PLANT PROFILE
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (aka Pagoda dogwood)
Scientific name:
Cornus alternifolia
Growth habit:
Shrub or tree (to 30 feet)
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Partial shade/sun
Soil preference:
Moist, well drained
Plant associates:
Chokecherry,
serviceberry, striped
maple, other dogwoods,
Vaccinium species,
American hazel
Value to Wood Thrush: Food and cover
Native range: Eastern states to central U.S.
Last updated: JAN 2004
Photo courtesy University of Connecticut Plant
Database www.hort.uconn.edu/plants
PLANT PROFILE
Arrowwood Viburnum (Southern arrowwood)
Scientific name:
Viburnum dentatum
Growth habit:
Shrub (or small tree)
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun/partial shade
Soil preference:
Moist and fertile
Fruit type:
Berry
Plant associates:
Box-elder, sweetgum,
buttonbush, witchhazel, Dutchman’sbreeches
Photo courtesy University of Connecticut Plant
Database www.hort.uconn.edu/plants
Notes: Fruits produced in late summer are eaten by many species. A
dense, hardy shrub that serves well as cover and nest site.
Native range: Eastern states, west to Iowa, south to Texas
Last updated: JAN 2004
PLANT PROFILE
Big Bluestem
Scientific name:
Andropogon gerardii
Growth habit:
Graminoid
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun
Soil preference:
Moist, silt or clay
Fruit type:
Seed
Plant associates:
Little bluestem,
switchgrass,
Indiangrass
Notes: Provides cover, nesting site and/or
Photo courtesy Jennifer Anderson @
USDA NRCS Plants Database
seeds for Grasshopper, Henslow’s and other
sparrows, nesting site for Sedge Wren and
Western Meadowlark. Cover for at least 24 species of songbirds.
Native range: Widespread to Western states
Last updated: JAN 2004
PLANT PROFILE
Common Serviceberry
Scientific name:
Amelanchier arborea
Growth habit:
Shrub or small tree
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun to mod. shade
Soil preference:
Varied
Fruit:
Pome
Plant associates:
Sugar maple, American beech,
lowbush blueberry, witchhazel
Value to Wood Thrush: Food and cover
Native range: Subspecies are widespread in eastern states
Last updated: JAN 2004
Photo by Jim Stasz at USDA-NRCS
Plants Database
PLANT PROFILE
Eastern Red Cedar
Scientific name:
Juniperus virginiana
Growth habit:
Tree (to 65 feet)
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun/partial shade
Soil:
Neutral to alkaline
Fruit type:
Nutlet, cone
Plant associates:
Gray birch, red maple,
aspen
Photo by Steven J. Saffier/NAS
Notes: More than 50 species of birds eat the
fruit. A member of the cypress family, this evergreen offers winter cover
and often serves as nest sites. Potentially invasive in Great Plains region.
Native range: Eastern coastal states west to Colorado. North Dakota south to
Texas.
Last updated: JAN 2004
PLANT PROFILE
Gray Dogwood
Scientific name:
Cornus racemosa
Growth habit:
Shrub (to 9 feet)
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun/partial shade
Soil preference:
Fertile/welldrained
Fruit:
Berry
Plant associates: Maple-leaved viburnum,
Virginia creeper, chokecherry,
smooth sumac, raspberry
Photo courtesy University of Connecticut Plant Database
www.hort.uconn.edu/plants
Notes: The fruit is a valuable food resource to many bird species
Native range: see map
Last updated: JAN 2004
PLANT PROFILE
Highbush Blueberry
Scientific name:
Vaccinium corymbosum
Growth habit:
Shrub
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun/partial shade
Soil preference:
Well drained, wet, acidic
Fruit type:
Berry
Plants associates:
Swamp azalea, mountain holly, black huckleberry,
black chokeberry
Photo courtesy University of Connecticut Plant Database
www.hort.uconn.edu/plants
Notes: Offers cover, nest sites and/or food to more than 30 species of
birds and is a favorite nest site of the Gray Catbird. Highbush blueberry
fruits when mature at 3 – 10 years of age.
Native range: East to southeast
Last updated: JAN 2004
PLANT PROFILE
Little Bluestem
Scientific name:
Schizachyrium
scoparium
Growth habit:
Graminoid (grass)
Duration:
Perennial
Light preference:
Sun
Soil preference:
Varied
Fruit type:
Seed
Plant associates:
(Bluestem prairie) big
bluestem, switchgrass,
Indiangrass
Value to Dickcissel: Cover, seeds provide food
Native range: Widespread
Last updated: JAN 2004
Photo courtesy J.S. Peterson @ USDA
NRCS Plants Database
PLANT PROFILE
Sunflower
Example:
Prairie Sunflower
Scientific name: Helianthus petiolaris
Duration:
Annual
Height:
3-5 feet
Blooms:
June - September
Sun preference: Sun
Photo by Clarence A. Rechenthin @USDA-NRCS Plants
Database
Soil preference: Sandy
Notes: A showy, multi-stemmed flower that also attracts birds when seeds
are produced.
Last updated: JAN 2004
Aster
Example:
White wood aster
Scientific name:
Eurybia divaricata
Duration:
Perennial
Height:
1-2 feet
Blooms:
August - October
Sun preference: Partial shade to shade
Soil preference: Moist to dry
Photo by Jim Stasz @USDA-NRCS
Plants Database
Notes: Striking black stems contrast with heart-shaped leaves and small
flowers.
Last updated: JAN 2004