Plant Lists

The following plant lists can be found with more discussion in our many post topics found under the “Learn” tab. These plant lists can also be found on the INFORMATION post at the Garden Center. If you have trouble locating these plants at Ward’s, please check with staff about availability.

• Cross Reference from Common Name to Botanical Name – When searching for a plant, use the botanical name to get more accurate availability and care information.
• Garden Blooms by Month – Listed by plant genus, these perennials have a range of blooming period based on hardiness zone but usually sometime in the month listed.
• Pollinator-friendly Native Plant List – Terrific reference of plants native to New England and to the Northeast that support pollinators sorted by type, color and flowering time. Chart includes brief cultural needs! From the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
• Deer! Plants Susceptible to Deer Damage and Plants Resistant to Deer – No plant is guaranteed to be immune to deer or rabbits. If deer are a serious problem, fences work best. This list includes PLANTS that ATTRACT deer (to avoid) and those LESS LIKELY to be DAMAGED by deer.
• Native Plants Available from Ward’s – Shrub, tree and perennial plants are divided into locally native, Massachusetts native, Northeast Native and Eastern U.S. native.
• Wetland Choices for the Berkshires– Good sustainable plant alternatives if you are trying to eliminate invasive plants in your wetland. Chart includes best growing habitat.
• Annuals for Cut Flowers– This list includes common names of annuals with their botanical name plus tips for putting bouquets together. Useful for adding to a cutting garden.
• Perennials for Cut Flowers – Perennial flowers and foliage that make nice bouquets. Use this to start the backbone of your cutting garden.

We’re pleased to suggest these additional resources and organization websites to help you get the information you need. We have tried to limit our links to objective sources of information.

Gardening Questions

While we will happily help diagnose a plant problem, you might want to consult these online factsheets or hotlines.

• Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar-formerly Gypsy Moth) Information – UMass Fact Sheets
• Lily Leaf Beetle Management – Tip Sheet – UMass Agricultural Extension
• Watch for Invasive Spotted Lanternfly – Tips – Cornell University
• Viburnum Leaf Beetle Management – Cornell University Fact Sheet
• Gardening Cornell Extension — information for home gardeners
• Fruit Tree Information for Home Orchard Beginners – Ward’s Fruit Tree Source Hollybrook Orchards
• Ohio State University Fact Sheet – extensive Factsheets that will often apply to gardening in the Berkshires

Non-profit Resources

Ward’s supports these resources due to their assistance to Berkshire gardeners and the environment.

• Berkshire Botanical Garden
• Berkshire Grown – Supporting Local Food and Farms since 1985-
• Center for EcoTechnology -Massachusetts & Connecticut
• Landis Arboretum: A Showcase of Woody Plants in their Natural State
• Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners

American Orchid Society

One of the most useful resources from the American Orchid Society is the culture sheets for the most popular cultivated orchid genera and miscellaneous other topics.

You’ll find them easy to print and use.

This link will take you there. Just click on ‘Orchid Information’ at the top of the homepage.
American Orchid Society Culture Sheets

New to the Berkshires?

Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce suggests places to stay and dine in the south county area.

1Berkshire will have more information about visiting all of Berkshire County.