List of Native Shrubs for Use Along Roadsides in Illinois.

Developed for the Corridors for Tomorrow Project"

Kenneth R. Robertson
Center for Biodiversity
Illinois Natural History Survey
607 East Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820 USA

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Natural Habitat in Illinois1	Regions of State Where Native 2	Height of Mature Plants3	Flower Sex and Pollinators4	Fruit Type5	Wildlife Attracted6	Special Notes7	Establishment & Problems7	Adaptability & Growth7
Aesculus pavia	red buckeye	rich riverbottom woodlands	S	10' to much higher	perfect; hummingbirds, probably also some bees, other insects	capsule, 1 1/2-3 1/2" in diameter, with 1-2 large brown seeds	low value; seeds poisonous to humans	spectacular red flowers; forms clumps	difficult to transplant, B & B in spring; some leaf splotch and mildew, rarely serious	best in moist, well-drained soil; intolerant of soil compaction; slow to medium growth rate
Alnus serrulata	smooth, common, or hazel alder	rocky streams	c, S	10'+	monoecious; wind	tiny winged nutlets produced within woody cone-like structures, 3/8-5/8" long	songbirds, small mammals; intermediate value	yellow-brown catkins in early spring; suckers to form colonies; nitrogen fixing	transplants easily, BR or B & B; few problems	does well in poor, dry, compacted soil; fast growing
Amelanchier humilis	low shadbush	rocky, sandy soil	N, C	6'	perfect; insects, probably similar to A. arborea (tree list)	fleshy pomes, pink turning purple black, 1/4" in diameter	songbirds, small & game mammals; high value in early summer	beautiful flowers and form; suckers to form colonies	transplants easily, B & B; several rusts, fire blight, minor insect pests	not suited to very dry, compacted soil; medium growth rate
Amelanchier laevis	shadbush	wooded slopes; borders of dry to moist woods	N, C	6'	perfect; insects, probably similar to A. arborea (tree list)	fleshy, pink turning black pomes, 3/8" in diameter	songbirds, small & game mammals; high value in early summer	beautiful flowers and form; leaves bronze-colored as they unfold	transplants easily B & B; several rusts, fire blight, minor insect pests	not suited to very dry, compacted soil; medium to fast growing
Amorpha canescens	lead plant	prairies; rocky wooded bluffs	N, C, S	3'	perfect; long-tongued bees (10), short-tongued bees (15), other Hymenoptera (16) Diptera (4)	small hairy pods, 3/8" long	songbirds, upland gamebirds, small mammals; intermediate value	nitrogen fixing; small purple flowers with yellow anthers	transplants easily, spreads easily by seed; few problems	does extremely well on poor, dry soils; pH adaptable; medium growth rate
Amorpha fruticosa	false indigo, indigobush	streambanks; moist soil	N, C, S	6-12'	perfect; long-tongued bees (3), short-tongued bees (6)	small pods, 1/3-1/2" long, with resinous dots	marshbirds, shorebirds, small mammals; intermediate value	nitrogen fixing; small purple flowers with orange anthers	transplants easily; spreads easily by seed; a rust can defoliate plants, other minor problems	does well on poor, dry soils; pH adaptable; medium growth rate
Aronia melanocarpa	black chokeberry	bogs; moist woods; dry sandstone ledges	N, C, S	3-5'	perfect; insects, especially bees	fleshy purplish black pomes, 3/8" in diameter	songbirds, upland game birds, small mammals; high value in early fall	white flowers; early fall fruit; red fall color; suckers profusely	transplants easily; several rusts, fire blight, minor insect pests, rarely serious	very adaptable to both wet and dry soils; slow growing
Ceanothus americanus	New Jersey tea	prairies; rocky wooded bluffs	N, C, S	3-4'	perfect; long-tongued bees (6), short-tongued bees (18), other Hymenoptera (35), Diptera (42), Lepidoptera (2), Coleoptera (14), Hemiptera (4)	black, 3-lobed, +/- dry drupes, 1/5" wide, splitting into 3 nutlets	small mammals, upland game birds, songbirds; intermediate value	prolific white flowers; compact rounded shrub; fixes nitrogen; attracts many insects	somewhat difficult to transplant; minor problems, such as leaf spot and powdery mildew	extremely adaptable; does well in dry soil; slow to medium growth rate
Cephalanthus occidentalis	common buttonbush	wet ground; margins of swamps, ponds, and marshes; backwaters of rivers	N, C, S	3-6'+	perfect; long-tongued bees (25), short-tongued bees (6), other Hymenoptera (4), Diptera (10), Lepidoptera (29)	round cluster of small capsules, 1" in diameter	marshbirds, shorebirds; low value	round clusters of white flowers; attracts bees and butterflies	transplants easily, BR or B & B; no serious problems	best suited to wet areas; medium growth rate
