7 Native New Jersey Flowers You Should Know

Spring and summer aren’t just the seasons for barbecues and beach days; they’re also the best times to explore the beautiful native flora of New Jersey. Here are 7 of the most vibrant, fragrant, and downright gorgeous flowers that call the Garden State home:

1. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

New Jersey's state flower, the mountain laurel, is known for its showy clusters of pink or white bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. It is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine. Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 30 feet tall. It prefers to grow in moist, acidic soil in partial shade to full sun.

2. Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

Jersey tea is a deciduous shrub that grows to 3 feet tall. It has clusters of small white or pink flowers that bloom in early summer. Jersey tea gets its name from the fact that its leaves were once used as a substitute for tea. It is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine.

3. Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa)

Steeplebush is a deciduous shrub that grows to 6 feet tall. It has clusters of small white or pink flowers that bloom in late summer. Steeplebush is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine. It prefers to grow in moist soil in full sun to partial shade.

4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 3 feet tall. It has large, daisy-like flowers with purple petals and a central cone that is brown or purple. Purple coneflower blooms in the summer and attracts butterflies and other pollinators. It is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine.

5. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 2 feet tall. It has clusters of small orange flowers that bloom in the summer. Butterfly weed is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine. It attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

6. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Cardinal flower is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 3 feet tall. It has spikes of bright red flowers that bloom in the summer. Cardinal flower is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine. It prefers to grow in moist soil in full sun to partial shade.

7. Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)

Swamp rose is a deciduous shrub that grows to 10 feet tall. It has clusters of small pink flowers that bloom in the summer. Swamp rose is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in traditional medicine. It prefers to grow in wet soil in full sun to partial shade.