2. Shrubs that provide food for birds
Wow, there are a LOT of options, so I’ll try to break it down by their moisture requirements / tolerances.
Some of the most adaptable shrubs are:
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): 10’, can handle all but the most dry soil
- Prairie Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius, 10’) and Prairie Willow (Salix humilis, 8’): can handle all but the most wet soil
Other shrubs good for moderately dry soils include: Eastern Sandcherry (Prunus pumila, 6’), Sand Serviceberry (Amelanchier sanguinea, 6’), Round-leaf Dogwood (Cornus rugosa, 10’, shade-tolerant), Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia, 25’), American Plum (Prunus americana, 30’), Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, 10’), Red-berried Elder (Sambucus racemosa, 12’, shade-tolerant), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana, 30’, shade-tolerant), Running Serviceberry (Amelanchier stolonifera, 4’), Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus, 4’), and Downy Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum rafinesquianum, 10’)
Shrubs that can handle WET soils include: Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera, 10’), Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum, 10’), Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis, 12’), Pussy Willow (Salix discolor, 20’, full sun), Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum, 12’), Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata, 10’, shade-tolerant), Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba, 4’) and Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa, 4’)
Other shrubs good for moderately wet soils include: Eastern Wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea, 20’), Witch Hazel (Hammemalis virginiana, 25’, shade-tolerant), Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago, 20’), Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia, 25’), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana, 30’, shade-tolerant)
Most of those shrubs can also tolerate soil of average moisture, but there are a few more options to add: Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis, 25’), Running Serviceberry (Amelanchier stolonifera, 4’), Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa, 15’) and Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia, 20’, shade-tolerant)