Nature rarely adheres strictly to our neat categories. The definition of a shrub versus a tree can often be a matter of growth pattern rather than a strict classification. For instance, plants like Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) are often classified as small trees but can exhibit a multi-stemmed, shrub-like form, providing year-round beauty and essential food for wildlife. In early spring, this plant bursts into bloom with delicate white flowers that attract pollinators, while its summer berries offer a nutritious food source for birds and mammals.

Another excellent example is Common Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). This fast-growing plant provides dual-purpose benefits, with its showy, flat-topped flowers attracting a wide array of pollinators. These blooms give way to clusters of purple-black berries that are a key food source for birds and can be used to make jellies and wines. Native bees nest in their pithy stems. Elderberry beautifully demonstrates how a "shrub" can grow quite large, further blurring the line between shrub and tree.

Similarly, while we often refer to palm "trees," their growth pattern is more akin to grasses, growing in segments rather than in the rings of a true tree. Cacti, too, follow a distinct growth pattern that sets them apart from both shrubs and trees, even when they take on a singular, tree-like form.

Fall is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs because the cooler temperatures and increased rainfall help the plants establish strong root systems without the stress of summer heat. This gives them a head start for a successful growing season next spring.

Just enter your zip code to filter this collection by trees and shrubs native to your region. Then apply filters for light and soil conditions to find the right plants for the right place.