Native Perennial Plant Guide

Black-eyed Susan, Rudbekia hirta: The 2-3 inch wide bright-yellow daisy-like flowers have a dark brownish center. This plant will bloom throughout the summer on stiff, leafy, upright stems that will form large clumps if allowed. It is also drought tolerant. Flowers are favored by bees and butterflies. Full sun to part shade, medium to dry soils. Benefits butterflies. Height: 1-3’

Blue Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia: Harebell has a delicate deep blue bell shaped flower that will bloom from early summer all the way until the first hard frost. This plant excels in thin rocky or sandy soils, and is very hardy. Best in full sun to part shade, medium to dry soils. Benefits pollinators and hummingbirds. Height: 6-8”

Blue Stemmed Goldenrod, Solidago caesia: Does not spread as aggressively as some goldenrods and has graceful arching stems covered with hundreds of small yellow flowers. The dis- tinct stems are purplish in color. Native to rich woodlands in the Eastern half of the U.S. it prefers light shade, but also grows in full sun. Individual plants are relatively small, but a mature clump has great presence and texture – brightening any semi-shade garden late in the season. As with all goldenrods, it is a desirable source of pollen. Height: 2-3’

Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata: Square stems consist of opposite, serrate and lanceolate leaves with short leaf stalks. The five petaled flowers are small and pale-lilac in color that are arranged on long numerous spikes in a panicle. It attracts nectar seeking insects and songbirds are attracted by the seeds. Sun to part shade, and moist to wet soils. Height: 2-5’

Bottlebrush Grass, Hystrix patula: Bottlebrush grass is named for its distinctive floral spikes. It is a shade-tolerant grass that is perfect for adding interest and texture to woodland edges or shady gardens. Best in part shade to shady light and in medium to moist soils. Provides habitat for butterflies. Height: 2-5’

Brown-eyed Susan (Three lobed Susan), Rudbekia triloba: This plant provides won- derful fall color. Brilliant yellow flowers with jet-black centers bloom from late summer until the first hard frost. Grows in almost any soil, in full sun or light shade. Rela- tively short lived, however it self-sows readily on open soil. Best in sun to part shade, and medium to moist soils. Benefits pollinators and butterflies. Height: 2-5’ Butterfly Milkweed, Aesclepias tuberosa: Butterfly weed produces many bright orange, flat- topped flower clusters in early June. Flowering goes on for many weeks. Green pods full of seeds with silky white hairs follow the flowers. Excellent nectar producing species that attracts many pollinators, especially monarch butterflies. Very robust tap root and extremely drought tolerant. Best in sun to part shade and medium to dry soils. Height: 1-3’

Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis: Fiery red, tubular flowers on tall, dense spikes last for weeks during the late summer bloom period. An important nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies. Cardinal flower is a short-lived perennial but reseeds easily. Best in sun to part shade and moist to wet soils. Height: 2-4’

Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrosticoides: Christmas Fern is named for its evergreen fronds which were used by early New England settlers for Christmas decorations. The firm, deep green leaves make it a great companion for woodland wildflowers. Easy to cultivate, it thrives in well-drained situations in neutral to acidic soils. Shady, wooded slopes are its native habitat. Resistant to damage from deer, the rhizomatous plants will expand to form a large clump 1’ - 2’ wide, but will not creep, or form ground cover. Height: 12-24’

Common Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum: The pure white flowers of Bone- set (Eupatorium perfoliatum) really stand out in the late summer landscape. The highly textured leaves clasp the stem, and were once believed to facilitate the setting and heal- ing of bones. Requires a rich moist soil in full sun to light shade. Benefits pollinators and butterflies. Height:- 3 5’

Common Milkweed, Asclepias syringia: This plant is the host for the Monarch Butter- fly. This well known plant produces a profusion of lavender to pink flowers in mid- summer. The sweet scented flowers attract and benefit a plethora of pollinators, and it is one of the fastest milkweeds to establish. Plant in large areas with other grasses and flowers to control spreading. Best in sun to part shade and medium to dry soils. Height: 2-4’

Common Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale: The large and numerous daisy-like, yellow flowers of Helenium autumnale can provide welcome color in late summer and autumn when many other blossoms have disappeared. Sneezeweed prefers full to partial sun and wet to wet-medium soils. Despite its common name, it presents no problems for most al- lergy sufferers. Its pollen is distributed by insects, not wind. Benefits butterflies. Height: 3- 5’ Common Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohioensis: These delicate flowers bloom for an extended period in late spring and early summer. They open first thing in the morning and then the blooms close in the afternoon to conserve moisture. These plants will expand over time to form a clump that can be easily divided in spring or fall. Best in sun to part shade and dry to moist soils. Benefits pollinators. Height: 12-30”

