This beautiful pine is adapted to dry, sandy, disturbed lands. It may take some time to establish, then grows rapidly on poor soils. The twigs, leaves and seeds are important wildlife food. Often appears dwarfed on exposed sites, and taller in more dense, protected forests. They are resilient, adapted to fire, and the cones are heat and fire dependent for opening and loosening seeds. Thick, rigid and sharp needles prevent deer browsing. 

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod gets its name from the stem having a dark, blue tone in mature plants. This goldenrod is a woodland species, tolerating shade. It forms attractive loose clumps with arching stems and long, thin leaves. Small clusters of bright yellow flowers form in the leaf axils for about half the stem's length. 

White Vervain is an upright perennial wildflower. It grows naturally along woodland edges, meadows, fields, and disturbed habitats. The inconspicuous white flowers rest on long inflorescence branches. The plant acts as a nectar source for bees, wasps, butterflies, and flies. Also, the seeds are also consumed by songbirds.

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.

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.

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.

Coastal Joe Pye Weed is an herbaceous perennial that can grow up to 5 feet tall. This is one of the smaller plants in the genus. It is loved by all kinds of pollinators, such as Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and Carpenter Bees. The pale pink to purple flowers open late summer to early fall, and the fruit that follows is nutritious for songbirds before winter. It is tolerant of deer, salt, and high moisture, being found in the wild in coastal swamps. The leaves will crisp if allowed to dry out. Safe for pets.

Also known as Hardhack, Steeplebush is an upright bush found in wet prairies and meadows, and around marshes.  Our native alternative to the Japanese spiraea, Steeplebush develops multiple spires of pinkish-purple flowers from July through September. Its foliage turns bright reddish-gold in Fall. A good addition to raingardens, Steeplebush is the host plant for the Columbia silkmoth.

One of the quintessential goldenrods in our wild areas.  Tall Goldenrod is also called Late Goldenrod, and blooms later than most other of its cousins.  It grows quickly and spreads both by seed and rhizomes to form colonies.  Its large clusters of yellow blooms are a great source of pollen for bees and butterflies.

Also known as the hairy white old-field aster, a common aster that grows more compact than others in the species.  Its name comes from its very hairy stems.  Many clustered small white flowers adorn its stems during late summer through fall, attracting pollinators.  Many birds such as turkey, grouse, and sparrows enjoy its seeds during the winter.