Species library
Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.
Fen Bedstraw
Galium uliginosum
A delicate, star-flowered scrambler that thrives in the dampest corners of the landscape. Fen Bedstraw brings an airy...
Plants
few-flowered sedge
Carex pauciflora
A delicate specialist of the northern peatlands, the few-flowered sedge is famous for its unique downward-pointing fr...
Plants
Fiddle-leaf Fig
Ficus lyrata
With its massive, violin-shaped leaves and commanding presence, the Fiddle-leaf Fig is the ultimate 'it' plant of the...
Plants
field sedge
Carex praegracilis
The resilient 'expressway sedge' that transforms highways and backyards alike into lush, emerald meadows. A favorite ...
Plants
Firebush
Hamelia patens
The ultimate 'living bird feeder,' Firebush is a vibrant tropical shrub that provides a constant supply of nectar and...
Plants
Firespike
Odontonema tubaeforme
A towering beacon of brilliant red, Firespike is the ultimate 'gas station' for hummingbirds and butterflies. This ar...
Plants
fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium
A spectacular herald of summer, Fireweed transforms disturbed landscapes into seas of brilliant magenta. This hardy w...
Plants
Fishbone Fern
Nephrolepis cordifolia
The Fishbone Fern is a resilient and architectural masterpiece of the plant world, easily recognized by its ladder-li...
Plants
Flame vine
Pyrostegia venusta
A cascading waterfall of brilliant orange, the Flame vine is a winter-blooming powerhouse that transforms fences into...
Plants
Floating Heart
Nymphoides senegalensis
Floating Heart is a master of the wetlands, gracing African waters with its delicate, fringed white blossoms and icon...
Plants
flower-of-an-hour
Hibiscus trionum
A fleeting beauty of the summer garden, the flower-of-an-hour reveals its stunning dark-eyed blooms for only a few ho...
Plants
Fly Honeysuckle
Lonicera xylosteum
A resilient and bushy woodland staple, the Fly Honeysuckle is famous for its paired 'twin' flowers and brilliant red ...
Plants
Forbes' Glory-of-the-snow
Scilla forbesii
A brilliant sapphire carpet that defies the winter chill, Forbes' Glory-of-the-snow is one of the first splashes of c...
Plants
fox grape
Vitis labrusca
The bold, aromatic ancestor of the Concord grape, the Fox Grape is a vertical sanctuary and a wild autumn banquet for...
Plants
fox sedge
Carex vulpinoidea
With its signature bristly seed heads that resemble a bushy fox's tail, Fox Sedge is a cornerstone of the backyard we...
Plants
Foxtail Bristle-grass
Setaria italica
An ancient grain with a modern purpose, Foxtail Bristle-grass is a stunning ornamental that doubles as a high-energy ...
Plants
fragrant sumac
Rhus aromatica
A powerhouse of the backyard ecosystem, fragrant sumac offers citrus-scented foliage, brilliant fall colors, and esse...
Plants
Frank's sedge
Carex frankii
A champion of the rain garden, Frank's sedge is easily recognized by its distinctive, bristly seed heads that look li...
Plants
French broom
Genista monspessulana
A golden-flowered invader from the Mediterranean, French broom is a master of rapid expansion, transforming backyards...
Plants
fringed sedge
Carex crinita
With its elegant, drooping seed heads and fountain-like foliage, Fringed Sedge is the 'weeping willow' of the marsh w...
Plants
fringed willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum
A hardy and prolific wildflower, the fringed willowherb is a master of dispersal, using silky wind-blown seeds to col...
Plants
Garden angelica
Angelica archangelica
A towering, architectural marvel of the plant world, Garden Angelica is a magnet for pollinators and a dramatic addit...
Plants
Garden Grape-hyacinth
Muscari armeniacum
A vibrant herald of spring, the Garden Grape-hyacinth blankets the earth in stunning cobalt blue. These hardy Mediter...
Plants
garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata
A tenacious invader of the forest understory, garlic mustard is a master of early-spring survival. Identifiable by it...
Plants
Germander Speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys
A splash of sapphire in the springtime grass, the Germander Speedwell is famous for its bright blue 'bird's-eye' flow...
Plants
Giant Bamboo
Dendrocalamus giganteus
The undisputed titan of the grass family, Giant Bamboo can grow over a foot in a single day, reaching heights that ri...
Plants
Giant Bellflower
Campanula latifolia
A majestic sentinel of the shade, the Giant Bellflower offers a stunning vertical display of violet blooms that serve...
Plants
Giant Cutgrass
Zizaniopsis miliacea
A towering sentinel of the southern wetlands, Giant Cutgrass is as beautiful as it is formidable. With its razor-edge...
Plants
giant foxtail
Setaria faberi
A tall, elegant grass with iconic drooping seed heads, the giant foxtail is a late-summer staple of the backyard land...
Plants
Giant Hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum
A towering and hazardous invasive, the Giant Hogweed commands attention with its massive white blooms and prehistoric...
Plants
Giant leather fern
Acrostichum danaeifolium
A prehistoric titan of the wetlands, the Giant leather fern is the largest fern in North America. Its massive, leathe...
Plants
giant reed
Arundo donax
A towering, bamboo-like invader that dominates waterways and backyards alike. Monitor this aggressive grass to protec...
Plants
giant rhubarb
Gunnera manicata
A prehistoric giant that turns any backyard into a scene from the Jurassic era. Known for its massive leaves and arch...
Plants
giant timber bamboo
Bambusa oldhamii
The crown jewel of clumping bamboos, Oldhamii transforms backyards into tropical cathedrals with its towering green c...
Plants
globe sedge
Carex perglobosa
A resilient gem of the high peaks, the globe sedge defies the elements with its sturdy, orb-like flower heads. This a...
Plants
golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
A spring-blooming powerhouse, Golden Alexanders light up the garden with yellow umbels and serve as a vital nursery f...
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