Also known as Cottongrass Bulrush or "Teddy-bear paws."  This is a densely-tufted, clumping rush that can be found in our wetlands.  Many brown, woolly bristles surround its nutlets giving a fuzzy appearance.  Good for moist gardens and alongside ponds.  Woolgrass is the host plant for the Dion Skipper butterfly and provides food for waterfowl.

Also known as Summersweet, Clethra is a common flowering bush found along the shores of our freshwater features (ponds, lakes, rivers) and wetter woodland edges.  Aptly named, its narrow clusters of blooms are quite fragrant during mid to late Summer, attracting copious bees and other pollinators.  These flowers grow into peppercorn-shaped seeds in late Summer.  A great addition to any rain garden and hedgerows.

One of the few St. John's-worts that have purple flowers, and one of our few native St. John's-worts.  Can be found in bogs, swamps, and wet meadows.  Good for wetter, shady garden areas.

Partridge pea is a readily self-seeding annual legume that is easy-to-grow and enjoys disturbed soil areas.  It has feather-like leaves and small yellow flowers.  Great to mix amongst other plantings.  

Also known as pasture rose, this native rose is an easy-to-grow shrub.  It prefers dry, rocky, sunny locations but tolerates most conditions and is good for neglected areas.  Its flowers attract bees and butterflies.  It also provides nesting structure for bumblebees and its rose hips are food for birds.  Rose petals and hips are also edible by humans!

Ironweed is a tall, deep-rooted, moisture-loving wildflower that can be found near streams and ponds.  It is great for the rear of your pollinator garden or rain garden.  Like many other natives, it can be pruned down before blooming for a shorter plant ('Chelsea chop').  Produces many purple flowers on its tall stalks.  In the Fall, Ironweed generates lots of seed which is a great food source for birds.  

Also known as Woodbine or Devil's Darning Needles, our native clematis is a fast-growing vine which produces many clusters of fragrant white flowers, even blooming in some shade!  Prefers moist soil but can grow in dry conditions as well.  Virgin's bower may spread aggressively but can be easily pruned.  While it is dioecious (male and female plants are separate) and both are needed for seeds, both sexes produce flowers.

As the common name suggests, Bushy Aster is an upright, bushier variety of native Aster.  Fast growing and easy going, will tolerate most soil conditions as it is found in both grasslands and bordering wetlands.

White Oak is the classic oak tree.  It is a large, long-live tree found throughout the Eastern US.  A keystone species, oaks are host plants for at least 452 species of butterflies and moths!  More than 180 different kinds of birds and mammals use oak acorns as food.

Tupelo, or Black Gum, is a deciduous tree that is often found around ponds, lakes and swampy areas.  Tupelo flowers are an important source of nectar for bees, honeybees make tupelo honey from it.  Tupelos produce blue-black fruits that support birds.   During the Fall, its shiny leaves are striking reds and purples.