When you live in a city that averages almost 40 inches of precipitation and 60 inches of snow every year, you need some tough landscape plants. Albany native plants are specifically adapted to handle our bitter, snowy winters and wet summers, which means less yard work, more money in your pockets, and a healthier Hudson Valley environment.
Benefits of Albany native plants:
- Low-maintenance: Native plants have been thriving on the Hudson for centuries, so they don’t need the fertilizer, pesticides, and water that non-native plants require.
- Cold-tolerant: While non-native plants struggle in our snowy winters and frigid temperatures, native plants embrace the chill. They’ll go dormant if it gets too cold and perk up in spring.
- Pollinator-friendly: Native plants attract beautiful butterflies, bees, and birds to protect and rejuvenate our ecosystem.
- Drought-tolerant: Native plants have long, strong roots that keep them healthy during dry spells.
- Disease-resistant: Native plants stand strong against common Albany lawn diseases like rust, red threat, and snow mold.
- 1. Red maple (Acer rubrum)
- 2. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- 3. Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
- 4. American elderberry (Sambucus nigra spp. canadensis)
- 5. Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
- 6. Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor)
- 7. Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- 8. Spotted joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
- 9. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
- 10. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
- Resources to plan a native lawn
- Hire a pro to help your Albany native plants thrive
When looking up native species, check out plants that thrive in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, where the lowest temperatures are -15 to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in the upper Hudson Valley, we’re right on the cusp of Zone 5b and the slightly milder Zone 6a, but in case of an especially cold winter, it’s a good idea to choose plants that can handle Zone 5.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 nifty native plants — from trees to shrubs to wildflowers — that’ll stand up to Albany’s frigid winters so you can smile as spring approaches, instead of worrying about which plants you’ll need to replace.
1. Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Autumns in Albany are always a sight to behold, and red maples make them all the more amazing. With orange and crimson fall foliage, the red maple tree (common names include Carolina maple, curled maple, and swamp maple) is a fast-growing stunner that stands up to cold winters and northeastern storms.
Want some early spring color? Plant a red maple! They produce pretty clusters of red flowers before foliage appears. Later in spring, get ready for a helicopter-fest as red-winged samaras (seed pods) twirl to the ground. They’ll delight your kids, baffle your pups, and give you spring and summer fun.
Red maples are easy to transplant from bare roots or burlapped root balls. They’re hardy, relatively shade tolerant, and disease-resistant. Keep an eye out for pests like bagworms, leafhoppers, and leafrollers.
Pro Tip: Spread a generous 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around your red maple’s roots to prevent weeds and erosion, keep soil moist, and protect roots from damage. Leave 3 to 6 inches of space between the trunk and the start of your mulch ring to prevent internal rot. Mulching around your trees is always a great way to encourage healthy growth.
- Plant type: Tree
- Hardiness zones: 2a-9b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy; moist and well-drained
- Duration: Deciduous
- Mature height: 40-120 feet
2. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
With attractive reddish-brown bark that strips off to reveal soft grey inner bark, the eastern red cedar is a favorite tree among Albany homeowners. It’s a fast-growing needled evergreen that produces petite blue-green flowers in early spring. Groups of eastern red cedars are perfect for a windscreen or to add privacy to your backyard.
Eastern red cedars are adaptable superstars that are cold, heat, and drought-tolerant, and can be found growing from the swamps of Florida to dry rocky regions of Colorado. Just make sure your lawn has proper drainage and enough sunlight: Eastern red cedars cannot tolerate constantly wet soil or full shade.
Eastern red cedars are dioecious (separate male and female trees), which means you’ll need to plant male and female trees together to ensure pollination. In fall, male trees produce small yellow cones and females produce pretty round cones that look like frosty blueberries.
- Plant type: Tree
- Hardiness zones: 2a-9b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
- Duration: Evergreen
- Mature height: 30-40 feet
3. Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Resembling a charming white pagoda, the pagoda dogwood boasts layered, tiered branches that explode with creamy white flowers in early summer. Also known as the alternate-leaf dogwood, this large, fragrant shrub is a lovely border for butterfly and cottage gardens.
Plant a row of pagoda dogwoods to give your backyard a layer of privacy or accent your patio and home foundation. These shrubs grow slowly and spread horizontally more than vertically, so you won’t have to worry about your dogwoods growing too tall and overwhelming your landscape. In October and November, leaves turn a rich red to add deep autumn color to your yard.
