Native Plant Sale

“Blue Ice” is an amsonia blue star cultivar. Amsonia is a genus of about 20 species native to light woodlands or grasslands of the Northeast United States. The “Blue Ice” cultivar is an erect, clump-forming plant that features terminal, pyramidal clusters of star-like, dark lavender-blue flowers (3/4” across) in the Spring, atop erect, leafy stems growing to only 15-18” tall. The blooms are attractive to butterflies and other insect pollinators. The Fall foliage is a beautiful golden color. Amsonia is easily grown in average, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Best Fall foliage color usually occurs in full sun, but flowers generally last longer if given some afternoon shade in hot sun areas. This compact cultivar does not need to be cut back after flowering, and generally requires no staking or support. Amsonia is often used as a tall grass-like ground cover.

New England Aster is a tall, showy perennial flower that blooms August – October in colors ranging from lavender to blue. Asters perform best in full sun, with well-drained soil and room to grow. “Purple Dome” typically grows 18-24 inches tall and up to 3 feet wide with a low, bushy habit. A spacing of 36 inches is typical for good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. “Purple Dome” features a profuse bloom of dark purple flowers (up to 1.5 inches across) with purple rays and yellow centers from late Summer to early Fall (mid-August until early October). No staking is usually required. Plants should be divided every couple of years in the Spring to promote vigor and growth. Asters will attract Monarch and other butterflies in the Fall.

Athyrium is a genus of ferns of about 180 species that includes the common Lady Fern. They have an extensive native range that includes North America and are found mostly in moist forest and woodland settings in both temperate and tropical areas. “Ghost” is a deciduous hybrid of a Lady Fern and Japanese Painted Fern and is noted for its upright silvery foliage. “Ghost” is not considered to be invasive in North America. Easily grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Best sited in sheltered locations. “Ghost” typically grows to 24-30 inches tall. It features a slowly spreading clump of fronds that are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. Silvering is best in the Spring, with fronds becoming more grayish-green as hot temperatures arrive.

Butterfly Milkweed, or Butterfly Weed, is a showy and hardy milkweed with orange flowers that bloom in mid to late Summer. Asclepias tuberosa is a very popular native plant, well-known for attracting bumble bees and Monarch and other varieties of butterflies. It will grow to about 1-2 feet in height and spread up to 2 feet (spacing 12-18 inches recommended). It thrives in sunny locations with dry, rocky soils and is deer resistant. This variety of milkweed does not exude a milky sap when the stem is broken.

Black-eyed Susan, or Orange Coneflower, has deep green foliage and yellow-orange flowers with dark buttons. “Goldsturm” is a long-blooming cultivar, with lots of golden black-eyed daisies forming a dome of color for many weeks in late Summer (from July into October). Most Rudbeckias are biennial but “Goldsturm” is a true perennial variety, getting bigger and better each year. No deadheading needed, but flowers can be harvested for reblooming. Cut back in late Fall or wait until mid-Spring. Black-eyed Susan does well in mass plantings and provides nectar in the Summer for butterflies and seeds in the Winter for birds. Grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it can withstand dry conditions. It is also deer resistant. Grows 18 to 24 inches in height and will spread up to 2 feet (spacing of 18 inches recommended).

Blue Mistflower features fuzzy blue flowers atop green foliage and attractive red stems. It blooms in September and October, attracts bees and butterflies, and makes great cut flowers. It is naturally found in old fields and meadows and can adapt to a range of soil and light conditions, including clay soils and shade. Hardy Argentum is best suited for areas where it can generously spread. Height can reach 2 – 3 feet with a spread up to 2 feet (spacing of 12 – 18 inches recommended).

Mountain Mint is a spreading perennial and a favorite of butterfly gardeners. It is a member of the mint family and one of the best nectar sources for butterflies and bees. The aromatic oils in the foliage also make it deer and rabbit resistant. The variety pycnanthemum muticum has showy leaves and white-pink flowers from July to September. It does well in a variety of sites, from full sun to shade and dry to moist conditions. It is often incorporated into rain gardens or near vegetable gardens to entice pollinators. It can grow to 2 – 3 feet in height and spread 2 feet (spacing of 12 – 18 inches recommended).

Echinecea purperea is a well-known pollinator – a poster child for native plants and very common in local gardens. The beautiful purple coneflowers bloom in Summer with purple-pink petals and orange cones. The flowers can grow to 2 -3 feet in height and spread 18 – 24 inches (spacing of 12 inches recommended). Echinacea tolerate dry conditions, a range of soil conditions, and part shade to full sun (although flowers are best in full sun). Flowers can be deadheaded to encourage longer bloom time. The seedheads are a good source of food for birds and attract goldfinches. The plants are deer resistant.

“Blue Moon” woodland Phlox is a lovely native plant with rich violet-blue flowers in April-May and a mild fragrance. It provides valuable early season nectar for hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and other pollinators. “Blue Moon” will grow to 12-24 inches and spread 24-32 inches. Woodland Phlox a top choice for the shade garden and looks especially pleasing when inter-planted with other spring flowering shade plants. Planted with spring-blooming bulbs, the “Blue Moon” foliage will offer support and hide the any wilting leaves on neighboring bulbs. Woodland Phlox grows best in rich, moist soil with good drainage. Plants prefer high shade or morning sun and afternoon shade to promote lots of flowers.

Solidago rugosa, commonly called rough goldenrod, rough-stemmed goldenrod, or wrinkle-leaved goldenrod, features showy yellow flowers in late Summer to Fall (August to October). Flowers bloom at the ends of rough, hairy, often unbranched stems clad with hairy, medium to dark green leaves (to 4 inches long). The central stem is erect and densely hairy, typically rising to 3-5 feet tall. This goldenrod is native from NewFoundland and the northern border states down to the southeast, Midwest, and Texas. It is often found in wet ground of swales, swampy meadows, and along spring branches and streams – making it a good choice for rain gardens. Easily grown in average, slightly acidic, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Goldenrods are attractive to bees and butterflies. According to sources, goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever, which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed.