Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

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20 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 8 Part shade 15 Dappled shade 3 Full shade 2

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 4 Well drained 17 Moist 11 Wet 12

Water use

Medium 7 High 5

Soil

Sand 16 Loam 15 Clay 9 Organic 8

Soil pH

Acid 20 Neutral 1 Alkaline 1

Toughness

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

Erect 14 Multi stemmed 8 Spreading 7 Rounded 6 Dense 4 Open 4 Clumping 2 Arching 1 Columnar 1 Horizontal 1 Mounding 1 Oval 1 Pyramidal 1

Plant type

Shrub 16 Perennial 13 Poisonous 7 Edible 5 Herbaceous perennial 3 Tree 3 Wildflower 2 Annual 1 Carnivorous 1 Ground cover 1