This legume grows low and is a pioneer species in disturbed areas. Like most legumes, it enriches the soil through nitrogen fixation. Showy, small flowers are pink/purple and mature from the bottom up-wards. After flowering, the leguminous seed pods approximately ⅛ inch long and can stick to fur of animals can end up in new locations. 

Greene's Rush is a grass-like plant that grows well in sandy soils along the coast, with high salt tolerance. It provides a good source of nutrition for coastal songbirds. An excellent choice for rain gardens, as this plant tolerates intermittent moisture and drought. Prefers cool weather, so most growth occurs during the spring and fall. 

White Avens is a great choice for moist, shaded gardens. It can tolerate increased sun with increased moisture. It may tolerate temporary dryness. The flowers attract pollinators, and the seeds are eaten by songbirds. The seedheads have curved barbs and may stick to clothing or fur. May have a weedy tendency in an area that is regularly disturbed. 

Silky Dogwood, or Kinnikinnik, is a deciduous shrub that thrives in moist, well-drained soils. It can tolerate any amount of sunlight, but will require mulch and increased moisture in full sun conditions. This shrub is the host plant for the Azure butterfly, and its nectar is enjoyed by many pollinators. The fruits that follow are attractive, drooping clusters that start white and ripen to a deep blue. These drupes are eaten by birds from late summer to early fall, and are edible to humans. They are more often used in cooking than eaten raw.

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.

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.