Native Plants

Up to 2" wide, deep rosy pink daisies with a complimentary bright yellow eye are produced in abundance over an extended period beginning in late summer and into fall attracting a variety of mainly smaller pollinators but migrating Monarchs may seek these as well. Alma Pötschke New England Aster, a selection of our native Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, is a medium to tall, clump forming, herbaceous perennial growing to about 3-4' high. Its actual full name is Andenken an Alma Pötschke, which translates from the German to Souvenir of Alma Pötschke. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, Alma Pötschke is an older German cultivar but it is still one of the best of the larger growing pink flowered forms. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil with average moisture for optimum vigor and flowering. Staking may be needed if plants are grown in overly rich fertile soils. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13328

In spring, dense clusters of small light pink flowers encircle the stems and are followed by rich purple, rarely white, 1/8" diameter berries that are most noticeable on the bare winter stems. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators, especially bees, and the fruit are prized by songbirds, deer, and small mammals. The American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, is a medium-sized, native, deciduous shrub with a moderate branching habit, a relatively fast rate of growth to 4-8' high and 5-8' wide. The plants are cloaked in large, medium green, coarse textured foliage. This easy and reliable native makes an easy addition to the garden or landscape providing weeks of color in late fall and winter. Plants are tolerant of full sun to light shade, but will likely fruit the best with more sun. Provide an average to well-drained, fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 10688

Huge flat clusters, becoming dome-shaped as they mature, are composed of numerous small lightly fragrant white flowers that are followed by heavy crops of shiny black berries. The American Elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, is a large growing native deciduous suckering shrub whose cooked fruit and flowers are used to create healthy and delicious confections, syrup, jelly, wine and more. The nectar rich flower clusters attract an array of pollinators and its ripe fruit is sure to attract a host of bird species. Elderberries are monoecious, both male and female at the same time, and are typically at least semi-self fertile but it is generally recommended to plant at least two different plants for cross pollination and the heaviest crops. If you order multiple plants from us, you will receive at least two different selections. The large ripe fruit clusters are a great treat for chickens. The flowers appear to be most fragrant in the evening and likely at night as well suggesting at least some moth pollination. Item #11269

A 2020 All American Selections Herbaceous Perennial award winner! 2-3" wide dark-eyed golden yellow daisies are produced throughout the summer and even into fall atop a dense and compact well-branched plant. American Gold Rush Rudbeckia was selected with disease resistance in mind as well as this plant's ability to flower throughout summer and a compact habit. It may be most similar to and is considered to be a hybrid of Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii, or the Brown-Eyed Susan, which can reach 3' in height. Like its parent, expect this hardy clump forming perennial to revel in the heat and sun of summer with its disk flowers providing nectar for smaller pollinators and the ripened seeds of fall and winter are sure to attract songbirds. Provide American Gold Rush Rudbeckia with a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Add this easy to grow perennial to the garden and landscape but it is also compact and free-flowering enough to provide a summer long show as a container plant. Item# 12167

The dainty white flowers of spring are soon followed by bumpy green fruits that mature to pink and then nearly to red. Once fully mature the pods split open to display the bright orange seeds inside giving it the name of Hearts-A-Burstin'. The American Strawberry bush is typically a deciduous to tardily deciduous large shrub (this selection seems to be more consistently evergreen) with green stems and dark to medium green, somewhat glossy foliage that is native to much of the eastern and central US. Excellent fall color in oranges, reds, and yellows. Images of fruit courtesy of Susan Thomas Spell. Item# 10218.

In late spring and summmer, the 4-5" wide, fragrant, white, cupped flowers with contrasting yellow stamens float on the surface of the pond from early morning to noon attracting bees, potentially butterflies, and very likely the hummingbird-like pollinating moths. The American White Waterlily, Nymphaea odorata var. odorata, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous, native, aquatic perennial that produces deep glossy green, round, and up to 10" wide lily pads with a purplish to reddish reverse from a thick woody, branching rhizome. It is easy to establish in any still water like a pond, lake, bayou, or marsh and is found throughout the southcentral and southeastern US, into Canada, and Central America and has also been introduced in the western US. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in still, 1-5' deep water for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13562

Wide flat-topped clusters of white flowers are produced in spring atop sturdy stems adorned with deep green finely cut deep green foliage. American Wild Carrot, Daucus pusillus, is a native annual common to roadsides throughout much of the US and is commonly confused with the non-native Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota, which is a parent to the common Carrot. The flowers attract bees and other garden beneficials and once through flowering the flattened clusters curl upward at the outer edges creating a protected 'nest' of ripening seeds. Caterpillar host: Black Swallowtail and Anise Swallowtail. The American Wild Carrot makes an easy addition to naturalistic roadside plantings, meadows, and prairies where it readily reseeds on exposed soils. Full sun is preferred in average to well-drained soils. Item# 12027

Frilly, rounded clusters of dainty white tubular flowers are borne in summer atop sturdy stems and are an excellent nectar source for a variety of smaller pollinators and garden beneficials. Savanna or Appalachian Mountainmint has nicely fragrant, medium green foliage and is considered to be one of the better Mountainmints for garden settings as it is not as prone to spreading by rhizomes. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 10765

2" wide rounded clusters of pink buds open to white flowers that adorn the tips of stems and are produced throughout the growing season on well-established plants. Arizona Milkweed, Asclepias angustifolia, in many regards is similar to the compact bushy habit of White Milkweed, A. perennis, and while it is from the southern Arizona desert it has done smashingly well as a container plant under average moisture conditions where it flowered and fruited throughout summer and into fall. As the specific eptithet implies, Arizona Milkweed is adorned in narrow foliage which may remain evergreen where winters are mild. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in well-drained, average moist, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. In drier sites, part shade made be optimum. This species is native to Arizona's 3 southernmost counties. A host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies. Item# 13361

