Native Plants

A mainstay of southern and western Texas and New Mexico butterfly gardens! Bright yellow daisies are produced from late spring into fall and are held against a foil of dark green, deeply lobed, fragrant, narrow foliage with the heaviest flowering occurring in fall. The flowers are highly attractive to a variety of butterflies, bees, and other garden beneficials. Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye, Viguiera stenoloba and now Sidneya tenuifolia, is a native, naturally evergreen, small shrub with fine-textured, very dark green, deeply lobed, strongly resiny fragrant foliage that is resistant to being browsed by deer and rabbits. It is tough as nails and is highly drought resistant once well-established. Use it as a low maintenance formal or informal hedge, back drop, or groundcover. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained soils. A caterpillar host plant for the Bordered Patch Butterfly. Item# 13084

Narrow, upright to arching, 24-30" high spikes of rich purple flowers are produced in mid to late summer and into fall attracting a host of pollinators. Smallhead Blazing Star, Liatris microcephela, is a cormous, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with narrow, dark green, fine-textured foliage and produce a multitude of flower spikes per plant at maturity. This tough little deer and drought resistant native is typically found in sandy to clayey, well-drained soils in the southeastern US. Like all of our Liatris species, it is a key pollinator plant attracting bees, butterflies, flower flies, and likely occasional low-flying hummingbirds. Smallhead Blazing Star makes for a long-lasting cut flower and, unlike most Liatris, the flowers begin opening from the top downward. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in fertile, average moist to periodically dry soil. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 13266

Clusters of white spring flowers are followed by green berries that slowly change through pink, to blue, and to near black once mature. The glossy, bronze-tinged, medium green, deciduous foliage of the Withe-rod Viburnum produces fall color in red and purple tones. This is an upright to rounded, medium-sized native shrub commonly found near wet areas. Considered by some to have the best tasting fruit of our native Viburnums giving it the name of Wild Raisin. Item# 10382

This low growing, mat forming perennial covers up in 1/2" wide white daisies with yellow eyes in late summer and fall attracting bees and smaller pollinators. Snow Flurry White Heath Aster, a selection ofSymphyotrichum ericoides , is a 4-8" high, sprawling, groundcovering selection of this normally 3' high native perennial with dark green narrow heath or juniper like foliage. This species is found most commonly throughout much of the central US as well as into the northeastern and northwestern regions. Provide this easy perennial with a full to mostly sunny site and well-drained, semi-dry soils. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12246

Large conical white flower clusters composed of numerous sterile florets are held atop strong sturdy stems with the flower show beginning in late spring to early summer. Flowers take on pink tones as they age. Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea has sturdier stems than Alice with a more compact, denser, naturally rounded habit. This is a selection of our native Hydrangea quercifolia that offers the showy peeling cinnamon colored winter bark and purple, red and burgundy fall foliage typical of the species. Snow Queen has proven to be hardy into zone 5. Provide a well-drained, average moist, fertile, acidic soil and although they are tolerant of full sun they flower well even in fairly dense shade. The Oakleaf Hydrangea will have the most intense fall foliage coloration where the plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. An organic mulch, especially important under full sun conditions in areas with hot summer climates, will to help alleviate moisture stress during dry periods among its numerous other benefits. Item# 1182

Large conical white flower clusters composed of numerous sterile florets are held atop strong sturdy stems with the flower show beginning in late spring to early summer. Flowers take on pink tones as they age. Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea has sturdier stems than Alice with a more compact, denser, naturally rounded habit. This is a selection of our native Hydrangea quercifolia that offers the showy peeling cinnamon colored winter bark and purple, red and burgundy fall foliage typical of the species. Snow Queen has proven to be hardy into zone 5. Provide a well-drained, average moist, fertile, acidic soil and although they are tolerant of full sun they flower well even in fairly dense shade. The Oakleaf Hydrangea will have the most intense fall foliage coloration where the plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. An organic mulch, especially important under full sun conditions in areas with hot summer climates, will to help alleviate moisture stress during dry periods among its numerous other benefits. Item# 12577

Huge 12-14" long panicles composed of numerous double sterile florets open bright white and slowly change as summer progesses adding red, pink, cream, and green tinges and are held on strong sturdy stems beginning in late spring or early summer with flower clusters lasting into winter. Snowcicle Oakleaf Hydrangea boasts some of the largest flower clusters among its peers, excellent vigor, and strong sturdy stems to support its massive flower clusters. In fall, the bluish-green, fuzzy, oak-like foliage changes into shades of red, purple, and orange. The Oakleaf Hydrangea is truly a plant for all seasons as winter shows off the bare stems with peeling bark. Provide a well-drained, average moist, fertile, acidic soil and although they are tolerant of full sun they flower well even in fairly dense shade. The Oakleaf Hydrangea will have the most intense fall foliage coloration where the plants receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. An organic mulch, especially important under full sun conditions in areas with hot summer climates, will to help alleviate moisture stress during dry periods among its numerous other benefits. Images courtesy of Plants Nouveau, all rights reserved. Item# 12578

A 2018 UGA Trial Gardens Classic City Award and a People's Choice Award winner! The large, lightly fragrant flowers open a coral pink, deepen through rose, and finally maturing to burgundy held on sturdy 18" high stems above the deep green foliage in summer. SOMBRERO® Tres Amigos Coneflower or Echinacea is a hardy clump forming perennial growing to about 18-20"H x 22-24"W making it compact enough for containers as well as being a colorful addition to the garden and landscape. Like all of the Echinaceas, the fragrant nectar rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies and bees. Provide a fertile, average moist, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of Darwin Perennials, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13156

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

Dainty, nectar-rich, late winter to midspring, greenish white flowers are followed by sweet, clear orange, 3/8" diameter berries with a flavor reminiscent of cantaloupe ripen in fall. Like all of our native Hackberry species, the Spiny Hackberry, Celtis pallida or C. ehrenbergiana, is an important host plant for the Hackberry butterflies (American Snout, Tawny Emperor, Hackberry Emperor, etc...) as well as the Red-Bordered Metalmark. The ripe fruit are devoured by a variety of birds and other wildlife. Human nibblers should be aware that the fruit does contain a large pit. The Spiny or Desert Hackberry develops into a large shrub or small tree that seems to prefer average moist soils but as the name implies it is quite drought tolerant once well-established. Item# 10682

The beautifully mottled, splashed, and flecked yellowish, chartreuse, and deeper green variegated succulent ovate foliage adorns the zig-zagging stems of this upright growing succulent and summer may bring a ring-like cluster of 1" long deep red, bird-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and give the plant its common name. The Splish Splash or Mottled Red Bird Cactus is an easy to grow highly decorative form of this heirloom and Florida native plant that has an easy and forgiving disposition creating fantastic, architecturally pleasing specimens. A shrub-like native of tropical forests of southern Florida and as far south as Central America, it makes an easy porch or patio plant where it partial shade to bright shade but can also be enjoyed as an easy indoor plant.  Allow the soil to become somewhat dry between waterings although it can tolerant more moisture when in active growth and less during winter. Item# 12608

Deep pumpkin orange single flowers with long elegant staminal columns and recurving petals. A rare orange subspecies of the native Hawaiian Kokio Hibiscus, St. John's Hibiscus produces a year round display of 3-4" wide flowers on a moderately vigorous naturally large growing tropical Hibiscus that can easily be maintained as a container specimen where not hardy. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Item# 11036

The large dark maroonish-red starry flowers are produced multiple times per year beginning in early spring and are held against a foil of deep green foliage all on a compact plant. Star Flower Scorpio Anise was developed and introduced by Dr. Tom Raney at NCSU's Mountain Crop Improvement Lab for both its ability to flower throughout the growing season as well as a neat, naturally rounded bushy habit. Like its parent the Red Anise, Illicium floridanum, it will tolerate full sun but it seems to be at its best where it receives midday to afternoon shade in a moist to average moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Like most other species of Illicium, this is not a plant to be used as a spice even though the crushed foliage has the typical licorice or anise-like fragrance. Images courtesy of Dr. Tom Raney and NCSU MCIL, all rights reserved. Item# 12472

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.

Rounded clusters of star-shaped sky blue flowers adorn the ends of sturdy stems in spring. Starstruck Bluestar or Amsonia develops into a neat rounded mound of deep green foliage to about 20" high once flowering is complete. This is an easy and reliable clump forming perennial that is tolerant of wet, moist, to average moist sites and that will only get better with age. Bluestars are pest, disease, and deer resistant perennials that are considered to be somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12110

Dense rounded clusters of starry periwinkle blue flowers are produced in late spring to early summer atop the fine-textured deep green foliage that transforms to a deep golden yellow in fall. String Theory Blue Star, a hybrid of or selection of Amsonia hubrichtii, has all of the wonderful traits of Arkansas Blue Star but with a more refined compact habit. This is a clump-forming, long-lived, herbaceous native perennial with an almost formal habit at maturity reaching about 18-24"H x 30-36"W. It can be utilized as an informal hedge or backdrop and will look great paired with native grasses in fall. This Proven Winners© selection is tough and easy, low-maintenance, sunloving, heat tolerant, and deer and rabbit resistant. The flowers of the Blue Stars attract larger bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12891

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New for 2023! In mid to late summer the plants cover up in up to 6" wide, rounded to flattened clusters of lime-green buds that open to display hundreds of up to 1/2" wide white daisies with a contrasting yellow eye held on sturdy 18-24"H stems. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators. Sugar Kisses is a hybrid goldenrod, or Solidago, developed by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennials and selected for its unusual bicolor flowers and its more mannerly clump-forming habit. This herbaceous sunloving perennial is adaptable to soil types and is not likely to be bothered by deer and rabbits. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennials, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13163

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.