Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

25 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.

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25 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 17 Part shade 14 Dappled shade 7 Full shade 6

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 3 Well drained 13 Moist 21 Wet 14

Water use

Low 2 Medium 5 High 3

Soil

Rocky 2 Sand 21 Loam 21 Clay 13 Organic 14

Soil pH

Acid 23 Neutral 6 Alkaline 3

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Black walnut 4 Dry soil 4 Fire 4 Heat 4 Erosion 3 Wet soil 3 Heavy shade 2 Humidity 2 Compaction 1 Insect pests 1 Pollution 1 Poor soil 1 Rabbits 1 Slugs 1 Urban conditions 1

Form

Habit

Erect 53 Spreading 34 Rounded 26 Clumping 19 Multi stemmed 19 Dense 17 Open 8 Creeping 7 Horizontal 7 Arching 6 Mounding 6 Oval 6 Pyramidal 6 Prostrate 5 Multi trunked 4 Columnar 3 Irregular 3 Ascending 2 Vase 1

Plant type

Perennial 13 Herbaceous perennial 12 Carnivorous 9 Wildflower 8 Shrub 7 Poisonous 5 Ground cover 3 Edible 1