Get to Know Flowering Native Shrubs

In our last club meeting, Master Gardener Martha Wood presented a program on flowering native shrubs. Mentioning Azaleas, Rhododendron, and Mountain Laurel, she focused on varieties that are not as familiar but can be found in native nurseries. Many of the native shrubs offer year-round interest, providing larval and nectar food in the spring and summer, colorful leaves in the fall, shelter and food in winter.

A symbiotic relationship exists between the host Spicebush shrub (Lindera benzoin) and the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus). Looking like a bright green mini-snake with eyes on its back, the caterpillar makes shelter by folding a leaf over and spinning silk to stitch the leaves together. The Spicebush blooms in early spring before the leaves emerge and turn bright yellow before falling. Female shrubs have bright red berries, providing nutrition for migrating birds. Aptly named, the Spicebush leaves give off a spicy scent when crushed. Unfortunately, a new, non-native fungus is attacking the Spicebush, Sassafras, and other members of the Laurel family.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), both growing on the banks of the Little River, will tolerate wet feet. The Buttonbush is aptly named, with its 1-inch white globes. Shorebirds love the seeds. The fragrance on almost woody maroon blooms of the Sweetshrub can vary greatly. Prune immediately after flowering to maintain compactness, since it has a tendency to sucker and roam.

The Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is one of the earliest blooming natives and can easily be seen along I-59, its bright red flowers offering pops of color. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so deer and rabbits leave it alone. It can grow up to 20 feet, becoming more of a tree than a shrub.

The New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) is a show-off with clusters of small, fragrant white flowers on a compact frame. The leaves are nitrogen fixing and make an excellent tea. Unfortunately, deer and rabbit connoisseurs find the leaves tasty as well.. Turkey and quail feast on the seeds in fall.

Anyone who has attended the fall flower show has been amazed by the berries of the Beautyberry bush (Callicarpa americana). In late summer, the magenta-purple clusters of berries encircle the stems on a shrub that grows up to 8 feet tall. Birds devour the seeds, and the Beautyberry is a natural mosquito repellent.

Two relatively rare natives are the Dwarf Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii) and the Alabama Snow Wreath (Neviusia alabamensis). Both need full sun for showy white blooms and are deer resistant. The Fothergilla is compact, growing to 3 feet, and its leaves turn bright yellow to red in the fall. The Alabama Snow Wreath is suckering with arching stems and growth from 3 to 6 feet. It blooms on old growth, so prune after blooming to ensure loveliness for the next year.

Last, Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is noted for its exfoliating bark. This is THE plant to have for a four-season showstopper. Full sun foliage can be yellow, green, or deep purple, changing to red, orange, or yellow in the fall — sometimes all on the same leaf!

Seed clusters provide winter eats, and the bark is stunning. The spirea-like flowers cluster on arching branches.

It’s bear time again. Please make the effort not to entice bears. Do not feed them. Bird feeders, pet bowls with leftover food, and grills with those enticing smells are manna for the wild critters. If encountering a bear, do not run. Stand tall and upright. Avoid direct eye contact and make sure the bear has a clear line of escape.

Starting in May, the RGC meetings will return to the MERF house behind the library. The club always meets the second Tuesday of the month (May 12) at 10 a.m. Using flowers from the yard or bouquets from the grocery, Jean Jackson will guide folks in making simple mass table arrangements. Bring some greenery from the yard, scissors for clipping, and join us for some fun! All other supplies will be provided by the club.

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