Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

Compaction Pollution Clear all

Filter

7 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 4 Part shade 6 Dappled shade 2 Full shade 1

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 3 Well drained 6 Moist 4 Wet 2

Water use

Low 1 Medium 1 High 2

Soil

Rocky 3 Sand 6 Loam 7 Clay 3 Organic 4

Soil pH

Acid 7 Neutral 1 Alkaline 1

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Wet soil 20 Dry soil 17 Fire 15 Heat 10 Rabbits 9 Heavy shade 8 Poor soil 7 Black walnut 5 Compaction 5 Erosion 5 Salt 5 Humidity 3 Diseases 2 Insect pests 2 Pollution 2 Slugs 1 Storm damage 1 Urban conditions 1 Wind 1

Form

Habit

Multi stemmed 4 Spreading 4 Dense 3 Horizontal 3 Rounded 3 Creeping 2 Erect 2 Open 2 Arching 1 Clumping 1 Prostrate 1

Plant type

Perennial 6 Shrub 5 Edible 3 Ground cover 3 Herbaceous perennial 3 Poisonous 1 Wildflower 1