Native Garden Plants of the Finger Lakes
Not all of the following plants are recommended for gardens, but all could be interesting for gardens, meadows, or naturalistic woodlands. Those best for gardens are noted and can be selected with an advanced plant search. Native plants often have very specific cultural requirements and success in growing them often depends on reproducing the native habitat. Many references can provide more information on the type of soil, etc. that would be best for a given species. Many of these plants are not available in standard nurseries, but are readily propagated from seed. FLNPS has a members’ seed exchange, and can provide information on propagation. Please see the note on legal status and collecting at the end of the plant list.
Use the Advanced Search. | View Printable List ............ Click plant name for additional information.
Species | Common Name | Culture | Blooms | Status | Note |
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Actaea pachypoda |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Can take dry shade, deer resistant. A pink-red fruited form can be found. The peduncle is thick compared to A. rubra, so it is easily distinguished. |
Actaea racemosa |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Will spread in good conditions, and can tolerate mild drought once established. (Cimicifuga racemosa) |
Actaea rubra |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade | Spring | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Showy fruit. |
Ageratina altissima |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer, Early Fall | Can be weedy. Nearly invasive in good soil. | |
Allium canadense |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer | Can be weedy. | |
Allium cernuum |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Threatened | |
Allium tricoccum |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade | Summer | edible | |
Anemone canadensis |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Can be weedy. Groundcover. | |
Anemone quinquefolia |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade | Spring | Ephemeral. | |
Anemone virginiana |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Large petals, when in seed is easily confused w/A. cylindrica which often has tiny curved petals. | |
Angelica atropurpurea |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Antennaria howellii |
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Dry Sun Rocky/Stony | Mid Spring | Well-drained. Good for rock gardens and rocky slopes. 6-14 inches high, shorter than some other Antennaria sp. | |
Antennaria neglecta |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring | Well-drained. grey leaves | |
Antennaria parlinii |
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Dry Sun, Part Sun | Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. | |
Antennaria plantaginifolia |
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Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Mid Spring | Groundcover. Well-drained. Fuzzy grey leaves and unusual flower shape are good in well drained, poor soils. Best with little competition. | |
Apocynum androsaemifolium |
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Dry Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Sandy | Summer | Can be weedy. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showier than A. cannabinum, but spreads | |
Apocynum cannabinum |
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Moist Part Shade | Summer | Can be weedy. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. very aggressive spreader and difficult to eradicate | |
Aquilegia canadensis |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Rocky/Stony | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Well-drained soil | |
Aralia racemosa |
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Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Summer | Well-drained. Showy fruit. Interesting in naturalistic areas; grows in ravines, on bluffs, and wooded slopes.Can slowly develop into a thicket. | |
Arisaema dracontium |
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Moist, Wet Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Early Summer | Rare in Finger Lakes | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. |
Arisaema triphyllum |
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Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring, Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Asarum canadense |
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Dry, Moist Shade | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Groundcover; mild drought OK | |
Asclepias incarnata |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. | |
Asclepias quadrifolia |
|
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Asclepias syriaca |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Spreads | |
Asclepias tuberosa |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Well-drained soil | |
Baptisia tinctoria |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Attractive but slow to establish. Very difficult to move once established due to deep roots. | |
Blephilia hirsuta |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. fragrant foliage, mint |
Calopogon tuberosus |
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Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Mid Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Wet meadows & bogs; protected NYS; for experienced growers & from responsible propagators. Not suited for gardens. |
Caltha palustris |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Mid Spring | Recommended for gardening. Standing water is not necessary year round, but very moist soil is needed. | |
Calystegia sepium |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Can be weedy. Don't encourage. Extremely hard to eliminate. | |
Campanula americana |
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Moist Part Shade | Late Summer, Fall | Critically imperilled (S1)/endangered NYS | Recommended for gardening. Biennial. Probably extirpated in the wild in the Finger Lakes area, but grows well and is very attractive. Obtain local seed from exchanges & other gardeners (prolific seed producer) |
Campanula rotundifolia |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun Rocky/Stony | Summer, Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Well drained, crevices; commercial sources usually European forms | |
Cardamine bulbosa |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Edible as a bitter addition to salads | |
Cardamine concatenata |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Early Spring | Ephemeral. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. (Dentaria laciniata) | |
Cardamine diphylla |
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Moist, Wet Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring | Ephemeral. | |
Cardamine maxima |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring | Ephemeral. | |
Castilleja coccinea |
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Moist Sun | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Critically imperilled (S1)/endangered NYS | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. semi-parasite, very difficult to grow unless you live in its natural habitat. Biennial. Transplants usually die. |
Caulophyllum thalictroides |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Showy fruit. | |
