Sydenham Field Naturalist

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Tall woodland edges; savannas; meadows Height: 2-3½' Bloom time: Late season Soil: Tolerant of most soils Wildlife Value: Supports many species of specialist bees, several moth and butterfly species and other insects.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Meadows; moist meadows Height: Plants grow 2-3’ tall with 2-4’ spread Bloom time: Bloom time August to October Soil: Tolerant of most soils Wildlife Value: Larval host plant for many Lepidoptera including the Pearl Crescent butterfly.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Most habitats Height: Height 3ft to 6ft Bloom time: August to October Soil/ Care: Provide a good amount of space between the plants to promote air circulation. Water the plants at their bases, not overhead. Thin out the plants by dividing these perennials periodically in early spring or in fall Wildlife Value: Larval host for many Lepidoptera including Silvery Checkerspot butterfly (Chlosyne nycteis.) Nectar source for bees, moths, and butterflies; winter food for birds.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Wet meadows; open woods; woodland edges. Height: 2-4 feet, with a spread of 3 feet Bloom time: Mid-summer Soil: Prefers soil that retains a higher moisture level. Wildlife Value: Larval host to the Hermit Sphinx moth, Orange Mint moth, and the Raspberry Pyrausta. Nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies. Seed heads will provide food for birds in fall and winter.

Prairie and Sun Open woods and prairies Height: 2 - 3 ft Bloom time: July - October Soil: Tolerant of many soils Wildlife Value: Larval host plant for Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia) and Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone) Nectar source and seed heads provide fall and winter food for birds.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Tall Grass Prairie Height: Can reach up to 6’ in height. Bloom time: Mid-July to Mid-September Soil: Tolerant of most soils Wildlife Value: Excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, food for caterpillars, food for wintering birds

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie and Savanna Height: 2'-4' Bloom time: August - September Soil: Tolerant of most soils, well-drained, dry to medium soils. Wildlife: Beneficial for pollinators, butterflies, birds / Hummingbirds

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie and Savanna Height: 2'-4' Bloom time: August - September Soil: Tolerant of most soils, well-drained, dry to medium soils. Wildlife: Beneficial for pollinators, butterflies, birds / Hummingbirds

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Soggy Prairie Meadows, low area along waterways, woodland boarders Light: part shade to full sun Moisture: medium to wet Soil: loam Mature Height: 3 feet

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow, Fringe / Wet Riparian Height: 2’-6’ Bloom time: July - September Soil: Moist Wildlife Value: Larval host plant to several Lepidoptera species including Common Buckye Butterfly, Orange Sulpher Butterfly, Long Horned Bees, Mining Bees.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: Up to 5’ Bloom time: Late season Soil: Moist Wildlife Value: Pollen and Nectar producer. Supports many Lepidoptera species including Clymene moth – (Haploa clymene,) Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta,) Sweat bees, Yellow Banded Bees (Bombus terricola)

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Meadow, grassland Height: 2’ Bloom time: Summer Soil: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Dry to medium. Wildlife Value: Pollen nectar producer, food for caterpillars

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie meadow Height: 5’ Bloom time: Spring - Summer Soil: Tolerant of many soils Wildlife Value: Pollen and Nectar producer. Green Sweat Bees, Leafcutter Bees. Beneficial to Lepidoptera including Culver’s Root Boxer Moth, Aphrodite fritillary butterfly.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie meadow Height: 6’ to 9’ Bloom time: August to October Soil: Moist to dry. Wildlife Value: Greatly beneficial. Provides cover for wildlife, nesting sites for birds, pollen & nectar source. Food for wintering birds. Attracts songbirds, bees, butterflies.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: 3’ to 6’ Bloom time: July to Late September Soil: dry to medium well drained soil. Wildlife Value: Greatly beneficial. Excellent pollen & nectar source . Food for wintering birds. Attracts songbirds, bees, butterflies. And Deer Resistant

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Meadows Height: 5’ Bloom time: June to October Soil: Well drained, calcareous/loam soil. Wildlife Value: Wonderful nectar source for pollinators!

