Silky Dogwood, or Kinnikinnik, is a deciduous shrub that thrives in moist, well-drained soils. It can tolerate any amount of sunlight, but will require mulch and increased moisture in full sun conditions. This shrub is the host plant for the Azure butterfly, and its nectar is enjoyed by many pollinators. The fruits that follow are attractive, drooping clusters that start white and ripen to a deep blue. These drupes are eaten by birds from late summer to early fall, and are edible to humans. They are more often used in cooking than eaten raw.

Staghorn Sumac is a beautiful addition to a large native garden. Pollinators and songbirds prize this small, colony-forming tree for its large flower and fruit clusters. There are separate male and female plants. Only the females produce fruit, but the males are required for fertilization. Over time, this plant will spread through the production of root suckers. The fruit can be harvested in the fall and has a tart flavor. It can also be made into a drink called 'Sumac-ade.' Pet safe.

The American Holly is a great alternative to its European counterpart. This evergreen tree, in cultivation, can reach up to 30 feet after many years. The strong trunks are resistant to damaging winds, and deer do not like to eat the armed leaves. The flowers attract pollinators, and the fruit is eaten by songbirds. Both male and female plants are required to produce fruit. The fruit is toxic.

Inkberry Holly is an evergreen shrub that grows to a maximum of 10 feet tall. It is a host plant for the Henry's elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici). It is a dioecious plant, requiring both a female and a male plant to produce fruit. The flowers appear from May to June, and some sources claim they have a pleasant scent. Fruits are present in the fall and, while edible by humans, tend not to have much flavor. Songbirds and small mammals eat them. It can withstand heavy pruning in early spring, before new growth emerges, and can be used for a hedge.

Also known as Hardhack, Steeplebush is an upright bush found in wet prairies and meadows, and around marshes.  Our native alternative to the Japanese spiraea, Steeplebush develops multiple spires of pinkish-purple flowers from July through September. Its foliage turns bright reddish-gold in Fall. A good addition to raingardens, Steeplebush is the host plant for the Columbia silkmoth.

White Oak is the classic oak tree.  It is a large, long-live tree found throughout the Eastern US.  A keystone species, oaks are host plants for at least 452 species of butterflies and moths!  More than 180 different kinds of birds and mammals use oak acorns as food.

Tupelo, or Black Gum, is a deciduous tree that is often found around ponds, lakes and swampy areas.  Tupelo flowers are an important source of nectar for bees, honeybees make tupelo honey from it.  Tupelos produce blue-black fruits that support birds.   During the Fall, its shiny leaves are striking reds and purples.  

These evergreen trees are very adaptable and can tolerate heat, cold, dry, wet, salt and windy conditions. The scale-like needles are attractive in all seasons.  In late summer and fall, female junipers have blue-green berry-like fruits, actually modified cones, that attract birds.

Fast growing, generally pest and disease-free, and drought-tolerant. Colonies are often single-sexed, formed from a single, suckering parent. Only female plants produce flowers and berries. Leaves are extremely colorful in the fall.

The leaves have a bluish cast in the summer, with finely-textured, pink-tinged, branched flower seed heads that hover over the foliage like a cloud. Leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall.