What can I plant instead of Forsythia?

Northern Spicebush, Chokecherry, Common Elderberry, Nannyberry are native plants that fill the same garden role as Forsythia and feed local wildlife.

Native alternatives to Forsythia | Hortus

Why swap it

Forsythia is grown for one burst of early-spring yellow and supports almost no wildlife. These native shrubs open just as early and become food and cover for pollinators and birds.

Native plants to grow instead

Map your garden free →

1
Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
Its caterpillars can grow up on almost nothing but spicebush. Plant the shrub and you'll likely meet them.
Brings back: Canada Warbler, Spicebush Swallowtail
2
Chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
Its flute-like song is fading from our woods. Native shrubs raise the caterpillars it needs to feed its chicks.
Brings back: Wood Thrush, Eastern Whip-poor-will
3
Common Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
Its flute-like song is fading from our woods. Native shrubs raise the caterpillars it needs to feed its chicks.
Brings back: Wood Thrush, Canada Warbler
4
Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
A bright yellow warbler in decline. Native shrubs raise the caterpillars it feeds to its young.
Brings back: Wood Thrush, Canada Warbler
5
Grey Dogwood
Cornus racemosa
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
Its flute-like song is fading from our woods. Native shrubs raise the caterpillars it needs to feed its chicks.
Brings back: Wood Thrush
6
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
Helps at-risk wildlife
This endangered butterfly can only raise its young on New Jersey Tea. Plant the shrub, save the butterfly.
Brings back: Mottled Duskywing
7
Eastern Leatherwood
Dirca palustris
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
A larval host plant. The caterpillars it raises are the primary food source for baby songbirds.
8
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
a native shrub for the same spot in the border
A larval host plant. The caterpillars it raises are the primary food source for baby songbirds.

Showing the 8 strongest of 64 native plants that fill the same role. Browse the full native library →

See what your yard could bring back

Map the plants you grow, get a free report card of the pollinators and species at risk your garden supports, and find a native-plant nursery near you.

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