Top native heathers, balsams, primroses, and allies

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

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76 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Full sun 36 Part shade 48 Dappled shade 17 Full shade 12

Soil and water

Moisture

Dry 25 Well drained 60 Moist 53 Wet 25

Water use

Low 10 Medium 16 High 7

Soil

Rocky 14 Sand 73 Loam 76 Clay 35 Organic 46

Soil pH

Acid 71 Neutral 20 Alkaline 8

Toughness

Drought tolerant

Deer resistant

Resists

Wet soil 15 Dry soil 13 Fire 13 Heat 8 Heavy shade 6 Poor soil 6 Rabbits 6 Black walnut 5 Compaction 5 Erosion 5 Salt 4 Humidity 2 Insect pests 2 Pollution 2 Diseases 1 Slugs 1 Storm damage 1 Urban conditions 1 Wind 1

Form

Habit

Erect 43 Spreading 23 Rounded 20 Clumping 17 Multi stemmed 16 Dense 11 Horizontal 7 Creeping 6 Open 6 Pyramidal 6 Oval 5 Arching 4 Mounding 4 Columnar 3 Multi trunked 3 Prostrate 3 Irregular 2 Ascending 1

Plant type

Shrub 41 Perennial 34 Herbaceous perennial 18 Wildflower 18 Tree 16 Edible 14 Poisonous 14 Ground cover 10 Carnivorous 7 Annual 4