“All plants are not created equal, particularly in their ability to support wildlife.”
-Douglas W. Tallamy



•Oak Shade Tree (Quercus)- A beautiful, towering species that shows great strength, hardiness, is very resistant to insect and fungal attack , and most importantly, this tree needs to be restored in our native landscape because it provides food and shelter for wildlife. Oaks have spirally arranged leaves, some have serrated leaves and some have smooth leaves. The flowers are catkins, produced in spring. The fruit is a nut called an acorn, each acorn contains one seed and takes 6-18 months to mature, depending on the species. Height: 50-80’

•Milkweed (Asclepias)- Milkweeds are an important nectar source for bees and other nectar seeking insects, and a larval food source for Monarch butterflies and their relatives, as well as a variety of other herbivorous insects specialized to feed on the plants despite their chemical defenses. Milkweed is named for its milky juice, which contains alkaloids, and several other complex compounds. The pollen is grouped into pollen sacs. The flower petals are smooth and rigid, and the feet of visiting insects, looking for nectar, slip into notches in the flowers, where the sticky bases of the pollen attach to the feet, pulling the pollen sacs free when the pollinator flies off. Bees, including honey bees only gather nectar from milkweed flowers, and are generally not effective pollinators despite the frequency of visitation. Full sun, Height: 2-5’,Perennial

•Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)- It is one of a number of hollies which are deciduous, losing their leaves in the fall. In wet sites, it will spread to form a dense thicket, while in dry soil it remains a tight shrub. The proximity of at least one male plant is required to pollenize the females in order to bear fruit. The berries are an important, emergency food resource for numerous species of birds. Full sun in moist soil, best in partial sun. Height: 6-12’

•Golden Rod (Solidago)- This plant is difficult to distinguish. Probably due to the bright, golden yellow flower heads blooming in late summer, the Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing hay fever in humans. The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by Ragweed, blooming at the same time as the Goldenrod, but is wind-pollinated. Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is thus mainly pollinated by insects. A hybrid with aster, known as x Solidaster is less unruly, with pale yellow flowers, equally suitable for dried arrangements. Goldenrod is a companion plant, playing host to some beneficial insects, repelling some pests. Late season nectar source, and underused in landscaping. Full sun, Height: 2-4’, Perennial

•Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)- This perennial is mainly found in wet places, streambanks, and swamps. This plant is easily propagated by dividing and spreading out the young plants which form around the older mature plants each year. Although the plant is considered a perennial,any one plant may only live 7 to 10 years and then die. To insure that your whole collection of cardinal flowers do not die off at the same time be sure to propagate some new plant lines using new plants at least every 4 years. This plant is a must if you want to attract humming birds, which have been known to fight over the striking red blooms for nectar. Full to partial sun, Height: 2-4’

•Sunflower (Helianthus)- A sunny, yellow perennial that provides nectar for the butterflies, and the seeds provide food for birds. Also, these colorful flowers attract beneficial insects to your garden. Helianthus have a signifigantly smaller bloom than the more commonly known Annual Sunflower. As a bonus, perennial Sunflowers make beautiful, long-lasting, fresh- cut arrangements. Full Sun, Height: 1-5’

•American Dogwood (Cornus florida)- Beautiful, small, deciduous understory tree that needs to be protected from afternoon sun. The flowers are produced in a dense, rounded, flowerhead. While most of the wild trees have white bracts, some selected cultivars of this tree also have pink bracts, some even almost a true red. They typically flower in early April in the southern part of their range, to late April or early May in northern and high altitude areas. The fruit is a cluster of three to eight drupes which ripen to a stunning, bright red in the fall; they are eaten by birds which then distribute the seeds. Partial Sun, Height: 20-40’

•Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)-The Maryland State Flower-This easy to grow, long-blooming perennial is an easy and excellent nectar source for butterflies. This group of hardy, herbaceous perennials are commonly known as the Black- or Brown-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisies and Coneflowers. These plants produce lovely cut flowers and are generally yellow and sometimes brightly, bicolored reddish-brown. Pulling off the dead flowers will increase the blooms. Full to Partial Sun, Height: 1-4’