New Jersey’s diverse climate and soil conditions create an ideal environment for cultivating a wide variety of beautiful flowering plants. Whether you’re looking to add vibrant annuals, sturdy perennials, or striking shrubs to your garden, the Garden State offers countless opportunities to create stunning floral displays throughout the growing season.
Selecting the right flowers for your New Jersey garden ensures you’ll enjoy continuous blooms while working with plants that naturally thrive in your local conditions. From native species that require minimal maintenance to colorful varieties that attract butterflies and birds, you’ll discover options that suit every garden style and skill level. These carefully chosen flowers will help you create a landscape that flourishes in New Jersey’s unique growing conditions while providing beauty from spring through fall.
50. Sedum
Sedum makes a wonderful addition to your New Jersey garden with its colorful succulent foliage and charming star-shaped flowers. These drought-tolerant perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
You’ll love how easy sedums are to grow and maintain. Their thick, waxy leaves store water, making them perfect for busy gardeners or dry conditions.
The flowers bloom from summer through fall in shades of pink, white, and yellow. Bees and butterflies are attracted to sedum blooms, making your garden a pollinator haven.
Choose from low-growing varieties for groundcover or taller types for borders. Small sedums work beautifully in rock gardens and containers.
Sedums are among the most rabbit-resistant plants you can grow in New Jersey. This makes them ideal if wildlife browsing is a concern in your area.
The Sedum genus contains approximately 500 species, giving you plenty of options for your garden design. Many varieties have been reclassified but remain equally beautiful and reliable.
Plant sedums in spring or fall for best establishment. They’ll reward you with years of low-maintenance beauty.
49. Trumpet Vine
Trumpet vine will transform your New Jersey garden into a hummingbird paradise. This vigorous native vine produces stunning trumpet-shaped flowers in vibrant shades of red and orange.
You’ll love how quickly this vine grows, sometimes reaching tens of feet in a single year. The scarlet trumpet-shaped flowers with orange overtones bloom throughout summer, creating a spectacular display.
This hardy perennial thrives in New Jersey’s climate zones and adapts well to poor soils. You can plant it in spring or fall for best results.
The trumpet-shaped flowers are perfect for attracting hummingbirds with their long tubular shape and abundant nectar. You’ll also notice butterflies and bees visiting regularly.
Your trumpet vine works wonderfully for covering trellises, fences, or walls. It provides excellent erosion control on slopes while adding vertical interest to your landscape.
Keep in mind that this vine grows aggressively, so you’ll need to prune it regularly to keep it manageable. Choose your planting location carefully since it can spread rapidly once established.
48. Salvia
Salvia brings stunning color and fragrance to your New Jersey garden. These versatile plants, also known as sages, offer vibrant blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, red, and white.
You’ll love how salvias attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to your outdoor space. The flowers create a buzzing hub of activity throughout the growing season.
New Jersey’s climate works well for many salvia varieties. Most salvia species thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, though some tolerate partial shade.
Your maintenance routine stays simple with these drought-tolerant plants. They bloom consistently through summer and require minimal care once established.
Consider native options like Prairie Sage or Lyreleaf Sage for your garden. These American natives perform well in Mid-Atlantic climates and support local wildlife.
You can use salvias in mixed borders, cottage gardens, or pollinator-friendly beds. Their upright growth habit and continuous blooms make them excellent choices for sunny locations.
Cut perennial salvias back in spring when new growth emerges. This pruning encourages bushier growth and more abundant flowering throughout the season.
47. Verbena
Verbena brings vibrant colors to your New Jersey garden while attracting beneficial pollinators throughout the growing season. These cheerful flowers bloom from spring until frost, making them excellent long-lasting additions to your landscape.
You can choose from several verbena varieties that thrive in New Jersey’s climate. Verbena grows well as a winter flower alongside other cold-tolerant options like pansies and petunias.
Native swamp verbena produces striking purplish-blue flowers on tall spikes from June through September. These flowers serve as nectar sources for bees and butterflies while also hosting butterfly and moth larvae.
Plant verbena in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight for best results. Swamp verbena prefers moist conditions, making it perfect for rain gardens or areas near water features.
You’ll find verbena requires minimal maintenance once established. Growing verbena in New Jersey can be rewarding when you select appropriate varieties and provide proper growing conditions.
These flowers work beautifully in containers, flower beds, or hanging baskets. Their continuous blooming habit ensures your garden stays colorful from spring through fall.
46. Sneezeweed
Sneezeweed brings vibrant autumn colors to your New Jersey garden when many other flowers are fading. This hardy perennial produces daisy-like flowers with distinctive, fan-shaped rays and prominent, raised centers.
You’ll love the warm color palette this flower offers. The blooms range from bright yellow to rich orange and reddish-brown shades. These cheerful flowers appear from late summer and continue blooming until the first frost arrives.
Your sneezeweed plants will grow quite tall, adding wonderful vertical interest to your garden beds. The height makes them perfect for the back of flower borders or as accent plants.
You can encourage bushier growth and more abundant blooms with simple care. Pinch back the plants in early June to promote fuller growth. The taller varieties may need staking to prevent them from flopping over in strong winds.
Despite its unfortunate name, sneezeweed won’t actually make you sneeze. The name comes from historical use of the dried leaves, not from growing the plant in your garden.
This low-maintenance perennial thrives in New Jersey’s climate. You’ll find it’s an excellent choice for adding late-season color when your garden needs it most.
45. Tibouchina
Tibouchina brings stunning purple blooms to your New Jersey garden. This tropical shrub produces vibrant flowers that create an eye-catching display throughout the growing season.
