Rodd's Garden Ideas
Botanical name: Oligoneuron riddellii (formerly Solidago riddellii) Common name: Riddell’s goldenrod Origin: Native from western Minnesota south to northern Arkansas and east to Ohio and Michigan Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to moist soil; prefers consistent moisture Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances:Attracts pollinators Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to early fall When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in midspring to late fall; plant seeds in late fall through midwinter.
Deer Resistant Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Native from Minnesota south to Texas and all regions east; also native to parts of the Southwest and California Native to wetlands and stream banks throughout the eastern U.S., cardinal flower is one of the most intensely colored native species; some varieties have burgundy foliage to go with the crimson blossoms. It is a good choice for a bog garden but grows equally well in a perennial border with average moisture. Hummingbirds find cardinal flower irresistible. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9) Light requirement: Light shade Water requirement: Moderate Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall
Deer Resistant Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis) Native in areas from the central Great Plains to the southeastern and northeastern U.S. This eastern native is becoming more and more common in the nurseries. Wild blue indigo is very long-lived, sending up its stalks of lush oval leaves every year for a decade or more (unlike many perennials that peter out after a few years). It often has stunning indigo-colored flower spikes up to a foot long, or longer, though yellow and white varieties are also available. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9) Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Low Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Botanical name: Mahonia aquifolium (syn. Berberis aquifolium) Common names: Oregon grape, Oregon grape holly, hollyleaved barberry Origin: California; some regions in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and northern Mexico; prohibited in Michigan due to black stem rust Natural habitat: Slopes, canyons, coniferous forests, oak woodlands, chaparral; below 6,500 feet elevation Where it will grow: Easily hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Drought tolerant to needing occasional water Light requirement: Full sun along the coast; partial shade inland Soil: Adaptable; prefers acidic, well-drained soil Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide; spreads slowly Benefits and tolerances: Benefits birds and butterflies; tolerates coastal conditions, clay, drought and desert; good with oaks; deer resistant; edible Seasonal interest: Year-round interest, with spring flowers, bronze new foliage and fall colors, without dropping leaves; summer berries follow the bloom, ripening to dark purple in summer to fall When to plant: Late fall is ideal; winter works well; spring is acceptable; summer can be challenging to all...
Botanical name: Mahonia aquifolium (syn. Berberis aquifolium) Common names: Oregon grape, Oregon grape holly, hollyleaved barberry Origin: California; some regions in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and northern Mexico; prohibited in Michigan due to black stem rust Natural habitat: Slopes, canyons, coniferous forests, oak woodlands, chaparral; below 6,500 feet elevation Where it will grow: Easily hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Drought tolerant to needing occasional water Light requirement: Full sun along the coast; partial shade inland Soil: Adaptable; prefers acidic, well-drained soil Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide; spreads slowly Benefits and tolerances: Benefits birds and butterflies; tolerates coastal conditions, clay, drought and desert; good with oaks; deer resistant; edible Seasonal interest: Year-round interest, with spring flowers, bronze new foliage and fall colors, without dropping leaves; summer berries follow the bloom, ripening to dark purple in summer to fall When to plant: Late fall is ideal; winter works well; spring is acceptable; summer can be challenging to all...
Botanical name: Mahonia aquifolium (syn. Berberis aquifolium) Common names: Oregon grape, Oregon grape holly, hollyleaved barberry Origin: California; some regions in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and northern Mexico; prohibited in Michigan due to black stem rust Natural habitat: Slopes, canyons, coniferous forests, oak woodlands, chaparral; below 6,500 feet elevation Where it will grow: Easily hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Drought tolerant to needing occasional water Light requirement: Full sun along the coast; partial shade inland Soil: Adaptable; prefers acidic, well-drained soil Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide; spreads slowly Benefits and tolerances: Benefits birds and butterflies; tolerates coastal conditions, clay, drought and desert; good with oaks; deer resistant; edible Seasonal interest: Year-round interest, with spring flowers, bronze new foliage and fall colors, without dropping leaves; summer berries follow the bloom, ripening to dark purple in summer to fall When to plant: Late fall is ideal; winter works well; spring is acceptable; summer can be challenging to all...
Botanical name: Spigelia marilandica Common names: Indian pink, woodland pinkroot, wormgrass Origin: Native to woodland edges and shaded woods of the southeastern U.S., from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Prefers moist soils and does not tolerate droughty conditions Light requirement: Grows best in dappled shade but will grow in full shade as well; can be grown in full sun if supplied with adequate moisture (too much sun can bleach the edges of the leaves) Mature size: Grows in upright clumps, 1 foot to 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide Caution: All parts of the plant are considered poisonous.