Chamaelirium luteum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Summer | Critically imperilled (S1)/endangered NYS | Endangered in NYS. Not suitable for introducing to new locations/gardens in NYS. If it is already in your garden, then: Minimize competition; dioecious-needs both sexes to set seed; female form larger. |
Chamaenerion angustifolium ssp. circumvagum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer | Can be weedy. Agressive! | |
Chelone glabra |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Summer, Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. easy from seed, plant enough that Baltimore checkerspot caterpillars can have some. | |
Chimaphila maculata |
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Dry Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic | Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | "green" in winter. difficult in gardens |
Chimaphila umbellata |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic | Summer | Difficult in garden setting | |
Claytonia caroliniana |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. Spreads best without taller plants overshadowing in spring. | |
Claytonia virginica |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. Grows into large colonies if surrounding plants are short in spring. | |
Clintonia borealis |
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Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Late Spring, Summer | Showy fruit. difficult. needs humous rich, moist, soil and cool (<75 deg) summers to do well | |
Collinsonia canadensis |
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Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Summer, Early Fall | Fragrant, naturalizes at wood edges. | |
Coptis trifolia |
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Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Late Spring, Summer | Groundcover. Difficult. Overharvested in the wild so leave there. | |
Corydalis aurea var aurea |
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Dry, Moist Sun Rocky/Stony | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Threatened | Well-drained. Probably extirpated in Cayuga Basin; use seed from as near as possible; Take care NOT to get weedy garden perennial C. lutea; C aurea is a winter annual & weed in Western US, poisonous to cattle |
Corydalis sempervirens |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony | Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall | Rare in Finger Lakes | Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. Short-lived, self-sows; probably extirpated in Ithaca area |
Cypripedium acaule |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. very difficult; needs very acid humus; most transplants die; not recommended |
Cypripedium parviflorum var pubescens |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Easiest native Cypripedium to grow, but still needs exacting conditions. |
Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade Lime Loving | Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Neutral to limey soil |
Cypripedium reginae |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Moderately difficult. Leave them where they are happy. |
Desmodium canadense |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. | |
Dicentra canadensis |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Lime Loving | Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. | |
Dicentra cucullaria |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Early Spring | Ephemeral. Recommended for gardening. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. | |
Doellingeria umbellata |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster umbellatus) | |
Enemion biternatum |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | Ephemeral. Recommended for gardening. Native to the midwest and the far west of NYS, but found in gardens and can be confused with the wood anemone Thalictrum thalictroides. | |
Epigaea repens |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic | Spring | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Well-drained. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Difficult; sandy or humus soils with little competition |
Erigeron annuus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Summer, Fall | Can be weedy. Annual, reseeds. | |
Erigeron philadelphicus |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. | |
Erigeron pulchellus |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Sandy | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Erythronium americanum |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Some clonal colonies do not bloom; others do. | |
Eupatorium perfoliatum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. | |
Eupatorium sessilifolium |
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Dry Part Shade Rocky/Stony | Summer | Flowers in dry part shade, nice background plant (3-5 ft.) | |
Eurybia divaricata |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer, Fall | Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster divaricatus) Spreads | |
Eurybia macrophylla |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Fall | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Well-drained, rich | |
Eurybia schreberi |
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Moist Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster schreberi) |
Euthamia graminifolia |
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Dry, Moist Sun | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. | |
Eutrochium fistulosum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. | |
Eutrochium maculatum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Eupatorium maculatum | |
Eutrochium purpureum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. | |
Fragaria vesca |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Lime Loving | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Showy fruit. edible | |
Fragaria virginiana |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. edible | |
Galearis spectabilis |
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Moist Part Shade Rocky/Stony | Spring | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. rich, moist, rocky woodlands. DIfficult. Orchids used to be in gardens when there were more of them in the wild! |
Gaultheria procumbens |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Late Spring, Summer | "green" in winter. Showy fruit. Groundcover. evergreen | |
Gentiana andrewsii |
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Moist Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Fall | Rare in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. A lovely blue flower for late summer, useful for bumblebees. Best in moist part shade and tolerant of lime although acid preferred. |
Gentiana clausa |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. lovely blue flowers at the top of (sometimes weak) stems | |
Gentianopsis crinita |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Neutral | Early Fall | Very difficult, very site specific, biennial. | |
Geranium maculatum |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Can take some summer drought. Fall leaf color is good. | |
Geranium robertianum |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Can be weedy. Nice in fall. | |
