North American native
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
The workhorse of the pollinator garden: months of nectar for bees and butterflies, then seed heads that feed goldfinches all winter.
JanBlooms Jun–SepDec
About the Plants
The Plants
Our pollinator benches are built around native plants: species that evolved alongside Long Island's bees, butterflies, and birds and still feed them best. The sensory planter at the art museum and the high school planter also mix in a few non-invasive ornamentals, and each plant below is labeled.
Native plants
What we plant
Each badge says where the plant is native: Long Island itself, or elsewhere in North America. Tap any plant for bloom time, height, what it attracts, care notes, and which of our installations it grows in.
Native to Long Island
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweeds, and this is the classic one. No milkweed, no monarchs.
JanBlooms Jun–AugDec
North American native
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Shaggy scarlet flowers that hummingbirds cannot resist, on a fragrant plant you can make tea from.
JanBlooms Jul–AugDec
Native to Long Island
Goldenrod
Solidago spp.
The most important late-season nectar source in the Northeast, and it does not cause hay fever.
JanBlooms Aug–OctDec
Native to Long Island
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta
Cheerful gold daisies that seed themselves around, feeding small bees and later the finches.
JanBlooms Jun–SepDec
Native to Long Island
Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed
Eutrochium dubium
Dusty-pink domes in late summer that swallowtails and monarchs swarm. Ours is the compact 'Baby Joe' selection.
JanBlooms Jul–SepDec
Native to Long Island
Phlox
Phlox spp.
Fragrant clusters of five-petaled flowers, from ground-hugging spring moss phlox to tall summer garden phlox.
JanBlooms Mar–AugDec
Native to Long Island
Little Bluestem 'Standing Ovation'
Schizachyrium scoparium
A native prairie grass that turns copper in fall, rustles in the wind, and hosts skipper caterpillars.
JanBlooms Aug–SepDec
North American native
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia spp.
Fiery red-and-yellow daisies that bloom for months and pull in butterflies.
JanBlooms Jun–OctDec
Native Milkweed vs. Tropical Milkweed
Native milkweed is vital for supporting monarch butterflies, as it has co-evolved with them, providing essential habitat and food sources. Planting non-native tropical milkweed can disrupt monarchs’ natural reproductive and migratory patterns. It can lead to issues like increased parasite loads and disease spread among monarch populations.
Native milkweed, on the other hand, aligns with monarchs’ natural cues for breeding and migration. By choosing native milkweed, we help sustain monarch populations and support the overall health of local ecosystems.
Native Plants vs. Hybrids
Hybrids, compared to native plants, have some disadvantages for ecosystems and their relationship with butterflies. Hybrids often lack genetic diversity, making them more susceptible to pests and environmental changes. They may not provide the same nutritional benefits to butterflies as native plants, disrupting their life cycles. Invasive hybrid species can outcompete natives, reducing biodiversity.
While hybrids may be visually appealing, native plants are specifically adapted to support local pollinators. Striking a balance between aesthetics and ecological function is crucial when selecting plants for gardens and landscapes.
Sensory planter
Plants chosen for touch, smell, sound, and sight
The Nassau County Museum of Art sensory planter mixes native little bluestem with fragrant and colorful non-invasive plants so visitors of every ability can experience a garden up close.
Non-native ornamental
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Calming fragrance and soft purple spikes that bees work all day. Chosen for the sensory planter's sense of smell.
JanBlooms Jun–JulDec
Species not recorded; native status unknown
Fern
Polypodiopsida
Lush, cool green texture and fronds that invite touch. The sensory planter's shade and touch plant.
JanGrown for foliageDec
Non-native ornamental
Ornamental Cabbage
Brassica oleracea
Ruffled, rose-like leaves in cream and purple that get brighter as the weather gets colder.
JanGrown for foliageDec
Non-native ornamental
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Soft, fuzzy, gray-green leaves you cannot help but rub, with a scent that says Thanksgiving.
JanBlooms May–JunDec
Species not recorded; native status unknown
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum / Hylotelephium spp.
Thick, smooth succulent leaves and late-season flower clusters that bees and butterflies crowd onto in fall.
JanBlooms Aug–OctDec
Non-native ornamental
Garden Mums
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
The classic fall flower, in every color, for a burst of late-season color and a light floral scent.
JanBlooms Sep–NovDec
Non-native ornamental
Ornamental Peppers
Capsicum annuum
Tiny jewel-toned peppers in red, orange, and purple that add a fun, unexpected texture.
JanBlooms Jul–AugDec
Spring Awakening
What a native bed looks like in April
Every spring the dead stems we left standing all winter give way to new shoots: coneflower rosettes, milkweed spears, bee balm mats, and goldenrod. This is why we don't clean up in fall.