Botanical name: Spigelia marilandica Common names: Indian pink, woodland pinkroot, wormgrass Origin: Native to woodland edges and shaded woods of the southeastern U.S., from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Prefers moist soils and does not tolerate droughty conditions Light requirement: Grows best in dappled shade but will grow in full shade as well; can be grown in full sun if supplied with adequate moisture (too much sun can bleach the edges of the leaves) Mature size: Grows in upright clumps, 1 foot to 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide Caution: All parts of the plant are considered poisonous.
Botanical name: Symphyotrichum laeve Common name: Smooth aster Origin: U.S. native to the mountain West, northern Plains and Midwest, and scattered throughout the eastern U.S. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone); best planted if native to your area Water requirement: Medium to dry soil Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Very low maintenance; superb pollinator plant Seasonal interest: Great midfall bloom over about two weeks When to plant: Spring to fall; seed in fall or winter
Short and Sassy proved to have a much better attitude — nice and compact, and it pushed out vivid orange- and yellow-splashed flowers from early June until after a hard frost in late October. Botanical name: Helenium ‘Short and Sassy’ Origin: Garden hybrid Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Water requirement: Average to low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Spring or fall Distinguishing traits: Compact; long bloom time; low maintenance Planting notes: Enjoy this at the front of a garden border or in a container.
Dwarf Stars changes all that. At just 2½ feet tall, it can be grown closer to the front of the border and does not need staking — even in windy situations. Botanical name: Delphinium ‘Dwarf Stars’ Origin: Garden hybrid Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 7; find your zone) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 2½ feet tall and 18 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Deer and rabbit resistant; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Spring Distinguishing traits: Makes a great cut flower; has a dwarf form; suitable for windy locations; does not need staking Planting notes: Plant in fertile, well-drained soil; use as part of a romantic English garden design, within a traditional mixed border or in a cutting garden
Botanical name: Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’ Common name: Zagreb tickseed Origin: Threadleaf tickseed is native to the southeastern United States, but the cultivar Zagreb is a garden hybrid Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Average to low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide but will spread slowly to form larger clumps Benefits and tolerances: Attracts butterflies and bees; deer and rabbit resistant (mostly); low maintenance; drought tolerant; tolerates poor soil Seasonal interest: Midsummer to fall When to plant: Spring or fall
Pink Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) Native from Maine to Mississippi Pink turtlehead is perfect for partial to full shade with consistent soil moisture. You’ll enjoy watching bumblebees fight their way in and out of the blooms. Glossy green leaves add interest all season long, and it stays around 2 feet tall and slowly spreads. ‘Hot Lips’ is the cultivar you’ll see for sale most often.
Botanical name: Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ Common name: ‘Hummelo’ betony Origin: Stachys officinalis is native to Europe and Asia; ‘Hummelo’ was introduced by plantsman Piet Oudolf and named after his hometown in the Netherlands Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Water requirement: Average (1 inch of water per week) Mature size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of deer, rabbits and being planted near black walnut trees; no serious insect or disease problems, although slugs can be occasionally problematic; exhibits some drought tolerance after being established Seasonal interest: Leaves appear in midspring, with purple flowers arriving in midsummer; semi-evergreen in the warmer areas of its range but generally considered deciduous When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Stachys officinalis ‘Hummelo’ Common name: ‘Hummelo’ betony Origin: Stachys officinalis is native to Europe and Asia; ‘Hummelo’ was introduced by plantsman Piet Oudolf and named after his hometown in the Netherlands Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Water requirement: Average (1 inch of water per week) Mature size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of deer, rabbits and being planted near black walnut trees; no serious insect or disease problems, although slugs can be occasionally problematic; exhibits some drought tolerance after being established Seasonal interest: Leaves appear in midspring, with purple flowers arriving in midsummer; semi-evergreen in the warmer areas of its range but generally considered deciduous When to plant: Spring or fall
Bloodroot - Planting notes. Bloodroot plants form horizontal rhizomes. The rhizomes on mature plants can be divided and replanted, or you can just leave the plants in place, allowing them to spread naturally. After the flowers have been pollinated, upright seedpods form under the leaf next to the flower stalk. Seeds typically mature 45 to 60 days after flowering. In Minnesota I usually look for seeds the second week of June. Collected seeds should be sown right away, ensuring that the seeds do not dry out. Seedlings will emerge two seasons after seeds are sown in late spring.
Currants and gooseberries are closely related and have a similar overall appearance, growing as shrubs about 4 to 5 feet tall (though gooseberries have thorns, and currants are thornless). Cold hardiness varies among the different varieties, but it’s possible to find currant and gooseberry cultivars that are adapted to any zone between 3 and 9. Gooseberries and currants are not widely grown in North American gardens, though they are a standard feature in Europe, where they are often grown in the shade of mature fruit trees. These are red currants pictured here, though there are also black and white currants. Gooseberries are usually either green or red and are sweeter than currants.