Gilenia trifoliata |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer | Well-drained. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Well-drained, rich, rocky, acid soil (but can tolerate some lime.) | |
Goodyera pubescens |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade Acidic | Late Summer, Early Fall | exploitably vulnerable - protected | "green" in winter. |
Helenium autumnale |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Fall | Recommended for gardening. good in wet meadows | |
Helianthus decapetalus |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Open moist woods; Can spread | |
Helianthus divericatus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Summer | Can be weedy. agressive | |
Heliopsis helianthoides |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. aggressive | |
Hepatica acutiloba |
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Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Lime Loving | Early Spring | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. deeply colored forms may not be native. slow growing | |
Hepatica americana |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Spring | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Slow growing but lovely. Deeply colored forms may not be native. Possibly more color seen with higher pH. | |
Hibiscus moscheutos ssp moscheutos |
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Moist, Wet Sun | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. very late to emerge in spring don't give up till July | |
Houstonia caerulea |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Summer | ||
Hydrastis canadensis |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Threatened NYS (S2) | Showy fruit. Slow growing; cool, slightly acid-neutral soil |
Hydrophyllum canadense |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Lime Loving | Early Summer | Groundcover. Variegated leaves in sun, can spread | |
Hydrophyllum virginianum |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Early Summer | Can be weedy. Groundcover. can spread | |
Hylodesmum glutinosum |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Summer | ||
Hypericum punctatum |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | ||
Hypoxis hirsuta |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Summer | ||
Impatiens capensis |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Can be weedy. | |
Impatiens pallida |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Can be weedy. | |
Iris versicolor |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Can take standing water | |
Jeffersonia diphylla |
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Dry, Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Mid Spring | Threatened NYS (S2) | Showy fruit. Groundcover. Great foliage; flower short-lived; easy from fresh seed. Do not collect wild seed. |
Lilium canadense |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Deer love it | |
Lilium philadelphicum var philadelphicum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Difficult. Acidic, well-drained sand/soil. | |
Lilium superbum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Fussy about site; may refuse to bloom or the bulb splits into non-blooming scales. | |
Lithospermum latifolium |
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Dry, Moist Shade Lime Loving | Late Spring, Early Summer | Threatened NYS (S2) | Not showy but neat if you happen to have it |
Lobelia cardinalis |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Scarce | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Very showy species - some odd cultivars |
Lobelia inflata |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer | Can be weedy. Not very showy | |
Lobelia siphilitica |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade Lime Loving | Late Summer, Fall | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Short lived – spread seeds | |
Lupinus perennis |
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Dry, Moist Sun Sandy Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer | rare in NYS | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Well-drained, acid; goes dormant after flowers. Horticultural sources quite often hybrids! |
Lysimachia borealis |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Ephemeral. woodland or bog | |
Lysimachia ciliata |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Recommended for gardening. | |
Maianthemum canadense |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Groundcover. No alkalinity | |
Maianthemum racemosum |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. previously Smilacina | |
Maianthemum stellatum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Showy fruit. Moist meadows; Requires 2 different clones to fruit | |
Mentha canadensis |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Best contained. | |
Mertensia virginica |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Ephemeral. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Soil can be dry in summer when dormant. | |
Mimulus ringens |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Short-lived, but can naturalize & persist. | |
Mitchella repens |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Summer, Mid Summer | "green" in winter. Showy fruit. Groundcover. Slow growing, keep free of much leaf litter | |
Mitella diphylla |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Inconspicuous until bloom, use several in clumps | |
Monarda didyma |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Can spread a lot in sun & moist soil. | |
Monarda fistulosa |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Neutral | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. Self sows and runs; keep in check. | |
Myosotis laxa |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Very small flowers; edge of water | |
Nabalus altissimus |
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Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer | Looks very weedy once flower stalk elongates, but it doesn't spread. | |
Nymphaea odorata |
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Wet Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Can be weedy. nice for ponds | |
Oenothera biennis |
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Dry, Moist Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. night flowering; aggressive biennial | |
Oenothera guara |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Biennial, allow to self sow. | |
Oenothera parviflora |
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Dry, Moist Sun | Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Biennial | |
Oenothera perennis |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Biennial | |
Osmorhiza longistylis |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Lime Loving | Mid Spring, Late Spring | swallowtail host, wild garden | |
Oxalis montana |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | ||
Oxalis stricta |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Can be weedy. Very weedy! | |
Packera aurea |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring | "green" in winter. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. good groundcover, best in large groups (syn: Senecio aureus) | |
Panax quinquefolia |
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Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Mid Spring | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Well-drained. Showy fruit. Difficult. Not recommended and illegal to collect (even seed). |
