NATIVE PERENNIALS

____Agave (Agave virginiana)                                                 3-4'        succulent leaves, green flowers in summer, drought tolerant, full sun

____Alumroot, Hairy (Heuchera villosa))                               10”        small green-white flowers, soft mounds of foliage, good ground cover, shade, well-drained soil

____Aster, Arrow-leaved (Aster sagittiflorus)                        3’           blue flowers, fall, large arrow-shaped leaves, partial shade, moist soil

____Aster, Calico (Aster laterifolius)                                       3-4'        small white flowers in autumn, full sun, average soil

____Aster, Crooked-stemmed (Aster prenanthoides)            1-2’       wide lavender flowers in autumn, full to partial sun, moist to wet soil

____Aster, New England (Aster novae-angliae)                    3-5'        large showy purple flowers, late bloomer, full sun, well-drained soil

____Aster, Short’s (Aster shortii)                                             2-3’       deep violet-blue flowers in fall, shade to partial shade, well-drained soil

____Aster, Smooth (Aster laevis)                                              2-4’       blue, blue-gray foliage, fall, sun to partial shade, very drought tolerant, birds, butterflies, hummers

____Aster, Swamp (Aster puniceus)                                         6’           large mass of violet flowers in Aug-Sept, sun to partial sun, wet to normal soil                                                                                      

____Aster, Western Silky (Aster sericeus)                              12”        pink-purple on slender stems, fall, soft silvery leaves, well-drained soil, rock gardens

____Aster, Willow (Aster praealtus)                                        3-5’       lavender, late summer-fall, full sun, moist soil, wet prairies

____Beardtongue, Small’s (Penstemon smallii)                      1-2’       pink, early summer, dense spikes, avg. to rich, well-drained soil, sun to partial, birds, butterflies  

____Beardtongue, Smooth (Penstemon digitalis)                  3-4’       white, elegant plant, large basal leaves, early source of nectar, well-drained soil, sun to partial sun  

____Bee-Balm (Monarda didyma)                                            3-4’       bright red flowers in dense clusters, mint, grows in avg. or moist soil, butterflies, hummers

____Bergamot, Wild (Monarda fistulosa)                               3-5'        lavender flowers, June, drought tolerant, partial sun, hummingbird, moths

____Blazing Star, Cylindrical (Liatris cylindracea)                1-2’       pink feathery flowers, dainty,  July-Sept., avg. to dry, well-drained soil, drought tolerant, rock garden, full sun

____Blazing Star, Prairie (Liatris pycnostachya)                    3-4’       dense spikes on erect stems, avg. to moist soil, full sun, butterflies, hummingbirds                                                                                

____Blazing Star, Rough (Liatris aspera)                                3-5’       pink-purple button-shaped flower clusters, Aug-Oct, full sun, average to dry soil, hummers, butterflies  

____Blazing Star, Spiked (Liatris spicata)                               4-6’       pink dense spikes on erect stems, avg-well-drained soil, drought tolerant and adapted to clay soils, full sun

____Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)              6-18”     iris family with grass-like leaves, blue flowers, May-July, well drained soil, sun to partial shade

____Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)                           3-4’       blue star-shaped flowers, late spring, full or partial sun, moist soil

____Boltonia  (Boltonia asteroides)                                         2-6’       white disk flowers, Sep-Oct, tolerates wide range of soil and moisture

____Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)                                  3-5’       white, August, sun to partial sun, wet ground, butterflies

____Bradbury’s Monarda (Monarda bradburnia)                2-3’       light pink blooms, May, full to partial sun, drought-tolerant, hummingbirds, moths  

____Cactus, Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa)                         2'           showy yellow flowers, summer, fleshy flattened stems and spiny leaves, sandy soil, full sun

____Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)                               3-4’       red tubular flowers, Aug, partial to full sun, prefers moist soil, hummingbirds

____Clover, Purple Prairie (Dalea purpurea)                          2’           purple, mid-summer, full sun, well drained soil, birds and butterflies  

____Clover, Round-headed Bush (Lespedeza capitata)       6’           white flowrs, midsummer-fall, dry, well drained full sun, attractive winter feature

