cover for some caterpillars. <\/p>
- Plant Type:<\/strong> Ornamental grass<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>3 to 9<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Dry to moist, well-drained soils<\/li>
- Duration:<\/strong> Warm-season perennial<\/li>
- Bloom Time: <\/strong>August – February<\/li>
- Water Needs: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Mature Height: <\/strong>2 to 4 feet<\/li>
- Potential Hazards: <\/strong> Can become invasive if not properly managed. Mowing is effective when plants are young.<\/li> <\/ul>
Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"Pennsylvania](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Pennsylvania-Sedge-Carex-pensylvanica-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: The Plantography Project<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This semi-evergreen ground cover<\/a> is a low-maintenance grass substitute for shady areas. Unfortunately, it doesn\u2019t hold up to foot traffic, so use it for specific purposes \u2014 under trees and shrubs or on steep slopes. Pennsylvania sedge<\/a> is good for those who hate to mow: Once or twice a season will do to keep it around 2 inches high. <\/p>
- Plant<\/strong> Type:<\/strong> Grass\/Grass-like<\/li>
- USDA<\/strong> Hardiness<\/strong> Zones:<\/strong> 3 to 8<\/li>
- Sun:<\/strong> Part to full shade<\/li>
- Soil:<\/strong> Adaptable; dry to moist soils<\/li>
- Duration: <\/strong>Perennial<\/li>
- USDA<\/strong> Hardiness<\/strong> Zones:<\/strong> 3 to 8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>3 to 9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 4-8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3 to 8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-8<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 3-9<\/li>
- USDA Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>4-9<\/li>
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)<\/a><\/li>
- Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)<\/a><\/li>
- New York Native Flowers<\/a>