Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

1–36 of 225 species

Alberta Beardtongue

Alberta Beardtongue

Penstemon albertinus

A vibrant jewel of the Rocky Mountains, the Alberta Beardtongue dazzles with its brilliant sky-blue flowers. This har...

Wildflowers
Alsike clover

Alsike clover

Trifolium hybridum

A charming and hardy bicolored wildflower, Alsike clover is a favorite of honeybees and a master of thriving in damp,...

Wildflowers
American germander

American germander

Teucrium canadense

A resilient native wildflower that turns damp garden corners into a bustling hub for butterflies and bees. With its s...

Wildflowers
American ginseng

American ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

The ghost of the Eastern forest, American ginseng is a legendary perennial prized for its slow-growing roots and dist...

Wildflowers
American searocket

American searocket

Cakile edentula

The American searocket is a master of the shoreline, blooming in the salt-sprayed sands where few other plants dare t...

Wildflowers
American water-willow

American water-willow

Justicia americana

A hardy, water-loving wildflower that forms lush green islands and provides vital habitat for river life across Easte...

Wildflowers
Aromatic Aster

Aromatic Aster

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

A hardy autumn gem that transforms dry landscapes into a sea of purple. Known for its shrub-like shape and fragrant f...

Wildflowers
Asarabacca

Asarabacca

Asarum europaeum

A hidden gem of the forest floor, Asarabacca is a prehistoric-looking evergreen known for its glossy, kidney-shaped l...

Wildflowers
Autumn Hawkbit

Autumn Hawkbit

Scorzoneroides autumnalis

The Autumn Hawkbit is the gold-standard of late-season wildflowers, often mistaken for a dandelion but boasting a har...

Wildflowers
azure bluet

azure bluet

Houstonia caerulea

A delicate herald of spring, the azure bluet carpets meadows and lawns in a sea of pale blue stars. Known fondly as '...

Wildflowers
Azure Penstemon

Azure Penstemon

Penstemon azureus

A striking mountain perennial known for its electric blue funnel-shaped flowers and waxy, silver-green foliage. It is...

Wildflowers
Bell Heather

Bell Heather

Erica cinerea

The vibrant purple heartbeat of the heathlands, Bell Heather is a resilient beauty that thrives where few others can....

Wildflowers
Bermuda buttercup

Bermuda buttercup

Oxalis pes-caprae

Transforming backyards into vibrant carpets of gold, the Bermuda buttercup is a master of movement and a sure sign th...

Wildflowers
bird's-foot trefoil

bird's-foot trefoil

Lotus corniculatus

Often called 'eggs and bacon' for its red-streaked yellow petals, this resilient wildflower is a vital oasis for butt...

Wildflowers
black-eyed Susan

black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

A golden icon of the American landscape, the black-eyed Susan is a hardy wildflower that serves as a vital oasis for ...

Wildflowers
black knapweed

black knapweed

Centaurea nigra

A champion of the summer meadow, black knapweed is a magnet for butterflies and bees. Its vibrant purple 'buttons' an...

Wildflowers
Black Snakeroot

Black Snakeroot

Sanicula canadensis

A master of the woodland understory, Black Snakeroot is a native wildflower famous for its 'hitchhiking' seeds and it...

Wildflowers
blue phlox

blue phlox

Phlox divaricata

The Blue Phlox is a fragrant woodland treasure that carpets the forest floor in soft lavender hues each spring. A vit...

Wildflowers
Blue Scarlet Pimpernel

Blue Scarlet Pimpernel

Lysimachia loeflingii

A natural barometer of the Mediterranean, the Blue Scarlet Pimpernel blankets the earth in brilliant azure blooms tha...

Wildflowers
blue skullcap

blue skullcap

Scutellaria tuberosa

A hidden gem of the West Coast, the blue skullcap is a low-growing wildflower famous for its vibrant violet blooms an...

Wildflowers
blue vervain

blue vervain

Verbena hastata

An architectural marvel of the wet meadow, Blue vervain stands tall with its distinctive candelabra of violet blooms,...

Wildflowers
bluebell

bluebell

Hyacinthoides non-scripta

Step into a fairy-tale landscape. The English bluebell is the crown jewel of the spring woodland, famous for its nodd...

Wildflowers
Bridges' penstemon

Bridges' penstemon

Penstemon rostriflorus

Boasting brilliant scarlet blooms with a unique 'beaked' shape, Bridges' penstemon is a high-altitude powerhouse that...

Wildflowers
Broad-leaved Grape-hyacinth

Broad-leaved Grape-hyacinth

Muscari latifolium

A Turkish mountain treasure, the Broad-leaved Grape-hyacinth stuns with its dramatic two-tone indigo spikes and lush,...

Wildflowers
brown-eyed Susan

brown-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia triloba

The brown-eyed Susan is a late-summer star, offering a prolific display of golden blooms that serve as a vital nectar...

Wildflowers
Bunchleaf Penstemon

Bunchleaf Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus

A California native masterpiece, the Bunchleaf Penstemon electrifies backyards with its stunning towers of sapphire a...

Wildflowers
butterfly milkweed

butterfly milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

The vibrant orange crown of the prairie, butterfly milkweed is a must-have for any pollinator garden and a favorite o...

Wildflowers
California poppy

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

The California poppy is a vibrant symbol of the West, painting hillsides in brilliant shades of gold and orange. This...

Wildflowers
Canada mayflower

Canada mayflower

Maianthemum canadense

Often called 'Wild Lily-of-the-Valley,' this charming forest dweller blankets the woodland floor with glossy heart-sh...

Wildflowers
Canadian bunchberry

Canadian bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

The Canadian bunchberry is the sparkling jewel of the northern forest floor, known for its elegant white 'blooms' and...

Wildflowers
Canadian wild ginger

Canadian wild ginger

Asarum canadense

A secretive treasure of the North American woodland, Canadian wild ginger blankets the forest floor with velvety hear...

Wildflowers
cardinal flower

cardinal flower

Lobelia cardinalis

A torch of brilliant crimson in the damp wild, the cardinal flower is nature's premiere hummingbird lure. This stunni...

Wildflowers
Carolina ruellia

Carolina ruellia

Ruellia caroliniensis

A delicate lavender treasure of the American South, the Carolina ruellia transforms shaded garden corners into bustli...

Wildflowers
Carolina Springbeauty

Carolina Springbeauty

Claytonia caroliniana

A delicate herald of the changing seasons, the Carolina Springbeauty carpets the forest floor in a soft pink hue long...

Wildflowers
Cascade Beardtongue

Cascade Beardtongue

Penstemon serrulatus

A vibrant purple beacon for hummingbirds, the Cascade Beardtongue thrives where the mountains meet the mist. Its saw-...

Wildflowers
cedar sage

cedar sage

Salvia roemeriana

A scarlet treasure of the Texas Hill Country, Cedar sage brings brilliant color to the deepest garden shadows. This s...

Wildflowers

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