3
evergreens of various heights,
colors, and textures. Don’t limit
yourself to pines and other
conifers. There are a number of
broadleaf evergreens that are
worth including in your plan.
Along the lower left side of
the drawing are three peach
trees. Fruit trees benefit both
people and wildlife, and you can
choose from a wide range of
heights and types of fruit. Also
consider the color of the
flowers, whether or not the fruit
will be eaten or just decorative,
the need for chemical
treatments, the length of time
it will take to bear fruit, and
whether it needs another of the
same species nearby to ensure
fertilization.
Crab Apple Best For Wildlife
Most native trees, such as
the crab apple at the top of the
yard, bear fruit that is more
suitable for wildlife than for
human consumption. The willow
oak, also in the upper section, is
an oak, not a willow. Many
species of wildlife enjoy nut
trees, and acorns are a special
favorite. Be sure to consider
the mature size of any nut tree,
and be careful about planting
black walnuts because they
release a substance that is
toxic to many other plants.
The sugar maple and dogwood
in the central part of the yard
are both versatile. The dogwood
has lovely spring blossoms, and
birds will feast on its autumn
berries. The maple produces
seeds that are eaten by several
species, and turns striking
colors in the fall. Since both are
deciduous, they will shade the
house in the heat of the
summer, but not block the
warming sun in the winter. Once
again, think about the mature
size and whether or not any
tree will block a favorite view
from the house.
The flower gardens don’t have
specific plants indicated, but
there are many selections that
will appeal to both butterflies
and hummingbirds. Choose a
color scheme that appeals to
you and group plants to create
blocks of color.
Some suggestions for this
area include:
s
Lantana (Lantana camara)
s
Pentas (Pentas lanciolata)
s
Cosmos
(Cosmos sulphureus)
s
Joe-Pye weed
(Eupatorium spp.)
s
Purple coneflower
(Echinacea purpurea)
s
New England aster
(Aster spp.)
s
Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia spp.)
s
Butterfly weed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
s
Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
s
Buttonbush
(Dephalanthus occidentalis)
s
Cardinal flower
(Lobelia cardinalis)