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Praire, Savanna, Woodland Height: 3’ Bloom time: Summer Soil: Moist Wildlife Value: Host plant for caterpillars of Black Swallowtail butterflies

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Meadow, Woodland Height: 3’ Bloom time: August to October Soil: Loam to Clay loam, dry to medium Wildlife Value: All Goldenrods are an important late season food source for bees, other insects, and migratory birds. Larval host plant for many species of Lepidoptera.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Woodland, Prairie Height: 3’ to 5’ Bloom time: This Goldenrod first to bloom. July to August Soil: Dry to Medium Wildlife Value: Excellent pollen and nectar food source for native bees, other insects. Larval host plant for many species of Lepidoptera.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: 3’to 4’ Bloom time: August to September. One of the largest Goldenrod blooms. Soil: Tolerant of most soils. Wildlife Value: All Goldenrods are an important late season food source for bees, other insects, and migratory birds. Larval host plant for many species of Lepidoptera.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Tallgrass prairie Height: 3’ Bloom time: Summer to early fall. Soil: Wet Wildlife Value: All Goldenrods are an important late season food source for bees, other insects, and migratory birds. Larval host plant for many species of Lepidoptera.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Soggy prairie meadows, low areas along rivers and ponds, woodland borders. Height: 3’ Bloom time: Summer Soil: Loamy. Medium to wet. Wildlife Value: Pollen producer, nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Best nectar source for the nocturnal sphinx moth.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: 2’ Bloom time: Late May to Late June Soil: Sandy Loam Wildlife Value: Attracts long tongued Mason and Carpenter bees, butterflies, and Hummingbirds. Larval host for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, American Copper Butterfly, Blinded Sphinx Moth.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: 4-6’ Bloom time: Late July to September Soil: Sand, loam, clay Wildlife Value: Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, and Deer Resistant

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow, Wet meadows, edges of lakes and streams Height: 2’ to 6.5’ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Moist Wildlife Value: Pollen & Nectar produce for bees, butterflies and Hummingbirds. Food source for many species of Lepidoptera.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: 2’ Bloom time: May to July Soil: Well drained soil Wildlife Value: Spring food source for pollinators

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Height: 2’ Bloom time: June to September Soil: Tolerates most soils Wildlife Value: Larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Wet areas Height: 3’ to 4’ tall Bloom time: July to August Soil: Medium to Wet Wildlife Value: Larval host plant for the Monarch butterfly

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Open woods, bluffs Height: 1’ to 1.5’ Bloom time: June to August Soil: Sand, loam, clay Wildlife Value: Pollen/nectar producer, food source for mammals, larval host for caterpillars.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie, Savanna Height: 4’ to 10’ Bloom time: August to October Soil: Tolerant of many soils Wildlife Value: Food for birds

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Open Woodland edges, clearings, prairie, savanna Height: 2’ to 4’ Bloom time: June to August Soil: Well drained soil. Wildlife: Pollen/ nectar producer. Seed heads provide winter food for birds.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Dry forests, glades Height: 2’ Bloom time: June to August Soil: Moist to dry, sandy, gravelly soil. Wildlife Value: Nectar and pollen source. Eastern Goldfinch and Mourning Dove eat the seeds. Host plant for caterpillars of Pearly Wood Nymph, Primrose Moth. Halictid bee, Lasioglossum oenotherae, is a specialist pollinator of the Sundrop.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Meadow Height: Up to 5’ Bloom time: Late season Soil: Moist Wildlife Value: Pollen and Nectar producer. Supports many Lepidoptera species including Clymene moth – (Haploa clymene,) Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta,) Sweat bees, Yellow Banded Bees (Bombus terricola)

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairie Height: 3’ to 8’ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Tolerates many soil types Wildlife Value: Provides food for birds. Pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Meadows, Thickets, Swamps Height: 3’ to 7 ‘ Bloom time: June to August Soil: Moist to wet Wildlife Value: Pollen and nectar source.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairies, thickets, fens. Height: 1’ to 3’ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Tolerates most soils. Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife. Pollen and nectar producer.

