Usually when we think of cacti we picture an open, sandy desert, but they can also be found in the north! In fact, the Eastern Prickly Pear cactus is native to a large portion of the eastern US, including much of New England, such as in Massachusetts.

Unsurprisingly, they prefer full sun and dry soil, but if you want to brave the spikes, they can easily live in your own backyard! They even brave the winter by "... decreasing the water content in [their] leaves, leaving high concentrations of glucose to function as antifreeze" (Native Plant Trust). If that isn't cool enough, they also have gorgeous warm yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. Last but not least, both the leaves and the red fruits they produce are edible (even considered a delicacy), but must be skinned/prepared correctly, so do your reading first!

Chances are, you've probably seen some variety of this plant in the grocery store (the wild ones are usually a bit smaller). The Black Raspberry, AKA blackberry, are edible (though I'd advise washing them first), if you choose to start some up in your backyard! In fact, all species of Rubus are edible! They are native to all of New England as well as a good portion of eastern United States.

They enjoy average to dry soil and love the sun, though don't mind a little shade. They bloom in the spring and produce their delicious fruits in the summer. They are extremely popular for a variety of pollinators, and will also bring in some songbirds who like to snack on their fruits. Yum yum!

Pretty much everyone knows about the carnivorous Venus Fly Trap, but not many people are as familiar with pitcher plants. Sarracenia purpurea is the only species native to New England—if you plan to add some to your own yard—with attractive bright green and warm purple leaves.

I know you're curious, so here's how this plant hunts: The leaves you can see in the picture form the "pitcher", which collects rain water. The Pitcher Plants secrete digestive enzymes into this water. To catch its prey, it secretes a sweet nectar on its rim that bugs will come to drink, but the area is usually slippery (especially after a good rain), and they fall in and drown, only to be digested by the plant. I'm just glad they're so small!

Native to Massachusetts, Red Columbine (AKA Canada Columbine) is a gorgeous, tropical looking spring bloomer. It thrives in sunlight and dry soil, but does not mind moisture as long as there is drainage.

This flower's nectar is extremely valuable for spring insects as well as hummingbirds. You read that right: the drooping, bell shaped flowers of this plant can bring hummingbirds to your garden!

Not only is this plant hardy, tolerating drought, salt, and hungry animals, but it is low maintenance too! Be sure to check them out from May-June when they bloom!

Native to Massachusetts, mountain mint likes to stay inconspicuous. Despite the lack of color, it is a hugely pollinator-friendly plant. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, but prefers sun. It blooms in the summer, attracting both bees and butterflies.

Even though it does not stand out, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that it has a fragrant minty aroma. Even more exciting, the leaves can be used in cooking and making teas! However, it is important to be sure that your plant comes from a clean area and you are fully educated on its preparation.

While it is nicknamed “Gray” Goldenrod, the flowers of this plant are anything but dull. Native to Massachusetts, It prefers dry soil and sun. It can grow to about 2.5 feet tall, blooming in the fall.

Gray goldenrod is very popular among pollinators—a true powerhouse to carry them into the cooler months. It is very tolerant of change and thrives on its own.

Interestingly, Gray Goldenrod can be used in teas, reducing inflammation when prepared properly. However, it is important to be sure that your plant comes from a safe area and you are educated on its preparation.

Also known as black-eyed coneflower, this Massachusetts native blooms in late summer. It enjoys lots of sunlight and dry soil. Rudbeckia attracts many pollinators and songbirds with its stunning yellow flowers and fuzzy brown center.

Black-eyed Susans can be seen on roadsides, meadows, and other dry, open areas. While they are not aggressive growers, Black-eyed Susans are great for soil stabilization due to their tolerance of dry soils. They provide good coverage for songbirds and game birds, attracting over a dozen lepidopterans (butterflies and moths).

Appalachian Barren Strawberries are an extremely hardy Massachusetts native, and can grow seemingly anywhere! It has dark green glossy leaves, with cheerful little yellow flowers in the spring. Not only does it stay green through the winter, but it has intriguing red/purple foliage in the fall. It never grows more than 6 inches tall on average, and prefers sun and average soil.

Do not be fooled by the name, Appalachian Barren Strawberries do not produce the delicious strawberries we love so much, which is why it is called “barren”. Still, it attracts pollinators like bees, and makes excellent ground cover for yards and gardens.

Blue Wood Aster is a very shade tolerant Massachusetts native. Their bloom is in the fall, with a sudden burst of light blue/purple puffs of small flowers. It enjoys average to dry soil, and can tolerate pretty much any amount of sunlight.

As a rare autumn bloomer, Blue Wood aster attracts a large range of pollinators, from the Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly to various songbirds. These plants are extremely tough, and add a refreshing cool color to the changing leaves of autumn.

While Virginia is in the name, this wildflower is native to almost all of New England as well as a bit into the west of the US. The draw of this plant is its long, gorgeous bloom. They have long, delicate white-pink petals, which open successively as opposed to all at once. The bloom begins in early Spring, before the majority of plants.

These plants enjoy the shade, but can take a bit of sun too, and thrive in moist to average soil. Bees love them, and they grow no taller than 2-4 inches.

Pretty much everyone can agree that Azaleas' bloom is gorgeous, but this species is arguably the most gorgeous of them all. It grows a bit taller than most Rhododendrons, reaching a whopping 15 feet at its finest. They also produce a pleasant fragrance and attract both butterflies and bees, though they do need a good deal of space.

Pink Shell Azalea enjoys shade and dry soil, and is great for adding some variety to one's home. The flowers boast a range of pinks, from a light piggy pink to a vibrant coral pink in the center.

Compared to most of the other plants out there, ferns can seem pretty boring, after all they don't produce any showy flowers, and generally do not grow too tall either. The Fiddlehead Fern (AKA Ostrich Fern) is much like most ferns enjoying average to wet soil and anywhere from sun to shade. But these New England natives (as well as many other ferns) are quite hardy.

Not only are they tolerant of a range of conditions, but they are also low maintenance. They have their own perks too, even if they're a bit more subtle. For example, this native is an evergreen, lasting all through the winter, and is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Most excitingly, their shoots are edible! Just be sure you know they're from a safe space and are prepared correctly!