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Choose the Perfect Plant

This online tool is designed to help you find the native plants best-suited for specific sites that provide the greatest ecological function and benefit, and that will also complement your Cape Cod landscape design. Using the dropdowns below, you have the ability to find plants based on these six criteria: Plant Type, Sunlight, Soils, Bloom Month, Size, and Nature Benefits. Based on your choices, the results will automatically populate.

American Elderberry

American Elderberry

Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Shrub
• Sunlight: Sun to part shade
• Soils: Wet to dry
• Bloom Time: White flowers in May, June, July
• Size: 5-8 feet in height; 3-8 foot spread

Plant this native as a hedge or alone. Berries and flowers are edible, but other parts of the plant contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals and are poisonous. Individual plants are short-lived, but root masses produce new shoots. Fast grower. Notice the white flowers on wild elderberry along wetland edges in late spring—it loves the Cape’s acidic soils.

Garden Companions

Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis), American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

Nature Benefits

• Fruit attracts birds who then spread seeds.
• Berries relished by mammals.
• Attracts pollinators.

Native Habitat

Occurs in alluvial forests, bogs, ditches, drier old fields.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Highbush Blueberry

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Shrub
• Sunlight: Sun – Shade
• Soils: Moist to dry
• Bloom Time: White flowers in May, June
• Size: 3-12 feet in height; 3-7 foot spread

Highbush Blueberry is excellent for naturalized landscaping. Provides brilliant red fall color and is a great alternative to the harmful invasive Burning Bush.

Garden Companions

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens)

Nature Benefits

• Host to the Frosted Elfin butterfly.
• Berries highly favored by numerous bird species and other wildlife.
• Excellent pollinator plant.

Native Habitat

Occurs in wooded and open areas, wetland edges, dry pitch pine and oak woodlands.

Download Plant Datasheet

Black Chokeberry

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Shrub
• Sunlight: Sun, Part Shade
• Soils: Moist to dry, average
• Bloom Time: White flowers in May, June
• Size: 3-10 feet in height; 3-6 foot spread

Plant this multi-stemmed shrub in a wildlife or mixed shrub border to show its small masses of flowers followed by showy fruit. When planted in full sun, foliage will be deep red in fall. It can spread by root suckers forming colonies. Drought tolerant once established and tolerates occasional flooding.

Garden Companions

Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), Steeple Bush (Spirea tomentosa), Speckled Alder (Alnus incana), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

Nature Benefits

• Showy fruits attract birds in winter.
• Offers nectar for bees and other pollinating insects.

Native Habitat

Occurs in bogs, wet thickets, margins of ponds and lakes, woods.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Little Bluestem

Little Bluestem

Schizachyrium scoparium

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Grass
• Sunlight: Sun, Part Shade
• Soils: Average, dry
• Bloom Time: Non-flowering
• Size: 1-3 feet in height; 8-24 inch spread

This ubiquitous Cape Cod grass makes a beautiful native choice for an ornamental grass in the landscape. Blue-green stems in summer are followed by golden brown stems with airy seed heads in fall and winter. Drought tolerant but can do well in moist situations.

Garden Companions

Big Bluestem grass (Andropogon virginicus), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black- eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

Nature Benefits

• Larval host for several skipper butterflies.
• Seeds are eaten by songbirds.
• Food source for grasshoppers, leaf-mining beetles, thrips, spittlebugs, and leafhoppers.
• Provides cover for bumble bee queens to make their underground nests.

Native Habitat

Occurs in meadows, fields, roadsides, open areas.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Teaberry

Teaberry

Gaultheria procumbens

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Shade, Part Shade
• Soils: Average, dry
• Bloom Time: White flowers in June, July, August
• Size: 1-4 inches in height; 6-12 inch spread

Plant evergreen Teaberry as a low, woody, ground cover. Grows and flowers best in sunny openings with light shade during midday. Showy red fruits may persist through the winter on the colony forming plants. Wintergreen flavoring originated with this plant. Drought tolerant.

