Native Plants

The upright to arching stems are brightly adorned with hanging clusters of sunny yellow tubular flowers beginning in late spring and continuing until late summer. Mersea Yellow Pine-Leaved Penstemon or Beardtongue is a selection of the native Penstemon pinifolius whose upright to arching stems are adorned with fine 1" long narrow deep green foliage that arises from what can become a woody base. Pineleaf or Pine-Leaved Penstemon is native to the dry desert regions of SE Arizona and SW New Mexico but is tolerant of moist conditions provided it has a very well-drained sandy to rocky mineral soil. It has been reported to be hardy into zone 3 but may require a 'dry' mulch and a protected area. We are hopeful that since this cultivar was developed in England that it will do well in the humid Southeastern US. Item# 11928

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

Clear pumpkin orange trumpet shaped blossoms are produced in large clusters atop a compact early flowering heat and sunloving plant. Miami Sunrise Esperanza, a hybrid Tecoma cultivar developed by the Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Miami, FL, has a compact well-branched vigorous habit with exceptional flower power. The flowers of Esperanzas attract hummingbirds, bees, and occassional butterflies. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Miami Sunrise is compact enough to be enjoyed as an easy and low maintenance, medium-sized container plant or as a half hardy perennial in zones 8-10. Protect with a winter mulch in zones 8 and 9. Item# 9357

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 deep maroon foliage provides a contrasting foil for the ball-like clusters of 2" long, tubular light pink flowers whose nectar and pollen attract a variety of pollinators like hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and long-tongued bees. Midnight Oil Eastern Beebalm, a selection of Monarda bradburiana, is a many stemmed, clump-forming to slowly spreading, upright growing, native, herbaceous perennial selected for its unique, dark and mysterious foliage. This species is noted for its earlier flowering, excellent disease resistance, a naturally shorter 18-24" high habit, drought resistance as compared to other species of Monarda, and tolerance for thinner, poorer, and/or gravelly soils. Plants may lose foliage when drought stressed so average moisture is generally preferred under garden conditions. Provide a full to mostly sunny to partially shaded site in well-drained, average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13167

Clusters of fragrant pure white flowers are produced atop sturdy 15-20" high stems in mid to late spring providing a feast of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Minnie Pearl Phlox, a selection of our native Phlox caroliniana, begins flowering earlier than Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata, and is an easy slowly spreading, groundcovering perennial with excellent disease resistance. This plant was discovered along a Mississippi roadside by Karen Partlow and was introduced by Tony Avant of Plant Delights Nursery in 2003. With its easy and reliable nature it has quickly become an enduring native perennial for the garden and landscape as well as part of more naturalistic settings like meadows, prairies, and of course roadsides. Item# 12311 

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

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

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.

2" primrose yellow daisies top the fine-textured blue-green foliage of this durable native perennial from late spring to late summer and sometimes up until frost. Deadheading will help ensure a fall repeat. Drought tolerant and deer resistant. Provide Moonbeam Coreopsis with good drainage and medium to low moisture. 1992 Perennial Plant of the Year. Item# 9852.

In spring to early summer clusters of rich rosy pink flowers are produced atop 18-24" high sturdy stems providing a feast for butterflies and hummingbirds. Morris Berd Smooth Phlox, a highly disease resistant selection of Phlox glaberrima or P. carolina depending on the source, is a clump-forming, slowly spreading rhizomatous native perennial that readily develops into a dense groundcovering mass of foliage and stems. This sunloving perennial is decidous in the colder portions of its range but may remain evergreen with purplish winter foliage in warmer winter regions. This easy to grow Phlox has proven to be highly resistant to powdery mildew and was in the top four in trials both at Mt. Cuba Center and the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Provide Morris Berd Phlox with a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12318

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 silvery grass-like foliage of Narrowleaf Silk Grass could fool anyone to thinking it might actually be a grass but by late summer and fall you can be sure that this is definitely in the aster family when it puts up sturdy stems that are topped by loose clusters of nearly 1" wide golden yellow daisies. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including butterflies. A near perfect replacement for lawn grass that provides a burst of brilliant fall color as well. Item# 10686.

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

Nodding Penstemon produces loose spikes of 1" light pink to nearly lavender tubular flowers in spring. A drought tolerant clump forming native perennial with a tidy habit that attracts Hummingbirds, butterflies, and multitude of other pollinators. Item# 9743.

Who knew you could get such a rich dark purple from Salvia greggii?! Loads of royal purple, 2-lipped tubular flowers are born in from spring to fall on this low mounding, durable perennial. Great for Hummingbirds and Butterflies! Drought tolerant, deer resistant, and low maintenance. Create a mass of purple flowers in the garden or use it in containers, either way expect to be wowed by Nuevo Leon Autumn Sage! Item#10273.