Your shrub is an ecosystem
Shrubs provide food or a home for many creatures, some welcome and some less so. Many gardeners make special efforts to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, but most would prefer that deer don't eat their pride and joy. Wild birds have to roost and nest somewhere and often it is in large shrubs.
The simplest rule to follow when choosing a shrub that will attract wildlife is to choose something native to your area. Birds and insects are very well adapted to native flora, but usually have little use for exotic shrubs. Hummingbirds and butterflies are especially picky and can often only survive on one type of plant.
There are other useful points to bear in mind. We all think of providing berries for the winter months, but berries are also a very valuable food source in summer and autumn, so add shrubs that crop at different times of the year. Gardeners with large amounts of land can have a serious beneficial effect by providing habitat, but also by linking habitats using hedgerows.
Butterflies
Butterflies need plants for two main things: nectar for themselves; and food for caterpillars. They usually raise their caterpillars on one or a very few types of plant. They are also choosy about where to get their nectar. Many of the shrubs that attract butterflies with nectar will also attract hummingbirds.
Latin name
Common Name
Comments
USDA zones
Abelia grandiflora
Glossy Abelia
Long flowering season attracts butterflies.
6-10
Abutilon hybridum
Chinese Lantern
Good for hummingbirds too.
8-11
Buddleia
Butterfly Bush
Famous for attracting butterflies, they come for the nectar.
5-9
Caesalpinia gilliesii
Bird of Paradise
Exotic flowers bring exotic butterflies.
9-12
Crataegus
Hawthorn
Host plant for Swallowtails and Hairstreaks.
4-9
Hibiscus
Hibiscus
Nectar for butterflies.
5-9
Hypericum 'Hidcote'
St John's Wort
Host for Hairstreak caterpillars.
5-9
Kolkwitzia amabilis
Beauty Bush
Nectar attracts many butterflies.
4-8
Lindera benzoin
Spicebush
Host plant for Swallowtail caterpillars.
4-8
Malus
Crabapple
Rotting fruit attracts some butterflies. Also host for Swallowtail and Hairstreak caterpillars.
4-9
Prunus serotina
Black Cherry
Host plant for several butterfly larvae.
3-9
Rhododendron
Rhododendron/Azalea
Attracts butterflies when in flower.
3-9
Ribes
Flowering Currant
Host for Angelwing caterpillars and provides nectar when in flower.
4-9
Birds except Hummingbirds
Birds are attracted to some shrubs for food, usually berries, and for nest sites. Almost any shrub that produces berries provides a feast for some bird or other. Hummingbirds feed on nectar and so they tend to like many of the same shrubs that are attractive to bees.
Latin name
Common Name
Comments
USDA zones
Amelanchier
Serviceberry
Tasty berries for everyone.
3-8
Aronia
Chokeberry
Edible berries.
4-8
Cornus
Dogwood
Berries on most varieties.
5-9
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster
Salicifolius seems very popular, the smaller ones seem to be left until last.
4-9
Ilex
Holly
Robins especially like the berries.
3-10
Lindera
Spicebush
Fruit in autumn.
4-8
Mahonia
Grapeholly
Late summer fruit.
5-9
Prunus
Cherry/Laurel
All Prunus fruit seem highly palatable to birds as well as humans.
3-9
Pyracantha
Firethorn
Abundant fruit for winter birds.
6-10
Sambucus
Elder
Summer fruit.
4-9
Symphoricarpus
Snowberry
Berries not always eaten but can be a good food source in harsh weather.
2-8
Viburnum
Viburnum
Fruit of some types is edible by humans as well as birds.
3-9
Hummingbirds and Bees
Almost any showy flowering shrub will be attractive to hummingbirds or bees. Any flowering native shrubs are generally good for bees, but hummingbirds are a little more selective.
Latin name
Common Name
Comments
USDA zones
Buddleia
Butterfly Bush
It's not just butterflies that love the nectar. Bees and sometimes hummingbirds also feed here.
5-9
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster
Bees love it.
4-9
Escallonia
Escallonia
Another bee magnet.
8-11
Ilex
Holly
Attracts bees during the short flowering season.
3-10
Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Some hummingbirds feed on these shrubs.
5-9
Rhododendron
Azalea/Rhododendron
Hummingbirds like nectar from these.
3-9
Ribes
Flowering Currant
Watch out for bees near this shrub in spring.
4-9
Weigela
Weigela
Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
5-9
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