Pagoda dogwoods provide a habitat for birds and feed native critters like chipmunks, cotton-tailed rabbits, lepidopteran caterpillars, and specialized bees (like the Andrena fragilis).
- Plant type: Large shrub or small tree
- Hardiness zones: 3a-7b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Prefers acidic, moist soil with high organic matter (but can tolerate poor soil)
- Duration: Deciduous
- Mature height: 15-25 feet
4. American elderberry (Sambucus nigra spp. canadensis)
Elderberry jam, anyone? If you’re itching to do some home cooking, plant American elderberry. These flowering shrubs produce delicious berries you can harvest to make elderberry jelly, sauce, pie, and — yes, Elton John — wine.
Elderberry shrubs blossom with creamy white flowers in early summer and produce purple-black berries in late summer to early fall. Elderberries form a dense thicket perfect for hedging and side yard barriers, and as fun backyard trees for your kids to climb at harvest time.
Exceptionally heat-tolerant and erosion-resistant, the American elderberry stands up to extreme weather and can handle both stormy, wet summers and unexpected dry conditions.
Elderberry bushes have been used for centuries. Many Native American tribes, including the Acjachemen Nation, use elderberry twigs and fruits to weave and dye beautiful baskets, craft rattles, and flutes, and make clapper sticks to accompany chanting and dancing rituals.
Note: Uncooked elderberries, leaves, and bark are toxic when eaten in large amounts and can cause nausea and vomiting, so don’t eat too many raw berries. If you’re craving a big elderberry fix, cook your berries before eating them to neutralize the hydrocyanic acid (the part of the plant that makes it toxic).
- Plant type: Large shrub or small tree
- Hardiness zones: 4a-9b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Slightly acidic clay, loam, or sand with good drainage
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 9-12 feet
5. Smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
Want beautiful bees, butterflies, and songbirds fluttering into your yard? Add smooth blue aster. With cheerful purple-blue, daisy-like petals and bright yellow centers, these native wildflowers are a delight for your eyes and a treat for local pollinators, including specialized bees (like the Andrena asteris), pearl crescent butterflies, cardinals, and chickadees.
Smooth blue asters are rapid growers that generally reach 2 to 4 feet tall and bloom in September and October. They’re excellent border plants and eye-catching additions to your butterfly or native plant garden. If they get too weedy, trim them back with scissors or garden shears to make room for other plants.
- Plant type: Wildflower
- Hardiness zones: 4a-8b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy; prefers good drainage and moist soil
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 2-4 feet
6. Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor)
The northern blue flag (AKA harlequin blueflag or large blue iris) is the perfect wildflower for Albany’s wet summer weather. If you have a pond in your yard, or if your lawn is prone to puddles after rainstorms, these shade-tolerant, moisture-loving plants will soak up the water and turn your soggy, gloomy lawn into a violet-and-white floral paradise.
Northern blue flags are excellent for rain gardens and in areas surrounding wetlands and rivers (like the Hudson). They resist deer and produce showy, 4-inch flowers in late spring to early summer.
What’s with the name “versicolor”? The northern blue flag produces many different-colored flowers, ranging from blue and white to lavender with yellow flecks — so you’re in for a surprise with each new blossom!
Note: Northern blue flags can cause skin irritation and are slightly toxic if eaten (symptoms include nausea, fever, and lethargy). Keeps dogs, cats, and horses away from them.
- Plant type: Wildflower
- Hardiness zones: 3a-9b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: High
- Soil: Loamy and moist
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 2-3 feet
7. Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Full shade is tough on grass, but shade and wild columbine are a match made in heaven. With red-and-yellow, bell-like flowers filled with nectar, wild columbine (AKA eastern red columbine) is a showy wildflower that’ll bring beautiful pollinators to the shaded corners of your lawn.
Wild columbines bloom from April to May, attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths, and finches. These fast growers are highly resistant to drought, heat, and cold weather, so you can rest easy during extreme temperatures knowing your plants are safe.
Wild columbine favors alkaline soils (with a pH of 6.8 and above), and Albany’s Honeoye soil tends to be acidic. So, it’s a good idea to amend your soil with lime to raise the pH before planting columbines in your garden. Do not plant wild columbines in continuous full sun, as leaves may burn.
- Plant type: Wildflower
- Hardiness zones: 3a-8b
- Sun: Partial shade, full shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Sandy and loamy; well-draining
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 1-3 feet
8. Spotted joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
A spotted weed sounds, well, less than appealing for your grand garden designs. But don’t be fooled by the name! Spotted joe-pye weed is an attractive long-stemmed perennial that boasts flat-topped clusters of pink and lavender flowers. It’s ready to be the star of your wildflower, cottage, or pollinator garden.
