Well, I do not necessarily advocate the use of native shrubs all of the time, but they should be given some consideration when you are planning your landscape. When I observe landscapes in niegborhoods, I see a lot of spireas, barberrys and junipers, but I do not usually see serviceberry or hazelnuts. Native shrubs like the seviceberry or hazelnut produce some of the best fruit for both human and wildlife consumption. Buffaloberry, choke cherry, sand cherry, and gooseberries are also native plants that are attractive and produce great fruits.

American Hazelnut is an unique shrub with edible nuts and produces a great fall color. The sandcherry is a sprawling shrub with very tasty fruit. The serviceberry blooms early, produces a glossy summer leaf and sweet fruit and has great fall color. The buffaloberry produces fragrant flowers and edible fruit. If you are in the Mid-west, the next time you are considering a shrub for your yard, consider a native shrub. You may be very pleased with the results.