Botanical name: Aesculus parviflora Common name: Bottlebrush buckeye Origin: Native to shady, moist ravines in the southeastern United States Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone) Light requirement: Partial sun to light shade; may scorch and wilt in full sun Water requirement: Average to moist soil Mature size: Up to 12 feet tall and wide
Shooting Star Botanical name: Dodecatheon meadia Common names: Shooting star, midland shooting star, prairie pointers, eastern shooting star, pride of Ohio, roosterheads Origin: Native from southeast Minnesota to northeast Texas, east to New York and down into Florida Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Somewhat dry to somewhat moist soil Light requirement: Full sun to 50 percent shade Mature size: About 1 foot tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Fairly adaptable but prefers a consistently moist soil Seasonal interest: Unique blooms vary in color; goes dormant by midsummer When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be put in from late spring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through winter.
Shooting Star Botanical name: Dodecatheon meadia Common names: Shooting star, midland shooting star, prairie pointers, eastern shooting star, pride of Ohio, roosterheads Origin: Native from southeast Minnesota to northeast Texas, east to New York and down into Florida Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Somewhat dry to somewhat moist soil Light requirement: Full sun to 50 percent shade Mature size: About 1 foot tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Fairly adaptable but prefers a consistently moist soil Seasonal interest: Unique blooms vary in color; goes dormant by midsummer When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be put in from late spring to late fall; sow seeds in late fall through winter.
Botanical name: Solidago rigida Common name: Stiff goldenrod Origin: U.S. native from New Mexico north to Montana and east to Indiana and Louisiana, with scattered pockets throughout the eastern U.S. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Bone-dry to slightly moist soil Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Very low maintenance; superb architectural plant when in bloom; attracts tons of pollinators Seasonal interest: Gorgeous seed heads in fall; tall height creates architectural interest When to plant: Spring to fall; seed in fall or winter, though the seeds will need scarification to germinate
Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) Supports over 80 bee species and over 100 insect species Perhaps the king, or queen, of bee magnetism — also a rabbit favorite, unfortunately — purple prairie clover blooms in early to mid summer, reaching 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide. Its native range is from Montana to New Mexico and east from Indiana to Louisiana. Give it full sun to a tad bit of shade in dry soil, and never worry about it again. Plus, it adds nitrogen to the soil.
Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) Supports over 40 bee species and over 100 insect species Got dry shade and experiencing a world of hurt trying to grow stuff in it? Try calico aster, which gets about 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide and blooms a ton in midautumn. Native from Minnesota to eastern Texas and all points east, this stalwart aster will create a busy buffet line.
Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) Supports over 30 bee species and over 70 insect species A native resident of the Mountain West and Central and Northern Plains, and scattered throughout the eastern U.S., smooth aster puts on a showstopping display in midautumn. Wave your hand over it to see hundreds of insects rise into the air. It works in medium to dry soil in as much sun as you can muster, reaching 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
False Aster (Boltonia asteroides) Supports over 40 bee species and over 100 insect species Slightly moist to medium soil in full sun to partial shade works for false aster, which reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and wide in a large mounding shape covered in late summer to early fall with flowers. Native from North Dakota to Oklahoma and east to Alabama and Illinois, false aster is not hard to grow when you put it in the right spot.
Botanical name: Viola pubescens Common name: Downy yellow violet Origin: Downy yellow violet occurs in eastern and midwestern North American woodlands, from North Dakota eastward to Maine and southward to Texas in the west and Georgia in the east; in Canada it occurs from Saskatchewan eastward to Nova Scotia. Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 7b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Mesic to dry, deciduous woodlands Soil requirement: Mesic to medium-dry (mesic-dry), sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Shade to partial shade Mature size: 4 to 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide
Botanical name: Viola pubescens Common name: Downy yellow violet Origin: Downy yellow violet occurs in eastern and midwestern North American woodlands, from North Dakota eastward to Maine and southward to Texas in the west and Georgia in the east; in Canada it occurs from Saskatchewan eastward to Nova Scotia. Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 7b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Mesic to dry, deciduous woodlands Soil requirement: Mesic to medium-dry (mesic-dry), sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Shade to partial shade Mature size: 4 to 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide
Botanical name: Gentiana andrewsii Common names: Closed gentian, closed bottle gentian Origin: Native from Nebraska to North Dakota, east through Minnesota and Missouri, on into the Midwest and New England Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Moist to medium soil that’s moderately well draining Light requirement: Full sun to half shade Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Unique blooms; tolerates damp soil; long lived once established Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to midfall When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; it’s not recommended to grow it from seed, since germination is tricky. Frank Mayfield SaveEmail Distinguishing traits. Well, obviously its clasped blooms are a distinguishing trait. (It’s like they refuse to speak while being interrogated.) About the only insects you’ll see pollinating it are the beefy and muscular bumblebees — and it’s quite fun watching them at work. The plants can flop a bit, so place them near sturdy neighbors that serve as supports. How to use it. A consistently moist but not soggy s...
