The American elderberry, or Sambucus canadensis, is a deciduous, blooming bush that grows five to 12 feet tall. Its leaves are made of five to 11 leaflets that are dark green, lobed, have serrated edges and grow two to six inches long. In summer, white flowers bloom in six- to 10-inch wide clusters. In the fall clusters of edible purple-black fruit are ripe to eat.
Animals that like the elderberry include the cardinal, rabbit, catbird, squirrel, bluebird, ruffed grouse, indigo bunting, brown thrasher, wild turkey, robin and ring-necked pheasant.
Scientifically known as Rosa carolina, the pasture rose is a deciduous flowering bush that grows six inches to four feet tall, has straight thorns and has leaves made of three to seven dark green, serrated leaflets that are round or oblong. In the summer, pink or white flowers with five petals bloom. It grows smooth, bright red hips in autumn. Wildlife in general use the pasture rose for shelter, and use rosehips for food.
The highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, is a deciduous, flowering and fruiting bush with shredding, gray-brown bark that grows six to 12 feet tall. Its leaves are waxy on top, hairy underneath, egg-shaped to ellipse-shaped. From spring to summer, clusters of eight to 10 white flowers with five petals bloom. Approximately two months after blooming, the highbush blueberry grows edible blue-black berries.
Animals that make use of the highbush blueberry include the scarlet tanager, deer, white-footed mouse, rabbit, black bear, gray catbird, ruffed grouse, chipmunk, rufous-sided towhee and various species of thrushes.
The common juniper, or Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows around five to 10 feet tall and has spreading branches that grow at a 45-degree angle to the ground. Its smooth, reddish-brown bark peels into strips on larger branches. The needles of the common juniper are blue-green to grey-green in color and are blunted on the tip. It grows yellow flowers, and from fall until spring produces blue-black, round fruit with a waxy coating. Rabbits, songbirds and deer make use of this bush.