Check out what’s in bloom on Gov­er­nors Island, updat­ed sea­son­al­ly. Don’t for­get: you can locate any tree on Gov­er­nors Island with our inter­ac­tive tree map!

Reminder: Please allow our land­scapes space to thrive and do not pick flow­ers or plants dur­ing your vis­it to Gov­er­nors Island. 

Fall

Groundsel Tree

Baccharis halimifolia

This native fall-flowering shrub can grow up to 12’ high, with thick alternate leaves and clusters of white flowers. It is known to be particularly salt tolerant, making it a perfect planting for the areas of The Hills that are closest to New York Harbor. Its flowers are known to attract butterflies (particularly monarchs), and the shrubs provide food and shelter for Island wildlife.

Where to find them: Discovery Hill and Outlook Hill

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Thanks to our 2024 Year of Milkweed initiative, thousands of milkweed plantings of all different varieties are scattered throughout the Island’s open space. While it’s not actually in full bloom (that’s during the spring and summer), Butterfly weed is easily identifiable in the fall due to its prominent, narrow, spindle-shaped seed pods that turn brown and fill with seeds and silky fibers, as pictured here.

Where to find them: Milkweed demonstration garden in Liggett Terrace and across from the Nolan Park grilling area

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

A member of the magnolia family, these trees are known for their tulip-shaped flowers in the spring and summer months, hence the name, and display beautifully colored leaves in the fall. They are known to be rapidly growing trees and their seeds can provide food for Island wildlife in the late fall and winter months. Pictured above is a seed pod of one a tulip tree on the South Island.

Where to find them: Nolan Park and throughout the South Island

Smooth blue aster

Symphyotrichum laeve

Smooth blue asters are late-summer and fall blooming perennials that are native to Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Much like goldenrod, they provide vital food sources for many different pollinators, including the golden northern bumble bee—a vulnerable species of bee that has been seen in increasing numbers on Governors Island in the past several years. This variety has leaves that are smooth to the touch, differentiating it from other asters.

Where to find them: On the pathway up Outlook Hill

Pho­tos by Sar­ma Ozols