Panax trifolius |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Ephemeral. | |
Penstemon hirsutus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. Prefers rocks or sandy soil; easy from seed, prolific self-seeder | |
Phlox divaricata |
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Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. | |
Phlox maculata |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Threatened NYS (S2) | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. blooms earlier than garden phlox P. paniculata |
Phlox subulata |
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Dry, Moist Sun Rocky/Stony | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Rocky or sandy soil but must be well drained; some highly colored cultivars are hybrids | |
Phryma leptostachya |
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Moist Part Shade Lime Loving | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Scarce | Can be weedy. Rich, moist woods. Not showy. |
Physostegia virginiana |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Can be weedy. Many cultivars available. Weedy in moist soils. Behaves in dry but watered beds. | |
Phytolacca americana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. Large, with poisonous fruit. | |
Platanthera blephariglottis |
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Moist, Wet Sun Acidic | Mid Summer, Late Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Bogs & sphagnum meadows |
Platanthera dilatata |
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Moist Part Shade Acidic | Mid Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | fragrant, bogs |
Platanthera grandiflora |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade Acidic | Mid Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | bogs |
Platanthera psycodes |
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Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Summer | Used in traditional 19th century gardens. difficult in cultivation | |
Podophyllum peltatum |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Ephemeral. Showy fruit. | |
Pogonia ophioglossoides |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Early Summer | exploitably vulnerable - protected | easiest bog orchard to grow if you have a bog |
Polemonium reptans |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Semi-dormant in summer. | |
Polygonatum biflorum |
|
Moist Shade | Late Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Polygonatum pubescens |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Porteranthus trifoliatus |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Potentilla canadensis |
|
Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Mid Spring | ||
Prosartes lanuginosa |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Spring | Scarce | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. |
Pycnanthemum incanum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. fragant | |
Pycnanthemum muticum |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Threatened NYS (S2) | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. use local genotype if at all possible |
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. | |
Pycnanthemum virginianum |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. An insect magnet! Very tolerant of varied soil moisture. | |
Ranunculus septentrionalis |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Consistently moist, slightly acidic soil preferred; endangered-do not import genotype | |
Rudbeckia laciniata |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Spreads. “Golden Glow” is a double form | |
Sagittaria latifolia |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | wetlands | |
Sanguinaria canadensis |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Lime Loving | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. sterile double forms available | |
Sarracenia purpurea |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer | Showy fruit. Acid bogs. Half sphagnum, half sand, only well, rain, or distilled water. | |
Scrophularia marilandica |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer | not showy, but tolerates dry shade | |
Sedum ternatum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Late Spring | Well-drained. "green" in winter. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. A low growing, spreading plant for between rocks. | |
Sisyrinchium angustifolium |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | large flowered cultivars in horticulture are probably hybrid | |
Sisyrinchium montanum |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer | Very similar to S. angustifolium. Nice in meadows. | |
Solidago altissima |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. | |
Solidago arguta |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can take dry shade, med height; woodland edge | |
Solidago bicolor |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Not very showy, but tough | |
Solidago caesia |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Early Fall, Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. takes dry shade & woodland, under 3 ft | |
Solidago canadensis |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Very aggressive - avoid planting it. Chemically discourages neighboring plants! | |
Solidago flexicaulis |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer, Fall, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. woodland, under 3 ft; showy; spreads | |
Solidago gigantea |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. | |
Solidago juncea |
|
Dry, Moist Sun | Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. | |
Solidago nemoralis |
|
Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Drought tolerant; poor soil best | |
Solidago patula |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Fall, Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Very large, spreads | |
Solidago rugosa |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Fall, Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. spreads rapidly, pulls easily; cultivar Fireworks less aggressive (but still IS) | |
Spiranthes cernua |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Late Summer | FLNPS does not recommend orchids for gardens. Specialists who can provide the exacting conditions & care, and who obtain ethically propagated plants, are able to grow some native orchids. | |
Spiranthes lucida |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | FLNPS does not recommend orchids for gardens. Specialists who can provide the exacting conditions & care, and who obtain ethically propagated plants, are able to grow some native orchids. |
Streptopus lanceolatus |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Showy fruit. Not easy to grow from seed, may need neutral to acidic soil | |
Streptopus rosea |
|
Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Mid Spring | Showy fruit. Difficult? Evenly moist, cool location | |
Symphyotrichum cordifolium |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Fall, Late Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. (Aster cordifolius) | |
Symphyotrichum laeve var laeve |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Lime Loving | Fall | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Recommended for gardening. Highly recommended for gardening, seeds about. | |
