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Prunus virginiana

Chokecherry is a small, wildlife-friendly, deciduous tree. It features white flowers, which bloom April-May, providing an early nectar source for butterflies and bees. Flowers are followed by edible fruit. The astringent berry changes from red to purple as it ripens. The berries can be used for jams, jellies, pies, sauces, and wine. The fruits are a valued food source for birds. Fall foliage is golden-yellow to orange. Chokecherry is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including California Hairstreak (Satyrium californica), Sequoia Sphinx (Sphinx sequoiae), Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops), and Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia). Use Chokecherry as a specimen in your yard and along foundations, plant in a mass and prune as a shrub border, or use in natural areas to attract wildlife to 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.

Physocarpus opulifolius

Common Ninebark is a wildlife-friendly, spreading, deciduous shrub, featuring clusters of pinkish-white flowers which bloom May-June. Flowers provide an excellent nectar source for native bees. Drooping clusters of red fruit offer food for birds in the summer. Common Ninebark is valued for its exfoliating (peeling) bark, which reveals layers of reddish-brown inner bark, offering winter interest. This plant tolerates poor soil conditions. Use Common Ninebark in your shrub border, or as a hedge or screen in your yard.

Phlox divaricata

Wild Blue Phlox offers slightly fragrant, loose clusters of blue-violet flowers April-May. This wildlife-friendly flower offers nectar to visiting pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It is susceptible to powdery mildew; maintain good air circulation between plants to prevent this fungal disease. Use Wild Blue Phlox in mixed borders, wildflower gardens, shade gardens, and for woodland groundcover around your yard.

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Russian Sage is a woody perennial with a spreading form. Small, abundant, tubular, light-blue flowers bloom on erect stems, July-October. Aromatic, gray-green leaves offer texture to your summer garden. Cut the plants back to the ground in early spring before new growth begins for best flowering. Use Russian Sage massed in borders or as an accent plant in your yard. Its tolerance to drought and salt spray makes it a good choice for seashore gardens.

Penstemon digitalis

Foxglove Beardtongue is a wildlife-friendly native of New Jersey. Clusters of tubular, white flowers on long stalks bloom April-June. The flower nectar is a food source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

Pachysandra procumbens

Allegheny-spurge is a low-growing, spreading perennial. Its dark green, toothed leaves crowd on top of short, erect stems. Small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers bloom March-May, before new leaves emerge. It spreads to form colonies, making it an excellent groundcover for your yard. Use it in shady areas in place of lawn, massed on banks or slopes, or in areas of your shade garden.

Oxydendrum arboreum

Sourwood, or Sorrel Tree, is a small to medium, flowering, deciduous understory tree. It offers four seasons of ornamental interest for your yard. Numerous small, fragrant, white flowers bloom on drooping stalks, June-July. The fall foliage is stunning crimson, red, and purple. Dried seeds persist through colder months and offer winter interest. Plant Sourwood as a specimen in your yard, around your patio, or in your shade garden.