Native Plants

Large clusters of lightly fragrant very pale-blue flowers, that appear white from any distance, are produced in early spring and are held well above the deep dark green foliage. May Breeze Phlox was selected by renown Netherland landscape architect Piet Oudolf for its vigor and near white coloration. This Woodland Phlox  is an excellent choice for lightly to partially shaded gardens, as a groundcover under deciduous trees. Provide shade during the hottest portion of the day in hot summer climates and a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Easy and reliable once established. The flowers provide early spring nectar to butterflies and other pollinators. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12352

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

This newly introduced variety of Yellow Bells was selected for earlier and more consistent flowering habits. The large golden yellow trumpets are born in loose clusters from summer to fall on this woody perennial. Occasional deadheading promotes more blooms, though it is not required. Mulch deeply in winter for best results. Item # 9327

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

A close cousin of the highly popular Yellow Bells, this new introduction produces huge clusters of clear pumpkin orange trumpets in profusion from summer to frost. A root hardy tropical that makes an excellent addition to the perennial garden. Occasional deadheading promotes more blooms, though it is not required. Mulch deeply in winter for best results. Item # 9357.

Loads of 2' long spikes of deep violet-blue pea shaped flowers are held well above the green foliage of this new hybrid Baptisia from Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Midnight Prairieblues™ creates an upright to vase-shaped plant that blooms for an extended period in spring. An excellent addition to the perennial border or cut-flower garden that is drought tolerant, deer resistant, durable, long-lived, and easy. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10156.

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

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.

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.

Dainty, 3-petaled, pink to lavender pink flowers are held among and above the fine, narrow foliage of this tidy clump forming native perennial. Morning Grace Spiderwort begins flowering in summer and continues well into fall. The Piedmont Roseling is a dainty and well mannered garden plant that prefers well-draining soils. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10616.

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

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.

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 clusters of pale lavender-pink flowers are suspended atop graceful narrow sturdy 12-18" high bluish-green stems and offer nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies. The Nodding Onion, Allium cernuum, is a bulbous native perennial with bluish-green arching narrow strap-like foliage that emits an onion-like fragrance when crushed. The bulbs readily multiply as well as self seed under good conditions making these an easy and reliable addition to natural areas like prairies, meadows, and roadside plantings as well as in mixed perennial borders. The Nodding Onion is somewhat shade tolerant but may flower best where it receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Drought resistant once well-established but it is also tolerant of average moisture conditions in well-drained soils. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11974

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.