Favorite Native Trees and Shrubs for Midwest Landscapes

Native trees and shrubs are excellent choices for landscapes of any size. They are well-adapted to the region’s climate and soil conditions, provide essential habitat for local wildlife, improve biodiversity, and require less maintenance than non-native species. Below is a list of some of our favorite native tree and shrub species for Midwest landscapes, along with their benefits and characteristics. The list incorporates information from Forrest Keeling’s Connect with Nature brochure.

VEGETATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL BUFFERS & WINDBREAKS 

Amelanchier spp., Serviceberry 

• Description: A large genus of shrubby trees, serviceberry produces white spring flowers, edible summer berries, and brilliant red fall foliage.
• Benefits: The berries are favored by both birds and humans, and the tree draws pollinators during spring. It adapts well to both sun and shade, and can be cultivated as either a single-trunk tree or a multi-stemmed shrub.
• Landscape Use: Great for naturalized areas, woodland gardens, and as a specimen plant.

Aronia arbutifolia, Red Chokeberry 

• Description: A medium-sized shrub with white blooms in spring and red berries that last through the winter.
• Benefits: Its berries serve as a food source for birds such as wild turkeys and cedar waxwings. It is adaptable to various soil types and offers erosion control.
• Landscape Use: Perfect for hedges, screens, or as a border plant.

Aronia melanocarpa, Black Chokeberry 

• Description: A medium-sized shrub that produces white flowers in spring and dark purple berries in late summer. 
• Benefits: The berries are high in antioxidants and attract birds, while the shrub offers vibrant fall foliage.
• Landscape Use: Perfect for naturalized areas, rain gardens, and as a border plant.

Baptisia australis, Blue Wild Indigo 

• Description: A large, bushy perennial that features deep blue flowers in spring and striking gray pods in late fall.
• Benefits: It is resistant to deer, attracts hummingbirds, and provides habitat for various butterflies.
• Landscape Use: Adds year-round interest to gardens and naturalized areas.

Baptisia australis, Buttonbush 

• Description: This deciduous shrub flourishes in moist areas and produces round clusters of white or pale pink flowers that attract pollinators.
• Benefits: It’s a magnet for butterflies and other pollinators, helps preserve water quality, and provides seeds for ducks and other birds. It’s also useful for erosion control.
• Landscape Use: Perfect for rain gardens, bioswales, wetland edges, and locations with poor drainage.

Cercis canadensis, Redbud 

• Description: The redbud is a small to medium-sized tree known for its abundance of rosy-pink spring flowers. Its heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in the fall.
• Benefits: Its blossoms attract early-season butterflies and nectar-seeking insects, while quail and songbirds eat its seeds. This plant is a great addition to any landscape because of its beauty and wildlife value.
• Landscape Use: Ideal for ornamental planting in residential gardens and along walkways.

Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood

• Description: Flowering Dogwood is a small deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It is known for its showy white or pink spring blooms and vibrant red berries in winter. Its rich green summer leaves turn reddish-purple in fall, providing year-round beauty.
• Benefits: The tree attracts pollinators in spring with its flowers, and its berries are a food source for birds. It also provides habitat for wildlife and adds aesthetic value to landscapes with its seasonal color changes.
• Landscape Use: Ideal for understory planting in woodland gardens, large-scale landscapes, or as a specimen tree in residential landscapes. It thrives in partial shade and can add structure and beauty to shaded areas.

Corylus americana, American Hazelnut 

• Description: A multi-stemmed shrub that bears edible nuts in late summer.
• Benefits: The nuts serve as a food source for wildlife, such as squirrels and birds. The shrub also offers cover and nesting sites.
• Landscape Use: Perfect for hedgerows, wildlife gardens, and edible landscapes.

Crataegus phaenopyrum, Washington Hawthorn

• Description: A small tree featuring white blooms in spring, bright red berries, and vibrant fall colors.
• Benefits: The berries are a favorite among wild birds like cedar waxwings and are also a striking addition to any landscape.
• Landscape Use: Great for ornamental planting and attracting wildlife.

