Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

Columnar Arching Clear all

Filter

9 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 3 Part shade 5 Dappled shade 3 Full shade 4

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 2 Well drained 4 Moist 8 Wet 3

Water use

Medium 3 High 2

Soil

Sand 6 Loam 7 Clay 4 Organic 5

Soil pH

Acid 8 Neutral 2 Alkaline 1

Toughness

Deer resistant

Resists

Erosion 2 Heavy shade 2 Poor soil 2 Wet soil 2 Compaction 1 Dry soil 1 Humidity 1 Storm damage 1 Wind 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 6 Shrub 5 Poisonous 4 Herbaceous perennial 2 Tree 2 Carnivorous 1 Edible 1