Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’

Beautiful fragrant violet-blue clustered flowers with notched petals. Woodland Phlox is a top choice for shade- part shade gardens. Easy to grow with compact growth habit.

• Height: 12”-18”

• Width: 24’-36”

• Pot Size: 1 qt

• Bloom Time: April - May

• Sun: Partial to Shade

• Moisture: Average, Well Drained

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Foamflower, coral bells

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Flowers are in showy clusters with small pale lavender or white flowers.  Flower nectar attracts beneficial insects.  Fast spreading and drought tolerant. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 24-36”

• Spread: 12-18”

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: July, August, September

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Moisture: Dry, wet

• Attracts: Birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies   

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Coastal Joe Pye weed, blazing star, wild bergamot, switchgrass, Culver’s root, little bluestem

Photo by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Gillenia trifoliata

Long lived perennial. Compact, bushy habit with star like flowers early-mid summer. Attractive fall foliage and interesting seed heads for winter interest.

• Height: 24”-36”

• Spread: 24”-36”

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: June-July

• Light: Light Shade-Part Sun

• Moisture: Average-Moist

• Attracts: Bees and Butterflies

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Ferns, Astilbe, Tiarella, Heuchera

Picture by Glover Perennials

Fragaria virginiana 'Christina'

Fragaria virginiana ‘Christine’ is a selected cultivar of the North American wild strawberry, valued for its strong vigor, adaptability ,and sweet, aromatic fruits. This herbaceous perennial is a low-growing groundcover that spreads by slender, leafy runners, forming dense mats of attractive trifoliate foliage. The ‘Christine’ selection is grown for its productivity, resilience, and ornamental quality.

• Height: Typically 4”-6”

• Spread: Can extend up to 18 in or more via runners in a single season

• Pot Size: 1 quart

• Bloom time: Mid to Late Spring

• Light: Full sun to partial shade (best fruiting in full sun)

• Moisture: Prefers consistent moisture but intolerant of waterlogging.

• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies and birds

• Deer Resistant: Moderately deer resistant

• Companion Plants: Wild columbine, butterfly weed, coral bells and wild geranium

Photo: Glover Perennials

Boltonia asteroides

A prolific bloomer with white daisy like flowers that attract a vast number of pollinators. An excellent back of the garden plant or meadow planting addition. Tolerant of different soil conditions. 

• Height: 3’-5’

• Spread: 3’-5’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: September-October

• Light: Full Sun-Light Shade

• Moisture: Moist Tolerant

• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies and Birds

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Goldenrod, coastal Joe Pye weed, asters and native grasses

‍ ‍Picture: Glover Perennials

Baptisia alba

Baptisia alba is a graceful, long-lived native perennial prized for its upright form, elegant white flowers, and exceptional toughness. In late spring to early summer, it sends up tall spires of pea-like, pure white blooms that rise above soft blue-green foliage, attracting bees and other pollinators.

This clump-forming plant develops a shrub-like presence over time, reaching 3–4 feet tall and wide, with deep roots that make it highly drought-tolerant once established. After flowering, decorative charcoal-black seed pods form, adding texture and interest well into fall and winter.

Baptisia alba thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained soils, though it adapts well to poor or sandy conditions. Virtually maintenance-free and resistant to deer and rabbits, it’s an excellent choice for native gardens, prairie plantings, cottage gardens, and perennial borders.

• Height: 3-4’

• Spread: Upright, Clump forming

• Pot Size: 3 quart

• Bloom Time: Late Spring - Early Summer

• Light: Full Sun, Light Shade

• Moisture: New Plants moist, well drained; Established plants low moisture and drought tolerant

• Attracts: Bees

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Wild geranium, bee balm, little bluestem grass, golden alexanders

Photo: Glover Perennials

Pussytoes

Antennaria plantaginifolia

A low colony-forming plant that spreads by runners (stolens) with basal leaves and erect stems , each bearing a flower head that resembles a cat’s paw. Male and the showier female flowers are on different plants. This plant is happy on acid soil in lean, gritty, dry hillsides.  Good groundcover on rocky slopes.

• Height: 6"-12”

• Pot size:  1 qt

• Bloom time: April-June.  Blooms are white. Female flowers are tinged with pink.

