Building a Backyard Forest

Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.- Aldo Leopold

What difference does it make if I have even a single tree in my yard and how many do I actually need? Healthy streams are associated with watersheds having 45-60+% forest cover. Maryland has already lost more than half its forests since colonial days and losses are continuing. In the Mid-Atlantic region, streams originally formed in a forested landscape; healthy streams and watersheds relied on their forests. Now many other uses compete for space on the land, but we still need the trees if we want to have healthy streams, clean air, clean water, and diverse wildlife. People also appreciate trees for the beauty they bring, the comfort of summer shade, and screening and privacy. Some days, just seeing glorious fall colors or subtle greening during spring helps make the world a little better. Economic benefits don’t hurt either. Homes with mature trees tend to sell faster, with higher resale values. There’s nothing like standing out in the August sun to help you appreciate the incredible cooling power of the tree canopy. A well-placed large tree can save 10-30% on cooling and heating costs. Even a small area restored to trees can help support a healthier environment.

Ready to cut down on costs for mowing and shrink your lawn’s carbon footprint? One gas mower running for an hour emits the same amount of pollutants as driving 100 miles. With over 1 million acres of turf grass in Maryland, that adds up. Establishing trees takes some effort and some patience, but the benefits keep growing over time along with the trees.

When should you start? Some wise person said that the best time to plant trees was 20 years ago, and the second-best time is now. Trees do take

time to grow, which means sooner is better. Some fast-growing native trees can reach 15-20 feet in 5 years. Many fast-growingtrees also tend to be short-lived, so startingsome of the longer-lived and slower growingspecies along with those fast-growing trees isa good investment for the future - the benefitskeep coming.

What is the best tree to plant? There’s no single best tree, but there are a couple of guidelines to pick a tree that will thrive on your site. Look at soil moisture (dry,

moderate, or wet), light (full sun, partial sun, or shade), and soil type (sand, silt, clay). Conservation landscaping plant guides can help match species to site conditions (see example plant lists or reference links below). Native species are usually the safest choices. Many insects are adapted to use certain species, especially in larval stages, and can’t survive on other types. Why not plant what the butterflies can breed on as well as feed on? Native species also help avoid problems with exotic invasive species taking over native woodlands. Several common landscaping plants like Norway maple, Japanese barberry, bush honeysuckle, and oriental bittersweet are now increasingly seen in our natural areas in high densities, crowding out native plants. The time of year makes a difference. Planting works best in the spring and fall when soils are moist. Trees planted in the spring usually need conscientious watering throughout the first summer whenever soils get dry.

HOW TO GET FROM TURF TO FORESTEvery oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who decided to stand their ground. - Anonymous

A tree or two isn’t hard to plant and mulch, but creating a forest area from lawn takes some know-how, some preparation, and some follow-up. There are several approaches and options, depending on whether your supply of patience or money is most limiting. Start small and see what works for you in your yard, expanding year by year. Fescue, the most common lawn grass is a tough competitor for water and nutrients, making it hard to grow trees. If you want to really move away from mowing and realize the full range of forest benefits, a forest floor (where the leaves and twigs can build up) and understory shrubs should be allowed to develop. You can try it yourself using any of the techniques below, or ask your favorite landscaper for help with restoring native plants to your yard.

Techniques

A) Individual TreesClear away top layer of turf, dig the hole twice as wide as deep, plant tree at same depth as in pot, root ball, or root collar, firm soil around roots to make good soil/root contact without compacting the loosened soil, mulch an area large enough to mow around easily without bumping the new tree trunk.

B) Planting BedsWood-Chip: Cover the area with 3-4 inches of wood chips for about a year, adding piles of fall leaves up to 6-8 inches deep if desired. This helps improve the soil while keeping weeds out. Plant into the wood chip area and maintain mulch until trees shade the ground.

Other smothering techniques: Layered newspaper, cardboard, or landscape cloth can be placed on grass and covered with some mulch to improve appearance. This should be done several months before planting to get good control of grass and weeds.

Herbicide: Common herbicides like glyphosate can be used to kill grass and roots more quickly, and are usually highly effective. Always follow label directions for safe and effective use. Herbicides should be applied several weeks before planting.

Tilling: Grass can be tilled, but will usually resprout vigorously. Plan on a second tilling after a couple weeks to help control resprouts.

Mulch around trees at least until they are large enough to shade the ground. Fill in with perennial or self-seeding annual flowers and shrubs to develop a new bed. Weed aggressively for the first couple years, and enjoy the color and shade for decades. Beds can be expanded over time, whether in a new location or adjacent to the first.

C) Cover CropFor a larger area, convert grass into a cover crop like clover or wildflowers and plant trees and shrubs through it. Cover crops compete less with the young trees and don’t need weekly mowing. Remove grass by smothering with plastic, layered newspapers, or cardboard over several months, or spray with herbicides for results in a couple weeks. Cover crops keep out weeds that would otherwise grow in bare soil. Common cover crops are clover, alfalfa, wheat, barley, rye. Sunflowers and native wildflowers have also been used with good results. This transition can take two years; you will probably need to reseed some areas to increase density of wildflowers or native grasses after the first year. Newly planted areas will need water if it is dry shortly after planting, or during a severe drought within 2-3 years.

D) No-mow Stop mowing, plant wildflowers on the edge, and encourage volunteer trees (natural regeneration). Sometimes simply stopping mowing will allow natural succession to forest conditions. Creating a wildflower edge can make this transition more pleasing to the eye (yours and your neighbors’). This is more likely to work where large trees producing seeds are very near, and where soils haven’t been compacted. Many lawns were compacted during house construction, or don’t have good seed sources nearby. Within a couple years, there should be evidence of young trees coming up. Start planting if trees don’t volunteer. Control invasive species to allow the native plant community a chance.

Planting Stock Types Natural Regeneration (letting trees grow that start on their own): If you have trees trying to come up around the yard, this can be a good option. The trees have already chosen a spot that suits them, and the roots get to develop in place and undamaged. It is often the least expensive approach, but offers less control over the look of the yard and species of plants.

