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A brief word about
invasive exotic plants:

While sometimes attractive, non-native plants that are introduced into the Hoosier environment pose a threat to existing, established plant life. Some exotics are able to grow expotentially quickly, starving out native plant life. This in turn destroys the natural food chain for wildlife in our state.
INVASIVE EXOTICS TO AVOID:
Purple loosestrive, Lithrum
Burning Bush, Euonymus
Highbush Cranberry, Viburmum opulus (don't confuse with native American Cranberrybush, V. trilobum )
Reed Canary Grass, Phalaris
Honeysuckle species including:
Japanese, Lonicera japonica
Amur, L. maackii
Tartarian, L. tatarica
Morrow, L morrowii

> Wildlife Friendly Native Plants

NATIVE INDIANA PLANTS tolerate the soil and weather conditions in our area, requiring less fertilizer, less pesticides, and less water. Native plants are necessary for healthy wildlife populations, and help prevent the spread of invasive exotics.

On this page, you will find native trees, shrubs, vines, and nectar plants appropriate for your Wildlife Habitat.

The Red Maple is a beautiful and popular native Hoosier tree. It's colorful Fall foilage display makes it a favorite, and a perfect addition to your Wildlife Habitat!
CLICK HERE for more detailed info on native Indiana trees
EVERGREEN:
Eastern Red Cedar,
Juniperus virginiana
Hemlock, Tsuga canadensis
White Pine, Pinus strobus
DECIDUOUS:
Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis
Tulip Poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera
Shagbark Hickory, Carya ovata
Red Maple, Acer rubrum
Oaks, Quercus (all spp.)
Redbud, Cercis canadensis
Black Gum, Nyssa sylvatica
CLICK HERE for more detailed info on native Indiana shrubs
 
Serviceberry, Amelanchier
New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus
Spicebush, Lindera benzoin
Ninebark, Physocarpus opulifolius
Sumac, Rhus
Elderberry, Sambucus canadensis
Gray Dogwood, Cornus racemosa
Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum
Virginia Sweetspire, Itea virginica
Winterberry Holly, Ilex verticillata
Buttonbush, Cephalanthus
Coralberries, Symphoricarpos
Viburnums, Viburnum (most spp.)
Elderberry
Trumpet Creeper
CLICK HERE for more detailed info on native Indiana vines

Virginia Creeper, Parthenocissus

CLICK HERE for more detailed info on native Indiana nectar plants
 

Nearly every blooming tree, shrub, perennial, or annual will provide some nectar for butterflies. This list includes favorites in many habitats:

Redbud, Cercis canadensis
Lilac, Syringa vulgaris
Dogwood, Cornus spp.
Catmint, Nepeta mussinii
Bee balm, Monarda spp.
Phlox, Phlox spp.
Butterfly Bush, Buddleia spp.
Purple Coneflower, Echinacea
Summer Sweet, Clethra
Liatris, Liatris spp.
Goldenrod, Solidago spp.
Bluebeard, Caryopteris
Aster, Aster spp.
White Aster

LARVAL FOOD SOURCES
Nectar meets only partial needs of butterflies. Many butterflies lay their eggs only on specific plants. To keep these butterflies in your habitat, you need to provide their larval or caterpillar food as well.

Monarchs are common and particularly interesting butterflies. Their migration to Mexico can be followed on Monarch Watch:http://www.monarchwatch.org/index.html. A ttract them to your yard with their specific larval food, any of five kinds of Milkweed: common, showy, swamp, butterfly weed, or annual Blood Flower.

Pesticides ravage butterflies, their eggs, and caterpillars when sprayed on flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawns. Learn to accept some damage on your leaves rather than using chemicals.

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