WEB RESOURCES:
CIPWG is a clearinghouse of information relating to Connecticut’s invasive plants, which also includes news and events, fact sheets and other publications and resources for planting native alternatives to invasive plants. Contact Vickie Wallace at victoria.wallace@uconn.edu, Rose Hiskes at rose.hiskes@ct.gov, or info@cipwg.org for more information. Join the listserv at cipwg.uconn.edu.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's species database gives names, photos and descriptions of hundreds of native plant species that can be used for gardens and landscapes in Connecticut. Also lists Connecticut suppliers of native plants and related organizations. Note: Some plants listed are native to US but may not specifically be native to Connecticut. www.wildflower.org/collections (select “Connecticut”)
USDA's database of both non-native and native plants provides standardized nomenclature across species. https://plants.usda.gov/
Go Botany is a web-based, comprehensive, scientific reference for the flora of New England. Pick from their “simple key” or “advanced key” tools to identify plants and learn more about their habitats, characteristics, and uses, and view photos and maps gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org
USDA-NRCS webpage with links to a number of publications about invasive plants, including publications with information on alternative plantings for some invasive plants. nrcs.usda.gov
The Rhode Island Native Plant guide is a useful reference for native plant propagation and cultivation, design and management of habitat restoration projects, and landscape design and management of many types of landscapes. The plants in the guide are native to Rhode Island. web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/
ORGANIZATIONS AND PROJECTS:
Group that promotes conservation and public awareness of Connecticut’s natural heritage. CBS holds a number of field trips throughout the year, holds twice-annual meetings, and publishes a quarterly newsletter. Website is a great resource with photographs and descriptions of plants found in Connecticut, with a special emphasis on native species. ct-botanical-society.org
Oldest plant conservation organization in United States. Promotes conservation of native plants through various programs and operates a native plant nursery. Also organizes volunteer eradication efforts for invasive plants and holds public education events. Contact 508-877-7630 or hello@NativePlantTrust.org for more information. nativeplanttrust.org
SOURCES FOR ALTERNATIVE PLANTS:
Connecticut Native Tree and Shrub Availability List. Peter Picone, CT DEEP - Wildlife Division. 2005. 12 pp. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. cipwg.uconn.edu
CT Agricultural Experiment Station. portal.CT.gov
ALTERNATIVE PLANT BOOKS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Alternatives for Invasive Ornamental Plant Species. Timothy Abbey. 2004. 16 pp. New Haven, CT: The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Available as a PDF online at cipwg.uconn.edu
Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens. Allan Armitage. 2006. Portland, OR. Timber Press.
Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens. Douglas Tallamy 2007. Portland, OR, Timber Press, Inc. Smithsonianmag.com
Connecticut Native Plant and Sustainable Landscaping Guide. Victoria Wallace and Alyssa Siegel-Miles. 2020. UConn Extension. Available as a PDF online at cipwg.uconn.edu
Connecticut Native Shrub List and Native Tree List. Jessica Lubell. 2013. Available at cipwg.uconn.edu
Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change. 2016. Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher. Timber Press
Landscape Use for Northeast United States Native Shrubs. Jessica Lubell. 2013. cipwg.uconn.edu
The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden. 2014. Rick Darke and Douglas W. Tallamy. rickdarke.com
Mistaken Identity? Invasive Plants and their Native Look-Alikes: An identification guide for the Midatlantic. Sarver, M.J., A. Treher, L. Wilson, R. Naczi, and F.B. Kuehn. 2008. Delaware Dept. of Agriculture and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. cipwg.uconn.edu
Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 2006. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, NY. 240 pp. bbg.org
Native Plant Trust Guidebooks. Native Plants for New England Gardens; Wildflowers of New England and more. nativeplanttrust.org
Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening & Conservation. Donald Leopold. 2005. Timber Press, Inc., Portland, OR.
Native Shrubs: Guide to Landscape Uses. Jessica Lubell. 2013. Available as a PDF online at cipwg.uconn.edu
Native Trees, Shrubs & Vines: A guide to using, growing and propagating North American woody plants. William Cullina, New England Wildflower Society. 2002. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.
Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes. 2015. Thomas Rainer and Claudia West. Timber Press
Roadside Use of Native Plants. US DOT Federal Highway Administration. 1999. Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC. Accessible online at environment.fhwa.dot.go