About The Plant Lists
The plants listed below are good choices for the rugged coastal conditions of Massachusetts. The Coastal Beach Plant List, Coastal Dune Plant List, Coastal Bank Plant List, and Salt Marsh Buffer Plant List give recommended species for each specified location (with some species overlapping because they thrive in various conditions).
The common name (with a link to plant photos and a description), scientific name, and native status are provided for each plant. For purposes of this website, native species means occurring naturally in eastern Massachusetts—see Definitions of Native and Non-Native Plant Species for details. CZM recommends using native plants wherever possible. The vast majority of the plants listed below are native, but certain beneficial non-native species that are not considered invasive have also been listed. These plants are labeled “not native,” and their state or country of origin is given in parentheses.
Photos and additional information for selected species are available on Grasses and Perennials, Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines, and Trees.
Coastal Beach Plant List
Plant List for Sheltered Intertidal Areas
Sheltered intertidal areas (between the low-tide and high-tide line) of beach, marsh, and even rocky environments are home to particular plant species that can tolerate extreme fluctuations in water, salinity, and temperature. The following plants are appropriate for these conditions along the Massachusetts coast.
- Black Grass (Juncus gerardii) (native)
- Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens) (native)
- Narrow-Leaf Evening Primrose, Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) (native)
- New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) (native)
- Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) (native)
- Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) (native)
- Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) (native)
- Sea Lavender (Limonium carolinianum or nashii) (native)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) (native)
Plant List for a Dry Beach
Dry beach areas are home to plants that can tolerate wind, wind-blown sand, salt spray, and regular interaction with waves and flood waters. Certain plants actually thrive on accumulations of sand to help them grow. The plants listed below are appropriate for dry beach conditions in Massachusetts.
- American Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) (native)
- Beach Pea (Lathyrus japonicus) (native)
- Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) (native)
- Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula) (native)
- Seabeach Sandwort (Honckenya peploides) (native)
- Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) (native)
Coastal Dune Plant List
Plant List for Exposed Areas of a Coastal Dune
Fronting dunes and exposed secondary dunes are habitat for plant species that can tolerate wind, wind-blown sand, and salt spray; endure interaction with waves and flooding; and often even thrive on sand inundation. The plants listed below, as well as those listed above for Dry Beach areas, are appropriate for these environments along the Massachusetts coast.
- American Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) (native)
- American Dunegrass (Leymus mollis) (native)
- Beach Heather (Hudsonia tomentosa) (native)
Plant List for More Sheltered Areas of a Coastal Dune
More protected secondary dunes are able to host a greater variety of plant species, because they are more sheltered from wind, salt-spray, and wave action. The plants listed below, as well as those listed above for Exposed Areas of a Coastal Dune, are appropriate for these more sheltered dune environments in Massachusetts.
Grasses and Perennials
- Black Grass (Juncus gerardii) (native)
- Coastal Panic Grass (Panicum amarum var. amarulum) (not native; native to New Jersey south to Mexico)
- Eastern Showy Aster (Eurybia spectabilis) (native)
- Hyssop-leaved Boneset (Eupatorium hyssopifolium) (native)
- New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) (native)
- Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) (native)
- Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) (native)
- Sea Lavender (Limonium carolinianum or nashii) (native)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) (native)
- White Goldenrod, Silverrod (Solidago bicolor) (native)
Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines
- Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) (native)
- Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (native)
- Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) (native)
- Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (native)
- Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) (native)
- Northern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis) (native)
- Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) (native)
- Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) (native)
- Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (native)
- Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) (native)
- Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) (native)
- Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) (native)
Trees
- Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) (native)
- Downy Serviceberry/Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea) (native)
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) (native)
- Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) (native)
- Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) (native)
- White Oak (Quercus alba) (native)
Coastal Bank Plant List
Plant List for Exposed Areas of a Coastal Bank
The top and face of the coastal bank is where the landform is most exposed to wind, salt spray, and storm waves. The plants listed below are appropriate for the rugged conditions of an exposed coastal bank in Massachusetts.
Grasses and Perennials
- American Beachgrass (Ammophila breviligulata) (native)
- Coastal Panic Grass (Panicum amarum var. amarulum) (not native; native to New Jersey south to Mexico)
- Saltmeadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens) (native)
- Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirons) (native)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) (native)
Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines
- Beach Heather (Hudsonia tomentosa) (native)
- Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) (native)
- Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (native)
- Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) (native)
- Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens) (native)
- Northern Bayberry (Morella caroliniensis) (native)
- Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) (native)
- Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (native)
Trees (only plant on low slopes or set back from the top of the bank)
- Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) (native)
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) (native)
- Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) (native)
- White Oak (Quercus alba) (native)
Plant List for More Sheltered Areas of a Coastal Bank
Areas landward of the top of coastal bank are more protected from wave action, but may still be significantly affected by wind and salt spray. The plants listed below, as well as those listed above for Exposed Areas of a Coastal Bank, are appropriate for these more protected areas of the coastal bank in Massachusetts.
