Hey Y'all!

Just moved back East after a decade on the other side of the country.

Just bought a house and am battling a nextdoor neighbor who doesn't occupy their house, and thus, doesn't take care of their side of the fence. Also, our back yard is lumpy with lots of low areas, and tons of shade. It's on the North side and there is a detached garage that never has sun on it's back.

My first question is: Does anyone here from North Jersey have a place they like to buy native plants from?

Question B: Does anyone have a very shade tolerant plants they like that will have benefits like soil drainage and retention? I would put this behind the garage. it's usually just one big muddy puddle back there when it rains.

Question 3: Does anyone have anything they like for privacy that winds up being five-ish feet tall, but not in the bush world. Would like to put this around the perimeter of the yard so we no one has to look next door at the unkempt yard of my neighbor's. I was thinking some sort of a hearty grass.

Anyways, would love to start a dialogue about this. Thanks!

@NJBob might be able to help with some of your questions.

Here are some plant nurseries I found in New Jersey with a quick Google search.

https://wildridgeplants.com/na...

https://summersweetnativeplant...

https://earthfirstnatives.com/

https://www.pinelandsdirect.co...

https://www.toadshade.com/

Not sure where you are if you are zone 7b. I am in the northwest corner near the NY boarder. Can.t think of any native nurseries in this area but do like
https://wellsweep.com/
Most garden centers in this area have sold due to the high property values. Some were doing good business but said the offers were too good not to sell.
https://www.jerseyyards.org/je...

I deal more with dry shade . I do have a few hydrangea in wet heavy shade but they do not thrive , just about never flower.
If the areas for question get sun zebra grass should get the job done.

Thanks, Pepper! I have a few nurseries in mind as well, I just didn't want to go in there clueless.

NJbob! I'm in Eastern bergen county, about 5 minutes from the GWB.

I have some sunny soil that just gets clobbered with rain, so I will keep the zebra grass in mind!

Switchgrass is another good grass. It also has the benefit of being native. That's something to ask the nursery about when you go shopping. Take pictures and have measurements handy so they know exactly how much space they have to work with when giving you some ideas and tips. The more info you have handy for them the better!!

pepper23 said: Switchgrass is another good grass. It also has the benefit of being native. That's something to ask the nursery about when you go shopping. Take pictures and have measurements handy so they know exactly how much space they have to work with when giving you some ideas and tips. The more info you have handy for them the better!!

Right on, much appreciated. I did see switchgrass in the excel I have of NJ natives.

Those shady wetland areas...
I used to spend a lot of time in those kind of features...

For tall plants... Maybe consider ostrich ferns, royal ferns...

I used to have some natural tall bush wild blueberries growing in similar area... Unfortunately as they got more and more shaded, it had a negative effect on them... I used to have native azalea growing in similar area also.

By "natural" I mean... God planted them... And I left them when I thinned the thicket.

You might check your nearby universities. Out here, UC Davis has spring and fall plant sales and has a lot of native offerings that can't be found at the local nurseries.

I did see that Rutger's has plant sales: https://rutgersgardens.rutgers...