When it comes to wildflowers, native shrubs aren’t the first thing most people think of, yet nature’s gardens include an abundance of flowering shrubs at the right time of year to feed emerging native bees.

Native plants have co-evolved together with local birds, wildlife, and beneficial insects. Moth and butterfly caterpillars are reliant on specific native plants. In order to see butterflies on the wing, the caterpillar host plants must be nearby. Caterpillars (larvae) are the immature stage of a four-part life cycle and often require specific native plants when it comes to food (host plants). Most Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) are selective in searching for the host plants they’ve adapted with before they will lay eggs.

Many moth and butterfly caterpillars become food for birds. Why does this matter? Native plants form the foundation of the food chain followed by native insects that have co-evolved with them. It’s been found that the majority of songbirds seek caterpillars as the primary food when feeding their young. Studies show that landscapes need to be composed of 70% or more native plants in order to supply enough caterpillars to sustain bird populations.

Western tiger swallowtail finding nectar on mock orange. photo by Julie O’Donald

Moths are more abundant than butterflies. This makes moth caterpillars the main protein food for young birds. In addition, bats feed on moths as they search for nighttime insects. Without enough native plants, there are fewer beneficial caterpillars. This means less food for bats and birds, as well as fewer butterflies and moths and a general loss of habitat.

Flowering shrubs offer an abundant bouquet of flowers and many of them are host plants for Lepidoptera. Native shrubs and trees create a layered look that adds habitat and visual interest to gardens. Intertwined branches give birds protection from raptors as they feed and nest.

Native shrubs abound in coastal areas of the Salish Sea region. They are beautiful when in flower. In addition, it is common for native shrubs to flower in overlapping succession, as one plant comes to the end of its bloom cycle, another begins. Following is a list of Pacific Northwest shrubs highlighted here for their usefulness to pollinators, butterflies, and birds. They are attractive and adaptable to growing in gardens.

for sunny and partial shade areas, here are some superstar shrub species

Oceanspray. photo by Julie O’Donald

Red elderberry. photo by Julie O’Donald

Black twinberry. photo by Julie O’Donald

Tall Oregon grape. photo by Julie O’Donald

if your planting space is shady, here are some shrubs to consider

Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) is one of the most widely planted native shrubs with glossy, evergreen foliage and white bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and bumblebees. Edible berries ripen in late fall. Try to leave some berries for hermit thrush and other birds as they prepare for winter’s onset.

Red huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) has small red berries and makes itself at home in low-elevation forests. It needs shade, average soil moisture, and organic matter in the soil (think of forest settings where it grows out of old stumps). Sword fern growing nearby completes the classic look of a coastal Northwest forest.

Low Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa) is another evergreen beauty that carpets undisturbed forests. It is more shade tolerant than other kinds of Oregon grape. Spires of yellow flowers light up open woodlands and attract bumblebees. Later in summer, the flowers become berries for birds and wildlife.

Salal (Gaultheria shallon) forms a shrubby, evergreen ground cover that averages three feet tall, thriving in sun or part shade. The bell-like flowers attract hummingbirds and bumblebees. Broad evergreen leaves offer shelter and nest sites for ground-nesting birds, and the berries are delicious for people and birds alike.

lastly, if you’re fortunate to live near a stream, pond, or wetland, these hardy shrubs do well in wetter areas

Native willows. photo by Sara Noland

Douglas spirea. photo by Julie O’Donald

Nature’s food chain begins with native plants. Native shrubs supply an abundance of flowers and habitat. The greater the variety of native shrubs, the more likely we are to attract a diversity of insects, birds, and wildlife.

Autumn is an excellent time to add native flowering shrubs to the landscape. Any garden can benefit from the addition of these beautiful and wildlife-friendly plants. Inviting birds and wildlife to our gardens is a satisfying way to learn about native plants and bring activity and life for viewing right outside our windows. Relax in your favorite chair with binoculars and a beverage, knowing that your garden has become a place where birds, butterflies, and pollinators will find the plants they need.

To learn more about gardening for wildlife and the relationships between native plants, birds, and insects visit:

Birds, Bees, and Wildlife (wnps.org)

A Chickadee’s Guide to Gardening: How to Create Habitat for Birds in Urban Settings – Ecological Landscape Alliance (ecolandscaping.org)

Keystone Plants by Ecoregion (nwf.org)

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Thanks so much for your interest and your support.