Wild Quinine
Tolerant of drought, sand, and clay soils, Wild Quinine brings a surprise of cool, bright white to the hot season. Woolly-looking flowers in flat sprays are joined by aromatic leaves. The Wild Quinine is not related to the quinine of medicinal use.
Wild Geranium
Clump forming, Wild Geranium (also called ‘Cranesbill’) has attractive leaves and eye-catching blue-violet petals that attract bees and butterflies. Although it does well in part-shade, blooms will be more profuse in full sun. Once established, Wild Geranium is somewhat drought tolerant. It is used as a groundcover or woodland accent. The flowers give way to […]
Wild Columbine
Tough, easy to grow perennial with red and yellow dangling blooms that first appear in early April…around the time the hummingbirds that favor it return. Wild columbine blooms may continue to appear into fall. Individual plants tend to die after 4-5 years, but reproduces readily be seed if allowed. All parts of this plant are […]
Wild Blue Indigo
Spectacular tall spikes of purple-blue flowers resembling Texas bluebonnets in form, waxy grey-blue rounded leaves with large black interesting looking pods that “rattle” and persist through winter. Although not woody, the form is shrub-like with a height of 3 to 4 feet, and similar spread. Wild blue indigo is drought tolerant and thrives in full […]
Virginia Bluebells
Related to Forget-Me-Nots, Virginia Bluebells have few equals in the color arena: arresting blue-lilac blossoms hang in hand-bell shaped clusters from stem tops, preceded by equally lovely pinkish-blue buds. ‘Discovered’ in the New Word by early 1600s botanists, Virginia Bluebells quickly became a coveted ornament in English gardens. Bluebells become dormant by summer so they’re […]
Smooth Blue Aster
Unassuming at first, smooth blue aster hits its stride in the fall, mushrooming into a wide cloud of beautiful pale blue to violet flowers. Smooth, blue-green waxy foliage and stems that are often purple tinted. Smooth blue asters attract butterflies.
Purple Milkweed
On the “Endangered” list in several states, Purple Milkweed is easy to grow, tolerating a range of soil and light conditions. It adds an unusual accent to garden beds with its large, attractive rose-purple flowers and long seed pods. Although Purple Milkweed tolerates shady spots, it flowers better in sun. A host plant for Monarch […]
Narrowleaf Silky Golden Aster
Soft, yellow, daisy-like flowers atop silvery-haired leaves and stems create an outstanding visual effect in a fall garden bed, especially when other perennials are played against the silvery-white foliage color. Tough and evergreen. Cut back old foliage in spring as the new growth emerges. The narrowleaf silky golden aster attracts butterflies.
Mayapple
Walking through woods in spring, you may come upon a large mass of Mayapples, their large, distinctive, umbrella-shaped leaves carpeting the forest floor. Not all plants flower every year but when they do, a solitary creamy-white flower nods between the axil of two leaves. The small fleshy fruit produced is eaten by various animals including […]
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder is mounding in form, making a beautiful groundcover for garden beds of woodland settings. Prefers moist, shady areas, but will tolerate full sunlight and drier areas. Long-blooming, its pale lavender-blue flowers grace delicate blue-green foliage. Jacob’s Ladder contrasts wonderfully against other perennials such as Foam Flower, Alumroon and Ostrich Fern. Flowers attract bees […]
Helen’s Flower
Scalloped yellow petals angle from a done-shaped yellow-green center like a ballerina’s tutu. Height is 2′-5′ with spread yellow petals. Helen’s Flower attracts butterflies.
Goldenrods
Drought tolerant and providing nectar for butterflies, Goldenrod flowers bring a cheery, clear yellow to the garden bed. They are not the culprit in causing allergies. Goldenrods are pollinated by insects…not the wind…so their pollen is ‘heavy’ (staying put).