Garden Companions

Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum), Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens), Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), Common Star-grass (Hypoxis hirsuta), Canada-mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Flax-leaved Stiff-aster (Ionactis linariifolia)

Nature Benefits

• Provides food for birds, foxes, and small mammals in winter.

Native Habitat

Occurs in forest edges, pine and oak forests, meadows or fields, bogs.

Download Plant Datasheet

New England Aster

New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial • Sunlight: Sun, Part Shade • Soils: Average to moist • Bloom Time: Deep violet to pink flowers appear in August, September • Size: 3-4 feet in height Two adaptations of being a meadow plant are that it wants to grow tall and the lowest leaves will die out at the bottom. However, it can be pinched back a few times before mid-July so it will blossom on shorter stems.

Garden Companions

Small Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Anise Scent Goldenrod (Solidago odoro), Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Nature Benefits

• Supports pollinators in late summer fall when they need sustenance most. • Host plant for the caterpillars of the Pearl Crescent. • Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds. • Supports bee specialists in the Adrena genus.

Native Habitat

Occurs in meadows, old fields, and stream banks. Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Barren Strawberry

Barren Strawberry

Waldsteinia fragarioides

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Sun, Part Shade
• Soils: Sandy, well-drained to clay and medium loam, dry to moist
• Bloom Time: Yellow flowers in May, June
• Size: 3-6 inches in height; 6-12 inch spread

Plant the tough, semi-evergreen Barren Strawberry as a woodland ground cover. It will naturalize via rhizomes and out-compete weeds. Although called strawberry, the fruit is neither fleshy nor edible. Deer resistant.

Garden Companions

Small Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum), Slender Woodland Sedge (Carex digitalis)

Nature Benefits

• May support pollinators.
• Provides cover for ground-nesting bees.

Native Habitat

Occurs in woods, thickets, fields, and uplands bordering calcareous wetland communities.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Seaside Goldenrod

Seaside Goldenrod

Solidago sempervirens

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Sun
• Soils: Sandy, average moisture to dry
• Bloom Time: Yellow flowers in August, September, October
• Size: 2-6 feet in height; 2-3 foot spread

Perennial with low maintenance is perfect in a pollinator garden and ornamental flower bed. Spreads easily by seeds but does not become invasive. This goldenrod has almost succulent leaves to protect against winds and salt spray. Drought tolerant. Salt spray tolerant. Pinch the growing tips in June for a more compact plant in gardens.

Garden Companions

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Brown Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)

Nature Benefits

• Food source for migrating monarch butterflies.
• Attracts songbirds, other butterflies, and small mammals.

Native Habitat

Occurs on coastal beaches, dunes, and marshes.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Lady Fern

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Part Shade, Shade
• Soils: Well-drained soils, moist to dry
• Bloom Time: Non-flowering
• Size: 1-2 feet in height; 12-18 inch spread

Plant low maintenance Lady Fern in perennial borders, moist nooks, low spots, and woodland gardens. Typically grows in full to part shade in drier soils than most ferns, and it can tolerate full sun if kept cool and soil is moist. Like most ferns it is deer resistant. Upright stems are green or red.

Garden Companions

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum), Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis), Jack-in-the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Nature Benefits

• No known direct benefits to wildlife.

Native Habitat

Occurs in river or stream floodplains, forests, swamps, woodlands.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Partridge Pea

Partridge Pea

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Annual
• Sunlight: Sun, Part Shade
• Soils: Sandy, well-drained, dry to moist
• Bloom Time: Yellow flowers in July, August, September
• Size: 1-3 feet in height; 6-12 in spread

This is a native annual. Plant to establish disturbed sites, as part of a wildflower meadow or border. Partridge Pea is also called Sensitive Plant because its leaves collapse when touched. The annual readily self-seeds. It is easily shaded out by larger plants. As a legume, Partridge Pea fixes nitrogen.

