Native Plants of Pennsylvania – Links and Plant Lists

New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)

This list of resources includes free downloadable PDFs and links to websites on native plants and particularly native plants of Pennsylvania. I also have a list of books on native plants and ecological gardening on In Season.

iConserve
iConservePA is a web site managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, whose vision is to inspire citizens to value their natural resources, engage in conservation practices and experience the outdoors.
http://iconservepa.org/plantnatives.html

Plant Communities of Pennsylvania (PA Plant communities -pdf)
A downloadable booklet explaining the plant communities of the forest, herbaceous openings, and wetlands of Pennsylvania.
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/PlantCommunities/Pages/default.aspx

 

Flora of Pennsylvania

Plants by type, habitat, and a botanical dictionary.
https://www.paenflowered.org/

 

Native Plants of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
https://extension.psu.edu/pennsylvania-native-plants-for-the-perennial-garden

 

Identifying Pennsylvania Trees
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_002216.pdf

 

Common Trees of Pa
Facts sheets on 57 natives, and 5 introduced trees of Pennsylvania.
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20029752.pdf

 

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve – New Hope, PA
http://www.bhwp.org/

 

USDA Plants Database
A comprehensive database which provides information and photos of over 400,000 native, non-native and invasive plants.
http://plants.usda.gov/


Books on Native Plants for Pennsylvania, the MidAtlantic, and the Northeast – links to Amazon.com

Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, Updated and Expanded by Doug Tallamy – this book started it all. Professor Tallamy explains the scientific reasons insects need native plants to support the ecosystem. Professor Tallamy focuses on native (indigenous) trees. Don’t miss this one. 

Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation by Donald Leopold – my favorite book on native plants. I refer to it often.

Essential Native Trees and Shrubs for the Eastern United States: The Guide to Creating a Sustainable Landscape by Tony Dove

Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants by Heather N. Holm

Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide by Heather N. Holm


Gardening and Landscaping with Native Plants

Landscaping with Native Plants in PA
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/plants/nativeplants/index.htm

Places to Buy Native Plants in PA
http://www.iconservepa.org/buynatives.html

Redbud Native Plant Nursery, Glen Mills, PA
This nursery carries only plants that are native to the Mid-Atlantic region.
redbudnativeplantnursery.com

Recommended Street Tree List from Fairmount Park Department
There are several native trees on this list. I have reworked the list and removed the non-natives.
https://www.phila.gov/media/20171115163232/PPR_Approved_Street_Tree_List.pdf

Philly Tree Profiles
https://www.phila.gov/media/20180919203030/Tree-Philly-Tree-Profiles.pdf

Caring for a Newly Planted Tree – Fairmount Park
https://www.phila.gov/media/20171121131736/TreePhilly_YardTreePlantingAndCare.pdf

Search for Pennsylvania Native Plants
Create a custom list of plants for your garden conditions
http://iconservepa.org/nativeplants/nativeplantssearch.aspx

Pennsylvania Native Plant Society
http://www.pawildflower.org/

Native Plant Society of New Jersey
http://www.npsnj.org

Delaware Native Plant Society
www.delawarenativeplants.org

Maryland Native Plant Society
www.mdflora.org

 


Invasive Plants

Invasive Species Info – USDA
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

6 comments

  1. You should add (WEB ADDRESS REMOVED BY THIS WEBSITE) to your link list. They’re a non-profit with a comprehensive list of PA native plants with pictures and identifying info!

    • Hi, Derek – Thanks for the info. I looked at the website, and the pages were full of stock text and stock photos. Perhaps, when they are up and running, I can add them to the list. I removed the web address from your comment so this blog’s readers wouldn’t go there needlessly.

  2. Do you guys have like a place i can go to get 25 picturees of plants native to Pennsylvania, I need the pictures for my class project for Honors Biololgy. Please Helppp!

    • Hi Caterina

      A good place for PA native plant photos is the USDA Plants Database. http://plants.usda.gov/. Take a list of plants (like the lists on this blog) and search by common name or scientific name. Most of the photos on the site are public domain-copyright free but some are under copyright. But, you can use the photos for educational purposes (like your project) and not worry about copyright. Just remember to give credit where credit is due and include the name of the photographer and where you got the photo. Good luck and I hope your project turns out well. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Donna

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