News
Episode 29 of the Wildstory
Episode 28 of the Wildstory
President’s Letter – February 2026
Coming Soon! The Spring Annual Meeting is March 7
At Long Last: Governor Murphy Signs New Jersey’s Invasive Species Bill
2025 Native Plants of the Year
Rare Plant of the Year (2025)
Viburnum lantanoides, Witch Hobble (or Hobblebush), is a distinctive shrub native to cool, shaded forests of the Northeast, including mountainous areas of northern New Jersey, where it is state-endangered. A member of the moschatel family, Adoxaceae, it thrives in moist, acidic soils beneath hardwood canopies. Witch Hobble grows to heights of four to eight feet, forming sprawling, arching branches that root upon contact with the ground, creating dense thickets that can hobble you ask you hike—hence its name. Its large, heart-shaped leaves are finely toothed, turning shades of purple to bronze in autumn. In late spring, it bears creamy-white flower clusters, giving way to bright red berries (sometimes green, black, or purple too) that ripen to black and sustain wildlife, especially birds, through fall and winter. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
Backyard Perennial of the Year (2025)
Aquilegia canadensis, Eastern Columbine, is an elegant wildflower native to eastern North America, admired for its nodding, lantern-like flowers. A member of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, it thrives in partial shade, often along woodland edges, rocky slopes, and cliffs. Eastern Columbine grows one to three feet tall and readily self-seeds, often into unlikely spots. Its striking blooms appear in late spring, with scarlet-red petals and bright yellow centers, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. Adaptable and resilient, it is ideal for rock gardens, naturalistic gardens, and shaded borders. Image by Hubert and Millie Ling.
Some Great Plants from Hubert and Millie Ling’s Awesome Native Plants Site
Rare NJ and Globally
This is the northeast subspecies. Efforts are being made to save this plant. It has leaves like wild geranium so without the flowers it is difficult to identify. More about these special flowers..
It’s a thrill come across these in NJ:
The splash of maroon red at the center makes it easy to identify. They are S1 in NJ. See these in neighboring states! Consider a native plant trip outside of NJ. Read about this plant Click Here.
Snowy white and wavy edges:
These delicate petalled trillium are another trillium that is S1(critically imperiled) in NJ. However, we have successfully grown them in our yard. More about these flowers: Click Here.
Red or white, dark ovary
In NJ, the Red Trillium is S3 (Vulnerable). For more details: Click Here.
There is also a white variety Trillium erectum var. album Click Here.