Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

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5 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 3 Part shade 3 Dappled shade 2 Full shade 2

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 1 Well drained 3 Moist 4 Wet 2

Water use

Soil

Rocky 2 Sand 4 Loam 5 Clay 3 Organic 5

Soil pH

Acid 5 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

Dense 3 Erect 3 Arching 2 Creeping 2 Horizontal 2 Mounding 2 Spreading 2 Clumping 1 Multi stemmed 1 Oval 1 Prostrate 1

Plant type

Perennial 4 Shrub 3 Ground cover 2 Poisonous 2 Herbaceous perennial 1 Wildflower 1