Compass Plant, Silphium lacinatum: Has thick, deeply divided leaves which often orient themselves in a north-south direction, hence the name Compassplant. Slow growing and long-lived (up to 100 years!), mature plants can have up to 100 large yellow flowers that open from June through September. Birds seek out the very nutritious seeds. Height: 6-10’

Culver’s Root, Veronicastrum virginicum: This stately specimen is prized for its well- defined, clean lines. Elegant spires of white flowers crown the whorls of deep green leaves. Culver's Root creates a unique vertical accent, and can be combined with other white flowers to create 'white gardens'. A great plant for creating an impression in the garden towards the end of summer. Best planted towards the back of a sunny or partially shady border in medium or moist soils. It also attracts pollinators and butterflies. Height: 3-6’

Downy Wood Mint, Blephila ciliata: Downy wood mint is distinctive for its flower clusters of purple-pink flowers stacked to resemble a pagoda. The basal leaves stay green throughout the winter. The flower is an early summer bloomer that is deer resistant, yet a favorite of pollinators. Best in medium to dry soils. Height: 1’

False Sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides: Also known as Ox-Eye Sunflower. Lengthy summer to early fall bloom. Heliopsis is both similar in appearance to and closely related to Helianthus, the true sunflower. Good fresh cut flower. Tolerates drought but increases more rapidly in fertile soil. False Sunflowers attract nectar seeking butterflies, and birds enjoy the ripe seeds. Best in sun to part shade and moist to dry soils. Height: 3-5’

Foxglove beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis: Also known as Smooth Penstemon. This plant blooms late spring to early summer with clusters of pure white, tube like flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Leaves are smooth and shiny with serrated edges and grow to six inches long. Makes a great cut flower for floral arrangements as well as an welcome addition to your prairie landscape. Best in sun to part shade and medium to moist soils. Height: 2-3’ Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea: Golden Alexanders is covered with brilliant golden umbels in late-spring. This is an excellent low-growing choice for heavy clay soils in semi-shade to full sun. As a member of the Apiaceae family, it is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly, which lays its eggs on several of the umbelliferous plants in this family, including Golden Alex- anders, parsely, fennel and dill. Benefits pollinators, especially bees. Height: 1-3’

Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica: Covered in deep blue flowers in late summer and early fall, Great Blue Lobelia can form colonies of flowered spikes in medium to wet soils, especially with a little shade. Longer lived than the Cardinal Flower, it also attracts hummingbirds. Plant- ed together, the two Lobelias offer a stunning color combination. Excellent for damp clay soil. Benefits bees and pollinators in addition to hummingbirds. Height: 1-3’

Hairy Penstemon, Penstemon hirsutus: Open clusters of trumpet-shaped, lavender flowers grace Hairy Beardtongue from late May to late June, attracting bumblebees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Its early bloom time and hairy stems distinguish it from other Beardtongues. Its preference ranges for medium-wet to dry soils in varied sun conditions make it a versatile choice for home landscaping. Plant in sun to shade. Height: 18”

Hoary Vervain, Verbena stricta: The beautiful lavender spires are late summer. An important nectar source for butterflies, Hoary Vervain is a desirable component of butterfly gardens, and the leaves are larval host food for the Common Buckeye butterfly and others. The seeds are important for many small birds and mammals. Very drought resistant, and non- aggressive, Verbena stricta thrives on dry soils and well-drained loamy soils. Best in full sun. Height: 2-4’

Ironweed, Veronia fasaculata: Named for its tough stem, Ironweed has excellent posture and never slouches in the garden. The flowers of Ironweed are a rare color in the late summer landscape, and the brilliant purple-crimson bloom is very attractive to butterflies. An excellent addition to the pollinator garden, Ironweed is a host plant for the American Painted Lady butterfly. Height 6-8’

Jack-in-the-pulpit, Arisaema tryphyllum: Flower is a hooded spathe with purplish brown streaks enclosing an erect, brown spadix. Plants initially produce only male flowers, but become hermaphroditic as they age further (male flowers on upper part of spadix and female on lower part). These plants produce a cluster of red berries in mid to late summer which becomes visible as the spathe withers. Very unique and easy to grow, Jack in the pulpit grows well in any rich soil in the shade. Height: 1-3’ Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum: A Butterfly Magnet, Joe Pye Weed grows up to 6' tall and is crowned with clusters of bright pink flowers in late summer. Perfect for planting in damp soil in marshy areas, along streambanks, and on pond edges, Eupatorium maculatum will also thrive in rich garden soil in full sun. Also deer resistant. Height: 2-6’

Leadplant, Amorpha canescens: One of the few prairie shrubs. Leadplant is a long lived species that has unique foliage. Blooming in midsummer, leadplant produces spikes of iridescent purple flowers atop delicate silver gray foliage. Very drought tolerant. Benefits pollinators and is deer resistant. Best in full sun and medium to dry soils. Height 2-3’

Little Bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium: An ornamental bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms very dense mounds. Slender, blue-green stems, appearing in August and Sep- tember and become radiant mahogany-red with white, shinning seed tufts in the fall. Color remains nearly all winter and provides nesting material and seeds for small mammals and birds. Best in full sun to part shade, and medium to dry soils. Height: 2-4’

Marsh Blazing Star, Liatris spicata: Produces bold purple flower stalks late in the season after other blazingstars are finished. This clump-forming plant has a delicate tuft of grass-like foliage at its base from which one or more stalks will grow. The leaves become sparse as they move up the rigid stems. It is native to moist meadows and marsh margins of the midwest and east, but is more common in flower gardens than in the wild. It is highly adaptable and easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils. Benefits pollinators, butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds. Height: 3-5’

Monkeyflower, Mimulus ringens: Both the foliage and flowers of this plant are quite attractive with its asymmetrical, 2-lipped, blue-purple flowers that rise from the axils of opposite leaves that clasp a square stem. Best in wet soils and sun to part shade. Attracts bumblebees and butterflies. Height:2-4’

New England Aster, Aster novae-angliae: Easy-to-grow, stout, leafy plant that features a profuse bloom of daisy-like flowers with purple rays and yellow centers from late summer to early fall. Pinching back stems several times before mid-July will help control plant height and increase fullness. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. Height: 3-5’

Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum: The bell-shaped flowers are arranged in a cluster that bends earthward. Easy, dependable and very drought tolerant once established. Foliage is grass-like and attractive all season, and the papery dried seed-heads are decorative in autumn. Best in sun to part shade and moist to dry soils. Height: 1-2’ Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum: Prairie Dock is among the taller and larger- leaved prairie plants, often maturing to 9' in height. Its sandpaper-textured leaves, 18" long and 12" wide, prove too coarse for most rabbits. These leaves will mature in size in early summer and by late summer the flowering stalk will shoot up with attractive yellow composite flowers. Because of its height, it competes well with aggressive prairie grasses. Prairie Dock attracts bees, including honeybees and bumblebees. Goldfinches eat and dis- perse the seeds, helping the plant self-propagate. A member of the large Aster (Asteraceae) family, Prairie Dock, like most Silphium species, is extremely drought- resistant and long-lived. Best in full sun and medium to dry soils. Height: 3-10’

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea: This very popular native plant is perfect for both small gardens and large prairie meadows. Purple Coneflower blooms profusely for up to two months in mid to late summer and sometimes will re-bloom in the fall. The showy flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies, bees and myriad pollinators, including hummingbirds. Later in summer the large seedheads attract goldfinches and other birds. Easy to grow, Purple Coneflower prefers full to partial sun and medium soil conditions. Growth is best in fertile loam, but it will tolerate clay or dryer conditions. Height: 3-4’

Sand Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata: The golden-yellow flowers of Sand Coreopsis bloom for weeks on end, creating a fantastic early summer display. Butterflies are regular visitors, and songbirds feed on the ripe seeds in late summer. This durable plant grows in any well-drained soil, and exults in dry sandy soils. Best in full sun. Height: 1-2’

Showy Goldenrod, Solidago speciosa: The flower spikes of Showy Goldenrod create a spectac- ular show from late summer through early fall. The foot long golden wands add a distinctive flourish to the autumn landscape. Solidago speciosa is an important late season nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators such as honeybees. Best in sun to part shade and dry to medium soils. Height: 5’

Stiff Goldenrod, Solidago rigida: A very showy goldenrod that is a Monarch Butterfly favorite as well as many other species of butterflies. It has single stalks, branched near the top to make clusters of flat topped flower heads. Has a very deep root system that allows it to sur- vive in extreme drought conditions once established. Best in full sun and dry to medium soils. Height: 3-5’