____Columbine, Wild (Aquilegia canadensis)                       1-2'        red and yellow flowers in spring, hummingbirds, well-drained loam, shade or partial sun

____Coneflower, Orange (Rudbeckia fulgida)                       3-4’       yellow, July-Aug., full sun, well drained soil, birds, butterflies

____Coneflower, Pale Purple (Echinacea pallida)                 3-4’       pink flowers, June, drought tolerant, full sun, hummingbirds, birds, butterflies   

____Coneflower, Purple (Echinacea purpurea)                     3-4'        deep pink, June, well-drained loam, high medicinal, full to partial sun, hummers, birds, butterflies   

____Coneflower, Yellow (Ratibida pinnata)                           4-5’       yellow, June-July, well-drained soil, drought tolerant, sun birds, butterflies

____Coreopsis, Tall  (Coreopsis tripteris)                               6-8’       large yellow flowers, Jul-Aug, well-drained soil, drought tolerant, sun, hummingbirds, birds, butterflies  

____Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)                                      8”          white fragrant white flowers in stems above mounds of soft leaves, evergreen, groundcover under trees, shade

____Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)                                           3-5’       astilbe-like ivory flowers, Jun-Jul, great for woodland garden, well-drained loam, full shade

____Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea)                                        1-3’       yellow, spring-early summer, full sun, moist to wet soil

____Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus)                                    1-1.5’    yellow flower, early spring, well-drained soil, partial sun

____*Goldenrod, Elm-leaved (Solidago ulmifolia)                3-4'        yellow sprays of flowers in fall, full sun, average to dry soil

____Goldenrod, Gray (Solidago nemoralis)                            2-3’       yellow, Sept, well-drained soil, sun to partial sun, birds, butterflies

____Goldenrod, Rigid (Solidago rigida)                                  3-4'        yellow clusters of flowers in fall, well-drained soil, drought tolerant, birds, butterflies  

____Goldenrod, Rough-leaved (Solidago rugosa)                2-6'        yellow sprays, September, sun, tolerates a wide range of soils, butterflies, birds  

____Goldenrod, Showy (Solidago speciosa)                          3-4         yellow, very showy flower clusters, deep green foliage, sun to partial sun, avg. to well-drained soil   

____Goldenrod, Zig-zag (Solidago flexicaulis)                      1-3’       yellow flower clusters, stem is zigzag, sun to partial sun, average to dry soil, birds, butterflies

____Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis)              2-3’       greenish-white flowers in summer, twirled clusters of seeds in fall, sun, dry soil

____Indian Physic (Gillenia stipulata)                                    2-3’       sm. white to pale pink flowers on ends of branches, May-July, dry or moist soils, shade

____Indigo, Wild Blue (Baptisia australis)                             3-4'        blue spikes of flowers, May-June, legume, sun, partial shade, moist soil

____Indigo, Wild White (Baptisia alba)                                 3-5’       similar to blue, slower to establish, June-July, moist soil, hummingbirds, butterflies  

____Iris, Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)                                           3-4’       showy blue flowers with purple and yellow beards, May-June, sun to partial, wet or moist soils, water gardens

____Iris, Copper (Iris fulva)                                                        2-3’       showy copper flowers, June-July, sun to partial sun,  moist to wet soil,

____Iris, Dwarf Crested (Iris cristata)                                      6-8”       deep blue to violet, yellow beards, Apr-May, shade, well-drained, part-full shade

____Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans)                            1-1 ½’   blue, bell-shaped flowers, compound leaves, nice groundcover, naturalizes, shade to partial, well-drained loam

____Jerusalem Arterchoke (Helianthus tuberosus)               4-10’     yellow flowers, late summer, leaves rough and hairy, moist soil, full sun, roots edible

____Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)                        4-8’       mauve clusters, July-Sept, moist to wet soil, sun to partial sun, butterflies

____Lobelia, Great Blue (Lobelia siphilitica)                         3-4'        blue tubular flowers, Aug., average to moist soil, full to partial sun

____Loosestrife, Smooth (Lysimachia quadriflora)              2-3’       yellow flowers, June-Aug., moist soil, sun to partial sun

____Loosestrife, Wing-angled (Lythrum alatum)                  1-3’       pink flowers at base of leaves, summer, sun to partial shade, wet soils

