Louisiana Native Plants

Large pyramidal clusters that are composed of showy, 1" wide, trumpet shaped, white flowers that have yellow to orange stripes and purple dots for bee guides are borne over a few weeks in mid spring. The nectar and pollen rich flowers of the Southern Catalpa are excellent for honey production as well as for native bees and other pollinators. Fast growing and pyramidal when young, the Catalpa can quickly reach flowering size at 15-25' under good conditions with ample moisture and moderate fertility. Item# 3057.

Dense spikes of rosy pink tubular flowers are produced in late summer and fall atop sturdy stems attracting butterflies, larger bees, and hummingbirds. The Southern Fall Obedient Plant, Physostegia virginiana ssp. praemorsa, is a clump forming species of Physostegia, whereas most species spread via long rhizomes, this one is a much more mannerly native perennial better suited to garden culture. It will slowly multiply developing into a dense clump of foliage and flowering stems. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a wet to moist to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12752

The huge white fruitily fragrant flowers of the Southern Magnolia can reach up to 12" across and are set against a backdrop of deep green glossy foliage in mid to late spring. Pollinated flowers are followed by cones whose fruit ripens to bright red and are often used as additions to fall and early winter bouquets, wreaths, and other types of floral arrangements. The ripe red fruit attract songbirds and small mammals. The Southern Magnolia is a moderately fast growing tree when young and typically develops into a naturally pyramidal form when young and typically develops a rounded crown at maturity. In a full to mostly sunny position limbs will often reach to ground even on mature trees and the dense thick foliage makes a nearly impenetrable mulch beneath them. Seedling trees, which these are, are somewhat variable and flowering may not begin flowering until the trees are 10-25 years of age. Item# 12030

A low growing, clump forming to slowly spreading perennial the Southern Prairie Aster produces 1" wide, medium purple to lighter pinkish purple daisies with a yellow eye atop sturdy upright to arching stems beginning in late summer and lasting into fall. This is another Aster that is native to sandy dryer upland soils and so is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Excellent for native pollinators. Item# 10694.

One of the most recognizable features of Southeastern swamps, the Gulf Coast, and historic southern homes are the long gray masses of Spanish Moss trailing from Bald Cypress, Live Oaks, and anywhere else these dense chains of tiny bromeliads are allowed to make a home. Our native birds use them as nesting materials and tiny wind born seeds spread this pineapple cousin throughout the Southeast from Texas to Virginia. Our Spanish Moss is not wild collected but is grown in our greenhouses hanging below our tables where it is happy to receive any nutrients and moisture while we water our plants. We ship generous clusters of 14-18" long masses of living moss. Item# 11107

The five pure white widely flaring petals are each neatly trimmed into a multitude of white frills. A beautiful native clump forming perennial with good garden manners. Clean, smooth, medium green foliage is whorled around the dainty stems that are topped with loose panicles of the delicate flowers in summer. Item# 10478.

2-3" bright yellow sunflower-like flowers are held on 3'H branching sturdy stems from late spring to fall. The flowering stalks emerge from a rosette of wide medium green foliage on this fibrous rooted native perennial. Great for butterflies and pollinators. Item# 9585.

Beautiful yellow tubular blooms are born from spring to fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies make this a lovely vine for fence, arbor or trellis. It is evergreen and vigorous, but easy to control. Item # 1075.

This Summersweet produces extra long, wavy spikes of fragrant white flowers that attract a variety of pollinators during summer. The white flowers of Summer Sparkler Clethra, previously offered as Einstein, contrast nicely with the deep green foliage on this compact selection of this easy to grow native shrub. Provide Clethras with a well-drained, moist to average moist soil with partial shade in hot summer climates. Tolerant of full sun in moist soils where summers are cooler. Images courtesy of Star Roses and Plants, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11430

A flower power machine! SUNNY DAYS™ Lemon Coneflower produces wave after wave of large, dark lemon yellow, fragrant, upward facing flowers with frilly, nectar rich cones from summer into fall. This is a hardy clump forming perennial that will do best in fertile, well-drained, average moist soils in a full to mostly sunny site. The flower power and bright color lends this nativar to use as a container plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of TERRA NOVA® Nurseries, Inc. www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13081

SUNNY DAYS™ Ruby Coneflower produces wave after wave of large, claret ruby red, fragrant, upward facing flowers with frilly, nectar rich cones from summer into fall. The double, anemone-like flowers hold their dark coloration with little fading and attract a variety of pollinators and garden beneficials. This is a hardy clump forming perennial that will do best in fertile, well-drained, average moist soils in a full to mostly sunny site. The flower power and bright color lends this nativar to use as a container plant as well as in the garden and landscape. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of TERRA NOVA® Nurseries, Inc. www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13082

Large red berries cover the bare stems of this native deciduous shrub beginning in fall and lasting throughout much of winter and possibly into spring. Sunset Winterberry Holly develops into a medium-sized well branched shrub with a an upright to vase-shaped habit when young broadening with age. The textured deep green foliage may provide some yellow fall color prior to leaf fall if grown in full sun. Winterberry Hollies are easy to grow adaptable shrubs that produce clusters of small white flowers in spring that provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Sunset Winterberry Holly is a female and so will need a male pollinator that flowers at the same time for maximum berry production. 'Southern Gentleman' and 'Apollo' are two males that are recommended. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moist acidic soil. Item# 11888

In summer, clusters of tubular buds open to starry, pure-white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and likely hummingbird or Sphinx moths as well. The Swamp Azalea, Rhododendron viscosum, is a native deciduous shrub growing to about 6'H x 3-5'W that is native from East Texas and along the Gulf Coast as well as long as all along the Eastern Seaboard and into southern Maine. In the Pineywoods this species is typically found in consistently moist soil near bogs and small streams and is the only locally native (west central Louisiana) species of Rhododendron to flower in summer. In sunnier sites, the Swamp Azalea can produce burgundy and yellow fall color. Provide a moist to average moist loamy soil rich in organic matter and mulch with a breathable organic material such as pine straw or pine bark. Even though it is common to more moist sites, it can tolerate short periods of drought once fully established and should perform well in average moist garden soils provided it is properly mulched and receives some midday shade. Item# 12742

Often throughout summer, small, fragrant beautiful bell-shaped nearly white to blue flowers with gracefully recurving 'petals' (in Clematis it is the large colorful sepals that we often most enjoy) of light blue, blue, or purple. Grow the Swamp Leather Flower as a small perennial herbaceous vine that may top out at 5' but can reach 9' high. It can be cut back to 1-2' in later winter after the buds have begun to swell. Item# 10224.

This vigorous native produces masses of black-eyed golden yellow daisies from mid-summer to fall on tall sturdy stems. A vigorous clump forming perennial common to stream banks and moist areas but will do fine in average garden soils. The sweetly scented foliage gives it its common name. A good choice for the back of the border. Item# 9261.

Wonderfully fragrant of licorice or anise when bruised or dried, Sweet Goldenrod produces medium to large pyramidal clusters of golden yellow flowers in summer that are excellent for attracting pollinators and other beneficials. The flowers and foliage, fresh or dried, is often used to make a very nice herbal tea, as a mild spice in cooking, and could certainly be used in potpourris as well (Bonnie fell in love with the fragrance of the dried seed heads!). Another of the garden friendly clump forming Goldenrods, Sweet Goldenrod makes a nice addition to the garden, as well as in natural areas and along roadsides. Item# 10684.

The Sweetbay Magnolia or White Bay is an upright to pyramidal generally small to medium-sized native tree typically found growing in baygalls as well as along small creeks and streams in nearly every state bordering the Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf Coast. In midspring, mature trees produce fragrant white flowers to about 4" across and are followed by typical Magnolia cones whose seeds turn a bright orangey-red when mature in fall and winter and are utilized by songbirds as well as other wildlife. Magnolia virginiana is sometimes used as a caterpillar host by Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly, Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly, and the Sweet Bay Silk Moth .The deep blue-green to green foliage has a white reverse and can be used in the place of the unrelated Bay Leaf which is also known as Sweetbay or Laurus nobilis. Prefers average moist to moist to boggy to swampy acidic soils and is tolerant of clay soils. Item# 11713

see # 666 for the cooking Bay, Laurus Nobilis.

Loads of glossy black, 3/8", thin skinned, very sweet huckleberries (actually blueberries) begin ripening in mid April often lasting through May. This is one of the earliest ripening native blueberries and we selected this variety for its exceptionally sweet, tender fruit and its heavy bearing characteristics. An excellent berry for pancakes, muffins, pies, and certainly fresh eating. An Almost Eden Exclusive introduction! In limited supply. Item# 10832.

A show stopper! Tangerine Beauty Cross Vine produces a huge mass of 2" orange trumpets with yellow throats in late spring with some blooms throughout summer on well-established vines. An easily grown and vigorous clinging native evergreen vine that can easily grow up masonry, tree bark, or other structures without support.Cross Vines are a low maintenance choice for fences, posts, and large trellises. The trumpet shaped flowers attract hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators. The unusual compound, glossy, dark green foliage takes on orange, red, bronze, and purple tones when grown in full sun during fall and winter.  Item# 12029

An Almost Eden exclusive! Clusters of soft orange buds open to intense dark orange tubular blooms. Flowering from early spring to fall. Trumpet Honeysuckle is an excellent choice anywhere a 'tame' vine is needed. Item # 957.

Large dark purplish pink rays surround the green and copper tinged cone of nectar rich disk flowers in summer and interestingly the flowers always face eastward. The Tennessee Purple Coneflower is a rare species of Echinacea known only from a small area in central Tennessee around the Nashville area and was one of the very first plants to be added to the Endangered Species list but now the populations are stable enough that it has been unlisted and is a model success story for endangered plant species. A taprooted drought resistant native perennial, provide the Tennessee Purple Coneflower with a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site in the garden and landscape. The flowers attract a menagerie of pollinators, especially butterflies, bees, as well as hummingbirds and other garden beneficials. Item# 11727

A choice native coneflower, the Texas Coneflower produces 3-5" bright golden yellow daisies that  are borne singly, or in small clusters of up 5 flowers, and are held on sturdy upright stems in summer. A rosette of large, rich dark green glossy foliage subtends the flower stalks. Texas Coneflower provides us with a medium-sized Rudbeckia that is similar in habit to the stately Giant Coneflower. Item# 10217.