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Moisture: Dry with high drought tolerance

• Attracts: Host plant for American Lady Butterfly

• Deer resistance: No

• Companion Plants: Butterfly weed, wild strawberry, little bluestem, purple love grass, and Pennsylvania sedge

Agastache scrophulariifolia

Fantastic pollinator plant that blooms mid to late season with pleasantly scented foliage. With its long bloom period and high nectar content it makes an excellent addition to northeast gardens. Seed heads provide for birds and provide winter interest. Can be cut back in late spring to reduce overall height and create bushier shape. Great companion plant alongside grasses!

‍ ‍

• Height: 4’-6’+

• Spread: 4’-6’+

• Pot size: 4 qt

• Bloom time: July-October

• Light: Full Sun-Part Shade

• Moisture: Drought Tolerant

• Attracts: Butterflies, bees and birds

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Native grasses, purple coneflower, New England aster, bee balm

‍ ‍Photo: Glover Perennials

‍Polemonium reptans

‍Jacob’s Ladder is a perennial herbaceous spring ephemeral featuring light blue, bell-shape flowers in loose terminal clusters. Leaves with oval leaflets are arranged like the rungs of a ladder.  It grows best in moist, well-drained soil in part shade and freely self-seeds in optimum growing conditions. Jacob’s ladder is best used in partially shaded areas of the rock garden, naturalized areas, woodland gardens or native plant gardens.

‍ ‍

• Height:  1 to 1.5’

• Spread:   1 to 1.5’

• ‍Pot size: 3 qt

• ‍Bloom time: April to June

• Light: Shade to Part shade

• Moisture: Medium well drained

• ‍Attracts: Native bees and honeybees

• Deer resistant:  Tolerates and is not palatable to deer

• ‍Companion plants:  shade-loving, moisture-tolerant plants with contrasting textures, such as ferns, coral bells, Tiarella, geranium, Phlox

‍ ‍Photo: Glover Perennials

Phlox subulata 'Snowflake'

An easy-to-grow evergreen creeper with tiny needle like leaves. It produces a dazzling display of  fragrant, white flowers. To encourage rebloom cut back spent flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and is moderately drought tolerant. A perfect edger for all  flower gardens and a great addition to rock gardens,  A Northeastern U.S. native.

• Height:  4 - 6”

• Spread: 24”

• Pot Size: 1 qt

• Bloom Time: May - June

• Light: Full sun to partial sun

• Moisture:  Average to dry

• Attracts: Pollinators

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants:  Coneflower, blazing star, bee balm, Amsonia

Photo: Glover Perennials

Chamaecrista fasciculata

Partridge Pea

Herbaceous annual with large yellow flowers that mature in summer and continue into early fall. Their feathery green leaves fold together when touched and in the evening as darkness approaches. The flower is followed by a narrow pod which is attractive to songbirds and game birds.

• Height: 1-3’

• Spread: 1-3’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: June to September

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Dry to medium

• Attracts: Birds, butterflies

• Deer resistance: No

• Companion: Butterfly weed, showy swamp milkweed, whorled milkweed, little bluestem

Photo: Lady Bird Johnson, Leander, Bruce

Tiarella cordifolia ‘Running Tapestry’

Spikes of delicate, white, starry flowers rise above the lush, green leaves with radiating deep red hearts. This evergreen combines well with deciduous trees & shrubs.  It is an excellent groundcover and garden accent and does well in containers. Native to the northeastern U.S.

‍ ‍

• Height:   8-12”

• Spread:   12-18”

• ‍Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: May to July

• ‍Light:  Partial shade to Full Shade

• ‍Moisture: Average to Wet

• Attracts:   Bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators

• Deer resistant:  Yes

• ‍Companion plants: Creeping phlox, lady fern, Virginia bluebells

‍ ‍Photo: Glover Perennials

Tiarella cordifolia ‘Elizabeth Oliver’

Long blooming, substantial low clumps of deeply lobed leaves streaked with red veining.  Spires of foamy pink flowers bloom throughout the spring. Works well as a ground cover, accent, in containers, and as edging for a shade garden. New growth appears bronze. It can be easily divided in spring.

