Iris virginica shrevei Common Blue Flag Iris Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Iris family (Iridaceae) Height: 2-3' Bloom Time: May - June Bloom Color: blue-purple Sun: partial to full sun Water: wet to moist Nectar-seeking bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Butterflies and skippers are less common nectar-seeking visitors, but they are not effective at cross-pollination. Short-tongued Halictid and various beetles may also visit the flowers for pollen, but they are not effective pollinators either. Mammalian herbivores rarely bother this plant because the foliage and rootstocks are somewhat toxic, causing irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Liatris aspera Common Name: Rough blazing star Family: Asteraceae Height: 2 to 4 feet Spread: 1 to 1 1/2 feet Bloom Time: August to October Bloom Description: Rose Purple Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Features rounded, fluffy, deep rose-purple flower heads which are crowded into long, terminal flower spikes atop erect, rigid, leafy flower stalks. Primarily long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and flies visit the flowers. Among the long-tongued bees, this includes honeybees, bumblebees, Little Carpenter bees, Miner bees, and -Cutting bees. Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Painted Ladies, Black Swallowtails, Sulfurs, and others. Other visitors include Green Metallic bees and other Halictine bees. The latter bees collect pollen primarily and are not effective pollinators. Mammalian herbivores, large and small, readily eat the foliage and stems, including rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and livestock. Sometimes small rodents will dig up the corms and eat them.

Liatris cylindracea Common Name: Cylindrical Blazingstar Family: Aster family (Asteraceae) Height: 1 to 1 ½ feet Spread: 6 to 12 inches Bloom Time: July to August Bloom Color: pink or purplish pink Sun: full sun Water: dry to medium Cylindrical Blazingstar grows on hills or slopes amid rocky material, but it tolerates loamy soil if the site is well-drained. Drought tolerance is excellent, and foliar disease is not a significant problem at most locations. This plant cannot compete well against taller, more aggressive . The appear whorled because of their density, but they alternate around the stem. The flowers are visited primarily by long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, and bee flies. Some short-tongued bees may visit the flowers to collect pollen, but they are not effective pollinators. Rabbits, groundhogs, deer, and livestock browse on the plant. Prairie and Meadow Voles sometimes eat the corms. An overpopulation of these animals can make the establishment of this plant difficult in some areas.

Liatris pycnostachya Common Name: Prairie blazing star Family: Asteraceae Height: 2 to 5 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom Time: July-August Bloom Color: Reddish purple Sun: Full sun Water: medium to wet The height of this plant varies with the moisture in the soil. During a drought, the lower leaves may wither away, otherwise this plant presents few problems. The most common visitors of the flowers are long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers, which seek nectar primarily. Other insect visitors include day-flying moths, bee flies, and short- tongued Halictid bees, the latter collecting pollen. Mammalian herbivores eat this and other Blazing stars readily; groundhogs and rabbits favor younger plants, while deer and livestock are more likely to browse on mature plants. The corms are eaten by the Prairie Vole and Meadow Vole. Prairie Blazingstar is an attractive plant while in bloom, resembling a magic wand. It is more common in flower gardens than in the wild, although some of these are undoubtedly hybrids with similar species. This plant closely resembles Liatris spicata (Dense Blazingstar). Liatris spicata Common Name: Dense blazingstar Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Asteraceae Height: 2 to 5 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom Time: July-August Bloom Color: Reddish purple Sun: Full sun Water: medium to wet The height of this plant varies with the moisture in the soil. During a drought, the lower leaves may wither away; otherwise this plant presents few problems. The most common visitors of the flowers are long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers, which seek nectar primarily. Other insect visitors include day-flying moths, bee flies, and short-tongued Halictid bees, the latter collecting pollen. Mammalian herbivores eat this and other Blazingstars readily; groundhogs and rabbits favor younger plants, while deer and livestock are more likely to browse on mature plants. The corms are eaten by the Prairie Vole and Meadow Vole. Dense Blazingstar is an attractive plant while in bloom, resembling a magic wand. This plant closely resembles Liatris pychnostachya (Prairie Blazingstar).