Cornus drummondii	rough-leaved dogwood	rocky woods; prairies; bluffs; low wet ground; sandy or clay soils	N, C, S	10'+	perfect; insects, probably similar to C. obliqua	white drupes, 1/4" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, small mammals; high value	white flowers; white drupes; can invade adjacent areas	transplants easily, BR or B & B; scale insects, borers, cankers, leaf blights, root rot, none usually serious	adaptable from dry to wet areas; fast growing
Cornus obliqua	silky or pale dogwood	swamps; low woods; edges of streams and ponds; wet prairies	N, C, S	10'+	perfect; long-tongued bees (9), short-tongued bees (23), other Hymenoptera (15), Diptera (31), Lepidoptera (16), Coleoptera (2)	blue drupes, 1/4" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, small mammals; high value	showy white flowers attract many insects	see C. drummondii above	wet to moist soils, but adaptable to dry conditions; medium to fast growing
Cornus racemosa	gray dogwood	prairies; rocky outcrops; dry to moist woods; margins of lakes and streams; roadsides	N, C, S	10-15'	perfect; insects, probably similar to C. obliqua	white drupes, 1/4" in diameter, on red pedicels	upland gamebirds, songbirds, small mammals; high value	showy white flowers attract many insects; suckers to form colonies; can invade adjacent areas	see C. drummondii above	very adaptable to dry or moist conditions; fast growing
Cornus stolonifera (C. sericea)	red-osier dogwood	marshes; fens; margins of streams; sandy soil	N, C, S	10'+	perfect; insects, probably similar to C. obliqua	white drupes, 1/4" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, small mammals; high value	showy white flowers attract many insects; ornamental red stems in winter; many underground stolons help hold soil on banks	see C. drummondii above; sometimes slow to reestablish	best in moist soils, but very adaptable; fast growing
Corylus americana	American hazel, hazelnut, or filbert	thickets; dry woods; unburned prairies; old fields; sandy, gravelly or rocky soils	N, C, S	8-10'+	monoecious; wind	small nuts, 1/2" in diameter, enclosed by green bracts	small mammals, upland game birds; high value	yellow-brown catkins in early spring on bare branches; suckers from roots	transplants well B & B; several minor insect pests and diseases, rarely cause problems	pH adaptable; adaptable to moist to dry soils; may be sensitive to salt; medium to fast growing
Diervilla lonicera	bush or dwarf bush honeysuckle	sandy or rocky woods; thickets; cliffs	N, C	3'	perfect; insects, mostly Lepidoptera	capsules, 1/2" long	little value	forms thickets, holds soil on banks; funnel-shaped yellow flowers; reddish fall color	transplants easily, BR or B & B; generally pest free	adaptable to dry, compacted soils; tolerates high pH soils and windy conditions; fast growing
Hamamelis virginiana	see "Trees" table
Hydrangea arborescens	wild or smooth hydrangea	woods; moist shaded ravines	C, S	3-5'	perfect; long-tongued bees (1), short-tongued bees (8), other Hymenoptera (1), Diptera (14), Lepidoptera (2), Coleoptera (5)	capsules 1/8" long, in umbrella-like clusters	little value	large white flower clusters attract many insects; suckers and spreads	transplants easily; dies back to ground after severe winters; several potential insect, bacteria, fungal problems, rarely serious	very adaptable but best in moist soil if grown in full sun; not very drought tolerant; fast growing
Hypericum prolificum	shrubby St. John's-wort	rocky stream banks; lake margins; rocky thickets; sandy areas; pastures	N, C, S	1-3'+	perfect; insects, mostly bees	capsules, 3/8-5/8" long	songbirds, upland gamebirds, small mammals; little value	bright yellow flowers attract bees	easily transplanted from containers; generally pest free, occasional leaf spot or powdery mildew	grows well in calcarious, heavy, dry soils; tolerates drought; slow growing
Ilex verticillata	common winterberry, black alder	swamps; along streams; wooded slopes and bluffs	N, C, S	6-10'+	dioecious; insects, especially bees	fleshy, bright red drupes, 1/4" in diameter; male plants needed for fruit production	upland gamebirds, songbirds; high value in winter	a deciduous holly; showy red fruit	transplant B & B or container; chlorosis in high pH soils; no serious problems	best for moist to wet, acid soils; slow growing
Lindera benzoin	spicebush	rich, moist woodlands; along streams	N, C, S	6-12'	dioecious; insects	fleshy, bright red drupes, 3/8" long, oval	songbirds, upland game birds; high value	flowers early in spring; excellent yellow fall color; showy red fruits	difficult to transplant, slow to reestablish; few diseases or pests	best in moist soils, tolerates dry conditions; pH adaptable; slow growing
