Smooth Alder (Alnus serrulata), is a multi-stemmed native shrub found along streams, ponds, and wet meadows. It fixes nitrogen in the soil and produces distinctive woody catkins, making it a durable choice for wet-site plantings and streambank stabilization.
(Alnus serrulata) is a high-value native shrub that provides critical food, nesting cover, and host support for a wide diversity of birds, mammals, and insects. Supports over 200 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars including Swallowtails, Luna moths, and Harvester Butterflies.
A very fast growing shrub with dense foliage, could be used in restoration to replace Autumn Olive with a highly beneficial plant.
Birds and Mammals
Winter and fall food: Produces cones of small winged nuts that can feed songbirds and game birds like American goldfinches, chickadees, and grouse.
Early spring forage: Protein-rich male catkins provide a vital early food source for small mammals and pollinators.
Cover and nesting: Dense, multi-stemmed, thicket-forming growth provides safe nesting sites and protective cover for wetland wildlife. It grows best in full sun to part shade with wet to consistently moist soil.
A smaller member of the Birch Family (Beulaceae), typically grows to 6-12’ tall and wide, but can reach up to 15-20’ - Native range from New Brunswick to Florida
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa) is a fast-growing, cold-hardy native shrub common along stream banks and wetland edges. Sometimes called gray Alder or Tag Alder, it is an excellent plant for environmental conservation, and soil improvement. It can grow as a multi-stem shrubby or small tree in the Birch Family and can be grown into dense thickets for wildlife habitat. A common tree often found in swampy or wetland areas, however, it does not require moist soil and can grow in a wide variety of even poor gravelly or rocky soil. The tree is often cultivated in parks and gardens. Provides dense growth for habitat of many species of birds. Several species of Lepidoptera use grey alder as a food plant for their caterpillars. Songbirds and small mammals eat its small winged nutlets and catkins, making this plant highly desirable for providing native habitat.
It is sometimes used in afforestation and agroforestry in non-fertile or wet soils which it enriches by means of nitrogen fixing bacteria in its root nodules, making it an excellent choice for erosion control and restoring poorly drained or disturbed sites. Its cut branches may be fed to browsing livestock such as cows and goats, then used for kindling, and firewood. Its wood and bark are also prized for use in smoking meat, and fish.
Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is a native shrub prized for its unusual maroon, strap-petaled spring flowers with a fruity, spicy fragrance often compared to banana or strawberry. It has attractive glossy foliage that turns yellow in fall and tolerates part shade well, making it a good understory or foundation planting. It blooms in mid-to-late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a versatile native shrub with clusters of white spring flowers followed by blue-black berries that are highly attractive to birds. Its dense, upright habit makes it a popular choice for hedgerows, screening, and pollinator gardens. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist, well-drained soil.
American Basswood (Tilia americana), also known as American linden, is a fast-growing shade tree with large heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, pale yellow flowers in early summer that are a favorite of bees. Its soft, light wood has long been prized for carving. It blooms in early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is a native hardwood valued both for its dark, richly grained lumber and its ecological importance, producing white spring flowers and dark summer fruit relished by songbirds and mammals. Mature trees develop distinctive dark, scaly "burnt potato chip" bark. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with well-drained, moderately moist soil.
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica), also called tupelo, is prized as one of the earliest and most reliable trees for brilliant scarlet fall color. It tolerates both wet and dry soils and provides fruit that is an important late-season food source for birds. It blooms in late spring, though the flowers are inconspicuous, and grows best in full sun to part shade with consistently moist soil.
Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca var. densata) is a dense, slow-growing, and exceptionally cold-hardy form of white spruce. Its compact pyramidal habit and fine blue-green needles make it a popular choice for windbreaks, screening, and specimen plantings. As a conifer it does not flower, and it grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderately moist soil.
Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is a striking evergreen conifer known for its stiff, silvery-blue needles and classic pyramidal form. It is widely planted as a windbreak, privacy screen, and ornamental specimen tree. As a conifer it does not flower, and it grows best in full sun with well-drained soil, tolerating both moderate moisture and dry conditions.
Bluecrop is the most widely planted highbush blueberry variety, valued for its large, flavorful berries, mid-season ripening, and reliable heavy yields. It is a vigorous, adaptable, and cold-hardy choice for home and commercial plantings alike. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Blueray is an early-to-mid-season highbush blueberry prized for its large, sweet berries and vigorous, upright growth habit. It is a dependable producer and a great companion pollinator for other blueberry varieties. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Chandler produces some of the largest blueberries of any variety, with an unusually long harvest window that extends the picking season well beyond most cultivars. Its rich flavor and impressive size make it a favorite for fresh eating. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Duke is an early-season highbush blueberry valued for its consistent, heavy yields and mild, pleasant flavor. It is a vigorous, upright grower well suited to a range of soil conditions. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Elliott is one of the latest-ripening highbush blueberries available, extending the harvest season well into fall. Its firm, tart-sweet berries and strong cold hardiness make it a valuable addition for growers wanting an extended blueberry season. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Jersey is a reliable, late-season highbush blueberry known for heavy, consistent yields and excellent red-orange fall foliage. Its cold hardiness and disease resistance make it a dependable choice for northern growers. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Patriot is an early-season highbush blueberry celebrated for its exceptional cold hardiness and tolerance of heavier, wetter soils. It produces large, flavorful berries and vibrant red fall foliage. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with consistently moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a native wetland shrub named for its unusual spherical, pincushion-like white flower clusters that bloom in summer and are a magnet for pollinators. It thrives in wet soils and is a great choice for rain gardens and pond edges. It blooms in mid-to-late summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with wet to consistently moist soil.
Canaan Fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis) combines the best traits of balsam and Fraser fir, with soft, dark green needles and excellent needle retention. It is one of the most popular Christmas tree varieties and also makes an attractive ornamental evergreen. As a conifer it does not flower, and it grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Catawba is a classic American labrusca-type grape with a distinctive musky-sweet flavor, prized for juice, jelly, and wine. Its purplish-red skin and vigorous vines make it a long-standing favorite in home vineyards. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderate to dry soil.
Large Badger Chestnut is a cold-hardy, blight-resistant chestnut cultivar selected for its larger-than-average nut size and dependable annual production, making it a strong choice for home orchards and nut growers. It blooms in early summer and grows best in full sun with moderate to dry, well-drained soil.
Szego Chestnut is a productive, blight-resistant chestnut cultivar bred for reliable nut production and improved disease tolerance compared to the native American chestnut. It bears sweet, large, high-quality nuts and grows into a vigorous, spreading tree. It blooms in early summer and grows best in full sun with moderate to dry, well-drained soil. Szego makes a good pollinator for other varieties. Upright growth habit and very fast growing.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a hardy native shrub with clusters of white spring flowers, glossy dark berries prized for their high antioxidant content, and vivid red fall foliage. It adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, including wet sites. It blooms in late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade, adapting well to both moist and wet soils.
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) offers white spring blooms, bright red persistent berries, and outstanding fall color in shades of red and purple. It is adaptable to both wet and dry soils and provides excellent winter interest and wildlife food. It blooms in late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade, adapting well to both moist and wet soils.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) is best known for its brilliant red stems that provide striking winter color, especially against snow. This native wetland shrub also produces white flowers, blue-white berries for wildlife, and spreads readily to stabilize wet soils. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with wet to consistently moist soil.
Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) is a native wetland shrub with clusters of white spring flowers followed by blue berries favored by birds. Its reddish stems and tolerance for wet soils make it a good choice for streambanks and rain gardens. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with wet to consistently moist soil.
American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) produces large, flat-topped clusters of white flowers in summer followed by dark purple berries widely used for syrups, jams, and wine. It is a fast-growing, adaptable native shrub that thrives in moist soils and full to part sun. It blooms in early-to-mid summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, fertile soil.
Disease-Resistant American Elm (Ulmus americana) retains the classic vase-shaped canopy and graceful arching branches that once lined countless American streets, while offering improved tolerance to Dutch elm disease. It is a fast-growing, adaptable shade tree suited to a wide range of sites. It blooms very early in spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Golden Raspberry canes produce sweet, mild-flavored amber-yellow berries, a less common and highly prized alternative to traditional red raspberries. These are spouted canes, ready for planting and establishment. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, moist, well-drained soil. Sweeter than many red raspberries, and fewer seeds, produces big juicy berries.
Golden Raspberry canes produce sweet, mild-flavored amber-yellow berries, a less common and highly prized alternative to traditional red raspberries. These sprouted canes are actively growing and ready to establish quickly once planted. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, moist, well-drained soil.
American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) is a native multi-stemmed shrub that produces edible nuts in late summer, prized by both people and wildlife. It thrives as an understory planting or hedgerow shrub and offers attractive yellow fall foliage. It blooms in late winter to early spring via drooping catkins, and grows best in full sun to part shade with well-drained, moderately moist soil.
Himrod is an early-ripening, seedless green-gold table grape with a honeyed, sweet flavor. It is one of the most popular seedless varieties for home growers thanks to its productivity and reliable cold hardiness. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderate to dry soil.
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a classic garden shrub beloved for its dense clusters of intensely fragrant purple flowers in mid-spring. Long-lived and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun and is a staple of cottage and heritage gardens. It blooms in mid-spring and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderately moist soil.
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is a graceful, semi-evergreen native tree with creamy white, lemon-scented flowers that bloom over an extended period in late spring and summer. It tolerates wet soils better than most magnolias, making it well suited to rain gardens and low-lying sites. It blooms over an extended period from late spring through summer, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist to wet soil.
Marquis is a cold-hardy, seedless green table grape developed at Cornell University, known for its very sweet flavor and crisp texture. It is a reliable producer well suited to northern growing regions. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderate to dry soil.
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a large native shrub or small tree with creamy white spring flower clusters, blue-black fall berries valued by wildlife, and reliable reddish-purple fall color. Its adaptability to varied soils makes it a versatile choice for hedgerows and naturalized plantings. It blooms in late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist soil.
Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a tough, adaptable native shrub named for its distinctive peeling, multi-layered bark. It produces rounded clusters of white to pink spring flowers and tolerates a wide range of soil and light conditions. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist soil.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is one of the most widely adaptable native shade trees, thriving in wet or dry soils and producing brilliant scarlet fall foliage along with reddish flowers and samaras in spring. It is a fast-growing, reliable choice for home landscapes and reforestation. It blooms very early in spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in full sun to part shade, adapting well to both moist and wet soils.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beloved native ornamental tree, among the first to bloom each spring with clusters of pink-purple flowers that appear directly on bare branches before the heart-shaped leaves emerge. It is a reliable, adaptable small flowering tree for sun or part shade. It blooms in early spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, well-drained soil.
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a native tree easily recognized by its distinctively shaped leaves, which can be oval, mitten-shaped, or three-lobed even on the same branch. It offers outstanding orange, red, and purple fall color and aromatic bark, twigs, and roots. It blooms in mid-spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to dry, well-drained soil.
Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is a native small tree or large shrub with delicate white flowers in early spring, followed by sweet, edible purple berries relished by birds, and vibrant orange-red fall color. It blooms in early spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, well-drained soil.
Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) produces a profusion of white flowers in early spring, often before other trees have leafed out, followed by sweet edible berries. It offers attractive gray bark and reliable orange-to-red fall foliage. It blooms in early spring and grows best in full sun, part shade, or shade with moderate, well-drained soil.
Saskatoon Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a hardy, multi-stemmed shrub known for its sweet, juicy berries, popular in pies and preserves, along with white spring flowers and good fall color. It is highly cold-tolerant and adaptable to a range of soils. It blooms in early-to-mid spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to dry soil.
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) is easily recognized by its distinctive bark, which peels away in long, shaggy vertical strips on mature trees. It produces sweet, edible nuts favored by both people and wildlife, along with excellent golden fall color. It blooms in mid-spring, though the flowers are inconspicuous, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, well-drained soil.
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a fast-growing shade tree with deeply cut leaves that show a silvery underside, fluttering attractively in the wind. It tolerates wet soils well and is often chosen where quick shade coverage is desired. It blooms very early in spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in full sun to part shade, adapting well to both moist and wet soils.
Somerset Seedless is an exceptionally cold-hardy red seedless grape with a crisp texture and sweet, strawberry-like flavor. Its hardiness makes it a top choice for northern vineyards and home gardens. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderate to dry soil.
Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a native understory shrub with small yellow flowers that appear very early in spring, aromatic foliage, and bright red berries in fall. It serves as a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies and thrives in part shade. It blooms very early in spring, before its leaves emerge, and grows best in part shade to shade with moist soil.
The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, renowned globally as the primary source of maple syrup and for its vibrant yellow, orange, and red autumn foliage. It is the state tree of New York, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Vermont.
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a durable, long-lived native oak tolerant of wet, poorly drained soils. It features two-toned leaves — dark green above, silvery beneath — and develops handsome, flaking bark with age. It blooms in mid-spring, though the flowers are inconspicuous, and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist to wet soil.
Sweetshrub, also known as Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus), is a fragrant native shrub with unusual maroon, strap-petaled flowers that carry a fruity spice scent. It adapts well to part shade and offers attractive glossy summer foliage and yellow fall color. It blooms in mid-to-late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is a massive, fast-growing shade tree instantly recognizable by its mottled, exfoliating bark that reveals creamy white patches beneath. A classic riverbank tree, it tolerates wet soils and provides deep shade with its large maple-like leaves. It blooms in mid-spring, and grows best in full sun with moist soil.
Sycamore has many benefits and is a wonderful option for a restoration project. These are great shade trees, have interesting ornamental bark, and will attract many forms of wildlife
Sycamore leaves act as a larval host plant for over 40 species of moths and butterflies which provide essential high-protein meals for nestling songbirds. The spherical seed balls supply late-winter food for finches and chickadees when other food sources run low.
The large stature and branching habits of the American Sycamore create the ideal nesting cover for birds and wildlife. Older trees will have larger cavities carved out that are appealing to Wood Ducks, Barred Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Squirrels, and Raccoons. Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Orioles, and other species of birds are known to make American Sycamores their nesting site.
Very fast growing - when located in a sunny spot with moist soil, can gain up to 3’ per year.
Thomcord is a seedless black grape resulting from a cross between Thompson Seedless and Concord, combining Concord's classic sweet flavor with a convenient seedless habit. It is a vigorous, productive vine for the home vineyard. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun with well-drained, moderate to dry soil.
Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), also called yellow poplar, is one of the tallest native hardwoods, growing quickly into a straight-trunked shade tree. It produces distinctive tulip-shaped yellow-green flowers in late spring and golden fall foliage.
It blooms in late spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist soil.
The copious nectar in its spring blooms attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other native pollinators, while its seeds feed various birds and small mammals. It also serves as a larval host for butterflies like the eastern tiger swallowtail.
State Tree: It is the official state tree of Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), commonly known as arborvitae, is a dense, pyramidal evergreen prized for privacy screening, hedging, and windbreaks. Its soft, scale-like foliage stays green through winter, offering year-round structure. As a conifer it does not flower, and it grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist soil.
The White Oak (Quercus alba) is a prominent, long-lived hardwood native to eastern and central North America. Growing up to 80–135 feet tall, it is easily identified by its light ashy-gray bark and leaves with rounded, finger-like lobes. The wood is highly valued for furniture, flooring, and whiskey barrels.
Quercus alba, the white oak,[3] is one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern and central North America. It is a long-lived oak, native to eastern and central North America and found from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine south as far as northern Florida and eastern Texas.[4] Specimens have been documented to be over 450 years old.
White Spruce (Picea glauca) is a hardy, adaptable conifer with a dense, symmetrical pyramidal form and blue-green needles. It is widely used for windbreaks, screening, and reforestation thanks to its excellent cold tolerance. As a conifer it does not flower, and it grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate, well-drained soil.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a native deciduous holly grown for its brilliant red berries, which persist on bare branches long after the leaves drop, providing striking winter color and a valuable late-season food source for birds. A female pollinator is needed nearby to produce berries. It blooms in late spring to early summer and grows best in full sun to part shade with moist to wet soil.
Common Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a native understory shrub notable for blooming in late fall, when its ribbon-like yellow flowers appear as most other plants go dormant. It offers reliable yellow fall foliage and thrives in part shade. It blooms in fall, later than most flowering shrubs, and grows best in part shade to shade with moderate to moist soil.
Vernal Witchhazel (Hamamelis vernalis) blooms in late winter to very early spring, producing fragrant, ribbon-like reddish-orange flowers that appear on bare branches, often the first bloom of the season. It is a tough, adaptable native shrub well suited to stream banks. It blooms in late winter to early spring and grows best in full sun to part shade with moderate to moist soil.
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is a long-lived native tree valued for its golden, curling bark and wintergreen-scented twigs. It prefers cool, moist sites and provides good yellow fall color along with valuable hardwood timber. It blooms in early spring via catkins and grows best in part shade to full sun with moist, cool soil.
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