Liatris squarrosa Common Name: Scaly Blazing star Family: Asteraceae Height: 1–2½ feet Spread: 1 ft. Bloom Time: July-August Bloom Description: Purple Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium This wildflower is found in high quality natural areas. The flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by bumblebees, butterflies, and skippers. In general, several insect species feed on blazing stars. These species include: the caterpillars of Blazingstar Flower Moth, which feed on the florets and developing seeds; the caterpillars of Blazingstar Borer Moth and Liatris Borer Moth, which bore through the stems; and the foliage and flower heads of Blazing stars are edible to many mammalian herbivores, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, deer, rabbits, and groundhogs. Where these mammals are abundant, Blazingstar populations usually decline.

Lobelia cardinalis Common Name: Cardinal flower, Red lobelia Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Campanulaceae Height: 2 to 4 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom Time: July - September Bloom Color: Scarlet, white or rose Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Needs constant moisture, tolerates full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade. The flowers attract the Ruby-Throated and the Black Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, and Pipevine Swallowtail. Sometimes bumblebees steal nectar through slits in the tubular corolla. Halictid bees gather pollen but are ineffective at pollination. The caterpillars of the Pink-washed Looper Moth feed on the leaves.

Lobelia kalmii Common Name: Kalm’s Lobelia Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower family) Height: 6 to 18 inches Bloom Time: mid-summer to early fall Bloom Color: Pastel blue and white Sun: full sun to part shade Water: wet to medium This conservative species is found in high quality wetlands where the original flora remains intact. Habitats include grassy fens, wet sandy meadows, borders of interdunal swales, low areas along springs, and bogs. Little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The flowers are probably cross-pollinated by various bees and small butterflies and have a delicate beauty with slender foliage. Kalm’s lobelia is named in honor of Pehr (Peter) Kalm, a 17th century botanist who cataloged many New World plants. Lobelia siphilitica

Common Name: Great Blue Lobelia Family: Campanulaceae Height: 2 to 3 feet Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet Bloom Time: July - September Bloom Color: Blue Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Will tolerate full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade. Pollinators attracted include yellow- faced bees, sweat bees, small carpenter bees, and bumble bees. Provides late summer bloom to the perennial border, wild garden, native plant garden, woodland garden or naturalized planting. Also effective near ponds or streams. Great Blue Lobelia produces violet-blue flowers during late summer or early fall, when forbs with yellow flowers are typically dominant.

Lythrum alatum Common Name: Wing-angled loosestrife Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Loosestrife family (Lythraceae) Height: 1 to 3 feet Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet Bloom Time: July - October Bloom Color: lavender Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Many kinds of insects visit the flowers, including various long-tongued bees, Green Metallic bees, bee flies, butterflies, and skippers. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as honeybees, bumblebees, Cuckoo bees, Miner bees and large Leaf-Cutting bees. This native plant should not be confused with Purple Loosestrife an invasive Eurasian plant that invades wetlands, forming dense stands that exclude other species.

Manfreda virginica, virginica

Common Name: False Aloe Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Agavaceae Height: 3 to 6 feet Spread: 3 to 4 feet Bloom Time: July to October Bloom Color: Yellow-green Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Dry to Medium American aloe (sometimes also called rattlesnake master) is a native plant which occurs most often in alkaline soils on rocky glades and in sandy open woods. A rhizomatous perennial which forms large, basal rosettes of nearly flat, soft, fleshy, sword-shaped, dark green leaves (6" to 20" long and 2" wide). Long summer bloom occasionally extends into fall. Flowers give way to capsule-like fruit. Good plant for informal settings, such as wild gardens or native plant gardens or as part of a naturalized planting. Also, may be used in a dry corner of the perennial border.

Mimulus alatus Common Name: Sharp winged monkey flower Family: Scrophulariaceae Height: 1 to 3 feet Spread: 0.75 to 1 foot Bloom Time: June - September Bloom Color: pink-lilac Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet This plant is not a strong colonizer, although vegetative offsets are occasionally formed. The preference is partial sun, wet to consistently moist conditions, and a rich soil containing an abundance of organic matter. Full sun and light shade are also tolerated. When plants are grown in conditions that are too dry and sunny, they remain small in size and their foliage becomes yellowish green. The nectar of the flowers attracts bumblebees. The foliage is eaten by caterpillars of the Chalcedony Midget moth.

Mimulus ringens Common Name: Square-stemmed monkey flower Family: Scrophulariaceae Height: 1 to 3 feet Spread: 0.75 to 1 foot Bloom Time: June - September Bloom Color: Lilac-purple Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Allegheny monkey flower may be grown in moist soils in borders as long as soils do not dry out completely. Little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this species. The nectar of the flowers attracts bumblebees. The foliage is eaten by the caterpillars of the Chalcedony Midget moth.

Monarda clinopodia Common Name: Basil Bee Balm, White Monarda Family: Lamiaceae Height: 3-4' Bloom Time: late spring or early summer Bloom Color: white or yellowish Sun: sun to light shade Water: medium This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. The name "White Monarda" is a bit misleading since flower color and form varies. Basil Bee Balm is also commonly known as white bergamot. The leaves can be dried and used as a tea. This bergamot grows best on lightly shaded hillsides, woodland edges and lightly shaded meadows and fields. Blooms are white and typical of bee balms and are especially valuable to native bees (Recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees.)

Monarda fistulosa Common Name: Wild Bergamot Family: Lamiaceae Height: 2 to 4 feet Spread: 2 to 3 feet Bloom Time: July - September Bloom Color: Pink/lavender Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Dry to medium Wild bergamot is a clump-forming, mint family member that grows typically to 2-4' tall. Lavender, two-lipped, tubular flowers appear in dense, globular, solitary, terminal heads atop square stems. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The toothed, aromatic, oblong, grayish-green leaves (to 4") may be used in teas.

Oenothera biennis Common Name: Evening primrose Family: Onagraceae Height: 3 to 5 feet Spread: 2 to 3 feet Bloom Time: June to September Bloom Color: yellow Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium In the first year, this biennial produces a basal rosette and in the second year, a stiffly-upright, rough-hairy, purple-tinged flower stem, with spirally arranged leaves rises from the center of the rosette, topped by a showy summer to fall bloom of lemon yellow flowers. Moths pollinate the flowers, particularly Sphinx moths. Other occasional visitors include the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, honeybees, bumblebees, and Primrose Miner Bee. These insects seek nectar, although some of the bees collect pollen. The caterpillars of several moths feed on the foliage. This includes Pearly Wood Nymph, Grape Leaf folder Moth, White-Lined Sphinx, and Momphid Moth. Various beetles feed on the foliage. The seeds are eaten by goldfinches.

Oenothera pilosella Common Name: Prairie Sundrops Family: Evening Primrose family (Onagraceae) Height: 2-3 feet Spread: .5 to 1.5 feet Bloom Time: May-July Bloom Color: yellow Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: moist to medium The flowers are pollinated by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers. Halictid bees and Syrphid flies often visit the flowers, but they are attracted by the abundant pollen and cannot be considered highly effective at pollination. Among the long-tongued bees, are such visitors as Little Carpenter bees and large Leaf-Cutting bees, which suck nectar or collect pollen. This lovely plant should be grown more often. During the 19th century, this was a more popular garden plant, but it has since passed from favor and is not widely available.

Parthenium integrifolium Common Name: Wild Quinine Family: Asteraceae Height: 2-4' tall Spread: 0.75 to 1.5 feet Bloom Time: April - June Bloom Color: White tinged with pink Sun: Full sun to light shade Water: medium to dry The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily. The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps, Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery in texture and bitter tasting.

Penstemon digitalis Common Name: Foxglove Penstemon Family: Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae) Height: 3-3.5 feet Spread: 1 to 2 foot Bloom Time: May-June Bloom Color: white Sun: full to partial sun Water: medium The tubular flowers of this plant attract long- tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. Butterflies, Sphinx moths, and may visit the flowers. The caterpillars of the Chalcedony Midget moth feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the Baltimore butterfly feed on the foliage of beardtongues. This is probably the easiest Penstemon. to grow east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant.

Penstemon hirsutus Common Name: Hairy Beardtongue Family: Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae) Height: 1-3 feet Spread: 1-2 feet Bloom Time: June-July Bloom Color: pale purple Sun: full to partial sun Water: dry to medium The tubular flowers of this plant attract long-tongued bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorine bees, Miner bees, Mason bees, and large Leaf-Cutting bees. Butterflies, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds may visit the flowers. The caterpillars of the Chalcedony Midget moth feed on the foliage of this and other beardtongues. There have been reports that the caterpillars of the Baltimore butterfly feed on the foliage of beardtongues. It is probably one of the easiest Penstemon to grow east of the Mississippi river. The flowers are quite showy, and the blooming period is rather long for an early season plant. Phlox maculata Common Name: Spotted Phlox, Meadow Phlox Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Polemoniaceae Height: 2 to 3 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom Time: June – July Bloom Color: bright pink to pinkish-purple Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: medium to moist Plants are intolerant of drought and need to be watered in dry spells. Can slowly spread over time by both slender rhizomes and self-seeding to form large colonies. Attractive to butterflies, birds and hummingbirds. This species is noted for its mildew resistance and is considered to be a good alternative to the more mildew-susceptible garden phlox (P. paniculata) in areas where powdery mildew thrives. Spider mites can also be a problem, particularly in hot, dry conditions. Spotted phlox is an excellent summer-blooming plant for the perennial border, cottage garden, wildflower meadow or native plant garden.

