Landscaping for Wildlife With Native Plants - North Carolina State University
2. N orth Carolina’s native plants provide well-adapted food and cover for
North Carolina’s native animals, and a well-planned landscape of
native plants can help you attract a diversity of wildlife to your property. Native
ronmental conditions to those in
this state.
• Some exotics are planted inten-
North Carolina plants also are well-suited to the state’s soils and climate and tionally as lawn or garden orna-
require relatively little upkeep, once established on an appropriate site. mentals or as plants to attract
However, the spread of exotic plants poses a threat to native plants and wildlife, but other exotic plants
animals of North Carolina. This publication describes the problems associated were introduced accidentally.
with some exotic plants and presents a detailed list of native plants that may
be used in place of these foreign ornamentals to attract wildlife to your property. • Many exotic species become
naturalized, which means they
are able to survive, spread, and
reproduce on their own.
• Approximately 25 percent of the
plants growing wild in the
United States are naturalized
exotics, some of which have
become invasive, that is, they
grow unabatedly where native
plants otherwise would occur.
Invasive exotic plants are
those that pose the greatest risk to
the native plants and animals of
North Carolina. Competitors,
American goldfinches commonly feed on the seeds of orange coneflower in the fall diseases, and insects control a
and winter. Photo by Chris Moorman plant’s growth and dispersal in its
native range. Over thousands of
Why use native plants? North America before European years, natural checks and balances
settlement. develop, which greatly reduce the
Biologists and other scientists chance that a single species will
• Exotic plants are those not native
consider invasion by exotic plants increase in number to completely
to an area. In North Carolina,
to be one of the most serious dominate a plant community.
exotics usually come from Asia
problems facing native plant and However, when an exotic plant is
or western Europe, regions that
wildlife populations in the United introduced to North Carolina, it
have similar climate and envi-
States. For example, multiflora
rose, bicolor lespedeza, Japanese
honeysuckle, and autumn olive
are examples of exotic plants
introduced into North Carolina—
all for the purpose of promoting
“wildlife habitat.” However, each
introduction has proven detrimen-
tal to North Carolina’s native
plants, pushing them out of their
traditional habitats; and recent
research indicates that many
invasive exotic plants may be
harmful to local wildlife as well.
• Native plants generally are
defined as those that occurred in Exotic invasive plants, including mimosa, kudzu, Queen Anne’s lace, and sericea
lespedeza, have taken over this vacated suburban lot. Photo by Chris Moorman
2 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
3. birds, but the plant grows and plants, species like sawtooth oak
often spreads quickly where the (Quercus acutissima) continue to
seeds are defecated. Native fruit- be recommended as plantings to
producing plants may succumb to encourage wildlife. Until adequate
the competition from this type of information on the invasiveness of
invasive exotic, thereby reducing such plants exists, native alterna-
the diversity of foods available to tives should be used.
birds. In addition, new evidence
from the midwestern United States
Reversing the trend
suggests birds that nest in some
Sawtooth oak, a tree native to Asia, exotic shrubs experience poor You can help stop the exotic plant
continues to be recommended as a nesting success. Lower nest invasion by using and nurturing
wildlife plant, despite the availability of height, the absence of sharp native plants around your home
many native oak species. Photo courtesy thorns on the exotic plants, and a and on your property. Native
of Alice B. Russell, NCSU retired branching pattern that allows plants generally grow well and
predators easier access to nests
escapes its natural controls and
can become invasive. The charac-
teristics that make many exotic
plants attractive as ornamentals
(colorful berries, pest resistance,
tolerance of harsh conditions) also
increase their potential for inva-
siveness and make them difficult
to contain. Prolific growth by a
single plant species can be harmful
because forests with a limited Native plants are attractive additions to any property. Both American beautyberry
number of plant species provide (left) and strawberrybush (right) produce fruits that are attractive to wildlife and
very poor habitat for wildlife. the human eye. Photos by Chris Moorman
All exotic plants do not be-
come invasive, and most can built in exotic plants all could require less care than exotic
safely be planted as ornamentals. contribute to the increased nest species when grown on the proper
However, it takes scientists many predation. Despite the growing soils under the right environmen-
years or even decades to fully base of knowledge related to the tal conditions. Additionally, North
understand an introduced plant’s potential problems of exotic Carolina’s native wildlife has
potential invasiveness. New
information is being gathered
continually, and you should check
with your local nature center,
botanical garden, conservation
organization, or Cooperative
Extension agent about a plant’s
invasiveness before introducing it
to your property.
Ironically, exotic plants that
are attractive to birds and other
wildlife often are the most invasive
because animals serve as great
dispersers of their fruits and seeds.
