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Rhododendron maximum

Great Laurel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree. Clusters of white to purplish-pink flowers bloom in June, providing a valued food source for bumblebees. Use Great Laurel in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural areas around your yard. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

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.

Rhododendron arborescens

Sweet Azalea features clusters of white-pink flowers with protruding red stamens, which bloom June-July. Its nectar is a valued food source for bumblebees. Leaves turn reddish-purple in the fall. Use Sweet Azalea in shrub borders, foundation plantings, and natural areas in your yard. As with many Azaleas and Rhododendrons, all parts of this plant are poisonous.

Rhexia virginica

Handsome Harry lives up to its name! Rose-pink to pale-pink petals surround yellow stamens to create an attractive flower, which blooms in May-September. It is cross-pollinated by bumblebees, which forage for its nectar and pollen. Its leaves contain “pulegone,” and can be rubbed on your skin to repel mosquitos. Handsome Harry is an important host plant to larvae (caterpillars) of the Large Lace Border moth (Scopula limboundata). Old seed heads offer shelter for over-wintering beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds in the spring. Handsome Harry prefers wet peat or sandy acidic soil. It grows best on the edges of moist woodlands or meadows. Plant Handsome Harry in masses along borders, beds, and moist natural areas of your yard. It propagates through self-seeding.

Quercus velutina

Black Oak is a medium-tall, deciduous tree of the red oak group. Its shiny dark green leaves have deeply cut lobes. The bark is almost black on mature trunks, giving it its common name. It prefers moist, organically-rich soil, but tolerates nutrient-poor, dry soil. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Black Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Edwards Hairstreak (Satyrium edwardsii). It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Black Oak as a street tree, shade tree in large lawns or parks, or in natural areas around your yard.

Quercus rubra

Red Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree. It is monoecious; insignificant separate male and female catkins appear in spring. The acorns mature in early fall and provide food for birds and wildlife. Fall foliage is russet-red to bright-red, but occasionally yellow-brown. It prefers fertile, dry, sandy soil. Red Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Red Oak is a host plant to butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). Use it as a specimen in your yard, a street tree, or lawn tree.

Quercus montana

Chestnut Oak is a medium-large, deciduous tree of the white oak group. It has oblong, toothed leaves, which turn orange-yellow or yellow-brown in fall. The acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Chestnut Oak as a street tree or shade tree, and in parks or natural areas.

Quercus palustris

Pin Oak is a medium-sized, deciduous tree of the red oak group. It is monoecious; greenish-yellow flowers bloom on separate male and female catkins in April. Its dark green leaves have five bristle-tipped lobes, and turn deep red in fall. It tolerates poorly-drained soils and some flooding. It may take 15-20 years until the tree matures to bear acorns, which provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous beneficial insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Pin 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. Use Pin Oak as a shade tree in the yard, park, or natural area, or as a street tree.

Quercus ilicifolia

Scrub Oak, or Bear Oak, is a small, shrub-like, deciduous tree in the red oak group. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree. Its smooth leaves have 3-7 bristle-tipped lobes. Fall foliage is reddish-purple. Biennial acorns are bitter and reportedly only eaten by bears. It provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Scrub Oak is a host plant for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Sleepy Duskywing (Erynnis brizo) and Eastern Buckmoth (Hemileuca maia). Use it as a street tree or shade tree in your yard, neighborhood park, or natural area.

Quercus coccinea

Scarlet Oak is a large deciduous tree with a round, open canopy. It is monoecious; separate male and female catkins appear on the same tree April-May. Its scarlet-red leaf color develops in mid-November. Acorns provide food for birds and wildlife. Oaks are host to numerous insects, which in turn provide food for birds. Scarlet Oak provides nesting space, cover, and shelter for wildlife. Use Scarlet Oak as a street tree or shade tree for your large yard, park, or natural area.