1. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
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Description: Serviceberry is one of the earliest native plants to bloom, producing white flowers that attract pollinators. It also produces edible berries that are a favorite of birds.
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Benefits: Attracts native bees, provides food for caterpillars, and offers a splash of yellow, orange, or burgundy fall color.
2. Rabbiteye Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
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Description: This shrub is known for its spectacular foliage in late fall, with colors ranging from red to burgundy and orange. It supports the Southeast blueberry bee, which specializes in blueberries.
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Benefits: Provides sumptuous late fall color, supports native pollinators, and is adaptable to various landscape conditions.
3. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
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Description: Beautyberry bears distinctive magenta fruit in early fall, attracting songbirds. Its less showy flowers attract small native bees.
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Benefits: Adapts to sunny or partially shaded spots, looks best with an annual pruning in late winter, and provides clusters of magenta fruit.
4. Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum)
- Description: This shrub produces white blooms in spring that attract butterflies and moths. In autumn, it has clusters of berries that change color from green to pink to blue and finally to a darker purplish blue.
- Benefits: Provides a kaleidoscope of color change over the season and turns red and wine-colored in late fall.
5. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- Description: Buttonbush is a multistemmed shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall. It has round white or pink flowers that attract butterflies.
- Benefits: Well-suited for shade and part shade, making it an excellent understory plant.
6. American Cranberry Bush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)
- Description: This shrub has showy, white flowers in the spring and edible red berries in the fall, making it an attractive pollinator plant.
- Benefits: Attracts pollinators with its flowers and provides food for birds with its berries.
7. Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)
- Description: Mountain mint is known for its prolific spread and ability to attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
- Benefits: Spreads easily and can be divided to create more plants, providing a continuous source of nectar throughout the growing season.
8. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
- Description: Bee balm is another prolific spreader that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its vibrant flowers.
- Benefits: Easy to grow and provides a long blooming period, making it a favorite among pollinators.
9. Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
- Description: Anise hyssop is loved by bees and butterflies for its fragrant flowers and long blooming period.
- Benefits: Easy to grow and provides a continuous source of nectar throughout the summer.
10. Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Description: A classic choice, purple coneflower is a native perennial that attracts a wide range of pollinators.
- Benefits: Provides nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds, and its seeds are a food source for birds in the fall and winter.
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