• Height: 12 - 15”

• Spread: 12”

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: May, June, July

• Light: Part shade to shade

• Moisture: Average, wet

• Attracts: Butterflies and other pollinators 

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Lady fern, Virginia bluebells   

Photo credit: Glover Perennials

Coreopsis tripteris ‘Gold Standard’

This Keystone, North American native wildflower produces bright lemon-yellow flowers with blue/green foliage.  The sturdy stems prevent flopping.  This popular sun lover is a good addition to the garden as it attracts pollinators, is drought tolerant and provides a long-lasting cut flower. Contrary to its name, the tickweed does not attract ticks, but was so named because it produces tick like seed capsules which the birds enjoy.

• Height:  5’ – 6’

• Spread:   2’

• Pot size: 6 quarts

• Bloom time: Late summer

• Light: Full sun        

• Moisture: Average - Low

• Attracts:  Butterflies, bees, birds

• Deer resistance:  Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, butterfly weed, New York aster, false indigo, little bluestem grass ‘Standing Ovation’, black eyed Susan

Photo credit: Glover Perennials

Solidago flexicaulis

Solidago flexicaulis earned its common name from the stems, which sometimes grow in a zig-zag pattern. Yellow flowers appear in clusters on the upper part of the stems.  It is tolerant of shade and clay soils.  As with other goldenrods, this species is a pollinator powerhouse, supporting dozens of species of butterflies, moths, and bees. Northeastern U.S. Native

• Height: 1-3’

• Spread: 1-3’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: July to October

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade to Shade

• Moisture: Medium to Dry

• Attracts: Butterflies, bees, Pollinator Powerhouse Plant, Keystone Species - read our article HERE

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Foamflower, Jacob’s ladder, columbine

Photo: Glover Perennials

Rudbeckia triloba

A bushy, free-flowering, tall perennial or biannual that readily self–sows. It features masses of 1-2” wide, daisy-like, golden-yellow flowers with flat, purplish-brown centers that are larger than Black-Eyed Susan flowers. They make an excellent cut flower. Deadheading encourages more blooms. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 2-3’

• Spread:  1-1.5’

• Pot size:  1 qt

• Bloom time: Late summer to early fall

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Average to moist

• Attracts: Butterflies, Keystone Species - see our article HERE

• Deer resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, bee balm, New York aster, goldenrods

Photo Credit: Glover Perennials

Phlox subulate 'Candy Stripe'

An early to mid-spring-blooming, herbaceous perennial known for its clusters of 3/4” flowers, with needle-like, green leaves that resemble moss. This cultivar has pink and white striped flowers. Its dense spreading habit makes it a perfect ground cover for rock gardens, edgings, woodland gardens, or native plant gardens in sunny areas. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 6”

• Spread: 2-3’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: Early to mid-spring

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Moderately drought tolerant once established

• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

• Deer resistance: No

• Companion Plants: Bee balm, tickseed, coneflower

  Photo Credit: Glover Perennials

Phlox subulata ‘Purple Beauty’

An early to mid-spring-blooming, herbaceous perennial known for its clusters of 3/4” flowers, with needle-like, green leaves that resembles moss. This cultivar has a deep purple flower. Its dense spreading habit makes it a perfect ground cover for rock gardens, edgings, woodland gardens, or native plant gardens in sunny areas. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 6”

• Spread: 2-3’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: Early to mid-spring

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Moist with good drainage

• Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

• Deer resistance: No

• Companion Plants: Oak leaf hydrangea, creeping phlox, bee balm, coral bells, coneflower, back eyed Susan

• Photo Credit: Glover Perennials
  

Gentiana andrewsii

Incredible cobalt blue/purple flowers are unique in that they stay closed in a budlike form.  The leaves on the stem also get bigger as they ascend on the stem to the flower.  Pollination is primarily carried out by bumblebees which are strong enough to part the corolla and get to the nectar and deposit pollen.  This slow growing herbaceous perennial is ideal for shade, woodland, cottage gardens or in rain gardens and near ponds. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 1.5 - 2’

• Spread: 1.5 - 2’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time:   August - October

• Light: Part shade – Full Sun

• Moisture: Average - Moist

• Attracts: Bumblebees, bees

• Deer resistance:   Yes

• Companion Plants: Common sneezeweed, cardinal flower, white turtlehead, swamp milkweed, lady fern

Photo: Lady Bird Johnson, Cresslar, Alan

Actea (Cimicifuga) racemosa

Tall, white spikes of flowers bloom tightly in stalks above the sharped toothed foliage. Loved by pollinators, this plant does best in dappled shade. Excellent for woodland gardens where the flowers will light up the landscape.

• Height: 4’-6’

• Spread: 2’-4’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: June to August

• Light: Partial Shade – Full Shade

• Moisture: Average - Wet

• Attracts: Pollinators

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Ferns, wild geranium, coral bells, wild blue phlox

Photo: Peter Mancuso

Comptonia peregrina

Small, low-maintenance perennial with wonderfully aromatic, fern-like leaves. Tolerates wet conditions, wind, and drought. Yellowish-green blossoms in Spring. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 2’ - 5’

• Spread: 4’ - 8’

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: April, May

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, wet, dry

• Attracts: Pollinators, provides nesting materials for birds

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Bearberry, New Jersey tea, little bluestem

Photo: Glover Perennials

Eupatorium colestinum

Lovely, low-growing perennial. Soft blue-purple flowers add great late-season color attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Good cut flower. This cultivar is smaller than the straight species.

• Height: 15-18”

• Spread: 20”

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: August-September

• Light: Full sun, light shade

• Moisture: Average, Moist

• Attracts: Butterflies, birds, and other pollinators

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, tickseed, cardinal flower, NY ironweed, brown-eyed Susan

Photo: Glover Perennials

Sanguisorba canadensis

White bottle-brush-shaped flowers. Forms clumps of attractive saw-toothed foliage. Graceful accents for the late-season garden. Due to habitat loss, American Burnet is listed as threatened or endangered throughout much of its native range. This underappreciated species is native to much of the northeastern and northwestern coasts of North America.

• Height: 4-6’

• Spread: 2-3’

• Pot size:  4 qt.

• Bloom time:  August, September

• Light:   Full sun-Part shade

• Moisture:  Average, Wet

• Attracts: Pollinators, butterflies, bees

• Deer Resistance: No

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, anise hyssop, blazing star

Photo: Gregory Strosnider

Fragaria virginiana ‘Intensity’

A low-growing, fast-spreading groundcover with white flowers in spring and sweet edible berries that appear early to mid-summer. It tolerates foot traffic and is an excellent alternative to conventional lawns. This cultivar has larger berries than the straight species.

• Height: 2-5”

• Spread: 1 – 2’

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: May

• Light: Sun, part sun

• Moisture: Average

• Attracts: Pollinators, songbirds, host plant for Grey Hairstreak Butterfly

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Pennsylvania sedge, asters, purple coneflower

Photo: Glover Perennials

Symphyotrichum (Aster) novi-belgii

Showy sprays of blue-violet or pink-to-white blossoms with yellow disk centers. A great addition to fall gardens as an important food source for pollinators late in the season. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 3 - 4’

• Spread: 3’

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: September, October

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Average

• Attracts: Butterflies, pollinators

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Yarrow, Solidago cassia, bee balm, coastal Joe Pye weed

Photo: Glover Perennials

Aruncus dioicus

Tall, showy, cream-colored plumes of flowers with fern-like foliage. Excellent background plant for borders in shade and woodland gardens. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 4 - 6’

• Spread: 2 - 4’

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: April, May

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, Wet

• Attracts: Birds, butterflies, pollinators, host plant for Dusky Azure Butterfly

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Columbine, Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, foamflower, cranesbill geranium

1st Photo: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Site: https://www.wildflower.org/

2nd Photo: Glover Perennials

Vernonia noveboracensis

This lovely versatile perennial has a strong vertical presence with clusters of deep lavender to violet flower heads. Showy seed-heads that add winter interest. Use in a rain garden, cottage garden, meadow, along streams or ponds or the back of the border. Prune for different heights or if a shorter plant is desired. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 4 – 7’

• Spread: 2 - 4’

• Pot size: 4 qt.

