Creating a captivating garden in New England is an art form that embraces the vibrant shifts of the seasons. As a passionate gardener, I have handpicked 26 extraordinary plants that not only thrive in this region but also bring a cascade of colors and textures to your landscape all year round. Let’s explore these botanical gems together, each offering its own unique charm and seasonal brilliance.
1. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Sugar Maple is the undisputed star of New England fall, turning fiery shades of red, orange, and gold. Its broad canopy provides stunning shade and year-round beauty.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil with plenty of space to grow. This iconic tree is long-lived and brings structure and seasonal drama to any landscape.
Plant it where you can enjoy its fall finale up close — it’s pure New England magic.
2. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Eastern Redbud is a springtime showstopper with magenta-pink blossoms that cling to bare branches before the leaves emerge. Its heart-shaped foliage and graceful form add elegance throughout the growing season.
Redbuds do best in full sun to partial shade and appreciate well-drained soil. They’re compact enough for small gardens but dramatic enough to steal the scene.
Use it as a focal point near patios or walkways to admire its spring bloom.
3. Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla & paniculata)
Hydrangeas are beloved for their lush, globe-like blooms in shades of blue, pink, and white that last from summer into fall. Their bold foliage and flower heads add texture and richness to garden beds.
They prefer morning sun and afternoon shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil. You can even change the flower color of some varieties by adjusting the soil pH.
Tuck them into mixed borders or use as a low hedge for big, romantic impact.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-Eyed Susans are golden bursts of sunshine with dark centers that bring wild, meadowy energy to any garden. These tough perennials bloom from midsummer to frost and love to be in the spotlight.
Plant them in full sun and average soil, and they’ll reward you with weeks of cheerful color. They’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and great for pollinators.
Let them naturalize for a casual, golden sweep through borders or cottage gardens.
5. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
With its fiery blooms, Bee Balm is a magnet for pollinators. Monarda didyma, known for its red, pink, or purple flowers, brings excitement to summer gardens.
This fragrant perennial prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Its aromatic foliage is an added bonus.
Apart from attracting bees and hummingbirds, it also makes a delightful addition to floral arrangements, offering both visual and sensory appeal.
6. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
When summer wanes, the New England Aster steps into the spotlight. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae boasts vibrant purple or pink flowers that enliven fall landscapes.
This hardy perennial flourishes in full sun and various soil types, making it adaptable yet stunning. Its long-lasting blooms provide late-season nectar for pollinators.
Consider planting it alongside grasses or other autumnal flowers to create a dynamic visual display in your garden.
7. Daylily (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are the workhorses of the garden, offering reliable beauty year after year. Hemerocallis species bloom in a spectrum of colors that can suit any palette.
Each flower lasts just one day, but numerous buds ensure weeks of vibrant displays. These perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Low-maintenance and resilient, they are perfect for borders or mass plantings, adding color and texture to the landscape.
8. Peony (Paeonia)
Few flowers evoke the romance of a garden like Peonies. Paeonia species offer large, fragrant blooms that are simply irresistible.
These perennials prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Once established, they provide years of beauty with minimum care.
Their blooms attract pollinators and make stunning cut flowers. Peonies add an elegant touch to any garden setting, with their luxurious petals and sweet scent.
9. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are beloved for their lush, layered foliage in shades of green, blue, and gold. They thrive in shady spots where other plants might struggle.
Give them moist, well-drained soil and protection from slugs for the best growth. Their summertime flower spikes also attract hummingbirds and add a vertical accent.
Group various textures and sizes for a lush woodland look under trees or along shaded paths.
10. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells add bold foliage color in shades of burgundy, silver, lime, and even caramel — perfect for shady spots. In summer, they send up delicate flower wands that pollinators love.
They prefer part shade and well-draining soil and are perfect for softening borders or mixing into containers. Deadleaf occasionally and divide every few years to keep them fresh.
Use them as eye-catching underplantings or mix-and-match for a foliage tapestry.
11. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry Holly is a native deciduous shrub that drops its leaves in fall, leaving behind a stunning display of bright red berries. The show continues all winter, especially striking against snow.
Plant in moist, acidic soil and full sun to part shade, and be sure to include at least one male plant for pollination. Birds love the berries, and humans love the visual drama.
Tuck it into mixed shrub borders or near windows where you can admire its cold-season color.
12. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Mountain Laurel is a shade-loving evergreen shrub that blooms in late spring with clusters of star-shaped flowers in white, pink, or deep rose. Its leathery leaves and dense form make it ideal for woodland gardens.
Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with dappled light and mulch to keep roots cool. It’s slow-growing but long-lived and low-maintenance once established.
Use it as an anchor in shady beds or natural screens in woodland settings.
13. Dogwood (Cornus florida & Cornus kousa)
Dogwoods bring four-season interest: spring blossoms, lush summer leaves, fall color, and striking winter bark. Their tiered branching structure adds elegance to any New England landscape.
They prefer rich, well-drained soil and dappled light, though Cornus kousa is more sun-tolerant. Water young trees regularly and mulch to protect shallow roots.
