Massachusetts Recommended

Commercially available native plant species suitable for planned landscapes in Massachusetts. Visit our Suppliers Directory to locate businesses that sell native plants or seeds or provide professional landscape or consulting services in this state. Visit the Organizations Directory to locate native plant societies, conservation groups, governmental agencies, botanical gardens, arboreta, and other plant-related organizations in this state.


Scientific Name Common Name Duration Habit Sun Water
Acer rubrum Red Maple, Scarlet Maple, Soft Maple Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist
Acer saccharinum Silver Maple, Soft Maple, White Maple Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Acer saccharum Sugar Maple, Northern Sugar Maple Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow, Western Yarrow, Yarrow, Milfoil Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Actaea pachypoda White Baneberry, Dolls Eyes Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Actaea rubra Red Baneberry Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Adiantum pedatum Northern Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern Perennial Fern Shade, Part-shade Moist
Amelanchier canadensis Canadian Serviceberry, Canadian Service-berry, Shadblow Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush, Junebush Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Anaphalis margaritacea Western Pearly Everlasting, Pearly-everlasting Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Anemone canadensis Canadian Anemone, Round-leaf Thimbleweed, Canada Anemone, Windflower, Meadow Anemone Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist
Aquilegia canadensis Eastern Red Columbine, Wild Red Columbine Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Asclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed, Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Milkweed, Orange Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Chigger Flower, Chiggerweed Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Asimina triloba Pawpaw, Common Pawpaw, Custard Apple, Indian Banana, Wild Banana Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Betula lenta Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch, Black Birch, Mahogany Birch Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Betula populifolia Gray Birch, White Birch, Aspen-leaved Birch Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Campanula rotundifolia Bluebell Bellflower, Bluebell Of Scotland, Bluebell, Harebell, Witches' Thimble Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Dry
Campanulastrum americanum American Bellflower, Tall Bellflower Annual Herb Part-shade Moist
Campsis radicans Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet Vine, Common Trumpet Creeper, Cow Vine, Foxglove Vine, Hellvine, Devil's Shoestring Perennial Vine Sun Moist, Dry
Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam, Blue Beech, Water Beech, Musclewood, Ironwood Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist
Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory, Carolina Hickory, Scalybark Hickory, Upland Hickory, Shellbark Hickory Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Carya tomentosa Mockernut Hickory, Mockernut Hickory, Big Bud Hickory, Mockernut, White Hickory, Whiteheart Hickory, Fragrant Hickory, Bigbud Hickory, Hardbark Hickory, Hognut, Bullnut Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea, Redroot Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud, Redbud Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic White Cedar Perennial Tree Part-shade Wet
Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium Fireweed, Narrow-leaf Fireweed, Willow Herb Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Chrysopsis mariana Maryland Goldenaster, Maryland Golden-aster Perennial Herb Sun Wet
Claytonia caroliniana Carolina Springbeauty Perennial Herb Part-shade Wet, Moist
Claytonia virginica Virginia Springbeauty, Springbeauty Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Conoclinium coelestinum Blue Mistflower, Wild Ageratum, Blue Boneset Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Lance-leaved Coreopsis, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Sand Coreopsis Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Dry
Cornus alternifolia Alternateleaf Dogwood, Alternate-leaf Dogwood, Pagoda Dogwood Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist
Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood, Virginia Dogwood, Florida Dogwood, White Cornel, Arrowwood, American Boxwood, False Box, St. Peter's Crown, Corona De San Pedro Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Desmodium canadense Showy Tick Trefoil Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Eutrochium purpureum Purple Joepyeweed, Sweet-scented Joepyeweed, Sweet Joepyeweed Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Fagus grandifolia American Beech, White Beech, Red Beech, Ridge Beech, Beechnut Tree Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist
Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf Witchalder, Dwarf Witch-alder, Dwarf Fothergilla Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade
Fothergilla major Mountain Witchalder, Mountain Witch-alder, Large Fothergilla Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist
Fraxinus americana White Ash, American Ash, Cane Ash, Smallseed White Ash, Biltmore White Ash, Biltmore Ash Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Fraxinus nigra Black Ash Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Gaultheria procumbens Eastern Teaberry, Wintergreen, Checkerberry Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Gaylussacia baccata Black Huckleberry Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Gaylussacia brachycera Box Huckleberry Perennial Shrub Part-shade
Helianthus tuberosus Jerusalem Artichoke, Sunchoke Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Hibiscus moscheutos Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow, Marshmallow Hibiscus Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Hypericum prolificum Shrubby St. John's-wort Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Ilex opaca American Holly, White Holly, Prickly Holly, Evergreen Holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Dry
Juglans nigra Black Walnut, Eastern Black Walnut, American Black Walnut Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist
Juniperus virginiana Eastern Red Cedar, Eastern Redcedar, Virginia Juniper, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar, Carolina Cedar, Red Savin Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Dry
Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel, Calico Bush, Kalmia, Mountain-laurel Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Larix laricina Tamarack, American Larch, Hacmatack, Black Larch Perennial Tree Sun, Shade Wet, Moist
