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Forbs
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Common NameBotanical NameHeightSpacingColourMoistureLightLayerEcological StrategySocialLifespanSpread ModeUndergroundSpread RatePersistenceClump DensityStandingSeedingAprilMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctLepidopteraBeesBirdsNotes
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Common Blue VioletViola sororia10 cm25 cmpurpleaverage (dislikes drying out)sun, partialground huggerCRII (3-10)short livedrhizophyteshort rhizomesslowhighhigh?frequent, often extensivexxxViolet Miner Bee (Andrena violae)
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Wild StrawberryFragaria virginiana15 cm30 cmwhiteground huggerCSRII (3-10), mass plantings II/IV/Vlong livedxx
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Blue-Eyed GrassSisyrinchium angustifolium10-30 cm25 cmblueMedium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Drysun, partialground huggerCSRII (groups of 3-10)long livedxx
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Golden AlexanderZizia aurea30-90 cm45 cmyellowaverage (prefers damp)sun, partialseasonal themeCSR/CRII (groups of 3-10)short livedrhizophytetaproot????yesxxBlack Swallowtail Butterfly. Rigid Sunflower Borer, Common Eupithecia Moth.Andrena ziziae
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Moss PhloxPhlox subulata10-15 cm30 cmviolet/purpledrysunground huggers/CS1 (alone or in little groups)long livedrapidhighxCorn Earworm, Darker-Spotted Straw, Olive Arches, hitched Arches and Stalk Borer MothsHummingbirdsforms cushion, creeping, along edges
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Narrow-Leaved SundropsOenothera fruticosa50 cm30 cmyellowseasonal themeCSI (alone or in little groups)x
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Foxglove BeardtonguePenstemon digitalis30-90 cm45 cmpale pinkaverage to moistsunseasonal themeCSR1 (alone or in little groups)short lived (5+ years)rhizophytetap rootminimal??wellyesxx Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly. Verbena Bud Moth.pollen specialist: Osmia distincta. Specialist Wasp Pseudomasaris occidentalis
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Butterfly MilkweedAsclepias tuberosa90 cm45 cmorangepoor, dry, sandysunseasonal themeCRII (3-10)long livedrhizocaulophytecrown with deep taprootminimal??wellyesxx Monarch, Queen Butterflies. Blackened Milkweed, Milkweed Leaf Beetles. Milkweed Tussock, Stalk Borer, Striped Garden Caterpillar, Unexpected Cycnia Moths
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YarrowAchillea millefolium20-50cm45 cmoff whitepoor, dry soilsunseasonal themeCRI (alone or in little groups)long livedrhizome-phalanx, sometime guerrilla tendencies?rapidhighhighfirmoccasionalxxxPainted Lady Butterfly. Wavy-Lined Emerald, Yarrow Plume, Common Pug, Darker-Spotted Straw, Wormwood Pg, Eupithecia nimbicolor, Depressaria alienella Mothsdesign idea https://www.thicketworkshop.com/yarrow-patch
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Pale Purple ConeflowerEchinacea pallida.6-120 cm45 cmpale pinkaveragesun, partialseasonal themeCSR/CRII (groups of 3-10)long livedCaulophyte-PhalanxVery short, almost minimal, rhizomesMinimal-SlowHighHighUpright/firmxxSilvery Checkerspot Butterfly, Wavy-Lined Emerald and Common Eupithecia MothsAndrena helianthiformis
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Bradbury's MonardaMonarda bradburiana30-60 cm45 cmpale lavenderpoor, drysunseasonal themeCRI (alone or in little groups)short livedCaulophyte, PhalanxRhizomes tend to be at surfaceModerateLowCan be lowfirmyesxxsimiliar to M. fistulosa but short, dark foliage in autumn, greater mildew resistance. Midwest.
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Lanceleaf CoreopsisCoreopsis lanceolata60 cm45 cmyellowaverage, drysun, partialfree floaterCSRII (3-10)short livedcaulophyterhizomesmoderatemoderatehigh?yesxxxDimorphic Grey, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Common Tan Wave, Asonopterix atrodorsella Mothspollen specialists: Melissodes boltoniae, Melissodes coreopsis, Melissodes dentiventris, Melissodes subillatus, Melissodes trinodis, Megachile inimica, Megachile pugnatasongbirds, insectivoresAmerican Goldfinch love the seeds when they are still green
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Narrowleaf Mountain MintPycnanthemum tenuifolium60-9060 cmwhiteaverage, drysun, partialseasonal themeCSR/CRI (alone or in little groups), II (groups of 3-10)long livedCaulophyte-phalanx + guerrillasdensely rhizomatousrapidhighhighwellnoxxxHermit Sphinx Moth
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Purple Poppy MallowCallirhoe involucrata15 cm45-60 cmmagentamedium dry, drysunground huggerSRII (3-10) or IV (expansive groups)long livedcaulophytexxxxCheckered Skippersmidwest native, does poorly in wet conditions and will not survive soggy roots. Excess shade and competition from neighboring plants can lead to decline and death.