A member of the aster family, spotted joe-pye weed grows rapidly and blooms in fall, from August to October. Flowers will attract butterflies and bees and draw “oohs” and “aahs” from your neighbors. You don’t have to worry about visiting deer eating the flower because spotted joe-pye is deer-resistant.
Spotted joe-pye is exceptionally tolerant to wet soil, which makes it an ideal choice for our wet summer climate. Consider planting spotted joe-pye in your rain garden or in areas of your lawn prone to puddles.
- Plant type: Wildflower
- Hardiness zones: 3a-8b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Medium
- Soil: Clay and loamy; moist and well-draining
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 3-6 feet
9. Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
If you’ve ever taken a hike along the Hudson, you’ve probably seen plenty of Pennsylvania sedge in its natural environment. A grassy ground cover with soft, arching leaves, Pennsylvania sedge is an adaptable alternative to turfgrass that’s perfect for dry, deeply shaded areas (and pretty much anywhere else)!
Drought-tolerant and cold-resistant, Pennsylvania sedge is an excellent addition to butterfly gardens, rain gardens, and shade gardens. It’s semi-evergreen, so leaves remain green for most of the winter. Small tan, gold, and red flowers bloom in late spring (April to June).
Pennsylvania sedge often grows beneath large shrubs and oak trees (hence its common name, “oak sedge”), so it’s a great idea to plant it underneath taller perennials for visual contrast. Unlike turfgrass, it requires no mowing (or you can mow two to three times per year to a height of 2 inches for a tidier look).
- Plant type: Ground cover
- Hardiness zones: 3a-8b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Loamy and sandy; well-draining
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 1-3 feet
10. Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Virginia creeper is a graceful, high-climbing vine that (you guessed it!) “creeps” along the ground and up your wall, fence, or the side of your house for some lovely vertical interest. It’s a rapid grower with “sucker disks” that allow it to cling to wood, stone, and brick surfaces with no support, so you can ditch the stakes and enjoy the foliage.
In spring, light lavender foliage emerges and turns a pale green during the summer months. Small blue-black berries emerge in late summer and provide a feast for songbirds and squirrels. The real show comes in fall when the Virginia creeper’s large leaves turn stunning shades of crimson, burgundy, and purple.
Virginia creepers are especially easy to care for: Just trim them regularly to ensure they aren’t doing a number on your gutters, squeezing your shutters, or hugging outdoor appliances a bit too tightly.
Note: Do not eat the Virginia creeper’s berries. They are highly toxic and can be fatal if consumed.
- Plant type: Ground cover or vine
- Hardiness zones: 3a-10b
- Sun: Full sun, partial shade
- Water needs: Low
- Soil: Clay, loamy sandy; well-draining
- Duration: Perennial
- Mature height: 30-50 feet
Resources to plan a native lawn
The list of Albany native plants doesn’t end here! To research more native plants, check out the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s native plant list and the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society’s “Native Plants Suitable for Wildflower Gardens”.
The Finger Lakes Native Plant Society will walk you through the best plant species to adorn your Hudson Valley lawn, from the pink blossoms of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) to the crimson flowers of the cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) to the delicious red berries of the serviceberry tree (Amelanchier canadensis, AKA shadbush). They also offer talks about native grasses, types of pavement, and other ways to make your yard sustainable.
Need some real-life inspiration? Take a trip to a botanical garden! Visit the George Landis Arboretum in Esperance, Schenectady’s Central Park Rose Garden, or the Berkshire Botanical Garden (just over the border in Western Massachusetts).
Hire a pro to help your Albany native plants thrive
With the Schuyler Mansion right here, you may be ready to get to “work” on your lawn, a là Angelica, Peggy, and Eliza. With a down payment of DIY yard sweat and a bit of patience, your lawn will soon be filled with colorful, eco-friendly flowers, shrubs, and trees that’ll save you money and time and protect our Hudson Valley ecosystem.
A revolution requires strategic planning, a strong foundation, and forward momentum. If you’d rather cheer on the Great Danes or enjoy a concert at The Egg than barrel into this particular battle, call Lawn Love’s Albany lawn care pros to let the experts plan and execute your successful yard revolution.
Main Photo Credit: Fredlyfish4 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