Grasses and Perennials
- Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) (native)
- Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) (native)
- Bonesets, Common (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and Hyssop-leaved (Eupatorium hyssopifolium) (native)
- Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium) (native)
- Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) (not native; native to Eurasia, including China, Korea, Japan)
- Eastern Showy Aster (Eurybia spectabilis) (native)
- Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) (native)
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) (native)
- Mountain Mints, Hoary (Pycanthemum incanum) and Narrow-Leaf (P. tenuifolium) (native)
- Narrow-Leaf Evening Primrose, Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) (native)
- Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) (native)
- Pink Tickseed (Coreopsis rosea) (native)
- Poverty Dropseed (Sporobolus vaginiflorus) (native)
- Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) (native)
- Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabalis) (native)
- Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) (native)
- Red Fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. pruinosa) (native; all other subspecies considered not native)
- St. Johnswort (Hypericum spp.) (some native)
- Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora) (native)
- Wavy Hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) (native)
- White Goldenrod, Silverrod (Solidago bicolor) (native)
- Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) (native)
- Yellow Plume Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) (native)
Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines
- Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) (native)
- Barren Strawberry (Geum fragarioides) (native to Massachusetts; introduced in some coastal areas)
- Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) (not native; native to Japan)
- Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) (native)
- Eastern Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) (not native; native to New York south to Florida and the Midwest)
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) (native)
- Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca) (native)
- Gray Dogwood (Swida racemosa)(native)
- Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) (native)
- Inkberry (Ilex glabra) (native)
- Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) (native)
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) (native)
- New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) (native)
- Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) (native)
- Red Twig Dogwood (Swida sericea) (native)
- Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) (native)
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) (native)
- Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) (native)
- Viburnum, various species (Viburnum spp.) (some native)
- Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) (native)
- Wild Raisin (Viburnum cassinoides) (native)
- Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) (native)
- Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) (native)
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) (native)
Trees
- American Holly (Ilex opaca) (native)
- American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (native)
- Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) (native)
- Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) (native)
- Downy Serviceberry/Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis) (native)
- Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) (native)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum) (native)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra) (native)
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) (native)
- Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) (native)
- Tamarack (Larix laricina) (native)
- Willow, various species (Salix spp.) (some native)
Salt Marsh Buffer Plant List
Plant List for Exposed Areas of the Salt Marsh Buffer
Plants for exposed areas of the salt marsh buffer (closer to the salt marsh) must be able to tolerate wind, salt spray, and occasional splashover and storm surge from extreme storms. These plants must also be low growing so that they do not cause potential shading of nearby salt marsh species. The plants listed below are appropriate for these conditions.
Grasses and Perennials
- Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) (native)
- Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium) (native)
- Eastern Showy Aster (Eurybia spectabilis) (native)
- Hyssop-leaved Boneset (Eupatorium hyssopifolium) (native)
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) (native)
- Mountain Mints, Hoary (Pycanthemum incanum) and Narrow-Leaf (P. tenuifolium) (native)
- Narrow-Leaf Evening Primrose, Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa) (native)
- New York Aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) (native)
- Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) (native)
- Red Fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. pruinosa) (native; all other subspecies considered not native)
- Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) (native)
- Swamp Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) (native)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) (native)
Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines
- Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (native)
- Marsh Elder (Iva frutescens) (native)
Plant List for More Sheltered Areas of the Salt Marsh Buffer
In the more landward areas of the meadow buffer—where plants are more sheltered from wind, salt spray, splashover, and potential storm surge—a greater variety of plants can grow. The plants listed below, as well as those listed above for exposed areas, are appropriate for these conditions.
Grasses and Perennials
- Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) (native)
- Common Boneset (Eupatoriumperfoliatum) (native)
- Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) (native)
- Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) (native)
- Pink Tickseed (Coreopsis rosea) (native)
- Poverty Dropseed (Sporobolus vaginiflorus) (native)
- Purple Lovegrass (Eragrostis spectabalis) (native)
- Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) (native)
- Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora) (native)
- Wavy Hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa) (native)
- White Goldenrod, Silverrod (Solidago bicolor) (native)
- Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) (native)
- Yellow Plume Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) (native)
Shrubs, Groundcovers, and Vines
- Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) (native)
- Barren Strawberry (Geum fragarioides) (native to Massachusetts; introduced in some coastal areas)
- Bayberry (Morellacaroliniensis) (native)
- Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) (native)
- Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) (not native; native to Japan)
- Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) (native)
- Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) (native)
- Eastern Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) (not native; native to New York south to Florida and the Midwest)
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) (native)
- Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca) (native)
- Gray Dogwood (Swida racemosa) (native)
- Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) (native)
- Inkberry (Ilex glabra) (native)
- Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) (native)
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) (native)
- New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) (native)
- Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) (native)
- Red Twig Dogwood (Swida sericea) (native)
- Shrubby Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) (native)
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) (native)
- Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) (native)
- Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) (native)
- Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) (native)
- Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana) (native)
- Wild Raisin (Viburnum cassinoides) (native)
- Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) (native)
- Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) (native)
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) (native)
Trees
- American Holly (Ilex opaca) (native)
- American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) (native)
- Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) (native)
- Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) (native)
- Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) (native)
- Downy Serviceberry/Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis) (native)
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) (native)
- Gray Birch (Betula populifolia) (native)
- Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) (native)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum) (native)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra) (native)
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) (native)
- Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) (native)
- Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea) (native)
- Tamarack (Larix laricina) (native)
- White Oak (Quercus alba) (native)
More Information
For more information about many of the plants that are listed above, visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) PLANTS Database, the University of Connecticut (UConn) Plant Database of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database, and the Native Plant Trust’s Go Botany website. The specific native status of each plant was determined by using The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist published as a CD by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
Caution with a Very Common Coastal Plant - Rosa Rugosa
Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) is considered to be non-native (native to eastern Asia) and potentially invasive in some regions or habitats of Massachusetts and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Though the shrub is extremely tolerant of sea spray and effective at directing pedestrian access away from dunes, it has the ability to form dense thickets that shade and outcompete other native bank, beach, and dune plants. Rugosa rose can also spread vigorously through both seed dispersal (carried by the rose hips) and underground rhizomes. Therefore, care should be taken when considering planting rugosa rose on coastal properties.