Shrubs
Elderberry
Sambucus is a large bush or shrub that is native to the U.S. and Europe. The bush produces bluish-black fruit in bunches that are used in wines, juices, jellies, and jams. The berries themselves are quite bitter, so they are rarely eaten by themselves. Elderberries are easy to grow and have a mature height of 10-12 feet, spreading out 8-10 feet. Zones 3-8
Fruit is produced in drooping clusters in late autumn, they are an important food for many
fruit-eating birds, mule, deer, and sheep. Elderberry's can be made into a syrup or wine and consumed by humans.
Winterberry
Winterberry is an erect moderate-sized shrub, growing to heights of 5 to 15 feet tall. The smooth bark of winterberry is gray to blackish, with knobby lenticels The dense branches of this shrub grow in a zigzag pattern with an upright spreading crown. The twigs are slender, with gray to gray-brown color and small buds. Although this shrub species is a good provider of wildlife food, its fruits are poisonous to humans. Zones 3-9
Although winterberry adapts well to regular garden soil, the plant grows naturally in moist, swampy areas. This growth habit makes winterberry a smart choice for pond-side planting, boggy areas or garden spots with muddy, poorly drained soil.
The shrub provides nesting areas and protection for birds and other small animals during spring and summer. After the shrub drops its leaves in fall, the tiny berries provide sustenance for songbirds such as blue jays, chickadees, woodpeckers, juncos, tanagers and finches.
Red Osier Dogwood
This perennial shrub will mature at 6-12 ft. tall, with conspicuous red twigs. Dense, flat-topped clusters of creamy-white blossoms are followed by umbrella-shaped clusters of pea-sized white berries. Autumn foliage is colorful. Red Osier is deciduous and native to our region. Preferred as a wildlife food by bluebirds and game birds. Zones 2-7
Dogwood has soil adaptability and tolerance of flooding and wet soils, and can be used along shorelines and in rain gardens.
Red-Osier Dogwood attracts fruit-eating birds and other wildlife, such as this American Robin and Townsend’s Chipmunk. the flower blossoms attract bumblebees, flies, butterflies and other pollinators.
American Hazelnut
American hazelnut matures at 5 to 8 feet, is a thicket-forming native shrub, excellent for naturalizing, woodland gardens, and shade areas. Showy male flowers (catkins) add early spring interest, dark green leaves turn a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors in the fall. The nuts mature from September to October, attracting seed-eating birds, such as blue jays and woodpeckers.
Zone 4-7. Native to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Hazelnut plants can provide great wildlife habitat and nutrition. Known wildlife that benefits from Hazelnut Plants Quail, Ruffed grouse, Wild turkey, Pheasants, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mice
Ground hogs, Deer, Woodpeckers, and Blue jays
American Hazelnut bushes are good for windbreaks, hedges, or riparian buffers.