Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

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35 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 18 Part shade 26 Dappled shade 9 Full shade 8

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 10 Well drained 29 Moist 27 Wet 11

Water use

Low 7 Medium 8 High 4

Soil

Rocky 14 Sand 73 Loam 76 Clay 35 Organic 46

Soil pH

Acid 34 Neutral 13 Alkaline 7

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Fire 10 Wet soil 9 Dry soil 5 Black walnut 4 Heavy shade 4 Erosion 3 Heat 3 Poor soil 3 Compaction 2 Rabbits 2 Salt 2 Diseases 1 Humidity 1 Insect pests 1 Pollution 1 Slugs 1 Storm damage 1 Urban conditions 1 Wind 1

Form

Habit

Erect 24 Spreading 13 Clumping 11 Multi stemmed 9 Rounded 8 Dense 6 Pyramidal 4 Mounding 3 Oval 3 Arching 2 Columnar 2 Creeping 2 Horizontal 2 Ascending 1 Open 1 Prostrate 1

Plant type

Perennial 19 Shrub 15 Wildflower 12 Herbaceous perennial 9 Edible 7 Poisonous 5 Ground cover 4 Tree 4 Annual 3 Carnivorous 3