Songbird Plants

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. Click on "More Details and Growing Info" or the image to learn more about growing Passionvines as perennials in containers or in the garden and landscape. Item# 500

These Coneflowers are produced with a range of ray colors from creamy yellow, through banana yellow, and into mango and pumpkin. Mellow Yellows Coneflower, a seed grown selection of Echinacea purpurea developed by Jelitto® Seed that has taken 20 years to develop, was selected for its better and more consistent branching habit, larger deeper colored flowers and scapes, and improved disease resistance. Coneflowers are clump forming perennials whose often fragrant flowers are adored by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that can be enjoyed as part of the sunny garden garden and landscape as well as container specimens. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Periodic deadheading will keep the plants looking clean and may help promote continuous flowering. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile, preferably mineral soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of Jelitto® Seed, all rights reserved. Item# 12794

Large clusters of fiery orange-red tubular flowers are produced from summer through fall to yearround in warm tropical climates and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Clusters of shiny black 3/8" fruit develop on pollinated flowers and are utilized by songbirds. When grown in full to mostly sunny conditions the foliage generally has a reddish tinge. The Firebush, Hamelia patens var. patens, is native to the southern half of Florida and is evergreen under frost free conditions and can develop into a medium to large shrub. *We have grown this species in our zone 8B gardens for over 30 years as a quite reliable 3-4' high die-back perennial. Each winter it freezes back to its crown and then returns in mid to late spring to flower through much of summer and into fall. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, although they are fairly tolerant, for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 898

2-3" wide rounded clusters of white to light rose pink flowers, sometimes with green to purple tones, are produced in late spring and summer attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis, is considered one of the better native Milkweeds for garden culture. This West Coast native, rhizomatous perennial grows to about 2-3' high and spreads to about 2-3' wide with its many stems adorned in narrow medium green foliage and are readily utilized by Monarch butterflies as a larval food source. It is highly drought resistant once fully established though plants tend to look and flower best under average moisture conditions. Mexican Whorled Milkweed is found in all West Coast states including into Idaho, Utah, and Nevada as well as into Baja Mexico. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Naturally enters dormancy in late summer returning in spring. Item# 12974

This is the male pollinator for Finch's Gold and Warren's Red Possumhaw Hollies and so it only produces the dainty white and green flowers that attract bees and small pollinators but these plants do not set fruit. The female Possumhaw Holly, Ilex decidua, is also readily pollinated by the American Holly, Ilex opaca, and most any other native male holly that flowers at the same time as the female Possumhaws and one male can effectively pollinate several females. They do not necessarily have to planted next to one another but should be in the vicinity where the bees can transfer pollen. This is a large growing, multi-stemmed, native deciduous shrub or small tree that has few if any pests or diseases. They are quite tolerant of growing conditions from average moisture, to wet, to periodically flooded sites in full sun to partly shaded sites. Item# 12749

The large lemony yellow, lightly fragrant, cupped flowers can reach up to 5" across and open from long showy pointed buds that are often tinged red with flowers opening in the evening and closing up the following morning. The flowers are held against a contrasting foil of dark green to gray green, narrow, glossy foliage and the plants are pollinated by Sphinx moths that are sometimes confused with hummingbirds. The Missouri Evening Primrose, Oenothera macrocarpa or O. missouriensis, is one of the most recognizable US native perennial wildflowers and has long been a desirable garden perennial for its showy flowers, toughness, and long season of flowering that can begin as early as midspring and may continue into mid and late summer. It is a clump-forming, taprooted perennial native to the west central US in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, southern Arkansas, and of course Missouri that is typically found in very well-drained, gravelly to sandy to loamy, typically alkaline, often dry soils. For the gardener in other parts of the country it will need excellent drainage in a relatively dry soil in a full to mostly sunny site to do well and it does not like to be crowded. The flowers are followed by large winged seedpods that are sometimes dried and used in cut flower arrangements and the plants may reseed on exposed soils. Item# 12803

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.

A dwarf Rudbeckia, the Missouri Orange Coneflower produces 2" wide deep golden yellow to near orange dark-eyed daisies in summer on 12-16" high stems from a low rosette of narrow rich green foliage. An excellent choice for the front of a sunny perennial border. Item# 9262.

A 2016 Louisiana Super Plant selection! The dense neat mound of deep green glossy foliage and red tinged stems is topped by clusters of white flowers in spring which make way to red berries ripening through purple and finally black. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators and the fruit attract songbirds and smaller fructivores. Mrs. Schiller's Delight Viburnum is a selection of the southeastern native Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum, and its dense mounding habit lends it to use anywhere a small compact shrub is desired in the landscape. It is generally evergreen into zone 8A and tends to be deciduous to semi-evergreen in zones 6 and 7. Use this tough little native shrub in place of Dwarf Yaupon, Indian Hawthorne, or anywhere a small, disease resistant, low maintenance shrub is desired. Provide a full sun to part shade site in an average to well-drained soil for optimum vigor. Images shown are an example of what to expect with this cultivar but are of the common Walter's Viburnum, Viburnum obovatum. Item# 12728

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.

A superb butterfly nectar plant! Masses of large pinkish-purple daisy-like blooms are often born from late spring to fall. An excellent cut flower that can last for up to a week in a vase. These seedlings originated from a vigorous native Louisiana population of this beautiful perennial. Item# 9256.

Dainty greenish yellow passionflowers are produced throughout summer and are followed by small black edible/inedible fruit. The Native Yellow Passionflower is a small to medium sized perennial vine with apple green tri-lobed foliage that is often splashed with light silvery variegation. Considered to be one of the most cold hardy Passionvines it is also fairly well mannered making it suitable for container culture. The Yellow Passionflower is found throughout most of the central and eastern US within its hardiness range. A host plant for the Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary, Zebra Longwing, Julia, and other Heliconian butterflies and the Passionflower Bee. Click on "More Details and Growing Info" or the image to learn more about growing Passionvines as perennials in containers or in the garden and landscape. Item# 11046

A rare and endangered perennial Hibiscus that is native to just a few counties in east Texas. 3-5" wide, creamy white Hibiscus flowers with a burgundy eye are born from mid-summer to fall. Finely textured, and deeply cut, deep green foliage adds to the charm of this Hibiscus. Seems to do equally well under moist conditions as under average garden conditions. Item# 9400.

Rounded clusters of fragrant creamy white nectar rich flowers are produced atop spring's new growth and from the axils and are held against a foil of deep green foliage. The New Jersey Tea, Ceanothus americanus, is a small growing, naturally compact and rounded shrub typically found in deep well-drained sandy soils in our area of Louisiana in full sun to partly shaded sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; foliage and stems are utilized by various species of Blues (a tiny butterfly) caterpillars and are browsed by White Tail Deer; and the seeds attract Wild Turkey, Quail, and other seedeaters. As the name implies, this mintily fragrant foliage of New Jersey Tea was used as a tea substitute around the time of the Boston Tea Party and during the Revolutionary War. Excellent drainage will be key to the plant's longevity. Item# 12395

Clusters of purple frilly flowers are produced atop tall sturdy stems providing late summer and fall color as well as nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. New York Ironweed, Vernonia noveboracensis, is a vigorous growing clump forming native perennial preferring moist to wet to average moist, fertile soils where it grows 5-8' high providing a tall safe platform for pollinators. This tough and easy perennial is well suited to moist naturalistic areas like meadows and prairies where it can mix with fall flowering sunflowers and asters. Tolerant of periodic drought once well-established and can be grown in average moist garden soils. Reseeds, deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12109

Masses of 1" yellow-eyed bluish purple daisies absolutely cover this plant for weeks in late summer and fall. October Skies Aster is a low mounding perennial that develops into a compact shrub-like plant by flowering time. Excellent fall color for the garden as well as drought tolerance and pest and disease resistance make this an excellent addition to the perennial or wildflower border. Item# 9913.

Beginning as early as midsummer the branching stems are cloaked in 1/2" wide white daisies with a contrasting yellow eye eventually becoming reddish. The nectar and pollen laden flowers attract mainly smaller pollinators like bees providing an important late summer source for winter stores. The Ontario Aster, Symphiotrichum ontarionis, is a native perennial that colonizes via rhizomes and grows to about 30-40"H. It is found mainly in the central US from coastal Louisiana north to Canada commonly in semi-shaded sites along stream banks, bogs, and similar consistently moist locations. Deadhead once flowering is complete to minimize reseeding if desired but songbirds may enjoy the small seeds if they are left to ripen. This species is very similar to and is often confused with other white flowered late summer and fall flowering asters. Item# 12775

The exceptionally dark purple to near black foliage provides the perfect foil for the numerous 2-3' high spikes of light lavender tubular flowers that appear white against their backdrop. Onyx and Pearls Penstemon or Beardtongue begins flowering in late spring to early summer providing weeks of color and a feast of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Even when not in flower the cloak of dark foliage provides a wonderful contrast for its neighbors. This easy to grow, clump-forming perennial is a selection of our native Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, and will perform best in a moist to average moist, well-drained soil and a full to mostly sunny site will provide the darkest foliage color. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12308

Huge, 3-5" long mulberries, with a raspberry-like flavor. Mulberries are typically fast growing, medium sized trees with a natural umbrella shaped mature habit to 30' high and wide. These are  grown from cuttings from our own tree. We  have a few ready for spring.  Item # 854.

A 2020 Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit selection! 3-5" wide light pale pink to purplish pink coneflowers with drooping petals are held well above the rosette of narrow foliage on sturdy stems. Flowering normally occurs in late spring and summer and the nectar rich disk flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida, closely resembles the Sanguin Purple Coneflower, E. sanguinea, and like its cousin it is a taprooted, clump-forming perennial found mainly in the central US in meadows, glades, and other open areas. Its clump forming habit lends it to use in the garden and landscape as well as in naturalistic settings. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12392