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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.

 

Dense flattened clusters of dainty white tubular flowers top the narrow blue-green to green fragrant foliage in summer. The small nectar rich flowers of Virginia Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum, 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. It is native mainly to the northcentral and northeastern US and is typically found in moist soils but can tolerate drier sites where it is less likely to spread aggressively. Virginia Mountain Mint is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types from clay, to sandy, to rocky as well as calcareous soils. Item# 12355

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

Another excellent native shrub for the landscape! The dense neat mound of whorled deep green glossy foliage and red tinged stems is topped by clusters of white flowers in spring which make way to red berries ripening through purple and finally black. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators and the fruit attract songbirds and smaller fructivores. Walter's Whorled Class Viburnum is a medium-sized selection of the southeastern native Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum, and as its name implies, its foliage is whorled around the stem thus providing 33% more greenery as compared to non-whorled selections of this species. This shrub's dense habit lends it to use anywhere a medium-sized shrub is desired in the landscape. It is generally evergreen into zone 8A and tends to be deciduous to semi-evergreen in zones 6 and 7. Use this tough native shrub in place of Dwarf Yaupon, Indian Hawthorne, or anywhere a medium-sized, disease resistant, low maintenance shrub or hedge is desired. Provide a full sun to part shade site in an average to well-drained soil for optimum vigor. Images shown are an example of what to expect with this cultivar but are of the common Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum. Item# 12730

Grows To: 5-6'H x 5-6'+W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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Warren's Red Possumhaw Holly, Deciduous Holly

Ilex decidua 'Warren's Red'

Clusters of dainty white and green spring flowers are followed by dense clusters of glossy bright red berries that often last into 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. Warren's Red 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 Warren's Red Possumhaw Holly including the American Holly, Ilex opaca, and we also now offer the male Midas Possumhaw Holly as well. Item# 9146

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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Western Sunflower, Fewleaf Sunflower

Helianthus occidentalis

Bright golden yellow daisies top the sturdy and branched, 3-5' stems of this perennial native Sunflower. The Western Sunflower will quickly create a ground-covering colony of plants by multiplying via underground rhizomes. The spent flower stalks hold seeds for songbirds and will die back to the ground in fall but are quickly replaced by a multitude of new rosettes in winter. An easy and durable plant for naturalizing and native to much of the southeastern US. Considered to be one of the least aggressive spreading Sunflowers. Item# 10240

Grows To: 3-4
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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Beginning in mid to late summer and continuing until the first frost, billowy clusters composed of hundreds of nearly 1" wide white daisies with a prominent yellow eye are produced atop tall stems attracting a bevy of bees and butterflies. White Boltonia, Boltonia asteroides, is a tall, stoloniferous, herbaceous perennial native mainly to the central US along the Mississippi River valley but there are also populations on the east and west coasts. It will do best in an average moist to moist soil and can tolerate both periodic drought and flooding once fully established, although, it seems to do best in a moist, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny location. Plants in too much shade or in overly fertile soils may flop and a late spring to early summer pruning can help to promote bushier sturdier plants if this is an issue. White Boltonia's height lend it to use in naturalistic settings or near the back of the border. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13174

Grows To: 4-6'H x 2-4'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade

This white fruited selection of the American Beautyberry adorns itself in dense clusters of 1/8" wide, creamy white, berries that encircle the stems. The fruit begins to ripen and color up in summer but they are most noticeable on the bare winter stems. Apparently the berries sweeten as winter sets in and songbirds find them irresistible. This is a fast growing, native, deciduous shrub that is tolerant of sun to semi-shade but generally flowers and fruits best in full or mostly sunny conditions. Because it flowers on new growth, if the American Beautyberry gets too large it will benefit from periodic hard pruning and still produce fruit the same year if pruning is done before new growth begins in spring. Item# 12224

Grows To: 4-8'H x 5-8'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 43
US$14.99

Clusters of pure white flowers with a darker eye may be born throughout summer and can nearly cover the top of the plant under good conditions. White or Swamp Milkweed is one of the few shade tolerant Milkweeds but it seems to produce a fuller denser plant where it receives at least 4-6 hours or more of direct sunlight. This is an excellent choice for use as a Monarch host as it will remain evergreen in mild winters in zone 8B and warmer and is a good substitute for the Mexican Milkweed for those looking for a reliable locally native perennial Milkweed with a smaller compact habit. Asclepias perennis is native to much of the eastern central US. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist to semi-moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Plant the Aquatic or White Milkweed in spring until about midsummer in zones 6-8 to help ensure plants are well-established before winter. It can also be enjoyed as a container plant but it should be protected if there is a chance that the soil can freeze. Item# 10451

Grows To: 1-2'H x 1-2'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun, Light shade
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$12.99
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White Sky Flower, Golden Dewdrop

Duranta erecta 'Alba'

Pure-white 1/2" blooms are born in grape-like drooping clusters from spring/summer to frost on this large tropical shrub sometimes grown as a tender perennial or annual. In freeze-free climates the Duranta can be used as a hedge or screen or train them into beautiful small trees. In the mildest portions of zone 8B-9 it will often act as a die-back perennial. The blooms are followed by 1/2" golden berries giving it the name of 'Golden Dewdrop'. Item# 737.

Grows To: 4-6'H x 4'W (8-10'H x 10-15' in mild climates)
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 0
US$14.99
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Giant, snow white 6" pinwheels are produced throughout summer and often well into fall on sturdy stems with finely cut rich green foliage. The White Texas Star or Lone Star Perennial Hibiscus is a pure white form of the Scarlet Swamp Mallow that was selected by Houston plantsman Heidi Sheesley. This is a vigorous sun loving perennial which is native to the swampy soils of the southeastern US but is somewhat drought resistant once well-established in the garden. The glowing white flowers attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and the occasional butterfly. Item# 791.

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 6,7,8,9,10 (mulch in 6,7,8)
Grows To: 6-8'H x 5'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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White Wild Indigo, White False Indigo, Baptisia

Baptisia alba, B. leucantha, B. albescens

12-18" long sturdy spikes of white pea-like blossoms contrast with the purplish black stems and are born in spring above the newly unfurling bluish green foliage on tall 3-4' stems. Baptisia's are durable pest and disease resistant native taprooted perennials and could be considered the Lupine for the south. An excellent addition to the perennial border or cut-flower garden that is drought tolerant, deer resistant, durable, and easy. Item# 10230.

Grows To: 3-5'H x 2-4'W
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

Whiteleaf Mountainmint, Sage

Pycnanthemum albescens

Clusters of tiny, light pink, tubular flowers are encircled by a mass of velvety white, bract-like leaves in mid to late summer. Whiteleaf Mountainmint, Pycnanthemum albescens, has a strong minty sage-like fragrance and can be used in place of sage in cooking. It is a clump forming native perennial with an upright to rounded growth habit reaching about 3' high by flowering. The dainty flowers are pollinated by a variety of smaller pollinators but are especially relished by bees. Easy to grow and deer and pest resistant. Whiteleaf Mountainmint is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Item# 10669

USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 7,8,9,(possibly colder)
Grows To: 2-3'H x 18-24''W
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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Willowleaf Aster, Willow Aster

Symphyotrichum praealtum, Aster praealtus, Aster caerulescens

The tall stems of this native perennial cover up in 1" light purple daisies in late summer and fall. Willowleaf Aster, Symphyotrichum praealtum, produces a multitude of upright to arching stems once well-established and makes a grand statement in the fall garden, prairie, meadow, or roadsides. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators but are an especially important late summer and fall nectar source for native bees. Willowleaf Aster or Willow Aster is long rhizomatous, versus clumpforming, and will slowly colonize an area once established creating a dense stand at maturity. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in moist to average moist soils. Cutback to ground level after flowering to prevent unwanted seedlings if desired. Item# 10693.

Grows To: 36-60"H x 18-30"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$12.99
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Willowleaf Beautyberry, Shui Jin Hua

Callicarpa salicifolia

Clusters of extra large (for a Beautyberry) showy purplish-pink flowers are produced for an extended period beginning in late spring or early summer and continuing into fall all the while ripening clusters of showy rich purple berries. The Willowleaf Beautyberry, Callicarpa salicifolia, is something of a rarity in the horticultural trade but is gaining in popularity for being one of the showiest. This large growing deciduous shrub has a naturally upright to rounded, well-branched habit lending it to use as a specimen plant and as an informal hedge or screen. The fruit attracts songbirds, small mammals, as well as likely deer and other wildlife while the nectar rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Provide the Willowleaf Beautyberry with a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12455

Grows To: 8-10'H x 4-6'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
4.5 inch Pot / 20 fl.oz. / 591 ml
Currently In Stock: 12
US$17.99

Tall spikes of bright yellow pea-like blossoms are held above the gray-green foliage. Baptisia's are durable pest and disease resistant native taprooted perennials and could be considered the Lupine for the south. An excellent addition to the perennial border or cut-flower garden that is drought tolerant, deer resistant, durable, and easy. Item# 9813.

Grows To: 3-4'H x 2-3'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun

Zexmenia, Orange Wedelia, Orange Zexmenia, Texas Creeping Oxeye, Hairy Wedelia

Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida, W. hispida, W. texana, Zexmenia hispida

Bright orange, 1" wide upward facing daisies are produced from spring to fall atop wispy wiry stems and are held above the deep green, fuzzy foliage attracting a variety of smaller pollinators including bees and butterflies. Zemmenia, Wedelia acapulcensis var. hispida, is a low growing naturally mounding, drought resistant, Texas tough, small native shrub-like perennial that is a mainstay of pollinator gardens from central Texas to the Rio Grande Valley as well as along the southwestern border and into Mexico. It seems to flower best and have the tidiest habit in full sun but can tolerate some shade but it may be at the expense of flowers. Zexmenia generally prefers a well-drained sandy or rocky soil but is adaptable to good garden soils as long as the plants have good to excellent drainage. It also makes a forgiving container plant but again provide sharp drainage. The butterfly in the image is a Western Pygmy Blue. Item# 13085

Grows To: 1-2(-3)'H x 1-2(-3)'W
Outdoor Light: Full sun, Mostly sunny, Part shade, Part sun
3.5 inch Pot / 16 fl.oz. / 473 ml
Currently In Stock: 29
US$12.99

Dense flattened clusters of dainty white tubular flowers top the narrow blue-green to green fragrant foliage in summer. The small nectar rich flowers of Virginia Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum, 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. It is native mainly to the northcentral and northeastern US and is typically found in moist soils but can tolerate drier sites where it is less likely to spread aggressively. Virginia Mountain Mint is tolerant of a wide variety of soil types from clay, to sandy, to rocky as well as calcareous soils. Item# 12355

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

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