Prairie and Sun Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) Habitat: Fields, forest edges and thickets Height: Up to 16’ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Tolerates most soils. Wildlife Value: Larval host of the clematis clearwing moth. Excellent late summer pollen and nectar source for bees and butterflies. American Robin and Morning Dove will use this as a nest site.

Prairie and Sun Habitat: Prairies, savannas, woodland edges. Height: 2’ to 4’ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Tolerates most soils Wildlife Value: Pollen and nectar sources for bees and butterflies and Hummingbirds.

Woodland Height 1 to 3' tall Blooming time: May to July Reseeds freely Soil: Moist fertile well drained. Wildlife value Nectar and pollen for birds and insects such as hummingbirds butterflies and bees.

Woodland Habitat: Woodland, Forests Height: 2-4' Soil: Sandy loam, clay loam, part shade to full shade. Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife, nest sites for birds. Landscape Uses : Butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, woodland gardens and naturalized areas

Woodland Habitat: Woodland Height: 3’ Soil: Sandy loam, clay loam, part shade to full shade. Lovely groundcover. Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife, nest sites for birds.

Woodland Habitat: Woodland Height: 11” to 25” Soil: Medium moisture, sandy loam, organic. Lovely groundcover. Wildlife Value: Food for wintering birds, food for mammals.

Woodland Habitat: Woodland Height: 11” to 23” Bloom time: Spring Soil: Dry to medium moist. Sand to loam. Excellent ground cover. Full sun to full shade. Lovely groundcover. Wildlife Value: Early pollen and nectar source.

Woodland Habitat: Woodland Height: 6” Bloom time: April thru May Soil: Medium moist. Sandy loam. Lovely groundcover.

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Wet areas Height: 11” to 31” Bloom time: Summer Soil: Medium to wet. Loam, organic Wildlife Value: Attracts hummingbirds

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Wet areas, swamps, marshes. Height: 1’ to 2’ Bloom time: Spring Soil: Rich soil that’s damp to submerged Wildlife Value: Early pollen/nectar producer.

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Woodland Height: 12” to 18” Bloom time: May-June Soil: Rich, moist soil.

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Woodland Height: 2' to 4' Bloom time: March to May Soil: Rich, moist soil.

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Woodland edges, moist fields Height: 2–3' tall Bloom time: July to September Soil: Perfers Moist soil. that is pH neutral Sun/part shade. Wildlife Value: Attracts Hummingbirds Butterflies and repels deer

Moist (Rain Garden Specialties) Habitat: Wetlands Height: 7’ Bloom time: July to October Soil: Wet, medium wet Wildlife Value: Pollen and nectar source for bees and butterflies. Seed heads provide food for birds.

Grasses Habitat: Open woods, prairies, meadows. Height: 6’ to 8 ‘ Bloom time: July to September Soil: Dry to medium; sandy loam Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife, nesting sites for birds, winter food source for birds, larval host plant for many Lepidoptera species.

Grasses Habitat: Woodland edges Height: Up to 5’ Bloom time: Spring to summer Soil: Dry to moist soil Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife, nesting site for birds. Winter food source for birds.

Grasses: Habitat: Fields and open areas Height: 61½ Bloom time: July Soil: Sandy loam; clay loam Wildlife Value: Cover for wildlife, nesting site for birds, winter food source for birds.

Grasses Habitat: Prairie, open areas Height: 5’ Bloom time: July and August Soil: Tolerant of many soils. Wildlife Value: Moth host plant. Cover for wildlife.

Versatile Ground Cover Habitat: Open forests, pastures, meadows, roadsides, grows well on gentle slopes Height: 3-5" Bloom time: May to August Soil: Tolerant of many soils. Sun and Shade Wildlife Value: Attracts butterflies and moths

Versatile Ground Cover Habitat: Meadows, forest margins and paths, disturbed sites. Height: 10" Bloom time: June to August Soil: Tolerant of many soils. Sun and Shade Wildlife Value: Seed source for a variety of birds especially finches. Nectar source for Butterflies and many insects including hoverflies.

Versatile Ground Cover Habitat: Open forests, pastures, meadows, roadsides, grows well on gentle slopes Height: 1-2' tall (flowers stocks) Bloom time: May to August Soil: Tolerant of many soils. Sun and Shade Wildlife Value: Attracts pollinators, Butterflies and moths.

