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.

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.

These evergreen trees are very adaptable and can tolerate heat, cold, dry, wet, salt and windy conditions. The scale-like needles are attractive in all seasons.  In late summer and fall, female junipers have blue-green berry-like fruits, actually modified cones, that attract birds.

Yes, Long Island has a native cactus! The Prickly Pear Cactus is a mounding, low-growing perennial found closer to the shoreline in sandy patches.  Easy to grow, hard to kill, and great for containers, too.  Be careful of the tiny hairlike spines when handling!  The paddles (nopales) and fruit (tuna) are edible and feature in Mexican cuisine. 

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.

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.

An attractive, low maintenance shrub for wet, salty areas. A bushy-branched shrub, with narrowly lance-shaped leaves. Can be pruned and shaped regularly.

A large, deciduous shrub or small tree whose leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall.  A winged leaf axis distinguishes this sumac from other species. Makes good ornamental plantings and hedges because of the brilliant red fall foliage. Around 300 bird species include sumac fruit in their diet.