Good stewardship begins at home and taking care of our private landscape gives us an opportunity to actively make a difference through thoughtful management of our plants, soil, and water resources. Small changes can make a big difference in environmental quality when we join with others in our communities and regions that are also good stewards of their home landscapes.
Quick Links to Resources Listed Below:
Plant Information
Invasive Plants
Landscaping (general, trees, rain gardens)
Plant Pests
Plant List Links
(Note: Not all species are native, it is recommended that you try to plant native species and do NOT plant invasive species. A list of invasive species NOT to plant can be found here.)
For information on specific plants:
- Native Tree and Shrub Availability (2023, DEP) .pdf
- Native Plants for Pollinators
- Audubon Native Plant List
- CT Coastal Planting Guide .pdf
- Connecticut Botanical Society
- Go Botany: simple key for identifying plants
- Planter's Choice: Native Solutions (Note: many of these plants are likely available at a local nursery)
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Native Plant Trust
- UCONN tree and shrub database
- USDA Plant database
- Virginia Tech Plant Factsheets
- Suggested Native Species for Pollinators
- US Army Corp of Engineers Regional Wetland Plants List Note: The USACE Wetlands Plants list includes invasive species which should NOT be planted. This resource is to research whether a plant typically grows in or near a wetland area; please use other resources on this page if you are looking for species to plant.
Invasive Plants Links
For information on invasive plant identification, prevention and removal:
- CT Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWIG):
- CT List of invasive Plants
- Management calendar for "The Top 10 Invasive Plants"
- Other publications
- Invasive Plants of New England
- Disposal of Aquatic Invasive Plants
- Mistaken Identity .pdf (Invasive Plants & Native Look Alikes)
- Invasive Plants in your Backyard .pdf
- CT Aquatic and Wetland Invasive Plant ID Guide .pdf
Landscaping Links
General:
- Native Gardening
- EPA Landscaping With Natives
- Using Native Grasses For Ecological Restoration
- Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America
- USDA Backyard Conservation
- Finding Subirdia a guide to planting with birds in mind
- Online Landscaping Resources
- Cornell Cooperative Extension: The Homeowners Lawn Care Water Quality Almanac
- UCONN Water Quality and the Home Landscape
- Organic Landcare CT & MA, Accredited Landscapers & other resources
- Environmental Guidelines for Responsible Lawn Care
- Introduction to Organic Yards and Lawns
- The 10 Environmental Guiding Principles for a Responsible Lawn
Rain Gardens:
A properly designed, and sized, rain garden can be an attractive way to manage storm water. It is best to select native plants for your rain garden, so be sure to double check before you buy and plant.
- UConn NEMO Rain Gardens
- CT Rain Gardens: A Design Guide for Homeowners
- Rain Garden: Site Worksheet, NRCS
- MA Riverways: Building a Rain Garden
- Maryland Rain Garden Guide .pdf be sure to select native plants for your rain garden
- New England Wildflower Rain Garden Plant Suggestions
- New Hampshire Rain Garden Guide
- Rain Gardens: Preserving your Community's Water
Trees:
- Connecticut Woodlands: periodical
- Trees are Good: tree benefits and care
- New Concepts in tree planting .pdf - Bartlett Tree Experts report
- Review lists in Plant Information
- See Plant Pests for more information on pests that impact trees in Connecticut
- How Trees & Urban Forest Systems Really Affect Stormwater Runoff article by Arrin Teague and Eric Kuehler
- Contact information for concerns and tree trimming questions relative to trees near utilities: email: TreeCT@eversource.com; Residential Customer Service: 800-286-2000; Business Customer Service: 888-783-6617
Plant Pests
Invasive species can cause significant damage to trees and other vegetation. Listed below are some species of concern and external resources for lists, identification, and prevention/management.
Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB)
- A pest to be aware of - has been found in both MA and NY. Check out the CT DEEP info page here.
- Asian Longhorn Beetle Factsheet Don't move fire wood!
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
- Is in CT: EAB Quarantine - do NOT move wood from CT out of state (and vice versa!)
- For more information on Emerald Ash Borer click here to visit the CT DEEP page.
- EAB Look-Alike Poster (also includes ALB)
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF)
- Spotted Lanternfly Factsheet
- For more information on Spotted Lanternfly click here to visit the CT DEEP page.
- Has been found in CT - SLF Wanted Poster
Pest Lists and Resources
- UCONN CT IPM: Unwanted Pests
- CT Agricultural Experiment Station: Plant Pest Handbook