Native Plants

Large 3" wide, deep blue, cornflower-like daisies are produced on sturdy stalks starting in late spring and lasting through much of summer on well established clumps. Peachies Pick is a dense clump forming and exceptionally long flowering selection of the Stokesia Daisy. Its dense compact habit make this the perfect Stokes Aster for gardens and landscapes. Did we mention that it doesn't flop like older cultivars? This southern selection originated from the gardens of and was named for Peachie Saxon of Mississippi. It originated to us from one of the people who helped to make it known to gardeners and landscapers everywhere, noted horticulturist and author Gail Barton of Meridian, Mississippi. Item# 10810.

Spikes of long drooping fragrant white flowers are produced in late spring and early summer that are excellent for pollinators like bees. Peter's Peach Creek Virginia Sweetspire was selected by Peter Loos for its longer flowering season and its nearly evergreen foliage that can turn fiery shades of yellow, orange, and red in especially cold winters. This selection originates from the southwestern most portion of this easy to grow native shrub's range. Virginia Sweetspire is a naturally suckering, normally deciduous shrub well suited for use in gardens, landscapes, as well as natural areas. Item# 11382

A slightly more compact Joe-Pye Weed-like hybrid, in summer Phantom Eupatorium produces large rounded clusters of purplish-pink flowers that sit atop sturdy dark maroon stems adorned with large medium green Joe-Pye Weed-like foliage. This clump forming herbaceous perennial was selected for its shorter branchier habit, excellent flower power, and mildew resistance but in all other regards is very similar to its larger growing parent. At maturity Phantom Eupatorium develops into a large rounded perennial to about 5'x5' whose stems are topped in 12" wide clusters of nectar rich flowers for weeks attracting a bevy of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and a wet to moist soil and can be used in bog gardens and near ponds or other water sources. Received 4 out of 5 stars in Joe Pye Weed trials at Chicago Botanic Gardens. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11976

3" wide creamy white flowers with a burgundy eye are produced from summer to fall on an upright growing perennial with small, trilobed, rich green foliage. The Pineland Hibiscus or Comfortroot is an uncommon native perennial Hibiscus found at the edge of pine forests, along rivers, and streams. It is not always long lived (3-6 years typically) but is certainly a worthy component of wildflower gardens, meadows, other natural settings, and near the back of the garden or landscape. Item# 9804

Sturdy but dainty flower stalks produce small clusters of the 1-1/2 -2" wide, purple, iris-like flowers with a yellow center and can be found in flower from as early as March and often well into summer in our area. The flowers in the cluster open singly over a period of days. The pleated, medium to dark green colored foliage provides an interesting accessory for the delicate flowers. A durable native that grows from a small corm and goes dormant in fall and winter. Item# 10377.

The large and showy, cupped, 2-4" wide pink and white full flowers of this Primrose make it one of the most desirable and recognizable members of its genus. The many common names attest to the affection that has been doted upon it over the years. Pink Ladies is a low growing colonizing, groundcover like perennial that flowers for an extended period beginning in mid spring with established plants producing a display of showy flowers well into summer under good conditions. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types this easy to establish perennial readily reseeds making this a great choice for naturalistic settings, roadside plantings, and meadows. Attracts a variety of pollinators. Item# 10911.

6-8" wide pink to white flowers with a dark burgundy eye are produced throughout much of summer on this vigorous and hardy native perennial. We were kindly supplied with seeds of the pink form of our native Crimson-Eyed Rosemallow and are now finally able to share them with you. Prefers moist to wet soils but established plants can tolerate average moisture conditions fairly well. They can reach 7' by the end of summer but are more commonly seen in the 4-5' range.The foliage may be used as a butterfly larval host by Hairstreaks, Blues, Coppers, and others. Images shown are examples, actual flower color may vary slightly since these are seedlings. Item# 11240

Large, soft lavender-pink trumpets adorn this perennial Morning Glory throughout much of summer. The flowers open in the evening and last until morning providing a feast of nectar for moths and other nocturnal pollinators. The Pink Moonflower develops a large tuber as the botanical name suggests from which it returns each spring. Item# 10346.

2-1/2" wide, miniature Amaryllis-like, white flowers are heavily blushed with pink toward the ends of the recurving petals. A wonderful and easy bulbous perennial, the Pink Rainlily or Brazilian Copper Lily flowers on and off from mid spring to fall and the flowers are held well-above the narrow, strap-like foliage. Item# 9541.

3" yellow daisies top the tall wispy stems of this vigorous native perennial from mid spring to late summer. Finely cut rich green pinnately divided foliage adds a soft textural backdrop for the profusion of flowers. An easy and reliably perennial native for the back of the border. An excellent choice for pollinators. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 9720.

The golden yellow petals of this Coreopsis are typically marked with red to near maroon at the base of the petals creating a nicely contrasting dark ring in the center of the flowers. Plains Coreopsis or Golden Tickseed is an annual to short-lived perennial native species with fine deep green foliage and an open airy texture to the plant overall. The flowers are borne singly and in loose clusters over an extended period with the main flowering in spring and summer but this species may be found in flower during any of the warmer months of the year. This native readily reseeds and makes a good addition to naturalized areas like meadows and prairies. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, seeds are utilized by songbirds and other fauna, and Plains Coreopsis is used as a cut flower. Tolerant of a wide range of soil types but generally prefers a moist soil. Item# 11621

Deep rose pink, 3-4" wide, coneflowers are born in profusion on this well-branched and free flowering selection of Purple Coneflower. This 2010 AAS Award winner is sure to bring in the butterflies and will certainly make a statement for the garden! Item# 9844.

The tall sturdy dense spikes of rich purple flowers of this beautiful native wildflower attract loads of butterflies and pollinators in summer. An easily grown native perennial that also makes an excellent cut flower, fresh or dried. The large bulb-like corm will produce several flower spikes once mature. Best in average to moist soils. Item# 9559.

In mid to late summer and fall, large clusters of frilly deep purple nectar rich flowers are produced atop the sturdy upright 4-5' high stems. Prairie, Common, or Smooth Ironweed is a clump forming native perennial found in the central US and is common to moist soils but it performs quite well in average moist soils. The flowers of Ironweeds attract a variety of pollinators including bees and butterflies and the foliage of Ironweeds are considered a caterpillar host plant for the American Painted Lady Butterfly. Deadhead to prevent unwanted seedlings. Provide a full to mostly sunny position for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 11758

Clusters of 2" wide primrose yellow fragrant 4-petalled flowers are produced in mid to late spring into early summer atop the low growing spreading stems adorned with deep green fuzzy foliage of this native perennial wildflower. Prairie Sundrops, a.k.a. Meadow Evening Primrose, is a dayflowering species of Evening Primrose with a low somewhat bushy habit and it does spread somewhat by rhizomes which is great for naturalistic settings like meadows, prairies and roadside plantings and it is reportedly relatively easy to control in garden settings as well. An adaptable native perennial that is tolerant of wet to dry soils including clay but it seems to prefer an acidic pH. The flowers attract butterflies and larger native bees. Item# 11662

Up to 1/2" wide creamy white flowers with purple striped bee guides in their centers are produced on dainty stems held above the clean medium green foliage throughout much of spring. The Primrose Leaved Violet is an exceptionally free flowering, dainty native perennial common in moist, acid, often sandy soils along the edges of bogs, streams, and in moist deciduous woodlands. It will slowly spread by stolons and seeds and  makes a dense groundcover in containers. The flowers are bee pollinated but may be visited by smaller butterflies and other beneficials. The Primrose Leaved Violet is well suited to moist naturalistic settings like bog gardens, moist shaded areas, and stream sides. Item # 11113

Soft pumpkin-orange upward facing tubular blooms are borne on an upright to spreading deciduous shrub. A new color twist on and old favorite. Blooms from mid-summer to fall. As the name implies, Hummingbirds enjoy the nectar of this shrub. A tough Texas native and is drought tolerant once established. Cut to the ground in spring for denser growth. Needs a well drained soil. Item# 9671.

Pinkish-purple, rarely white, foxglove-like flowers are produced singly and in small clusters beginning in midsummer and continuing into fall. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators and the plant itself serves as a caterpillar host plant for Buckeye Butterflies. Purple False Foxglove, Agalinis fasciculata, develops into a generally single-stemmed, loosely branching upright growing plant with fine deep green foliage. This native annual is common along the Gulf Coast and southern East Coast and as far north as southern Missouri, Kentucky, and Virginia. This excellent summer flowering native may only be an annual but it produces copious amounts of tiny seeds to help ensure its return the following season. Interestingly, Purple False Foxglove is a hemi-parasite (it can be grown alone in a container and so this does not seem to be a requirement) on herbaceous plants and grasses though it does not seem to do its neighbors any real harm. Item# 11789

Radio Red Salvia is a hybrid selection with crisp apple green foliage and non-fading deep brilliant red 1" long two-lipped tubular flowers on a compact plant with exceptional flower power. The spikes of flowers are produced from spring to fall, unlike on the typical Autumn Sages (Salvia greggii) which shut down during summer, this Salvia keeps on trucking! The clean tidy habit lend it to use as a container plant where you can draw the hummingbirds and other pollinators in close or use it near the front of the garden or landscape for full season long color. This has quickly become one of our favorite small growing red Salvias! Give Radio Red Salvia a full to mostly sunny location in a well-drained soil for optimum health and flowering. Item# 10755

Rounded clusters of raspberry colored buds open to 2" long tubular, nectar rich, raspberry wine colored flowers in summer. Raspberry Wine Monarda is a disease resistant selection with strongly fragrant, deer and rabbit resistant foliage that can be used to flavor teas. Bee Balm is a clump forming, slowly spreading perennial well suited to moist, well-drained soils in a sunny garden setting whether in the herb garden or in mass as an informal groundcover. Item# 11400

Deep red to near maroon, starry flowers to 2" across are borne in late spring and early summer on this moderately dense naturally rounded evergreen shrub. The Red Star Anise's medium to dark green foliage has a licorice or anise-like scent when crushed. This Louisiana native is a natural component of the understory along drainages and flood zones in the southeastern portion of the US and generally prefers light shade, morning sun, to filtered shade over full sun as well as a moist well-draining acid soil. These plants originated from an eastern Louisiana native population. Not a spice plant. Item# 596