Physocarpus opulifolius	common or eastern ninebark	rocky slopes and banks; moist swales; gravel bars; limestone cliffs	N, C, S	5-10'	perfect; various insects, especially Diptera	follicles, 1/4" long in clusters of 3-5, with hard, shiny, tan seeds	upland game birds, small mammals; intermediate value	white flowers in spring attract insects; exfoliating bark	transplants easily, BR or B & B; few diseases or pests	extremely adaptable to different light, pH, and moisture conditions; fast growing
Potentilla fruticosa	shrubby or bush cinquefoil	interdunal ponds; fens; gravel prairies; limestone cliffs	N, C, s	2-4'	perfect; various insects, especially Hymenoptera and Diptera	tiny achenes in a dry hard head	songbirds, small mammals; low value	bright yellow flowers; widely sold, but usually not of Illinois genotype	transplants easily; generally pest free	likes alkaline conditions; adaptable to wet or dry soils; good in compacted soil; slow growing
Prunus americana	wild or American plum	thickets; woodlands; fence rows; roadsides	N, C, S	20'+	perfect; long-tongued bees (14), short-tongued bees (26), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (23), Lepidoptera (7), Coleoptera (3)	fleshy red to yellow drupes, 1-1 1/4" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game mammals; high value	white flowers; suckers prolifically to form colonies; one of several native plums to consider planting	transplants easily, BR or B & B; many potential problems, rarely serious	tolerant of poor soils; thrives with neglect; medium to fast growing
Prunus virginiana	see "Trees" table
Ptelea trifoliata	see "Trees" table
Rhus aromatica	fragrant sumac	woods; bluffs; dunes; hill prairies	N, C, S	2-6'+	polygamous; bees, other Hymenoptera	+/- fleshy drupes, bright red, 1/4" in diameter, covered with short hairs	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game & small mammals; high value in winter	red fruits; glossy foliage; red, orange or purple fall color; suckers prolifically	transplants easily, BR or B & B; no serious problems	very adaptable to poor, dry soils; slow to medium growth rate
Rhus copallina	shining or winged sumac	dry hills; fields	N, C, S	10-30'	polygamous, often dioecious; long-tongued bees (8), short-tongued bees (15), other Hymenoptera (29), Diptera (22)	fleshy drupes, bright red, 1/4" in diameter, covered with short hairs, produced in large upright clusters	more preferred than R. glabra below, eaten when available	glossy green summer foliage; red fall color; showy fruits persist through winter	transplants easily, BR or B & B; no serious problems	very adaptable to dry soils and poor conditions; fast growing
Rhus glabra	smooth sumac	woods; fields; roadsides; hill prairies; sandy soil	N, C, S	10'+	polygamous; long-tongued bees (1), short-tongued bees (10), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (4)	+/- fleshy drupes, 1/4" in diameter, bright red, covered with short-sticky hairs, produced in large upright clusters	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game & small mammals; high value in winter as emergency food	red fall color; showy fruits persist through winter; suckers to form open colonies	transplants easily, BR or B & B; no serious probems	very adaptable to dry soils; tough; fast growing
Rhus typhina	staghorn sumac	woods; gravel ridges	N, C, S	10'+	polygamous, often dioecious; bees, other Hymenoptera	+/- fleshy drupes, bright red, 1/4" in diameter, densely long-hairy, produced in large upright clusters	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game & small mammals; high value in winter	red fall color; showy fruits persist through winter; spreads through suckering	transplants easily, BR or B & B; fungus cankers and twig dieback, borers	very adaptable to dry soils; tough; tolerates pollution; pH adaptable; fast growing
Salix humilis	prairie willow	prairies; open woods; rocky slopes	N, C, S	4-12'	dioecious; long-tongued bees (2), short-tongued bees (12), Diptera (12), Coleoptera (1)	capsules, 1/4-3/8" long, releasing many plumed seeds	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game mammals; high value in early spring	early flowers attract native bees; one of several native willows to consider planting	transplants easily, BR; many bacterial, fungal diseases, insect pests	adaptable to wet or dry soils; medium growth rate
Sambucus canadensis	common or American elder or elderberry	open woods; thickets; along streams; roadsides	N, C, S	5-12'	perfect; long-tongued bees (2), short-tongued bees (6), Diptera (190), Coleoptera (5)	fleshy purple-black berries, 1/4" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, small mammals; high value	cream-white flowers; black fruits; suckers profusely to form thickets	transplants easily BR or B & B; borers, cankers, leaf spots, powdery mildew, generally not serious	best in moist soil, but adaptable to dry soil; fast growing
Spiraea alba	narrow-leaved meadowsweet	wet prairies; open habitats with wet soil	N, C, S	3-6'	perfect; various insects, especially Diptera and Hymenoptera	follicles, 1/8" long, in clusters of 5, with many tiny seeds	upland game birds; low value	white flowers; suckers to form colonies	transplants easily; fire blight, many potential problems, generally not serious	best in moist soil, but adaptable to dry soil; pH adaptable; fast growing
Spiraea tomentosa	hardhack, steeplebush	bogs; moist thickets; wet sandy swales	N, C	3-6'	perfect; various insects, especially Diptera and Hymenoptera	follicles, 1/8" long, with many tiny seeds	songbirds, upland game birds; waterfowl; low value	pink to rose-purple flowers; suckers	transplants easily; fire blight, many potential problems, generally not serious	best suited to moist, acid soils; fast growing
Staphylea trifolia	American bladdernut	moist woods; wooded bluffs; along streams; thickets	N, C, S	10-15'	perfect; long-tongued bees (94), short-tongued bees (9), other Hymenoptera (1), Diptera (4), Lepidoptera (4), Coleoptera (2), Hemiptera (1)	inflated papery pods, 1-1 1/2" long, with several hard seeds	low value	attractive shrub; showy fruits; suckers	transplants easily; twig blight and leaf spot, rarely serious	best in moist, well-drained soil; pH adaptable; medium to fast growing
Symphoricarpos occidentalis	wolfberry, western snowberry	dry open ground; sandy soil; prairies; old fields	N, C	3-4'	perfect; insects, probably similar to S. orbiculatus	fleshy drupes, 1/2" in diameter, dull white becoming blackish, persistent	upland gamebirds, songbirds; small mammals; high value	pinkish flowers; suckers vigorously to form colonies	transplants easily; anthracnose, leaf spot	does well in dry soil; pH adaptable; fast growing
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus	coralberry; buckbrush, Indian current	woods; pastures; hill prairies; rocky bluffs; old field	N, C, S	2-5'	perfect; long-tongued bees (10), short-tongued bees (27), other Hymenoptera (43), Diptera (37), Lepidoptera (1), Coleoptera (1)	+/- fleshy drupes, 1/4" in diameter, purple-red, persistent	upland gamebirds, songbirds, high value in winter	pinkish flowers; suckers, forming thickets	transplants easily; anthracnose, leaf spot	does well in dry soil; pH adaptable; fast growing
Taxus canadensis	Canada yew	rocky outcrops; wooded hillsides	N	6'+	dioecious; wind	fleshy, translucent red berry-like cones, 3/8" in diameter, with one hard seed	songbirds, upland game birds; moderate value	one of only a few native evergreens; forms an attractive broad mound	difficult to transplant, B & B; no serious problems	needs shade, moist soil; intolerant of heat & drought; slow growing
Viburnum acerifolium	maple-leaved arrowwood	moist woods; rocky woods; wooded slopes	N, C	4-6'	perfect; probably many Hymenoptera and Diptera	fleshy blue-black drupes, 1/3" in diameter	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game & small mammals; high value	cream-white flowers; suckers to form large colonies; fall color ranges from rose to red and purple	transplants easily, B & B or container; seldom bothered by pests	best in moist shady places but adaptable to full sun; pH adaptable; slow to medium growth rate
Viburnum lentago	see "Trees" table
Viburnum rafinesquianum	downy arrowwood	wooded slopes; rocky woods and bluffs; rocky stream beds	N, C, s	3-6'	perfect; probably many Hymenoptera and Diptera	fleshy blue-black drupes, 3/8" in diameter, oval	upland gamebirds, songbirds, game & small mammals; high value	white flowers; suckers to form thickets	transplants easily, B & B or container; seldom bothered by pests	very adaptable from moist to dry soils and shade to full sun; medium growth rate
Zanthoxylum americanum	prickly-ash	open, rocky woods; limestone cliffs; thickets	N, C, S	10-25'	dioecious; short-tongued bees (24), long-tongued bees (12), other Hymenoptera (3), Diptera (18), Coleoptera (1), Lepidoptera (1)	reddish, aromatic capsule, 3/16" long, with one large black seed	songbirds, upland ground birds, small mammals; high value	suckers prolifically; many prickles on stems	transplants easily, B & B or BR; trouble free	does well in poor, dry soils; stems very prickly, use with caution where people are present; fast growing

Click here for published references consulted for this project.

¹ Information on natural habitat based primarily on: Fernald (1950); Mohlenbrock (1986); Tehon (1942).

² Information on region based primarily on: Mohlenbrock & Ladd (1978); Mohlenbrock (1986); "n" = north of Interstate 80; "c" = central, between Interstate 80 and Interstate 64; "s" = south of Interstate 64; a capital letter indicates that the species is native to that region while a lower case letter indicates that the species can be cultivated in the region although it is not native there.

³ Information on height based primarily on: Dirr (1990); Hightshoe (1988); Morrisey & Giles (1990).

⁴ Information on pollination mostly from Robertson (1929). Perfect flowers = flowers have both male & female parts; monoecious = separate male and female flowers on the same plant; dioecious = separate male and female flowers on different plants; polygamous = a mix of perfect and/or male and female flowers on the same plant. The numbers in parentheses refer to the number of species reported visiting this species by Robertson (1929)

⁵ Information on fruit primarily based on: Dirr (1990); Elias (1989); Fernald (1950); Little (1980); Rehder (1940); +/- means "more or less."

⁶ Information on wildlife primarily based on: DeGraaf & Witman (1979); Ehrlich et al. (1988); Elias (1989); Gill & Healy (1974); Hightshoe (1988); Martin et al. (1951).

⁷ Information on Special, Establishment, and Adaptability & Growth Rate based primarily on: Dirr (1990); Flint (1983); Hightshoe (1988); Morrisey & Giles (1990); Walker & Giles (1985). B & B = balled & burlapped; BR = bare root. NOTE: The information on disease and insect pests can be viewed two different ways. In traditional landscape approaches, such problems are considered deleterious and attempts are made to use species with few diseases and pests and to control them with pesticides. However, in the context of Corridors for Tomorrow, native pathogenic organisms are part of the original biodiversity of Illinois, and hence their continued presence in the state is encouraged.

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