Native Wetland Plants

Sweetflag has aromatic foliage, similar to Iris in shape, yet unpalatable to geese and deer. It spreads moderately from a thick rhizome forming a dense mat along pond shores and stream banks. Provides bold vertical accent in f...

This clump forming seed colonizer thrives in permanently inundated quiet water. It becomes recognizable early in the growing season with its submerged strap like foliage, then emerges to stand 2-4' above the surface with dark green...

A decorative and essential perennial to any moist full sun habitat, pale pink blossoms explode with color from late June thru August. Standing 2-4’ tall Asclepias is a primary food and nectar source for monarchs and many bene...

One of the most attractive and common aster that thrives in moist full sun meadows. From mid August-October, New England Aster produces numerous flowers ranging in color from pale lavender to deep purple, standing 3-6’ tall. Typically deer r...

With slightly smaller blue flowers that New England Aster, New York Aster thrives in a more permanently moist habitat. This deer resistant PA rare plant spreads slowly via rhizome and is at home in open full sun meadows.

This common naturalizer of wetlands, stream banks and moist meadows, bares pale blue to pink flowers from mid August-October. Deer resistant and tough, give this plant some room to spread.

One of our cool season grasses found growing strong and well along pond shores and in open wet meadows of New England. It forms slender inflorescence in June which hold well into the fall growing season.

Marsh Marigold is one of the earliest blooming spring ephemerals in a wetland. Its heart shaped foliage emerges in March and almost over night is topped with bright yellow butter cup like flowers which last thru May. Marsh Marigold...

This member of the sedge family has a bristly bloom that acts like Velcro. It stands from 1-2 ½’ tall with wide light green foliage. It prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade and spreads slowly. Great food sourc...

Very common sedge of cooler northern climates is also right at home here in southeast PA, commonly found in partial to deep shade. Its foliage is semi fine textured and blue-green in color. Drooping sedge is named for its slender d...

This clump forming bold textured sedge has medium green foliage and a decorative seed head resembling medieval weaponry. It is commonly found in shady moist habitat and is perfect for a woodland water garden.

Named for its spiky seed head which resembles a porcupine, Carex hystercinia spreads moderately from short rhizomes in full sun to partial shade. Its foliage is light green in color and blooms in early spring. Grows to 1-2’ t...

Some what similar looking to Carex grayi, this species is found growing in shady bottomland hardwood forests, Its bold textured foliage stands 1-2' tall.

This rapidly spreading rhizomatous plant is a great soil stabilizer in full sun. It has very upright blue-green foliage and blooms in early to mid summer. Grows 1-2’ tall.

The hop sedge is a tall shade tolerant sedge that has similar, but longer seed heads than Carex intumescens. Its clump forming erect stature makes this sedge a nice accent in a shady woodland water garden. Grows 3-4’ tall.

This versatile lower growing sedge forms dense tufted colonies in full sun and loose patches in the shade. A great plant for soil stabilization along pond and stream banks. Blooms in early summer and can grow up to 3’ tall, but typically sta...

Found in moist meadows and along streams, this decorative sedge resembles miniature palm trees. It slowly spreads via a short rhizome to form a fine textured colony in part shade to full sun. Will grow up to 2’ tall and is su...

One of the most elegant, fine textured sedges, Tussock sedge gracefully arches giving it the appearance of fountain grass. It will form dense tussocks rising above the water line. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and stands 1-3’ tall....

Aptly named for its fox tail like seed head, the Fox sedge is a tough versatile plant that lends itself well to most wetland restoration projects. Like Tussock sedge, Fox sedge has fine textured arching foliage and stands between 1...

Buttonbush is one of the most important native shrubs for helping to preserve water quality and for enhancing wildlife habitat. Their extensive, fibrous root system pulls nutrients out of water and the water's edge. Buttonbush usua...

Despite its name, this inland species has nothing to do with the ocean. It grows well in a variety of soils with varying moisture levels. This 4' clumping warm season grass with boldly textured green foliage is valued for its green...

A deer resistant perennial perfect for shaded or woodland gardens with moist soil, the White Turtle Head adds striking white snap-dragon like flowers to your garden during the late summer & early Fall when color may be lacking from many other ...

A strong competitor against Japanese Stilt Grass, the attractive Wood Reedgrass grows well in fertile moist soil with light shade or dappled sunlight. Most growth occurs during the Summer reaching 3-5' tall and works well as scattered individual p...

