What can I plant instead of Japanese Maple?

Chokecherry, Nannyberry, Grey Dogwood, New Jersey Tea are native plants that fill the same garden role as Japanese Maple and feed local wildlife.

Native alternatives to Japanese Maple | Hortus

Why swap it

Japanese maple is prized as a small, sculptural specimen with fine leaves and strong fall colour. These native small trees and large shrubs give you the same understory scale and autumn fire while feeding local wildlife.

Native plants to grow instead

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1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
White Spruce
Picea glauca
a native tree for the same canopy role
Helps at-risk wildlife
It perches on tall spruces and sallies out to catch flying insects. Native blooms keep its prey in the air.
Brings back: Olive-sided Flycatcher
7
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
8
Pawpaw
Asimina triloba
a native tree for the same canopy role
A larval host plant. The caterpillars it raises are the primary food source for baby songbirds.

Showing the 8 strongest of 105 native trees that fill the same role. Browse the full native library →

See what your yard could bring back

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