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Songbird Plants

These plants are for the birds! Actually, yes they are. These trees, shrubs, perennials, and vines produce fruit or seeds that our native songbirds relish! In order for some of these perennial plants to be useful to birds, you will need to leave the seedheads, unsightly as they may seem to some, through fall and winter where the birds can properly utilize them. This list includes some of the top most important fall and winter fruits for your favorite feathered friends like Hollies, Beautyberries, Coneflowers - both Echinacea and Rudbeckias, and more.

 

Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly

Ilex decidua 'Finch's Gold'

Golden yellow berries cover the stems of this wonderful selection of native deciduous holly from fall through spring (if the birds don't get them all!). The nectar and pollen laden flowers attract bees and smaller pollinators and even provide a caffiene kick. Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly, a selection of Ilex decidua, is a large growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub but could potentially be shaped into a small tree form. It has few if any pests or diseases and is quite tolerant of growing conditions from average moist to moderately wet and periodically flooded sites. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum growth, vigor, and fruit set. Almost any male native holly that flowers at the same time will pollinate the female Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly including the American Holly, Ilex opaca, and we also now offer the male Midas Possumhaw Holly as well. Item# 9145

Grows To: 10-15'H x 10-15'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$14.99
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Fireworks Sundrops, Narrowleaf Evening Primrose, Southern Sundrops

Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca 'Fireworks', O. fruticosa 'Fyrverkeri', O. fruticosa 'Illumination'

A dwarf selection of our native Sundrops, Fireworks is the ultimate Oenothera cultivar producing vigorous but compact sprawling plants with red tinged foliage and even redder new growth and winter rosettes. The plants are absolutely covered by 2" wide, widely flaring, 4-petalled, glowing sunny yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10160.

Grows To: 15-18"H x 12-18"W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 58
US$12.99

Five-Veined Dogwood, Xiao Lai Mu

Cornus quinquinervis, C. paucinervis

Clusters of white to yellowish white flowers seemingly cover up the plant in spring and are held against a foil of deep green foliage. Flowers are followed by clusters of black fruit. The Five-Veined Dogwood, Cornus quinquinervis, is an evergreen medium-sized shrub with a spreading upright habit growing about as wide as tall at maturity. This plant is rare in the US at present but is being trialed at SFA Gardens and as JC Ralston Arboretum at present and has shown to be a promising ornamental Dogwood with excellent disease resistance to Dogwood anthracnose. Provide the Five-Veined Dogwood with an average moist soil and full sun to partly shaded site. It is reported to be tolerant of clay and mildly alkaline soils. Item# 12243
 
up-date; March 012, 2023, these are currently over 48 inches tall and should be staked when planted !

Grows To: 6-10'H x 6-8'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Part shade, Part sun, Filtered shade

Frog Fruit, Turkey Tangle Frogfruit, Fogfruit, Capeweed, Carpetweed, Matgrass, Grodverbena, Sawtooth Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora var. nodiflora, Lippia incisa, L. reptans, L. nodiflora

A low growing member of the Verbena family, Frogfruit makes a beautiful, easy groundcover that is covered by tiny heads of dainty, nectar filled white flowers from late spring to fall. They enjoy moist soils but are moderately drought resistant once well established. A food source for the Common Buckeye, Phaon Crescent, and White Peacock butterfly caterpillars as well as a nectar source for a host of pollinators. This species, Phyla nodiflora var. nodiflora, is native to every continent except Antarctica. It is important not to mow/prune until flowering is complete. Frogfruit is being more widely used as a lawn grass replacement option. Item# 10524

Grows To: 3-12"H and spreading, space plants about 12" apart
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$9.99
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Clusters of Viburnum-like creamy white flowers to 4" across are produced in spring and are followed by black fruit but one of the most attractive features of this unusual Dogwood is its peeling white, gray, to green bark and its neatly rounded crown. The Ghost Dogwood or Wilson's Dogwood, Cornus wilsoniniana, was discovered and introduced to western horticulture by the famed plantsman E.H. Wilson, but is unfortunately still rare in the US. The light green evergreen to deciduous foliage is glossy on its surface and has a whitish reverse and is reminiscent of the Kousa Dogwood. The fall foliage of the Ghost Dogwood can range from yellow into reds where it receives at least half of a day of direct sunlight even here in the southern US. It gets its common name from its white bark and the specific epithet is in honor of E.H. Wilson. It is considered to be a choice, single to multi-trunked, small to medium-sized street tree growing to 15-50'H, occasionally exceeding 100'H, and prefers a well-drained, average moist acidic soil. The Ghost Dogwood is tolerant of full sun to part shade and has excellent resistance to Dogwood anthracnose and powdery mildew. Item# 12244

Grows To: 15-50'H x 10-30'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Part shade, Part sun, Filtered shade
Quart Pot / 30 fl.oz. / 887 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$24.99
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Giant Ironweed, Tall Ironweed, V. altissima

Vernonia gigantea spp. gigantea; V. altissima

Large clusters of dense frilly purple flowers are borne from mid-summer to fall on this tall vigorous native perennial. An excellent choice for the back of the border where the butterflies and bees can enjoy it. Commonly found in moist clay soils but will do fine in average garden soils. Item# 9257.