Masses of 1" wide, bluish purple daisies with a yellow-eye absolutely cover these plants for weeks in late summer and fall attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. The Aromatic Aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolius, is a low mounding perennial that develops into a compact shrub-like plant by flowering time. Excellent fall color for the garden as well as drought tolerance and pest and disease resistance make this an excellent addition to the perennial or wildflower border as well as for additions to low maintenance landscapes. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained soil.Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Item# 10075

From nearly red buds open large rich pink flowers that lighten toward the center of the flower and have a yellow-orange blotch. A wonderful pink Aromi hybrid deciduous azalea, Country Cousin is suited to the heat and humidity of southern summers. Early to mid-spring flowering and attracts spring butterflies.In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called bush honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10439.

Dancing Rabbit produces deep yellow buds that open to bright yellow azalea blossoms with a deep yellow blotch that sit in full, rounded clusters and absolutely cover up this plant in spring! Exceptionally vigorous as well. A gorgeous spring show, fragrant, and it attracts butterflies and other spring pollinators. In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called bush honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10719.

Great Balls of Fire is right! Medium to large clusters of large, fiery orange, fragrant azalea blossoms produce a wonderful effect and whose colors are sure to warm up the spring garden. Maarten van der Giessen says this one is of questionable origins and may not be a true Aromi hybrid but could be a Rhododendron flammeum selection, either way it seems to be a good performer and was selected with the rest of the Aromi hybrids from John Allen Smith's Gardens. Early to mid-spring flowering and sure to attract pollinators. In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called Bush Honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10440.

Large clusters of white, late spring flowers produce green berries that ripen to a blue-black. The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and the edible fruits attract a variety of wildlife, especially birds. Arrowwood Viburnum, Viburnum dentatum, is a vigorous growing, naturally rounded, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with rich green foliage and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. Fall color includes yellows, orange, reds, and near purple. Arrowwood Viburnum makes an informal hedge, background specimen, or screen. Easy and reliable. Item# 10922

2-3" wide, yellow sunflowers are born along the tall stems in summer on this durable native perennial. The Ashy Sunflower will spread and develop into a ground covering mass of plants with age. Contrasting soft, gray green foliage. Easy, drought tolerant, and reliable even for tough locations. Use it as a mass planting for large areas or in native gardens and meadows. Native to nearly all of the eastern half of the US. Caterpillar host: Milbert's Tortoiseshells  Item#10418.

Large clusters of rich purple to red-purple flowers sit atop the sturdy 3-4' stems of this medium sized Ironweed in summer and potentially into fall. Baldwin's or Western Ironweed, Vernonia baldwinii, is an excellent source of midsummer pollen and nectar for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This species is more drought resistant than many Ironweeds once well-established and it is important to note that this species can colonize an area via long rhizomes. Its ability to colonize an area may make it a better choice for naturalistic areas like meadows, prairies, and roadsides than in more formal garden settings. Provide good drainage and a full sun to mostly sunny site with average moisture. Deadhead once flowering is complete to prevent unwanted seedlings. Item# 12356

Rich rosy pink standards and falls are accented by smallish yellow signals with a white halo and purplish veining and are topped by contrasting white to creamy yellow style arms. Barataria Louisiana Iris, named for the area just south of New Orleans, is a small to medium-sized plant growing to about 30" high and it flowers in midseason or April. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13347

In late summer and fall the plants cover up in 2" wide, sunny yellow daisies, sometimes with an orange halo, attracting a variety of pollinators, especially bees and butterflies. The Bearded Beggartick, Bidens aristosa, is a tall, branching, herbaceous, native annual, that readily reseeds, growing to about 4-5' high and about 2' wide. It is native to the central and eastern US from eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to the Eastern Seaboard and as far north as southern Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. While it is among the Beggarticks, this species does not produce seeds that stick to clothes and fur. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moist to average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. This is easily one of our showiest wildflowers for the fall. Item# 13558

Large rounded ball-like clusters are adorned with dense rings of tubular lavender to white flowers in late spring to summer on sturdy 3-4' high stems attracting hummingbirds and Swallowtail butterflies. Beebalm or Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa, is a winter deciduous, herbaceous, native, clump forming to slowly spreading rhizomatous perennial with lightly fragrant medium green foliage. This is a relatively drought resistant low maintenance plant once fully established and we normally see it in moist but well-drained soils here in the Pineywoods. Beebalm is native throughout the US except for the western most states. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average to well-drained, average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. It makes an easy addition to garden and landscape or add it to naturalized settings like meadows, prairies, and roadside plantings. Item# 10484

Drooping spike-like clusters composed of numerous, lightly fragrant, small white flowers are produced in spring and are followed by small, 1/4-1/3" diameter red cherries that ripen to black and are consumed by a wide variety of birds and small mammals. The Black Cherry Tree, Prunus serotina, is a moderately fast growing, medium to large, deciduous native tree found throughout much of the eastern, central, and southwestern US as well as into Canada, Mexico, and into Central America. Its medium green serrated foliage is a caterpillar host for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Viceroy butterflies as well as a variety of moths. The Black Cherry fairly consistently produces good yellow to red fall color even here in zone 8B in southwestern Louisiana and the white and gray winter bark adds to its interest. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained, average moist, fertile soils for optimum growth and vigor.Prunus serotina (Black Cherry) is generally considered self-fertile. While a single tree can produce fruit on its own, planting more than one can lead to better pollination and higher fruit yields. Item# 10469