Native Plants

A dwarf Joe-Pye Weed producing large clusters of up to 10" wide, nectar rich, reddish-purple flowers are produced over an extended period in summer attracting a variety of pollinators including both bees and butterflies. Euphoria™ Ruby Dwarf Joe-Pye Weed or Eupatorium, a selection of Eutrochium purpureum, is a clump forming, multi-stemmed perennial with dark green foliage growing to about 24-30" high and wide. This Darwin Perennials introduction has garnered high marks in trials across the US: a 2021 Colorado State University Flower Perennial Trials Top Performer, 4.93 out of 5 rating in 2021 Penn State Flower Trials, 4.5 out 5 in 2019 at the UGA Trial Gardens. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moist to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 12951

Dense clusters of large pink tubular flowers with a white lower lip are born in late summer and early fall on this easy native perennial. Excellent for attracting bees. This is the latest flowering Physostegia that we grow. The Fall Obedient Plant will readily spread by rhizomes creating a mass of sturdy, 3-4' stems. An easy and reliable native perennial. Item# 10420.

A single 4-6' high bluish green stalk is topped by unusual, almost alien, green and yellow flowers in summer atop a low rosette of smooth succulent Aloe-like foliage. The yellow anthers resemble a slightly cupped upward facing hand and are situated below the inconspicuous female flowers that develop into rounded capsules filled with black seeds once mature. False Aloe, Manfreda virginica, is an herbaceous perennial whose foliage dies back to the caudex-like bulb in winter and then returns in spring. Even though it is a succulent, it generally flowers best under average moist conditions. Its flowers attract both bees and hummingbirds but is primarily moth pollinated making it a good choice for Moon Moth Gardens as well as in the garden, landscape, as a container plant, and in naturalistic settings. Item# 11778

Producing large, often branched, clusters of large pink tubular flowers in summer atop sturdy 4-7' high stems with narrow medium green foliage. Adored by Hummingbirds and other long-tonged pollinators. Finger False Dragonhead is a rare species that seems quite happy in average garden settings where it readily multiplies by rhizomes. This is evident by the host of new rosettes that emerge in winter for spring's flowers. Item# 10238.

Large whorled clusters of deep red tubular flowers with some pink undertones are held atop sturdy 2-3' high stems and are produced over a long period in summer drawing hummingbirds for miles around, Sulphur butterflies, and may stop nearby traffic. Fire Marshall Monarda is the result of a cross between what are considered two of the best Monardas, Jacob Cline and Marshall's Delight, made by Dr. Jim Ault of Chicago Botanic Gardens and Chicagoland Grows®, Inc. and the resulting hybrid has a midsized habit with disease resistant rich green foliage. This is a clump forming slowly spreading winter deciduous herbaceous perennial that will perform best in a moist to average moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Images courtesy of Dr. Jim Ault, Chicagoland Grows®, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12316

2022 Missouri Botanic Garden Plants of Merit selection! 18" long arching spikes composed of numerous dark golden yellow flowers burst onto the scene in late summer and fall creating a much needed feast of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies including migratory Monarchs, and other garden beneficials. Fireworks is an award winning selection of the native Roughleaf Goldenrod, Solidago rugosa, and it won top marks in the Goldenrod trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. This is a hardy, clump-forming slowly spreading (a.k.a. short rhizomatous) herbaceous perennial that is both adaptable and manageable. Fireworks Goldenrod prefers a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist to moist fertile soil although it is tolerant of part shade, part sun conditions. Use this easy to grow native perennial in naturalistic settings and in mixed perennial gardens and landscapes. Item# 12313

A dwarf selection of our native Sundrops, Fireworks is the ultimate Oenothera cultivar producing vigorous but compact sprawling plants with red tinged foliage and even redder new growth and winter rosettes. The plants are absolutely covered by 2" wide, widely flaring, 4-petalled, glowing sunny yellow flowers in late spring and early summer. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10160.

Large, flat displays of rich yellow flowers are born over an exteded period in summer that lasts until early fall. Flat-Top or Shiny Goldenrod provides a perfect landing platform for pollinators while they enjoy its rich nectar and pollen. Unlike many of the Goldenrods this is a true clump forming perennial that stays where you put it. It gets the name Shiny Goldenrod from its shiny foliage. Item# 10683.

The sunny yellow new growth and bright yellow foliage of this evergreen native shrub is sure to brighten any lightly shaded garden. Florida Sunshine Anise develops into a naturally rounded form and has a medium to slow rate of growth. Happiest in moist well-drained soils in a lightly shaded or morning sun site. Use Florida Sunshine Anise with other shrubs and perennials where its bright foliage can contrast nicely setting off everything around it. Item# 10951.

Opening a rich golden yellow with violet veining the falls lighten to a sunny yellow and the standards lighten to a creamy yellow creating a wonderful two-toned effect. Fortune Finder was hybridized by Heather Pryor of Louisiana and was registered in 2004. A vigorous grower and free flowering selection that typically flowers in early to midseason. Louisiana Irises generally flower between March and May. Item# 10815.

The Fragrant White Mistflower produces clusters of fragrant, white, nectar-rich flowers in fall just as the Monarch butterflies are migrating southward. The flowers attract a large variety of pollinators including bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other garden beneficials. This shrubby perennial native of the Edwards Plateau is a tough hombre that is moderately drought resistant and can develop into a somewhat woody shrub. Item# 11358

Glowing intense red, 1" long two-lipped tubular flowers are borne along short spikes from summer to frost on this vigorous selection of the drought tolerant Autumn Sage. A 'must have' for the Hummingbird lover! Furman's Red Autumn Sage is an older selection that has proven to be one of the hardiest and most freely flowering of the compact red flowered Autumn Sages and has been deemed a reliable perennial well into zone 5B and 6. A 2005 Plant Select® Award winner. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with very good to excellent drainage for optimum health and flowering. Drought resistant once fully established, deer resistant and this tough little Salvia makes an easy and rewarding low water container specimen as well as a colorful addition to the garden and landscape. Item# 10518

1 of only 5 Monardas to be selected as an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, 1 of the top 10 in Mt. Cuba Center's 2014-2016 Monarda trials, and in the top 10 in trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in 1998! The extra large, 3-4" wide, clusters of 2" long, deep red tubular flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in late spring to midsummer, depending on your zone. Earlier in warmer climates and later in colder climates. Gardenview Scarlet Monarda or Beebalm, a hybrid selection of native US species, it is similar in many regards to Jacob Cline, still one of the most popular red cultivars, but has improved resistance to powdery mildew and a slightly more compact habit topping out at 3' high. This is a clump-forming, slowly spreading perennial  that enjoys ample sunlight in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Sure to be a hummingbird magnet! Item# 12818

Large clusters of dense frilly purple flowers are borne from mid-summer to fall on this tall vigorous native perennial. An excellent choice for the back of the border where the butterflies and bees can enjoy it. Commonly found in moist clay soils but will do fine in average garden soils. Item# 9257.

A nearly continuous display of dark-eyed 3-4" wide dark golden yellow daisies are held above the rosettes of deep green foliage throughout summer attracting bees and a variety of other garden beneficials. Glitters Like Gold Black-Eyed Susan is a hybrid Rudbeckia boasting improved vigor, longer flowering, and resistance to leaf spot as compared to the longtime favorite Goldstrum. This easy sunloving clump-forming perennial grows to 30-36"H x 18"W and the ripened seedheads provide fodder for songbirds in fall and winter. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average to well-drained soils with average moisture and fertility. Item# 12284

The most floriferous Esperanza that we grow! Gold Star Esperanza produces an endless display of large clusters of large golden yellow, lightly fragrant trumpets from late spring to frost. This Greg Grant selection is the standard by which all other Esperanza's are judged. Hardy, heat and sun loving, and with a nicely branched habit Gold Star Esperanza is great for tropical settings in containers and in the garden. Attracts pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Item # 9902

Golden Alexanders ( zizea aurea) produces flat topped clusters of tiny yellow flowers atop tall 2-3' high stems in spring atop the rosette of glossy lobed foliage. This is a member of the carrot family, Apiaceae previously Umbelliferaceae, and is a host of the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. A native clump forming perennial, Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea, is found throughout the central and eastern US. It is commonly found in moist woodlands, roadsides, meadows, and prairies. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators including bees and butterflies. The ripened seed heads are utilized by songbirds. Item# 11774

Clusters of bright golden yellow upward facing daisies sit atop sturdy stems and emerge from rosettes of finely cut medium green foliage in early(8B) to midspring(6), depending on your cold hardiness zone. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Golden Groundsel is rhizomatous native perennial that readily develops into a groundcover and is tolerant of moist shaded conditions as well as in rain gardens, at the edges of ponds or other perennial water sources, or use it in naturalistic settings, roadsides, meadows and prairies. For optimum vigor this winter growing perennial prefers a consistently moist soil but can tolerate average moisture where it receives more shade. Item# 11803

Dense clusters of golden yellow flowers sit atop sturdy 18-24" stems that emerge from the rosette of bluish to grayish green wide foliage with the nectar and pollen laden flowers attracting a myriad of pollinators in late summer and into fall. Golden Rockets Stiff Goldenrod, a compact growing selection of Solidago rigid subsp. humilis, is a naturally clump-forming Goldenrod with clean disease resistant gray-green foliage and enough manners for the garden and landscape or add it to naturalistic settings like prairies and meadows. This subspecies is found in most midwestern states and provides weeks of much needed color in late summer and fall. Somewhat drought resistant once fully established. Provide this tough native with a full to mostly sunny site in an average to semi-dry, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12320