Planting Seedlings: Bare-root seedlings are inexpensive, easy to experiment with, and can rival the size of trees planted at larger sizes within a few years. They need to be protected from deer, mowers, and weed-eaters for several years with fencing or shelters.

Planting Containerized Plants: Containerized trees and shrubs are more expensive, but are available in a wide variety of species and sizes for a desired design, and give more immediate visual impact. Most will still need protection from deer browse in most suburban areas. Many people can install containerized stock themselves, but care should be taken to cut or loosen roots that have circled around the pot to allow normal root growth.

Planting Ball and Burlap Trees (larger nursery stock): B&B trees are the largest sizes and usually installed with the aid of equipment. They are the most expensive, but also the most gratifying in immediacy of results. All planting stock usually need watering during dry times for several years until roots are well-established.

Resources:Cullina, William. 2002. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines, Houghton-Mifflin Co., New York, 354p.Dirr, Michael. 1997. Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shurbs, Timber press, Portland, 493p.Hairston-Strang, A. B. 2005. Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance Guide.

www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/download/rfb_design&maintenance.pdf.Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website, University of Texas. Plant lists with growth information and search

capabilities www.wildflower.org/plants.Low Impact Development Center website. Raingarden designs at

www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design.Maryland Native Plant Society website. Plant lists and links to other resources:

www.mdflora.org/publications/natplantsframe and www.mdflora.org/plantinfo/plantinfo.Missouri Botanical Garden website. Plant lists, fact sheets, and search capabilities:

www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder.Mizejewski, D. 2004. Attracting Birds and Butterflies and other Backyard Wildlife.

National Wildlife Federation. 128p. Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping. www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/nativesMD/lists. PLANTS database, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plant characteristics with search capabilities and links

to invasive plant lists: plants.usda.govSlattery, B.E., K. Reshetiloff, and S.W. Zwicker. 2003. Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation

Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed. U.S. Fish&Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office,Annapolis, MD. 82pp. www.nps.gov/plants/pubs/chesapeake

Swearingen, J., K. Reshetiloff, B. Slattery, and S. Zwicker. 2002. Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas.National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 82 pp. www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/.

Tallamy, Douglas. 2007. Bringing Nature Home: How you can sustain wildlife with native plants.Timber Press, Portland. 358p.

Forestry for the Bay: http://www.forestryforthebay.org/.

The facilities and services of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability.This document is available in alternative format upon request from a qualified individual with a disability.

Larry Hogan, GovernorJeannie Haddaway-Riccio, Secretary

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Tawes State Office Building

580 Taylor AvenueAnnapolis, MD 21401

Phone 410-260-8531, Forest ServiceTTY via Maryland Relay: 711 (Within MD)

(800) 735-2258 (Out of State)Toll Free #: 1-877-620-8DNR ext 8531 http://

www.dnr.maryland.gov

Publication # 02-3132009-383

Seasonal Color Grove

“Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise.“- George Washington Carver

WHYTrees are always good for water and wildlife, but most people plant trees for their beauty, comfort, and shade around the house. Plantings create a sense of place and a greater degree of privacy for the yard.

HOWYou can choose trees that give spring blooms, varying leaf textures, canopy shapes, or brilliant fall color. Others can provide attractive bark, evergreen foliage, or berries for winter interest. Plant trees on the west and south sides and around heat pumps to reduce cooling and heating costs.

Fill in under trees with shrubs and flowers to develop seasonal tableaus of color. Plants with seasonal features like flowers or fall color can be grouped for vivid points that vary in location over the year. Another approach is to interplant plants that bloom at different season so that most of the yard has some interesting feature during any season.

Match plant species to

soil conditions

After

Before

All

D

ry

M

oder

ate

Wet

Soi

l Moi

stur

e P

refe

renc

es:

Comm

on na

meLa

tin n

ame

Soil M

oistur

e pr

efere

nce

Sun p

refer

ence

Flowe

r Colo

rFa

ll colo

rDe

scrip

tion,

Gr

ound

Cov

er G

CEa

stern

redb

udCe

rcis

cana

dens

isDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

pink

yello

wInt

ense

pink

flowe

rs in

sprin

g, he

art-s

hape

d lea

ves,

nitro

gen f

ixer,

adap

table

Pitch

pine

Pinu

s rigi

daDr

y to m

od.

Sun

noev

ergr

een

Mediu

m-siz

ed ev

ergr

eeen

, coa

rse br

anch

ing ha

bit

Scar

let oa

kQu

ercu

s coc

cinea

Dry t

o mod

.Su

nno

red

Red f

all co

lor, m

edium

to la

rge o

ak, c

an us

e man

y othe

r oak

s too

(red

, whit

e, bla

ck)

Swee

t birc

hBe

tula

lenta

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

noye

llow

Can t

olera

te dr

y soil

s, bu

t gro

ws fa

ster in

mois

tAm

erica

n holl

yIle

x opa

caMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

dewh

itere

d ber

ries

Many

cultiv

ars,

ever

gree

n with

red b

errie

s, sc

reen

ing, s

helte

r fro

m wi

nter w

indDo

wny s

ervic

eber

ryAm

elanc

hier a

rbor

eaMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

white

oran

ge, r

edW

hite f

lower

s in s

pring

, red

-ora

nge f

all co

lor, g

ray w

inter

bark,

oval

crown

Flowe

ring d

ogwo

odCo

rnus

florid

aMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

white

red

Many

cultiv

ars,

white

sprin

g flow

ers,

red f

all co

lor an

d red

fruit

, well

drain

ed ac

idic s

oils

Fring

etree

Chion

anth

us vi

rgini

cus

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSwh

iteye

llow

Small

tree

/shru

b, wh

ite S

pring

flowe

rs, ye

llow

fall c

olor,

gray

wint

er ba

rk; fe

males

mak

e oliv

e like

drup

esRe

d buc

keye

Aesc

ulus p

avia

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSre

dye

llow

Small

tree

(30 f

t), st

riking

red s

pikes

of flo

wers,

attra

ctive

folia

ge, s

low gr

ower

Suga

r map

leAc

er sa

ccha

rum

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSsm

allor

ange

, red

Clas

sic fa

ll foli

age t

ree,

also t

appe

d to m

ake m

aple

syru

pSw

eetba

y mag

nolia

Mag

nolia

virg

inian

aW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

ever

gree

nFr

agra

nt sh

owy w

hite f

lower

s, me

dium-

coar

se te

xture

, sem

i-eve

rgre

en, s

mall t

ree

Atlan

tic w

hite-

ceda

rCh

amae

cypa

ris th

yoide

sW

et to

mod.

