List of Native Plants in the

Stonehouse Habitat

List of Native Plants in the Stonehouse

Habitat plus Wildlife Benefits

Habitat History

Virginia native plants are used in the Habitat because they are beneficial to native wildlife and, once established, use less water and pesticides than exotic or non-native plants.

Spicebushes have provided food for numerous spicebush swallowtail caterpillars, while various milkweed species provide leaves and stems for monarch caterpillars and nectar for butterflies.  So far the Habitat has had 20 bird’s nests and has been home to countless numbers of black swallowtail and monarch caterpillars, toads and tree frogs.  Butterflies, ladybugs, praying mantises and many other insects have also been living in and feeding in the Habitat.  Bluebirds have raised their young in one of the bird houses.  In addition, fritillary caterpillars have fed on passionflower vine, birds have been have been eating winterberries, service berries and various seeds, and hummingbirds seem to enjoy the nectar from coral honeysuckle, bee balm and cardinal flower.  As the plants in the Habitat keep maturing and growing, we expect more and more wildlife to visit or take up residency.

Back to top

Native Plants

in the Habitat

Native Plant Lists

Spicebush Swallowtail

Caterpillar