You’ll love how the Jules Dwarf Glory Bush variety thrives in full sun to partial shade. This compact option works perfectly for smaller garden spaces while still delivering gorgeous color.
Your Tibouchina prefers average to moist soil conditions. Never let the soil dry out completely, as consistent moisture helps maintain healthy growth and abundant flowering.
The velvety purple flowers appear in clusters at the branch tips. Each bloom features five rounded petals with a rich, deep purple color that stands out beautifully against the dark green foliage.
For best results, apply flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through the active growing season. This feeding schedule promotes continuous blooming and keeps your plant healthy.
You can grow Tibouchina in containers or directly in garden beds. The dwarf varieties stay compact while still producing plenty of flowers for your landscape design.
44. Siberian Iris
Siberian iris brings elegant beauty to your New Jersey garden with its graceful flowers and attractive foliage. These hardy perennials are prized for their exquisite blooms and sword-like leaves.
You’ll love how Siberian iris features bold blue flowers with yellow overtones and white centers that emerge in late spring. The blooms make excellent cut flowers for your home arrangements.
These plants grow between 1 and 2 feet tall with strap-like foliage that stays attractive all year. Most varieties bloom in blue or purple shades, though you can find cultivars with yellow, cream, or white blossoms.
Your Siberian iris will thrive when you plant it in sunny locations receiving at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. They prefer moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate light shade.
These early-blooming perennials grow well in regions with cool conditions, making them perfect for New Jersey’s climate. You’ll find them easy to grow and maintain once established.
43. Hibiscus
Hibiscus flowers bring stunning tropical beauty to New Jersey gardens. These gorgeous, vibrant blooms provide eye-catching colors that enhance any garden design.
You can grow hardy hibiscus varieties successfully in New Jersey’s climate. These cold-hardy types differ from tropical hibiscus sold as summer annuals.
Your hibiscus plants need plenty of water and excellent drainage to thrive. Plant them in rich, well-draining soil with lots of room to spread out.
Choose a location with full sun exposure for best results. Hardy hibiscus can reach heights of 3 to 20 feet depending on the variety you select.
You can grow hibiscus in containers or directly in your garden beds. Many hibiscus plants adapt well to containers and compact spaces.
Apply balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season to keep your plants healthy. Water regularly during dry periods since hibiscus requires consistent moisture.
Your hibiscus will reward you with large, colorful blooms that add tropical flair to your New Jersey landscape. These plants make excellent focal points in garden borders.
42. Morning Glory
Morning glories bring vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers to your New Jersey garden. These fast-growing climbers bloom in beautiful shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
You’ll find morning glories are strictly annuals in New Jersey, dying back with the first frost. They’re perfect for covering trellises, fences, or arbors quickly.
These colorful and easy-to-grow vines thrive in sunny locations. Plant them after your last frost date for best results.
Morning glory flowers open in the morning and typically close by afternoon. This daily rhythm adds charm to your garden routine.
The heart-shaped leaves resembling ivy provide attractive foliage even when flowers aren’t blooming. Your garden will have consistent visual interest.
You can grow morning glory successfully in New Jersey with minimal effort. They’re ideal for beginning gardeners seeking quick results.
These vines need support structures to climb. Provide wire, string, or wooden supports for your morning glories to wrap around.
Plant seeds directly in your garden after soil warms. Morning glories often self-seed, returning year after year.
41. Magnolia
Magnolia trees bring stunning beauty to New Jersey gardens with their large, fragrant blooms. These magnificent flowering trees adapt well to the state’s climate and soil conditions.
The Southern Magnolia grows 60 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 30 to 50 feet. It produces creamy-white flowers from April through June that fill your garden with sweet fragrance.
For smaller spaces, consider the sweetbay magnolia variety. The sweetbay magnolia grows up to 20 feet and blooms from May to June with creamy-white flowers.
You’ll find magnolias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Partial shade locations can also work well for these adaptable trees.
The top picks for New Jersey include Magnolia virginiana and Magnolia grandiflora. Plant your magnolia in spring for best establishment in northern climates.
These trees provide year-round interest with their glossy green leaves and architectural form. The resulting fruits also offer important food sources for local wildlife during fall months.
40. Clematis
Clematis brings stunning vertical beauty to your New Jersey garden with its gorgeous climbing vines. These versatile plants produce breathtaking flowers in shades of pink, white, yellow, and purple that will transform any fence or trellis.
You’ll find clematis varieties with the prettiest flowers range from petite bell-shaped blooms to large, showy blossoms. Many varieties bloom from spring through fall, giving you months of colorful displays.
Summer-blooming clematis varieties flower from June through September or even into October. These heat-tolerant types thrive in New Jersey’s warm summers and provide continuous color when other flowers fade.
Your clematis needs well-drained, aerated soil to prevent crown rot, which can damage young plants. Keep the roots cool with mulch while allowing the vines to climb toward sunny spots.
Clematis varieties for small gardens work perfectly in containers on patios or balconies. You can grow these compact varieties even in limited spaces while still enjoying their spectacular blooms.
Choose from deciduous or evergreen varieties depending on your preference for year-round coverage or seasonal interest in your New Jersey landscape.
39. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart plants bring enchanting charm to your New Jersey garden with their distinctive heart-shaped flowers. These shade-loving perennials bloom from April through May, creating stunning displays in woodland settings.
You’ll love how the pink or white flowers dangle gracefully from arching stems above attractive foliage. The heart-shaped blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Plant your bleeding hearts in partial to full shade with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They pair beautifully with hostas, astilbe, and other shade perennials in your garden borders.
These plants typically grow 10-12 inches tall with an 18-inch spread. Space individual plants about 15 inches apart for best results.
Keep in mind that bleeding hearts often go dormant by mid-summer after flowering. This natural behavior allows them to conserve energy for next year’s spectacular spring display.
You can choose from several varieties, including the heat-tolerant King of Hearts hybrid or unique Love Hearts with sulfur-white blooms and purple-red tips.
38. Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants bring stunning drooping flowers and lush foliage to your New Jersey garden. These versatile beauties can be grown as annuals, perennials, or even houseplants.
You’ll love their distinctive funnel-shaped blooms that dangle gracefully from stems. The flowers come in vibrant combinations of pink, purple, red, and white.
Growing fuchsia in New Jersey requires some specific care considerations. These plants prefer partial shade and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
Keep the soil consistently moist but well-draining. Fuchsias don’t tolerate drought well, so regular watering is essential for healthy growth.
You can grow them in hanging baskets, containers, or directly in garden beds. The best fuchsia varieties for hanging baskets create beautiful cascading displays.
These plants work wonderfully as accent pieces in shaded garden areas. Their unique flower shape and vibrant colors make them conversation starters.
With hundreds of fuchsia varieties available, you’ll find options that suit your garden’s color scheme and growing conditions perfectly.
37. Zinnia
Zinnias are perfect for your New Jersey garden if you want vibrant, cheerful flowers with minimal effort. These easy-to-grow annuals bring dazzling colors and diverse shapes to any landscape.
You can plant zinnia seeds in late June or early July for blooms that last until the first frost. Within 6-7 weeks of planting, you’ll enjoy beautiful flowers in your garden.
Zinnias are annuals in New Jersey, dying off after the first fall frost. Their amazing diversity in color, shape, and height makes them suitable for various gardening styles and flower arranging.
You’ll find zinnias in stunning colors including red, yellow, pink, orange, purple, white, and green. Each daisy-like flower blooms on a single, erect stem from June to frost.
These flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. They also make excellent fresh-cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Zinnias thrive in sunny spots and require minimal care once established. The hardest part is choosing which beautiful varieties to plant in your garden.
36. Marigold
Marigolds thrive in New Jersey’s climate and bloom from early summer until frost. These cheerful annuals produce vibrant yellow, orange, and red flowers that brighten any garden space.
You’ll find marigolds easy to grow with minimal maintenance needs. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them perfect for gardeners of all skill levels.
American marigolds grow up to 3 feet tall with large, round blooms in gold, orange, and yellow shades. These work beautifully in back borders or as dramatic centerpieces.
French marigolds stay more compact at around 12 inches tall. The ‘Court Jester’ variety features striking two-inch striped yellow and dark red blooms.
Marigolds prosper in hot, dry areas and are said to repel insects naturally. You can plant them in garden beds, borders, or containers for versatile color displays.
Since marigolds are edible, you can use their petals as decorative garnishes for desserts. Their bright colors and easy care make them ideal additions to your New Jersey garden.
35. Larkspur
Larkspur brings stunning vertical beauty to your New Jersey garden with its tall spikes of vibrant blooms. These elegant flowers thrive in New Jersey’s climate, making them perfect for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
You’ll love how larkspur grows 4 to 6 feet tall with a 2-foot spread, creating dramatic height in your flower beds. The blooms appear in gorgeous shades of blue, purple, pink, and white.
Plant your larkspur in full sun with some afternoon shade during hot summer days. These flowers prefer well-draining, humus-rich soil to flourish in your garden.
Larkspur flowers bloom from early summer until fall, giving you months of beautiful color. They’re excellent for cutting gardens and cottage-style landscapes.
Since New Jersey falls in hardiness zones 5 and 6, larkspur adapts well to your local growing conditions. You can enjoy these stunning blooms that add charm to any flower arrangement.
The distinctive dolphin-shaped flowers create an eye-catching display that brightens your entire garden space.
34. Dogwood
Dogwood trees produce beautiful flowers during springtime in New Jersey. These stunning blooms make them perfect additions to your garden.
The flowers you see are actually colorful bracts that can be white, pink, or red. The true flowers are small and greenish-yellow in the center.
Flowering Dogwood is a classic choice for New Jersey landscapes, offering gorgeous spring displays. This medium-sized tree works well in both residential and commercial settings.
Your dogwood will bloom in early May, creating a spectacular show. The overlapping dogwood blooms signal that winter is truly over.
These trees are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, making them perfect for New Jersey’s climate. They typically reach heights of 20 to 30 feet.
Beyond spring flowers, dogwoods offer year-round interest with attractive fall foliage and berry-like drupes. They also provide valuable support for local wildlife.
You can use dogwoods as ornamental borders, accent plantings, or focal points in small to medium landscapes.
33. Camellia
Camellias bring stunning blooms to New Jersey gardens with their glossy evergreen foliage and elegant flowers. These beautiful shrubs thrive in shady spots where other flowering plants struggle.
You’ll find cold-hardy camellia varieties that can survive New Jersey’s zone 6 climate. Previously, most camellias couldn’t handle the cold, but newer varieties are much more resilient.
Plant your camellias in well-drained, slightly acidic soil similar to what rhododendrons prefer. They need protection from harsh winter winds and temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Camellia sasanqua varieties bloom earlier in fall and offer better cold tolerance than other types. These make excellent choices for New Jersey gardeners.
Consider compact varieties like ‘Snow Flurry’ that stay around 4 feet tall, or let larger varieties reach up to 15 feet. You can also grow camellias successfully in containers for added flexibility.
Your camellias will reward you with gorgeous blooms in cool weather when most other flowers have finished for the season. Their unique timing makes them valuable additions to any New Jersey landscape.
32. Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are popular choices for New Jersey landscapes, known for their lush evergreen foliage and vibrant flowers. These beautiful shrubs will add stunning color to your garden during their blooming season.
You’ll find that rhododendrons prefer acid soils with a pH of 4.5-5.5 and need well-drained conditions for their fibrous root systems. This makes them well-suited to New Jersey’s naturally acidic soil in many areas.
The large-flowered hybrids are characterized by particularly large leaves and flowers that shine in beautiful colors in May and June. These varieties are hardy and grow well with minimal care requirements.
Your rhododendrons can thrive as shrubs or small trees, depending on the variety you choose. Many species are evergreen, providing year-round structure and interest in your landscape.
Great Laurel produces clusters of white to purplish-pink flowers that bloom in June, providing valuable food for bumblebees. You can use rhododendrons in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural garden areas.
31. Azalea
Azaleas bring stunning spring color to your New Jersey garden with their vibrant blooms. These flowering shrubs thrive in the state’s climate and offer endless variety for your landscape.
You’ll find azaleas bloom from April to early May, creating spectacular displays before their leaves fully emerge. The flowers come in shades of pink, white, red, orange, and yellow.
Native azaleas have fragrant flowers and often feature warm color palettes. Some varieties display multiple colors on the same plant, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope effect.
Plant your azaleas in well-drained soil, as they don’t tolerate wet conditions. Poor drainage leads to root rot, which can kill your plants.
The best time to plant azaleas in New Jersey is early spring as soil warms up. This timing allows them to establish strong root systems before summer heat arrives.
Choose from compact varieties for small spaces or larger specimens for dramatic impact. Azaleas work beautifully as foundation plantings or grouped together for mass color.
These shrubs prefer partial shade and acidic soil. With proper care, they’ll reward you with reliable blooms year after year.
30. Gardenia
Gardenias bring elegant white blooms and intoxicating fragrance to your New Jersey garden. These evergreen shrubs produce waxy, creamy flowers that smell absolutely divine on warm summer evenings.
You’ll find gardenias thrive in New Jersey’s climate when planted in the right conditions. They prefer acidic, well-draining soil with consistent moisture but not waterlogged roots.
Plant your gardenias in partial shade to protect them from harsh afternoon sun. Morning sunlight helps promote healthy blooming while afternoon shade prevents stress during hot summer days.
These beautiful shrubs need regular watering during dry spells. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent fungal issues.
Gardenias bloom from late spring through early fall in New Jersey. The flowers start as tight buds and open into full, rosette-shaped blooms that can reach 3-4 inches across.
You can grow gardenias in containers if you prefer. This allows you to move them to protected areas during harsh winter weather or extreme cold snaps.
Feed your gardenias with acid-loving plant fertilizer in spring and summer. This helps maintain the soil pH they need and supports healthy growth and abundant flowering.
29. Spirea
Spirea makes a wonderful addition to your New Jersey garden with its delicate, colorful blooms and easy care requirements. These flowering woody shrubs produce clusters of pretty pink, purple, red, or white flowers that add beautiful pops of color throughout the growing season.
You’ll love how easy spirea plants are to care for while providing such stunning visual impact. The lacey flowers appear alongside small foliage in various shades of green, creating an attractive contrast in your landscape.
With more than 80 different spirea varieties available, you can find options that fit any garden style. Some varieties bloom in late spring, while others flower during summer months.
These versatile shrubs come in different sizes and growth habits. You can choose tall varieties for backdrop plantings or compact forms for smaller spaces and borders.
Spirea grows well in New Jersey’s climate and tolerates various soil conditions. The native Steeplebush spirea particularly thrives in moist, acidic soils but adapts to different textures.
Your spirea will provide multiple seasons of interest with its changing foliage colors and elegant branching structure, making it a valuable long-term investment for your garden.
28. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a native North American perennial wildflower that brings stunning yellow blooms to your New Jersey garden. These tall, slim plants feature fluffy golden flower spikes in various shades of yellow.
You’ll love how easy goldenrod is to grow in your garden. It thrives in any sunny location and survives well in average or even poor soil conditions.
Goldenrod blooms from late summer into fall, providing beautiful color when many other flowers are fading. The bright yellow flowers create an eye-catching display that adds warmth to your landscape.
Your garden will attract beneficial wildlife with goldenrod. Seaside Goldenrod provides nectar for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies, while the dried seeds offer food for birds.
Once considered a weed, goldenrod is now valued by gardeners thanks to improved cultivars. These newer varieties offer better performance and more attractive flowers for your garden design.
You can choose from many different goldenrod varieties to find the perfect fit for your New Jersey landscape. Each type brings its own unique characteristics and beauty to your outdoor space.
27. Blue False Indigo
Blue False Indigo brings stunning vertical beauty to your New Jersey garden with its striking blue-purple flower spikes. This native New Jersey perennial blooms from late spring to early summer, creating dramatic displays that last for weeks.
You’ll love how this hardy plant grows 3-4 feet tall and wide, forming sturdy clumps that improve with age. The blue-green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, even after the flowers fade.
Plant your Blue False Indigo in full sun with well-drained soil for best results. This drought-tolerant native handles clay soil and erosion problems while requiring minimal maintenance once established.
The pea-like flowers attract bumblebees and butterflies to your garden. After blooming, interesting charcoal-colored seed pods develop, adding late-season interest to your landscape.
Use Blue False Indigo as an accent plant in borders or group several together for maximum impact. This long-lived perennial returns year after year with decades of reliable beauty, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
26. Garden Phlox
Garden phlox brings stunning clusters of fragrant blooms to your New Jersey garden throughout the summer months. These tall perennials create beautiful vertical displays with their colorful star-shaped flowers.
You’ll find garden phlox thrives in moderately fertile soil with medium moisture and good drainage. The plants prefer full sun to partial shade for optimal blooming.
When planting, space your phlox 18 to 24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation. This spacing helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
Early spring after the last frost or early fall provides the best planting timing in New Jersey. Your phlox will establish strong root systems during these cooler periods.
Garden phlox works wonderfully as a thriller plant in container combinations due to its upright growth habit. You can also use it in traditional flower beds and borders.
The fragrant tubular flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Popular varieties like ‘Jeana’ offer excellent disease resistance and long blooming periods for your New Jersey landscape.
25. Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye Weed makes a stunning addition to your New Jersey garden with its tall, stately presence. This native perennial produces large, rounded flower heads with pale pinkish-purple, fragrant flowers that bloom from July through September.
You’ll love how this plant attracts butterflies and bees to your garden. The special value for native bees and many species of butterflies makes it perfect for creating a pollinator-friendly space.
Growing Joe Pye Weed is surprisingly easy since it generally takes care of itself and does well even when somewhat neglected. You’ll want to provide consistently moist, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade.
Plant your Joe Pye Weed in spring or fall, spacing them 2-4 feet apart. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots.
The flowers are followed by attractive seed heads that last well into winter, giving you extended garden interest. Your tall flowering plants will create a striking display when massed in the back of borders or wildflower gardens.
24. Lavender
Lavender can thrive in New Jersey’s climate with proper planning and care. This fragrant herb produces beautiful purple blooms that add color and aroma to your garden.
You’ll love how lavender’s wands of purple flowers dance in the wind on hot summer days. The plant feeds bees and maintains its cheerful appearance even in challenging conditions.
Lavender works perfectly as a hedge plant, adding both fragrance and visual appeal to patio gardens. The evergreen perennial has been valued for centuries in perfumes and other applications.
The best time to plant lavender in New Jersey requires careful timing for optimal growth. You can cut the long stems for vases or dry them in the sun for potpourri.
Your lavender will reward you with a second bloom period, providing months of divine scents both indoors and outdoors. The flower spikes produce an incredible aroma when the blooms are at their peak.
Multiple lavender farms throughout New Jersey offer fresh cut bundles, dried lavender, and plants for sale. You can visit these farms during summer for picking experiences and photo opportunities.
23. Milkweed
Milkweed makes a wonderful addition to your New Jersey garden with its beautiful clusters of flowers. Twelve native species of New Jersey milkweeds offer you plenty of variety to choose from.
The most popular variety is Common Milkweed, which can reach heights of up to six feet. Its large oval leaves grow opposite each other on sturdy stems. The pinkish-purple flowers bloom in attractive clusters at the top.
Swamp Milkweed produces light pink, purple, or white flowers that create stunning displays in your garden. These blooms attract various native bees and butterflies to your outdoor space.
Common Milkweed grows well in poor, dry soils and spreads naturally through self-seeding. This makes it perfect for wildlife gardens and naturalized areas where you want low-maintenance beauty.
Your milkweed plants will become magnets for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies, making your garden a vital habitat for these important pollinators.
22. Yarrow
Yarrow is a fantastic perennial flower that thrives in New Jersey’s climate. This hardy plant produces beautiful flat-topped flower clusters in colors ranging from white to yellow, pink, or red.
The feathery, gray-green foliage creates an attractive backdrop for the colorful blooms. Yarrow typically reaches 2 to 3 feet in height and works well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.
You’ll love how easy yarrow is to grow in your garden. It prefers well-drained soil and becomes drought-tolerant once established. This makes it perfect for low-maintenance landscaping.
The tiny flowers cluster together in flat displays that bloom from June through September. This extended blooming period provides consistent color throughout the growing season.
Yarrow spreads naturally through rhizomes and self-seeding, so you may need to divide it occasionally. The plant’s fragrant foliage adds another sensory element to your garden space.
This versatile flower works beautifully in wildflower gardens, borders, or naturalized areas. Its ability to attract beneficial insects makes it an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes.
21. Sweet Pea
Sweet peas bring delicate charm and enchanting fragrance to your New Jersey garden. These climbing annuals produce vibrant blooms in various colors that create a romantic cottage garden atmosphere.
You’ll find sweet peas thrive in New Jersey’s cooler spring weather. They prefer well-drained, fertile soil and need a sunny location for optimal growth.
Plant your sweet pea seeds in early spring when temperatures are still cool. Soak the seeds overnight before planting to soften their hard outer shells for better germination.
These flowers excel as cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Many varieties offer unique characteristics perfect for creating stunning bouquets with their delicate petals and sweet fragrance.
Your sweet peas will need support structures since they’re climbing vines. Install trellises or garden stakes early in the season to guide their growth.
Growing sweet peas in New Jersey requires thoughtful planning around planting times and soil preparation. With proper care, these charming flowers will reward you with months of beautiful blooms and delightful fragrance throughout your spring garden.
20. Snapdragon
Snapdragons bring delightful charm to your New Jersey garden with their unique dragon-mouth shaped flowers. These cool-season flowers thrive in temperatures between 60-75°F, making them perfect for spring and fall planting.
You’ll love the variety of colors available, including pinks, reds, yellows, and whites. Snapdragons can grow anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet tall depending on the variety you choose.
These flowers work wonderfully in both garden beds and containers. Choose a good organic potting soil if you plan to grow snapdragons in containers.
Children especially enjoy snapdragons because you can gently squeeze the sides of each flower to make the “dragon’s mouth” open and close. This interactive feature makes them a fun addition to family gardens.
Snapdragons are cool-season flowers that grow easily in most gardens and provide excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements. A light frost won’t harm mature plants, extending your growing season.
19. Hollyhock
Hollyhocks bring a charming cottage garden feel to your New Jersey landscape. These striking flowers can be grown as annuals, biennials or perennials depending on your garden plans.
You’ll love their impressive height, as they can reach 3 to 7 feet tall. The large blooms measure 3 to 6 inches wide and come in beautiful colors including white, pink, red, yellow, and purple.
Hollyhocks produce heart-shaped leaves that clump into mounds below the flower stalks. The blooms can be single, semi-double, or double petaled for varied texture in your garden.
These flowers thrive in New Jersey’s climate and work well in full sun locations. You can grow them directly in your garden beds or use them as thriller plants in container combinations.
To keep your hollyhocks blooming longer, remove old flowers regularly. This simple task redirects the plant’s energy into producing more vibrant blooms throughout the growing season.
Hollyhocks attract pollinators and create vertical interest in your garden design. Their tall stems make excellent backdrop plants for shorter flowers in your New Jersey garden.
18. Lupine
Lupines bring stunning vertical interest to your New Jersey garden with their tall flower spikes. These beautiful perennial flowers can reach heights of 5 feet when in bloom.
You’ll love the pea-like flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Sundial Lupine blooms from April through July and serves as an excellent nectar source for hummingbirds and native bees.
These native perennials grow 1-2 feet tall and bloom from June to July. You should plant them in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, lean soils.
Lupines prefer cooler nights, which makes them more challenging to grow in some parts of New Jersey. Higher elevation areas tend to have better success with these flowers.
Space your lupine plants about 14 inches apart when planting. They naturally reseed themselves, so you’ll often find new plants appearing in your garden each year.
The attractive compound leaves orient themselves toward the sun throughout the day. This creates additional visual interest even when the flowers aren’t blooming.
17. Phlox
Phlox brings vibrant splashes of color to your New Jersey garden with its stunning pink, white, and lavender blooms. These versatile flowers work beautifully in beds, borders, and containers.
You’ll find phlox varieties for just about every gardening need in your landscape. Creeping phlox spreads as groundcover, while tall garden phlox stands proudly in summer borders.
The best time to plant phlox in New Jersey is early spring after the last frost or early fall. Your phlox will thrive in moderately fertile soil with good drainage and medium moisture.
Tall garden phlox produces clusters of small, fragrant, tubular flowers that bloom throughout summer. The sweet fragrance adds another layer of appeal to your garden space.
You’ll appreciate how phlox flowers offer ease of care while delivering big visual impact. These reliable bloomers return year after year with minimal fuss.
Consider adding mulch around your phlox plants to keep soil cool and moist. This simple step helps your flowers perform their best during hot New Jersey summers.
16. Shasta Daisy
Shasta daisies bring classic white blooms with sunny yellow centers to your New Jersey garden. These hardy perennials grow 2-3 feet tall and spread about 2 feet wide.
You can plant Shasta daisies in early spring after the last frost or in early fall. Spring planting helps them establish before summer heat arrives.
These daisies thrive in average, well-drained soil with plenty of compost worked in at planting time. They prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade.
The popular ‘Becky’ variety was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2003. It produces 4-5 inch flower heads and blooms from summer through fall when deadheaded regularly.
Your Shasta daisies will bloom repeatedly if you remove spent flowers. The sturdy stems hold up well in summer storms and make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
Feed plants with slow-release fertilizer if flower numbers seem low. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce blooms and increase foliage.
These low-maintenance perennials return reliably each year, making them perfect for New Jersey’s climate zones.
15. New England Aster
New England Aster brings gorgeous purple blooms to your fall garden when many other flowers are fading. These native North American perennials create stunning displays with their daisy-like flowers.
You’ll love how these pink-purple flowers bloom from late summer to fall. The blooms feature bright petals surrounding sunny yellow centers that attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.
These impressive plants can reach heights of 4-6 feet, making them perfect for the back of your flower borders. Their tall, sturdy stems are covered with dark green leaves that complement the colorful blooms beautifully.
New England Asters are deer-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about wildlife munching on your flowers. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil.
Your garden will benefit from these host plants for Pearl Crescent butterflies and other beneficial insects. The seeds also provide food for birds, making them excellent choices for wildlife gardens.
14. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, brings bright yellow and golden blooms to your New Jersey garden. These cheerful daisy-like flowers will add vibrant color while attracting bees and butterflies to your landscape.
You’ll love how low-maintenance coreopsis is to grow. It thrives in various soil types and works well in both sunny and partially shaded areas of your garden.
Coreopsis flowers bloom repeatedly throughout summer, giving you months of continuous color. The blooms start in early to mid-season and continue well into late season.
This hardy perennial is perfect for wildflower gardens and cottage-style landscapes. Native to North America, it comes in various colors, heights, and textures to suit your preferences.
All your coreopsis needs is well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine to bloom profusely. The flowers naturally follow the sun, creating a dynamic display throughout the day.
With so many varieties available, you can easily find coreopsis that fits your garden’s specific needs and aesthetic preferences.
13. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas make stunning additions to New Jersey gardens with their large, colorful blooms and lush foliage. These versatile flowering shrubs thrive in the Garden State’s climate conditions.
New Jersey’s climate is ideal for nurturing hydrangeas, making them perfect for your landscape. You’ll find several varieties that work well in different garden conditions.
Panicle hydrangeas are very cold-hardy and sun-tolerant, making them excellent choices for northern gardeners. They bloom on new wood, so pruning is straightforward.
For cut flower arrangements, Pee Gee hydrangeas and Lacecap hydrangeas are popular choices due to their sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms.
Early spring and fall are the best times to plant hydrangeas in New Jersey. This timing gives them mild weather to establish strong root systems.
Your hydrangeas will provide floral interest from late spring through early summer, often lasting well into autumn. They’re relatively easy to grow and offer great satisfaction with minimal effort required.
12. Columbine
Columbine will bring elegant charm to your New Jersey garden with its distinctive nodding flowers and delicate spurred petals. These captivating perennials bloom in spring and early summer, creating a stunning display.
The Red Columbine grows well in New Jersey and typically reaches heights of about 3 feet. This variety tends to grow vertically rather than spreading horizontally across your garden beds.
Your columbine plants will thrive in limestone-rich soil that drains well. They prefer partial shade conditions, making them perfect for woodland garden settings or areas under trees.
Eastern Columbine attracts hummingbirds with its red and yellow bi-colored flowers that bloom from April through May. The drooping, bell-like blossoms also provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and hawk moths.
These shade-loving perennials feature attractive compound leaves with three-lobed leaflets. The unique backward-pointing spurs give columbine flowers their distinctive appearance.
Flower heads range from one to four inches wide, with hybrid cultivars producing the largest blooms. You’ll find columbine comes in various colors from soft pastels to vibrant hues.
11. Virginia Bluebell
Virginia Bluebells will bring delightful spring color to your New Jersey garden with their charming trumpet-shaped flowers. These native perennial wildflowers start as pink buds before opening into beautiful blue-purple blooms from March through April.
You’ll love watching the transformation as the distinctive fuchsia buds emerge and gradually open into light blue bell-shaped flowers. The smooth, gray-green foliage provides an attractive backdrop for the nodding flower clusters.
Your Virginia Bluebells will thrive in shady areas with moist, rich soil. They naturally grow in deciduous woodlands and floodplains throughout the eastern United States.
Keep in mind that these plants are spring ephemerals, meaning the foliage dies back by midsummer as they go dormant. You should overplant with ferns or perennials that will fill in the empty space once the bluebells recede.
Virginia Bluebells work wonderfully in woodland borders, shade gardens, or as temporary spring groundcover. They’re perfect for adding early season interest before your summer perennials take over.
10. Daylily
Daylilies are often called the perfect perennial because they combine beauty with incredible ease of care. These hardy flowers thrive in New Jersey’s climate and offer stunning blooms from spring through late summer.
You’ll love the wide variety of colors available. Daylilies bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink, giving you plenty of options to match your garden design.
These flowers are remarkably low-maintenance. They can survive in virtually any condition, including drought, making them perfect for busy gardeners or those new to flower growing.
The attractive, arching foliage adds structure to your garden even when flowers aren’t blooming. You can use daylilies in perennial borders, mass them in beds, or even use them as groundcover.
More than 60,000 daylilies are registered with the American Daylily Society, so you’ll never run out of new varieties to try. Their large, lily-shaped flowers create a continuous display that will keep your garden colorful throughout the growing season.
9. Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower brings vibrant beauty to your New Jersey garden with its distinctive drooping petals and prominent centers. These hardy perennials are extremely durable and can handle the challenging conditions in your area.
You’ll love how these flowers bloom non-stop throughout the summer from June through September. The pinkish-purple blooms make excellent cut flowers for your home arrangements.
Purple coneflower is considered one of the best perennials for New Jersey landscapes. It tolerates various growing conditions and requires minimal maintenance from you.
Your plants will reach 3 to 4 feet tall and thrive in full sun to partial shade. They prefer medium to dry soils, making them perfect for water-wise gardening.
The seeds provide food for goldfinches, adding wildlife value to your garden. These flowers are also heat and drought-resistant, so they’ll flourish even during harsh summer conditions.
Purple coneflowers attract beneficial pollinators to your garden while requiring very little care from you once established.
8. Black-eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susans are among New Jersey’s most beloved native wildflowers. These cheerful yellow-orange blooms with dark centers will brighten your garden from June through September.
You’ll love how easy these flowers are to grow in New Jersey’s climate. They thrive in full sun and adapt well to various soil conditions, making them perfect for beginner gardeners.
Black-eyed Susans offer more variety than you might expect. While most people picture the classic yellow daisy-like flower, you can find different sizes and shapes to suit your garden design.
Your local wildlife will thank you for planting these natives. Black-eyed Susans provide nectar for bees and seeds for birds, while also serving as host plants for butterfly larvae.
These hardy perennials spread naturally, creating beautiful drifts of color over time. You can also pair them with companion plants like purple coneflowers or ornamental grasses for stunning combinations.
Plant black-eyed Susans once, and you’ll enjoy their golden beauty for years to come in your New Jersey garden.
7. Bradford Pear
Bradford pear trees bring stunning white blooms to New Jersey gardens each spring. These fast-growing flowering trees create beautiful displays that make them popular landscape choices.
You’ll love how these trees adapt to various soil conditions across New Jersey. Bradford pears thrive in different soil types and tolerate urban environments well.