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Nodding OnionAllium cernuum30-45 cm15 cmpurplemedium wet, medium drysun, partialseasonal themeCSR/SII (3-10) or IV (expansive groups)long livedxxNutmet, Reaper Dart, Tessellate Dart, Zebra Caterpillar Moths
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Dense Blazing StarLiatris spicata.6-1.5 m30 cmpurpleaverage (no winter wet)sunseasonal themeCRII (groups of 3-10)short livedrhizo-caulophytecorms in tight clumpslowhighhighfirm on low fertility soils, otherwise flopspossiblexxxBleeding Flower, Blazing Star Borer, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Autographa flagellum MothsHummingbirds, Songbirds
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Wild BergamontMonarda fistulosa60-120 cm60 cmlavendar-purpleaveragesun, partialseasonal themeCRI (alone or in little groups)short livedCaulophyte, PhalanxRhizomes tend to be at surfaceModerateLowCan be lowfirmyesxxOrange Mist, Raspberry Pyrausta, Coleophora monardae, Salk Borer, Allen's Tortrix, Grey Marvel, Hermit Sphynix, Coleophora heinrichella, Blueberry Leaftier, Xenotemna pallorana Mothspollen specialists: Dufourea monardae, Protandrena abdominalisHummingbirds, Songbirds
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Anise HyssopAgastache foeniculum60-120 cm50 cmblue-purpleaveragesun, partialseasonal themeCRI (alone or in little groups)short livedclonal and rhizomatous growthModeratewellyesxxSongbirdsAgastache 'Blue Fortune' giant hyssop received the most pollinator visitors. Other varieties with a higher abundance of visitors were Agastache 'Foeniculum' and 'Black Adder. (Erickson et. al, 2022)
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Early GoldenrodSolidago juncea60-120 cm60 cmyellowdry, poorsunseasonal themeCS/CSRI (alone or in little groups)long lived??xxRuby TIger, Goldenrod Gall, Blackberry Looper, Common Pug, Wormwood Pug, Confused Eusarca, Common Tan Wave, Wavy-Lined Emerald, False Crocus Geometer, Fine-Lined Sallow, White-Dotted Groundling, Sharp-Stigma Looper, The Asteroid, Brown-Hooded Owlet, Lost Sallow, Green Leuconycta, Black Arches, Dark-Spotted Palthis, Pink-Barred Pseudeustrotia, Soybean Looper, Goldenrod Flower, Striped Garden Cterpillar, Spotted Fireworm, Solidago Eucosma, Derelict Eucosma, Triangle-Backed Eucosma, Beautiful Phaneta, Buff-Tipped Phaneta, Reddish Phaneta, Canadian Sonia and many other Moth speciespollen specialists: Andrena aliciae, Andrena asteris, Andrena braccata, Andrena canadensis, Andrena chromotricha, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simple, Perdita octomaculata, Perdita swenki, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Pseudopanurgus compositarum, Mellisodes agilis, Melissodes boltoniae, Melissodes dentiventris, Melissodes druriellus, Melissodes illatus, Melissodes niveus, Melissodes trinodis, Colletes americanus, Colletes compactus, Colletes simulans, Colletes solidaginis, Colletes speculiferus, Dieunomia heterpoda, Dianthidium simile, Megachile inimica
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Pearly EverlastingAnaphalis margaritacea60 cm30 cmwhiteaveragesunseasonal themeS/CSRI (alone or in little groups)long livedcaulophytetight mass of short rhizomesslowhighhighnoxxxAmerican Lady, Painted Lady Butterflies. Caloreas leucobasis, Chain-Dotted Geometer, Sparganothis senecionana Moths
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Yellow Wild IndigoBaptisia tinctoria30-90 cm60-90 cmyellowaveragesun, partialstructuralCSI (alone or in little groups)long livedRhizocaulophytevery deep rootsSlow-ModerateHighAverageWellxxWild Indigo Dustywing, Clouded Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Frosted Elfin, Eastern Tailed Butterflies. Genista Broom, Indigo Stem Borer Moths
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Orange ConeflowerRudbeckia fulgida 60 cm60 cmorangeseasonal themeCSRII (3-10), III (larger groups 10-20)long livedCaulophyte-irregular phalanxModerate-RapidWeak HighWellxxxBlackberry Looper, Wavy-Lined EmeraldSongbirdsvar. sullivantii is a form more likely to be found in swamps, its cultivar 'Goldsturm' AGM is one of the most successful perennial varieties ever introduced, an old German improved form with large, profusely-borne fowers. var. dreamii more drought tolerant? though never had any issues with Goldstrum. Prairie Moon has Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii
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Spotted Bee BalmMonarda punctata60 cm30 cmfree floaterSR/CSRseasonal theme, self sowershort livedxxx