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. lanceolatum |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Weedy (Aster lanceolatus) | |
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. (Aster lateriflorus) | |
Symphyotrichum lowrieanum |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Fall | (Aster lowrieanus) Similar to S. cordifolium | |
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. May need staking unless cut back mid-summer; lower leaves die back by flowering so put in back | |
Symphyotrichum pilosum var pilosum |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Fall, Late Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Prostrate S. ericoides often mis-labeled as pilosum. | |
Symphyotrichum pilosum var pringlei |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Fall | ||
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides |
|
Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. prefers moist acidic soil but isn't required | |
Symphyotrichum puniceum |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster puniceus) | |
Symphyotrichum undulatum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Summer, Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. 1-3', very pale petals appear pinkish-lilac to blue depending on light. More floriferous in sun. | |
Symphyotrichum urophyllum |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Great punctuation plant. | |
Symplocarpus foetidus |
|
Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Very Early Spring | Groundcover. Interesting flower; seasonally inundated | |
Tephrosia virginiana |
|
Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy Acidic | Early Summer | Rare in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Difficult, resents transplant/dividing; rocky or sandy soils. Not easy from seed. |
Thalictrum dioicum |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Well-drained. Flowers not showy; dioecious; drier in summer OK | |
Thalictrum pubescens |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Best in part sun, moist soil. | |
Thalictrum thalictroides |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring | Ephemeral. Recommended for gardening. Well-drained, slightly acid to slightly calcareous; Double & pink cultivars available. | |
Tiarella stolonifera |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Stoloniferous; var collina (Wherry’s, clumping; now T. wherryi) blooms longer but is native further south. Cultivars often Wherry’s or hybrids. | |
Trillium erectum |
|
Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Mid Spring | Recommended for gardening. Has an off-white form; grow from seed. | |
Trillium grandiflorum |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Neutral | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. grow from seed | |
Trillium undulatum |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Late Spring | Difficult; cool, moist, acid, well drained; extremely difficult to propagate-get proof prior to purchase | |
Triosteum aurantiacum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Coarse looking | |
Uvularia grandiflora |
|
Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Lime Loving | Early Spring, Mid Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. May go dormant in summer if dry; neutral to limey | |
Uvularia perfoliata |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Well-drained. Showy fruit. | |
Uvularia sessilifolia |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Well-drained. | |
Veratrum viride |
|
Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Summer | Ephemeral. seasonal inundation good | |
Verbena hastata |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer | ||
Verbena urticifolia |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Can be weedy. Not very showy | |
Vernonia noveboracencis |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Fall | Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Very tall, late blooming composite. Questionably native in the Finger Lakes region, but lovely in the garden. | |
Veronicastrum virginicum |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. | |
Viola canadensis |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. | |
Viola cucullata |
|
Moist, Wet Part Sun | Wet meadows & bogs | ||
Viola labradorica |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Heat tolerant woodlander; purple leaved plant is a northern form | |
Viola pallens |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Spring | ||
Viola palmata |
|
Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | Scarce | |
Viola pubescens |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Mid Spring | Recommended for gardening. | |
Viola rostrata |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | Well-drained. Heat tolerant woodlander | |
Viola sagittata var.ovata |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony | Spring | True blue flowers; dry, poor or rocky soils | |
Viola sororia |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. various colors, but spreads! Rhizomes! Even in dry spots | ||
Viola striata |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer | Scarce | Happiest in rich, moist, but can take dry |
Waldsteinia fragarioides |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring | Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Too aggressive in mixed beds; not edible | |
Zizia aptera |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Lime Loving | Late Spring, Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Takes only moderately dry | |
Zizia aurea |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer, Fall | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Self-sows too freely, but 2 bloom seasons |
Species | Common Name | Culture | Blooms | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adiantum pedatum |
|
Moist, Wet Shade | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | ||
Asplenium platyneuron |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | "green" in winter. Well-drained. Loves to grow in rock walls, especially in cracks in cement. Needs excellent drainage. | ||
Asplenium trichomanes |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Will grow in shade if placed between two rocks to ensure sharp drainage and crown protection. | |
Athyrium angustum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | ||
Cystopteris bulbifera |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. spreads nicely, particularly down slopes | |
Cystopteris fragilis |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony Neutral | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. | ||
Dennstaedtia punctilobula |
|
Moist Part Shade Acidic | Not protected in NY | Can be weedy. Weedy | |
Deparia acrostichoides |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Recommended for gardening. mid size structural fern for limey soils | |
Diplazium pycnocarpon |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Scarce | Prefers slopes and lime. | |
Dryopteris carthusiana |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | ||
Dryopteris goldiana |
|
Moist Shade | exploitably vulnerable - protected | Recommended for gardening. Easy to propagate from spores | |
Dryopteris intermedia |
|
Moist Shade | exploitably vulnerable - protected | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. | |
Dryopteris marginalis |
|
Dry, Moist Shade Acidic | exploitably vulnerable - protected | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. tolerates lime | |
Matteuccia struthiopteris |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Spreads into dense thickets in moist soil | ||
Onoclea sensibilis |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Not protected in NY | Showy fruit. Spreads | |
Osmunda claytoniana |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade | Recommended for gardening. Elegant, can take drier soil than other Osmundas | ||
Osmunda regalis |
|
Wet Part Shade, Shade | wetlands | ||
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum |
|
Wet Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | wetlands | ||
Phegopteris hexagonoptera |
|
Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Scarce | Groundcover. | |
Polypodium virginianum |
|
Moist Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Prefers thin soil on top of rocks | ||
Polystichum acrostichoides |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Neutral | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. easy in garden, can take fairly dry sites | ||
Pteridium aquilinum |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Not protected in NY | Can be weedy. | |
Thelypteris noveboracensis |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade | Can be weedy. can spread to large colonies |
Species | Common Name | Culture | Blooms | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andropogon gerardi |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Recommended for gardening. Very large. |
Bromus ciliatus |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Summer | Cool season; nice seeds | |
Bromus latiglumis |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Summer | Can be weedy. Cool season; early greening, nice seed heads | |
Carex appalachica |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | Well-drained. Groundcover. Very narrow leaved sedge for well drained, medium moist sites | |
Carex aquatilis |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Early Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | for wetland gardens |
Carex comosa |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer | Showy fruit. wet ditches or rain gardens | |
Carex grayi |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Early Summer | Rare in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. fruits are large spiked balls. forms attractive clumps |
Carex hirtifolia |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | ||
Carex intumescens |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | ||
Carex pensylvanica |
|
Dry, Moist Part Shade | Spring | Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Can form a grass-like groundcover in wooded areas. | |
Carex plantaginea |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. short, wide leaves, woodland | |
Carex platyphylla |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. short, wide leaves, woodland | |
Carex prasina |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade | Late Spring, Summer | Showy fruit. interesting drooping seedheads, along streams | |
Carex vulpinoidea |
|
Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer | clumping species suitable for the bottom of rain gardens | |
Danthonia sp. |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Groundcover. D. spicata, D. compressa are short and tolerate being walked on. | |
Dichanthelium clandestinum |
|
Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Groundcover. Mid-height, erect, clumper. | |
Elymus canadensis |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Blue tinged leaves; great in meadows | |
Elymus hystrix |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Elegant for shade, particularly backlit or with dark background | |
Elymus riparius |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Summer | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. good for naturalizing along creeks | |
Elymus villosus |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | |
Elymus virginicus |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer, Early Fall | ||
Equisetum arvense |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Can be weedy. | ||
Equisetum hyemale |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | "green" in winter. Can be weedy. Interesting in bogs, spreads | ||
Eragrostis spectabilis |
|
Dry, Moist Sun Sandy | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Well-drained. Can be weedy. Showy fruit. Available in the horticultural trade; undistinguished until it flowers. | |
Juncus tenuis |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Can be weedy. initially cute, but very weedy | |
Panicum virgatum |
|
Moist, Wet Sun Sandy | Mid Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. fall color; poor soil & sun keep it erect |
Schizachyrium scoparium |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Late Summer, Early Fall | Recommended for gardening. golden fall color, readily reseeds | |
Scirpus atrovirens |
|
Moist, Wet Sun | Early Summer | flops | |
Sorghastrum nutans |
|
Dry, Moist Sun Lime Loving | Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Showy fruit. |
Sporobolis heterolepis |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Sandy | Summer | Threatened NYS (S2) | Showy fruit. Groundcover. Slow growing and not easy to establish. Beautiful structural groundcover. |
Species | Common Name | Culture | Blooms | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adlumia fungosa |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Summer | Rare in Finger Lakes | Recommended for gardening. Climbing Bleeding Heart |
Amphicarpa bracteata |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Summer | Well-drained. Annual; can overgrow neighbors | |
Apios americana |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Well-drained. Edible seeds & tubers. | |
Celastrus scandens |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Fruits terminal- the more aggressive oriental bittersweet has axial fruit | |
Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis |
|
Dry, Moist Part Sun Rocky/Stony Neutral | Spring | Rare in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. Rocky woods & ledges, gorges |
Clematis virginiana |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Summer, Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Can spread aggressively in moist sun, otherwise OK, large vine. Shade at base, sun at top. | |
Echinocystis lobata |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Late Summer, Early Fall | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. can overgrow neighbors | |
Lonicera hirsuta |
|
Moist Part Sun Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Late Spring, Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Mid-size vine with bright yellow flowers. Flowers bloom in June, maturing into red berries. | |
Menispermum canadense |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. grape-like fruits mildly toxic; survives but fails to bloom in shade. Dioecious - need both genders. |
Parthenocissus quinquefolia |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Summer | Can be weedy. Groundcover. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. scarlet fall color, large climber, rampant, can overwhelm competition | |
Vitis spp. |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun | Summer | Showy fruit. Vitis aestivalis, V labrusca, V riparia, V vulpina; Rampant, hard to control, wildlife value |
Species | Common Name | Culture | Blooms | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acer negundo |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Spring | Can be weedy. weedy | |
Acer pensylvanicum |
|
Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Cool acidic soil; nice bark | |
Acer saccharum |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Neutral | Very Early Spring | Recommended for gardening. Day-glo orange fall color | |
Acer spicatum |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Late Spring | cool, acidic soil | |
Amelanchier amabilis |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. wildlife value | |
Amelanchier arborea |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Spring | Showy fruit. tough, wildlife value | |
Amelanchier laevis |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Very Early Spring, Early Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. tough plant, wildlife value | |
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic | Mid Spring | Rare in Finger Lakes | "green" in winter. Groundcover. Showy fruit. Difficult to establish and very slow growing. |
Aronia arbutifolia |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Mid Spring | Scarce | Showy fruit. prefers bogs and swamps. good fall color. |
Aronia melanocarpa |
|
Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Scarce | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Can survive dry soil, but not happily. Suckers in wet conditions. Good fall color. |
Betula alleghaniensis |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. An attractive feature in a moist-wet situation. | |
Betula papyrifera |
|
Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Mid Spring | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Difficult; short lived; cool moist soil |
Carya ovata |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Large tree. Can take moderately dry soil; peeling bark; wildlife value. Edible nut. | |
Cephelanthus occidentalis |
|
Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. often in standing water. good for rain gardens | |
Cornus alternifolia |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. bird food source, tolerant of black walnut trees, shallow roots | |
Cornus amomum |
|
Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Wildlife value, tolerates black walnut | |
Cornus canadensis |
|
Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Groundcover. Showy fruit. wants a cool site |
Cornus florida |
|
Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. prone to anthracnose, great red fall color | |
Cornus racemosa |
|
Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. spreads by stolons | |
Cornus rugosa |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Rocky/Stony | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. gravelly slopes; wildlife value, fall color | |
Cornus sericea |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Neutral | Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Spreads (stoloniferous); only moderate dryness, prefers wet | |
Corylus americana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Very Early Spring | Showy fruit. Suckers, so best in wilder areas or if suckers are promptly removed. Edible fruit if you can harvest it, but excellent wildlife value. Catkins in spring and nice fall color. | |
Crataegus sp. |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer | Well-drained. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Thorns! Wildlife value. Numerous hard-to-distinguish species in our area. Avoid the introduced species if you can. | |
Dasiphora fruiticosa |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Nurseries sell sterile European cultivars; pure species and local genotype hard to find. |
Diervilla lonicera |
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Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Rocky/Stony | Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer | Spreads via stolons but nice if room is available. | |
Dirca palustris |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Lime Loving | Mid Spring | rich soil, found in calcareous soils but tolerates acid, slow grower | |
Euonymus atropurpureus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland Lime Loving | Early Summer | Showy fruit. Red-pink berries and red fall color (not bright). Tolerates black walnut trees. Can reach 20 ft. | |
Fagus grandifolia |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Spring | Can be weedy. root suckers! | |
Fraxinus americana |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | ||
Fraxinus pennsylvanica |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Spring | Believed extirpated | Moist-wet woods; early fall color; cultivars available; believed to be extirpated in the wild in Cayuga Lake Basin |
Gymnocladus dioicus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring, Early Summer | Critically imperilled (S1)/endangered NYS | Showy fruit. rich alluvial soils; large pods on females can be messy |
Hamamelis virginiana |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Fall, Late Fall | Recommended for gardening. OK in seasonally wet-moderately dry conditions | |
Hypericum prolificum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Threatened NYS (S2) | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Floriferous in sun. Spreads slowly into wide shrub. Easy from seed. |
Ilex verticillata |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. only female has berries, needs nearby male | |
Juglans cinerea |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Well-drained. Showy fruit. needs ground water, not really dry | ||
Juglans nigra |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Early Summer | Rich soil; not much will grow underneath it | |
Kalmia latifolia |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Early Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. Must have acidic soil and a somewhat protected location. |
Lindera benzoin |
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Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Mid Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. only female has berries, needs nearby male; fall color, tolerates wide pH range | |
Liriodendron tulipifera |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland | Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. | |
Lonicera canadensis |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | running understory shrub | |
Magnolia acuminata |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland | Spring | Recommended for gardening. Large tree with white flowers and interesting seed "cones". | |
Malus coronarius |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. | |
Nyssa sylvatica |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Scarce in Finger Lakes | good fall color, slow growing, tap root - very difficult to transplant | |
Physocarpus opulifolius |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Stick to straight species for pollinators. Prune to shape if scraggly. |
Pinus resinosa |
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Dry, Moist Sun | Well-drained. "green" in winter. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Reddish bark, good specimen tree | ||
Pinus rigida |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. If leader destroyed, forms twisted shrub | |
