Plants for Bogs & Wet Areas

The huge 8-9" wide ruffled white flowers sporting darker pink veining with a dark burgundy eye shine like spotlights against the foil of dark burgundy to near black foliage and are produced throughout summer. A top performing selection, Dark Mystery Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous and reliable clump forming perennial Hibiscus with a good branching habit. It is sure to be a star in almost any garden or landscape! Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, Dark Mystery is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12060

Masses of deep brick red trumpet shaped flowers nearly cover up this vine in spring or early summer just in time for arriving hummingbirds. It's almost like the two coordinate it or something! The red Dragon Lady Crossvine is a vigorous evergreen to semi-evergreen clinging vine(it does so via pads on the end of its tendrils and so is not destructive to brickwork and masonry) that can easily clamber up or along masonry, tree bark, fences, or other structural supports on its own. Crossvines are a low maintenance choice for fences, posts, arbors, and larger trellises. The deep red trumpet shaped flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. The foliage takes on purple and burgundy coloration throughout the cooler months when grown in full to mostly sunny conditions. Dragon Lady Crossvine is reported to be a slightly more cold hardy selection and was chosen as the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society's Gold Medal Award winner in 2003. Item# 391

Purple falls with prominent darker red-purple veining and a contrasting gold signal topped by the light lavender standards that deepen to purple at their outer edges, and are topped by light blush pink style arms.purple standards. Earline Sudduth Louisiana Iris flowers in midseason, typically April, flowering and grows to about 30-36"H. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13340

Clusters of blue to light blue, star-shaped flowers are borne in spring on sturdy stems atop the wide foliage. The Eastern Bluestar makes a wonderful garden addition with a mannerly clump forming habit and excellent pest and disease resistance. Yellow fall foliage color adds to its interest. Tolerant of wet to average moist soils. Eastern Bluestar is an easy to grow and reliable native perennial. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbird moths. Item# 10268

Dense clusters of large pink tubular flowers with a white lower lip are born in late summer and early fall on this easy native perennial. Excellent for attracting bees. This is the latest flowering Physostegia that we grow. The Fall Obedient Plant will readily spread by rhizomes creating a mass of sturdy, 3-4' stems. An easy and reliable native perennial. Item# 10420.

Producing large, often branched, clusters of large pink tubular flowers in summer atop sturdy 4-7' high stems with narrow medium green foliage. Adored by Hummingbirds and other long-tonged pollinators. Finger False Dragonhead is a rare species that seems quite happy in average garden settings where it readily multiplies by rhizomes. This is evident by the host of new rosettes that emerge in winter for spring's flowers. Item# 10238.

Large clusters of dense frilly purple flowers are borne from mid-summer to fall on this tall vigorous native perennial. An excellent choice for the back of the border where the butterflies and bees can enjoy it. Commonly found in moist clay soils but will do fine in average garden soils. Item# 9257.

Steel blue spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Gunsmoke is a selection of our native Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, with an initially upright to vase shaped habit becoming rounded once flowering begins. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper, Arogos Skipper, Tawny Edged Skipper, Northern Pearly Eye, and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12305

4-6" wide, white to pale pink flowers with a contrasting burgundy eye and showy staminal column are produced in summer along the 4-6' high stems attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow, Hibiscus laevis, is a root hardy herbaceous native perennial Hibiscus producing multiple stems at maturity. It is typically found growing along freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams where it has an ample moisture supply and will likely prefer a similar, consistently moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum growth and vigor. This will be a good choice for bogs and rain gardens. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow is native to much of the central and eastern US and gets its name from its halberd shaped foliage. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 12975

Earned 4 out of 4 stars in trials at Chicago Botanic Gardens! Dome shaped clusters, up to 5" wide, are composed of deep blue pointed buds that open to pale blue starry flowers and are produced in mid to late spring attracting butterflies, larger bees, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths. Halfway to Arkansas Blue Star, an Intrinsic Perennials selection, is a clump forming, taprooted, herbaceous, native perennial with a dense bushy, almost neatly formal habit once mature and is cloaked in deep green, fine textured, narrow foliage that changes to gold tinged with purple in autumn. Amsonias or Blue Stars are tough, easy, heat and humidity loving, deer and rabbit resistant, and tolerate low fertility soils. Grow Halfway to Arkansas Blue Star in a full sun to partly shaded site and the plants will generally need more moisture or a quality organic mulch in hotter sunnier sites and can tolerate slightly drier conditions where they receive some shade during the heat of the day, while sunnier sites tend to offer the sturdiest growth and best flowering. Images courtesy of Intrinsic Perennials, all rights reserved. Item# 13332

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Spikes of lightly fragrant peachy-pink butterfly-shaped flowers are produced in summer atop sturdy stems adorned in rich green tropical looking foliage in mid to late summer. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and likely pollinating Sphinx Moths as well. The Hardy Peach Ginger, Hedychium coccineum var. angustifolium 'Peach', is a moderately vigorous, rhizomatous, naturally evergreen tropical that acts like a root hardy die-back perennial in areas where freezes occur. It multiplies readily but not invasively. Makes a good cut flower and is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. The Hedychium Gingers typically need the equivalent of about 4-6 hours of cool sunlight in a moist to average moist, rich fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. An organic mulch with all of its many benefits is highly recommended especially for new plantings and in zones 7-8. Item# 10032

Won numerous Top Performer trial awards across the US in 2020 as an annual! The large tropical looking new foliage emerges a deep bluish green maturing to rich deep green with a matte finish and are held atop deep purple to near black stems. Heart of the Jungle® Elephant Ear or Colocasia is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous tropical that acts like a die-back perennial in zones 8-9 returning from the roots and crown in spring. This cultivar does produce runners in late summer to fall which can be removed to prevent spreading it can also be enjoyed as a container plant. Be sure to dispose of any plant parts responsibly to ensure that it does not escape. Elephant Ears grow best in a moist to wet, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Photos courtesy of Proven Winners©, www.provenwinners.com, all rights reserved. Item# 12883

