Long's Sedge is a grass-like plant found in seasonally wet areas. Their wild populations are considered vulnerable in New York. The flowers begin in late spring, and the following seeds provide important nutrition to waterfowl and songbirds. Best planted in areas that are prone to flooding, but do not stay waterlogged. 

The Common Wild Rose is a favorite for pollinators. They are a great nectar source for bees and butterflies, and stem-nesting bees prefer the hollow stems left behind by this shrub to lay their eggs. The 2-inch pink flowers appear in early summer and are followed by edible rose hips that are enjoyed by songbirds in the winter. This shrub will sucker and spread, forming colonies. The stems are heavily armed. Pet safe. (Photo by Anthony Marinello)

Staghorn Sumac is a beautiful addition to a large native garden. Pollinators and songbirds prize this small, colony-forming tree for its large flower and fruit clusters. There are separate male and female plants. Only the females produce fruit, but the males are required for fertilization. Over time, this plant will spread through the production of root suckers. The fruit can be harvested in the fall and has a tart flavor. It can also be made into a drink called 'Sumac-ade.' Pet safe.

Great Blue Lobelia is a great choice for shaded gardens. It may also be planted in full sun if the soil is kept moist. This wildflower prefers consistent moisture, and is a good choice for rain gardens. The beautiful blue flowers bloom from midsummer to early fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Toxic if eaten.

One of the few deciduous members of the Holly family, Winterberry holly still provides some winter interest through its bright red berries. Both a male and a female are required to produce fruit. Flowers and their fruit appear on new growth. Keep this in mind while pruning, as this bush is a good option for hedging. This plant has some resistance to fires, in addition to deer and salt. Planting this shrub in the shade will result in a taller, more open habit that could be considered a small tree. Fruit are toxic. 

The American Holly is a great alternative to its European counterpart. This evergreen tree, in cultivation, can reach up to 30 feet after many years. The strong trunks are resistant to damaging winds, and deer do not like to eat the armed leaves. The flowers attract pollinators, and the fruit is eaten by songbirds. Both male and female plants are required to produce fruit. The fruit is toxic.

Inkberry Holly is an evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum of 10 feet tall. It is a host plant for the Henry's elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici). It is a dioecious plant, requiring both a female and a male plant to produce fruit. The flowers appear from May to June, and some sources claim they have a pleasant scent. Fruits are present in the fall and, while edible by humans, tend not to have much flavor. Songbirds and small mammals eat them. It can withstand heavy pruning in early spring, before new growth emerges, and can be used for a hedge.

The Thinleaf Sunflower is a great choice for gardeners looking for a showstopping fall-flowering plant. The profuse yellow flowers attract all kinds of pollinators, like Black Swallowtails, and this is the larval host for the Silvery Checkerspot and Gorgone Checkerspot Butterfly. Once the flowers pass, the seeds are pilfered by birds and chipmunks for a late fall snack. The plants prefer partial sun and prefer to stay moist. They can dry out occasionally, making them an ideal plant to neglect. Be careful of loving them too much, as they may become weedy under ideal circumstances.

The Swamp Sunflower, as the name implies, is grown best in wet soil. It is a good addition to a rain garden. It grows up to 6 feet tall and blooms from mid-summer to first frost. This sunflower is an important ecological resource for many pollinators and birds. It is the host plant for butterflies such as the Painted Lady, and is an important nectar source for Monarchs migrating south. The seeds are eaten by birds, helping to sustain them over the winter. Safe for pets.

Showy Aster, Eastern Showy Aster or Purple Wood Aster, has a large inflorescence. Disk flowers are bright yellow and ray flowers are bright blue/purple. Typically lives in sandy to loamy, and dry woodland soils. The root system is rhizomatous. Uses in the garden include rock gardens, short meadows, and heathlands. A great addition to an ornamental, short flower bed. It can act as a ground cover in areas of dry, sandy, coastal soils.