Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - July 20, 2015

From: Oberlin, OH
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Lists, Wildlife Gardens, Shrubs
Title: Native Ohio Shubs for Wildlife
Answered by: Anne Van Nest

QUESTION:

Hi, I'm looking to plant shrubs and bushes for in front of our home this week but would like to plant some that are good for wildlife including bees and birds. Do you have any suggestions for northern Ohio that would be good for this? Thank you for your help!

ANSWER:

First take a look at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website Native Plants page. On the left side is a list with Special Collections being one of the page links. Next click Butterflies and Moths of North America, then narrow your search by selecting Ohio and shrubs. This will give you 36 plants to look consider.   You can further refine your search by selecting sun or shade, etc. Once you have your tentative list, you can look for more wildlife characteristics for each plant by looking at the "benefit" section. For example New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) attracts birds and butterflies.

 

 

From the Image Gallery


New jersey tea
Ceanothus americanus

Leadplant
Amorpha canescens

Common buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis

Alternateleaf dogwood
Cornus alternifolia

Smooth hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens

Mountain laurel
Kalmia latifolia

Fragrant sumac
Rhus aromatica

Steeplebush
Spiraea tomentosa

Common snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus

Southern arrowwood
Viburnum dentatum

Hobblebush
Viburnum lantanoides

American cranberry bush
Viburnum opulus var. americanum

More Plant Lists Questions

Native Groundcovers for Spartanburg, SC
November 23, 2013 - I need suggestions for native groundcovers for Spartanburg, SC. The area to be covered is a fairly steep slope, with a lot of afternoon sun. In the morning, some areas remain shaded until noon whil...
view the full question and answer

Late Blooming Wildflowers for Round Rock
August 06, 2014 - I thought this would be a previously answered question but found nothing in the data base. My question is: in Central Texas what can be grown for some color or interest in a wildflower area when the w...
view the full question and answer

Groundcover for Orange County, Florida
April 14, 2012 - I live in Central FL (Winter Park)and I have a small, mostly sunny (no trees) backyard next to a large in-ground swimming pool which fills up with the leaves of my neighbor's oak trees. The backyard ...
view the full question and answer

Septic Field Recommendations for SW Austin
February 09, 2015 - What would be good native plants to vegetate septic drip fields in both sun and shade in Southwest Austin. The regulations want plants that are evergreen and shallow rooted.
view the full question and answer

Aquatic Plants for a Small Pond in Missouri
June 11, 2015 - We have a small backyard pond (4' x 5' x 2' deep) with a shelf for marginal plants, and a pump that feeds a nice little creek and waterfall into the pond. We don't really want fish, but we'd lik...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.