Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

Spreading Clear all

Filter

34 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 10 Part shade 28 Dappled shade 8 Full shade 11

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 11 Well drained 29 Moist 22 Wet 10

Water use

Low 5 Medium 7 High 4

Soil

Rocky 6 Sand 21 Loam 23 Clay 13 Organic 22

Soil pH

Acid 32 Neutral 8 Alkaline 2

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Dry soil 8 Wet soil 7 Heat 6 Black walnut 3 Fire 3 Poor soil 3 Compaction 2 Erosion 2 Pollution 2 Rabbits 2 Salt 2 Heavy shade 1 Humidity 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

Shrub 22 Perennial 21 Poisonous 10 Wildflower 9 Ground cover 8 Herbaceous perennial 7 Tree 4 Edible 2