Botanical name: Amelanchier spp Common names: Shadblow, shadbush, serviceberry, juneberry Origin: There are species native to eastern and western parts of the U.S. Where it will grow: Various species are hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Varies by species Light requirement: Varies by species Soil requirement: Wet to dry, depending on species Mature size: 1 to 50 feet tall, depending on species Benefits and tolerances: Fast growth; early blooms; edible fruits; important native plant for birds and bees Seasonal interest: Early-spring blooms (April in southern New England); colorful fruits ripen to red, blue or purple in June (hence the common name juneberry); orangey-red or yellow fall foliage in the eastern species When to plant: Spring to fall Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm SaveEmail Distinguishing traits. There are roughly 20 species of Amelanchier native to the U.S., and because they freely hybridize in the wild and in cultivation, they can be difficult to identify. Mostly you’ll find hybrids of the various regional native species for sale in U.S. nurseries. Because their habitat varies by region, be sure to ...
Botanical name: Amelanchier spp Common names: Shadblow, shadbush, serviceberry, juneberry Origin: There are species native to eastern and western parts of the U.S. Where it will grow: Various species are hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Varies by species Light requirement: Varies by species Soil requirement: Wet to dry, depending on species Mature size: 1 to 50 feet tall, depending on species Benefits and tolerances: Fast growth; early blooms; edible fruits; important native plant for birds and bees Seasonal interest: Early-spring blooms (April in southern New England); colorful fruits ripen to red, blue or purple in June (hence the common name juneberry); orangey-red or yellow fall foliage in the eastern species When to plant: Spring to fall Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm SaveEmail Distinguishing traits. There are roughly 20 species of Amelanchier native to the U.S., and because they freely hybridize in the wild and in cultivation, they can be difficult to identify. Mostly you’ll find hybrids of the various regional native species for sale in U.S. nurseries. Because their habitat varies by region, be sure to ...
Botanical name: Sanguinaria canadensis Common name: Bloodroot Origin: Bloodroot occurs in eastern North American woodlands, from the states bordering the Mississippi River eastward; in Canada it occurs from Manitoba east to Nova Scotia. Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 7a; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Moist to mesic woodlands Soil requirement: Moist to mesic-dry, sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Shade to partial shade Mature size: 4 to 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of most soils; prefers woodlands with an ample amount of humus and leaf litter Seasonal interest: Large, stark white flowers over 2 inches in diameter open in early spring, typically in April or May, providing the first splashes of color in woodlands and shade gardens; the large, palmate leaves persist into late summer. When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native plant nurseries.
Large Flowered Bellwort Botanical name: Uvularia grandiflora Common name: Large-flowered bellwort Origin: Bellwort occurs in eastern North American woodlands, from North Dakota eastward to New Hampshire and southward to Oklahoma in the west and Georgia in the east; it is absent from Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec in Canada. Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 7b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Moist to mesic deciduous woodlands Soil requirement: Moist to medium-dry (mesic-dry), sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Shade to partial shade Mature size: 8 to 18 inches tall and 10 inches wide Holm Design & Consulting LLC SaveEmail Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soils; prefers woodlands with an ample amount of humus and leaf litter Seasonal interest: Upright flower stalk clusters grow rapidly as the soil temperatures warm in spring, revealing bright yellow nodding, twisted flowers in April or May. When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native plant nurseries
Jacob's Ladder Botanical name: Polemonium reptans Common names: Jacob’s ladder, Greek valerian Origin: Jacob’s ladder occurs in eastern North American woodlands, from the states bordering the Mississippi River eastward to New Hampshire in the north and to Georgia in the south; it is rare in South Dakota southward to Oklahoma; it is absent in North Carolina and Maine and the Atlantic provinces in Canada but does occur in Ontario and Quebec in Canada. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3a to 7a; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Moist to mesic (semidry) deciduous woodlands Soil requirement: Wet-mesic to medium-dry (mesic-dry) sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Shade to partial sun Mature size: 10 to 20 inches tall and 12 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soils; prefers woodlands with an ample amount of humus and leaf litter Seasonal interest: Upright flowers with small clusters of large, showy light blue to violet-colored flowers; flowers begin to open in April or May (depending on latitude) When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native-plant nurseries
Flowers for butterflies and bees.
