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.

Herbaceous Plants - Annuals, Biennials, Perennials
Species	Common Name	Culture	Blooms	Status	Note
Actaea pachypoda	doll's eyes white baneberry	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	black cohosh	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)
Anemone virginiana	Thimbleweed	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.
Antennaria parlinii	Parlin's pussytoes	Dry Sun, Part Sun	Spring		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening.
Apocynum androsaemifolium	spreading dogbane	Dry Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Sandy	Summer		Can be weedy. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showier than A. cannabinum, but spreads
Apocynum cannabinum	Indian hemp	Moist Part Shade	Summer		Can be weedy. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. very aggressive spreader and difficult to eradicate
Aquilegia canadensis	wild columbine	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
Arisaema dracontium	green dragon	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	Jack-in-the-pulpit	Moist Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Spring, Summer		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Asarum canadense	Wild Ginger	Dry, Moist Shade	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Groundcover; mild drought OK
Asclepias incarnata	Swamp Milkweed	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators.
Asclepias syriaca	Common Milkweed	Dry, Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Summer		Can be weedy. Showy fruit. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Spreads
Asclepias tuberosa	Orange Milkweed Butterfly Weed	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Sandy	Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Well-drained soil
Baptisia tinctoria	wild indigo	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	hairy woodmint	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall	Scarce in Finger Lakes	Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. fragrant foliage, mint
Caltha palustris	Marsh Marigold	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun Acidic	Mid Spring		Recommended for gardening. Standing water is not necessary year round, but very moist soil is needed.
Campanula americana	Tall Bellflower	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	Harebells	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 concatenata	cut-leaved toothwort	Dry, Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade	Early Spring		Ephemeral. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Site can be dry in summer if moist in spring. (Dentaria laciniata)
Castilleja coccinea	Indian paintbrush	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.
Chelone glabra	White Turtlehead	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.
Corydalis sempervirens	Pink Corydalis	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
Desmodium canadense	Tick-Trefoil	Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy.
Dicentra cucullaria	Dutchman's breeches	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	flat-topped white aster	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster umbellatus)
Enemion biternatum	false rue anemone	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.
Erigeron philadelphicus	Philadelphia Fleabanae	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade	Early Summer, Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening.
Erigeron pulchellus	Robin's Plantain	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade Sandy	Mid Spring, Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Eupatorium perfoliatum	Boneset	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators.
Eurybia divaricata	White Wood Aster	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Late Summer, Fall		Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster divaricatus) Spreads
Eurybia macrophylla	Bigleaf Aster	Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Fall		Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Well-drained, rich
Eurybia schreberi	Schreber's aster	Moist Part Shade	Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall	Scarce in Finger Lakes	Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster schreberi)
Euthamia graminifolia	Narrow-Leaved Goldenrod	Dry, Moist Sun	Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy.
Eutrochium fistulosum	Hollow Joe Pye Weed	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening.
Eutrochium maculatum	Spotted Joe-Pye Weed	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. Eupatorium maculatum
Eutrochium purpureum	Sweet Joe-Pye Weed	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening.
Gentiana andrewsii	Prairie Bottle Gentian	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	Closed Gentian	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Early Fall		Recommended for gardening. lovely blue flowers at the top of (sometimes weak) stems
Geranium maculatum	Wild Geranium	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.
Helenium autumnale	Sneezeweed	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Fall		Recommended for gardening. good in wet meadows
Helianthus decapetalus	Ten-Rayed Sunflower	Moist, Wet Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Open moist woods; Can spread
Heliopsis helianthoides	False Sunflower Ox-Eye Sunflower	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	Sharp-Lobed Hepatica	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	Round-Lobed Hepatica	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	Swamp Rosemallow	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
Iris versicolor	Blue Flag	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Early Summer, Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Can take standing water
Lilium canadense	Canada Lily	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	Wood Lily	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Sandy Acidic	Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Difficult. Acidic, well-drained sand/soil.
Lilium superbum	Turk’s Cap Lily	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.
Lobelia cardinalis	Cardinal Flower	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 siphilitica	Great Blue Lobelia	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	Wild Lupine	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 ciliata	Fringed Loosestrife	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Recommended for gardening.
Maianthemum racemosum	False Solomon's Seal Solomon's plume	Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring, Early Summer		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. previously Smilacina
Mentha canadensis	American wild mint	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Best contained.
Mertensia virginica	Virginia Bluebells	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.
Mitella diphylla	Miterwort Mitrewort Bishop's-Cap	Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. Inconspicuous until bloom, use several in clumps
