Native Wetland Plants

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...