Often mistaken as a grass, the Nutsedge has light green to yellow shiny leaves which arise in groups of 3 from the base of the plant and taper gradually to a pointed tip. The 3 sided stem looks like a triangle when viewed as a cros...

This perennial herb has a woody base at the bottom of its arching leafy stems. It is often found on the edges of standing water, lazy streams or marshy swamps. Growing from the stalks are dense clusters of showy pink/purple bell shaped flowers whi...

One of the easier to identify sedges, you can look straight down on the plant and see the leaves growing in ranks of three. The upright stems growing 2-3' tall are quite at home in moist areas including swamps, pond edges, standing...

Least Spike Rush also known as Needle Spike Rush is a perennial with smooth round solid stems which form an oval spike flower on the tips. Just under 1' tall, it can be grown individually or in nice tight clusters along shorelines ...

Spike Rush is typically one of the first colonizers of a freshly dug storm water basin or pond. it forms attractive lime green clumps 1' tall topped with a blunt dark brown seed head in mid summer. This fine textured pioneer has the look of fibero...

Creeping Spike Rush is a perennial colonizer which forms a dense root mass along pond shores creeping out into 4-6" of water. Sometimes mistaken for a grass, the Creeping Spike Rush forms nice tight clusters of green individual culms just abo...

This PA endangered plant has a distinct four sided stem which is dark green in color. With an elegant simplicity, this 2-3' tall rush grows in sunny to part shade areas with permanent inundation including marshy shorelines and pond...

Bottle Brush Grass grows in a wide range of soil conditions including heavy clay with dry to medium hydrology. It can take a variety of light conditions from full sun to part shade. It grows 2-3' tall forming fairly loose upright t...

Aptly named for its utility when doing stream bank or riverbank rehabilitation, this perennial cool season grass is good for erosion control in moist areas. Its 4' tall dark green foliage actively grows in the Spring and Summer. Although only a mo...

A versatile shade tolerant warm season grass which grows just over 3' tall and offers great perennial competition against Japanese Stiltgrass. Its graceful arching seed heads are tan in color and have a good long winter persistence. It grows well ...

Water Horsetail is a fairly slender medium-sized Equisetum growing 1-2' tall in dense dark green colonies along shorelines and shallow water. Although lacking true leaves or flowers, the upright stems add a nice vertical accent to ...

Horsetail spreads from creeping rhizomes in an extremely wide range of soils from full sun to part shade. Growing 3-5' tall in dense dark green colonies this is a great choice for moist low spots where nothing else will grow. Although lacking true...

Dwarf Horsetail is a slender small-sized Equisetum growing less than 1foot tall in dense dark green colonies along shorelines and shallow water. Although lacking true leaves or flowers, the upright stems add a nice shorter vertical accent to horiz...

Joe Pie Weed is a 6-8' tall yet graceful plant which prefers moist areas and has a tolerance for a variety of soils. A staple in any rain garden or butterfly garden this plant will attract loads of beautiful butterflies and pollina...

Boneset is one of the most widespread of our native wetland wildflowers. It prefers wet to damp areas. While tolerant of flooding, it is not usually found growing in water, but is very common on banks and wet meadows. The average height is about&n...

This handsome rhizomatous perennial grass thrives in moist areas and is perfect for wet meadows. Growing 2' tall & flowering in the summer with numerous spikelets arranged in open panicles up to 1 foot long.

Fowl Mannagrass can be found in marshes, wet banks, damp woods, and occasionally in shallow water. An unassuming green native perennial grass growing 2–3' tall in full sun to part shade.

This narrow leaf perennial sunflower will thrive in moist soil with full sun to part shade. Fairly inconspicuous fine textured attractive dark green leaves with maroon stems for most of the growing season, but eventually grows...

The Ox-eye Sunflower blooms with a multitude of seemingly never ending yellow Daisy-like blossoms. This native to the Northern Plains grows 2-4' tall and blooms July thru September. This prairie wildflower does well in most soils in full sun, but ...

The Mud Plantain's thick spade-shaped green leaves may be found above or below the water surface along pond margins, mud flats, and marshes. This annual herb has delightfully refined purplish blue flowers from early June to late September.

Pleasant bright green glossy almost kidney-shaped leaves grow on sprawling stems with delicate light blue flowers during Summer and early Fall.  Well suited for use in small ponds and water gardens.

This fast growing cold-hardy perennial wetland plant is striking when grown in colonies in average to moist soil in wetlands, on pond edges and along streams. Growing 4-6' tall in full sun this plant is very useful in projects when moisture levels...