How to Plant Sunflowers When to plant: In spring when the soil has reached 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 16 degrees Celsius) Light requirement: Full sun Water requirement: Regular to generous Days to maturity: 68 to 90 Favorites: Giganteus, Kong, Mammoth Grey Stripe, Mammoth Russian, Mongolian Gian, Rostov OG, Russia Giant, Sunseed, Sunspot, Sunzilla, Titan Planting and care: Choose a spot that gets full sun for at least six hours per day, preferably more, and that is not overly windy. Before planting, work in a complete fertilizer about 2 inches to the side of the planting row and about 2 inches deep. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 6 to 12 inches apart, in rows 2 to 3 feet apart. Thin to 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart once the seedlings have reached about 6 inches. It’s generally better to start sunflowers from seeds, as transplanting can be tricky due to fragile taproots, but if you buy seedlings, set them 1 to 1 1/2 feet apart.
Botanical name: Chelone glabra Common names: Turtlehead, white turtlehead Origin: Native from Minnesota south to Alabama and all points east, except Florida Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Wet to moist soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Unique bloom color; tolerates wet soil; great for rain gardens or swales Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to early fall When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; seed in fall or winter.
Turtlehead - Botanical name: Chelone glabra Common names: Turtlehead, white turtlehead Origin: Native from Minnesota south to Alabama and all points east, except Florida Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Wet to moist soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Unique bloom color; tolerates wet soil; great for rain gardens or swales Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to early fall When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; seed in fall or winter.
Deer Resistent - Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) Native from Wisconsin and Iowa to the Pacific Northwest With slightly hairy leaves, this ground cover tickles deer tongues to become unpalatable. Red buds bloom in late spring to early summer, giving way to glittery seed heads. Prairie smoke thrives in very dry soils and reaches no more than 12 inches or so while in bloom.
Winter Red Winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’) This is a better selection for gardeners in cold regions — and it’s more compact. The male cultivar for this plant is I. ‘Southern Gentleman’. It makes for an eye-catching border and is very low maintenance. Burke Brothers Landscape Design/Build SaveEmail For winter containers branches of winterberry holly look fantastic mixed with pine boughs, fir tips and other evergreens, and they last a long time indoors, too. In the landscape birds will eat the red berries — watch for robins, cardinals, juncoes, grosbeaks and cedar waxwings. Origin: This is the female cultivar of the eastern U.S. native. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 6 to 8 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Adapted to swamps and wetlands; attracts birds
Sparkleberry Winterberry (Ilex ‘Sparkleberry’) This cultivar produces bright red fruits that attract birds during winter. Plant with Ilex ‘Apollo’ (the male cultivar) for the best fruit set. Use it as a small tree if space is limited. Origin: This is the female cultivar of the eastern U.S. native. Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 5 to 9 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates wet soils; attracts birds
Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) The dogwood family includes both trees and shrubs, and the majority of them are gardenworthy — some for flowers; others for foliage or stem colors; still others for their graceful forms. This native dogwood produces white berries that birds adore, and when the leaves fall, red stems are revealed. Also try pagoda dogwood (C. alternifolia) and redtwig dogwood (C. sericea). Origin: Native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States Where it will grow: Hardy from -30 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Water requirement: Well-drained soil Light requirement: Full to partial shade Mature size: 10 to 15 feet tall and wide Attracts: Bobwhites, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, cardinals, grosbeaks, tanagers
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) Whether it’s for you or your feathered friends, you won’t go wrong with a viburnum. Many provide three seasons of interest; others are fragrant. Some are evergreen. These shrubs are all terrific garden plants, and quite a few are berry-producing machines. Also try highbush cranberry (V. edule). Origin: Native to eastern North America Where it will grow: Hardy from -40 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 8) Water requirement: Well-drained soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide Attracts: All kinds of birds, including cardinals, mockingbirds, blue jays and catbirds
Botanical name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (formerly Aster novae-angliae) Common name: New England aster Origin: Native to all of North America except Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and Florida in the U.S.; in Canada it does not occur in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan or the Canadian territories Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, meadows, savannas, riparian and wetland edges, and woodland openings Holm Design & Consulting LLC SaveEmail Soil requirement: Mesic to moist, sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soil types except dry, well-drained sites Seasonal interest: Light pink to deep purple flowers from August to October When to plant: Spring or late fall Distinguishing traits. New England aster grows quietly in the background throughout the summer, then begins to shine as other perennials look worn out and tattered from the growing season; with tightly clustered, clasping leaves, upright flower stalks and cl...
Botanical name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (formerly Aster novae-angliae) Common name: New England aster Origin: Native to all of North America except Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and Florida in the U.S.; in Canada it does not occur in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan or the Canadian territories Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, meadows, savannas, riparian and wetland edges, and woodland openings Holm Design & Consulting LLC SaveEmail Soil requirement: Mesic to moist, sandy-loam to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soil types except dry, well-drained sites Seasonal interest: Light pink to deep purple flowers from August to October When to plant: Spring or late fall Distinguishing traits. New England aster grows quietly in the background throughout the summer, then begins to shine as other perennials look worn out and tattered from the growing season; with tightly clustered, clasping leaves, upright flower stalks and cl...
Cool system for watering plants hanging on a wall
Botanical name: Dicentra eximia Common names: Wild bleedingheart, turkey corn, fringed bleedingheart Origin: Native from New Jersey and West Virginia south to Virginia and Tennessee, mostly in the Appalachian Mountains; has been found growing wild from Vermont to Georgia and west to Illinois Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone) Shown: Wild bleedingheart’s pink hearts in mid-April SaveEmail Water requirement: Prefers moist soil but will survive under drier conditions Light requirement: Sun to shade; does best in partial sunlight or open shade; will tolerate more sun if the soil is kept moist Mature size: 12 to 18 inches tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Resistant to deer and rabbit browsing; the foliage will look good all season in a shady location. I have grown this plant under the canopy of a Norway maple (dry shade) with good success. Seasonal interest: Blooming is most intense in early to mid spring and will continue sporadically until fall; wild bleedingheart is among the first plants to leaf out in April and can have good-looking foliage well into fall When to plant: Nursery-grown plants can be put in the ...
Botanical name: Lobelia siphilitica Common names: Great blue lobelia, blue cardinal flower Origin: Native from Minnesota southwest into Wyoming and Colorado, south to Oklahoma and Louisiana, and all points east Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun if wet soil; partial shade if medium soil Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and up to 18 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Likes wet soil; tolerates some shade; unique color and form Seasonal interest: Blooms in midsummer to early fall; some winter interest with mature plants that have multiple spires When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; seed in fall or winter.
Botanical name: Lobelia siphilitica Common names: Great blue lobelia, blue cardinal flower Origin: Native from Minnesota southwest into Wyoming and Colorado, south to Oklahoma and Louisiana, and all points east Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun if wet soil; partial shade if medium soil Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and up to 18 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Likes wet soil; tolerates some shade; unique color and form Seasonal interest: Blooms in midsummer to early fall; some winter interest with mature plants that have multiple spires When to plant: Potted or bare-root plants can be planted from spring to fall; seed in fall or winter.
Botanical name: Baptisia australis var. minor Common name: Dwarf blue indigo Origin: U.S. native in southeast Nebraska, central and eastern Kansas, western Missouri and Akansas, and most of Oklahoma Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Bone-dry to medium soil Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Very low maintenance; superb architectural plant when in bloom; attracts pollinators Seasonal interest: Great winter interest; unique blooms in late spring When to plant: Spring to fall; seed in fall or winter, though seeds will need scarification to germinate
Hillside Black Beauty Snakeroot (Actaea simplex, previously Cimicifuga simplex) With such an unfortunate name, it’s hard to imagine that snakeroot, also called black cohosh, could be either beautiful or fragrant — but in fact it’s both. There are several garden varieties of snakeroot that have almost black leaves, and one of my favorites is Hillside Black Beauty. Rich blue-black leaves form a large clump, which is stunning enough, especially when set off against golden foliage such as that of Golden Spirit smokebush. In late summer tall spires push skyward, each one tipped with long, white foxtail-like blooms that release a vanilla scent until fall. Origin: The species is native to Russia, China, Korea and Japan, but this is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 8) Soil requirement: Moisture retentive Light requirement: Partial shade Mature size: Flower spikes may reach 6 to 7 feet tall, but the basal foliage is about 2 feet tall and wide When to plant: Spring or fall
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) Whether you consider sweet autumn clematis a vicious thug or a vigorous vine, you can’t help but love the fragrance it brings to the late-season garden. The starry white flowers have a smell reminiscent of honey. Origin: Japan Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide When to plant: Spring or fall Note: This plant may be considered invasive in your area. Check with your local extension office before planting.
Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) Who can resist the smell of caramel corn or cotton candy? The scent of the katsura tree has been described as both of these. As the foliage turns yellow, the fragrance is released and can be enjoyed from a considerable distance. I was introduced to this remarkable tree when I moved to the Pacific Northwest and was working at a nursery. The scent was tormenting me as I hunted everywhere for the kettle corn stand that I was convinced must be nearby. My colleagues eventually stopped laughing and pointed out a cluster of these magnificent trees at the far end of the parking lot. Not surprisingly, I now have one in my own garden. To me it is the harbinger of fall. Origin: Japan and China Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Average but needs more water in full sun Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun Mature size: 40 to 50 feet tall and 25 feet wide When to plant: Spring or late fall
Botanical name: Monarda fistulosa Common name: Wild bergamot Origin: Native to all of North America except Alaska, Yukon and Nunavut Territories, California, Florida, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador Where it will grow: Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2a to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges, meadows and savannas; naturalizes in old fields and railway right-of-ways Soil requirement: Medium to medium-dry sand to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 18 to 30 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Moderately drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Flowers from July until September When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Monarda fistulosa Common name: Wild bergamot Origin: Native to all of North America except Alaska, Yukon and Nunavut Territories, California, Florida, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador Where it will grow: Hardy to -50 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2a to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges, meadows and savannas; naturalizes in old fields and railway right-of-ways Soil requirement: Medium to medium-dry sand to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and 18 to 30 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Moderately drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Flowers from July until September When to plant: Spring or fall
Sturdy aster
Botanical name: Agastache foeniculum Common names: Anise hyssop, fragrant hyssop Origin: Native to the northern portion of North America, including Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Hampshire in the United States and all the Canadian provinces except Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Where it will grow: Hardy to -55 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 1b to 6b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges, mountain slopes and old fields Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil; sand to clay-loam Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
Botanical name: Agastache foeniculum Common names: Anise hyssop, fragrant hyssop Origin: Native to the northern portion of North America, including Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Hampshire in the United States and all the Canadian provinces except Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Where it will grow: Hardy to -55 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 1b to 6b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges, mountain slopes and old fields Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil; sand to clay-loam Light requirement: Full sun to partial sun
Botanical name: Symphoricarpos albus Common names: Common snowberry, waxberry Origin: Western and eastern North America and Canada Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 10; find your zone) Water requirement: Snowberry is unfussy; once it’s established, no supplemental summer water is required. Light requirement: Shade to sun Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall plus suckers Benefits and tolerances: Small blossoms provide nectar for hummingbirds and pollen for insects; the fruit is enjoyed by many songbirds, including grosbeaks, robins, thrushes, towhees and waxwings, as well as by a variety of mammals Seasonal interest: Pretty light green spring foliage on arching stems; delicate pink flowers in early summer; striking white berries all winter When to plant: Fall to spring is ideal, but it’s unfussy
Botanical name: Symphoricarpos albus Common names: Common snowberry, waxberry Origin: Western and eastern North America and Canada Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 10; find your zone) Water requirement: Snowberry is unfussy; once it’s established, no supplemental summer water is required. Light requirement: Shade to sun Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall plus suckers Benefits and tolerances: Small blossoms provide nectar for hummingbirds and pollen for insects; the fruit is enjoyed by many songbirds, including grosbeaks, robins, thrushes, towhees and waxwings, as well as by a variety of mammals Seasonal interest: Pretty light green spring foliage on arching stems; delicate pink flowers in early summer; striking white berries all winter When to plant: Fall to spring is ideal, but it’s unfussy
You all know New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) I'm sure. Native to most of the central and eastern U.S., it reaches 2 feet wide and 3 to 5 feet tall — shorter if in medium soil; taller if in moist. It's a late-September to early October bloomer; the more sun it gets, the more flowers a myriad of insects and butterflies can enjoy. Cut it back by 50 percent before July 4 to have a bushier, shorter, bloomier plant.
White woodland aster (Aster divaricatus) is native to the East Coast and takes dry soil in full shade (the common name is a giveaway). It blooms about the same time as A. azureus, so it's nice to have both plants — one blooming in sun, one in shade. It reaches about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, and looks great massed in groups of three.
Next is my new favorite, the late-August to early September sky blue aster (Aster azureus). A dry-soil-loving, full-sun bloomer, it gets about 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide. I actually think it's one of the brightest asters out there. It's native to the eastern Plains and central Midwest, roughly along the Mississippi and then to two states east and west. Because of its small footprint and wiry stems, I tuck it in wherever I can — come bloom time, I'm always surprised to see those iridescent flowers shining above long-silent summer perennials.
The first aster for me each year is an early to mid-August bloomer, big-leaf aster (Aster macrophyllus, or Symphyotrichum macrophylla if you've made the switch to the new Latin). It likes partial sun to shade in soils from dry to wet, getting about 12 to 18 inches tall and slowly creeping around. It's native to the Great Lakes, New England and eastern Midwest. The good thing about this perennial is that it keeps its petals a long time; for me it makes a great front-of-the-border splash.