Grows To: 5-9'H x 3'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun

Glitters Like Gold Black-Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia 'Glitters Like Gold' PP30933

A nearly continuous display of dark-eyed 3-4" wide dark golden yellow daisies are held above the rosettes of deep green foliage throughout summer attracting bees and a variety of other garden beneficials. Glitters Like Gold Black-Eyed Susan is a hybrid Rudbeckia boasting improved vigor, longer flowering, and resistance to leaf spot as compared to the longtime favorite Goldstrum. This easy sunloving clump-forming perennial grows to 30-36"H x 18"W and the ripened seedheads provide fodder for songbirds in fall and winter. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average to well-drained soils with average moisture and fertility. Item# 12284

Grows To: 30-36''H x 18''W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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Golden Alexanders ( zizea aurea) produces flat topped clusters of tiny yellow flowers atop tall 2-3' high stems in spring atop the rosette of glossy lobed foliage. This is a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae previously Umbelliferaceae, and is a host of the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. A native clump forming perennial, Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea, is found throughout the central and eastern US. It is commonly found in moist woodlands, roadsides, meadows, and prairies. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators including bees and butterflies. The ripened seed heads are utilized by songbirds. Item# 11774

Grows To: 2-3'H x 1'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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Golden Rockets Stiff Goldenrod

Solidago rigida subsp. humilis 'Golden Rockets', Oligoneuron rigidum var. humilis

Dense clusters of golden yellow flowers sit atop sturdy 18-24" stems that emerge from the rosette of bluish to grayish green wide foliage with the nectar and pollen laden flowers attracting a myriad of pollinators in late summer and into fall. Golden Rockets Stiff Goldenrod, a compact growing selection of Solidago rigid subsp. humilis, is a naturally clump-forming Goldenrod with clean disease resistant gray-green foliage and enough manners for the garden and landscape or add it to naturalistic settings like prairies and meadows. This subspecies is found in most midwestern states and provides weeks of much needed color in late summer and fall. Somewhat drought resistant once fully established. Provide this tough native with a full to mostly sunny site in an average to semi-dry, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12320

Grows To: 18-24"H x 16-24"W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 7
US$12.99
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Golden Sunset® Yellow Indiangrass

Sorghastrum nutans 'MNYG318153' PP33776

The tall dense spikes of golden yellow flowers and seedheads are held well above the fountaining clump of wide olive green foliage on sturdy 6' high stems beginning in early August and are showy throughout winter. Golden Sunset® Yellow Indiangrass, a University of Minnesota selection of Sorghastrum nutans,  was selected for its early flowering, sturdy stems that do not fall over or lodge and last through winter, as well as for its reliable zone 3 cold hardiness. it has received high marks in trials and has been in development for about 15 years. This is a wonderful refinement for this showy native grass making it a useful addition to both formal and informal garden and landscape settings. The seed heads provide fodder for songbirds and other wildlife and the foliage is utilized by the Pepper-and-Salt Skipper butterfly as a caterpillar host plant. Provide a full to mostly sunny site optimally in a well-drained loamy soil with average moisture but the plants are fairly adaptable to soil types and are drought resistant once fully established. When not in 'flower' the grass itself is about 3' x 3'. Plants may top out at about 4-5' high the first two years of establishment. Images courtesy of the University of Minnesota. Item# 12850

Grows To: 3'H x 3'W foliage and 5-6'H at flowering
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny

Goldstrum Black-Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldstrum'

A profusion of dark-eyed golden yellow, 3-5'', daisies are held above the tidy rosette of foliage throughout summer. A reliable, tough, and deservedly award winning clump forming perennial. Excellent for butterflies and the birds will enjoy the seedheads in winter. Item# 9155.