• Bloom time: August, September

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, Moist

• Attracts: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, pollinators

• Deer Resistance: Moderate

• Companion Plants: Swamp Milkweed, Cardinal Flower, White Turtlehead

Pycnanthemum muticum

Clustered Mountain Mint, is a clump-forming, aromatic perennial. Given the right conditions, this plant will spread by rhizomes; if spreading is not desired you can prune the roots in the spring. From mid to late summer the foliage is adorned by clusters of small pink, white or lavender flowers that will attract a multitude of pollinators. Easy to grow. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 24- 36”

• Spread: 3 - 4’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: July to September

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, Moist

• Attracts: Birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Wild bergamot, butterfly weed, purple coneflower, anise hyssop, golden rod, red cardinal flower, blazing star, little blue stem.

Photo: CCE MGV Ginger Hughes

Heuchera americana ‘Green Spice’

A lovely variety of Coral Bells that have lobed, rounded, dark green-edged silver leaves with smooth burgundy veins. In fall the leaves turn pumpkin-orange and red. In late spring to midsummer, it gets small, bell-shaped creamy white flowers. This cultivar is prized for its foliage.

• Height: 24-28”

• Spread: 16”

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: Late spring to midsummer

• Light: Part shade

• Moisture: Average, Dry

• Attracts: Butterflies

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Bloodroot, Christmas fern, aromatic aster

Photo: Glover Perennials

Chelone glabra

Sun-loving, wetland perennial with flowers that resemble a turtle's head, attract bumblebees which have the strength to pry open the bloom to get to the nectar among other pollinators.  Host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly and the flowers are attractive to butterflies.  Turtlehead can grow 2 to 3 feet tall and works well in sun or partially shady locations. Turtlehead grows well in moist locations and is deer resistant.

• Height: 24”-36”

• Pot Size: 3 qt

• Bloom Time: July - September

• Sun: Partial

• Moisture: Average, Wet

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Rose mallow, cardinal flower, sedges, coastal Joe Pye weed, marsh milkweed, meadowrue

Photo: Kingdon, John. Chelone glabra flowers from a plant in cultivation. 2008. Web. 19 March 2018.< https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelone-glabra.jpg>.

Baptisia australis

Foot-long lupine like spires of true blue pea-like flowers. Almost shrub-like appearance.

• Height: 35”-48”

• Pot Size: 3 qt

• Bloom Time: May - June

• Sun: Full to Partial

• Moisture: Dry to Average

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Butterfly weed, cranesbill geraniums, purple coneflower, Eastern bluestar and Amsonia

Photo: Glover Perennials

Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’

A staple in perennial gardens since it mixes well with other perennials. Tubular, lavender-pink sweetly scented flowers bloom mid-summer to early autumn. The individual flowers of this type of phlox are smaller than the straight species. This cultivar scored high on the Mt Cuba pollinator trials.

• Height: 4’-5’

• Spread: 2’-3’

• Pot Size: 4 qt

• Bloom Time: July - September

• Sun: Full to Partial

• Moisture: Average, Well drained

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: No

• Companion Plants: Culver's root, coastal Joe Pye weed, brown eyed Susan, switchgrass, false sunflower

Aquilegia canadensis

Light yellow to red flowers are good for naturalizing. Remove flowering stems after bloom to encourage additional bloom. Self-sows and blooms in the shade.

• Height: 10”

• Width: 8”-10”

• Pot Size: 1 qt

• Bloom Time: April - June

• Sun: Partial to Shade

• Moisture: Average, Well Drained

• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Brown eyed Susan, cardinal flower, creeping phlox, milkweed, coral bells, ferns

Symphyotrichum (Aster) novae-angliae

Large, showy plant with flowers ranging from lavender to blue to white. Most common are showy purple flowers with orange-yellow centers. Plant with goldenrod for an attractive fall garden display.

• Height: 24'“-60”

• Pot Size: 1 qt

• Bloom Time: August - October

• Sun: Shade to Partial

• Moisture: Average, Well Drained

• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Goldenrod, ironweed, mountain mint, big bluestem, swamp milkweed, wild bergamot, yarrow, blazing star, purple coneflower

Gaultheria procumbens

Gaultheria procumbens, commonly known as wintergreen or eastern teaberry, is a low-growing, ever green ground cover native to eastern North America. It forms a dense mat of glossy, dark green leaves that often develop attractive burgundy or bronze tones in cold weather.

