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Viburnum opulus var. americanum

American Cranberrybush is a rounded deciduous shrub featuring white, lacy flower clusters, which bloom April-May. The flower nectar attracts bees and butterflies. Conspicuous, drooping, red, edible berries mature in fall, and are used for jams and jellies. The berries are also a valued food source for birds. American Cranberrybush is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon). American Cranberrybush prefers acidic soil and needs moisture for optimum growth. Plant it in shrub borders, as a hedge, or in naturalized areas of your yard.

Viburnum x burkwoodii

Burkwood Viburnum is a cross between V. utile and V. carlesii. Fragrant white flowers bloom in April, followed by red, berry-like fruits, which ripen to black in summer. The leaves turn dark red in the fall. Burkwood Viburnum tolerates a wide range of soils, but prefers well-drained loamy soil. Plant Burkwood Viburnum as a shrub border in your yard.

Viburnum acerifolium

Mapleleaf Viburnum features yellowish-white flower clusters blooming April-August. The flowers are followed by red berries, which turn blue-black when ripe. Fall foliage is reddish-purple. Mapleleaf Viburnum is a nectar and fruit source for bees, butterflies, birds, and wildlife. Mapleleaf Viburnum is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon).

Vaccinium angustifolium

Lowbush Blueberry is a flowering deciduous shrub with edible fruit. It features small, white, bell-shaped flowers with pink/reddish edges, which bloom April-May, offering a valuable nectar source to native bees. The sweet and edible fruit ripens in summer and provides an important food source for birds. The berries are used in pies, muffins, and other dishes, and eaten fresh. Showy fall foliage is bronze, scarlet, and crimson. Plant Lowbush Blueberry along borders, as a tall groundcover, as small hedges, or in naturalized areas of your yard.

Staphylea trifolia

American Bladdernut is a fast-growing, suckering, small tree or large shrub. Greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers bloom April-May, leading to showy fruit in the fall. The dried seed capsules, called “bladders,” hang in clusters from the tree and offer late fall and early winter interest. The dried seed capsules also add ornamental value to dried flower bouquets.

Maianthemum racemosum

False Solomon’s-seal has feathery, creamy-white flowers, which rise above the foliage. The flowers bloom March-June, followed by attractive red berries, which are eaten by birds. Use False Solomon’s-seal in shade gardens, woodland gardens, or naturalized areas.

Skimmia japonica

Japanese Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with mildly fragrant, white, showy flowers, which bloom in April. It is dioecious; male and female flowers appear on separate plants. Both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. Berries ripen in October and persist through winter. Japanese Skimmia tolerates heavy shade and needs moist, organically-rich soil. Use Japanese Skimmia in shade gardens, along foundations, as an understory shrub, or massed in shrub borders or hedges.

Sassafras albidum

Sassafras is a slender, flowering tree. Yellow flowers blooming April-May provide a nectar source for bees. Fruits ripen in September and are attractive to birds. It is dioecious; both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. This tree has stunning fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange, scarlet, and purple. Sassafras is an important host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea), and Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon). The best results for fruit and foliage color are achieved if planted in groups. Use Sassafras in naturalized areas or as a specimen tree.

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis

Sweetbox offers showy, fragrant, white flowers, which bloom March-April. This broadleaf evergreen shrub tolerates heavy shade, and provides winter interest. Established plants have some drought tolerance. Plant Sweetbox around your yard as a low hedge or groundcover, or in your shade garden for a delightful early spring fragrance.

Salix nigra

Black Willow is a fast-growing, flowering tree. Yellow-green flowers bloom April-May, providing a nectar source for native bees, honeybees, bumblebees, and beneficial predatory insects, which prey on garden pest insects. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadica). Black Willow has attractive, deeply furrowed bark. Use it as specimen tree in moist areas around your yard, or along streambanks for erosion control.