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Sambucus canadensis

American Black Elderberry is a spreading, deciduous shrub with clusters of white flowers from June-July. It provides an attractve nectar source for butterflies and bees. Berries ripen in late summer and provide a food source for birds. The fruit can be used in jellies, pies, juice, and wine. Use American Black Elderberry in shrub borders, moist roadside plantings, or as a privacy screen around your yard.

Salvia splendens

Scarlet Sage is a tender perennial, grown as an annual. Its showy, red flowers blooming June to frost provide a nectar source to a host of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Use it in mixed borders and containers, or plant it around your yard for a burst of summer-long color.

Salvia spp.

Salvia,or Sage, is a large genus offering many species in various sizes and colors. Sage is a wildlife-friendly plant, which is very attractive to hummingbirds, numerous native butterfly species, native bees, bumblebees, and honey bees. Sage is typically a low-maintenance plant tolerant of dry soil. It offers consistent summer blooming. Use it in mixed borders and butterfly gardens, or to provide colorful accents around your yard.

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.

Rudbeckia fulgida

Orange Coneflower features daisy-like flowers with bright yellow-orange rays and brown-purple center disks. The long bloom time lasts from June-October. This plant provides a nectar source for bees, and birds feed on the dried seeds. Use Orange Coneflower in naturalized gardens, rain gardens, in masses in the perennial border of your yard, and as fresh-cut flowers.

Rhus glabra

Smooth Sumac features yellowish-green flowers which bloom June-July. it is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Both male and female plants are needed to produce fruit. Female flowers lead to large clusters of red berries which ripen in August; the berries are an attractive food source for birds. Nectar offers food for butterflies and bees. Smooth Sumac is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars) including Hairstreak (Hypaurotis spp.). Fall foliage is yellow to orange-red-purple. Use Smooth Sumac for mass plantings in dry, nutrient-poor soil areas. It will spread to form colonies.

Rhododendron catawbiense

Catawba Rhododendron is a broadleaf evergreen shrub. Large clusters of lilac to purple to rose flowers bloom April-June, providing a valued food source for bumblebees. Use Catawba Rhododendron in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural areas around your yard. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

Quercus muehlenbergii

Chinkapin Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April as leaves emerge. It has narrow, oblong, toothed leaves. Fall leaf color is variable, usually yellow-brown. It may take 30 years for this tree to mature to bear acorns, which provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Chinkapin Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Chinkapin Oak is a low-maintenance, long-lived tree. This attractive tree is worth saving if it is already growing in your yard. Use it as a shade tree in large yards and parks, or in natural areas.

Quercus falcata

Southern Red Oak is a medium to large, deciduous tree. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree April-May. This tree tolerates drought, as well as brief flooding. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous inconspicuous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Southern Red Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Southern Red Oak as a street tree or shade tree for your large yard, park, or natural area.

Ptelea trifoliata

Common Hoptree is a small, deciduous, flowering tree or pruned shrub. Tiny, white flowers bloom in June. The flowers can have an unpleasant fragrance, and are pollinated by carrion flies. The fruit can be used as a substitute for hops. Common Hoptree is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). Plant Common Hoptree as a specimen or in groups in your yard. It can also be used as a hedge or for a screen.