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Prunus serotina

Black Cherry is a medium-large, wildlife-friendly, flowering shade tree. White flowers bloom in May, followed by small, edible berries. The fruit changes from red to black as it ripens in August-September. It is used for making wine and jelly. Fall foliage is yellow-red. Black Cherry offers much value for birds, butterflies, bees, and wildlife. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), New England Buckmoth (Hemileuca lucina), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia), Cherry Gall Azure (Celastrina serotina), Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea), Small-eyed Sphinx Moth (Paonias myops), Wild Cherry Sphinx Moth (Sphinx drupiferarum), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), and Spotted Apatelodes (Apatelodes torrefacta). Use Black Cherry as a specimen tree or shade tree in your yard.

Prunus maritima

Beach Plum is a rounded, dense, suckering shrub. Clusters of white flowers bloom April-May, before the leaves emerge, providing an early nectar source for native bees and pollinators. Edible fruits ripen to a dark purple in September and are valued by wildlife as a food source. The berries are used to make jellies and jams. Plant Beach Plum in shrub borders, wild hedges, foundation plantings, or as an ornamental specimen plant in your yard.

Prunus angustifolia

Chickasaw Plum is a thicket-forming shrub with a tendency to form large colonies. It features clusters of white flowers which bloom in March, offering early spring appeal. The nectar provides an important food source for early emerging butterflies and bees. Edible, cherry-like, reddish plums ripen in midsummer and provide an excellent source of food for birds and wildlife. Fruits can be made into jellies and jams. Chickasaw Plum has medium-high wind resistance. Use Chickasaw Plum in sunny woodland areas of your yard, as a screen or hedge, in shrub borders, or along stream banks for erosion control.

Prunus americana

American Plum is a small, wildlife-friendly tree or multi-stemmed shrub. Aromatic clusters of white flowers bloom in mid-March, followed by edible red plums with yellow pulp, which ripen in midsummer. The nectar and fruit provide food sources for butterflies, bees, and birds. The fruit can be used for jams and jellies. American Plum can be used as a hedgerow, along borders, as a screen, or as a specimen in your yard.

Populus tremuloides

Quaking Aspen is a medium-sized deciduous tree. It is dioecious; inconspicuous flowers bloom in April on separate male or female trees. It features beautiful, white bark, and deep-green “quaking” leaves, which tremble in the wind. Fall foliage is a rich golden-yellow. Quaking Aspen prefers cooler climates, and is intolerant of heat and humidity. Quaking Aspen provides birds with nesting material and food. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Great Ash Sphinx (Sphinx chersis), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and Viceroy (Limenitis archippus). Plant Quaking Aspen as a specimen tree or in woodlands and natural areas of your yard.

Polygonatum biflorum

Smooth Solomon’s Seal features small, bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers, which bloom April-May. The flowers occur under arching stems and are followed by blue-black berries in the fall. The showy, smooth leaves turn yellow in fall. Smooth Solomon’s Seal can be planted in naturalized areas of your yard, shade gardens, woodlands, or in a shady part of your perennial border.

Pinus virginiana

Virginia Pine is a wildlife-friendly, small to medium, short-needled evergreen conifer. It prefers sandy soils, but does well in heavy clay, where it is difficult to grow other pines. The cones contain sharp-tipped scales, which house seeds eaten by birds and wildlife. Virginia Pine is a host plant for butterfly larvae (caterpillars) of the Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon). Plant Virginia Pine along woodland edges or borders in your yard for added winter interest.

Pinus taeda

Loblolly Pine is a large, long-needled evergreen conifer, taller than it is wide. It features spreading branches and a full crown. Its lower branches drop off with age, leaving an open, rounded crown. It is among the fastest growing southern pines. Select a sunny area in your yard because Loblolly Pine has no shade tolerance.

Pinus echinata

Shortleaf Pine is a medium-sized, wildlife-friendly evergreen conifer with a pyramidal crown. Blue-green needles occur in bundles of two, and prickly cones are produced when the tree reaches maturity at around 20 years old. Shortleaf Pine features attractive, reddish-brown bark, which offers ornamental value. This tree provides cover and nesting sites for birds, which also eat the seeds. It is an important host plant for larvae (caterpillars) of the Elf butterfly (Microtia elva). Shortleaf Pine can be used as an effective screen when young; the tree tends to lose bottom branches with age. Plant Shortleaf Pine in naturalized areas of your yard. This pine species may be difficult to find commercially. Tell your local garden center or nursery about your interest in this plant.

Phlox subulata

Moss Phlox is a vigorous, spreading, mat-forming evergreen perennial. It features red-purple to violet-purple to pink to white flowers, which bloom March-May to create an early spring carpet of color. Use Moss Phlox for edging, cascading walls, and as a groundcover in select areas of your yard.