Narrowing Down Your Native Plant List
Native Gardening Series | Part 3
In Part 1, we covered the most important first step in native plant gardening: identifying your ecoregion and confirming which plants are truly native to Northern New Jersey using tools like Homegrown National Park, bplant.org, and BONAP. In Part 2, we discussed the importance of keystone species to make your landscape as ecologically beneficial as possible. Now, it’s time to move from ecology to design.
Once you have a working list of locally native plants with keystone species, the next step is narrowing that list to species that fit your yard, goals, and aesthetic — without sacrificing ecological value.
Think Like a Garden Designer
Before opening a plant database, take a moment to define your parameters:
Sun exposure: full sun, part shade, or shade
Soil & moisture: dry, average, moist, or wet
Space: mature height and spread
Garden goals: pollinator habitat, bird support, privacy, seasonal color, low maintenance
With those criteria in mind, the following databases are powerful tools for refining your native plant palette.
The Best Tools for Refining Native Plant Choices
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder is one of the most robust plant databases available. You can filter plants by:
USDA hardiness zone
Mature size
Flower color
Bloom time
Light and soil conditions
This tool is especially helpful once you know a plant is native and want to confirm whether it works for your specific site conditions.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Wildflower Center Native Plant Database allows you to search for native plants by:
State or region
Sun exposure
Moisture needs
Bloom color and season
Plant type (tree, shrub, perennial, grass)
It’s an excellent resource for gardeners focused on pollinators, habitat gardens, and ecological landscaping, with detailed notes on wildlife value.
Native Plant Society of New Jersey
The Native Plant Society of New Jersey offers curated plant lists specifically for New Jersey ecosystems, including:
Pollinator plants
Shade gardens
Rain gardens
Deer-resistant options
These lists are especially valuable because they reflect local experience, not just national data — making them ideal for Northern New Jersey gardeners.
Jersey-Friendly Yards
Jersey-Friendly Yards is a New Jersey–specific resource that connects native plant choices with sustainable landscape practices. Their plant database also allows you to search for plants by:
Region
Sun exposure
Soil conditions
Moisture needs
Bloom color and season
Plant type (tree, shrub, perennial, grass)
This tool is especially helpful for homeowners interested in low-maintenance, environmentally responsible landscapes that align with NJ’s unique conditions.
How These Tools Work Together
Think of this process as layering information:
Ecoregion tools (Homegrown National Park, bplant, BONAP) tell you what belongs here
Plant databases help you decide what works best for your yard
Local NJ plant lists ensure your choices are realistic, resilient, and regionally proven
By using all three, you avoid common pitfalls like choosing plants that are technically native but poorly suited to your site or maintenance expectations.
What’s Next?
With your refined plant list in hand, the next step is putting those plants together in a way that feels intentional, layered, and abundant.
Designing with native plants doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty. With the right tools and thoughtful planning, you can create a Northern New Jersey garden that supports wildlife and looks stunning year-round.