Shad

e, PS

noev

ergr

een

Fine t

extur

ed ev

ergr

een,

'Hea

therb

un' h

as ro

unde

d for

mNo

rther

n whit

e-ce

dar

Thuja

occ

ident

alis

Wet

to mo

d.Su

nno

ever

gree

nAt

tracti

ve ev

ergr

een w

ith de

nse f

oliag

e, pr

efers

limes

tone s

oils

Red m

aple

Acer

rubr

umW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

red

Many

cultiv

ars a

vaila

ble, g

reat

fall c

olor a

nd fa

st gr

owing

cano

py tr

eeMo

untai

n lau

rel

Kalm

ia lat

ifolia

All

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

noNe

eds g

ood d

raina

ge, e

verg

reen

, whit

e flow

ers i

n late

sprin

gRe

dosie

r Dog

wood

Corn

us se

ricea

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

white

yello

wRe

d twi

gs in

the w

inter

and y

ellow

fall l

eaf c

olor,

white

flowe

rs; th

ere i

s a ye

llow

cultiv

ar, w

inter

fruit

for b

irds

Dwar

f inkb

erry

Ilex g

labra

'Nan

a' or

'Den

sa'

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

white

noFin

e tex

ture,

ever

gree

n shr

ub, s

hear

s well

, 'Sha

mroc

k' a g

ood n

on-d

warf

cultiv

arSp

irea,

mead

owsw

eet

Spire

a alb

aW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSwh

iteno

Arch

ing ca

nes o

r mou

nding

shur

b, S.

tome

ntosa

has p

ink flo

wers

Dwar

f oak

leaf h

ydra

ngea

Hydr

ange

a qu

ercif

olia

'Pee

Wee

'Mo

dera

teSu

n, PS

white

red

Whit

e sum

mer f

lower

s, re

d fall

color

, coa

rse te

xture

d bra

nche

sFo

therg

illaFo

ther

gilla

gard

enii o

r majo

rMo

dera

teSu

nwh

iteye

sW

hite f

uzzy

flowe

rs in

sprin

g, ye

llow-

oran

ge-re

d fall

color

'Mt A

iry' a

good

cultiv

ar, k

eeps

shap

ePi

edmo

nt az

alea

Rhod

oden

dron

cane

scen

sMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

pink

noUp

right

form,

frag

rant,

light

pink l

ate sp

ring f

lower

s, bu

tterfli

es lik

e this

, dec

iduou

sSw

eetsh

rub

Calyc

anth

us flo

ridus

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSma

roon

yello

wMa

roon

flowe

rs ('A

thens

' is y

ellow

), ye

llow

fall c

olor,

fragr

ant fl

ower

s whe

n in f

ull su

nAm

erica

n bea

utybe

rryCa

llicar

pa a

mer

icana

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSpin

kpu

rple

berry

Strik

ing sh

iny pu

rple

berri

es, c

an pr

une b

ack e

asily

Pink

shell

azale

aRh

odod

endr

on va

seyi

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSpin

kno

Uprig

ht for

m, lig

ht pin

k spr

ing flo

wers

Flame

leaf s

umac

Rhus

copa

llina

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

white

red

Rich

red f

all fo

liage

, can

form

a co

lony f

rom

spro

uts, R

. aro

matic

a 'Gr

ow Lo

w' a

good

relat

ed cu

ltivar

Blac

k-eye

d Sus

anRu

dbec

kia h

irta

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

yello

wno

Maryl

and s

tate f

lower

, gold

en ye

llow

flowe

r with

blac

k cen

terCo

ralbe

llsHe

uche

ra a

mer

icana

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

pink/r

edno

Long

bloo

m tim

e, se

mi-e

verg

reen

, low

foliag

e, str

aight

spec

ies ha

s red

/pink

flowe

rs, m

any c

ultiva

rs, G

CFir

ecra

cker

golde

nrod

Solid

ago

'Fire

crac

ker'

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

yello

wno

Late

summ

er, y

ellow

pere

nnial

, bird

s and

butte

rflies

like i

t, flow

ers "

explo

de" v

isuall

y, ma

ny va

rietie

sBl

ue F

alse I

ndigo

Bapt

isia

austr

alis

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

blue

noSt

riking

spike

s of b

lue flo

wers

3-4'

tall, d

oes n

ot tra

nspla

nt we

llGr

een-

and-

Gold

Chry

sogo

num

virg

inian

umDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

yello

wno

Abun

dant

yello

w flo

wers,

flowe

rs lon

ger if

mois

t, GC

Thre

adlea

f cor

eops

isCo

reop

sis ve

rticil

lata

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

yello

wno

Fine-

textur

ed fo

liage

and l

ong-

lastin

g yell

ow flo

wers,

'Moo

nbea

m' ha

s pale

yello

w flo

wer

Wild

gera

nium

Gera

nium

mac

ulatu

mMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

pink

noPi

nk to

purp

le sp

ring f

lower

s, pa

lmate

leav

es, G

CBl

uesta

r flow

erAm

sonia

tabe

rnae

mon

tana

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSblu

eye

llow

Delic

ate bl

ue flo

wer,

butte

rfly pl

ant, g

olden

fall c

olor,

Blue

Ice i

s com

pact

cultiv

arBo

ttlebr

ush g

rass

Elym

us h

ystri

xMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

deno

noUp

right,

fine t

extur

e, loo

se se

edhe

adCo

lumbin

eAq

uileg

ia ca

nade

nsis

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSre

dno

Show

y red

flowe

rs, 12

-18"

