The Native Plant Society of New Jersey is a non-profit organization founded in 1983.
We have over 1,500 members 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.
Resources
Current NPSNJ
What’s happening now
Recent announcements, chapter programs, statewide webinars, plant swaps, field trips, and deadlines worth seeing first.
News
More newsPresident’s Letter – September
Episode 32 of the Wildstory
President’s Letter – July
Summer 2026 Newsletter
NPSNJ Announces 2026 Grant Recipients
President’s Letter – June
President’s Letter – May
Episode 31 of the Wildstory
Plant spotlights
2026 Native Plants of the Year
POTY
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis
Cornus canadensis, Bunchberry, is a tiny herbaceous dogwood of cool, moist forests with rich organic soil. In New Jersey it is critically imperiled, making it a fitting POTY. Its white “flowers” are showy bracts around a small flower cluster, followed by red fruit eaten by birds and mammals.
POTY
Virginia Sweetspire
Itea virginica
Itea virginica, Virginia Sweetspire, is a graceful native shrub for moist woodland edges, rain gardens, and mixed borders. It carries arching clusters of white flowers in late spring, provides nectar for native bees and butterflies, offers cover for birds, and brings purple-red foliage in fall.
Awesome Native Plants
Great Plants from Hubert and Millie Ling
Selections from the Awesome Native Plants site by NPSNJ past president Hubert Ling and Millie Ling.
New Page
Horsemint - Spotted Beebalm
Monarda punctata
Blooming now, August. You will find these bright spotted flowers in layers hiding under a whorl of colorful bracts. For a mint, these flowers are relatively large: 1 inch long. Read more:
A Close Up View: Milkweed
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
This common milkweed page has been updated with detailed photos of its flower structure. The structure is representative of all milkweeds. Dissections and micrographs are presented. Read more and see photos:
New Page: Another Milkweed
Red Milkweed
Asclepias rubra
Although the common name is red milkweed, the flowers are actually pink to lavender. The plant is S2 – imperiled in NJ.
New Page: Another Milkweed
Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias verticillata
These milkweeds are distinguished by their whorled needle-like leaves. In NJ, they are S2 – imperiled. Read more: