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Lupinus perennis

Sundial Lupine features blue, pea-like flowers on elongated stems that bloom April-July. Attractive, dark green, compound-palmate leaves orient themselves to the sun. This wildlife-friendly perennial is a valuable nectar and pollen source for hummingbirds and native bees. Its dried seeds are enjoyed by birds. Sundial Lupine is a host plant to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), Elf (Microtia elva), Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), and Persius Duskywing (Erynnis persius). Sundial Lupine is the only known host for larvae of the Karner Blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa sub. samuelis), which is nearly extinct over much of its range. Plant Sundial Lupine in perennial borders, meadows, edges of woodlands, and in sandy, naturalized areas of your yard that offer full sun. They are susceptible to powdery mildew.

Lonicera sempervirens

Trumpet Honeysuckle is a twining, wildlife-friendly deciduous vine, which will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to your garden! Its red-pink-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom May-June and offer hummingbirds and nectar-loving pollinators an energy-rich food source. The berries are an attractive food source for many species of birds, including finches and robins. The foliage is host to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) and Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis). Wait until after flowering to prune. Trumpet Honeysuckle can be trained on your trellis, arbor, pergola, or along a fence around your yard.

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tuliptree is a large, fast-growing, flowering, wildlife-friendly deciduous tree. Yellow-and-orange bicolor flowers blooming May-June are valued by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Flowers lead to ornamental, cone-shaped fruits bearing numerous winged seeds. Large, tulip-shaped leaves give this tree its common name. It is favored by wildlife for nest sites, cover, and food. Tuliptree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Tuliptree Silkmoth (Callosamia angulifera) and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). Use it as a specimen tree or shade tree for your large yard or landscape.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Sweet Gum is a large, low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly deciduous tree. It is monoecious; yellow-green male and female flowers bloom separately on the same tree, April-May. Female flowers are followed by “gum balls” — hard, spherical, pointy seed pods, which house seeds that are an attractive food source for birds and wildlife. The seed pods may be considered unsightly litter by some, but the benefits to wildlife far outweigh this minor nuisance. Sweet Gum trees also provide nesting sites and cover for birds and wildlife. Select its placement carefully, as it is intolerant of alkaline soils and shade. Use it as a specimen tree or shade tree in your yard. It can also be used as a stately street tree; however, clean-up of the gumballs must be managed.

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush is a deciduous shrub, which grows with a rounded form. The fragrant white-yellow-green flower clusters bloom in March. Use Spicebush as a shrub border, in naturalized areas, or along woodland edges around your yard.

Liatris spicata

Dense Blazing Star is a tall, native perennial. Spikes of fluffy, purple flowers on rigid stalks bloom from the top down July-August. While this plant prefers moist fertile soil, it will tolerate poor, dry soil. Dense Blazing Star is a valuable food plant for native bees and bumblebees. Plant in masses or as vertical accents in borders.

Liatris scariosa

Eastern Blazing Star is a tall, upright perennial. Rose, lavender, or white feathery flowers open from top to bottom from August-October, and make excellent cut or dried flowers. Eastern Blazing Star is a valuable nectar plant for native bees and bumblebees. It does well in dry soils or rocky soils. Use it in borders, meadows, and naturalized areas, and as vertical accent plants.

Kalmia latifolia

Mountain Laurel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub. Cup-shaped, white to pink flowers with darker pink to purple markings cover the shrub in late spring. It is a host plant for larvae (caterpillars) of the Laurel sphinx moth (Sphinx kalmiae). Use in groups in shrub borders, shade gardens, or woodland areas; mixes well with Rhododendrons and Azaleas.

Juniperus virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar is a wildlife-friendly evergreen tree. This dioecious species (separate male and female trees) has a pyramidal shape when young. Female trees produce small, round, gray to light-blue berry-like cones consumed by many birds and small mammals. Its aromatic wood is used in furniture, fences, and building materials. Use it as a specimen, grouping, or screening plant; good for windbreaks and hedges.

Juniperus horizontalis

Creeping Juniper is a low-growing evergreen groundcover with long, trailing branches and soft-textured leaves. It tolerates hot and dry conditions, air pollution, and salt spray. Use massed on slopes, as a foundation plant, or in rock gardens.