Meadow flowers. Photo credit Cody Williams.

Keystone Plants on Your Property

Keystone species are native plants that support the greatest number and variety of the most important insects in the local food web. They are essential to birds for reproduction. These insects are especially numerous, large, nutritious and edible. Planting keystone species at your home is one of the most important things you can do to support wildlife, particularly if you replace lawn, which supports almost no wildlife at all.

This list includes the keystone species identified by Dr. Douglas Tallamy’s research that are native to the Upper Valley and most suitable for home owners to grow whether you live in New Hampshire or Vermont. Different plants have specific growing requirements You can get information about growing requirements at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Do not assume that a non native version of a species supports native insects at the same, or even close to the same level that a native species does. most often, they do not. This is why I have taken great care to give you the Latin names of the plants. The common names of many plants overlap species, and non-natives can have similar Latin names, though not identical. Do not buy plants or plant seeds if the tag does not have the Latin name of the plants you are seeking.

Though, in general, planting species that support the highest number of insects is good practice, there are many insects that specialize on only one kind of plant, or a few. So having plants that support a small number of insects is important, too.

Plants within the same species growing in different regions often are adapted to the growing conditions of that region. A red maple grown from a wild tree in North Carolina will not necessarily thrive in Vermont as well as a red maple grown from a wild tree in Vermont. Ecotypes, or ecovars, are plants adapted to a specific region. Best practice is to plant New England ecovars in the Upper Valley. Using sources that are organic is also vital. Many seeds are treated with chemicals like neonicotinoids, that are taken up and stay in all parts of the plant. These chemicals are toxic to insects and the animals that eat them.

Birds and bees need to eat from early spring through late fall, so planning a succession of blooms from April-Nov is critical. Keystone species attract caterpillars, bees and sawflies, the main food available for birds to feed their young in spring, as well as provide good nectar, pollen and seed resources for later in the season.

Sources for New England Ecovars

Sources for Native Species - most or all not New England ecotype

Trees

Cherry - 407 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Birch - 403 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Oak - 401 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Poplar - 352 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Maple -280 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Pine - 232 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hickory - 186 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Elm - 183 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Spruce - 163 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Basswood - 143 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Ash - 128 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Fir - 124 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Beech - 123 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Larch - 119 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hemlock - 106 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hop-Hornbeam - 81 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Mountain Ash - 72 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hornbeam - 68 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

White-Cedar - 44 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Juniper - 31 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Shrubs

Willow - 415 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Blueberry - 276 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Alder - 268 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Blackberry - 157 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hazelnut - 126 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Rose - 121 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Shadbush - 119 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Dogwood - 115 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Viburnum - 103 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Meadowsweet - 97 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sweetgale - 94 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sweet-Fern - 66 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Witchhazel - 63 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Azalea - 50 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

New Jersey Tea - 40 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sumac - 40 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Elderberry - 36 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

American-Laurel - 36 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Honeysuckle - 35 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Holly - 33 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Leatherleaf - 20 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bearberry - 13 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bog-Rosemary - 7 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

American Bittersweet - 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Yew - 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bush-Honeysuckle - 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Leatherwood - 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Spicy-Wintergreen - 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bladdernut - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Flowers

Goldenrod - 122 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant

Strawberry – 80 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sunflower - 52 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Willowherb - 32 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Violet - 31 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Boneset - 30 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Geranium - 26 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Lupine - 24 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant

Water-Parsnip - 24 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Fleabane - 23 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

St. Johnswort – 20 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Dogbane - 19 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Yarrow - 19 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Evening Primrose - 17 species of butterflies and moths use as a caterpillar host

Tall White Aster - 17 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Cinquefoil - 16 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Meadow Rue - 16 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Rudbeckia - 14 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Iris – 14 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Jewelweed – 13 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Milk-Vetch – 13 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Verbena – 11 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Aster - 10 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Beebalm - 10 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Baptisa - 10 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Milkweed - 10 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Groundcherry - 9 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Water-Hemlock – 9 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Columbine - 8 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hedge-Nettle – 8 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sandmat - 8 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Cow Parsnip – 7 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sarsaparilla/Spikenard - 7 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Lily - 7 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Speedwell – 7 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Buttercup - 6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Grass-Leaved Goldenrod – 6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

False Hellbore – 6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Cardinal-Flower - 6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Everlasting - 6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Angelica - 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Arrowhead – 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Campion – 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Monkey-Flower – 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Pussytoes – 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Turtlehead – 5 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Toothwort/Bitter-Cress – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Buckbean - 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Fireweed - 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Forget-Me-Not – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Golden Alexanders – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Pitcherplant – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Rattlesnake-Root - 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Snakeroot - 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Wood Sorrel – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Yellow Loosestrife – 4 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Baneberry – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Cohosh – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Copperleaf – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Ginseng - 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Hogpeanut – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Marsh-Pennywort – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Mayflower/False Solomon's Seal – 3 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Windflower – 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Avens - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Clearweed – 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Marsh St. Johnswort - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Joe-Pye - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

rabbit-Tobacco - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Skunk-Cabbage - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sweet-Cicely - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Trillium - 2 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bellflower - 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bellwort – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bloodroot – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bluet – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Bluecurls – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Jack-in-the-Pulpit – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Lady's Slipper - 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Prince's-Pine – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Groundsel – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Shrubby Cinquefoil – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Sundew - 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Knotweed – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Trailing-Arbutus – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Wild Ginger – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host

Shinleaf – 1 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host