Monarda didyma	Oswego Tea Bee Balm	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	Wild Bergamot, Bee Balm	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.
Oenothera biennis	Evening Primrose	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	biennial gaura	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	small flowered evening primrose	Dry, Moist Sun	Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Biennial
Oenothera perennis	Small Sundrop	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Sandy	Summer		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Biennial
Packera aurea	Golden Ragwort	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)
Penstemon hirsutus	Hairy Beardtongue	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	Wild Blue Phlox	Moist Part Shade, Shade	Mid Spring, Late Spring		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Groundcover. Recommended for gardening.
Phlox maculata	wild sweet william spotted phlox	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	Moss Phlox	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
Polemonium reptans	Jacob's Ladder	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	Smooth Solomon's Seal	Moist Shade	Late Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Polygonatum pubescens	Hairy Solomon's Seal	Moist Part Shade, Shade	Mid Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Porteranthus trifoliatus	Bowman’s Root	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Early Summer		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Prosartes lanuginosa	Yellow Mandarin	Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Late Spring	Scarce	Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening.
Pycnanthemum incanum	Hoary Mountain Mint	Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. fragant
Pycnanthemum muticum	short-toothed mountain mint	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	narrow-leaved mountain mint	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Well-drained. Attracts butterflies/pollinators.
Pycnanthemum virginianum	Virginia mountain mint	Dry, Moist, Wet Sun	Mid Summer, Late Summer		Recommended for gardening. Attracts butterflies/pollinators. An insect magnet! Very tolerant of varied soil moisture.
Rudbeckia laciniata	cut-leaved coneflower	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
Sanguinaria canadensis	Bloodroot	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
Sedum ternatum	woodland stonecrop	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.
Solidago altissima	Tall Goldenrod	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy.
Solidago arguta	Sharp-Toothed Goldenrod cut-leaved goldenrod	Dry, Moist Part Sun, Part Shade	Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can take dry shade, med height; woodland edge
Solidago caesia	Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod Wreath Goldenrod	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	Canada Goldenrod	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Very aggressive - avoid planting it. Chemically discourages neighboring plants!
Solidago flexicaulis	Zig-Zag Goldenrod	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	Late Goldenrod Smooth Goldenrod	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy.
Solidago juncea	Early Goldenrod	Dry, Moist Sun	Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators.
Solidago nemoralis	Old-Field Goldenrod	Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy	Mid Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Drought tolerant; poor soil best
Solidago patula	Rough-Leaved Goldenrod	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Early Fall, Mid Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Very large, spreads
Solidago rugosa	Rough Goldenrod Tall Hairy Goldenrod	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)
Symphyotrichum cordifolium	heart-Leaved aster blue wood aster	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Mid Fall, Late Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Recommended for gardening. (Aster cordifolius)
Symphyotrichum laeve var laeve	Smooth Blue Aster	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	White Aster	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Weedy (Aster lanceolatus)
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum	calico aster	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. (Aster lateriflorus)
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae	New England aster	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	hairy white old-field aster	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 prenanthoides	zig-zag aster	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	swamp aster purple stemmed aster	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. (Aster puniceus)
Symphyotrichum undulatum	wavy leaved aster	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	arrow-leaved aster	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Can be weedy. Great punctuation plant.
Thalictrum pubescens	Tall Meadow Rue	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	rue anemone	Moist Part Shade, Shade	Mid Spring		Ephemeral. Recommended for gardening. Well-drained, slightly acid to slightly calcareous; Double & pink cultivars available.
Tiarella stolonifera	Foam Flower (Running)	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	Wake Robin stinking benjamin	Moist Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland Acidic	Mid Spring		Recommended for gardening. Has an off-white form; grow from seed.
Trillium grandiflorum	White Trillium Large-Flowered Trillium	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
Triosteum aurantiacum	tinker's weed orange fruited horse gentian	Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Coarse looking
Uvularia grandiflora	Large-Flowered Bellwort	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
Vernonia noveboracencis	New York ironweed	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	Culver's Root	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer, Early Fall		Recommended for gardening.
Viola canadensis	Canada Violet	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Mid Spring, Late Spring		Recommended for gardening.
Viola labradorica	Dog Violet	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Heat tolerant woodlander; purple leaved plant is a northern form
Viola pubescens	Downy Yellow Violet	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Mid Spring		Recommended for gardening.
Viola sororia	Common Blue Violet	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
Waldsteinia fragarioides	Barren Strawberry	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Mid Spring		Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Too aggressive in mixed beds; not edible
Zizia aptera	Heart-leaved Alexanders	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Late Spring, Early Summer		Recommended for gardening. Takes only moderately dry
Zizia aurea	Golden Alexanders	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

Ferns & Fern Allies
Species	Common Name	Culture	Status	Note
Adiantum pedatum	maidenhair fern	Moist, Wet Shade		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Asplenium trichomanes	maidenhair spleenwort	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	Lady Fern	Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Cystopteris bulbifera	Bulblet Fern	Dry, Moist, Wet Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving	exploitably vulnerable - protected	Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. spreads nicely, particularly down slopes
Cystopteris fragilis	fragile fern	Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Rocky/Stony Neutral		Recommended for gardening. Well-drained.
Deparia acrostichoides	silvery glade fern	Moist Part Shade, Shade	exploitably vulnerable - protected	Recommended for gardening. mid size structural fern for limey soils
Dryopteris carthusiana	Spinulose Wood Fern	Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Dryopteris goldiana	Goldie's Fern	Moist Shade	exploitably vulnerable - protected	Recommended for gardening. Easy to propagate from spores
Dryopteris intermedia	evergreen wood fern intermediate wood fern	Moist Shade	exploitably vulnerable - protected	"green" in winter. Recommended for gardening.
Dryopteris marginalis	Marginal Wood Fern	Dry, Moist Shade Acidic	exploitably vulnerable - protected	"green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. tolerates lime
Matteuccia struthiopteris	Ostrich Fern	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
Osmunda claytoniana	Interrupted Fern	Moist, Wet Part Shade		Recommended for gardening. Elegant, can take drier soil than other Osmundas
Polypodium virginianum	Common Polypody Rock Cap Fern	Moist Shade Rocky/Stony Lime Loving		Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Prefers thin soil on top of rocks
Polystichum acrostichoides	Christmas Fern	Dry, Moist Part Shade, Shade Neutral		"green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. easy in garden, can take fairly dry sites

Grasses, Sedges, Rushes
Species	Common Name	Culture	Blooms	Status	Note
Andropogon gerardi	big bluestem	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Late Summer	Scarce in Finger Lakes	Recommended for gardening. Very large.
Carex pensylvanica	woodland sedge	Dry, Moist Part Shade	Spring		Groundcover. Recommended for gardening. Well-drained. Can form a grass-like groundcover in wooded areas.
Carex plantaginea	plantain-leaved sedge seersucker sedge	Moist Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring, Early Summer		"green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. short, wide leaves, woodland
Carex platyphylla	broad-leaved sedge	Moist Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring, Early Summer		Recommended for gardening. short, wide leaves, woodland
Elymus canadensis	prairie wild rye	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	bottle-brush grass	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
Panicum virgatum	switch grass	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	little bluestem	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Lime Loving	Late Summer, Early Fall		Recommended for gardening. golden fall color, readily reseeds

Vines
Species	Common Name	Culture	Blooms	Status	Note
Adlumia fungosa	Allegheny vine	Moist, Wet Part Shade, Shade	Summer	Rare in Finger Lakes	Recommended for gardening. Climbing Bleeding Heart
Celastrus scandens	American bittersweet	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 virginiana	virgin's bower	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.
Lonicera hirsuta	hairy honeysuckle	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.

Shrubs, Trees
Species	Common Name	Culture	Blooms	Status	Note
Acer pensylvanicum	striped maple moosewood	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Acidic	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Cool acidic soil; nice bark
Acer saccharum	sugar maple	Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Neutral	Very Early Spring		Recommended for gardening. Day-glo orange fall color
Amelanchier amabilis	lovely shadbush	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Rocky/Stony Lime Loving	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. wildlife value
Amelanchier laevis	Allegheny serviceberry shadbush shadblow	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Very Early Spring, Early Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. tough plant, wildlife value
Aronia melanocarpa	black chokeberry	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	yellow birch	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. An attractive feature in a moist-wet situation.
Carya ovata	shagbark hickory	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	buttonbush	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	alternate-leaved dogwood pagoda dogwood	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	silky dogwood	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Wildlife value, tolerates black walnut
Cornus florida	flowering dogwood	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	gray dogwood	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	round-leaved dogwood	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	red-osier dogwood	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
Crataegus sp.	hawthorn	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.
Hamamelis virginiana	witch-hazel	Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Mid Fall, Late Fall		Recommended for gardening. OK in seasonally wet-moderately dry conditions
Hypericum prolificum	shrubby St. John's wort	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	winterberry	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Acidic	Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. only female has berries, needs nearby male
Kalmia latifolia	mountain laurel	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	spicebush	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	tulip poplar	Moist Sun, Part Sun Humus-rich Woodland	Early Summer		Recommended for gardening.
Magnolia acuminata	cucumber magnolia	Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Humus-rich Woodland	Spring		Recommended for gardening. Large tree with white flowers and interesting seed "cones".
Malus coronarius	crabapple	Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Late Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening.
Physocarpus opulifolius	ninebark	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 rigida	pitch pine	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun Acidic		Scarce in Finger Lakes	Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. If leader destroyed, forms twisted shrub
Platanus occidentalis	Sycamore	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Winter bark interest; messy
Prunus americana	wild plum	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Spring	Scarce in Finger Lakes	Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. best in naturalized groups; colonizes
Prunus serotina	black cherry	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	choke cherry	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Mid Spring, Late Spring		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. shrubby, army caterpillars love it
Quercus alba	white oak	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun			Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. wildlife value
Quercus coccinea	scarlet oak	Dry Sun, Part Sun Sandy Acidic	Early Spring		Well-drained. Recommended for gardening. excellent fall color
Quercus rubra	red oak	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Spring		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. fast growing
Rhododendron maximum	great laurel rosebay	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	pinxterbloom azalea pinkster flower	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	rose shell azalea	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade Neutral	Spring		Recommended for gardening. deciduous, fragrant bloom, can tolerate less acidic soils
Rosa blanda	smooth rose	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Summer, Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening. thornless, can be trained as a climber
Rosa carolina	pasture rose	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Summer		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. short, suckers into thickets
Rosa palustris	swamp rose	Moist, Wet Sun	Summer		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. best color, longest bloom; suckers
Rosa setigera	prairie rose Ozark rose	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	purple flowering raspberry	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	pussy willow	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Very Early Spring		Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. Fast growing
Salix nigra	black willow	Moist, Wet Sun	Early Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Erect tree, grows fast
Sambucus canadensis	American elderberry American black elderberry	Moist, Wet Sun, Part Sun	Early Summer, Mid Summer		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Used in traditional 19th century gardens. edible
Sambucus racemosa	red-berried elder	Moist Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring		Showy fruit. Recommended for gardening. Used in traditional 19th century gardens.
Sassafras albidum	sassafras	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Late Spring		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. Good bird tree, fall color; borderline hardy in Finger Lakes
Sorbus americana	American mountain ash	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	narrow leaved meadowsweet	Moist Sun, Part Sun	Mid Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. spreads
Spiraea alba var. latifolia	broad leaved meadowsweet	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	steeplebush	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.
Symphoricarpos albus var. albus	snowberry	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	eastern white cedar arborvitae	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Very Early Spring		"green" in winter. Recommended for gardening. Evergreen, many cultivars available. Deer love the foliage.
Tilia americana	basswood	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun	Early Summer, Mid Summer		Attracts butterflies/pollinators. fragrant
Vaccinium corymbosum	high-bush blueberry	Dry, Moist, Wet Sun Acidic	Mid Spring, Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. edible fruit
Viburnum acerifolium	maple-leaved viburnum	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade	Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. Cream & pink fall color; Viburnum leaf beetle & deer problems
Viburnum cassinoides	witherod	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 lantanoides	hobblebush	Moist Shade	Early Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. Viburnum leaf beetle; needs cool soil (Viburnum alnifolium)
Viburnum lentago	nannyberry	Dry, Moist Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade	Late Spring		Recommended for gardening. Showy fruit. large shrub, edible
Viburnum opulus var. americanum	cranberry viburnum	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)

Status

NY State or Finger Lakes population status – not necessarily legal status. "Exploitably vulnerable" plants are not indicated if populations are OK in the Finger Lakes. (This status includes all clubmosses, nearly all ferns, gentians, and orchids; collection is prohibited.) Please review legal status (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/15522.html) and observe all guidelines for ethical, sustainable harvest prior to collecting any seed/spores from the wild. Never collect/dig entire plants.

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Native Garden Plants of the Finger Lakes

Status