Autumn olive is an exotic plant Tiger swallowtails, along with other butterflies and the ruby-throated hummingbird,
that produces fruits favored by eat nectar from native azalea blooms. Illustration by Liessa Thomas Bowen
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants 3
4. Table 1. Plant Species Native to North Carolina* (including soil moisture and light requirements, region of primary occurrence, and benefit to wildlife).
Wildlife Wildlife
Latin Name Common Name** Soil/Light Region Value Latin Name Common Name** Soil/Light Region Value
Tall trees (more than 30 ft) Alnus serrulata Alder W-M/F-P M,P,CP S,L
Acer barbatum Southern Sugar Maple M/F-S P,CP S Amelanchier arborea Serviceberry M-D/F-S M,P F,N,L
Acer rubrum Red Maple W-D/F-P M,P,CP S Amelanchier canadensis Juneberry W-D/F-P P,CP F,N,L
Acer saccharum Sugar Maple M/F-S M S Amelanchier laevis Allegheny Serviceberry M-D/F-P M F,N,L
Aesculus flava Yellow Buckeye M/P-S M H Aralia spinosa Devil’s Walking Stick M/F-P M,P,CP F,N
Betula lenta Sweet Birch M-D/F-S M S,L Asimina triloba Pawpaw M/F-S M,P,CP F,L
Betula nigra River Birch W-D/F P,CP S,L Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood W-M/P-S M,P,CP S,L
Carya glabra Pignut Hickory D/F-S M,P,CP S,L Castanea pumila Chinquapin D/F-P M,P,CP S
Carya ovata Shagbark Hickory M-D/F-S M,P,CP S,L Celtis tenuifolia Dwarf Hackberry D/F-P P F,L
Carya tomentosa Mockernut Hickory D/F-S M,P,CP S,L Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud M-D/F-P M,P S,N,L
Celtis laevigata Sugarberry M/F-S P,CP F,L Chionanthus virginicus Fringetree M-D/F-P M,P,CP F
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic Whitecedar W-M/F-P CP C,L Cornus amomum Silky Dogwood W-M/P-S M,P,CP F,N,L
Diospyros virginiana Persimmon M-D/F-P M,P,CP F Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood M-D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L
Fagus grandifolia American Beech M/P-S M,P,CP S Crataegus spp. Hawthorn M/F-S M,P,CP F,H,N,L
Fraxinus americana White Ash M/F-S M,P S,L Cyrilla racemiflora Titi W-M/F-S P,CP C,N
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash W-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L Halesia tetraptera Carolina Silverbell M/P-S M,P N
Gordonia lasianthus Loblolly Bay W-M/F-P CP C Hamamelis virginiana Witch-Hazel M/F-S M,P,CP S
Ilex opaca American Holly W-D/F-S M,P,CP C,F,N,L Ilex decidua Possumhaw W-D/F-P P,CP F,N,L
Juniperus virginiana Eastern Redcedar M-D/F-P M,P,CP C,F,L Ilex verticillata Winterberry W-M/F-S M,P,CP F,N,L
Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum W-M/F-P M,P,CP S Ilex vomitoria Yaupon W-D/F-S CP C,F,N,L
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow Poplar M/F-P M,P,CP S,H,N,L Morus rubra Red Mulberry M-D/F-S M,P,CP F,L
Magnolia acuminata Cucumber Tree M/F-P M,P S Myrica cerifera Wax Myrtle W-D/F-P P,CP C,F,L
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia M/P-S P,CP C,S Osmanthus americana Wild Olive, Devilwood M-D/F-P CP C,F
Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay W-M/F-P P,CP S,L Ostrya virginiana Hophornbeam M-D/F-S M,P F,L
Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum D/F-P M,P,CP F Prunus americana Wild Plum M-D/F M,P F,N,L
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood D/F-S M,P,CP N Prunus angustifolia Chickasaw Plum D/F P,CP F,N,L
Persea borbonia Redbay W-M/F-S CP C,F,L Prunus caroliniana Carolina Laurel Cherry M-D/F-P CP C,F,N,L
Pinus echinata Shortleaf Pine D/F-P M,P,CP C,S,L Prunus pensylvanica Fire Cherry M-D/F M F,N,L
Pinus palustris Longleaf Pine D/F P,CP C,S Rhus copallina Winged Sumac M-D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L
Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine D/F M,P C,S Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac M-D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L
Pinus taeda Loblolly Pine M-D/F M,P,CP C,S,L Salix caroliniana Carolina Willow W-M/F-S P,CP L
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore M/F-P M,P,CP S Sambucus canadensis Elderberry W-M/F-P M,P,CP F
Prunus serotina Black Cherry M-D/F M,P,CP F,N,L Sorbus americana Mountain-Ash M/F-P M F
Quercus alba White Oak M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L Symplocos tinctoria Sweetleaf M-D/F-S M,P,CP S,N,L
Quercus coccinea Scarlet Oak D/F-P M,P S,L Viburnum prunifolium Black Haw M/F-S M,P,CP F,L
Quercus falcata Southern Red Oak M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L Viburnum rufidulum Rusty Blackhaw D/F-S P,CP F,L
Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak M/F-P P,CP S,L
Quercus nigra Water Oak M-D/F-P P,CP S,L Small shrubs
Quercus pagoda Cherrybark Oak M/F-P P,CP S,L Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry M-D/F-S P,CP F
Quercus phellos Willow Oak W-M/F-P P,CP S,L Calycanthus floridus Sweetshrub M/P-S M,P N
Quercus rubra Red Oak M/F-P M,P S,L Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea M-D/P-S M,P,CP S,N,L
Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak M/F-P P,CP S,L Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush W-M/F-P M,P,CP S,H,N
Quercus stellata Post Oak D/F M,P,CP S,L Clethra alnifolia Sweet Pepperbush W/F-S P,CP F,H,N
Quercus velutina Black Oak M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L Corylus americana Hazelnut M/F-S M,P S
Quercus virginiana Live Oak D/F CP C,S,L Euonymus americana Strawberrybush M/P-S M,P,CP S
Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust M-D/F-P M,P S,L Gaylussacia dumosa Dwarf Huckleberry M-D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L
Salix nigra Black Willow W-M/F-S M,P,CP L Gaylussacia frondosa Blue Huckleberry M/F-P P,CP F,N,L
Sassafras albidum Sassafras M-D/F-P M,P,CP F,L Hydrangea arborescens Wild Hydrangea M/P-S M,P S,N
Taxodium distichum Baldcypress W-M/F-P CP S Ilex glabra Inkberry M/F-P P,CP C,F,N,L
Tilia americana Basswood M/F-P M,P,CP S,N,L Itea virginica Virginia Willow W-M/P-S M,P,CP S,N
Tsuga canadensis Eastern Hemlock M/P-S M,P C,S Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel M-D/F-S M,P,CP C,H,N
Ulmus alata Winged Elm M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L Leucothoe axillaris Doghobble W-M/F-P M,P,CP C,N
Ulmus americana American Elm W-M/F-P M,P,CP S,L Lindera benzoin Spicebush M-D/F-S M,P,CP F,L
Lyonia lucida Fetterbush M/P-S P,CP C,N
Small trees/shrubs (10-30 ft) Phoradendron serotinum Mistletoe parasite M,P,CP F,L
Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye M/P CP H,N Rhododendron atlanticum Dwarf Azalea W-D/F-P P,CP H,N
Aesculus sylvatica Painted Buckeye M/P P H Rhododendron
calendulaceum Flame Azalea M-D/P-S M H,N
Soil moisture: W = wet; M = moist; D = dry.
Light requirements: F = full sun; P = partial shade; S = shade.
Region: M = mountains; P = piedmont; CP = coastal plain.
Wildlife Value: C = winter cover; F = fleshy fruit; S = seed, hard mast, or catkin; H = hummingbird nectar; N = butterfly and other insect nectar; L = butterfly larvae host plant.
4 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
5. Table 1. Plant Species Native to North Carolina* (continued).
Wildlife Wildlife
Latin Name Common Name** Soil/Light Region Value Latin Name Common Name** Soil/Light Region Value
Rhododendron Cirsium horridulum Yellow Thistle M-D/F P,CP S,H,N,L
catawbiense Catawba Rhododendron M/P-S M,P C,H,N Coreopsis angustifolia Narrow-Leaved Coreopsis M/F-P CP S,N
Rhododendron maximum Rosebay Rhododendron M/P-S M,P C,H,N Coreopsis auriculata Eared Coreopsis M/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Rhododendron Coreopsis falcata Sickle Tickseed W-M/F-P P,CP S,N
periclimenoides Wild Azalea W-M/F-P M,P,CP H,N Coreopsis lanceolata Lance-Leaved Coreopsis D/F M,P,CP S,N
Rubus spp. Blackberry, Dewberry M-D/F-P M,P,CP C,F,S,N Coreopsis major Greater Tickseed D/F-P M,P S,N
Sorbus arbutifolia Red Chokeberry W-M/F-S M,P,CP F,L Coreopsis verticillata Threadleaf Coreopsis D/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Vaccinium arboreum Sparkleberry D/F-P P,CP C,F,N,L Desmodium spp. Beggarlice M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,L
Vaccinium corymbosum Highbush Blueberry M/F-P P,CP F,N,L Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower M-D/F M,P S,N
Vaccinium stamineum Deerberry D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L Eupatorium coelestinum Mistflower M/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Vaccinium vacillans Lowbush Blueberry D/F-P M,P,CP F,N,L Eupatorium fistulosum Joe-Pye-Weed M/F M,P,CP S,N,L
Viburnum acerifolium Mapleleaf Viburnum M-D/P-S M,P F,L Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium M-D/F-P M,P S,N
Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood M/F-S M,P,CP F,L Helianthus angustifolius Swamp Sunflower W-M/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Viburnum nudum Wild Raisin W-M/F-S M,P,CP F,L Helianthus atrorubens Sunflower D/F M,P,CP S,N,L
Helianthus divaricatus Woodland Sunflower D/P M,P,CP S,N
Vines
Heliopsis helianthoides Ox-Eye M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Ampelopsis arborea Peppervine W-M/F-P CP F Hibiscus moscheutos Rose Mallow M/F-P M,P,CP H,N
Aristolochia macrophylla Dutchman’s Pipe M-D/P-S M L Houstonia caerulea Bluets M-D/F-S M,P,CP N
Berchemia scandens Rattanvine, Supplejack W-M/F-P P,CP F
Impatiens capensis Jewelweed W-M/P-S M,P,CP H,N
Bignonia capreolata Crossvine M-D/F-P P,CP H Ipomoea coccinea Red Morning Glory D/F M,P,CP S,H,N
Campsis radicans Trumpet Vine M-D/F-P M,P,CP H Iris cristata Crested Iris M/P-S M,P H
Decumaria barbara Climbing Hydrangea M/F-S CP N
Liatris spicata Blazing Star W-M/F M,P N
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine M/F-P P,CP C,H,N Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower W-M/F-S M,P,CP H,N
Lonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle M/F-P P,CP H Lobelia puberula Blue Lobelia W-D/F-P M,P,CP H,N
Parthenocissus
Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia W-M/P-S M H,N
quinquefolia Virginia Creeper M-D/F-S M,P,CP F Mitchella repens Partridgeberry M/F-S M,P,CP F
Passiflora incarnata Passionflower M-D/F-P M,P,CP H,N,L Monarda didyma Beebalm M/P-S M H,N
Smilax spp. Greenbrier W-D/F-P M,P,CP C,F
Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot M-D/F-P M,P,CP H,N
Toxicodendron radicans Poison Ivy M-D/F-P M,P,CP F Monarda punctata Horsemint D/F-P P,CP H,N
Vitis spp. Grape W-D/F-P M,P,CP F Oenothera fruticosa Sundrops M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,H
Ferns Penstemon canescens Hairy Beardtongue M-D/F-P M,P H,N,L
Polystichum Penstemon laevigatus Smooth Beardtongue M/F-S M,P,CP H,N,L
acrostichoides Christmas Fern M/P-S M,P,CP C Phlox carolina Carolina Phlox W-D/F-P M,P,CP N
Phlox divaricata Blue Phlox M/P-S M,P,CP N
Herbs and wildflowers Phlox paniculata Summer Phlox M/F-P M,P,CP N
Apocynum cannabinum Hemp Dogbane M-D/F-P M,P,CP N Phlox pilosa Prairie Phlox D/F-P P,CP N
Aquilegia canadensis Columbine M-D/P-S M,P,CP S,H,N Phlox subulata Moss Pink D/F M,P N
Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-Pulpit W-M/P-S M,P,CP F Phytolacca americana Pokeweed M-D/F M,P,CP F,S
Aristilochia serpentaria Virginia Snakeroot M-D/P-S M,P,CP L Pycnanthemum incanum Hoary Mountainmint M-D/F-P M,P,CP N
Aruncus dioicus Goat’s Beard M/P-S M,P L Rudbeckia fulgida Orange Coneflower M/F M,P,CP S,N
Asclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed W-M/F-P M,P,CP N,L Salvia lyrata Lyreleaf Sage M-D/F-S M,P,CP H,N
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed D/F-P M,P,CP N,L Silene virginica Fire Pink M-D/P-S M,P,CP S,H,N
Asclepias variegata White Milkweed M-D/F-P M,P,CP N,L Solidago spp. Goldenrod M-D/F-P M,P,CP S,N
Aster curtisii Aster M-D/F-P M S,N,L Spigelia marilandica Indian Pink M/P-S M,P,CP H
Aster divaricatus Heart-Leaved Aster M-D/P-S M,P S,N,L Stokesia laevis Stoke’s Aster M/F-P P,CP N
Aster novae-angliae New England Aster M-D/F-P M S,N,L Vernonia noveboracensis Ironweed W-M/F-P M,P,CP N
Aster novi-belgii New York Aster M/F-P CP S,N,L Vicia caroliniana Wood Vetch D/F-P M,P,CP S,L
Aster pilosus White Heath Aster D/F M,P,CP S,N,L Viola pedata Bird-Foot Violet D/F-P M,P,CP L
Baptisia australis Blue False Indigo M/F-P M,P N,L
Baptisia tinctoria Yellow Wild Indigo D/F-P M,P,CP N,L Grasses
Bidens aristosa Sticktight W-D/F-P P,CP S,N Andropogon glomeratus Brushy Bluestem M/F P,CP C,S,L
Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea M-D/F M,P,CP S,L Andropogon ternarius Splitbeard Bluestem D/F M,P,CP C,S,L
Chrysogonum virginianum Green and Gold M/S P,CP S,N Aristida stricta Wiregrass D/F-P P,CP C,S
Cimicifuga racemosa Black Cohosh M/S M,P L Arundinaria gigantea Switchcane W-D/F-S M,P,CP C,S,L
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass M/F-P M,P,CP C,S,L
Soil moisture: W = wet; M = moist; D = dry. Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass M-D/F M,P,CP C,S
Light requirements: F = full sun; P = partial shade; S = shade.