Garden Companions

Small Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum), Slender Woodland Sedge (Carex digitalis)

Nature Benefits

• Seed pods provide food for birds and small wildlife
• Offers nectar for bumble bees, butterflies, and ants
• Larval host for cloudless giant sulphur, orange sulphur, and sleepy orange butterflies

Native Habitat

Occurs in dry fields and clearings, meadows, and roadsides

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Golden Groundsel

Golden Groundsel

Packera aurea

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to shade.
• Soils: Moist to dry
• Bloom Time: Spring blossoms – April, May, June
• Size: 1 foot in height

Also called Golden Ragwort and Butterweed, this rugged plant can handle tough places like rain gardens. It self-seeds and spreads by rhizomes. The foliage is green most of the year and stays low to the ground. In early spring, the aster-like flowers present on 1ft stems above the foliage in a stunning display of yellow-gold.

Garden Companions

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Nature Benefits

• Nectar and pollen attract small bees, such as little carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, and various halictid bees.

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in openings in moist to dry woodlands, areas along woodland paths and abandoned fields.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain

Verbena hastata

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full to part sun
• Soils: Medium to Moist
• Bloom Time: July, August
• Size: 3-4 feet in height

Short-lived, doesn’t compete well with more aggressive vegetation. It self-seeds readily and is easy to germinate.

Garden Companions

Culver’s Root (Veronicastrum virginicum), Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum), Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Nature Benefits

• Pollinators will visit.
• Seeds are valuable to small mammals and birds.

Native Habitat

Occurs in marshes, swamp margins, and ditches.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Common Milkweed

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Well-drained sandy soils
• Bloom Time: Pink to purple flowers in June, July, August
• Size: 3-4 feet in height

Drought tolerant. Fragrant flowers! Plant in area where rhizomes can spread. Seed pods release seeds in late summer and fall.

Garden Companions

Rose Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Nature Benefits

• Pollinator magnet! Attracts a variety of insects including Milkweed Bugs and Oleander Aphids that don’t hurt the plant.
• Host plant for the caterpillars of the Monarch Butterfly and the Tussock Moth.

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields, meadows, abandoned lots and roadsides.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Common Boneset

Common Boneset

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full to part sun
• Soils: Sandy to clay, needs consistent moisture
• Bloom Time: White flowers from June, July, August
• Size: 3-6 feet in height, 2 foot spread

Use in border and wildflower gardens, around banks of a pond, wildflower meadow, pollinator garden, rain garden. Useful in habitat restoration projects.

Garden Companions

Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum), Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

Nature Benefits

• Pollinator magnet. Butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers.
• Host plant for caterpillars of the Lined Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia lineate), Burdock Borer Moth (Papaipema cataphracta), Three-lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia).

Native Habitat

Occurs in marshes, swamp margins, stream banks, and shores of rivers or lakes.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Wild Geranium

Wild Geranium

Geranium maculatum

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Partial to full shade
• Soils: Dry to moist
• Bloom Time: Lavender or pink flowers in April, May, June
• Size: 1-2 feet

Also called Cranesbill. Its seed capsule is explosive. As a woodland native, Geranium maculatum does prefer some shade.

Plants grow in clumps and can form a groundcover. Its seed capsule is explosive.

Garden Companions

Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)

Nature Benefits

• Seed heads attract songbirds.
• Value to bumble bees and other native bees, butterflies, and other insects.

Native Habitat

Occurs in woods, roadsides, and fields. Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Mistflower

Mistflower

Conoclinium coelestinum

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade.
• Soils: Prefers medium to wet soils, rich in organic matter which do not dry out.
• Bloom Time: Lavender-blue flowers in July, August, September
• Size: 1-2 feet in height

The root system will spread to form colonies and can spread aggressively in moist open ground, but not problematic. Flowers have no scent. Flower resembles the annual purple ageratum. Taller plants can be cut back in summer to prevent flopping.