Grows To: 12''H x 12-18''W (Flower stalks 2'H)
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun

Grape Taffy Baptisia, False Indigo

Baptisia 'Grape Taffy' PP26587

Dense spikes of pea-like blossoms that are exceptionally dark purple with a hint of red are accented by contrasting primrose yellow keels and are held above the tidy mounds of gray-green foliage. Flowers are produced in late spring to early summer and attract mainly bees. Grape Taffy Baptisia or False Indigo, a hybrid cultivar of US native species (a.k.a. nativar), is one of the most compact in this category growing to just 24-30"H x 30-36"W. Its compact habit lends it to use in both smaller garden settings as well as in containers. Baptisias are easy and low-maintenance, deer resistant, long-lived, taprooted perennials that produce more and more flowering spikes with each passing year with some plants producing over a 100 spikes on mature plants. Considered a must for the cutflower garden as the spikes have an excellent vase life. Provide them with a full to mostly sunny site in a soil with average or better drainage and moderate fertility. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12894

Grows To: 24-30"H x 30-36"W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, *Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 34
US$14.99

The huge, to 6", golden, daisy-like blooms with tall dark brown cones or eyes are held on tall sturdy stems which can grow to 7' or more! A tough and hardy, native perennial. Great for pollinators. The large attractive soft, blue-green foliage makes a nice garden accent and is at its prime in winter and spring. Selected as 2019 Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit selection. Item# 1152

Grows To: 5-7'H x 20-30''W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun

Green Twister Coneflower, Echinacea

Echinacea 'Green Twister'

The ray petals emerge chartreuse with an abrupt change to contrasting carmine-red which increases as the flowers mature creating a wonderful twist on this old favorite. Green Twister Coneflower, a highly popular seed grown, hybrid Echinacea strain developed by Jelitto® Seed, is a clump forming perennial reaching about 2-3' high and flowering the first year from seed. Coneflowers are clump forming perennials whose often fragrant flowers are adored by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that can be enjoyed as part of the sunny garden garden and landscape as well as container specimens. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Periodic deadheading will keep the plants looking clean and may help promote continuous flowering. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile, preferably mineral soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of Jelitto® Seed, all rights reserved. Item# 12795

Grows To: 24-36"H x 12-18"W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$9.99
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Gregg's Mist Flower, West Texas Ageratum

Conoclinium greggii, C. dissectum, Eupatorium greggii

Flat topped clusters of bluish-purple Ageratum-like flowers are borne atop short sturdy stems that are adorned with finely cut and softly textured, medium green foliage. The flowers attract loads of butterflies as well as other pollinators and Gregg's Mist Flower flowers most heavily beginning in late summer and lasting through fall. Its rhizomatous though non-aggressive nature makes this durable and drought resistant perennial an excellent addition to the garden where it can be utilized as a groundcover as well as in naturalistic settings. It does seem to prefer a little midday and afternoon shade, especially in the hottest summer climates and in dryer settings. Item# 10811.

Grows To: 18-24"H space about 12-18" apart
Outdoor Light: Part sun, Part shade, Light shade, Full sun*

Gunsmoke Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum 'Gunsmoke' PP32373

Steel blue spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Gunsmoke is a selection of our native Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, with an initially upright to vase shaped habit becoming rounded once flowering begins. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12305

Grows To: 4-5'H x 3'W space as close as 1-2' apart
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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Hairy Mountainmint, Whorled Mountainmint

Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum

Dense clusters of dainty white to lavender tubular flowers top the hairy blue-green to green fragrant foliage in summer. The small nectar rich flowers of Hairy Mountain Mint attract a wide variety of pollinators, and are especially important to native bees. This is a rhizomatous native perennial that will readily spread especially in moist soils. Hairy Mountainmint, Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum, is native to the northcentral US, mainly Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, eastern Tennessee, eastern Kentucky and as far south as northern Mississippi. It is typically found in moist, calcareous soils but can tolerate drier sites where it is less likely to spread aggressively. Item# 11763

Grows To: 2-3'H x 1-2'W and spreading, space at about 1' apart
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny

Hairy Swamp Rosemallow, Woolly Swamp Mallow

Hibiscus lasiocarpus, H. moscheutos subsp. lasiocarpus

This native perennial Hibiscus produces 5-6" wide white flowers with a deep burgundy eye over a long period in summer held in clusters atop the white to silvery green foliage. The Hairy Swamp Rosemallow, Hibiscus lasiocarpus, is a perennial Hibiscus that is native to moist acidic soils but will perform nicely in average garden soils in full sun. The perennial native Hibiscus are hosts to a wide variety of butterfly species. Item# 9744

