New York is the fourth most populous state in the nation, with an estimated 19.51 million residents in 2023– it is also home to tens of thousands of species of plants and animals, and remarkable ecological diversity (including NYC). The New York Natural Heritage Project currently tracks 869 rare plant species, 482 rare animals, and 182 natural community types across the state in its Database of Imperiled Biodiversity– these include threatened piping plovers nesting on the beaches of the Long Island Sound, the federally protected seabeach amaranth, and the Karner blue butterfly, to name just a few.
All of the rich biota of the Empire State– including its people– rely on critical ecosystem services provided by New York’s indigenous flora. Native plants clean the air, filter stormwater runoff, and prevent erosion while providing food and shelter for wildlife. Gardening with natives can also reduce pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as these species have coevolved with local insects and landscapes over millions of years and are hardier and more resistant to pests and disease than finicky exotics.
Shrubs in particular are great for creating habitat, providing shade and privacy, mitigating stormwater runoff, and improving air quality and soil stability– all while fitting into compact spaces (and even containers). Native shrubs also happen to include some of the most beautiful plant species New York has to offer. Here are 11 of the best native shrubs for home landscapes.
1) Beach plum (Prunus maritima)
Second only to the mighty oak, plants in the genus Prunus are critically important keystone plants that host over 340 species of Lepidoptera in Eastern Temperate Forests, supplying a disproportionately large amount of energy to complex local food webs compared with other genera. Adding a Prunus shrub to your home landscape is a fantastic and effective way to increase the carrying capacity of your garden and help maintain (or restore) biodiversity; they also happen to be uncommonly beautiful! Prunus maritima or beach plum is one such species– it is native to the Atlantic barrier islands (including Long Island), and occurs in maritime dunes and forest openings along the coast.
Beach plum bursts into bloom in spring, with umbel-like clusters of showy, fragrant white flowers borne on bare stems. Glossy, dark green leaves follow, as do glaucous, bluish-purple drupes that ripen from August to October. Beach plum is often multi-trunked, with a rounded crown that reaches 3 – 8 ft tall (rarely 12 ft or more)– the bark of young trees and new twigs are an attractive reddish-brown. Birds and other animals are fond of the round, tart fruits, and they can be used for baking or cooked into preserves– they are gaining popularity in specialty cocktails as well. Note that the wilted foliage and seeds contain hydrocyanic acid (cyanide) and are toxic to people, pets, and livestock if consumed.
Beach plum’s ability to survive in low-nutrient, droughty, and salt-affected soils coupled with its reliable, showy blossoms make it a valuable ornamental landscape plant, particularly in difficult sites. It’s also a superlative flowering hedge due to its suckering growth habit and tendency to spread laterally. Prunus maritima will perform best in full sun in sandy or gravelly soils but adapts to a variety of sites– including those with significant urban pollution. It is suitable for container gardens.
2) Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)
The rose– wild or cultivated, in all its forms and colors– is the state flower of New York, and has been an emblem of love and beauty since at least the time of the ancient Greeks (though the oldest written testimony of the use of roses originates from Mesopotamia). The floral ancestors of our extant native roses were present in North America as far back as 13.4 million years ago, and have been evolving together with indigenous fauna all that time. At least 7 species of the genus Rosa (and their numerous hybrids) are vouchered in New York State and these host 102 species of Lepidoptera in the Eastern Temperate Forest ecoregion.
Rosa virginiana or Virginia rose grows primarily in pastures, along roadsides, and on the edges of salt marshes throughout the state. It often hybridizes with other wild roses (especially R. carolina and R. blanda), making the identification of uncultivated specimens difficult. Its shocking pink blooms and hardiness make it an outstanding ornamental– so much so that this species is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Virginia rose is a deciduous, suckering shrub that grows quickly and reaches 4 – 6 ft high and 6 – 8 ft wide at maturity. Its foliage is dark green with a touch of blue-gray and turns scarlet in fall. 5-petaled fuschia flowers bloom from June through August, drawing a variety of bees and butterflies before giving way to red, pumpkin-shaped hips that are devoured by songbirds. The edible fruits are rich in vitamin C and can be collected and cooked into preserves or steeped to make rose hip tea (just be mindful of the prickles).
Rosa virginiana performs best in full sun to partial shade, in moist, well-drained soils. It adapts well to a variety of loams, including heavy clay. It is an ideal species for wildflower meadows or coastal gardens. For drier sites, consider the closely related pasture rose (Rosa carolina).
3) Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) have long been central to the cultures and lifeways of indigenous peoples living in the northeastern United States. These communities have stewarded wild blueberry populations (especially with applied fire) and gathered traditions and knowledge of the plants over millennia. The food and medicine made from blueberries (especially pemmican) that they shared with European immigrants enabled their survival in the ‘new world.’ Today, the United States is the primary producer of blueberries worldwide, with New York State yielding about 2 million pounds of fruit annually. Most commercial blueberries are derived from the northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), one of at least 10 New York natives.
V. corymbosum occurs in wetlands (particularly fens, swamps, and acidic bogs) and in dry thin soils on crests and upper slopes throughout the state. Vaccinium is a keystone genus of Eastern Temperate Forests that hosts 217 species of Lepidoptera and provides pollen to 14 species of specialist bees. Many birds and mammals relish the fruit, particularly black bears, red foxes, raccoons, and porcupines. Wild plants can reach 9 – 12 ft tall, but most horticultural selections are more compact, and top out between 5 – 8 ft.
Highbush blueberry makes a handsome, low-maintenance landscape shrub once established, and is perfectly suited for habitat gardens and containers. It is deciduous, with spectacular fall color ranging from amber to plum. Adapted to harsh natural landscapes, it is hardy and versatile as long as its basic needs are met. It performs best with sun (though it tolerates shade) and good air circulation– it must have acidic soil (a pH test is recommended before planting) and good drainage. If your site has a pH of 6.8 or lower, amending with composted pine bark, oak leaves, and elemental sulfur should do the trick. Avoid using peat moss, as its extraction alters natural hydrology and destroys vulnerable bog ecosystems. Only one plant is needed for fruit set but two or more genetically diverse specimens will encourage cross-pollination and improve harvest.
4) Prairie willow (Salix humilis)
A precocious bloomer, prairie willow produces silky chartreuse catkins on bare, softly pubescent branches in spring (sometimes as early as January). It typically flowers from April to June, with male and female catkins on separate plants. This shrubby willow has fine gray-green foliage on wand-like limbs that reach 6 – 10 ft tall. Though there is a Salix species for virtually every habitat type in New York State, S. humilis (either upland var. humilis or the dwarf var. tristis, which tops out around 3 ft) is especially suited to home landscapes, due to both its compact size and adaptability to dry or mesic sites. It grows in forest edges, clearings, roadside ditches, meadows, and savannas, tolerating various soils (though it prefers sandy loams). It likes a sunny spot but can take some shade, too.
A whopping 289 species of caterpillars feed on Salix in Eastern Temperate Forests, and 14 species of pollen-specialist bees depend upon it. It is the preferred larval host for the viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus). The willow is a cornerstone of New York ecosystems and a must-have for bird or pollinator gardens. Songbirds and game birds favor willow thickets for nesting habitat and some– including the ruffed grouse– feed on the buds and flowers. Rabbits and many ungulates browse the twigs and leaves, so be sure to protect young plants as they are becoming established (temporary fencing is effective). Beavers are known to have a particular fondness for willow branches.
In addition to its incredible wildlife value, Salix is remarkable for its ability to sequester heavy metals and remediate environmental contamination. Tea made from willow bark has a long history of medicinal use, and can also be used as a rooting hormone for cuttings of other plants. Consider also the lovely shining willow (Salix lucida) and pussy willow (Salix discolor).
5) American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
A dense, mounded deciduous shrub with year-round interest, American hazelnut or American filbert grows 6 – 12 ft tall and is thicket-forming, making it ideal for hedgerows or screens. Its handsome dark green foliage produces a vivid kaleidoscope of new pigments in fall, with colors ranging from yellow-gold or fiery orange to deep crimson and claret. Distinctive sandy-brown male catkins are showy in late winter and early spring. These flowers are wind-pollinated, producing no nectar, but are still attractive to hungry native bees (and are a good early-season food source for insect pollinators). Female flowers (on the same plant) are inconspicuous, but when fertilized produce hazelnuts, which ripen from August through October.
Corylus americana is monoecious but self-incompatible; two genetically diverse specimens are required for fruit set. Native hazelnuts are smaller and sweeter than the nuts of their European cousin (Corylus avellana) and can be eaten raw, ground into flour, or– in the tradition of Indigenous Americans– used to flavor soups. The nuts (enclosed in tatted papery husks) are rich in nutrients and are foraged by northern bobwhite, ruffed grouse, turkey, pheasants, woodpeckers, jays, foxes, bears, deer, and other wildlife. Gamebirds and ungulates also browse the catkins, and 108 species of caterpillars feed on the leaves, making hazel (Corylus) a keystone genus in Eastern Temperate Forests.