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Black-Eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta90 cm30 cmfree floaterS/SRself sowerannualxxx2029 pollen specialistsBlooms first year
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Rattlesnake MasterEryngium yuccifolium90-150 cm45-60 cmgrey-whiteaverage, poorsunstructuralS/CSstructuralshort lived, long livedtap rootrhizophyteminimal??upright/firm but flops on moist or highly fertile soilsyesxxxplant with tall grasses for support
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Smooth AsterSymphyotrichum laeve.7-1 m45-60 cmblueaveragesun, partialseasonal themeCSII (groups of 3-10)long livedCaulophyte-phalanxrhizomatousmoderatehighaveragewellnot normallyxxxSilvery Checkerspot, Pearl Crescent, Northern Crescent, Tawyn crescent Butterflies. Acrocercops astericola, Pale-Banded Dart, Aster Borer, Blackberry Looper, White-Dotted Groundling, Sharp-Stigma Looper, Rusted Paint, Eucosma robinsonana, Confused Eusarca, Lost Salloe, Landryia impositella, Green Leuconycta, Dark-Spotted Palthis, Phneta essexana, P. parmatana, P. tomonana, Common Tan Wave, Small Brown Quaker, Arcigera Flower, Goldenrod Flower, Canadian Sonia, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Dimorphic Grey, Wormwood Pug and many other species of Mothspollen specialists: Andrena aliciae, A. asteris, A. asteroides, A. canadensis, A. chromotricha, A. hirticincta, A. nubecula, A. placata, A. simplex, Perdita albipennis, P. octomaculata, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, P. andrenoides, P. compositarum, Melissodes boltoniae, M. dentiventris, M. druriellus, M. illatus, M. niveus, M. subillatus, M. trinodis, Colletes americanus, C. compactus, C. simulans, C. speculiferus, Dianthidium simile
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Heath AsterSymphyotrichum ericoides60 cm45 cmwhiteaverage to drysun, partialseasonal themeSRI (alone or in little groups)long livedCaulophyte-PhalanxrhizomatousmoderatehighaveragewellnoxxSilvery Checkerspot, Pearl Crescent, Northern Crescent, Tawny Crescent Butterflies. Acrocercops astericola, Pale-Banded Dart, Aster Borer, Blackberry Looper, White-Dotted Groundling, Sharp-Stigma Looper, Rusted Paint, Eucosma robinsonana, Confused Eusarca, Lost Sallow, Landryia impositella, Green Leuconycta, Dark-Spotted Palthis, Phaneta essexana, P. parmatana, P. tomonana, Common Tan Wave, Small Brown Quaker, Arcigera Flower, Goldenrod Flower, Canadian Sonia, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Dimorphic Grey, Wormwood Pug and many other species of Moths.pollen specialists: Andrena aliciae, A. asteria, A. asterooides, A. canadensis, A. chromotricha, A. hirticincta, A. nubecula, A. placata, A. simplex, Perdita albipennis, P. octomaculata, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, P. andrenoides, P. compositarum, Mellissodes boltoniae, M. dentiventris, M. druriellus, M. illatus, M. niveus, M. subillatus, M. trinodis, Colletes americanus, C. compactus, C. simulans, C. speculiferus, Dianthidium simile
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Sky Blue AsterSymphyotrichum oolentangiense45-90 cm30-60 cmblue-violetseasonal themeS/CSRI (alone or in little groups)xxxpollen specialists: Andrena aliciae, A. asteris, A. asteroides, A. canadensis, A. chromotricha, A. hirticincta, A. nubecula, A. placata, A. simplex, Perdita albipennis, P. octomaculata, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, P. andrenoides, P. compositarum, Melissodes boltoniae, M. dentiventris, M. druriellus, M. illatus, M. niveus, M. subillatus, M. trinodis, Colletes americanus, C. compactus, C. simulans, C. speculiferus, Dianthidium simile
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New England AsterSymphyotrichum novae-angliae1.2 m60-90 cmpurpleaverage, heavysun, partialseasonal themeCSR/C/CRI (alone or in little groups)long livedCaulophyte-Phalanxtight clumps rhizomesslow-moderatehigh (can hollow with time)highnot wellsomexxxsame as above, plus Gorgone Checkerspot ButterflySpecialist Bees: Beach Dune Cellophane Bee (Colletes speculiferus), Cloudy-Winged Miner Bee (Andrena nubecula), Aster Miner Bee (Andrena asteris), Simple Miner Bee (Andrena simplex) 33 pollen specialists
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Flowering SpurgeEuphorbia corollata30-90 cm30-45 cmwhitesun, partialseasonal themeCSR/C/CSII (groups of 3-10)long livedxxx