tall,

freely

rese

eds,

shor

t-live

d per

ennia

lMo

ss-p

inkPh

lox su

bulat

aMo

dera

teSu

npu

rple

noBl

ue, p

ink, o

r pink

& w

hite s

triped

sprin

g flow

ers o

n eve

rgre

en m

at of

foliag

e, fin

e tex

ture,

butte

rflies

like i

t, GC

Dwar

f cre

sted i

risIri

s cris

tata

Mode

rate

Shad

e, PS

purp

leno

Edge

r, 8-

10" t

all, li

ght p

urple

early

sprin

g flow

ers,

need

s par

tial s

hade

, GC

Foam

flowe

rTi

arell

a co

rdifo

liaMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

dewh

iteno

Sprin

g upr

ight w

hite f

lower

s, 8-

12" t

all, g

roun

dcov

er, G

CGa

rden

phlox

Phlox

pan

iculat

aMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

many

noLo

ng-la

sting

show

y flow

er cl

uster

s, ma

ny co

lors,

'Dav

id' is

a mi

ldew

resis

tant w

hite f

orm,

2-3'

tall,

Obed

ient p

lant

Phys

oste

gia vi

rgini

ana

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSpin

k, wh

iteno

Pink

to la

vend

ar, o

r whit

e spik

e, su

mmer

flowe

r, ca

n tole

rate

wet s

oils b

ut sp

read

s mor

eOs

trich f

ern

Mat

teuc

cia st

ruth

iopte

risMo

dera

teSh

ade,

PSno

noDr

amati

c ver

tical

textur

e plan

t, clum

ps, h

erba

ceou

s fer

nVi

rgini

a spid

erwo

rtTr

ades

cant

ia vir

ginian

aMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

depu

rple

noInt

ense

purlp

e flow

ers i

n A.M

. in sp

ring,

adap

table;

seve

ral c

olors

Sund

rops

Oeno

ther

a ru

ticos

aMo

dera

teSu

nye

llow

noSp

read

ing se

mi-e

verg

reen

grou

ndco

ver,

Brigh

t yell

ow flo

wers

in Sp

ring,

GCCa

nada

viole

tVi

ola ca

nade

nsis

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSwh

iteno

Grou

ndco

ver,

spre

ading

, whit

e flow

ers,

tinge

d viol

et on

back

, frag

rant,

attra

cts bu

tterfli

esCo

ral o

r tru

mpet

hone

ysuc

kleLo

nicer

a se

mpe

rvire

nsMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

red

noCl

imbin

g vine

with

long

bloo

m tim

e, br

ight r

ed tu

bular

flowe

rs, G

CBe

e balm

Mon

arda

didy

ma

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

red

noMa

rshall

's De

light'

has b

right

Pink

flowe

rs, 2-

3' tal

l, mild

ew re

sistan

t, nee

ds ha

lf day

of su

nBl

ue ve

rvain

Verb

ena

hasta

taW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSblu

e/pur

pleno

Blue

to pu

rple

spike

s in m

id to

late s

umme

rCa

nada

lily

Lilium

cana

dens

eW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSor

ange

noMu

ltiple

oran

ge su

mmer

lily f

lower

s, tal

l plan

t (up

to 6'

)Ci

nnam

on fe

rnOs

mun

da ci

nnam

omea

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

, Sha

deno

noTa

ll upr

ight d

ecidu

ous f

ern w

ith ci

nnam

on lik

e flor

esce

nce,

toler

ates d

roug

ht, G

CGo

lden A

lexan

ders

Zizia

aur

eaor

apt

era

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

yello

wno

Loos

e clus

ters o

f brig

ht ye

llow

flowe

rs, Z

. apte

ra ha

s rou

nder

leav

es, to

lerate

s drie

r soil

Gamm

a gra

ssTr

ipsac

um d

actyl

oides

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

nono

Clum

ping a

rching

small

gras

s, fal

l inflo

resc

ence

Goats

bear

d - fe

male

form

Arun

cus d

ioicu

sW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

noLa

rge b

illowi

ng cl

ouds

of w

hite,

up to

4' ta

llLa

dy F

ern

Athy

rium

filix-

fem

ina-in

cludin

g ss

p. A

splen

oides

Wet

to mo

d.Sh

ade,

PSno

noFin

e tex

ture,

vertic

al str

uctur

e 2' ta

ll, GC

Slen

der b

lue fla

gIri

s pris

mat

icaW

et to

mod.

Sun

blue

noLin

ear f

orm,

blue

late

sprin

g flow

ers

T r e e s S h r u b s F l o w e r s , F e r n s & G r a s s e s

The Water-Friendly Forest

“It’s a little known fact that fish grow on trees.” Anonymous

WHY Forests are part of nature’s water filter. Forests soak up more water than other land uses, catching rainfall in the canopy and developing more porous soils over time. The forest canopy uses water during the growing season, making more room to store water in the soil during storms. Forests trap and treat nutrients, keeping pollutants out of streams and groundwater. They store carbon to make cleaner air. Septic tanks work well to treat waste to control disease, but most systems do not reduce nutrients well. (Contact MD Dept. of Environment for incentives to install a denitrifying septic system). Planting trees beyond the septic field can help absorb many nutrients before they leach to local streams and groundwater. Add a rain garden to treat rooftop runoff, and rain barrels to capture water for outdoor watering.

HOWDesign an area of fast-growing trees like sycamore or yellow-poplar just beyond a septic tank drain field. A good minimum width is 100 feet wide, with more being needed on steeper slopes. Expand width 4 feet for every 1% slope to compensate for faster water movement on slopes.

Plant densely (400+ seedlings/acre, up to 800 trees per acre). Seedlings are least expensive and if sheltered with tree tubes or deer fencing, can equal or exceed size of trees planted as larger stock within 5 to 7 years. If larger trees are planted, use fewer (100-300 trees/acre). Thin after 10-15 years to encourage larger trees and continued nutrient uptake. Plan on harvesting some of the trees every 30-50 years to encourage rapid new growth. Control invasive weeds by cutting or spraying.

Add trees with more moderate growth rates and longer life spans in surrounding areas. Oaks are native species associated with high wildlife value and low rates of nutrient leaching, so they are emphasized here. Some trees with more moderate growth rates that also provide valuable winter food for wildlife and desirable wood are northern red oak, southern red oak, white oak, and black walnut.

Match plant species to

soil conditions

Comm

on na

meLa

tin n

ame

Soil M

oistur

e Su

n pre

feren

ceFlo

wer c

olor

Fall c

olor

Desc

riptio

n

Pign

ut hic

kory

Cary

a gla

bra

All

Sun,

PSno

yello

wNu

ts for

wild

life, a

ttrac

tive f

oliag

e, ad

aptab

leNo

rther

n red

oak

Quer

cus r

ubra

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

nore

dCo

mmon

and r

elativ

ely fa

st-gr

owing

oak,

nice f

all co

lorYe

llow-

popla

rLir

ioden

dron

tulip

ifera

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSye

llow

yello

wFa

st-gr

owing

, tulip

-shap

ed le

af, ye

llow

flowe

rs in

sprin

gEa

stern

whit

e pine

Pinu

s stro

bus

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSno

ever

gree

nSo

ft nee

dles,

can s

hear

well

Amer

ican s

ycam

ore

Plat

anus

occ

ident

alis

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSno

yello

wFa

st-gr

owing

, whit

e exfo

liatin

g bar

k, lar

ge tr

eeBi

gtooth

aspe

nPo

pulus

gra

ndide

ntat

aMo

dera

teSu

nno

yello

wFa

st-gr

owing

, smo

oth ba

rkPi

n oak

Quer

cus p

alustr

isMo

dera

teSu

nno

red

Adap

table,

relat

ively

fast-g

rowi

ng oa

k, ca

n tole

rate

wet s

oils

Amer

ican b

assw

ood

Tilia

am

erica

naMo

dera

teSh

ade,

PSye

llow

yello

w/br

own

Frag

rant

flowe

rs, be

es lik

e the

polle

n, mo

dera

te gr

owth

rate

Easte

rn he

mloc

kTs

uga

cana

dens

isMo

dera

teSh

ade,

PSno

ever

gree

nLa

cy te

xture

, sus

cepti

ble to

heml

ock w

oolly

adelg

idSl

ipper

y elm

Ulm

us ru

bra

Mode

rate

Shad

e, PS

noye

llow

If usin

g Ame

rican

elm,

get d

iseas

e-re

sistan

t cult

ivar

Silve

r map

leAc

er sa

ccha

rinum

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

noye

llow

Fast-

grow

ing, s

hort-

lived

tree

, tend

s to h

ave m

ultipl

e stem

s or lo

w br

anch

esYe

llow

birch

Betu

la all

egha

niens

isW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

noye

llow

Shiny

bark

for w

inter

inter

est, p

refer

s som

e sha

de, N

aspe

cts, li

mesto

ne so

ilsRi

ver b

irch

Betu

la nig

raW

et to

mod.

Sun

noye

llow

Exfol

iating

bark,

grac

eful d

roop

to br

anch

es, d

warf,

'Her

itage

', and

'Dur

a-He

at' cu

ltivar

sBl

ack-g

umNy

ssa

sylva

tica

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

nore

dBr

illian

t red

fall c

olor,

toler

ates s

ome d

roug

ht, sl

ower

-gro

wing

Easte

rn co

ttonw

ood

Popu

lus d

eltoid

esW

et to

mod.

Sun

noye

llow

Fast-

grow

ing, s

hort-

lived

, smo

oth ba

rk, co

ttony

seed

sSw

amp w

hite o

akQu

ercu

s bico

lorW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

red/b

rown

Toler

ates w

et so

ilsSw

amp c

hestn

ut oa

kQu

ercu

s mich

auxii

Wet

to mo

d.Su

nno

red/b

rown

Toler

ates w

et so

ilsW

ater o

akQu

ercu

s nigr

aW

et to

mod.

Shad

e, PS

nono

Toler

ates w

et so

ils, le

aves

persi

st in

winte

rW

illow

oak

Quer

cus p

hello

sW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

red/b

rown

Adap

table,

relat

ivley

fast-

grow

ing oa

k, sm

all ac

orns

, thin

leave

sBl

ack w

illow

Salix

nigr

aW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

noSl

ende

r flex

ible t

wigs

, can

grow

from

cuttin

gs/liv

e stak

es, to

lerate

s floo

ding a

nd a

little

salt

Bald-

cypr

ess

Taxo

dium

dist

ichum

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

nono

Fine t

extur

e, de

ciduo

us co

nifer

, soft

grac

eful fo

liage

, toler

ates p

ondin

gRe

d cho

kebe

rryPh

otini

a py

rifoli

aAl

lSu

n, PS

white

red

Brigh

t red

berri

es, a

dapta

ble to

soils

Oakle

af hy

dran

gea

Hydr

ange

a qu

ercif

olia

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSwh

itere

d/mar

oon

Alice

' and

'Sno

w Qu

een'