 Ilex decidua, Deciduous Holly

• Description: A shrub that can reach heights of up to 15 feet, deciduous holly bears red berries on female plants during the fall and winter seasons.
• Benefits: Berries are an important food source for birds, such as bluebirds and mockingbirds. They are also resistant to deer.
• Landscape Use: Ideal for naturalized areas and thickets, as well as as a specimen plant.

Juniperus virginiana, Eastern Red Cedar 

• Description: This evergreen tree is very adaptable and can thrive in a range of soil conditions. It produces cones that resemble blueberries.
• Benefits: The eastern red cedar provides year-round cover for wildlife and is a host plant for several butterfly species. It also acts as a windbreak and soil stabilizer.
• Landscape Use: Suitable for windbreaks, hedges, and naturalized areas.

Lindera benzoin, Spicebush 

• Description: Named for its fragrant leaves and stems, Spicebush thrives in moist areas. It produces yellow-green spring flowers and golden fall foliage.
• Benefits: It’s a critical larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and provides fruit for songbirds.
• Landscape Use: Ideal for woodland gardens and naturalized settings.

 Rhus typhina, Staghorn Sumac

• Description: A large shrub featuring mustard-yellow flowers in summer, vibrant red foliage in fall, and crimson-colored fruit that remains throughout winter.
• Benefits: Birds feed on its seeds and fruit, providing year-round interest. It’s easy to grow in varied soil and sun conditions.
• Landscape Use: Great for erosion control, naturalized areas, and adding winter interest to landscapes.

Lindera benzoin, Ninebark 

• Description: A hardy shrub with attractive peeling bark and clusters of white or pink flowers in late spring.
• Benefits: Ninebark is drought-tolerant and provides habitat for birds and pollinators. Its foliage adds visual interest throughout the growing season.
• Landscape Use: Excellent for hedges, borders, and erosion control.

Quercus spp., Oaks 

• Description: Oaks are keystone species, supporting more life-forms than any other North American tree genus. With 22 species native or naturalized in Missouri alone, oaks are incredibly adaptable and diverse.
• Benefits: Oaks provide food (acorns) and habitat for hundreds of species, including birds, mammals, and insects. They also stabilize soil, protect groundwater quality, and store large amounts of carbon dioxide, making them vital for environmental health.
• Landscape Use: Ideal for large yards, parks, and open spaces. 

Over the past three decades, the oak genus has become the primary focus of Forrest Keeling Nursery. We produce many native oak tree options, including 39 species of natural hybrids.  

A hybrid benefits from the combined traits of two or more species. Hybrids continue to produce fertile offspring with ‘hybrid vigor.” Many white oak hybrids offer advantages such as faster growth, greater resistance, increased vigor, and heavier acorn crops.Some hybrids produce earlier crops or larger acorns, which is especially important for conservation restorations aimed at providing food for wildlife and promoting oak regeneration.

Why Choose Native Trees and Shrubs?

Native trees and shrubs are uniquely suited to the Midwest’s climate, which makes them more resilient to local pests, diseases, and weather conditions. They require less water, fertilizer, and upkeep compared to non-native species. Furthermore, they play a vital role in supporting local ecosystems by providing food and habitat for native wildlife.

Forrest Keeling Nursery, a leader in native plant production, emphasizes the importance of native species in restoring ecosystems. Their patented Root Production Method^R (RPM) ensures that plants are stronger, healthier, and grow twice as fast, making them an outstanding choice for residential and commercial landscapes.

Conclusion

Including native trees and shrubs in your Midwest landscape enhances your property’s beauty and supports the local environment’s health. Whether you aim to create a wildlife-friendly restoration or simply appreciate the region’s natural beauty, these native species are a fantastic choice.

Forrest Keeling Nursery (FKNursery.com) is the leading producer of native plants in North America. With over seventy-five years dedicated to environmental stewardship, Forrest Keeling’s innovative technology and meticulous attention to superior plant provenance make it exceptionally equipped to provide premium native plant materials for any project.

Forrest Keeling Nursery… where the best natives begin!