Grapes

Grapes (Vitis spp.)

Size: 8′ tall with 6-8′ spread

Flowering: inconcpicuous

Fruiting: late-August to early-September

Birds: fall migrants such as catbird, rose-breasted grosbeak, robin, orioles, and waxwings.

Many different species of wild grape are native and grow throughout eastern and central North America. They are tolerant of most soils. Some species are found in moist rich soils while others thrive on sandy and dry sites. These native grapes are excellent choices for attracting birds to your yard in during fall migration as they ripen in August and September. Some birds known to eat wild grapes are bluebird, catbird, crow, flycatchers, robins, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, starlings, thrashers, chickadees, waxwings, finches, jays, orioles, and sparrows. They are difficult to identify by species in the wild, and I do not know of reliable locations where you can purchase nursery grown plant. Most likely, local nurseries will be the most likely to carry them. It can be difficult to start these varieties from seed, so stem cuttings or transplants are recommended as methods of propagation.
Cautions: in some cases, some wild grapes can smother and kill shrubs and small trees. You should train them to run up a trellis or other structure. Note also that Japanese Beetles can cause major damage to the foliage of grape plants.

Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) This native, woody, perennial vine can reach up to 50′ long! It usually climbs trees, shrubs, or fence rows, but will also run just above ground across open areas. Riverbank grape blooms during the late spring for about 2-3 weeks. The flowers are then replaced by fruits that develop throughout the summer. These are initially small and green, but become purple or blue with maturity. Riverbank Grape prefers full sun to light shade, and moist to slightly dry conditions, however, like other grape it is not restricted to such conditions.

Frost Grape (Vitis vulpina) Frost grape is important in that it provides late fall and early winter food for many species of birds and mammals. Fruits cling to the vines later than most other fruits, so they are a welcome supplement for the wildlife diet. The fruits – which are loosely clustered – appear to turn black and shiny when ripening in September to October.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca) Fox grape may not be suitable to Minnesota; being replaced by the riverbank grape (and to a lesser extent the frost grape) in natural settings. Be wary of the “Concord” cultivar as it is reputed by some sources to be only tolerant to hardiness zone 5.

Elderberry

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)

Size: 8′ tall with 6-8′ spread

Flowering: Throughout Summer

Fruiting: June – September

Birds: summer nesting such as thrasher, catbird, rose-breasted grosbeak, robin, and waxwing.

Elderberries are hardy, native shrubs that have great ornamental and fruiting value. They produce beautiful, large, white flower heads in the spring that are followed by large clusters of blue-black berries in late summer. They are relished by birds and are an important food source for fruit-eating birds like Robins and Cedar Waxwings. At least 120 species of bird eat the fruits of Elderberries! The berries also make great jelly, jam, pie, syrup or wine. Elderberries fruit more heavily when you plant two different varieties close together, such as Adams and York. They do well in sun or part shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. They are easily pruned to shape.

American ‘Adams’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis Adams) 8-10′ tall/wide. Grows into a tall shrub with an upright form. It can sucker and will widen its range where planted. The bright-green foliage is rarely bothered by insects or disease. This variety was selected for its large clusters of dark blue to black fruit. Useful in background and naturalized plantings.

American ‘York’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis York) 5-12′ tall/wide. This large plant produces the largest size and quantity of fruit of all the Elderberries. It does well paired with ‘Adams’ Elderberry. Be sure to give it lots of room if planted in rich garden soil. It will stay smaller when placed in wildlife plantings where it may have to compete with grasses and other plants. Excellent hedge plant.

American ‘Cutleaf’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis Laciniata) 6-10′ tall/wide. This very ornamental Elderberry has deeply serrated leaves with an interesting “cutleaf” appearance, making it especially attractive. It’s a great substitute for Japanese Maple in northern climates. It produces large clusters of flavorful blue-black fruit.

 

Red Berried Elderberry (Sambucus pubens) 5-12′ tall/wide. This native Elderberry is very important to a wide variety of birds. It produces clusters of red fruit that ripen just about the same time that baby birds need them in June. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Gray Catbirds, Robins and other fruit-eating birds strip the fruit completely off these plants in no time once they ripen. It develops a vase-shaped form as it ages. Very hardy and can grow in full shade.

Dogwood

Dogwood (Cornus spp.)

Size: 8′ tall with 6-8′ spread

Flowering: Throughout Summer

Fruiting: June – September

Birds: fall migrants, especially thrasher, catbird, sparrows, and robin

Dogwoods got their name from the Middle Ages when the wood was used as skewers or “dogs.” But, today these plants are widely used in landscapes for their beautiful flowers, showy fruit, winter color and attractive foliage. Birds relish the fruit and often eat every last one off a plant as soon as they’re ripe. There are 17 species of dogwood native to North America and they range in size from small to large shrubs and small trees. Dogwood berries are eaten by over 98 species of birds including: bluebirds, brown thrashers, cardinals, cedar waxwings, flickers, gray catbird, mockingbirds, robins, song sparrows, thrushes, vireos and even woodpeckers.

 

Red Twigged Dogwood (Cornus baileyi) 6-8′ tall/5-6′ wide. This is a very showy plant in winter, with bright red canes that provide beautiful color against white snow. It has clusters of porcelain blue fruit that ripen in mid summer and are readily sought after and eaten by birds. This dogwood has green foliage and is shade tolerant and very adaptable. It does well in full sun to part shade and is tolerant of most soil types, including very wet and acid soils. Makes a great hedge!

Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) 4-8′ tall/4-6′ wide. The fruit of Gray Dogwood has been described as “candy for birds.” You only see the fruit as it is ripening, then one day it will all be gone with the birds eating every last one. This fast growing shrub produces clusters of white berries on red fruit stalks. While its gray stems may not be as attractive as the red-twigged dogwood in winter, its purple fall foliage is gorgeous. Excellent choice for hedges, background or naturalized plantings. Can tolerate wet conditions very well.

American Hazelnut (Cornus americana) 6-8′ tall/6-8′ wide Commonly known as filberts or hazelnuts, this native shrub produces a tasty, edible nut that is relished by bluejays, bobwhites, grouse, pheasants and turkeys. It forms a rounded shrub with dark-green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. The 1/2-inch nuts are produced in clusters and enclosed in a covering that opens as they ripen. Useful for the shrub border or naturalistic plantings. They tolerate full sun to partial shade and a wide range of soil types, except very wet conditions. Easy to grow.

Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alterifolia) 20′ tall/20′ wide. A beautiful and truly multi-season interest plant with clustered, tiny white flowers appearing in May. In summer, the blue-black fruit on red pedicles held above the layered foliage is an impressive sight. Early purple fall color. Pagoda Dogwood grows slowly at first but becomes moderate with age. The tree grows in sun or shade. The fall color is deep red and the white flowers are produced in clusters in the spring. Bluish-black fruit are produced after the flowers. It requires a moist root zone, and although it grows best in full sun to shade, it is intolerant of hot sunny sites.

Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) 6-10′ tall/6′ wide. Silky dogwood is a native in low woods, along streams and borders of wetlands over much of the eastern United States. Landscape uses possibly include massing, shrub borders, or naturalizing. Grows in moist and wet soils where many shrubs do not grow well. Displays yellowish-white flowers in June and bluish attractive fruit matures in August or September. Is also an excellent choice to attract wildlife. It tolerates poorly drained soils, and has beneficial uses in hedgerows, windbreaks and for stream bank erosion control.