Habitat: open wooded floodplains, forested wetlands, shrub swamps, stream borders, rocky woods or ledges, fencerows
Wildlife Value: The flowers attract bees and butterflies for pollen and nectar. Birds eat the berries. Ring-Neck Pheasant and Bob Whites like to eat the seeds and buds. The White-Tailed Deer and rabbits will browse the leaves and branches. The plant serves as a nesting site and shelter for birds and small mammals. Plant NOVA Natives lists this species as particularly popular with the non-native honeybees
Good for erosion control. Suckering, spreads to form a thicket. The plant will colonize if the suckers are not removed. Very adaptable to dry to moist, full shade to sun. Terminal red stems hold clusters of red berries. Tolerates heavy shade. Berries are food for many songbirds and small mammals. Wonderful native plant that will add spring, summer, and fall interest to naturalized areas or informal gardens.