Steely blue-gray spring and summer foliage is topped by nicely contrasting tan colored airy panicles in late summer and fall. In fall the foliage changes to yellow and finally beige creating winter interest and providing food, habitat, and nesting material for a variety of birds and other fauna. Heavy Metal Switchgrass, a selection of the native Panicum virgatum, with an with a strongly upright, columnar, dense habit that remains upright even through heavy rains. This is a naturally clump-forming herbaceous perennial that is found throughout much of the US and into Canada, except for the westernmost states, and is a major component of the Tall Grass Prairies. Switchgrass was also used by native Americans to build long-lasting, rain resistant shelters. The foliage is a larval host to the Delaware Skipper, Arogos Skipper, Tawny Edged Skipper, Northern Pearly Eye, and Dotted Skippers. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and moisture regimes. Item# 12854

The large rounded flower clusters, to 12" more across, are of composed of hundreds of dainty pinkish-purple flowers are produced in mid to late summer and into fall atop tall, sturdy, upright to arching, hollow, purple spotted stems with whorled, medium green, rugose foliage. Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium fistulosum but now classified Eutrochium fistulosum, is a long-lived, clump forming, deciduous, herbaceous, native perennial that is typically found growing along stream banks and in other relatively consistently moist areas but it does just fine under average garden conditions as well. Joe Pye Weed's nectar rich flowers attract butterflies and a variety of smaller pollinators including honeybees. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a moist to wet to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor, the sturdiest stems, and maximum flower production. Item# 475

In summer arching spikes of showy green, flattened seed heads, reminiscent of fish hanging on a fishing pole, are produced which eventually fade to tan and remain showy until late winter or early spring. The seed heads flutter even in the slightest of breezes providing motion and interest for months. One of our most recognizable, useful, and adaptable native grasses, Inland Sea Oats, Chasmanthium latifolium, is a deciduous, small to medium-sized perennial that readily develops into a groundcover via both rhizomes and seed. Its shade and moisture tolerance lend it to use as a tallish groundcover in both full sun to lightly shaded, wet to average moist, naturalistic garden and landscape settings. The decorative seedheads are used both fresh and dried in cut flower arrangements and the foliage is utilized by the Northern Pearly-Eye, Salt and Pepper Skipper, Bell's Roadside Skipper, and the Bronzed Roadside Skipper butterflies. This rhizomatous native grass is widely distributed throughout the central and eastern US from near central and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvannia. Tough, adaptable, provides late summer, fall, and winter color, and it's deer resistant. Item# 13108

We fell in love instantly with this gorgeous Hibiscus! The summerlong display of large, 8"+ wide, ruffled and textured, deep rose pink flowers have an inner halo of lavender purple and are set against a backdrop of dark olive green foliage all on a heavy flowering well-branched plant. Inner Glow Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, Inner Glow is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 12843

Kevin Matthews Louisiana Iris produces large purple flowers with contrasting golden daggers outlined in black along the outer edges of the standards. This is a vigorous and hardy Louisiana Iris that is part of the Fallen Heroes series hybridized by Lee-Ann Connelly, now Shearhouse, and marketed by Ag3 Inc. A portion of the price of each plant is donated to the Fallen First Responders charity that aids the children of both Firefighters and Law Enforcement. Multiplies readily in average garden soils, moist to wet soils, or they can be set in water gardens where the container is just below the water's surface. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Image courtesy of Ag3 Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12140

The dark coppery to burgundy colored cloak of foliage is topped by a summer long display of large full light pink to near white flowers that are delicately marked with darker pink veining and a burgundy eye. A truly remarkable contrast that is impossible to miss in the landscape! A clump forming moisture loving perennial, Kopper King's compact habit and dark foliage make it a stand out when sited behind Louisiana Irises or next to the chartreuse foliage of Maui Gold Elephant Ears. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10925

The large pink, dark-eyed flowers of Lady Baltimore Hibiscus are sure to make a statement in the late spring and summer garden. This root hardy, die-back perennial has a compact 5' x 5' habit and is tolerant of soil moisture levels ranging from average moist to wet soils. Lord and Lady Baltimore Hibiscus are the earliest flowering cultivars that we grow. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 10318.

In mid to late summer large rounded flower clusters composed of hundreds of pinkish-purple to near rose-pink flowers are perched atop tall, dark purple, sturdy, upright stems with whorled, medium green, rugose foliage. Little Joe Coastal Joe Pye Weed, a selection of Eupatorium dubium but now classified Eutrochium dubium, is a clump forming, deciduous, herbaceous, native perennial growing to 4-5' high that is typically found growing near consistently moist areas along the East Coast but it does fine under average garden conditions as well. The flowers of Little Joe's nectar rich flowers attract butterflies and a variety of smaller pollinators including honeybees. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a moist to wet to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor, the sturdiest stems, and maximum flower production. One of only 4 cultivars to receive 5 out of 5 stars in trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13183

Intense pure red, massive, dinner plate sized flowers are produced beginning in early summer and continuing until fall on this vigorous and free flowering perennial Hibiscus. Lord Baltimore is one of the first widely cultivated Hardy Hibiscus developed by Robert Darby in the 1950's and it is still popular to this day! Perennial Hibiscus produce the largest flowers of any perennial in the garden and the rich red of Lord Baltimore may even stop traffic, if accidentally. It is a vigorous upright to spreading perennial that easily fits into the back of the perennial border or as a specimen in moist sites. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11017