American hazelnut grows wild in alluvial thickets, upland forests, and on rocky hillsides nearly entirely throughout New York State. It tolerates a variety of light and moisture conditions from full sun to full shade (though growth and nut production may be reduced in deep shade), and dry to wet. It does need good drainage and tends to sucker. It can be pruned at any time. American hazelnut is a fine selection for habitat or edible gardens, wildflower meadows, and hedgerows. Consider also the closely related beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. cornuta).
6) Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
A radiant summer beauty with high value for wildlife, the purple-flowering raspberry is a robust, deciduous suckering shrub that forms thickets 3 – 6 ft tall and 6 – 12 ft wide. Its upright, cane-like stems have virtually no thorns, but new branches are covered in bristly hairs. Pretty, vivid pinkish-purple flowers with yellow centers resemble wild roses, and bloom singly or in clusters from early to late summer above striking foliage. Palmate leaves are dark green, rough-textured, and maple-like with 5 lobes– they add a touch of drama and exoticism to home landscapes, especially with the complement of romantic fuchsia blossoms.
Downy, dome-shaped raspberries with a red or purplish hue appear in July or August (sometimes later), and are feasted upon by songbirds and other wildlife. The fruit is edible, but mostly insipid (though some people enjoy the tart berries on top of ice cream). Purple-flowering raspberry grows wild in moist shady areas, particularly forest edges, talus slopes, and mesic rocky outcrops. It is vouchered in all but 5 New York counties. Many animals use the dense growth for cover or nesting, and Rubus is a keystone genus supporting 127 species of Lepidoptera in Eastern Temperate Forests. R. odoratus is an excellent selection for bird gardens, flowering hedges or screens, and as a stabilizer for banks and slopes.
This plant can be planted in full sun to full shade, though it performs best somewhere in the middle. It likes moist gravelly or sandy soils and rich forest loams. Other native Rubus species to consider (New York has 14) include the black raspberry (R. occidentalis) and common blackberry (R. allegheniensis).
7) Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea)
The first and last Cornus species to bloom in New York State, red osier (or red twig) dogwood blossoms twice per year in the northeastern part of its range (particularly in the Adirondack uplands): initially in early June, and again after its fruits mature in August. Dense cymes of fragrant, creamy-white perfect flowers provide nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies– as keystone plants, dogwoods support at least 4 species of pollen-specialist bees (and their generalist cousins), and 98 species of Lepidoptera use them as a larval host. The tiny flowers of C. sericea give way to pale white (sometimes blue-tinged) pea-sized drupes borne in umbrella-shaped clusters– these attractive fruits are devoured by a long list of birds and other wildlife and are exceptionally valuable to these animals in the Northeast.
In New York, the conspicuous crimson twigs of red osier dogwood may be found brightening fens, marshes, stream banks, and pond edges nearly throughout the entire state. This species has incredible appeal as an ornamental, especially planted en masse; its vibrant reddish-purple twigs are breathtaking against a snowy backdrop. Red osier dogwood also boasts stunning plum-colored fall foliage. It performs best in dappled shade but tolerates both full sun and deep shade. It reaches 3 – 10 ft and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, preferring moist, organically rich, well-drained loams. Pruning is not required, but the best stem color appears on new growth. Clipped twigs make a lovely addition to winter porch pots. Consider also silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) and gray dogwood (C. racemosa).
8) Maple-leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)
Graceful sweeps of maple-leaf viburnums give a pink watercolor wash to forest understories, bluffs, and ravines in the fall– this low, densely-branched deciduous shrub is famous both for its outstanding fall color and its distinctive maple-like leaves. Viburnum acerifolium is a larval host for the spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon), and its large, flat-topped clusters of cream-colored flowers provide nectar for a wide range of insect pollinators. Ornamental red berry-like drupes ripen to deep blue-black in late summer and are eaten by mammals, game birds, and many species of songbirds.
Maple-leaf viburnum is typically more shade-tolerant than many other Viburnum species, but optimal growth occurs with partial shading in well-drained, moist soils; it is highly adaptable and will acclimate to acid soils, dry sites, and deep shade. V. acerifolium spreads by rhizomes to form colonies if suckers are not removed. It is mound-shaped, reaching 4 – 6 ft tall and 3 – 4 ft wide, and is a handsome shrub for borders, hedges, and screens– it also makes a fine accent or foundation planting. Other native Viburnum species to consider include arrowwood (V. dentatum) and American cranberry bush (V. opulus var. americanum).
9) Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata)
A low-profile but handsome shrub for much of the growing season, winterberry holly or black alder is unmistakable from October through February, when eye-popping profusions of cherry-red berries (technically drupes) stand out against drab, dormant landscapes. These bright, glossy fruits– especially striking on smooth, bare branches– are eaten by small mammals and more than 48 species of birds. Ilex verticillata is a larval host for Henry’s elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici), a species of Special Concern in New York State, and provides nectar and pollen to beneficial insects.
Like most hollies, winterberry is dioecious, with male and female flowers borne on separate plants. Only females produce berries, but a male is needed for cross-pollination. If using horticultural selections (many are available in nurseries) be sure that your cultivars are compatible; for fertilization to take place, both plants must bloom at the same time (for example, ‘Red Sprite’ and ‘Jim Dandy’ make a nice pairing). When planting for wildlife, choosing straight species, local ecotype plants is preferable, as these will be better adapted to regional microclimates, and loading landscapes with cultivars tends to squelch the genetic variability that is a requisite of biodiverse ecosystems.
Wild-type winterberry holly grows 6 – 10 ft tall with an upright, oval shape and fine dark green leaves that lack the sharp spiny tips typical of most Ilex species. It is also deciduous, with purple-green fall foliage that drops away at the first frost. In New York State, winterberry is primarily a wetland species, but it adapts easily to a variety of sites. It performs best in full sun to partial shade, and in medium to moist, acidic soils. It is tolerant of clay, sandy loams, and poor drainage. Winterberry is ideal for foundation plantings and is stunning when massed together or mixed into shrub borders.
10) Roseshell azalea (Rhododendron prinophyllum)
Tall and airy, with loose, gracefully ascending branches that reach 6 – 12 ft high, roseshell or early azalea blooms in May on bare branches. Its funnel-shaped, rose-pink flowers are intensely fragrant, with a spicy, cinnamon-like scent. Unlike conventionally popular Asian species (which are typically unscented and evergreen), native azaleas are deciduous woodland plants; in New York State, Rhododendron prinophyllum occurs primarily in open, dry (or dry-mesic) acidic oak-dominated forests or on hummocks in swamps. It is incredibly hardy, with a marked tolerance to high pH, and will thrive in difficult sites (like troublesome wet spots) where exotics can’t survive.
Roseshell azalea is a winner of the American Rhododendron Society’s Rhododendron of the Year Award. Its pretty pink lemonade blossoms– with their otherworldly protruding stamens and upward-arcing filaments– have an ethereal natural beauty that adds a unique sense of place to New York gardens. In mid-spring, R. prinophyllum will be abuzz with hummingbirds and bumblebees. Its smooth blue-green leaves turn bronzy-yellow to purplish in the fall. Avoid pruning, as cutting this already shapely species can ruin its whimsical form.
Roseshell azalea is lovely as a flowering hedge or screen and is terrific for foundation plantings or shaded woodland gardens. It is easily grown in moist, humusy, well-drained soils and dappled shade– pair it with a native oak (or mulch with oak leaves) to mimic the acidity of its preferred habitat.
11) Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Like something out of a fairy tale, mountain laurel (or calico bush) conjures the notion of enchanted forests with its twisted trunk and forking limbs. Despite its high toxicity, it has been cultivated as an ornamental since the early 18th century, and remains popular today with at least 75 cultivars available in nurseries. Wild mountain laurels are common in the southeastern part of the state, and limited populations extend into central and western New York. Kalmia latifolia is primarily a species of oak-dominated forests, and sometimes forms impenetrable thickets known colloquially to foresters as ‘laurel hells.’ Coastal oak-laurel forests are a vulnerable ecosystem in New York State, imperiled by fragmentation from residential development, heavy deer browse, and encroachment from exotic invasive flora.
At one time, wild mountain laurels were apparently in danger from over-picking; their leathery, glossy evergreen leaves and pale pink, parasol-shaped flowers were so highly sought after that a pamphlet published by the New York Botanical Gardens in 1913 entitled Wild plants needing protection lamented, “laurel are being shipped in carload lots by dealers […]who supply florists and nurserymen from wild sources. How long can they last?”
Kalmia latifolia has been fascinating botanists for over a century. Its showy flowers have a unique biomechanical adaptation that turns their filaments into tiny catapults that, when triggered by larger insects like bumblebees, launch pollen at a rate of about 8 miles per hour (making mountain laurel ‘one of the fastest plants on the globe’). This strange and special shrub is a delightful addition to home landscapes, with optimal performance in partial shade and moist, humusy well-drained soils. It adapts well to a variety of light and soil conditions, and grows 12 – 20 ft tall. It is fantastic as a specimen plant or massed in shrub borders or woodland gardens.
