Our Favorite Natives

Sisyrinchium angustifolium

H: .5’-2’  W: .5’-1’

A resilient perennial that grows in a wide range of soil and sun conditions. The silvery blue green grasslike leaves blooms blue-lavender petals on its tips in the early summer. Brings nectar to pollinators before larger summer flowers begin. A clump forming plant that's easy to propagate by division and transplant.

Andropogon geradii

H: 4’-6’  W: 2’-3’

An upright and tall warm season grass that is tolerant of a wide range of soils. It is not recommended for small spaces. The foliage is attractive and green and turns to vibrant gold and pink in the fall.  Playing a crucial role in prairies, it is the host to many insects and a habitat for many small birds and mammals.

Asclepias tuberosa

H: 1’-2’ W: 1’-1.5’

Emerges in the late spring with distinctive beautiful orange flowers. It is an essential larval host and food source for the Monarch butterfly which was recently placed on the endangered species list. Not only is it a great addition to any garden but is needed for the survival of Monarchs.

Liatris microcephala

H:1’-2’ W:.5’-1’

A  small clump-growing perennial that sends up stalks of blooms of hundreds of small lavender pink flowers. A delicate but showy plant that will attract many native pollinators. It is the host plant to a plethora moth species. In the fall birds will feed on the seeds.

Tiarella cordifolia

H: .5’-1’ W: 1’-2’

This woodland plant offers its unique white foamy flowers in the early spring. A unique foliage that grows spike-like flowers from the heart shaped leaves sprawling along the garden. Tiarella creates a good groundcover that remains semi-evergreen over the winter.

Pycanthemum muticum

H:1’-3’ W: 1’-3’

An aromatic perennial that brings a rich minty scent to the landscape. The silvery appearance brightens up the garden. The flowers attract a plethora of native pollinators and will be buzzing with life. It is excellent for fresh or dried flower displays.

Carex pensylvanica

H: .5’-1’ W: .5’-1’

This cool season grass will naturalize as a groundcover in part and full shade gardens. The fine textured grass makes a good choice for lawn replacement. It grows with rhizomatous roots and transplants easily throughout the garden.  

Sporobolus heterolepis

H: 2’-3’ W:2’-3’

A warm season tufted grass that brings a slender green texture to the garden with bursts of pink and brown seed heads floating above the stems. It has a unique fragrance. In the fall the stems turn a bright hue of golden color. It grows in hot and dry regions of the Appalachians and the host plant to the endangered Poweshiek Skipperling and Dakota Skipper.

Echinacea purpurea

H: 2’-5’ W: 1’-2’

This native plant typically blooms from mid-summer to early fall with daisy-like flowers with vibrant purple petals.  The sturdy, slightly hairy stems are adorned with lance-shaped leaves that provide a lush backdrop for the striking blooms. This beautiful flower is loved by pollinators in the summer and its dead flowerheads feed many non-migratory birds in the winter such as the Goldfinch.

Lobelia cardinalis

H:2’-4’ W:1’-2’

A showy perennial for the late summer and early fall. It grows tall and blooms beautiful scarlet red flowers. It grows in full and partial sun and wetland gardens. Attractive to the ruby throated hummingbird and many butterfly species.

Aquilegia canadensis

H: 3’ W: 1’-1.5’

A reliable perennial that can grow in a wide range of conditions. It blooms unique red and yellow bell shaped flowers in the spring through summer. Attractive to many pollinators and especially hummingbirds. It is the host plant for the Columbine Duskywing butterfly.

Monarda didyma

H: 2’-4’ W: 2’-3’

These phenomenal bright red flowers bring vibrant blooms to any summer garden. It thrives in many soil conditions from dry to wet in full and partial sun. It spreads from its roots but the seeds are easy to collect and share. The intense red color and tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.

Amsonia hubrichtii

H: 2’-3’  W: 2’-3’

A notable perennial with billowing feathery thread like foliage that brings a unique texture to the garden. In the late spring small blue flowers bloom and it displays an exceptional golden hue in the fall. It attracts many pollinators and is a host to swallowtail butterflies.

Eurybia divaricatus

H:1’-1.5’ W: 1’-1.5’

Blooming from late summer to early fall, this plant showcases clusters of small, white to pale lavender daisy-like flowers. This perennial thrives in a variety of conditions, favoring moist, well-drained soils in shaded or partially shaded areas, it makes an excellent choice for woodland gardens or naturalized areas.

Phlox divaricatus

H: .5’-1’ W: .5’-1’

A shade or partial shade perennial for drier soil conditions. A slow and steady grower, the flowers bloom in the early spring with a pale lavender blue color. Provides nectar to the seasons early pollinators including swallowtails, gray hairstreaks and Western Pygmy Blue butterflies.