What can I plant instead of Weigela?

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

Native alternatives to Weigela | Hortus

Why swap it

Weigela is grown for arching stems of pink late-spring trumpets. These native shrubs give you the same loose, flowering habit while feeding pollinators and, later, the birds.

Native plants to grow instead

Map your garden free →

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
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
Early Lowbush Blueberry
Vaccinium angustifolium
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.

Start your free garden →Try the report card

Browse all native plants →Check your sun & shade →Find a native plant nursery →

More native swaps

Burning Bush Norway Maple Chinese Silvergrass Hosta Daylily Common Lilac Forsythia Japanese Maple Bigleaf Hydrangea Boxwood Russian Sage Lavender Bearded Iris Garden Phlox Peony