____Meadow Rue, Tall  (Thalictrum polygamum)                 3-7’       white flowers in billowy masses, late summer, partial shade, well-drained to damp soils

____Milkweed, Butterfly (Asclepias tuberose)                       1-4’       large orange clusters, June-July, well-drained soil, drought tolerant, clay soils, butterflies, hummers  

____Milkweed, Common (Asclepias syriaca)                          3-5’       rose-purple flowers in large clusters, June-Aug., well-drained soils, full to partial sun

____Milkweed, Ozark (Asclepias viridis)                                 2-3’       light green flowers in clusters, May-July, dry, poor  to avg. soil, full to part sun, butterflies, hummers  

____Milkweed, Purple (Asclepias purpurea)                          2-3’       rose to purple flowers, May-Jul, sun to partial sun, moist soil but adapts to garden soil, butterflies, hummers

____Milkweed, Swamp (Asclepias incarnata)                        3-5’       pink clusters, Jul-Sept, full-pt sun, moist soil, but adapts to garden soil, butterflies, hummers  

____Milkweed, Whorled (Asclepias verticillata)                   1-2’       green, June-Sept, soft-needle-like leaves, avg. garden soil, full sun, butterflies, birds  

____Mint, Hoary Mt. (P. pycnanthemoides)                           1-3’       pink-white flowers, July-Aug, well-drained soil, sun to partial sun

____Mint, Slender Mountain (P.tenuifolium)                         2-3'        white flowers, summer, sun, average soil, butterflies

____Mint, Downy Wood (Blephilia ciliata)                           1-1.5'     purple, fuzzy basal leaves, early summer, nice ground cover, well-drained soil, butterflies  

____Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)                             3'           blue-violet, July, average to wet soil, full to partial sun, butterflies

____Nodding Wild Onion  (Allium cernuum)                         1-2’       pink dangling flowers, narrow July-Aug., grass-like leaves, well-drained soil, full to partial sun, butterflies

____Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)                        3-4’       pink, Aug, moist to dry soil, full sun, birds, butterflies, hummers   

____Petunia, Wild  (Ruellia humilis)                                        2’           blue-violet, Jul-Aug., full to partial sun, well-drained soil  

____Poppy Mallow, Purple (Callirhoe involucrata)             1’           fuschia blooms, June-Aug., good full sun ground cover, spreads well, well-drained soil

____Primrose, Missouri  (Oenothera missouriense)              1'           large yellow flowers in summer, good  border plant, average soil,  butterflies, hummingbirds  

____Primrose, Showy  (Oenothera speciosa)                          1'           large pink flowers spring through summer,  full sun, good bank stabilizer, butterflies

____Quinine, Wild (Parthenium integrifolium)                      3-4'        white flower clusters in summer with yucca-like foliage, full sun, drought tolerant, butterflies, hummingbirds  

____Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)                  3-4’       yucca-like foliage, green flowers in summer, full sun, drought tolerant  

____Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)                               4-5'        large funnel-shaped white flowers, mid-summer, full-part sun, avg. to wet soil, hummingbirds, butterflies  

____Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)                                3-5'        yellow, July-Sept., well-drained soil, adapted to clay soils, full sun, birds, butterflies  

____Royal Catchfly (Selene regia)                                           3-4’       red flowers, Jul-Aug, leaves mostly basal, full sun, well-drained soil, hummers  

____Seedbox (Ludwidgia palustris)                                         3-4’       small yellow flowers in summer, small seed rattles in fall, full to partial sun,  prefers moist soil

____Senna, Wild (Cassia marilandica)                                   3-5’       yellow flowers, late summer, full sun, avg. soil, birds, hummingbirds, butterflies  

____Skullcap, Downy (Skutellaria incana)                            2-3’      blue flowers, June-Aug., sun to partial sun, average soil    

____Sneeze-weed, autumn (Helenium autumnale)                3’          yellow daisy-like petals with yellow centers,Sept-Oct., full sun,  mesic to wet soil, butterflies  

____Spurge, Flowering (Euphorbia corollata)                      2-3’       white, numerous small, resembles baby’s breath, July-Aug., avg. to dry, well-drained soil, full sun