and V

augh

n's Li

ly' ar

e goo

d cult

ivars,

exfol

iating

wint

er ba

rk, co

mpac

t cult

ivars

Haze

l alde

rAl

nus s

erru

lata

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSno

yello

w/re

dMu

lti-ste

m sh

rub/s

mall t

ree,

nice w

inter

bark,

Nitro

gen f

ixer,

forms

thick

ets on

stre

ams

Butto

nbus

hCe

phala

nthu

s occ

ident

alis

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

, Sha

dewh

iteye

llow-

gree

nW

hite b

alls o

f flow

ers i

n sum

mer,

coar

se te

xture

, like

s wet

feet, t

olera

tes dr

ough

tSu

mmer

swee

tCl

ethr

a aln

ifolia

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

white

yello

wUp

right

summ

er flo

wers,

bees

and b

utter

flies l

ike it,

'Rub

y Spic

e' is

a pink

dwar

f cult

ivar

Silky

dogw

ood

Corn

us a

mom

umW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSwh

itere

d/pur

pleCl

uster

s of c

obalt

blue

berri

esInk

berry

Ilex g

labra

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

noev

ergr

een

Leav

es si

milar

to bo

xwoo

d, re

tains

shap

e well

Swee

tspire

Itea

virgin

icaW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

dark

red

Mediu

m siz

e arch

ing sh

rub,

will s

ucke

r, da

rk re

d wint

er st

ems,

butte

rfly an

d bird

plan

t, dwa

rf cu

ltivar

sMa

rsh m

allow

Hibis

cus l

aevis

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

pink

noSe

vera

l colo

r cult

ivars,

gene

rally

pink

, 3' ta

ll, ve

ry we

t, bold

textu

reSw

amp a

zalea

Rhod

oden

dron

visc

osum

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

white

yello

w/re

dW

hite f

ragr

ant la

te sp

ring f

lower

s, lik

es th

e wett

er ar

eas o

f a ra

ingar

den

Broo

msed

ge bl

ueste

mAn

drop

ogon

virg

inicu

sAl

lSu

nno

redd

ishBu

nchin

g gra

ssDe

erton

gue

Dich

anth

elium

clan

desti

num

All

Sun,

PSno

noGr

assy

cove

rSw

itchg

rass

Panic

um vi

rgat

umAl

lSu

nno

varie

sFin

e tex

ture,

clump

ing, m

any c

ultiva

rs for

heigh

t and

color

Virg

inia c

reep

erPa

rthen

ociss

us q

uinqu

efoli

aAl

lSu

n, PS

, Sha

deno

red

Vine

with

five-

leave

d foli

age,

bank

stab

ilizer

, ada

ptable

, trim

as ne

eded

Whit

e sna

kero

otAg

erat

ina a

ltissim

aDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

no3'

tall, w

hite s

umme

r flow

ers,

Chris

tmas

Fer

nPo

lystic

hum

acr

ostic

hoide

sMo

dera

teSh

ade,

PSno

ever

gree

nEv

ergr

een,

12-1

5" ta

ll clum

ping f

ern,

grou

nd co

ver

Comm

on bo

nese

tEu

pato

rium

per

folia

tum

Mode

rate

Sun,

PS, S

hade

nono

Spra

ys of

whit

e flow

ers,

toler

ates w

et so

ils/sp

ring

Cree

ping p

hlox

Phlox

stolo

nifer

a Mo

dera

teSu

n, PS

laven

dar

ever

gree

nVa

rious

cultiv

ars ,

ever

gree

n gro

undc

over

, pink

, blue

some

times

whit

e flow

ers

Bear

dtong

uePe

nste

mon

digi

talis

Mode

rate

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

no2-

3' tal

l whit

e flow

ers

Amer

ican s

peed

well

Vero

nica

amer

icana

Wet

to mo

d.Su

nblu

e/pur

pleno

Prett

y blue

/purp

le flo

wer,

need

s wet

sites

Culve

r's R

oot

Vero

nicas

trum

virg

inicu

mW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSwh

iteno

Uprig

ht wh

ite pe

renn

ial, 3

' tall,

summ

er flo

wers,

pink

cultiv

ars

Grea

t blue

lobe

liaLo

belia

siph

ilitica

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

, Sha

deblu

eno

Purp

le-blu

e sum

mer f

lower

s, ne

ds sh

ade i

n war

mer a

reas

, frag

rant

Marsh

fern

Thely

pter

is pa

lustri

sW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

noFin

e Tex

ture,

spre

ading

, dec

iduou

s fer

n, 2-

3' tal

lMi

lkwee

d, sw

amp

Ascle

pias i

ncar

nata

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

pink

noW

et me

adow

s, pin

k clus

ters o

f flow

ers,

Mona

rch bu

tterfly

larva

l food

Narro

w-lea

ved s

unflo

wer

Helia

nthu

s ang

ustifo

lius

Wet

to mo

d.Su

nye

llow

noLa

te su

mmer

brigh

t yell

ow flo

wers

all up

and d

own 8

' tall s

talks

, spr

eads

New

York

ironw

eed

Vern

onia

nove

bora

cens

isW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSpu

rple

noInt

ense

purp

le flo

wers

in lat

e sum

mer,

fall

North

ern b

lue fla

g Iri

s ver

sicolo

rW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSblu

eno

Mediu

m blu

e-pu

rple

flowe

rs, gr

ows a

t pon

d edg

esRo

yal fe

rnOs

mun

da re

galis

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

, Sha

deno

noTa

ll dec

iduou

s fer

n, lik

es w

et fee

t, but

not c

ontin

uous

satur

ation

Turk'

s cap

lily

Lilium

supe

rbum

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

oran

geno

Tall w

ith or

ange

summ

er flo

wers,

take

s sev

eral

year

s to b

loom

Virg

inia b

luebe

llsM

erte

nsia

virgin

icaW

et to

mod.

Shad

e, PS

blue

noSp

ring e

phem

eral,

blue

flowe

rs, co

lor ca

n var

y to p

ink or

whit

e

T r e e s S h r u b s F l o w e r s , F e r n s , &

G r a s s e s

All

D

ry

M

oder

ate

Wet

Soi

l Moi

stur

e P

refe

renc

es:

The Wildlife-Friendly Woodland

“He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” - Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

WHYSharing your backyard with other creatures is a simple way to better enjoy your land. Forests offer new niches for wildlife habitat with every layer - the high-rises of the wildlife world. Trees help build the whole food pyramid for a variety of wildlife. Like everyone, wildlife is looking for places to live, eat, and raise babies. Pick a couple species from each category to provide habitat during different life stages over the seasons. Use native plants to optimize benefits to local species and minimize risks of bringing in exotic invasive plants that don’t support all the local wildlife. If you want a variety of animals, birds, and butterfiles, first encourage a variety of native plants.

HOWPlant a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers that can provide food throughout the year. Fruit trees like pawpaw, persimmon, and serviceberry are good summer and fall sources of food. Trees with nuts, like oaks, hickories, buckeyes, and beech, are important winter food sources for many animals.

