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Corylus americana

American Hazelnut, a deciduous shrub, is monoecious (separate male and female flowers appear on the same plant); the light-brown male catkins and inconspicuous female flowers emerge March-April. The female flowers lead to uniquely shaped nuts, which mature in late summer. The nuts are edible, sweet, have high nutritional value, and may be eaten raw or ground into flour. The nuts were traditionally used by Native Americans to flavor soup. Many mammal and bird species feed on the nuts, including fox, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, and squirrels. The dense, low-growth characteristics of this species provide cover and nesting sites for wildlife. Its fall foliage colors range from yellow to red. Use American Hazelnut in naturalized areas or woodland gardens, where nut debris will not cause “tree litter.” It can also can be used as a screen planting, or in the back of a shrub border.

Cornus sericea

Redosier Dogwood is a deciduous shrub, which adds color to the winter landscape with bright red, multi-branching stems. Its small, white flowers bloom May-June. The flowers are followed by clusters of white, berry-like fruits, which are attractive to birds. Use it in shrub borders, as property screens, or along pond or steam banks to prevent soil erosion.

Cornus racemosa

Gray Dogwood is a flowering deciduous shrub. Clusters of white flowers appear in late May to early June. Flowers are followed by small, white, berry-like fruits, which attract many species of birds. The fruits are on top of branched, red twigs, which remain showy after the fruits have been consumed by the birds. Gray Dogwood is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”), and it provides habitat cover and shelter for wildlife. It will tolerate poor and somewhat dry soils. Use in masses in shrub borders, screen plantings, or wildlife gardens. It is also a good choice for rain gardens or the edges of ponds or streams. Visit Native Plant Society of NJ “Plant Profiles & Photos” for additional information and photos.

Cornus amomum

Silky Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub, native to moist lowlands. Clusters of tiny, white flowers bloom May-June, followed by white, berry-like fruits, which turn blue as they ripen in August. The fruits are a food source for birds. The twigs and leaves are identifiable by silky strands on their undersides, hence its common name. This shrub is easy to transplant. Use in woodland gardens or in naturally moist areas of the yard, such as rain gardens or along ponds or streams. Visit Native Plant Society of NJ “Profiles & Photos” for additional information and photos.

Comptonia peregrina

Sweet Fern is not a fern, but a multi-branched, mounded shrub with dark green, aromatic, fern-like leaves. Its inconspicuous, yellow-green catkins (elongated, drooping clusters of tiny flowers without petals) appear April-May, followed by small, burr-like nutlets. It is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). This plant fixes its own nitrogen, and can tolerate sandy, nutrient-poor soil. It also tolerates wet conditions, as well as drought. Sweet Fern will form dense colonies once established. Use in naturalized areas, rain gardens, and on slopes for erosion control.

Clethra alnifolia

Summersweet is a multi-branched deciduous shrub with dark green, aromatic leaves. It is one of the few summer-flowering shrubs that will bloom in shade. The sweetly fragrant, white flowers bloom in upright clusters on the tips of stems, July-August.

Chamaedaphne calyculata

Leatherleaf is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to wet soils. It has leathery, green leaves and small, bell-shaped, white flowers, which bloom April-May. This shrub is used by birds and other wildlife for nesting and cover. It grows well in boggy locations. Use Leatherleaf in moist borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, or along edges of ponds or other water features.

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Common Buttonbush’s fragrant, white, spherical-shaped flowers resemble pin cushions. The flowers bloom in June, followed by round, button-like fruits enclosing small nutlets, which persist into winter. The flowers provide a nectar source for native bees and butterflies. Buttonbush is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Titan sphinx (Aellopos titan) and Hydrangea sphinx (Darapsa versicolor). It prefers moist to wet conditions, and can tolerate flooding. The plants can be pruned or cut to the ground in early spring. Use Buttonbush in shrub borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens, and other moist areas of the yard, or plant along edges of ponds and other water features.

Ceanothus americanus

New Jersey Tea is a low-growing, wildlife-friendly deciduous shrub. Showy, fragrant, white flower clusters bloom May-July and are good fresh-cut. The flowers are a nectar source for hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees. New Jersey Tea is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Spring Azure (Celastrina “ladon”), Mottled Duskywing (Erynnis martialis), and Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta). Young, yellow twigs add color to the winter landscape. The common name originated when the dried leaves were used as a tea substitute during the Revolutionary War. Use New Jersey Tea in shrub borders, wildlife gardens, or as a groundcover on slopes.

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub with graceful, arching branches and spectacular fruits. Light lavender to pink flowers bloom June-August, followed by showy, bright purple, berry-like fruits, which encircle the stems. The fruits, which remain until early winter, are a source of food for many species of birds. American Beautyberry is a good shrub to plant under trees. Use massed in the back of a shrub border or in a woodland garden.