____Spiderwort, Ohio (Tradescantia ohiensis)                      1-2’       violet-blue, April to July, avg to wet soil, full to partial sun

____Spiderwort, Virginia (Tradescantia virginiana)             1-2’        violet-blue flowers, Apr-Jul, appear in morning only, shade to full shade, avg. soil

____Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)                                             4”          star-shaped flowers on fleshy leaves that form low mats, well-drained soil, sun to partial shade, nice groundcover

____Strawberry, Wild (Fragaria virginiana)                         6”          white flowers, spring, edible berries trailing habit, well-drained soil, sun to partial, good wildlife food

____Sundrops (Oenothera fruticosa)                                       1-2’       lemon yellow flowers all spring, avg. to dry, well-draied soil, drought tolerant, full sun early bloomer  

____Sunflower, Ox-eye (Heliopsis helianthoides)                 3-4’       yellow, June-Sept, full to partial sun, well-drained loam, long blooming period  

____Sunflower, Western (Helianthus occidentalis)              3-4’       many yellow flowers on tall stems above basal leaves, spreads well, full to partial sun, well-drained soil

____Susans, Black-eyed (Rudbeckia hirta)                            3’           yellow with dark centers, fuzzy leaves, June-Aug., well drained soil full to partial sun  

____Susan, Sweet (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)                       4’           yellow, July-Sept., sun to partial shade, well drained soil, birds, butterflies  

____Thimbleflower (Anemone virginiana)                              3-4'        white flowers, June, well-drained soil, sun to partial sun, butterflies

____Vervain, Blue (Verbena hastate)                                       4-6’       blue-violet spikes of flowers, July, moist to wet soils, full sun

 

 

NATIVE TREES/SHRUBS

____Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)                      5-5.5'     multi-stemmed shrub, white spherical flower heads, summer, partial sun, moist to wet soils  

____Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)                                     8-12'      shrubby plant with spikes of purple flowers, summer, full sun, moist to wet soil

____Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)                                                 10-35’   red-brown flowers, July, sm. understory tree, avg. to moist well-drained soil, shade to partial

____Shrubby St. John’s-wort (Hypericum frondosum)         shrub    beautiful yellow flowers mid summer, avg soil, best in full sun, bees, butterflies  

____Trumpetvine (Campsis radicans)                                     vine      reddish orange trumpet-shaped flowers, July-September, average soil, hummers

 

 

   

NATIVE WARM SEASON GRASSES ****

____Bluestem, Big (Andropogon gerardi)                              3-6’       ornamental bunch grass, sun, nice winter color

____Bluestem, Little (Schizachyrium scoparium)                  3'           attractive bunch grass with silvery flower heads and russet fall color

____Bottlebrush Grass (Hysterix patula)                                2-4’       long-bristled flower spikelets, June-Aug., shade to partial shade

____Brown Fox Sedge (Carex vulpinoidea)                           2-3’       hardy sedge for moist-wet soils, full to partial sun, small brown and green flowers, birds

____Buffalo Grass (Buchole dactyloides)                               4-6”       short, fine-textured, heat and cold-resistant, full sun, drought tolerant

____Dark Green Bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens)                        3-5’       large sedge, rounded dark green-brown flower clusters, moist-wet soils, shallow water

____June Grass (Koeleria cristata)                                          2’           short, slender grass for landscaping in masses, part-full sun, blooms early

____Path Grass (Juncus tenuis)                                                 1’           moist to dry, open habitats

____River Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)                            2-3'        arching stems with flattened florets, moist soil, partial sun, drought tolerant, nice landscaping plant

____Sallow Sedge (Carex lurida)                                             2-5’       June, moist to wet soils, sun- partial sun, birds

____Seersucker Sedge (Carex plantaginea)                           1’           May-June, wet woodlands, shade to partial shade, lovely landscaping accent

____Side-oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula)                    3’           bright reddish orange stamens, straw colored flowers, summer, well-drained soils

____Virginia Wild Rye (Elymus virginicus)                             2-4'        blue green seed heads, sun-partial shade, sandy to wet soils

 

 

 

****All of the native warm season grasses provide wonderful food and cover for wildlife and good winter landscaping interest for any yard or garden