Shrubs Habitat: Woodlands Height: Up to 8’ Bloom time: Spring Soil: Medium to moist; loam, organic. Wildlife Value: Larval host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.

Trees Habitat: Upland Short Story Tree Height: 20’ to 30’ Bloom time: April to May Soil: Grow in Shade. Slightly acidic soil. Wind pollinated. Low tolerance for salt. Wildlife Value: Supports over 50 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars.) Cooper’s Hawk and Eastern Kingbird like to nest in this tree. Beneficial to lower canopy bird insectivores and lower canopy bird grainivores.

Trees Habitat: Upland Height: 20’ to 30’ Bloom time: April to May Soil: Grow in partial shade / shade. Low salt tolerance. Tolerates most soils. Wildlife Value: . Supports over 80 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars.) Food source for aerial, bark insectivores, lower canopy insectivores and lower canopy grainivores.

Trees Habitat: Flood plains; wood edges Height: Up to 82’ Bloom time: May to June Soil: Moist, rich soil. Shade intolerant. Wildlife Value: Nesting site for birds; Nectar / pollen source; larval host for Lepidoptera.

Trees Habitat: Flood plains; wood edges Height: Up to 82’ Bloom time: May to June Soil: Moist, rich soil. Shade intolerant. Wildlife Value: Nesting site for birds; Nectar / pollen source; larval host for Lepidoptera.

Trees Maple – Silver (Acer saccharinum) Habitat: Floodline; riparian; shallow water. Height: 90’ to 120’ Bloom time: April Soil: Slightly acidic soil. Moderate tolerance to salt. Wildlife Value: Early and valuable nectar source. Supports over 250 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars.)

Trees Habitat: Upland Height: 90’ to 120’ Bloom time: April Soil: Sandy loam; clay. Low tolerance to salt. Wildlife Value: Nectar source. Supports over 250 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars.)

Trees Habitat: Upland Height: 60’ to 80’ Bloom time: April - May Soil: Sandy loam; slightly acidic. Grow in full sun. High tolerance to salt. Wildlife Value: Supports over 480 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars) including Red-spotted Purple, Juvenal’s Duskywing, and Coral Hairstreak. Orchard Oriole and Wood Duck like to nest in this tree. Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Great Crested Flycatcher use this tree for food. Beneficial to bird arial insectivores, bark insectivores, upper canopy insectivores and upper canopy grainivores.

Trees Habitat: Upland Height: 80’ to 100’ Bloom time: April to May Soil: Tolerates most soils. Sun/Shade Wildlife Value: Supports over 480 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars) including Edward’s Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple butterfly. The Warbling Vireo and Eastern Wood-Pewee like to nest in this tree. Beneficial to bird arial insectivores, bark insectivores, upper canopy insectivores and upper canopy grainivores.

Trees Habitat: Upland Height: 80’ to 100’ Bloom time: April to May Soil: Tolerates most soils. Sun/Shade Wildlife Value: Supports over 480 species of Lepidoptera which is an excellent food source for breeding birds (caterpillars) including Edward’s Hairstreak, Striped Hairstreak, Red-spotted Purple butterfly. The Warbling Vireo and Eastern Wood-Pewee like to nest in this tree. Beneficial to bird arial insectivores, bark insectivores, upper canopy insectivores and upper canopy grainivores.

Trees Habitat: Young Forests Height: Up to 114’ Bloom time: Summer Soil: Rich and moist soil. Full sun. Wildlife Value: Larval host for the large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and over 25 other species of Lepidoptera. Provides cover for wildlife; nesting site; pollen and nectar food source for bees and butterflies, moths; food for birds; food for small mammals.

Trees Habitat: Young Forests Height: Up to 114’ Bloom time: Summer Soil: Rich and moist soil. Full sun. Wildlife Value: Larval host for the large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and over 25 other species of Lepidoptera. Provides cover for wildlife; nesting site; pollen and nectar food source for bees and butterflies, moths; food for birds; food for small mammals.