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Daisy FleabaneErigeron annus.9-1 mwhitefree floaterCR/CSRannualxxxxLynx Flower, Grey-Hooded Owlet, Camouflaged Looper, Common Pug, Pallid Leafroller, Blueberry Leafier, Omnivorous Leafroller, Erigeron FLower Mothspollen specialist: Paranthidium jugatorium, Megachile inimica, Megachile pugnatano need to plant, will quickly appear
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Brown-Eyed SusanRudbeckia triloba1.5 m60 cmyellowfree floaterCSR/RI (alone or in little groups), II (3-10)annual, biennial, short livedxxxSongbirds
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Gray GoldenrodSolidago nemoralis30-75 cm30 cmyellowdry, poorsun, partialstructuralSR/CSRI (alone or in little groups)long livedrhizomes, moderate spreadxx104Specialist Bees: Beach Dune Cellophane Bee (Colletes speculiferus), Cloudy-winged Miner Bee (Andrena nubecula), Aster Miner Bee (Andrena asteris), Simple Miner Bee (Andren simplex), Eight-spotted Miner Bee (Perdita octomaculata)

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Shorter in poor conditions
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Showy GoldenrodSolidago speciosa.6-1 60 cmyellowdry, poorsun,partialstructuralCS/CSRI (alone or little groups)long livedcrownxxRuby TIger, Goldenrod Gall, Blackberry Looper, Common Pug, Wormwood Pug, Confused Eusarca, Common Tan Wave, Wavy-Lined Emerald, False Crocus Geometer, Fine-Lined Sallow, White-Dotted Groundling, Sharp-Stigma Looper, The Asteroid, Brown-Hooded Owlet, Lost Sallow, Green Leuconycta, Black Arches, Dark-Spotted Palthis, Pink-Barred Pseudeustrotia, Soybean Looper, Goldenrod Flower, Striped Garden Cterpillar, Spotted Fireworm, Solidago Eucosma, Derelict Eucosma, Triangle-Backed Eucosma, Beautiful Phaneta, Buff-Tipped Phaneta, Reddish Phaneta, Canadian Sonia and many other Moth speciespollen specialists: Andrena aliciae, Andrena asteris, Andrena braccata, Andrena canadensis, Andrena chromotricha, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simple, Perdita octomaculata, Perdita swenki, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Pseudopanurgus compositarum, Mellisodes agilis, Melissodes boltoniae, Melissodes dentiventris, Melissodes druriellus, Melissodes illatus, Melissodes niveus, Melissodes trinodis, Colletes americanus, Colletes compactus, Colletes simulans, Colletes solidaginis, Colletes speculiferus, Dieunomia heterpoda, Dianthidium simile, Megachile inimicaBird favourite
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Grasses & Sedges
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Purple Love Grass Eragrostis spectabilis 15-60 cm30 cmmatrixS/SRII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxHost for Leonard's and Indian Skippers and Chryxus Arctic Butterfly
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Blue GrammaBouteloua gracilis30-75 cm30 cmmatrixCSII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxxxHost for Dakota, Leonard's and Ottoe Skippers, and Garita Skipperling
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Little BluestemSchizachyrium scoparium60-90 cm60-90 cmmatrix, structuralCSII (groups of 3-10)xxxHost for Dusted, Cobweb, Ottoe, Indian, Swarthy, Crossline, and Leonard's Skippers, Common Wood-Nymph Butterfly, and Stereomita andropogonis Moth
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Plains Oval SedgeCarex brevior45-60 cm15-30 cmmatrixS/CSRII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxSongbirds eat seeds
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June GrassKoeleria macrantha10-30 cm30-50 cmmatrixRSII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxSongbirds eat seeds
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Path RushJuncus tenuis 10-30 cm15-30 cmmatrixS/SRII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxxxHost for Coleophora concolorella, Streaked Coleophora, Coleophora fagicortcicella, Coleophora quadrilineella, Marsh Dagger, American Swordgrass, Chilo forbesellus, Yellow Sedge Borer, and Javelin Moths
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Poverty Oat GrassDanthonia spicata15-60 cm30-45 cmmatrixS/CSII (groups of 3-10), mass plantings II/IV/VxxxHost for Leonard's and Indian Skippers and Chryxus Arctic Butterfly
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Shrubs
