Snowberry

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus)

Size: 4′ tall and 3′ spread

Flowering: June

Fruiting: mid-late August

Birds: late-fall and early winter migrants including grouse, kingbirds, flycatchers, towhees, and purple finches

Snowberry is closely related to Indian currant, or coralberry, but produces white fruits rather than red. The fruit is generally not held into winter, and is not as sought after by birds that is coralberry. Nonetheless, with its white fruits and preference to dry habitats can help add to the diversity of what is offered in your yard. Snowberry can tolerate full sun to full shade, and will grow in sandy soils as well as be able to withstand seasonal flooding.

Rose

Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Rugosa ‘Saltspray’ Rose (Rosa rugosa) is a coarse, dense shrub 4 to 6′ in height with pink, occasionally white flowers. Fruit is a large persistent ‘hip’ filled with seeds, which is used by songbirds, mammals and upland game birds. It grows well in dry, sandy soils, and is recommended for hedge rows; valuable for difficult sites such as banks, cuts, fills, sandy soils and salty environments. More than 50 selections and hybrids of this species are known; some of which do not produce “hips” so be careful when ordering.

Raspberry

Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Size: 3-4′ canes usually in large swath of growth

Fruiting: July-August

Birds: late-Summer feeding of young such as red-headed woodpecker, robin, thrasher, and catbird.

Red Raspberry plants are broadly distributed throughout North America; most often found in open woodlands and streamsides growing from 3 – 5 feet tall. The juicy, red fruits ripen in July and August, and are very tasty to humans and birds. They are very low-maintenance plants, that prefer full sun to partial shade, and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions; though they prefer moderate moisture.

Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) has small, greenish-white petals that start appearing in late May to early June followed by their edible fruits appearing between July and August. They are most often found in forest or grove clearings, disturbed sites such as road crossings, woodland edges, or abandoned farm fields. The fruits are thought to be consumed by more that 150 species of birds and animals… including humans.