You don't usually think of mints as being beautiful, but this one is a stunner. The flowers themselves aren't terribly showy, but the whorls of...
Plants
Quercus alba-White oak
White oaks tend to be associated with slightly richer soils than red oaks, but its not uncommon to find them both growing in the same area. The...
Rhododendron viscosum-Swamp azalea
Native azalea growing in swamps and along lake shores, shade tolerant. Like so many of our wetland species this plant adapts well to upland garden...
Rosa carolina-Pasture rose
For a few glorious weeks in late June, we have three of our native roses flowering at once, including this one. These roses are low growing...
Rosa virginiana-Virginia rose
Native rose species tolerant of sandy, salty, poor soils, salt spray from ocean; this is a good native replacement for that ubiquitous beach rose...
Salix discolor-Pussy willow
This classic harbinger of spring, the pussy willow, is pleased to grow in a variety of soil types and moisture regimes; the fuzzy pussy cat toes...
Salix nigra-Black Willow
A fast growing species tolerant of wet soils. Black willow can grow into quite a large tree, separating it from most other willows that take on more...
Sambucus canadensis-Black elderberry
Elderberry likes sun to part shade, loamy soils with good moisture retention; flowers attract interesting wasp and fly (Hymenopteran) type...
Schizachyrium scoparium-Little bluestem grass
Clump forming grass species adapted to poor, well drained, dry soils in full sun to a bit of shade. Grass stems can range in a variety of colors...
Solidago caesia-Blue stem goldenrod
"A goldenrod that thrives in the shade, you say?" Indeed. This isn't your typical goldenrod. Like zig-zag goldenrod, you will find this species...
Solidago sempervirens-Seaside goldenrod
Seaside goldenrod has carved out a niche for itself in one of the hardest places to grow, the ocean shoreline. Nearly constant wind, fast draining,...
Spiraea tomentosa-Steeplebush
Typically associated with wetland meadow areas, but will grow well in upland soils; full to part sun. Spikes of frothy pink flowers attract lots of...
Symphyotrichum laevis-Smooth aster
Asters rule the world. I've pretty much convinced myself of this. When you look out across the native plant landscape starting around mid summer all...
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae-New England aster
Spectacular blooms of pink, purple, and magenta daisy heads are a critical late season food source for migrating butterflies like monarchs, painted...
Tiarella cordifolia-Foam flower
Folks are always asking about native ground covers, and this one is one of the best for shady spots with loamy fairly rich soils. In the wild, this...
Ulmus americana-American elm
American elm is down but definitely not out. It is still pretty common in wet woods and roadsides of southern Maine. Dutch elm disease certainly...
Vaccinium angustifolium-Lowbush blueberry
Tolerates sun and shade, poor dry acidic soils. Spreads over large areas in time producing those delicious sweet blueberries. Early spring flowering...
Verbena hastata-Blue vervain
You will find this wide ranging species growing in open to partly shaded habitats; ranging from meadow wetlands to trash strew roadside ditches. In...
Viburnum cassinoides-Wild raisin
"Will the real Viburnum cassinoides please stand up?" There is some confusing nomenclature swirling around this species. Sometimes known as Viburnum...
Viburnum dentatum-Arrowood viburnum
Arrow wood viburnum is aptly named; poke your head inside a vase like clump of these beauties and you can see just how straight the wood is! A tall...