Botanical name: Campanula rotundifolia Common name: Harebell Origin: Native to all of North America except the following states: Nevada, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and states eastward to Georgia, including Florida. Where it will grow: Hardy to -55 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 1a to 8b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Rocky alpine slopes, rock outcroppings, sand prairies, meadows and sandy beaches Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil; sand to loamy sand Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 12 inches to 18 inches tall and 6 inches to 12 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates heat from hardscaping Seasonal interest: Harebell begins flowering in late May or early June, putting on a subtle, distinctive display; it will often rebloom during the summer months and into early September. When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Sugar Tip’ Common names: Sugar Tip rose of Sharon, Sugar Tip hibiscus Origin: This species is native to Asia (not Syria, as one might expect), but Sugar Tip is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 8 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
Botanical name: Penstemon digitalis Common name: Smooth beardtongue Origin: Native to eastern North America, except Florida; the western part of its range includes South Dakota and south to Texas Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3a to 9a; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges and field margins Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil; sand to loamy clay Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 24 inches to 36 inches tall and 12 inches to 18 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of most soil types Seasonal interest: Large, white flowers in the spring and glossy green foliage that remains attractive into the summer months When to plant: Spring or fall
White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) Native from the Rocky Mountain region up and down the U.S. to just east of the Mississippi River This is one of the best legumes you can have, as it pumps a whopping 160 pounds of nitrogen per acre into the soil — provided, of course, you have an acre covered in white prairie clover. It loves sun to some shade and dry, nasty soil, from clay to sand to even a bit of gravel. Reaching 2 feet tall and wide, and blooming from June to July, it is a modest plant that the bees love.
Round-Headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata) Native from the Central Plains all the way to the East Coast I’d bet my garden you’ve never heard of this plant, but boy, is it carefree and unique — especially if you can zoom in on the blooms. Its winter interest is also fantastic; it has very ornamental seed heads. Bush clover prefers full sun to some shade in medium to dry soils, and reaches 2 to 4 feet tall, with a spread of 1 foot to 2 feet. It blooms from August into September — a time of year when not much else is flowering.
Botanical name: Liatris ligulistylis Common names: Meadow blazingstar, Rocky Mountain blazingstar Origin: U.S. native in scattered spots in the Rocky Mountains and the Front Range, the northern Plains and the Midwest from Wisconsin, Illinois and Arkansas west. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 7; find your zone); best planted if native to your area Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun to 50 percent shade Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 1 foot wide Benefits and tolerances: Very low maintenance; unique blooms, unlike other Liatris species; ornamental seed heads in fall; butterfly magnet Seasonal interest: Fall color can be a rainbow assortment When to plant: Spring to fall; seed in fall or winter
Deer Resistant Flower Zagreb Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’) Who can resist a splash of sunshine? That’s just what this tickseed brings to the summer garden, with its golden daisy-like flowers. Feathery foliage makes this a perennial that is attractive even when not in bloom. Origin: Threadleaf tickseed is native to the southeastern United States, but the cultivar Zagreb is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 2 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Low maintenance; drought tolerant Seasonal interest: Summer to fall When to plant: Summer or fall Planting notes: Plant it in average, well-drained soil.
Deer Resistant Flower Paprika Yarrow (Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’) Paprika opens with spicy-hot color, as shown here, then fades to shades of terra-cotta. The color lasts for many weeks, and if you take the time to deadhead the old flowers, it will continue to bloom from June to October. Yarrow is inexpensive, which makes it a great choice for massing in the border. Origin: The species is native to Europe, but Paprika is a garden hybrid Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 12 to 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates drought and poor soil; low maintenance; attracts butterflies and bees Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Spring Planting notes: Needs well-drained soil
Botanical name: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Sugar Tip’ Common names: Sugar Tip rose of Sharon, Sugar Tip hibiscus Origin: This species is native to Asia (not Syria, as one might expect), but Sugar Tip is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 5 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 8 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
Botanical name: Penstemon digitalis Common name: Smooth beardtongue Origin: Native to eastern North America, except Florida; the western part of its range includes South Dakota and south to Texas Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3a to 9a; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Prairies, woodland edges and field margins Water requirement: Medium to dry, well-drained soil; sand to loamy clay Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 24 inches to 36 inches tall and 12 inches to 18 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerant of most soil types Seasonal interest: Large, white flowers in the spring and glossy green foliage that remains attractive into the summer months When to plant: Spring or fall
Botanical name: Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’ Common name: Skylands Oriental spruce Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8a; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium, well-drained soil (1 inch of water per week) Light requirement: Full sun to morning sun/afternoon shade in warmer climates Mature size: 30 feet high and 10 feet wide, growing 4 to 6 inches per year once established Benefits and tolerances: Well suited to smaller spaces; some drought tolerance once established; additionally, it offers a good nesting spot for birds Seasonal interest: Year-round chartreuse foliage; colorful cones; great structure for the winter garden
Butterfly milkweed Botanical name: Asclepias tuberosa Common name: Butterfly milkweed Origin: Native to most of North America except for the Canadian Atlantic provinces and northwestern states and provinces Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 3a to 10b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Oak savannas, prairies and woodland edges
Botanical name: Oligoneuron riddellii (formerly Solidago riddellii) Common name: Riddell’s goldenrod Origin: Native from western Minnesota south to northern Arkansas and east to Ohio and Michigan Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Medium to moist soil; prefers consistent moisture Light requirement: Full sun to 25 percent shade Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances:Attracts pollinators Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to early fall When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in midspring to late fall; plant seeds in late fall through midwinter.
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