Native Plant Wildlife Gardening

I dedicate my bloom day photos to native plants for native pollinators.

Aronia melanocarpa Chokeberry Autumn Magic. Can a habitat garden have too many native chokeberries? Not only is Aronia a spring food source for bees, in the fall they produce berries which are a preferred food source for birds. The autumn color is stunning.

Neviusia alabamensis Alabama Snow-wreath. Native to the southeastern United States and in my opinion, a lovely, underused shrub. Alabama Snow-wreath is a trouble free, thicket-forming shrub reaching 3-6 ft. in height and width. It has exfoliating orange brown bark and the flowers are showy, feathery stamens. Grow in part shade. A favorite if native bees.

Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry ssp. is an outstanding native wildlife shrub. The blossoms make for a favorite pollen source for bees, soon followed by a berry food source for birds. The bark is exfoliating on this 15′ shrub and the fall colors are just stunning.

Halesia tetraptera Pink Carolina Silverbell Arnold Pink. These are just about to open on my baby specimen but the bees are already on it. When the flower opens it will look like tiny, spreading wings from a tale of garden faeries. Native to the central and southern United States, a mid size tree reaching 20-30′. Trouble free, grow in part shade with moist loamy soil.

Cornus florida Flowering dogwood. Lucky me, there are several naturalized specimens of native Cornus florida on my property. After the bees get done with it, beautiful red berries will appear for the birds. They are always a favorite tree for migrating birds in the fall.