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The colors of fall native plants are beautiful in all their places, whether it's in your garden or along a field or roadside. Here are some overlooked native plants for pollinators.
One in particular doesn't get enough love. Pokeweed. It's a beneficial native plants, but more often than not, you'll hear disparaging remarks about this "weed."
While there are homeowners who have an aversion to this native plant, pokeweed is valuable in your yard if you love birds! The berries are a high protein food source. The U.S. Forest Service says, "...the fruits are important food for mockingbirds, northern cardinals, and mourning doves." Landis Arboretum in New York state also points to the insects attracted to the spring flowers--much needed nutrition for birds. As for pokeweed's toxicity, Purdue University notes that it is "low on the toxicity scale."
Pokeweed also brings vivid color to fading fall gardens. While we're at it, there are other valuable native plants that should be given their due. That includes goldenrods, sumacs and evening primrose. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) is regularly seen alongside highways and fields. It, along with other sumac trees, are important to beetles and bees. Bobwhite and wild turkey make use of the fruit and cottontail rabbits eat the bark. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) takes advantage of disturbed areas. That might be one reason for human's lack of interest in it. But for insects, birds and other pollinators, it is a vital element to their survival. That's even more true in suburbia landscapes of non-native plants and turf grass lawns. It is the host plant for moths and caterpillars. Seeds are sought after by finches and other birds. Deer will browse on it (good idea to keep them away from your favorites). Hawkmoths are called to the plant for its nectar. The USDA calls Evening primrose a "moth plant."
If you have any room, at least a wild corner in your yard , pokeweed, sumac and Evening primrose are good additions for wildlife.
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