Species Information

Eastern Bluestar

Amsonia tabernaemontana

What makes me special:

I am a pollinator magnet.

Warnings:

Not native to East TN

Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

What makes me special:

I attract pollinators, especially butterflies and Luna Moths.

Birds and small mammals consume my fruits.

Warnings:

VERY Agressive spreader

Fire Pink

Silene virginica

What makes me special:

I attract larger butterflies.

I attract hummingbirds.

Warnings:

Short-lived

Does not transplant well once established

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium

What makes me special:

I am an excellent nectar source for pollinators and larval host a food source for lepidoptera

Warnings:

Can spread aggressively under optimum growing conditions

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus florida

What makes me special:

I attract butterflies.

am a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly.

I support specialized bees.

Birds eat my fruits.

Warnings:

Susceptible to a number of pests and diseases.

A challenge to grow in open urban environments.

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

What makes me special:

I attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

I support specialized bees.

I attract hummingbirds.

Warnings:

Can spread somewhat aggressively

Fragrant Sumac

Rhus aromatica

What makes me special:

I attract pollinators, especially butterflies and Luna Moths.

Birds and small mammals consume my fruits.

Warnings:

Agressive spreader

Frostweed

Verbesina virginica

What makes me special:

Native bees overwinter in my stems if allowed to remain.

Warnings:

Readily reseeds given the right conditions

Giant Ironweed

Vernonia gigantea

What makes me special:

I attract many pollinators including bees and butterflies.

Warnings:

Self-seeder

Golden Alexanders

Zizia aurea

What makes me special:

I am a larval host plant for the Swallowtail Butterfly.

Warnings:

Can reseed heavily given the right conditions