Louisiana Native Plants

The variegated glossy arrowhead shaped foliage has dark green veining and lighter patches in between. The Little Brown Jug plant, Hexastylis arifolia var. arifolia, is a clump forming evergreen perennial native to much of the southeastern US as far west as eastern Louisiana (where these plants originated). It is typically found in shaded, well-drained sandy loam soils. It gets its name from the interesting purple to brown jug shaped flowers that lay on the ground at the base of the plant and are produced in summer. A member of the Aristolochiaceae family, Dutchman's Pipe family, but is not a host for the Pipevine Swallowtail as far as we know. Little Brown Jugs makes a nice addition to shaded gardens and can also be enjoyed as a low maintenance container plant. Item# 11766

Golden yellow quilled ray petals surround deep brown-eyed cones. The unique flowers of Little Henry Sweet Coneflower are produced on many branched sturdy stems beginning in mid to late summer with the show lasting often into fall on well established plants. A compact form of Henry Eilers with sturdier flower stems and an earlier flowering time, Little Henry's poise and uniqueness lend it to use in smaller spaces but it is sure to make a big statement in nearly any garden or landscape. A clump forming, native perennial whose flowers attract a variety of garden beneficials. Image courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, www.terranovanurseries.com. Item# 10921.

The gray evergreen foliage of this durable native perennial contrasts nicely in the garden. Louisiana Artemesia, sometimes called Dusty Miller, creates a mass of silvery-gray foliage and stems that spreads fairly quickly and develops into large colonies. Drought tolerant, deer and pest resistant, and a good larger groundcover. Item# 10343.

A beautiful and compact selection of our native Woodland Phlox, Louisiana Blue produces large clusters of purplish-blue flowers that are held above the rich green foliage in early spring. An easy to grow groundcover that does well in deciduous shade since it is a winter and early spring growing perennial. Provide a well-drained soil, acid soil with partial shade during summer for the best results. Item# 9410.

Light blue starry flowers are produced in pyramidal clusters atop the new stems in early to mid spring and are visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Louisiana Bluestar is a rare and unusual Amsonia with large rounded velvety foliage with a silvery reverse. Unlike most other Bluestars it is short rhizomatous but is not invasive or aggressive and develops into a small tight colony of plants and stems. Also known as Sandhill Bluestar it is more tolerant of drier sites than other Bluestars once established. Easy and enjoyable. Item# 9809

Deep glowing red star shaped flowers are held on tall wispy stems for a long period from midsummer and often into fall. One of the most beautiful red wildflowers to be found in the pineywoods of western Louisiana and east Texas. A rare native drought tolerant taprooted perennial with narrow, strap-like medium green foliage. Item# 9522.

4-5" wide deep rose red flowers are produced in abundance with the show beginning in late spring or early summer and continuing until fall. Lufkin Red is a hardy perennial Hibiscus with a compact upright to spreading habit. This cultivar along with Lufkin White were developed for resistance to leaf spot diseases as well as flower color and their compact upright form by Cecile Pounders and the ARS division of the USDA at McNeill, MS and tested at the Poplarville, MS station for 5 years. These are selections from seedlings of Hibiscus laevis, the Halberdleaf Rosemallow. Item# 11169

4-5" wide pure white flowers with a dark burgundy eye are produced in abundance with the show beginning in late spring or early summer and continuing until fall. Lufkin White is a hardy perennial Hibiscus with a compact upright to spreading habit. This cultivar along with Lufkin Red were developed for resistance to leaf spot diseases as well as flower color and their compact upright form by Cecile Pounders and the ARS division of the USDA at McNeill, MS and tested at the Poplarville, MS station for 5 years. These are selections from seedlings of Hibiscus laevis, the Halberdleaf Rosemallow. Item# 11169

Clusters of 1 1/2" wide, light lavender double to single flowers sit atop the sturdy stems beginning in late spring with flowering continuing through much of summer on established plants. Mac's Double Purple Spiderwort is a unique double flowered selection of this durable and reliable native perennial. The perfect addition to any cottage garden, low maintenance landscapes, and in containers. Easy and carefree. Item# 11112

Clusters of 1 1/2" wide, light lavender double to single flowers sit atop the sturdy stems beginning in late spring with flowering continuing through much of summer on established plants. Mac's Double Purple Spiderwort is a unique double flowered selection of this durable and reliable native perennial. The perfect addition to any cottage garden, low maintenance landscapes, and in containers. Easy and carefree. Item# 11681

Clusters of deep orange 2" tubular flowers with yellow throats are held above the rich blue-green foliage of this selection of the tame native Coral Honeysuckle. This easily grown evergreen vine is an excellent choice for hummingbirds and butterflies that may produce flowers basically year round with peak flowering in early to mid spring as the Humminbirds arrive. Item# 9573.

Considered by many to be the best of the red flowered Coral Honeysuckles. Major Wheeler produces loads of large clusters of deep red 2" tubular flowers with yellow throats are held above the rich blue-green disease resistant foliage of this selection of the tame native Coral Honeysuckle. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 9719.

.

Tall spikes of glowing red to purplish-red, 2-3" tubular blooms are born in summer above the foliage of this tough native perennial. A drought tolerant and hardy shrublet that freezes back to the ground to return in spring. The flowers are followed by dark colored bean pods that split open to display their brilliant red-orange beans that can remain on the plant all winter. Excellent for Hummingbirds. Item# 9408.

Clusters of 4" long pastel orange-yellow tubular flowers adorn this vigorous native vine throughout summer. Trumpet Creeper is an excellent choice for hummingbirds and we thought it was appropriate to name this naturally occurring Almost Eden selection after the Green-Breasted Mango Hummingbird just in case they get to visit one in your yard. Trumpet Creeper's vigor, tolerance of poor soils, and durability lend it to use in difficult sites. Use as an espalier, allow it to climb a sturdy fence, or cover an arbor. Item# 11374

3" soft primrose yellow, cornflower-like daisies are born in summer on this durable and reliable, clump forming US native perennial. Stoke's Aster comes highly recommended and its easy to see why with moderate drought resistance, deer and rabbit resistance and it revels in the heat and sun of our southern summers. Plants readily multiply into dense clumps. Super easy and tough. Item# 10487.

The Maypop Passionvine or Passion Flower produces a summer long display of 2-3" wide white, lavender, and purple exotic flowers that are held against medium green tropical foliage. Pollinated flowers are followed by round passion fruit that ripen to yellow and contain a tangy tropical tasting clear flesh that surrounds each of the small black inedible seeds. This easy to grow perennial native vine can grow to 15-18' each year if given a suitable support but it is also happy to clamber along a fence, trellis, or any other support that it can grasp with its strong tendrils. Provide a well-drained soil and a full to mostly sunny position for the best results. The Maypop is the caterpillar host for the Gulf Fritillary and other members of the Longwing family as well as the Variegated Fritillary. Item# 500.

As well mannered in the garden as it name implies Miss Manners Physostegia stays in a tidy clump. In summer it produces dense spikes of tubular white flowers atop sturdy stems that attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds. This is a hardy, perennial that is native to the eastern half of North America and prefers moist to wet soils but performs well with average moisture. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11094

Large clusters of rich purple flowers sit atop the sturdy stems of this medium sized Ironweed in summer and can last well into fall. A great perennial for butterflies and other pollinators. As the name implies Ironweed is a tough perennial but is well suited to garden culture. Provide good drainage and ample sunlight for best results though we've found that it will tolerate partial sun as well. Item# 10468.

The finely textured blue-green  to deep green fragrant foliage of Narrow-Leaved Mountainmint is topped by large clusters of tiny light lavender to light pink tubular blooms in summer. An excellent choice for native pollinators like bees and butterflies. This tough low native seems to remain where you put it creating a clump forming perennial that is fairly tough and durable. Tolerant of wet and dry soil conditions. A good choice for a minty tea. Item# 10030.