Swamp Rose Mallow, one of our native Hibiscus, can be found in marshes, wetlands, and near ponds and rivers.  Its large white or pink flowers open consistently between 9am-11am.  Its seeds are a source of food for many birds and its flowers attract hummingbirds and insects.  28 species of butterflies and moths utilize this plant as a host.

Buttonbush is a shrub that is found on the edges of local ponds, swamps, and lakes.  Its unique 'button-like' flower structure lends to its namesake, and the subsequent 'nutlets' can persist through the winter.  An important source of food for ducks and other waterfowl in addition to being a good pollinator attracter.

Black chokeberry is an adaptable shrub native with hardiness and wide tolerance to a variety of soil conditions, but prefers wet soils.  The bitter fruit is a food source for birds and other wildlife, and used to make jams, jellies, syrup, tea, juice and wines.  In autumn, leaves change to vibrant reds, oranges and purples.

A tall, fast growing shrub that has long catkins and toothed leaves.  Males have drooping catkins while females have upright catkins.  Can be found on the shores of rivers, lakes, and swamps.  Its fruit resembles a woody cone.  Also known as Smooth Alder.

Beach pea is a low, prostrate plant which can spread by underground roots (rhizomes). An easily grown plant, it prefers full sun. As a member of the Pea Family, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Fruit is a smooth flat pod, 1½ to 3 inches long and nearly ½ inch wide. No serious insect or disease problems.

Glossy green, deciduous leaves have five deep lobes forming a distinctive star shape. In the fall leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. The fruit is a woody, burr-like fruit that is approximately 1" in diameter. Grows in a  straight, upright pyramidal shape. 

Is found growing in rocky/sandy soil and dry, open woods, gravel stream banks, thickets, prairies, bluffs, glades, roadsides, railroads. Tolerates droughts and floods. It naturalizes easily through self seeding but also propagates through rooting of its prostrate stems. The showy blooms grow on new wood, so cut back to the ground in the winter and it will come back next with vigor in the spring. 

The preference is partial sun, dry conditions, and sandy, acid soil.  Hairy Bush Clover is a member of the Pea Family, and fixes nitrogen in the soil. 

An evergreen shrub with small, deep pink, saucer-shaped flowers in dense showy clusters. Stems trail on the ground, fostering the growth of stands. Grows in acidic soils. The glossy, leathery leaves are blue-green and turn reddish-green to purple in fall. Slow-growing. Dead-heading encourages better blooms in the following years.

Inhabits sand dunes, sandy road shoulders, dry fields, disturbed sites and wet meadows, with neutral soil pH. Tolerates urban pollution. The leaves change from light-green to dark-green to purple throughout the year. Grows in an attractive clump. Provides seed, nesting, and shelter for ground nesters and birds of prey.