Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Doesn't drop its leaves — winter green, cover for birds, and structure, happy in loam soil and cold-hardy to zone 3.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Native shrubs, groundcovers, and ferns that hold their leaves through winter for year-round green, screening, and cover. Every species here is genuinely native to Maine and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 3–6 — proven performers for Maine's cool, short summers climate across Acadian forest & coastal lowlands, not a generic list. Local standouts include Foamflower and Bearberry. Evergreen natives carry the garden through the bare months, giving structure, privacy, and winter shelter for birds when the deciduous plants have dropped their leaves. Site broadleaf evergreens out of harsh winter wind and afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch, and water them deeply going into a dry fall so they enter winter fully charged.
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 3–6 · see this collection in other states.
Tiarella cordifolia
Doesn't drop its leaves — winter green, cover for birds, and structure, happy in loam soil and cold-hardy to zone 3.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Holds its leaves through winter for year-round green and cover, reaching 4–8 in and pink-white bells flowers.
Phlox subulata
Carries the planting through winter with leaves intact, 1.5–2 ft wide and happy in sand, rocky, and loam soil.
Ilex glabra
Evergreen structure and privacy through the bare months, reaching 4–8 ft and 4–8 ft wide.
Polystichum acrostichoides
Carries the planting through winter with leaves intact, for rocky and loam ground and hardy in zones 3–9.
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.