Grows To: 4-6'H x 4-5'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$14.99
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4-6" wide, white to pale pink flowers with a contrasting burgundy eye and showy staminal column are produced in summer along the 4-6' high stems attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow, Hibiscus laevis, is a root hardy herbaceous native perennial Hibiscus producing multiple stems at maturity. It is typically found growing along freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams where it has an ample moisture supply and will likely prefer a similar, consistently moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum growth and vigor. This will be a good choice for bogs and rain gardens. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow is native to much of the central and eastern US and gets its name from its halberd shaped foliage. Item# 12975

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 5,6,7,8,9,10,(mulch in 5,6,7,8)
Grows To: 4-6'H x 2-4'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 55
US$14.99
Cannot Ship To: OR

Heavy Metal Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal'

Steely blue-gray spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Heavy Metal Switchgrass, a selection of the native Panicum virgatum, with an with a strongly upright, columnar, dense habit that remains upright even through heavy rains. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Item# 12854

Grows To: 4-5'H x 1-2'W space as close as 1' apart
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 55
US$14.99

Henry Eilers Quilled Sweet Coneflower

Rudbeckia subtomentosa 'Henry Eilers'

Henry Eiler's is unique in that is has petals that are quilled or rolled into tubes as well as having flowers that are more yellow than gold all with the same easy to grow habit of the Sweet Coneflower. A beautiful and eye-catching addition to any garden setting as well as a long lasting cutflower for arrangements. A vigorous clump forming perennial common to stream banks and moist areas but will do fine in average garden soils. The sweetly scented foliage gives it its common name. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10164.

Grows To: 4-6'H x 2-3'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 31
US$14.99

Herbstonne or Autumn Sun Green Eyed Coneflower, Shining Coneflower

Rudbeckia x 'Herbstonne', R. x 'Autumn Sun', R. laciniata 'Herbstonne', R. nitida 'Herbstonne'

Huge 4-6" bright yellow, green-eyed daisies are held on4-6'+ sturdy stems and produce an extended summer display. A reliable and vigorous clump forming perennial that is adored by butterflies and pollinators of all shapes and sizes. The rich green deeply cut foliage is disease and pest resistant. Deadhead spent flowers to extend the flowering season well into fall. Appreciates ample moisture when in growth. One of our favorites! Item# 9366.

Grows To: 4-5'H x 2-3'W, space about 1' apart
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 42
US$12.99

Hollow Joe Pye Weed, Queen of the Meadow, Trumpet Weed

Eutrochium fistulosum, Eupatorium fistulosum

Large rounded clusters of composed of hundreds of dainty pinkish-purple flowers are borne in mid to late summer atop tall, sturdy, upright to arching, hollow, purple spotted stems with whorled, medium green, rugose foliage. Joe Pye Weed is a long-lived clump forming native perennial that is typically found growing on stream banks and other moist areas but it does just fine under average garden conditions as well. Joe Pye Weed's nectar rich flowers attracts butterflies and a variety of smaller pollinators. Item# 475.

Grows To: 6-9'H x 3-5'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun

Honey Coral™ Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Woodbine

Lonicera sempervirens 'Honey Coral'

Clusters of red to red-orange, yellow to orange throated, tubular flowers are borne from spring to fall on established plants with the peak flowering season in early to mid spring and again in mid to late summer to fall. Honey Coral™Honeysuckle is a tame and manageable vine perfectly suited to fences and medium sized trellises and arbors. The flowers attract hummingbirds and occasional butterflies. Pollinated flowers develop into clusters of clear red berries that make summer and fall fruit for songbirds. Their tame habit and long blooming season make the native Coral Honeysuckles an easy choice for covering a fence, arbor or trellis. Item# 11491

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11
Grows To: 6-10'(-15')H, spaced at 4-6' or more.
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 20
US$14.99

Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly

Ilex decidua 'Finch's Gold'

Golden yellow berries cover the stems of this wonderful selection of native deciduous holly from fall through spring (if the birds don't get them all!). The nectar and pollen laden flowers attract bees and smaller pollinators and even provide a caffiene kick. Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly, a selection of Ilex decidua, is a large growing, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub but could potentially be shaped into a small tree form. It has few if any pests or diseases and is quite tolerant of growing conditions from average moist to moderately wet and periodically flooded sites. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum growth, vigor, and fruit set. Almost any male native holly that flowers at the same time will pollinate the female Finch's Gold Possumhaw Holly including the American Holly, Ilex opaca, and we also now offer the male Midas Possumhaw Holly as well. Item# 9145

Grows To: 10-15'H x 10-15'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$14.99
Temporarily Out of Stock

Email Me When Ready

Cannot Ship To: OR

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