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Blackhaw Viburnum is one of four different virburna species found at ChicoryLane. We will point out all four and review Doug Tallamy's list of the associated ecological functions they provide. Hint: they are among the most beneficial native shrubs for birds and other wildlife found in Pennsylvania.
Gray Dogwood and other dogwood varieties are almost as beneficial as viburnua. Five different varieties of dogwood are found at ChicoryLane and we'll try to point out all of them. They are quite varied, ranging from the spikey red stems of Red Osier to the beautiful white Flowering Dogwood. All have plentiful berries of varying colors in the fall, especially useful to fall migrants.
White Oak are among the largest of ChicoryLane's native trees. Their plentiful quantities of acorns are valuable food for squirrels and other small mammals. Even the caterpillars they host in the spring are a wonderful food source for birds still in the nest. And, there is always the much welcomed shade they provide in mid-summer.
New York Ironweed won't be blooming in June (you have to wait until August/September), but it is so worth the wait we couldn't resist including it. In June, it will offer a useful contrast to Joe Pye, a roughly similar but easily distinguishable species when seen side by side .
Autumn Olive is such an ambivalent plant! Lovely smell in the spring, indifferent yellow-white flowers, and very aggressive and troublesome as one of our main invasive species to be managed. But oh, the aroma.
All images from the ChicoryLane collection
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