Also referred to as a black-eyed Susan, this is an easy-to-grow plant in most garden conditions as long as the soils don’t stay wet. Often confused with two other species, the Rudbeckia hirta (a biennial, typically also referred to as a “black-eyed Susan”) and Rudbeckia triloba (another perennial called a brown-eyed Susan), the orange coneflower […] Continue reading "Orange Coneflower"
Lyre-leaf sage is a perennial mint family member that forms a rosette of deeply lobed basal leaves, often shaped like a lyre. Leaves can be purple-tinged in winter, and some populations display reddish blotches in the leaf centers. In spring, upright flower stalks rise 1-1.5 feet above the foliage, bearing whorls of tubular blue-violet flowers […] Continue reading "Lyreleaf Sage"
Sundrops is an erect perennial with lance-shaped green leaves and bright yellow, four-petaled flowers up to 2 inches across. Unlike most evening primrose species, sundrops blooms during the day. Individual flowers are short-lived, but they appear in succession over a long bloom period from mid-spring through summer. The overwintering basal rosette is evergreen in our […] Continue reading "Sundrops"
Moss phlox is a vigorous mat-forming groundcover with needle-like, semi-evergreen foliage that spreads 2-3 feet wide. It is one of the earliest bloomers in our area. Bloom colors range from pink and lavender to purple, red, or white. Each tubular flower is about 3/4 inch wide with five distinctively notched petals. It has many cultivars […] Continue reading "Moss Phlox"
Coral honeysuckle is a twining native vine with dark blue-green leaves and showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in red to orange-red with yellow interiors. It blooms from spring into summer and is one of the best native plants for attracting hummingbirds, which are its primary pollinators. Bees, butterflies, and some moths visit as well, and songbirds eat […] Continue reading "Coral Honeysuckle"
Wild columbine is a branching perennial that grows 2–3 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide. The red and yellow flowers nod downward with distinctive backward-pointing spurs and dangling yellow stamens — an unusual and eye-catching combination. The rounded, lobed leaves are attractive even when the plant isn’t blooming. It thrives in partial shade with […] Continue reading "Eastern Red Columbine"
Purple coneflower is an herbaceous perennial with dark green leaves and showy purple flowers. Flowers typically reach 3-5 inches across and bloom reliably throughout summer. This is one of the most popular and adaptable native perennials. It thrives in full sun and tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils, from dry rocky areas to moist […] Continue reading "Purple Coneflower"
Butterfly milkweed is an upright native perennial with narrow, lance-shaped leaves and flat-topped clusters of bright orange to yellow-orange flowers, typically 2–5 inches across. It is the shortest commonly available milkweed in our area. It blooms throughout summer and makes a good cut flower. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all visit the flowers. It is a […] Continue reading "Butterfly Milkweed"