Liatris spicata Dense Blazing Star, Dense Gayfeather, Dense Liatris, Marsh Blazing Star, Marsh Gayfeather, Marsh Liatris Perennial Herb Sun Moist
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum, American Sweetgum, Red Gum, White Gum, Star-leaved Gum, Starleaf Gum, Alligator Tree, Satin Walnut, Bilsted, Liquidambar Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree, Tulip Poplar, Yellow Poplar Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Lupinus perennis Sundial Lupine, Wild Lupine Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum Feathery False Lily Of The Valley, False Spikenard, False Solomon's Seal, Solomon's Plume, Smilacina Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist
Malus coronaria Sweet Crabapple, American Crab Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern Perennial Herb, Fern Shade, Part-shade Moist
Mitchella repens Partridgeberry, Twinberry, Running Box, Pigeon Plum Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Mitella diphylla Twoleaf Miterwort, Miterwort Perennial Herb Shade Moist
Monarda didyma Scarlet Beebalm, Oswego Tea, Red Bergamot Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot, Beebalm Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Nyssa sylvatica Tupelo, Blackgum, Black Tupelo, Sourgum, Pepperidge, Tupelo Gum, Beetlebung Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern Perennial Herb, Fern Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern Perennial Herb, Fern Shade Moist
Osmunda regalis Royal Fern Perennial Herb, Fern Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper Perennial Vine Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Penstemon digitalis Mississippi Penstemon, Mississippi Beardtongue, Smooth White Penstemon, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon, Talus Slope Beardtongue, Foxglove Penstemon, Foxglove Beardtongue Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Penstemon hirsutus Hairy Penstemon, Hairy Beardtongue Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Dry
Peritoma serrulata Rocky Mountain Bee-plant, Stinking-clover, Bee Spiderflower, Navajo Spinach, Pink Cleome, Toothed Spiderflower, Skunkweed Annual Herb Sun, Shade Moist, Dry
Phlox divaricata Wild Blue Phlox, Louisiana Phlox, Blue Woodland Phlox, Sweet William, Wild Sweet William Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist
Phlox subulata Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Rock Pink Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Physostegia virginiana Fall Obedient Plant, False Dragonhead, Virginia Lions-heart Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Picea rubens Red Spruce, Yellow Spruce, West Virginia Spruce, Eastern Spruce, He-balsam Perennial Tree Sun, Shade Moist, Dry
Pinus resinosa Red Pine, Norway Pine, Canadian Pine Perennial Tree Sun Moist, Dry
Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine, Weymouth Pine Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Pinus virginiana Virginia Pine, Jersey Pine, Scrub Pine Perennial Tree Sun Moist
Podophyllum peltatum Mayapple, Indian Apple, Wild Mandrake, Pomme De Mai, Podophylle Pelt Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist
Polemonium reptans Greek Valerian, Jacob's Ladder Perennial Herb Shade Moist
Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas Fern Perennial Fern Shade, Part-shade Moist
Prunus serotina Black Cherry, Wild Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Prunus virginiana Chokecherry, Common Chokecherry, Choke Cherry Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Pteridium aquilinum Western Bracken Fern, Bracken Fern, Western Bracken, Bracken Perennial Herb, Fern Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Quercus alba White Oak, Northern White Oak, Eastern White Oak, Stave Oak, Ridge White Oak, Forked-leaf White Oak Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak, Red Oak Perennial Tree Sun Moist
Quercus macrocarpa Bur Oak, Burr Oak, Savanna Oak, Overcup Oak, Prairie Oak, Mossy-cup Oak, Mossy-overcup Oak, Blue Oak Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist, Dry
Quercus muehlenbergii Chinkapin Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Chestnut Oak, Yellow Chestnut Oak, Rock Chestnut Oak, Yellow Oak, Rock Oak Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Quercus palustris Pin Oak, Swamp Spanish Oak Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Quercus rubra var. ambigua Northern Red Oak Perennial Tree
Rhododendron arborescens Smooth Azalea, Sweet Azalea Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Rhododendron calendulaceum Flame Azalea Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Rhododendron maximum Great Laurel, Wild Rhododendron, Rosebay Rhododendron, White Laurel, Rosebay Perennial Shrub Part-shade Wet, Moist
Rhododendron prunifolium Plumleaf Azalea Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Rhus copallinum Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac, Mountain Sumac, Dwarf Sumac, Wing-rib Sumac, Black Sumac, Upland Sumac Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Rosa palustris Swamp Rose Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan, Common Black-eyed Susan, Brown-eyed Susan, Blackeyed Susan Annual, Biennial, Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Rudbeckia laciniata Green-headed Coneflower, Greenhead Coneflower, Cutleaf Coneflower, Wild Goldenglow, Sochan Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Sassafras albidum Sassafras, White Sassafras, Ague Tree, Cinnamon Wood, Mitten Tree, Saloop, Smelling Stick Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrubby Five-fingers Perennial Herb Sun
Silene virginica Fire Pink, Scarlet Catchfly Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist, Dry
Silphium perfoliatum Cup Plant, Indian Cup Perennial Herb Sun Wet, Moist, Dry
Sorbus americana American Mountain Ash, American Mountain-ash Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster, New England American-aster Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Thuja occidentalis Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Tilia americana American Basswood, American Linden, Lime Tree, Bee Tree Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Tilia americana var. heterophylla American Basswood, White Basswood, Linden Perennial Tree Part-shade
Tsuga canadensis Eastern Hemlock Perennial Tree Shade, Part-shade Moist
Vaccinium angustifolium Lowbush Blueberry, Late Lowbush Blueberry Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Viburnum lentago Nannyberry, Blackhaw, Sweet Viburnum, Sheepberry Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist
Viola pedata Birdfoot Violet, Bird's-foot Violet, Bird-foot Violet Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Dry
Viola sororia Missouri Violet, Common Blue Violet, Hooded Blue Violet, Florida Violet, Meadow Violet, Confederate Violet, Dooryard Violet, Purple Violet, Woolly Blue Violet, Wood Violet, Hooded Violet Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist