Baccharis halimifolia
Migrating butterflies and other pollinators nectar on the late summer blooming flowers, and birds eat the seeds.
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Aronia prunifolia
Purple Chokeberry is a wildlife-friendly, multiple-stemmed deciduous shrub. Clusters of white to light pink flowers bloom in April. The leaves turn purplish-red in the fall. Its edible, tart, purple-black berries can be used to make jams or jellies. The berries are a food source for birds and other wildlife. Plant Purple Chokeberry in groups to create native hedges, along the banks of ponds or streams, or in woodland areas around your yard.
Aronia melanocarpa
Black Chokeberry is a wildlife-friendly, multiple-stemmed deciduous shrub, featuring clusters of white flowers which bloom in May. The flowers are followed by blue-black berries. The edible, tart fruit can be used to make jams or jellies, and is a food source for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage is red. Black Chokeberry has a colonial growth habit and may spread through suckers. Plant Black Chokeberry in groups to create native hedges, along the banks of ponds or streams, or in woodland areas around your yard.
Aronia arbutifolia
Red Chokeberry is a wildlife-friendly, multiple-stemmed deciduous shrub, featuring clusters of white to light pink flowers, which bloom in April. The flowers lead to red, showy berries, which persist in the winter; the berries are a source of food for birds in cold weather. The leaves turn bright red in the fall. The reddish-brown, exfoliating bark and the red berries both add winter interest to the yard. Red Chokeberry tolerates a variety of soils, including wet and boggy. It suckers to form colonies, making it a good choice for use as a native shrub border in your yard.
Armeria maritima
Sea Thrift is a compact, drought- and salt-tolerant evergreen. Its stiff, grass-like leaves grow in a low, dense mound. Its ball-like, pink to white flowers bloom on wiry stalks extending above the foliage, April-May; the flowers are good fresh-cut. Removing the spent flowers will encourage additional blooms. This tough plant thrives in poor, dry soils, and it must have good drainage. Its tolerance to saltwater spray makes it an excellent choice for seashore gardens. It is also a great plant for rock gardens. Use Sea Thrift as an edging plant or as groundcover for small areas.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bearberry is a ground-hugging, wildlife-friendly evergreen shrub. Its green, leathery leaves darken to a reddish-purple color in the fall. Clusters of tiny, bell-shaped, pink to white flowers bloom on red stems, April-May. The nectar attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, and it has special value for native bees. The flowers are followed by berry-like fruits, which ripen to a bright red color in the fall. The berries persist into the winter and provide food for birds and other wildlife. Bearberry is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Rocky Mountain Clearwing (Hemaris senta), Hoary Elfin (Callophrys polios), Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija), Brown Elfin (Callophrys augustinus), and Elf (Microtia elva). Bearberry grows well in sandy or rocky soils. Use it as an edging plant or evergreen groundcover, in rock gardens, along rock walls, or on slopes for erosion control.
Aralia spinosa
Devil’s Walkingstick is a wildlife-friendly, large deciduous shrub with club-like branches and spiny stems. Its huge, compound leaves can reach 3-4 feet long and wide. Showy, umbrella-shaped clusters of small, white flowers bloom July-August. The flowers provide nectar for bees and butterflies. Clusters of fleshy, black berry-like fruits on bright pink stalks ripen in late August-October; the fruits provide a food source for birds and other wildlife. This shrub spreads by suckering; it is best planted in areas of the yard where it can spread. Use Devil’s Walkingstick in shrub borders, wildlife gardens, or along edges of woodland gardens.
Andropogon glomeratus
Bushy Bluestem is a wildlife-friendly, perennial bunchgrass with blue-green leaves. The fluffy, silvery-white flower heads bloom from late summer to early fall. Both the seed heads that follow the flowers and the foliage turn a beautiful coppery-orange color in the fall. The seed plumes are used in floral arrangements. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds. The plants provide cover for wildlife and nesting material and structure for native bees. Bushy Bluestem is also a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Skippers and Satyrs. This plant does well in moist, low-lying areas. Use it as an accent plant, or plant in masses in moist meadows, rain gardens, or along pond edges.
Amelanchier laevis
Allegheny Serviceberry is a wildlife-friendly, large deciduous shrub. Drooping clusters of white flowers bloom before leaves appear, March-April. The flowers are followed by edible, berry-like fruits, which turn purple when ripe. The berries are often used in jams or baked goods. The flowers provide nectar for bees and have special value for native bees. The berries are consumed by a variety of birds and mammals. The leaves turn a beautiful orange-red in the fall. The ornamental bark of mature plants is smooth and gray with longitudinal stripes. This species is very similar to Common Serviceberry; it is distinguished by its smooth, not hairy, leaves and sweeter, juicier berries. Use Allegheny Serviceberry as a specimen, or plant it in masses in shrub borders, wildlife gardens, or along edges of water features.