Plant as a focal point in foundation beds or woodland edges for timeless beauty.
14. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
When spring arrives, Virginia Bluebells transform the forest floor into a sea of blue. Mertensia virginica offers bell-shaped flowers that nod gracefully in the breeze.
This ephemeral perennial prefers moist, rich soil and dappled shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
As the flowers fade, the foliage dies back, allowing other plants to shine. Bluebells are perfect for naturalizing and adding a touch of whimsy.
15. Sedum (Sedum spectabile or Autumn Joy)
Resilient and reliable, Sedum brings joy to any garden. Sedum spectabile, often known as Autumn Joy, offers star-shaped flowers that evolve in color.
These succulents thrive in poor, well-drained soil and full sun. Their fleshy leaves add texture and interest throughout the growing season.
Sedums are excellent for borders, rock gardens, and containers, providing late-season color and attracting pollinators.
16. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Astilbe brightens shady spots with feathery plumes of pink, white, or red that rise above lacy, fern-like foliage. It adds height, color, and texture to woodland or part-shade gardens.
It prefers consistently moist, rich soil and does best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Deadhead spent flowers to tidy up, and mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
Plant in drifts near hostas or ferns for a lush, layered shade display.
17. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers are iconic summer bloomers with bold daisy-like flowers and raised central cones that attract pollinators galore. Their purple petals bring strong color and structure to sunny borders.
They love full sun, tolerate drought, and thrive in average to poor soil. Leave the seed heads through winter for birds and natural texture.
Coneflowers look stunning massed in meadow plantings or paired with ornamental grasses.
18. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart is a romantic woodland perennial with arching stems of heart-shaped pink or white flowers. It makes a graceful spring statement in shady or filtered-light areas.
Plant in moist, well-drained soil and give it space to go dormant quietly in summer. Pair with hostas or ferns to fill the space once it fades.
It’s the perfect plant for adding charm and softness to shady cottage-style gardens.
19. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Switchgrass is a native ornamental grass that adds movement, structure, and year-round interest. Its upright form turns golden in fall, with airy flower panicles and striking winter silhouette.
It thrives in full sun and adapts to wet or dry soil, making it perfect for rain gardens or open beds. Cut back in early spring before new growth appears.
Use in naturalistic groupings or as a striking backdrop for wildflowers and perennials.
20. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Weed is a native milkweed with fiery orange blooms that monarchs and other butterflies can’t resist. It’s drought-tolerant, tough, and thrives in hot, sunny spots.
Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and minimal fertilizer to avoid floppiness. It may take time to establish but will return reliably year after year.
Add it to pollinator gardens or dry slopes for color that doubles as a butterfly buffet.
21. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilacs fill the spring air with their unforgettable, nostalgic scent and large clusters of purple, pink, or white blooms. These tall, deciduous shrubs bring old-fashioned charm and seasonal drama.
They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, with good air circulation to reduce mildew. Prune just after blooming to shape and encourage next year’s flowers.
Plant near walkways or windows so you can enjoy the fragrance up close.
22. Ferns (e.g., Osmunda, Dryopteris)
Ferns add texture and cool, green elegance to shady corners and damp spots in the garden. Their graceful fronds unfurl each spring and stay lush through summer.
They thrive in moist, rich soil with shade to dappled light and benefit from mulch to keep roots cool. Choose native varieties for easy care and natural beauty.
Pair them with hostas, astilbe, or woodland bulbs for a peaceful, layered shade garden.
23. Baptisia (Baptisia australis)
Baptisia, also known as False Indigo, is a sturdy native perennial with spires of blue, purple, or yellow flowers followed by striking seed pods. Its deep roots make it tough, drought-tolerant, and long-lived.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil and forms a bushy, shrub-like shape over time. Avoid disturbing the roots once planted — it doesn’t like to be moved.
Use Baptisia in mixed borders or native plantings for height and early summer color.
24. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Columbine is a delicate woodland wildflower with nodding, spurred blooms in red, yellow, or blue that dance in the breeze. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds and thrives in part shade to full sun.
Grow it in moist, well-drained soil and let it self-seed gently for natural spreads. Deadhead for tidy looks, or let the seed pods form for more volunteers.
Columbine is lovely tucked between rocks, along woodland paths, or in wildflower gardens.
25. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)
Serviceberry is a graceful native tree or large shrub with white spring flowers, edible summer berries, and blazing fall color. It’s a true four-season performer.
It thrives in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, and attracts birds with its tasty fruit. Prune after flowering to shape and encourage airflow.
Use it as a specimen plant, small shade tree, or in mixed native hedgerows.
26. Daffodils (Narcissus)
Daffodils are cheerful spring bulbs that return year after year, even in cold and snowy climates. Their bright yellow and white blooms signal winter’s end with unmatched optimism.
Plant in fall in sunny to part-shade areas with good drainage, and let the foliage fade naturally after flowering. They’re deer-resistant and easy to naturalize in lawns or under trees.
Mass them for a golden drift, or plant in clumps throughout the garden for bursts of spring joy.