Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
This unique plant looks more suited to a desert climate, but it is found wild up and down the east coast. Its strappy leaves are crowned by huge spikes of creamy white flowers every other year.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Sponsored by:
Tolerance: Air Pollution
Black Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia
Black locust trees are fast-growing with an open habit, prominent thorns when young, and deeply furrowed bark when mature. Their fragrant white pea-like flowers attract honey bees, who make an aromatic honey from the pollen.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia fulgida
A cottage garden favorite, black-eyed susan features masses of ferociously yellow flowers that attract butterflies. They are incredibly hardy and tolerate a wide variety of conditions, making them ideal for naturalizing.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Blackhaw
Viburnum prunifolium
These large spring blooming shrubs with edible berries do best in natural areas where they can achieve their full size.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
English Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Fragrant spires of dark purple flowers above silvery foliage light up the garden border in summer. If trimmed after blooming, they will flower again. Their flowers may be used in sachets or as flavoring in baking and drinks.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicus
This large, suckering tree produces fragrant showy flowers, followed by a bean-like seedpod and was used in times of scarcity to make a coffee-like beverage. The seeds are very toxic before roasting and should never be eaten raw.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Lamb's Ears
Stachys byzantina
This silver-leafed groundcover does best in well-drained soil, but tolerates adverse conditions. Its purple flowers are attractive to honeybees and bumblebees.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
Persimmons are an unusual American fruit that can colonize in abandoned fields and open woods. Female trees bear astringent orange fruits that become fully ripe after a frost.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
An iconic tree of the south, magnolias are beautiful in both form, leaf, and flower. Widely for their fragrant blooms, they also provide winter interest with both their seedpods and shiny evergreen leaves which are often used in wreaths.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT
Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis
On a winter's day, the sight of the sycamore's bright white trunk against a blue sky is breathtaking. This tree can grow to massive proportions when well-sited and should be given plenty of space, especially since they can be messy.
EXPLORE THIS PLANT