Wildlife need shelter and water as well as food. Evergreens like white pine, Virginia pine, holly, or eastern redcedar can provide some shelter from winter winds. Plant these in groups for a better windbreak. They can also be planted near a bird feeder to offer birds quick cover from predators. Rock piles, rock walls, dead logs, and brush piles create refuges for small animals. Nesting habitat can be improved with nest boxes for birds. Water can be provided from streams, seeps, or ponds, or even just a bird bath.

One of the delightful responses to growing native plants is the amazing variety of butterflies. Most butterflies need a particular plant to nourish their earlier life stage as a caterpillar. Oaks, willows, and cherries host over 400 species of butterflies (Tallamy 2007). You need a hackberry if you want to nurture the rare hackberry butterfly. Butterflies can use nectar from many different types of flowers, but they need their host plants to reproduce.

Mix fast-growing trees like sycamore and yellow-poplar with some slower-growing oaks or beech. The fast growing trees will help moderate the site and make it easier for other trees to grow. The slower growing trees often live longer, providing benefits for decades.

Encourage canopy layers, including shrubs and ground covers that don’t need mowing. More layers mean more types of wildlife can use them. It also builds in resilience to storm damage, so even if one plant is lost, the plants above or below can fill in quickly.

Match plant species to

soil conditions

Comm

on na

meLa

tin n

ame

Soil M

oistur

eSu

n pre

feren

ceFlo

wer c

olor

Fall c

olor

Desc

riptio

nCh

inkap

inCa

stane

a pu

mila

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

noye

llow/

purp

leSw

eet e

dible

nut-li

ke fr

uits (

relat

ed to

ches

tnut)

Persi

mmon

Dios

pyro

s virg

inian

aDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PSno

yello

w/pu

rple

Edibl

e fru

its (b

est a

fter f

rost)

, fine

-textu

red b

locky

bark

Easte

rn re

dced

arJu

niper

us vi

rgini

ana

Dry t

o mod

.Su

nno

ever

gree

nDe

nse e

verg

reen

folia

ge, li

kes l

imes

tone s

oils

Shor

tleaf

pine

Pinu

s ech

inata

Dry t

o mod

.Su

nno

ever

gree

nW

inter

cove

r, se

eds i

n con

esVi

rgini

a pine

Pinu

s virg

inian

aDr

y to m

od.

Sun

noev

ergr

een

Twist

y nee

dles,

winte

r cov

er an

d see

dsCh

estnu

t oak

Quer

cus p

rinus

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

noye

llow-

oran

geAc

orns

for w

inter

food

, thick

ridge

d bar

kSm

ooth

suma

cRh

us g

labra

Dry t

o mod

.Su

nno

red

Fuzz

y ber

ry clu

sters,

drou

ght r

esist

ant

Pawp

awAs

imina

trilo

baMo

dera

teSu

nno

yello

w to

red

Oran

ge fr

uits,

yello

w or

red f

all co

lorSh

agba

rk hic

kory

Cary

a ov

ata

Mode

rate

Sun

noye

llow

Inter

estin

g pee

ling b

ark t

extur

e, nu

ts for

wild

lifeHa

ckbe

rryCe

ltis o

ccide

ntali

sMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

deno

yelow

Host

for ra

re H

ackb

erry

butte

rfly, d

roug

ht an

d floo

d tole

rant

Amer

ican b

eech

Fagu

s gra

ndifo

liaMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

, Sha

deno

tanSm

ooth

grey

bark,

retai

ns ta

n lea

ves m

ost o

f wint

erBl

ack w

alnut

Jugla

ns n

igra

Mode

rate

Sun

noye

llow

Edibl

e nuts

, attr

activ

e foli

age

Magn

olia

Mag

nolia

gra

ndiflo

raMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

white

ever

gree

nLa

rge,

spre

ading

tree

with

show

y whit

e cup

-shap

ed flo

wers

in sp

ring,

franr

ant

Red m

ulber

ryM

orus

rubr

aMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

noye

llow

Berri

es fo

r bird

s, do

n't pl

ant w

hite m

ulber

ry (in

vasiv

e)Bl

ack c

herry

Prun

us se

rotin

aMo

dera

tesu

nwh

iteye

llow/

red

Small

fruit

s for

bird

s, da

rk fla

ky ba

rkW

hite o

akQu

ercu

s alba

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSno

red

Maryl

and S

tate T

ree,

attra

ctive

textu

red b

ark,

roun

ded l

obes

on le

aves

South

ern r

ed oa

kQu

ercu

s falc

ata

Mode

rate

Sun

nobr

own

Acor

ns fo

r wint

er fo

od, b

ell-sh

aped

botto

m to

leaf, d

roug

ht tol

eran

tSa

ssafr

asSa

ssaf

ras a

lbidu

mMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

yello

wye

llow

Butte

rfly tr

ee, g

reat

fall c

olor,

3 lea

f sha

pes

Bitte

rnut

hicko

ryCa

rya

cord

iform

isW

et to

mod.

Sun

noye

llow

Nuts

for w

ildlife

, attr

activ

e foli

age

Blac

k huc

klebe

rryGa

yluss

acia

bacc

ata

All

Shad

e, PS

white

red/p

urple

Low

grow

ing sh

rub,

white

flowe

rsAr

roww

ood

Vibu

rnum

den

tatu

mAl

lSu

n, PS

, Sha

dewh

itere

d/pur

pleW

hite s

umme

r flow

ers,

uprig

ht for

m, bl

ack f

ruit

Elde

rber

rySa

mbu

cus c

anad

ensis

All

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

yello

wW

hite f

lower

s, Da

rk fru

it, bir

ds lik

e it, u

prigh

t coa

rse te

xture

High

bush

blue

berry

Vacc

inum

cory

mbo

sum

All

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

red

Many

cultiv

ars,

red f

all co

lor, w

hite s

pring

flowe

rs, bl

ue fr

uit, b

irds l

ike pl

ant

Amer

ican h

azeln

utCo

rylus

am

erica

naDr

y to m

od.

