Best Native Wildlife

Sambucus nigra, commonly called European elder or black elder, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe and parts of western Asia and North Africa. It bears broad clusters of small cream-colored flowers followed by dark purple-black berries. The flowers are used in cordials and other prep...

Callicarpa americana, commonly called American beautyberry, is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States and nearby regions. It is distinguished by dense clusters of violet-purple fruits that encircle the stems and become conspicuous in late summer and autumn. The shrub is used in n...

Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia, is renowned for its focus on native wildlife, notably achieving the world's first successful platypus breeding in captivity in 1943.

Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush) is a North American wetland shrub distinguished by its spherical, pin-cushion white flower heads and importance as a nectar source for pollinators and waterfowl habitat.

Lindera benzoin (spicebush) is an eastern North American native shrub whose aromatic bark and berries were used medicinally by Indigenous peoples and as a spice substitute during the American Revolutionary War.

Viburnum lentago, commonly referred to as nannyberry, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree native to northeastern and north-central North America. As a member of the Adoxaceae family, it typically grows in woodlands and along stream banks. The plant features glossy, finely toothed leaves that tr...

Ribes sanguineum, commonly called flowering currant or red-flowering currant, is a deciduous shrub native to western North America. It produces hanging clusters of pink to deep red flowers in spring, followed by dark, usually blue-black fruits that are eaten by birds. Introduced to British horticult...

Vaccinium corymbosum is the highbush blueberry native to eastern North America and the primary species behind the global commercial blueberry industry, domesticated by USDA botanist Frederick Coville in the early 20th century.

Viburnum opulus, commonly called guelder rose, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe, northern Africa, and parts of Asia. It produces flat clusters of white flowers in late spring, with larger sterile flowers around the margin, followed by translucent red fruits that often persist into winter. It is...

Rosa canina, commonly called dog rose, is a deciduous, scrambling shrub native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and western Asia. It bears hooked prickles, pinnate leaves, and usually pale pink or white flowers followed by red-orange hips. The species is characteristic of hedgerows, woodland margins,...

Viburnum dentatum, commonly known as arrowwood viburnum, is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It naturally inhabits woodlands, marshes, and stream banks, demonstrating a high tolerance for various soil conditions. Historically, the plant acquired its common name becaus...

Aronia arbutifolia, commonly known as red chokeberry, is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It produces clusters of small white flowers in the spring, followed by bright red, highly astringent berries that persist into winter. The berries are densely packed with antioxi...

Cornus racemosa, known as Gray Dogwood, is a deciduous, thicket-forming shrub native to eastern North America and a member of the Cornaceae family. It produces small, white, four-petaled flowers in terminal clusters during the late spring, which are followed by white, berry-like fruits on reddish st...

Rosa virginiana, commonly known as the Virginia Rose, is a deciduous, suckering shrub native to eastern North America and a member of the Rosaceae family. During the summer months, it produces single, pink flowers with yellow centers that give way to small, bright red rose hips. The plant's foliage...

Auckland Zoo is a 51-acre zoological park situated in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, that was officially established in 1922. The facility is recognized for its commitment to animal welfare through immersive habitat designs that closely replicate natural environments. It plays a significant role...

Rhus copallinum, commonly referred to as winged sumac, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. Its most defining feature is its large, pinnately compound leaves, which display distinctive, flattened, leaf-like wings along the central rachis between the leaflets. During th...

Physocarpus opulifolius, known as common ninebark, is a hardy deciduous shrub in the rose family Rosaceae, native to North America. It is recognized by its distinctive exfoliating bark that peels in multiple thin layers, a trait referenced by its common name. The plant produces dense clusters of sma...

Cornus amomum, commonly known as silky dogwood, is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub in the family Cornaceae native to eastern North America. It naturally occurs in wetland areas, such as swamps and stream banks, aiding in soil stabilization. The species is identified by the silky hairs covering the u...

Viburnum lantana, commonly known as the wayfaring tree, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe, northwestern Africa, and western Asia. It is characterized by its dense, upright growth habit, broadly oval leaves with finely toothed edges, and thick grey down on its young stems. The plant produces flat...

Symphoricarpos albus, commonly called common snowberry, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It forms thickets through spreading underground stems and bears small pinkish flowers followed by conspicuous, waxy white berries that often persist after the leaves fall. The shrub tolerates shade...

Sambucus canadensis, commonly called American elderberry, is a fast-growing deciduous shrub native to eastern and central North America. It produces broad, flat-topped clusters of small white flowers, followed by dark purple to black fruits that feed birds and other wildlife. The cooked berries are...

Lindera benzoin, commonly called spicebush, is a deciduous understory shrub native to moist woodlands of eastern North America. Its small yellow flowers open before the leaves in early spring, and crushed twigs and foliage have a spicy fragrance. Female plants produce red drupes when pollinated, whi...

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, commonly called coralberry, is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. It is native to central and eastern North America and produces small flowers followed by clusters of coral-pink to purple-red berries. The berries often remain on the branches into...

Frangula alnus, commonly called alder buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and western Asia. It grows in damp habitats and produces small flowers followed by dark berries, making it relevant to wetland and woodland wildlife. Its wood was historically valued for producing fine charcoal us...

Ptelea trifoliata, commonly called hoptree, is a deciduous small tree or large shrub in the citrus family, Rutaceae. Its leaves are divided into three leaflets, while its distinctive fruit is a flat, round, winged samara that resembles an elm fruit. The bitter fruits were historically used as a subs...

Corylus americana, or American hazelnut, is a deciduous shrub in the birch family, Betulaceae, native to much of eastern North America. It produces male catkins and female flowers in spring, followed by edible nuts enclosed in leafy husks. The nuts are eaten by people and are also an important food...

Salix humilis, or prairie willow, is a deciduous willow shrub native to eastern Canada and the eastern United States, with a range extending westward to the Great Plains and Manitoba. It occurs in habitats that include prairies, open woods, stream terraces, and other dry to moist sites. The species...

Shepherdia canadensis, known as russet buffaloberry, is a deciduous shrub native to much of western and northern North America. It produces small red to orange-red fruits and forms nitrogen-fixing associations through root nodules, allowing it to grow in a range of relatively poor soils. Indigenous...

Gaylussacia baccata, known as black huckleberry, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It grows in acidic soils, often in open woods, barrens, and other forest habitats, and produces small dark berries with a sweet flavor when mature. The fruit is eaten by people and wildlife, while...