Garden Companions

Blue Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia); White Wood Aster (Eurybia divarcatus)

Nature Benefits

• Attracts long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, short-tongued bees, various flies, moths, and beetles. Insects seek nectar primarily, although the bees often collect pollen.
• Host plant for caterpillars of such moths as the Clymene Moth (Haploa clymene), Lined Ruby Tiger Moth (Phragmatobia lineata), Three-lined Flower Moth (Schinia trifascia).

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in wet meadows, along streams, in ditches.

Download Plant Datasheet

Golden Alexanders

Golden Alexanders

Zizea aurea

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade.
• Soils: Moist to average moisture
• Bloom Time: Spring blossoms – April, May, June
• Size: 1-2 feet in height

Tolerates drier summer soils, provided it receives moist soils in early spring. In the carrot family, the plant is care-free, and is capable of self-pollination. It is an important early flowering plant for beneficial insects.

Garden Companions

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Nature Benefits

• May host caterpillars of the Black Swallowtail butterfly
• Flowers are attractive to many kinds of insects seeking pollen or nectar, especially short-tongued bees, such as green metallic bees and andrenid bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. Other insects include valuable predator wasps, small butterflies, and long-tongued bumblebees.

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in openings in moist to dry woodlands, areas along woodland paths and abandoned fields.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Wild Quinine

Wild Quinine

Parthenium integrifolium

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soils: wide range of soil types
• Bloom Time: Summer- June, July, August – dense clusters of pure white flowers
• Size: 3-5 feet in height

Makes a great cut flower. Foliage is aromatic. Native Americans used wild quinine for medicinal and veterinary purposes. The leaves contain tannin, which is thought to be beneficial for treating burns.

Garden Companions

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa); Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Nature Benefits

• Attracts pollinators

Native Habitat

In Massachusetts occurs naturally in central part of the state, found in dry fields, open wooded areas, rocky woods, and hillsides.

Download Plant Datasheet

Great Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun to part shade.
• Soils: Moist, well-drained soils
• Bloom Time: Late summer blossoms – July, August, September; vivid blue flower
• Size: 1-3 feet in height, 1 foot spread

In average soil conditions, you may need to water occasionally—don’t let it dry out. Most striking when planted in mass, rather than a single plant. Pollinators love it.

Garden Companions

Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata); Flat-topped Aster (Aster umbellatus); Spotted Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum); White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Nature Benefits

• Bumblebees, other bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in swamps and wet meadows.

Download Plant Datasheet
 

Photos

Wild Columbine

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Part shade to full shade
• Soils: Well-drained and average moisture
• Bloom Time: Spring blossoms – April, May, June; flower is bell-shaped red spurs with a yellow center
• Size: 1-2 feet in height, 1 foot spread

May go dormant in mid-summer. Although a perennial, it readily self-seeds. Leave the seed heads or collect and spread the seeds where you want more Columbine in your garden.

Garden Companions

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Wild Geranium (Geranium maculata), Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Nature Benefits

• The spurs contain nectar that attracts long-tongued bees and moths, and hummingbirds who are specially adapted to reach the nectar.
• Seeds are consumed by finches and buntings.
• Host to the caterpillar of the Columbine Duskywing (Erynnis lucilius)

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in rich rocky woods, north-facing slopes, cliffs, ledges, pastures, and roadsides.

Download Plant Datasheet

 

Photos

Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soils: A wide range from moist to dry, organically rich, well-drained sand, loam, clay.
• Bloom Time: Lavender flowers bloom in July, August, September
• Size: 1-3 feet in height; 3 foot spread

Easy to grow in a perennial border, wildflower garden or meadow. A great naturalizing wildflower and a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds. Leave the seed heads.

Garden Companions

Spotted Bee Balm (Monarda punctata), Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis)

Nature Benefits

• Attracts long-tongued bees, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths
• Birds eat the seeds
• Host plant for the Raspberry Pyrausta Moth

Native Habitat

Occurs in dry open woods, fields, wet meadows and ditches, edges of woods and marshes

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Spotted Bee Balm

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soils: Dry to moist soils, does well in poor soils
• Bloom Time: Summer blossoms – July, August, September; interesting flower!
• Size: 2-3 feet in height

Also called Dotted Mint or Dotted Horsemint, this plant is amazingly drought tolerant. Pollinators love this plant. Aromatic foliage, in bud, it forms saffron-colored rosettes in whorls along the top half of the stem. When the whorls release, watercolor-painted petals with little freckles are exposed and later mature to a soft pinkish-dawn color. These painted petals hold at the end of the flower spike for weeks upon weeks as they peek out through what appears to be leaf bracts.

Garden Companions

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa); Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa); Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Nature Benefits

• Nectar source for diverse number of pollinators
• Host for the Raspberry pyrausta butterfly caterpillar

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally fields, clearings, and roadsides.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Smooth-leaved Aster

Smooth-leaved Aster

Symphyotrichum laevis

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Well-drained sandy soils
• Bloom Time: Late summer – August, September, lavender flowers
• Size: 2-3 feet in height

A non-aggressive rhizomatous root system allows the plant to spread slowly. In a garden setting, Smooth Blue Aster will persist for many years. The beautiful late blooming flowers attract many different pollinators.

Garden Companions

Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Nature Benefits

• Host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly and Silvery Checkerspot butterfly
• Attracts many different native bees and butterflies.

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields and meadows.

Download Plant Datasheet

Foxglove Beardtongue

Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Average to moist, well-drained sandy soils
• Bloom Time: Early summer – June, July with white to pink flowers
• Size: 3-4 feet in height

Drought tolerant. Penstemons are called ‘Beard Tongues’ because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.

Garden Companions

Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea), Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis), Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)

Nature Benefits

• The tubular flowers attract long-tongued bees such as bumblebees and mason bees, as well as hummingbirds.
• Host plant to the Chalcedon Checkerspot and Edith’s Checkerspots

Native Habitat

Occurs in sunny openings of freshwater wetlands, stream banks and ditches.

Download Plant Datasheet

Rose / Swamp Milkweed

Rose / Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias incarnata

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soils: Prefers moist soil, but does well in well-drained garden soil
• Bloom Time: Rose-pink; bloom time is June, July
• Size: 3-4 feet in height; 2 foot spread

One of the most beautiful of native perennials with clusters of upturned pink-purple flowers. Pods contain seeds with silky parachutes that are dispersed by the wind.

Garden Companions

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Nature Benefits

• Host plant and highly preferred by the monarch butterfly caterpillar
• Pollinator favorite!

Native Habitat

Occurs in sunny openings of freshwater wetlands, stream banks and ditches.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Obedient Plant / False Dragonhead

Obedient Plant / False Dragonhead

Physostegia virginiana

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soils: Moist, well-drained soils
• Bloom Time: Late summer – August, September; white to pink
• Size: 2-5 feet in height

Unlike its name implies, this plant root system spreads underground, making it a wonderful species if you need a plant to fill in large spots around your yard. While they prefer moist soil, Obedient plants are easily established and very drought tolerant, forgiving plants and in dry conditions, spreading is less of a problem.

Like all members of the mint family, it produces lots of nectar and provides a much-needed boost of energy for pollinators facing the coming winter.

Garden Companions

Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium dubium); Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum); Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata); Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Nature Benefits

• Fantastic nectar source for diverse number of pollinators

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields, roadsides, shores of rivers and lakes.

Download Plant Datasheet

Photos

Mountain Mint

Mountain Mint

Pycnanthemum muticum

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to full shade
• Soils: Dry to moist soils, does well in poor soils
• Bloom Time: Summer blossoms – July, August, September; flower is diminutive bell-shaped red spurs with a yellow center
• Size: 2-3 feet in height, 2 foot spread

Silvery green foliage is nicely aromatic. This native is happiest at the wood’s edge and is excellent for a naturalized border or woodland garden. Also called short-toothed or clustered mountain mint, it is one of the best nectar sources for native butterflies–this is a pollinator magnet! When planted in groups or massed, the silvery bracts give the entire planting the appearance of being dusted by a white powdery snow.

Garden Companions

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta); Bear Tongue (Penstemon digitalis); Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium dubium or E. purpureum)

Nature Benefits

• Nectar source for diverse number of pollinators
• Host for Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) caterpillar

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in rich rocky woods, north-facing slopes, cliffs, ledges, pastures, and roadsides.

Download Plant Datasheet
 

Plant Images

Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed

Coastal Plain Joe Pye Weed

Eutrochium (formerly Eupatorium) dubium

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soils: Moist, well-drained soils
• Bloom Time: Summer – July, August, September; mauve-purple flower
• Size: 2-5 feet in height

Moist areas in borders, cottage gardens, meadows, native plant gardens, wild/naturalized areas, rain gardens or water margins. The domes of lavender-pink flowers attract lots of butterflies in late summer and early fall. Its smaller size makes it a better fit in moist borders, beds, meadows, or roadside plantings. Spent flowers turn to clusters of attractive seed heads that persist well into winter.

The plant gets its name from Joe Pye, reportedly an Indian herbalist and healer in the New England area.

Garden Companions

Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana); Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum); Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata); Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Nature Benefits

• Fantastic nectar source for diverse number of pollinators; leave seed heads for birds

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally along swamps, wetlands and wet meadows

Download Plant Datasheet
 

Plant Images

Butterfly Milkweed

Butterfly Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soils: Poor, well-drained
• Bloom Time: Orange to yellow flowers in June, July, August
• Size: 1-2 feet in height; 1-2 foot spread

Plant Butterfly Milkweed in mixed borders, meadows, and natural areas –even deep pots. Slow to emerge in spring. Drought tolerant. Pods contain seeds with silky parachutes that are dispersed by the wind.

Garden Companions

Big Bluestem grass (Andropogon virginicus), Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Threadleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata), Anise-scented Goldenrod (Solidago odora)

Nature Benefits

• Host plant for the monarch butterfly caterpillar
• Offers nectar for hummingbirds, bumble bees, and other insects

Native Habitat

Occurs in dry fields and roadsides

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Photos

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

Solidago caesia

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Partial shade, full shade
• Soils: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of poor, dry soils
• Bloom Time: Late summer – August, September, yellow flowers
• Size: 2-3 feet in height

Drought tolerant, once established. A well-behaved goldenrod, displays bold arching wands of golden clusters in late summer, contrasted by blue-green stems. Adds life to a dry shady spot. Best used at the woodland’s edge or in a shaded butterfly or wild garden.

Garden Companions

Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), Green & Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), Big Bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii), Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius)

Nature Benefits

• Provides important nectar and pollen for native bees

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields, woodland edge, and roadsides. A true meadow plant.

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Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia fulgida

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Dry, well-drained soils
• Bloom Time: Yellow-orange flowers in July, August, September
• Size: 2-3 feet in height

Drought tolerant, once established. Self-seeds. Great cut flower.

Garden Companions

Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata); Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium); Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

Nature Benefits

• Provides nectar for butterflies and other insects
• Seed heads feed birds

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields, woodland edge, and roadsides. A true meadow plant.

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Anise-scented Goldenrod

Anise-scented Goldenrod

Solidago odora

Growing Information

• Plant Type: Perennial
• Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade
• Soils: Well-drained sandy soils
• Bloom Time: Late summer – August, September, yellow flowers
• Size: 2-3 feet in height

Drought tolerant. Fragrant leaves have the scent of licorice. High ecological value and handsome appearance, it makes a valuable addition to wildflower gardens, meadows, and naturalistic borders.

Garden Companions

Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia); Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa); Old Field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis)

Nature Benefits

• Provides important nectar and pollen for native bees.
• Attracts birds, ladybugs, lacewings and other beneficial insects.

Native Habitat

Occurs naturally in fields and meadows.

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