Appalachian Barren Strawberry features small, yellow flowers, which bloom April-May. The flowers produce inedible fruits enjoyed for their ornamental qualities. Appalachian Barren Strawberry offers evergreen foliage, but can brown in very cold winters. It is intolerant of extreme heat and high humidity. It is best grown in cooler climates of northern New Jersey. Plant Appalachian Barren Strawberry as a groundcover in your yard.
Summer Grape is a woody deciduous vine. Its flowers are fragrant, but not showy; they bloom May-June, and attract pollinating bees. Summer Grape is primarily grown for its edible, blue-purple fruit, but its foliage is also attractive in summer, and the shaggy bark of the woody vine provides ornamental interest in winter. The fruit provides a food source for birds and wildlife, September-October. Plant Summer Grape strategically to grow on a trellis, fence, or other structure in your yard. The flexible vines can be used to make decorative wreaths.
Blackhaw is a wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub featuring white flowers, which bloom April-May. The nectar is attractive to native bees and butterflies. The fruit is pinkish-rose and matures to bluish-black; it provides a good food source for birds and wildlife. The edible fruit is used for preserves and jellies. Blackhaw can be planted as a shrub border or as a small specimen tree in your yard.
Nannyberry is a deciduous shrub, which features white flowers blooming early to mid-May. The flowers provide a nectar source for native bees and butterflies. The fruits ripen September-October, changing color from green to yellow, rose, and pink, before maturing as blueish-black. The berries provide winter food for birds. Nannyberry is a host plant to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon). Plant Nannyberry in your shrub border, or in natural areas of your yard.
Arrowwood is a wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub featuring white flowers with yellow stamens, which bloom May-July. The flowers provide a nectar source for native bees and butterflies. Blue-black berries follow the flowers, and offer a valued food source for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage can be yellow, glossy red, or reddish-purple. Arrowwood is a host plant for Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterfly larvae. Use this durable plant in massed plantings, shrub borders, and in shrub hedges.
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.
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).
Culver’s Root features tiny, multiple, white to pale-blue flowers, which bloom on erect spikes, June-August. The nectar is a valuable food source for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies. Culver’s Root prefers fertile, moist soil that does not dry out. Use Culver’s Root as a moist, woodland border or in your rain garden.
Wildlife Value: Butterflies and native bees, such as sweat bees, carpenter bees and bumble bees, will visit the flowers.
Speedwell features deep blue-purple flowers on tall spikes, which bloom June-August. Deadhead flowers to promote continuous blooms. Speedwell prefers constant moisture in well-drained soil, but it will tolerate drought once established. The genus Veronica contains many cultivars offering other colors and characteristics. Use it in rock gardens and borders around your yard.