Phlox pilosa Common Name: Downy phlox Family: Polemoniaceae Height: 1 to 2 feet Spread: 1 to 2 feet Bloom Time: May-June Bloom Color: Pink to purple Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: moist to medium A mounded perennial, grows 1-2 ft. tall and bears clusters of fragrant, pale pink to lavender flowers. The petals of the showy flowers are joined at their bases into an elongate tube. Stems and narrow, paired leaves are covered with soft hairs. The nectar of the flowers attracts primarily long-tongued bees, butterflies such as American Painted Lady, Sulfurs, Swallowtails, Cloudywings. and skippers. The caterpillars of the Spotted Straw moth eat the flowers, while the caterpillars of the Olive Arches moth eat the leaves. Mammalian herbivores readily consume Prairie Phlox, including rabbits, deer, groundhogs, and livestock. It may be difficult to establish this plant where there is an overpopulation of these animals.

Physostegia virginiana Common Name: Obedient Plant Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Mint family (Lamiaceae) Height: 1-4 feet Spread: 1-2 feet Bloom Time: July –Oct. Bloom Color: lavender or purplish pink Sun: full to partial sun Water: moist to medium Bumblebees are the most important pollinators of the flowers. Occasionally, other long-tongued bees and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird may visit the flowers. Like other members of the Mint family, the Obedient Plant is probably not a favored source of food for mammalian herbivores. This plant is often grown in flower gardens, and some populations may represent escaped plants from cultivation. Usually, the horticultural forms are more rosy pink or purple in appearance than native wild populations, which are usually white with light pink or purple tints. Because the individual flowers stay in place when moved, one common name is 'Obedient Plant,' as used here.

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium Common name: Sweet Everlasting Plant Type: summer annual or biennial Height: 9 to 30 inches Spread: 6 inches Bloom Time: July-September Bloom Color: White Sun: full sun to light shade Water: mesic to dry The preference is soil containing sand or silt. A little shade is tolerated. The nectar of the flowers attracts short- tongued bees (mainly Halictid), wasps, and flies primarily. Among the wasps, are such visitors as Eumenid wasps, Crabronid wasps, Paper wasps, Spider wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Weevil wasps, and many others. It is also a host plant for the beautiful Painted Lady Butterfly. Sweet Everlasting's older scientific name is Gnaphalium obtusifolium (by which it is still commonly referred), but it has been reassigned to the genus Pseudognaphalium.

Pycnanthemum muticum Common Name: Short-toothed or Clustered Mountain Mint Plant Type: perennial Family: Lamiaceae Height: 2-3’ Bloom color: white or pinkish color with purple spots Bloom Time: mid-summer into fall Sun: full sun to partial sun Water: dry to moist The leaves of this mountain-mint have a pronounced mint odor. Excellent nectar and pollen source for butterflies and other pollinators; Provides dense groundcover for wildlife; Seed heads provide winter cover for insects. This species is indigenous to bogs, savannas, low meadows, low woods, and ridges. A highly competitive workhorse for extreme sites and slopes, this plant does well in a variety of sites from full sun to shade and dry to moist conditions. Though not overly aggressive, it will spread via rhizomes, so give it room to grow. The mountain mints are listed on many “Top Ten Plants for Pollinators” lists. Mountain Mint is loaded with pulegone, the same insect repellent found in pennyroyal. It can be rubbed on the skin to repel mosquitoes!

Pycnanthemum virginianum Common Name: American or Virginia mountain mint Family: Lamiaceae Height: 2 to 3 feet Spread: 1 to 1.5 feet Bloom Time: July - September Bloom Color: White Sun: Full sun Water: Medium The common name of mountain mint for this native plant is somewhat misleading since the plant typically occurs in moist soils in wet meadows, swamps and along streams and ponds. All parts of the plant emit a strong, mint-like aroma when crushed. White flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Pycnanthemums have been used in teas.