Shrubs for Pollinators

Click on the plant name to learn about cultural requirements and bloom time.

Pussy Willow

Pussy Willow

Common Name: Pussy Willow

Scientific Name: Salix discolor

Mature Height and Width: Up to 20 ft tall, 4-15 ft wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun, prefers moist, alkaline soil

Bloom Time: March

Flower Color: Yellow-green

Pollinator Type: Bees, butterflies

Spicebush

Spicebush

Common Name: Spicebush

Scientific Name: Lindera benzoin

Mature Height and Width: 6-12 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil

Bloom Time: Early Spring (March-April), fruits mature August-October

Flower Color: White

Pollinator Type: Birds, bees, spice swallowtail butterfly

Highbush Blueberry

Highbush Blueberry

Common Name: Highbush Blueberry

Scientific Name: Vaccinium corymbosum

Mature Height and Width: 6-8 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide

Cultural Requirements: Full to part sun; moist, acidic soil

Bloom Time: Early spring

Flower Color: White, pink

Pollinator Type: Bees, butterflies, birds

Black Chokeberry

Black Chokeberry

Common Name: Black Chokeberry

Scientific Name: Aronia melanocarpa

Mature Height and Width: 3-5 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun-light shade; acidic soil; water adaptable

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: White or pinkish flowers, purple-red fall foliage, black fruits

Pollinator Type: Bees, butterflies, birds

Inkberry

Inkberry

Common Name: Inkberry

Scientific Name: Ilex glabra

Mature Height and Width: 5-8 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, acidic soil

Bloom Time: May

Flower Color: Greenish-white

Pollinator Type: Bees, birds

Mountain Laurel (2)

Mountain Laurel

Common Name: Mountain Laurel

Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia

Mature Height and Width: 6-8 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; acidic soil; regular water

Bloom Time: Early to mid-June

Flower Color: White or shades of pink

Pollinator Type: Butterflies

Maple Leaf Viburnum

Maple Leaf Viburnum

Common Name: Maple Leaf Viburnum

Scientific Name: Viburnum acerifolium

Mature Height and Width: 4-6 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to shade; well-drained, mildly acidic soil

Bloom Time: June

Flower Color: Yellowish-white

Pollinator Type: Birds

Winterberry Holly

Winterberry Holly

Common Name:  Winterberry Holly

Scientific Name: Ilex verticillata

Mature Height and Width: 6-10 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Part shade; moist, acidic soil

Bloom Time: April-July; fruit ripens in fall and lasts all winter

Flower Color: Yellow-white flowers, bright red fruits

Pollinator Type: Birds

Sweet Pepperbush

Sweet Pepperbush

Common Name: Sweet Pepperbush

Scientific Name: Clethra alnifolia

Mature Height and Width: 4-10 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide

Cultural Requirements: Shade; moist soil

Bloom Time: Summer (July-August)

Flower Color: White

Pollinator Type: Hummingbirds, butterflies, birds

Buttonbush

Buttonbush

Common Name: Buttonbush

Scientific Name: Cephalanthus occidentalis

Mature Height and Width: 6-8 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist soil

Bloom Time: Late summer

Flower Color:  White

Pollinator Type: Bees, butterflies, moths

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Common Name: Shrubby Cinquefoil

Scientific Name: Potentilla fruiticosa

Mature Height and Width: 4 ft tall, 2-5 ft wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; tolerates poor soil; for best growth, soil should be well-drained

Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall

Flower Color: Yellow

Pollinator Type: Butterflies

Common Witch Hazel

Common Name: Common Witch Hazel

Scientific Name: Hamamelis virginiana

Mature Height and Width: 10-15 ft tall and wide

Cultural Requirements: Full sun to part shade; moderate water

Bloom Time: October-November, flowers last into winter

Flower Color: Golden yellow

Pollinator Type: Butterflies