Platanus occidentalis |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Winter bark interest; messy | |
Prunus americana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Spring | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. best in naturalized groups; colonizes |
Prunus serotina |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Spring | Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Attracts tent caterpillars, disease prone, allelopathic to some garden plants | |
Prunus virginiana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. shrubby, army caterpillars love it | |
Quercus alba |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. wildlife value | ||
Quercus coccinea |
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Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy Acidic | Early Spring | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. excellent fall color | |
Quercus rubra |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. fast growing | |
Rhododendron maximum |
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Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Acidic | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Rare in Finger Lakes | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. Poisonous, but good cover for birds |
Rhododendron periclymenoides |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. best in well drained but moist soil in dappled shade | |
Rhododendron prinophyllum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Neutral | Spring | Recommended for gardening. deciduous, fragrant bloom, can tolerate less acidic soils | |
Rhus aromatica |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer | Can be weedy. Well-drained. | |
Rhus typhina |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer | Showy fruit. good fall color, spreads, short lived | |
Rosa blanda |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. thornless, can be trained as a climber | |
Rosa carolina |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. short, suckers into thickets | |
Rosa palustris |
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Moist, Wet Sun | Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. best color, longest bloom; suckers | |
Rosa setigera |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Summer, Early Fall | Rare in Finger Lakes | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Long bloom, good color, climber; possibly introduced to Finger Lakes from slightly further west |
Rubus odoratus |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer | Can be weedy. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Large, showy flowers plus edible fruit! Typical Rubus aggressiveness | |
Salix discolor |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Very Early Spring | Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Fast growing | |
Salix nigra |
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Moist, Wet Sun | Early Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Erect tree, grows fast | |
Sambucus canadensis |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. edible | |
Sambucus racemosa |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. | |
Sassafras albidum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Good bird tree, fall color; borderline hardy in Finger Lakes | |
Shepherdia canadensis |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving | Spring, Early Summer | Well-drained. Showy fruit. berry mildly poisonous | |
Sorbus americana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Late Spring, Early Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. short-lived, food for birds | |
Spiraea alba var. alba |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. spreads | |
Spiraea alba var. latifolia |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Mid Summer, Late Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Spreads; takes drier soils and has wider leaves than var. alba. | |
Spiraea tomentosa |
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Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic | Late Summer | Recommended for gardening. Low shrub, 2-4 ft high; requires moist, acidic soil in at least part sun. | |
Staphylea trifolia |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. striped bark; in sun can sucker to large size |
Symphoricarpos albus var. albus |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Sandy Lime Loving | Summer | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Nurseries mostly carry var. laevigatus, a western U.S. native |
Thuja occidentalis |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Very Early Spring | "green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. Evergreen, many cultivars available. Deer love the foliage. | |
Tilia americana |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun | Early Summer, Mid Summer | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. fragrant | |
Tsuga canadensis |
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Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Early Spring | "green" in winter. Showy fruit. Wooly adelgid is fatal; little grows beneath hemlocks | |
Ulmus rubra |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland | Very Early Spring, Early Spring | tolerates black walnut | |
Vaccinium angustifolium |
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Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Rocky/Stony Acidic | Summer | Groundcover. Edible fruit. | |
Vaccinium corymbosum |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun Sandy Acidic | Mid Spring, Late Spring | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. edible fruit. Acid soil with good drainage is neccesary. | |
Vaccinium macrocarpum |
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Wet Sun Acidic | Summer | Requires an acidic bog area to grow. Edible fruit. | |
Vaccinium myrtilloides |
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Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy Acidic | Summer | Showy fruit. Reputed to have the sweetest blueberry fruits. Colony forming. | |
Viburnum acerifolium |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Cream & pink fall color; Viburnum leaf beetle & deer problems | |
Viburnum cassinoides |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Viburnum leaf beetle (Viburnum nudum var cassinoides) | |
Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Early Summer | Showy fruit. Viburnum leaf beetle | |
Viburnum lantanoides |
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Moist Shade | Early Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Viburnum leaf beetle; needs cool soil (Viburnum alnifolium) | |
Viburnum lentago |
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Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade | Late Spring | Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. large shrub, edible | |
Viburnum opulus var. americanum |
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Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun | Late Spring, Early Summer | Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. viburnum leaf beetle (Viburnum trilobum) | |
Zanthoxylum americanum |
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Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade | Late Spring | Scarce in Finger Lakes | Attracts butterflies/pollinators. fragrant; thorns; dioecious |