New Jersey features a wide range of native plants that naturally thrive in its different environments. As you'll soon find out, nurturing New Jersey native plants in your front or backyard garden brings plenty of benefits. We've compiled a list of 15 of New Jersey's native plants that will make a solid foundation for creating a lively and eco-friendly yard. Before we dive into that, let's discuss why using native plants in your yard is a practical and responsible landscaping approach.

What are New Jersey Native Plants?

In New Jersey, native plants are those that have flourished in the region now known as the Garden State (and across much of the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States) for countless years. Unlike non-native plants, the native species we encounter today - like those highlighted by the New Jersey Native Plant Society and some local nurseries - are descendants of ancestral plants that thrived within New Jersey's ecosystems long before any European settlement. These plants have developed specific adaptations to thrive in New Jersey's unique local climate while providing crucial wildlife habitats.

New Jersey's native plants are not only essential for supporting local wildlife and ecosystems but also offer significant benefits to gardens and landscapes. Many native plants in New Jersey grow quickly, naturally withstand drought, require minimal fertilization, and need only minimal maintenance. Selecting the right native plants for your specific area in New Jersey can enhance the beauty and ecological importance of any landscaping project.

Why are New Jersey's Native Plants Important?

There has been an ongoing and incredible loss of animal life worldwide over the past 150 years. This is a tragedy that has affected almost every major group of wildlife, including the many bees, butterflies, birds, and other beneficial pollinators that allow our natural world to function. A leading driver of this crash is land mismanagement: as humans, we've spent far too long removing the native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants our local wildlife needs and replacing them with non-native or even invasive species which generally support fewer species than plants native to a given area, and can devastate otherwise thriving ecosystems.

By contrast, growing native plants allows each of us to directly repair and reverse this course. Unlike invasive plants, native species are especially well-adapted to provide habitat and food for native bees, beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife; these plants also tend to cycle nutrients into the soil more efficiently, and retain more storm water, than any kind of turf grass. Further, unlike your typical ornamental plant, many species of native plants require little watering, few to no soil amendments, and are deer resistant once established. For all these reasons and more, it's important to consider native plant landscaping techniques and opt to buy native plants when planning your garden beds, pollinator gardens, or other landscaping efforts. By doing so, you will help to reduce atmospheric CO2, conserve water, and reestablish a healthy ecosystem and natural landscape for your part of the planet.

Native Plants to New Jersey for Your Yard

Below, I share just a handful of the native perennials for pollinators that call New Jersey home. I split this list into three major groups of sun exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade. Each one of the species listed is native wildlife friendly and will add beauty and life to your yard. Some of the species listed below can even be found, along with some of our other favorite NJ native plants, in My Home Park's pre-designed gardens for New Jersey. Between this list and our catalogs, you should be able to find the find the right fit for your yard to order today.

Native Plants for Full Sun

New Jersey Tea

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea is a shrub native to most of eastern North America. Thriving in full sun to light shade, it adapts well to various soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. Once established, it displays impressive drought tolerance, making it ideal for water-wise gardens. This deciduous shrub grows to a compact 2 to 3 feet in height and spread. Its oval-shaped, bright green leaves turn yellow or reddish in fall, while its fragrant, creamy-white to pale pink flowers appear in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. New Jersey Tea get its name from the time of the American Revolution when this plant's leaves were used as a temporary imported tea substitute.

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

 

Butterfly Weed is unique as one of North America's only brilliantly orange flowers. This plant typically blooms from early summer to fall, and grows up to 2 to 3 feet tall. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant offers many practical benefits for your yard as well. It is deer resistant and its deep taproot makes it a highly drought tolerant plant once established, making it an excellent choice for water-wise landscaping. By planting Butterfly Weed, you're not only adding beauty to your outdoor space but also contributing to the conservation of vital pollinators and creating a haven for wildlife.

Butterfly Weed will naturally attract butterflies to your yard; but as one of a suite of native milkweed species (plants in the genus Asclepias), it is also a critical host plant for endangered Monarch Butterflies. Monarch Butterfly caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweeds, so by cultivating in your butterfly gardens, you'll be creating a stunning landscape while also contributing to the conservation of this fragile and beautiful species. If you see any caterpillars munching your milkweed, please let them continue - they are not harmful insects!

Trumpet Creeper Vine

Campsis radicans

Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) is a vigorous and visually striking vine known for its vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers and adaptability to various growing conditions. New Jersey marks the northernmost reaches of its known native range, though it has been introduced and naturalized elsewhere. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this vine is adaptable to different soil types, including well-draining sandy or loamy soil. Trumpet Creeper Vine displays rapid growth and a climbing habit, often reaching heights/lengths of 30 to 40 feet or more. Its attractive compound leaves, composed of smaller leaflets, provide a dense canopy of green foliage. During summer, the vine bursts into bloom with clusters of brilliant orange-red trumpet-shaped flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

 

Purple Coneflower is a widely recognized species of flowering plant across the eastern US, known for its showy flowers, easy cultivation, and medicinal properties. Though technically native in states in the Midwest, this particular species has been widely introduced and naturalized throughout much of eastern North America, including New Jersey. Purple Coneflower will thrive in full sun to light shade, and adapts well to a variety of soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and clay soils.

Purple Coneflower boasts a clump-forming growth habit, typically reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet and spreading about 1 to 2 feet. The distinctive blooms, featuring daisy-like purple to pink petals surrounding a raised cone-shaped center, appear from late spring through summer. These flowers attract a huge variety of pollinators, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. The attractive seed heads that follow the blooms provide winter interest and can also be a food source for birds.

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Yes, another milkweed! You just can't have too many. Common Milkweed is another native herbaceous perennial that not only adds beauty to gardens but - like Butterfly Weed - also plays a crucial role in supporting pollinators, particularly monarch butterflies. This and other species of Asclepias are called milkweeds because of their milky sap, which is highly toxic to most organisms, and provides natural defenses to both the plant and the monarch caterpillars which consume it.

Flourishing in full sun to light shade, this plant adapts well to a range of soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in various conditions make it an excellent choice for sustainable and low-maintenance gardens. Common Milkweed grows in an upright and sturdy manner, typically reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet and spreading 2 to 4 feet. The distinctive pink to mauve clusters of flowers appear from mid-summer to early fall.

Slender Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

 

Slender Mountain Mint flourishes in full sun to light shade, and adapts well to various soil types, including well-draining sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Slender Mountain Mint has a clump-forming growth habit, typically reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet and spreading about 1 to 2 feet. The lance-shaped, gray-green leaves emit a delightful minty aroma when crushed. In mid to late summer, it produces numerous small, white to pale pink flowers in dense clusters, attracting an array of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. The plant's aromatic foliage and flowers, in addition to their pollinator-friendly nature, make it a suitable candidate for herb and wildlife gardens.

 

Native Plants for Part Shade

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia latifolia

 

Mountain Laurel is a captivating evergreen shrub that adds elegance to gardens and landscapes. Thriving in partial shade to full sun, this plant prefers acidic, well-draining soil and is often found in woodland settings. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide year-round interest, while its stunning clusters of cup-shaped flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. These flowers showcase a wide range of colors, from white to shades of pink and deep rose, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Mountain Laurel typically grows 5 to 15 feet in height with a similar spread, forming a compact, rounded shape. Mountain Laurel's combination of year-round foliage, exquisite blooms, and shade tolerance make it a sought-after choice for gardeners seeking both ornamental beauty and a touch of native charm to shrub borders and pollinator gardens.

Eastern Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Among New Jersey native plants, Eastern Columbine brings a special touch of humble elegance to any garden. Its unique red and yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer and dangle from slender stems that reach up 1 to 3 feet. This plant thrives in part shade but will tolerate conditions closer to both full shade and full sun, making it one of the best native plants for gardens along forest margins and other dappled native landscapes with well-drained soils. Besides its visual appeal, Eastern Columbine plays a vital role in supporting pollinators, as its intricate flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and bees.

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Great Blue Lobelia adds a burst of vivid blue color to part shade to full sun gardens where it will thrive in consistently moist to wet soil. This is an excellent choice for rain gardens, pond edges, or other areas with high moisture levels. The plant typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall with a clumping growth habit. Its lance-shaped leaves are medium green and provide an attractive backdrop to its vibrant flowers. From late summer to early fall, Great Blue Lobelia produces tall spikes adorned with tubular, bright blue blossoms that are magnets for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Silverrod

Solidago bicolor

Silverrod, also known as White Goldenrod, is a native perennial that brings a unique touch to gardens with its distinctive appearance and late-season blooms. Flourishing in light shade to full sun, this plant is adaptable to various soil types, including well-draining sandy or loamy soils. Its ability to thrive in both moist and drier conditions adds to its versatility. Silverrod typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall with an upright growth habit. The lance-shaped leaves are a soft green color with silver undersides, lending a silvery shimmer to the plant's overall appearance. It produces fluffy clusters of small, pale yellow to white flowers from late summer to fall that attract pollinators and add unique charm.

Bigleaf Aster

Eurybia macrophylla

Bigleaf Aster, also known as Large-Leaved Aster, prefers partial shade to full shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for shady garden beds or under trees. Bigleaf Aster typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall with a spreading growth habit. Its large, heart-shaped leaves are deep green and add a lush texture to the garden. From late summer to early fall, it produces clusters of small, daisy-like flowers with pale lavender-blue petals and yellow centers. The delicate blooms and textured foliage create a charming woodland aesthetic while supporting pollinators later in the year.

Native Plants for Shade

Jacob's Ladder

Polemonium reptans