These ornamental trees can reach 30 to 50 feet tall with broad, rounded shapes. Your Bradford pear will produce clouds of white blossoms in early spring before the leaves emerge.
The fall foliage adds another season of beauty to your garden. You’ll see yellow to red to purple colors as temperatures cool.
Plant your Bradford pear in full sun for the best flowering display. Well-drained soil works best, though these trees aren’t particularly fussy about soil type.
Keep in mind that Bradford pears grow quickly but may not provide the strongest long-term structure. Regular pruning helps maintain their shape and health in your New Jersey landscape.
6. Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon brings stunning late-summer color when most other flowers are fading. This hardy hibiscus thrives in New Jersey’s climate and produces beautiful blooms from summer through fall.
You’ll love the variety of colors available. The flowers come in shades of pink, white, red, purple, blue, and lavender. Each bloom creates a tropical appearance that enhances any garden space.
This shrub grows easily in your New Jersey garden with minimal care required. Rose of Sharon plants survive most winters well and adapt to various soil conditions. You can expect reliable blooms year after year.
The plant works perfectly as a privacy screen or focal point. You can prune it into a tree shape with a single trunk or let it grow naturally as a bushy shrub. Either way, it adds structure to your landscape.
Rose of Sharon blooms when few other shrubs are flowering. This timing makes it especially valuable for maintaining garden interest during late summer heat. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your outdoor space.
Plant this low-maintenance beauty in full sun to partial shade. With proper placement, you’ll enjoy months of colorful blooms that brighten your New Jersey garden.
5. White Snakeroot
White snakeroot will add elegant beauty to your New Jersey garden with its delicate clusters of white flowers. This native perennial grows 1-3 feet tall and thrives in the partial shade areas of your landscape.
You’ll love how this herbaceous perennial attracts bees and butterflies during its late summer through fall blooming period. The frothy white disc flowers provide crucial nectar when other plants have finished flowering.
Your white snakeroot will develop distinctive heart-shaped, dark green leaves on long stems. The plant starts as individual clumps but gradually spreads through underground rhizomes to form attractive colonies over time.
This adaptable flower tolerates various light conditions from heavy shade to full sun, though it prefers partial shade. You can grow it successfully in both moist, humus-rich soils and drier conditions.
White snakeroot serves as one of the last natives to flower, making it invaluable for supporting pollinators preparing for winter. However, keep in mind that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested by humans or animals.
4. Petunia
Petunias are one of the most beloved annual flowers you can grow in your New Jersey garden. These vibrant blooms come in countless colors and add instant charm to any outdoor space.
You’ll love how versatile petunias are in your garden design. They work beautifully in hanging baskets, window boxes, containers, borders, or beds.
For best results, plant your petunias in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. They’ll bloom abundantly in full sun to partial shade.
The funnel-shaped petals create beautiful ruffled textures that add visual interest to your flower beds. You might notice the leaves feel slightly sticky to the touch, which is perfectly normal.
Modern petunia varieties are particularly impressive. New cultivars that are hybrids of several petunias species perform so well that they’ve sparked renewed interest among gardeners.
These easy-care flowers will reward you with continuous blooms throughout the growing season. Their resilience and long flowering period make them an excellent choice for New Jersey gardens.
3. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums, commonly called mums, are popular perennial flowers in New Jersey that bring vibrant colors to your garden. These cheerful blooms are perfect for adding late summer and fall beauty to your outdoor space.
You’ll find chrysanthemums provide color in late summer and fall in varieties of orange, pink, red, and even green. The flowers bloom reliably when other plants start to fade.
These versatile plants are easy to grow and long-lasting. You can choose from annual or perennial varieties depending on your garden needs.
Mums thrive in New Jersey’s climate with minimal fuss. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil for best results.
You can often find potted mums for sale in early fall at local garden centers. These make excellent additions to flower beds or containers around your home.
The compact, charming nature of chrysanthemums makes them perfect for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Their diverse shapes and sizes offer plenty of options for your garden design.
2. Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Weed makes a stunning addition to your New Jersey garden with its vibrant orange blooms. This native New Jersey perennial thrives with minimal care and maintenance.
You’ll love watching the bright orange flowers bloom in flat-topped clusters from June through August. The blooms grow 2 to 5 inches across and create eye-catching displays in your garden.
This drought-tolerant plant grows 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads 18 to 24 inches wide. You can plant it in full sun with well-drained soils for best results.
Butterfly Weed attracts numerous pollinators to your garden. The nectar draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the growing season.
Your garden will benefit from this important nectar source for many butterflies. The leaves also serve as food for monarch butterfly larvae.
After flowering, you’ll notice attractive seed pods that work well in dried flower arrangements. The plant performs exceptionally well even in poor soils, making it perfect for challenging garden spots.
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm makes a stunning addition to your New Jersey garden with its vibrant, frilly flowers. These native New Jersey perennials bloom from late spring through summer in shades of white, pink, red, and purple.
You’ll love how this member of the mint family attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your yard. The distinctive square stems and strong aroma make it easy to identify.
Your bee balm plants will grow 1 to 2 feet tall with a similar spread. They handle New Jersey’s cold winters and hot summers beautifully when established.
Plant your bee balm in full sun or partial shade for best results. It prefers well-drained soil and tolerates dry conditions once established.
The tubular flowers cluster together in rounded heads, creating a spectacular display. You can use the aromatic leaves to make herbal tea with a citrusy, minty flavor.
Bee balm spreads naturally through underground runners, giving you more plants over time. Divide clumps every few years to keep them healthy and prevent overcrowding.
