Northeast Native Plants For New England And The Mid-Atlantic

Many pink flowering Joe Pie Weed plants growing outdoors
(Image credit: vsanderson)
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There are many good reasons to include native plants in the landscape. Not only are these species well-adapted to the environment and require less care, but they also benefit indigenous animals, birds, and insects. Here's a comprehensive list of native plants Northeast gardeners are sure to love.

Perennial Flowering and Foliage Plants

Whether you're looking for Maryland native plants to add a bit of color to your cottage garden or you're tired of fickle ornamentals in your upstate New York backyard, these native plants will add visual interest to any flowerbed:

Ferns

From the western edge of Pennsylvania to the top of Maine, native plants in these fern species are the perfect accent foliage for shady areas of the garden:

Grasses, Rushes, and Sedges

Why struggle with non-native species of turf grass and ornamentals in the garden? Try these New England and Pennsylvania native plants instead.

  • Common Rush (Juncus effusus)
  • Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)
  • Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
  • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
  • Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
  • Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)
  • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
  • Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta)

Bushes

Whether you're looking for blueberry plants that thrive in New Jersey or native hydrangea, Northeast gardeners have an array of indigenous shrubs from which to choose:

Trees

Let's not forget the many species of native trees which comprise acres of forest land in Northeastern United States. These indigenous plants will be at home in backyards throughout the region:

Laura Miller
Laura Miller
Writer

Laura Miller has been gardening all her life. Holding a degree in Biology, Nutrition, and Agriculture, Laura's area of expertise is vegetables, herbs, and all things edible. She lives in Ohio.