Region: M = mountains; P = piedmont; CP = coastal plain.
Wildlife Value: C = winter cover; F = fleshy fruit; S = seed, hard mast, or catkin; H = hummingbird nectar; N = butterfly and other insect nectar; L = butterfly larvae host plant.
* Use of specific plants by wildlife will vary regionally, and there always are exceptions.
* * For information on which plants may be toxic to humans, visit http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm.
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants 5
6. in place of autumn olive, or Landscaping with native
consider one of our dozens of plants
native oaks (Quercus spp.) in place
of sawtooth oak, which has been Retain as much native vegetation
introduced from Asia. as possible during land clearing
Traditional landscape plantings and construction of houses and
don’t fully mimic the dense foliage buildings. However, areas where
and high plant diversity of natural plants were cleared during devel-
areas. Therefore, birds and butter- opment can be landscaped using
flies are most likely to use native native plants. It’s best to provide a
A native Viburnum sp. (above), rather plants that grow naturally in diversity of native plant species on
than an exotic berry-producer like unmowed or unmanicured por- your property, which in turn
autumn olive, should be planted to tions of your yard or in adjacent ensures that fruits and nectar will
attract wildlife. natural areas. Allow native grasses, be available throughout the year.
brambles, and shrubs to grow in Each native plant species is
become adapted to using native small corners of your yard where adapted to a specific range of soil
plants over thousands of years. neighbors will be less likely to see types, light conditions, and mois-
Therefore, native plants meet the
needs, including food and cover,
of North Carolina’s native wildlife
without causing long-term dam-
age to local plant communities.
Many native plants produce
showy flowers, abundant fruits
and seeds, and brilliant fall foliage.
A diversity of native plants in an
urban landscape provides:
• Protective cover for most animals.
• Seeds, nuts, and fruits for squir-
rels and other mammals.
• Seeds, fruits, and insects for The presence of vines (trumpet vine, left), annuals (jewelweed, right), perennials,
birds. and a variety of other flowering plants helps ensure that hummingbirds will have
access to nectar from spring to fall. Photos by Chris Moorman
• Nectar for hummingbirds and
butterflies
• Larval host plants for butterfly the “unsightly” growth. These ture regimes. Before planting, have
caterpillars (many caterpillars are areas provide nest sites, cover, and your soil analyzed. A small sample
adapted to eat the foliage of food for birds and commonly from your yard can be tested for
specific plants, called their host harbor host plants for butterfly nutrient content and will allow
plants). caterpillars. Minimize the amount you to receive specific recommen-
of lawn on your property because dations for preparing your soil
Table 1 contains examples of these areas require frequent use of before planting. Use the results of
native trees, shrubs, and herbs water, fertilizer, and pesticides that the soil tests to help determine
beneficial to wildlife. Use the table can be harmful to the environ- which native plants will grow best
to identify native alternatives to ment and the very insects you on your land. Contact your local
the exotic plants commonly want to attract. Before making Cooperative Extension Center for
recommended to attract wildlife. drastic changes that might upset instructions on this free service.
For example, consider a viburnum your neighbors, describe your plan Here are some important
(Viburnum spp.) or holly (Ilex spp.) to them and explain why you concepts to consider when land-
intend to make the changes. scaping your property:
6 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
7. nectar attractive to birds, butter- available throughout most of the
flies, and other wildlife. Also, use year.
plants that are known hosts for • Check to make sure the plant
the larvae of butterflies native to will fruit. Only the female of
your area. some plant species (American
• Select plants that flower and bear holly, wax myrtle, and eastern
fruit or seed at different times of redcedar) produces fruit. In this
the year (see Managing Backyards case, be sure to provide at least
and Other Urban Habitats for one male plant for pollination.
Birds and Butterflies in Your • Plan viewing areas by mapping
Backyard), thereby assuring wildflower beds and fruit-
fruits, seeds, and nectar will be producing plants in sight of
Flowering dogwood is a great wildlife
plant because it produces abundant fruits
nearly every year. Photo by Chris Moorman
• Before initiating landscaping
activities, create a map of the
existing vegetation on your
property. From this base map,
identify areas where food and
cover are limited and abundant.
Then create a projected map
and plan for your final land-
scape, making sure to incorpo-
rate areas that will provide food,
cover, and water.
• Include a diversity of native
plants in your landscape. Provide
plants that produce winter cover Position shade-loving plants like this flame azalea under tall trees or on the shady
(evergreens), seeds, fruits, and side of your home. Photo by Chris Moorman
windows and paths, but avoid
planting them near reflective
glass or windows to reduce
accidental window strikes by
feeding birds.
• Consider the moisture and light
requirements of plants when
including them in your plan.
Map moisture-loving plants in
low-lying areas, and position
shade-loving plants underneath
large trees or on the shady side
of your home.
• Mimic “Mother Nature” by
creating gentle curves in your
landscape. Plant wildflower beds
Eastern redbud (left) is one of the first plants to flower in the spring, and cardinal in irregularly shaped patterns.
flower (right) and goldenrod (center) are two excellent late-season nectar sources The beauty of a “natural”
for butterflies and other insects.
landscape rivals that of more
Left photo courtesy of Alice B. Russell, NCSU retired; other photos by Chris Moorman
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants 7
8. regimented traditional ornamen-
tal plantings. Table 2. Some Sources of Native Plants.
• Cluster similar types of vegeta- Nursery*/Web Address Address City, State Phone
tion to allow wildlife easy access
to seasonally abundant food Boone’s Native Seed Co. P.O. Box 10363 Raleigh, NC 27605
sources without excessive Carolina Greenery 375 Carthage Rd. West End, NC 27376-8731 (910)947-3150
movement and increased expo- Coastal Plain Conservation 3067 Connors Dr. Edenton, NC 27932 (252)482-5707
sure to predators. Clumping Nursery
similar species and placing Cure Nursery 880 Buteo Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919)542-6186
http://www.curenursery.com
shorter herbs and shrubs in front
of taller vegetation improves the Dogwoody Nursery and Gardens 1380 Carson Creek Rd. Brevard, NC 28712 (828)884-6205
appearance of your habitat. Elk Mountain Nursery P.O. Box 599 Asheville, NC 28802 (828)683-9330
http://www.elk-mountain.com/
Fern Valley Farms 1624 Fern Valley Rd. Yadkinville, NC 27055 (336)463-2412
Gardens of the Blue Ridge P.O. Box 10 Pineola, NC 28662 (828)733-2417
Garret Wildflower Seed Farm 1117 New Castle Ct. Raleigh, NC 27603 (919)662-9751
Hanging Dog Valley Nursery 2600 Boiling Springs Rd. Murphy, NC 28906 (828)837-7921
Huffman’s Native Plants U.S. Hwy 441 P.O. Box 39 Otto, NC 28783 (704)524-7446
Humphries Nursery 4712 Whitfield Rd. Durham, NC 27707 (919)489-5502
Lamtree Farm Rt.1, Box 162 Warrensville, NC 28693 (919)385-6144
Mellow Marsh Farm 205 Anolis Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919)542-3532
www.mellowmarshfarm.com
A cluster of orange coneflowers allows Mich Gardens at Jordan Lake 86 Beaver Creek Rd. Apex, NC 27502 (919)387-0402
butterflies and birds access to Mountain Gardens 3020 White Oak Creek Rd. Burnsville, NC 28714 (828)675-5664
abundant nectar and seeds without gardens.webjump.com
excessive movement or exposure to Native Gardens 5737 Fisher Lane Greenback, TN 37742 (865)856-0220
predators. Photo by Chris Moorman http://www.native-gardens.com/
Niche Gardens 1111 Dawson Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919)967-0078
• Plant low-growing herbs and http://www.nichegardens.com/
shrubs under taller shrubs and N.C. Botanical Garden C.B. 3375, Totten Center Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (919)962-0522
http://www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg
trees. This helps to provide the
layering important to birds. Plant Delights Nursery 9241 Sauls Rd. Raleigh, NC 27603 (919)772-4794
http://www.plantdel.com/
Different birds eat and nest on
Singing Springs Nursery 8802 Wilkerson Rd. Cedar Grove, NC 27231-9324 (919)732-9403
the ground and in the shrub,
Sunlight Gardens 174 Golden Lane Andersonville, TN 37705 (800)272-7396
midstory, and canopy layers of a
http://www.sunlightgardens.com/
landscape.
We-Du Nurseries 2055 Polly Spout Rd. Marion, NC 28754 (828)738-8300
• Make sure to provide adequate http://www.we-du.com/
growing space for landscape Woodlanders, Inc. 1128 Colleton Ave. Aiken, SC 29801 (803)648-7522
plantings. Avoid planting large- http://www.woodlanders.net/
maturing trees and shrubs where
*Several of these nurseries are open to visitors by appointment only.
they will overgrow their space
and interfere with overhead
utilities or crowd homes and
other structures. Shrubs and • Remain patient. It generally takes Where to find native plants
trees should be at least 6 feet 3 to 5 years before the results of
away from all structures. landscaping efforts pay off and Look for native plants propagated
• Consult a local expert or one of wildlife use of native plants from locally collected seed. This
many guides for recommended becomes obvious. An old adage helps protect the unique charac-
planting procedures. Because of says, “The first year a garden teristics of individual plants of the
North Carolina’s hot summers, sleeps, the second year it creeps, species growing wild in your area
fall planting works best for most the third year it leaps.”
native plant species.
8 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
9. native plants from the seed. See
Table 3. Known Invasive Plants in North Phillips (1985), Bir (1992), and
Carolina.
Schopmeyer (1974) for more on
Common Name Scientific Name propagating native plants from
Trees seed. Table 2 contains a list of
Tree-of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima native plant suppliers in North
Mimosa Albizia julibrissin Carolina. This list is not compre-
Chinaberry Melia azedarach
Princess Tree Paulownia tomentosa
hensive, and the number of
Chinese Tallow Tree Sapium sebiferum nurseries that sell native plants
Shrubs
increases each year. Visit http://
Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg/
Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia sources.htm or http://
Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata
www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/
Bicolor Lespedeza Lespedeza bicolor
Japanese Privet Ligustrum japonicum coeng/Recycle/NPVL.htm or
You’ll have to compete with American Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense consult with local parks, nature
goldfinches for coneflower seed if you Common Privet Ligustrum vulgare preserves, garden clubs, botanical
hope to propagate your own plants Oregon Grape Mahonia bealei
Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora gardens, arboreta, and your
from seed. County Extension Center for the
Illustration by Liessa Thomas Bowen Vines
Porcelain-Berry Ampelopsis names of additional native plant
brevipedunculata providers.
and ensures that the plants you Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus
use in your landscaping are best English Ivy Hedera helix
Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Eradication and
adapted to the local environment. Kudzu Pueraria lobata
Avoid planting cultivars of native Japanese Wisteria Wisteria floribunda
control of exotics
plants when possible. Most of Chinese Wisteria Wisteria sinensis
these variants may have been Herbicides, prescribed fire, selec-
Herbs
selected for qualities other than Crown Vetch Coronilla varia tive removal of unwanted plants,
their value to wildlife, making
Queen Anne’s Lace Daucus carota and disking (or a combination of
Tall Fescue Fescue elatior these activities) can be used to
them less desirable as wildlife Sericea Lespedeza Lespedeza cuneata
plants. Although many conven- White Sweet Clover Melilotus alba eliminate or control unwanted
tional nurseries do not carry a Japanese Grass Microstegium vimineum exotic plants. Because the results
Johnson Grass Sorghum halepense of these activities vary from
large variety of native species,
especially noncultivars, the num-
ber of reputable nurseries specializ-
ing in these plants is on the rise.
Be wary of “deals” on native
plants, especially orchids and
trilliums, which often indicate the
plants were collected from wild
areas. Collecting plants from the
wild contributes to the destruction
of their natural habitats and often
increases the chance of planting
failure. Occasionally, local nature
centers and botanical gardens
initiate native plant rescues from
areas soon to be cleared for devel-
opment—these can be good and
appropriate wild sources. In
addition, it is possible to collect Although many invasive plants like Japanese honeysuckle are here to stay, they can
wild seed and sow or propagate be controlled locally by using herbicides or removing by hand.
Photo by Chris Moorman
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants 9
10. county to county, you may need Internet resources North Carolina Department of
to experiment before finding the Agriculture and Consumer
most successful approach for your Native Plant Information Services Plant Protection
property. In some cases, a range of North Carolina Wildflower Preser- http://www.agr.state.nc.us/
native plant species already may vation Society plantind/plant.htm
be present. In others, a single http://www.ncwildflower.org/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
exotic plant may dominate a piece
North Carolina Botanical Garden http://invasives.fws.gov
of property, requiring the land-
owner take extreme measures to http://www.unc.edu/depts/ncbg The Nature Conservancy
increase the diversity and abun- North Carolina Plant Conservation http://nature.org/initiatives/
dance of native plants. Program invasivespecies/
Known invasive plants in http://www.ncagr.com/plantind/ http:tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/
North Carolina are listed in Table plant/conserv/cons.htm United States Department of
3. This list is not comprehensive, Agriculture PLANTS Database
and most of the plants named North Carolina Partners in Flight
http://www.faculty.ncwc.edu/ http://plants.usda.gov/
have already spread throughout
North Carolina to the extent they mbrooks/pif/ North Carolina Agricultural
can never be controlled com- North Carolina State University Chemicals Manual
pletely. To prevent the list from Consumer Horticulture http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/
continuing to grow, carefully http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ agchem/agchem.html
consider an exotic plant’s potential hort/consumer/factsheets/
for invasiveness before introduc- maritime/index.htm Backyard and Other Wildlife
ing it on your property, especially http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ North Carolina Extension Wildlife,
when trying to attract wildlife. For hort/consumer/factsheets/ Fisheries, and Aquaculture
more information on methods of native/index-native.html http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/
control required for exotic plant wild/
species, contact your local County Mecklenburg County PLANT
Extension Center. The North Program North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Carolina Agricultural Chemicals http://ww.co.mecklenburg. Commission
Manual, published by North nc.us/coeng/Recycle/native.asp http://www.ncwildlife.org/
Carolina State University, and Sally and Andy Wasowski Website Natural Resources Conservation
Controlling Invasive Exotics in Your http://www.botanical Service
Yard, by the North Carolina missionaries.com http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
Botanical Garden, are excellent feature/backyard/
references for exotic plant control. Exotic and Invasive Plant
National Wildlife Federation
Information
http://www.nwf.org/
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant backyardwildlifehabitat/
Council
http://www.se-eppc.org
Plant Conservation Alliance—
Alien Plant Working Group
http://www.nps.gov/plants/
alien/
10 North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
11. Additional resources Justice, W. S., and C. R. Bell. 1968. Phillips, H. 1985. Growing and
Wildflowers of North Carolina. Propagating Wildflowers. Chapel
Managing Backyards and Other Chapel Hill: The University of Hill: The University of North
Urban Habitats for Birds. 2002. North Carolina Press. Carolina Press.
North Carolina Cooperative
Martin, Alexander, Herbert Zim, Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles, and C.
Extension. AG-636-01.
and Arnold Nelson. 1951. R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the
Butterflies in Your Backyard. 2002. American Wildlife and Plants: A Vascular Flora of the Carolinas.
North Carolina Cooperative Guide to Wildlife Food Habits. Chapel Hill: The University of
Extension. AG-636-02. New York: Dover Publications North Carolina Press.
Barnes, Thomas. 1999. Gardening Inc.
Ritchie, D. F., and others (eds.).
for the Birds. Lexington: The Miller, James, and Karl Miller. 2003. 2003 North Carolina
University Press of Kentucky. 1999. Forest Plants of the South- Agricultural Chemicals Manual.
Bir, Richard. 1992. Growing and east and Their Wildlife Uses. Raleigh: North Carolina State
Propagating Showy Native Woody Southern Weed Science Society. University.
Plants. Chapel Hill: The Univer- www.weedscience.
Schopmeyer, C. S. 1974. Seeds of
sity of North Carolina Press. msstate.edu/swss/
Woody Plants in the United
Bruce, H. 1998. How to Grow Newcomb, L. 1977. Newcomb’s States. U.S. Department of
Wildflowers and Wild Shrubs Wildflower Guide. New York: Agriculture, Agricultural Hand-
and Trees in Your Own Garden. Little, Brown and Co. book No. 450.
New York: The Lyons Press. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Wasowski, Sally, and Andy
Campbell, C. C., W. F. Hutson, A. 2001. Controlling Invasive Wasowski. 1994. Gardening with
J. Sharp, and R. W. Hutson. Exotics in Your Yard. Chapel Hill: Native Plants of the South.
1995. Great Smoky Mountains North Carolina Botanical Dallas, Texas: Taylor Publishing
Wildflowers. Northbrook, Garden, University of North Co.
Illinois: Windy Pines Publish- Carolina.
ing. North Carolina Wild Flower
Foote, L. E., and S. B. Jones, Jr. Preservation Society. 2002.
1989. Native Shrubs and Woody North Carolina Native Plant
Vines of the Southeast: Landscap- Propagation Handbook. North
ing Uses and Identification. Carolina Wild Flower Preserva-
Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. tion Society. http://
www.ncwildflower.org/hand-
Harper-Lore, B., and M. Wilson book/handbook.htm
(eds.). 2000. Roadside Use of
Native Plants. Washington, Petrides, G. A. 1988. Peterson Field
D.C.: Island Press. Guide to Eastern Trees. New
York: Houghton Mifflin Co.
Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants 11