PSbr

own

yello

wEd

ible n

utsBl

uebe

rry -

low bu

shVa

ccinu

m a

ngus

tifoliu

mDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PSwh

itere

d3-

5' tal

l, med

-fine t

exur

e, wh

ite flo

wers

in sp

ring,

red f

allco

lorGr

ay do

gwoo

dCo

rnus

race

mos

aDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

purp

leBe

rries

for w

ildlife

Shini

ng su

mac

Rhus

copa

llinum

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

nore

dRe

d fall

folia

ge an

d red

spike

s of b

errie

s in w

inter

, form

s colo

nies

Blac

k ras

pber

ryRu

bus o

ccide

ntali

sMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

white

nosu

mmer

berri

esPo

ssum

haw

Ilex d

ecidu

aMo

dera

teSu

n, PS

nono

Decid

uous

holly

, use

a ma

le wi

th fem

ales (

ie 'W

arre

n's R

ed'(fe

male)

and '

Red E

scor

t' (ma

le)),

show

y wint

er fr

uitW

itch-

haze

lHa

mem

elis v

irgini

ana

Mode

rate

Sun,

PS, S

hade

yello

wye

llow

to re

dYe

llow

flowe

rs, ye

llow-

oran

ge-re

d fall

color

, goo

d for

butte

rflies

/moth

sSe

rvice

berry

, Sha

dblow

Amela

nchie

r can

aden

sisW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

white

red-

oran

geW

hite f

lower

s in s

pring

, red

-ora

nge f

all co

lor, b

irds l

ike fr

uit, g

ray w

inter

bark

North

ern b

aybe

rryM

yrica

pen

sylva

nica

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

nose

mi-e

verg

reen

Fine t

extur

e, sh

ears

well,

waxy

whit

ish-b

lue be

rries

in w

inter

, frag

rant

Spice

bush

Linde

ra b

enzo

inW

et to

mod.

Shad

e, PS

yello

wno

Yello

w flo

wers,

late

Sprin

g, Sp

icebu

sh bu

tterfly

plan

t, upr

ight c

oarse

textu

reW

ax m

yrtle

Myr

ica ce

rifer

aW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSno

semi

-eve

rgre

enfra

gran

t, can

prun

e for

a he

dge

Wint

erbe

rryIle

x ver

ticilla

taW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PS, S

hade

noye

llow

Red b

errie

s in w

inter

on fe

males

, nee

d 1 m

ale to

set fr

uit, d

warf

cultiv

ars

Blaz

ing st

arLia

tris s

picat

aAl

lSu

n, PS

purp

leFe

ather

y pur

ple sp

ikes o

f flow

ers i

n sum

mer

Easte

rn co

neflo

wer

Rudb

eckia

fulgi

daDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PSye

llow

Pere

nnial

form

of bl

ack-e

yed S

usan

- 'G

oldstu

rm' a

comm

on cu

ltivar

, late

summ

er flo

wers

Foxg

love b

eard

tongu

ePe

nste

mon

digi

talis

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

white

2-3'

tall w

hite f

lower

s, hu

mming

bird f

lower

Golde

n flee

ce go

ldenr

odSo

lidag

o 'G

olden

Flee

ce'

Dry t

o mod

.Su

nye

llow

Late

summ

er, e

arly

Fall y

ellow

pere

nnial

, bird

s and

butte

rflies

like i

tInd

iangr

ass

Sorg

hastr

um n

utan

sDr

y to m

od.

Sun

noTa

ll clum

ping g

rass

with

grac

eful s

eed h

ead

Lanc

e-lea

ved c

oreo

psis

Core

opsis

lanc

eolat

aDr

y to m

od.

Sun,

PSye

llow

Long

-bloo

ming

yello

w flo

wers,

spre

ads r

eadil

y, go

lden y

ellow

flowe

rs in

early

summ

ermi

lkwee

dAs

clepia

s syr

iaca

Dry t

o mod

.Su

n, PS

pink

Dry m

eado

ws, p

ink cl

uster

s of fl

ower

s, Mo

narch

butte

rfly la

rval fo

od, s

prea

dsPu

rple

cone

flowe

rEc

hinac

ea p

urpu

rea

Dry t

o mod

.Su

npin

k/pur

pleMa

ny cu

ltivar

s, sh

owy s

umme

r flow

ers,

butte

rflies

like i

t, wint

er se

eds f

or bi

rds

Berg

amot

Mon

arda

fistu

losa

Mode

rate

Sun

laven

dar

laven

der f

lower

s mid-

summ

er, 4

-6' ta

ll, sp

read

s rea

dily (

mint

family

)Ne

w En

gland

aster

Sym

phyo

trich

um n

ovae

-ang

liae

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSpu

rple

Abun

dant

purp

le flo

wers

in fal

l, 3-6

', spr

eads

read

ily, d

warf

cultiv

ar av

ailab

leW

oodla

nd ph

loxPh

lox d

ivaric

ata

Mode

rate

Sun,

PSma

nySe

mi-e

verg

reen

, spr

eadin

g, 8"

tall,

flowe

rs 12

" tall

, frag

rant

Joe-

pye w

eed

Eupa

toriu

m fis

tulos

umW

et to

mod.

Sun,

PSma

uve

Tall f

lower

, late

summ

er flo

wers

spra

ys, b

utter

flies

Butte

rfly w

eed

Ascle

pias t

uber

osa

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

oran

geBr

ight o

rang

e sum

mer f

lower

s, Mo

narch

butte

rfly la

rval fo

odCa

rdina

l flow

erLo

belia

card

inalis

Wet

to mo

d.Su

n, PS

red

Brigh

t red

summ

er flo

wers,

humm

ingbir

d attr

actor

Turtle

head

Chelo

ne g

labra

or l

yonii

Wet

to mo

d.Su

nwh

ite/pi

nkGo

od bu

tterfly

plan

t, C. g

labra

has w

hite s

umme

r flow

ers,

lyonii

has p

ink

F l o w e r s ,

F e r n s &

G r a s s e s

S h r u b sT r e e s

All

D

ry

M

oder

ate

Wet

Soi

l Moi

stur

e P

refe

renc

es: