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Trees and Shrubs: Suggested Native Species for Pollinators

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There are many trees species that are as important to pollinating insects, birds, and animals as annual, perennial, and vegetable plants. Not only do these trees provide pollen or nectar they are also sources of habitats for roosting, nesting, and protection.

Select native plant species whenever possible to support native pollinators. Select species that will flower at different times throughout the season, giving pollinators a continuous food source. Some suggestions have flowers that are not showy to humans but are loved by pollinators.


Serviceberry/Amelanchier

Trees
Common name/
Botanical name                  		Height Flowering Time Flower Color Sun/Shade
American Mountain Ash/
Sorbus Americana		 to 30' June-July White Sun/part shade
American Witchhazel/
Hamamelis virginiana		 12-15' Sept.-Nov. Yellow Sun/Shade
Blackgum/Tupelo/
Nyssa sylvatica		 60-80' May-June Yellowish green Sun/part shade
Chokecherry/
Prunus virginiana		 16' May-June White Sun/part shade
Crabapple/
Malus sp.		 12-40' April-May Pink/white Sun
Eastern Redbud/
Cercis canadensis		 20-30' May-June Magenta Sun/part shade
Flowering Dogwood/
Cornus florida		 30' mid-May Yellowish green Sun/part shade
Maple/
Acer sp.		 to 75' April Yellowish green Sun
Roundleaf Dogwood/
Cornus rugosa		 12' June White Sun/part shade
Serviceberry/
Amelanchier sp.		 6-20' late March White Sun
Staghorn Sumac/
Rhus typhina		 15-25' June Greenish yellow Sun/part shade
Tulip Tree/
Liriodendron tulipifera		 70-90' late-May to mid-June Yellow green Sun

Shrubs
Common name/
Botanical name		 Height Flowering Time Flower Color Sun/Shade
American pussy willow/
Salix discolor		 to 20' March-April Yellow/green Sun/shade
Arrowwood viburnum/
Viburnum dentatum		 5-9' May to early-June Creamy white Sun/part shade
Black Chokeberry/
Photinia melanocarpa		 4-6'
 		 May-June White Sun/part shade
Bush Honeysuckle/
Diervilla lonicera		 1/2-3' June-July Yellow Sun/shade
Buttonbush/
Cephalanthus Occidentalis		 3-6' June, July, August  Creamy white Sun/part shade
Catberry/
Ilex mucronata		 6-8' June-July Inconspicuous/ white Sun/part shade
Cinquefoil/
Dasiphora fruticose		 3-4' May-June Yellow Sun/part shade
Common ninebark/
Physocarpus opulifolius		 6-10' May-June Whitish pink Sun/part shade
Common snowberry/
Symphoricarpos albus		 3-4' June-July Pink Sun/part shade
Eastern Teaberry/
Gaultheria procumbens		 4-8' May-June Pink Sun/part shade
Highbush blueberry/
Vaccinium corymbosum		 7-9' June-July White Sun/part shade
Kinnikinick/
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi     		2-6' May-June Purple-blue Sun/part shade
Leatherleaf/
Chamaedaphne calyculata 		1-3' May-July White Sun/part shade
Mapleleaf viburnum/
Viburnum acerfolium		 4-5' May-June White Sun/part shade
New Jersey Tea/
Ceanothus americanus		 1-3' June-August White Sun/part shade
Pinxterbloom azalea/
Rhododendron periclymenoides		 4-6' late May Pale pink Sun/part shade
Rhodora/
Rhododendron canadense		 3-4' June-July Rose pink Sun/part shade
Serviceberry/
Amelanchier canadensis		 6-20' late March White Sun
Swamp azalea/
Rhododendron viscosum		 5' June White to pale pink Part shade
Sweet pepperbush/
Clethra alnifolia		 5-8' July & August White Sun/part shade
Trailing Arbutus/
Epigaea repens		 1-3' May-July White to pink Sun/part shade
Virginia rose/
Rosa virginiana		 4-6' June-July Rose pink Sun
White mountainsweet/
Spirea alba		 3-6' June-Sept. White to pink Sun
Winterberry/
Ilex verticillata		 6-10' June-July White Sun/shade

Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed.
For pesticide information or other questions please call toll free: 877-486-6271. 

UConn Home and Garden Education Center, 2017

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Dean of the College, Cooperative Extension System, University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, Stop Code 9410, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964.