Mare's Tail has the appearance of a pleasant green bottlebrush growing in patches found primarily in the shallow areas of ponds, lakes, streams or any wet muddy shore where water levels fluctuate. The flowers are inconspicuous and the leaves and s...

This quick colonizer produces a nice thick mass of scalloped 2-inch leaves growing from running rhizomes in full sun to part shade. The Pennywort has relatively insignificant small powder puff whitish flowers and grows to a height of a mere 4&rdqu...

Arching bright green leaves growing from shallowly rooted compact rhizomes that can form large clumps makes this the perfect plant for moist to wet soils in full sun but also tolerating part shade. Also grows well in sites with wet...

Similar to the Iris versicolor except for the narrower leaves, this hardy lakeshore perennial herb is typically found in the shallow water such as edges of ponds, sedge meadows, marshes, along stream banks and in forested moist soi...

A hardy lakeshore perennial herb typically found in the shallow water such as edges of ponds, sedge meadows, marshes, along stream banks and in forested moist soil wetlands. Blue Flag Iris forms sword-like foliage 2-3' tall growing from thick cree...

The Canada Rush grows well in swampy meadows; boggy sites, and pond margins. Growing from 1-2' tall, the inflorescence branches from a single point on the stem from July to October turning from yellow to brown as the season progres...

Soft rush is a striking perennial wetland plant that grows up to 3' tall in full sun to part shade. The bright green cylindrical stems are fairly soft and taper to a bristle and remain green well into the winter. This clump forming perennial adds ...

Saltmeadow rush is a perennial wetland plant that grows on tide lines and along waterways from vigorous rhizomes forming small upright stands just over 1' tall. The rigid stems rise from spreading rhizomes making it a won...

The Water Willow grows from creeping rhizomes in large dense colonies submerged along the shorelines of lakes, ponds, and standing water. The hardiest of the Justicia species, the Water willow grows 1-2' tall above the water and pr...

This rhizomatous perennial grass grows from 2-4' tall. The leaves a very rough minutely toothed edge that makes it unpalatable to many herbivore mammals. The inflorescence is a somewhat loose, open array of hair like branches beari...

Cardinal flower is a relatively short-lived herbaceous perennial that grows in nice clumps from 2-3' tall and less than 1' in diameter. The stems and leaves have a soft purplish tint with a striking red flower head which creates a ...

Great Blue Lobelia is an herbaceous perennial that grows in nice clumps from 1-3' tall. The upright stems produce a striking blue flower head which creates a wonderful flush of color along the edge of a pond, water garden, stream b...

A creeping aquatic perennial that grows along shorelines, in shallow water, and moist soils. The leaves are highly variable in color, from green to slightly red-tinged or entirely red with hints of purple. Inconspicuous flowers but...

The Bogbean grows in spongy bogs, marshes and shallow water along pond edges. Its fleshy green leaves pop out of the water giving way to a perfect little white flowers with tiny elegant hairs from May to July. A wonderful colonizer...

Monkey Flower produces deep to pale blue to lavender colored flowers with an attractive yellow center. It's named for the flower's resemblance to a monkey's face. The flowers are about an inch across and produced in mass, making th...

Commonly known as "Golden Club", this striking aquatic plant has bright yellow flower clusters (spadix) at the tips. Blooming in April, it is one of the first plants to welcome Spring. The tropical-looking plant is actually quite c...

Panic grass is a colonizing perennial grass that grows in large clumps 3-6' tall with sturdy, flat, glossy leaf blades. When used in prairies and bottomland sites, switchgrass develops long rhizomes that grow horizontally to interl...

Arrow Arum grows in still or slow moving waters of ponds, swamps, marshes, and the banks of streams. The remarkable broad arrow headed leaves reach 2-4' tall in full sun to shade. Unassuming yet unique tiny flowers grow in a slende...

Northern Frogfruit is found in wet soils and is particularly common in moist forests, stream banks, and along the shores of rivers and lakes. Its square stem grows from 6"-2'.  The small white flowers circle around a globular flower head maki...

Obedient Plant gets its name from an unusual trait; when you turn the flowers by pushing them sideways, they stay there. Pink forms are more common, but a white form is shown here. The plant's maximum height is around 4 feet. Flowe...

Water Smartweed is a sprawling perennial with willow-like leaves, reddish stems, and clusters of small flowers found in shallow water along the margins of lakes, ponds, and streams. The rhizomes form brilliant patches of manageable...

Pickerelweed is a common sight in quiet fresh water areas. Shallow water is the usual habitat for this beautiful species. The native forms are usually shades of blue-purple, but we also have the uncommon white form. Pickerelweed fl...

Water mermaid is a native perennial found in swamps, marshes, shores, and  ephemeral woodland ponds. When above the waterline, the plant exhibits leaves that resemble rosemary with serrated edges. When submerged, Water mermaid...

Creeping Spearwort is found in wet soils and is particularly common in moist forests, stream banks, and along the shores of rivers, ponds and lakes. This low growing perennial produces buttercup-like flowers from May to July. This ...

Swamp rose prefers moist, acidic habitats such as bogs, swamps, the edges of ponds and lakes or any poorly drained wet soil. This hardy rose is favored for its 2" fragrant pink flowers which offer nectar to bees and butterflies dur...

Green Headed Coneflower grows in moist soils in rich woodlands, thickets or along streams and next to ponds in full sun to part shade. Although it tolerates hot and humid summers quite well, it will not do well in severe drought conditions. This n...

Green Headed Coneflower grows in moist soils in rich woodlands, thickets or along streams and next to ponds in full sun to part shade. Although it tolerates hot and humid summers quite well, it will not do well in severe drought conditions. This n...

Green Headed Coneflower grows in moist soils in rich woodlands, thickets or along streams and next to ponds in full sun to part shade. Although it tolerates hot and humid summers quite well, it will not do well in severe drought conditions. This n...

Grass Leaf Arrowhead is found in swamps, bogs, marshes, and shallow waters in both mud and sandy soils. The arrow-shaped long thin foliage grows to 2' tall above the water line in sun to partial shade with small white flowers in mi...

The Duck potato is a vigorous aquatic perennial that typically grows 2-4’ tall. Known for its arrowhead-shaped leaves, it commonly grows submerged in shallow water or out of water on wet muddy banks, sloughs, swamps, marshes ...

A colonizing perennial with fibrous rhizomes which grows along the edges of ponds, swamps and marshes in sun to part shade. The distinctive heart-shaped leaves grow above the water 2-4' tall. The curved raceme of the flower is line...

Little Bluestem is a warm season, clump forming plant which prefers full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Its green foliage grows 4' tall and flowers from July to September. The purplish/bronze flowers rise above ...

Blue Eyed Grass grows in moist, well-drained soil in damp open woods, slopes, and along stream banks in full sun to part shade. Despite its grass-like foliage, the Blue Eyed Grass belongs to the iris family and not the grass family...

This spectacular member of the Aster family explodes with yellow color to bring a naturalized brilliance to any wetland restoration project. The spectacular golden colors from this hardy native perennial seem to welcome in the Fall...

Indiangrass is widely used in large scale roadside plantings, revegetation projects, prairie restorations, and many different types of erosion control projects because it grows well on disturbed sites and produces abundant seeds. A...

There are several native species of this distinctive native plant. Though looking like grasses or sedges, they are neither; being in their own family (Sparganiaceae). Sparganium americanum is smaller, reaching about two feet. The G...

Not only are these plants good for providing food and habitat for wildlife, these plants are also extremely useful for improving & maintaining water quality by absorbing nutrients and stabilizing waterlogged areas. Growing 6-7'...

Commonly found in prairies, wood margins, meadows, along roadsides, or in waste areas, the Ohio Spiderwort is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial which grows 3' tall with blue-green, arching, grass-like leaves. This fairly long bl...

Cattails are one of the most important native wetland plants, providing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and providing food for wildlife. In fact, Euell Gibbons called Cattails the "Supermarket of the Swamps". Native Ameri...

Cattails are one of the most important native wetland plants, providing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and providing food for wildlife. In fact, Euell Gibbons called Cattails the "Supermarket of the Swamps". Native Ameri...

Blue Vervain can be found in a variety if habitats including moist prairies & meadows, floodplain woodlands, moist thickets, along borders of rivers and ponds, marshes, moist basins and ditches. It will easily adapt to disturbe...

Ironweed prefers rich, moist soils but it tolerates a wide range of soils making it great plant to use in naturalized areas or meadows looking for a subtle dab of purple bloom from its numerous tiny, fluffy, purple flowers late sum...

This native grass found in marshes, pond edges, lakes, and rivers has an extremely branched inflorescence which produces edible grains for humans and wildlife. Although this plant grows 8-10' tall, the shallow roots are slender and...

Golden Alexander is a native perennial which is found growing in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, swamps, thickets, riverbanks and prairies. Growing 1-2' tall in nice tight clumps about 12" in diameter, the dark green&nbs...