The Native Plant Society of New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation, protection, and study of the native flora of New Jersey. Founded in 1985, we have over a thousand members across the state, and are organized into county and regional chapters. Our members include gardeners, horticulturists, naturalists, landscape designers, students, and native plant enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Our mission is to promote the appreciation, protection, and study of New Jersey’s Native Flora.
Advocacy Alert: Check Your Town’s Tree Removal and Replacement Ordinance
2024 NPSNJ Grants
Learn about Beech Leaf Disease with Ecologist Jean Epiphan
Meet NPSNJ’s 2025 Incoming Officers
Events List
Flowering Early Spring
Round lobed Hepatica – Hepatica americana
These delightful flowers of pastel pinks and blues will be blooming soon. We have seen them as early as April 6.
On a sunny day on the trail hepaticas will dot the brown forest floor along with bloodroots. Already up (3/28) are spring beauty and spicebush flowers.
Round lobed Hepatica is not a spring ephemeral. It has evergreen leaves that over winter.
It forms new leaves after flowering. Another aid to survival, it will self-pollinate if cross pollination fails. Bloodroot also does this.
Read about Round Lobed Hepatica here
See our Spring Plant Profiles & Photos
SPRING is in the AIR
Twinleaf – Jeffersonia diphylla
As you are out looking for early spring flowers you would be lucky to spot one of these showy white flowers. These flowers have a distinctive way of shedding their pollen. Their distinctive leaves gives it the name ‘Twinleaf’
Twinleaf is critically imperiled (S1). However, they would be a fine addition in a shady spot in your garden. Twinleaf is not an ephemeral and its leaves will make a distinctive ground cover in the summer.
Keep this rare plant alive in NJ; plant one this year. Blooms mid April.
Read more and photos on Twinleaf .
Also see our ‘Gardener’s News’ article ‘Flower For A Day‘ .
SPRING is in the AIR
Broom Crowberry – Corema conradii
Broom crowberry is a ground-hugging, shrubby plant. It needs open, sandy areas to grow and has specialized wildfire needs.
In NJ it exists only in the Pinelands. It is G4, S2. The NJ DEP is attempting to restore habitat for this plant.
It blooms mid March to early April. We have the best photos of the male and female flowers. See what the Broom Crowberry flowers look like!.
In central and north Jersey, skunk cabbage is starting. In our winter walks we have already have seen spring beauty leaves peeking above the leaf litter. Soon spring beauty and bloodroots will be blooming.
See our Spring Plant Profiles & Photos
A Christmas Wish
Castilleja coccinea – Scarlet Indian Paintbrush -New Page
Did you know that there is a indian paintbrush (Castilleja) in the east and is native to NJ?
At one time it was found in almost every county in NJ!
It has not been seen in NJ for years! It would be wonderful to see this showy plant again in NJ!
Read about Scarlet Indian Paintbrush here