Prairie Ironweed is another popular choice for moist gardens. The tall, purple flowering plants are loved by all kinds of pollinators. It even hosts some larvae such as the Parthenice Tiger Moth. This plant can tolerate occasional flooding, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens. Ironweed is perennial and may self-seed into the garden, spreading over time. The bitter foliage is unpalatable to mammals, including deer. (photo by nativegardeners.com)

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. 

Purple Coneflower is a popular native choice due to its large, attractive flowers and its ease of care. Its use doesn't stop there, as it is the host plant for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and the Wavy-lined Emerald moth. The flowers bloom all summer, and afterwards, the seeds are enjoyed by the American Goldfinch. This plant can tolerate a wide range of soil and water conditions, becoming quite drought-tolerant as it matures. Some solitary bees will lay eggs in the hollow stems, so it's best to leave 1-2 feet of stem during the winter if choosing to prune. 

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. 

Great Blue Lobelia is a great choice for shaded gardens. It may also be planted in full sun if the soil is kept moist. This wildflower prefers consistent moisture, and is a good choice for rain gardens. The beautiful blue flowers bloom from midsummer to early fall, attracting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Toxic if eaten.

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.

Rough Wood Aster, named for its rough-textured stems, is a rounded, deciduous shrub. The blue-violet to white flowers bring interest for the fall season, attracting many pollinators towards the end of the season. It is naturally found near bodies of water and prefers to stay consistently moist- a great choice for adding to a rain garden design. 

Spotted Joe Pye Weed is an herbaceous perennial growing up to 7 feet tall. It boasted the northernmost native range of the genus, reaching New Quebec and the Mid-Boreal Uplands. 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. It is tolerant of deer, rabbits, and high moisture, being found in the wild in sunny wetlands. The leaves will crisp if allowed to dry out. The plants would appreciate afternoon shade during the summer months.

Coastal Plains 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 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.