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Fragrant SumacRhus aromatica .6-2.4 mgreenish yellowmedium, drysunstructuralI (alone or little groups)long livedcaulophytexSpring/Summer Azure Butterfly. Ruddy Dagger, White-Line Leafroller, Variable Antepione, Spotted Datana, Showy Emerald, Saddled Prominent, Regal, Dark Marathyssa, Bordered Sallow, Yellow Slant-Line, Maple Webworm, Hickory Tussock, Telphusa longifasciella, Peppered, Canadian Melanolophia, Darker Modna, Striped Sumac Leafrolle, Suac Leaftier Mothshomes for cavity nesting beesfrugivores, insectivores, particular favourite of Eastern Bluebird
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Northern Bush HoneysuckleDiervilla lonicera1 m1 myellowdrysun, partialstructuralI (alone or in little groups), II (groups of 3-10)rhizomatousxxxSnowberry Clearwing, Diervilla Clearwing, Laurel Sphinx, Harris's Three-Spot, Regal MothsHummingbirds, songbirds
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Smooth RoseRosa blanda.6-1.5 mpinkmedium, drysun, partialstructuralI (alone or little groups)long livedrhizomatousxxx135 species including Friendly Probole, Forest Tent Caterpillar, Variable Tussock, Eversmann's Rustic, Cecropia, Long-Cloaked Marble, Obtuse Euchlaena, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Crocus Geometer, Tufted Bird-Dropping, Purple-Lined Sallow, Red-Humped Appleworm, Unicorn Caterpillar, Gordian Sphinx, Cherry Fruitworm, White-Spotted Hedya, Pink-Washed Leafroller, Black-Shaded Platynota Mothsfrugivores
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SweetfernComptonia peregrina.6-1.5 mmale flowers are catkins and the female flowers are small and burr-likesun1 (alone or little groups)long livedrhizomatousxx49 species of Lepidoptera, including the Sweetfern Underwing Moth (Catocala antinympha) and the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus). Grey Pug, Setaceous Hebrew Character and the really cool looking Io moth (EYE-oh), known for its striking eye spots. Certain case-bearer moths, which create and live in unique protective cases, rely on Sweetfern.cedar waxwings, Mourning Doves, Northern Flickersnitrogen fixer, edible
aggressive plant in some parts of its range https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/flowering-plants/sweet-fern
https://nativeplantconnection.com/sweetfern-comptonia-peregrina/
https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Comptonia-peregrina
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LeadplantAmorpha canescens60-90 cm80 cmpurplemedium, medium dry, drysun, partialstructuralCSI (alone)long livedxxxSouthern Dogface sulfur (Zerene cesonia), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) Butterflies. Underwing (Catocala) Mothsinsectivores
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New Jersey TeaCeanothus americana90 cm1 mwhitemedium, drysun, partialstructuralI (alone or little groups)long livedxxSummer Azure, Brown Elfin, Mottled Duskywing Butterflies. Broad-Lined Erastria, Sulfur, Red-Fronted Emerald, New Jersey Tea Inchwor, Apodrepanulatrix liberaria, Peppered, Blackberry Looper, Sharp-Lined Yellow, Crocus Geometer, Lapper, Cottonwood Dagger, Thaxter's Pinion, Speckled Green Fruitworm, Red-Humped Caterpillar, Lyonetia prunifoliella Mothspollen specialist: Pseudopanurgus pauperinsectivores, Turkeys
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Shrubby St. Johns WortHypericum prolificum.3-1.2 myellowmoist, medium, drysun, partialstructural1 (alone or little groups)long livedxxGrey Hairstreak Butterfly. Grey Half-Spot, Coon Pug, Wavy-Lined Emerald, Caloptilia hypericella, Black Arches, Alien Probole, Friendly Probole, Common Hyppa, Small Mocis, Black Lesser Dart, Lunate Zale, Stained-Back Leafroller, Blueberry Leaftier, Xenotemma pallorana Mothsno nectarfall migrants, seed eaters
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Sources
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Iowa State University ExtensionMowing to Monarchs
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Wild Seed ProjectHellstrip Plantings
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In Our NatureNative Plants for Boulevard Gardens
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Lorraine Johnson and Sheila CollaA Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee
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Pierce et al (2017)Field-portable list of CSR strategies
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iGarten
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Noel KingsburyPerennial Directory
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