Swamp Buttercup, Ranunculus septentrionalis: The Swamp buttercup is about 6 inches tall. They usually creep along the ground for up to 2.5 feet. It produces one to several yellow buttercup shaped flowers (and hence its name) from about April–June that last about 1.5 months. It is highly attractive to pollinators and grows best in moist fertile soils. Height: 9” Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata: Also known as Red or Pink Milkweed, it is an excep- tional plant for pollinators, attracting Hawk moths, Swallowtail butterflies, Greater Fritillaries, Monarch butterflies, skippers, bumble bees and numerous other nectar-seekers - even an occasional hummingbird. Asclepias incarnata is easily grown in moist to wet soils in full sun, but it also does perfectly well in average well-drained garden soil. The plants form stately clumps with upright stems and long narrow leaves. The clusters of fragrant pink flowers are followed by attractive seed pods for late season interest. Height: 3-5’

Western Sunflower, Helianthus occidentalis: Western Sunflower has elegant star-like flowers held aloft on leafless stalks two to three feet tall. The shortest of our native sunflowers, Heli- anthus occidentalis is perfect for small prairie gardens and meadows in dry soils. Blooms for an extended period in late summer. Birds love the seeds! Height: 2-3’

White Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum: This plant is a favorite of gardeners. It carpets woodland and shaded areas in early spring with exquisite white flowers up to 5” across. The flower uniquely changes color to light pink at the end of it’s blooming season. Afew plants will spread slowly into large drifts. Best in shade to part shade and moist to medium soils. Height: 12”

White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra: Dense spikes of distinctly shaped white flowers are a welcome sight in late summer and early fall. Blooms are said to resemble a turtles’s head. Deep green foliage is handsome all season long. Flowers are a nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators. Grows well in wet soil and stream edges. Tolerates occasional flooding. White Tur- tlehead is a preferred larval host plant for the beautiful Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly. Height: 2-4’

Wild Bergamot, Mondarda fistulosa: A wide-ranging North American plant that thrives in all but the wettest soils. The lavender tubular flowers are a very popular nectar source, attracting a wide variety of bees and butterflies. Hummingbirds may also visit. A member of the mint family, Bergamot was historically used by indigenous people for a variety of medic- inal applications. The distinctly aromatic leaves are commonly used to make tea. The button seedheads are popular in dried floral arrangements. Height: 4’

Wild Blue Indigo, Baptisia australis:Also known as Blue False Indigo, this is a bushy, robust perennial with blue-purple and pea-like flowers. Leaves are divided into three leaflets and in late fall, the plant turns silvery-grey. The blossoms get showier and more developed as the plant matures. Beneficial for native bees and bumble bees. Height: 3-5’ Wild Columbine, Aquilegia Canadensis: This beautiful woodland native has intricate red and yellow bell-like flowers with unique, backward-pointed nectar tubes. Columbine attracts a variety of pollinators. The nectaries are the perfect shape for hummingbirds and long- tongued insects that are especially adapted for reaching the nectar inside. Columbine is easily grown in average well-drained soil in full sun to shade. It will tolerate a wide range of soils, as long as drainage is good. Soil that is too rich encourages weak stems and shorter lifespans, while thin, sandy soils will produce a tight, compact plant that can live for many years. In optimum growing conditions it will self-seed freely, naturalizing to form large colonies. Height: 1-3’

Wild Lupine, Lupinus perennis: An important early season nectar source for many pollinators and the only host plant for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly. Flowers begin to emerge in mid to late May on an elongated spike. The flowers turn to fuzzy peapod-like seed pods. Lupine prefers dry, sandy soil in open, full sun areas, but it will also grow in part

shade. Height: 1-2’

Wild Senna, Cassia hebecarpa: In mid-summer a profusion of butter-yellow flowers appear atop the lush deep green foliage of Wild Senna (Cassia hebecarpa). The chocolate brown seedpods are a favorite of birds. Fond of clay, it will thrive in medium to moist soils, and tolerates periodic flooding. The horizontal root system provides stabilization against high wind velocities, making this tall sun loving plant an excellent hedge choice. Wild Senna is a larval host plant for the Cloudless Sulpher butterfly. Height: 4-6’

Yellow Coneflower, Ratibida pinnata: Yellow Coneflower grows in almost any soil. This strik- ing prairie flower produces a cornucopia of bright yellow flowers in the heat of mid-summer. Amazingly durable, it survives heat, drought, flooding, and winter cold. Easy to grow from seed or transplants, this is a strong perennial and classic prairie flower. Benefits pollinators and butterflies. Height:- 3 6’