In summer, small, nodding, bell-shaped white to pale pink flowers appear along the stems. These are followed in fall by bright red berries that persist through winter, providing visual interest and a food source for wildlife. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, releasing the classic wintergreen scent.

Wintergreen thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and prefers partial to full shade, making it well suited for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized landscapes. It spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and requires minimal maintenance once established.

• Height:4–6i” tall

• Spreads:12–24”

• Pot size: 4” pot

• Bloom Time: Summer

• Light: Partial to full shade

• Soil: Acidic moist, well-drained

• Attracts: Bees and butterflies

• Deer Resistant: Deer and rabbit resistant

• Companion Plants: Foamflower, Christmas fern, highbush blueberry

Photo: Glover Perennial

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Adoration'

This summer blooming tall, clump forming perennial has white to lavender tube-like flowers which bloom from the top down.  It has a strong vertical presence and is candelabra-like when in full bloom.  A great addition to a pollinator garden.  Native to Northeastern U.S.

‍ ‍

• Height:  4’-5’

• Spread:   2’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• ‍Bloom time: June - August

• ‍Light:  Full sun to partial shade

• ‍Moisture: Average to Wet

• ‍Attracts:  Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• ‍Deer resistant:  Yes

• ‍ Companion plants: Symphyotrichum (Aster), Chelone, Helianthus and Hibiscus.

‍Photo: Glover Perennials

Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'

An easy-to-grow evergreen creeper with tiny needle like leaves. It produces a dazzling display of  fragrant, sky-blue flowers. To encourage rebloom cut back spent flowers. It prefers well-drained soil and is moderately drought tolerant. A perfect edger for all  flower gardens and a great addition to rock gardens,  A Northeastern U.S. native.

• Height:  4 - 6”

• Spread: 24”

• Pot Size: 1 qt

• Bloom Time: May - June

• Light: Full sun to partial sun

• Moisture:  Average to dry

• Attracts: Pollinators

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants:  Coneflower, blazing star, bee balm, Amsonia

Photo: Glover Perennials

Cunila origanoides

American Dittany is a fragrant low-growing pollinator perennial in the mint family. Purple-pinkish flowers. Produces “frost flowers” in the fall during first freezes. Drought tolerant. A lovely addition to dry pollinator gardens and rock gardens.

• Height: 12”-18”

• Spread: 12”-18”

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: July-August

• Light: Full Sun-Light Shade

• Moisture: Average-Dry

• Attracts: Bees and Butterflies.

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Northern dropseed, purple coneflower, butterfly weed, wild bergamot

‍Chelone obliqua

Rose pink-purple flowers. Excellent border plant that can form colonies in ideal conditions. Deer, rabbit and juglone (black walnut tree) tolerant once established. Easy care with great beauty.

‍ ‍

• Height: 2’-3’

• Spread: 2’-3’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: July-September

• Light: Light Shade-Part Sun

• Moisture: Average-Moist

• Attracts: Bees, Hummingbirds and Butterflies.

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Astilbes, Heuchera and wild ginger

Pictures: Glover Perennials

‍ ‍

Asclepias verticillata

An excellent pollinator plant with elegant narrow leaves and white flowers. The nectar of the flowers attracts many kinds of insects and hummingbirds. Important food source for native pollinators. Like all members of the Asclepias genus, Asclepias verticillata is a larval host plant for monarch butterflies. 

‍

• Height: 2’

• Spread: 2’+

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: July-September

• Light: Full Sun

• Moisture: Drought Tolerant

• Attracts: Bees, Butterflies and Hummingbirds

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Native grasses, little blue stem, purple coneflower, aromatic aster

‍ ‍Picture: Glover Perennials

Anemone canadensis

A vigorously spreading groundcover with beautiful, dramatic, deep green foliage and pure white, cup shaped flowers that bloom in spring. Extremely low maintenance plant that works well in between shrubs or larger perennials in place of mulch. Stunning when in bloom in a mass planting.

• Height: 12”-24”

• Spread: 3’-5’

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: April-June

• Light: Sun- Part Shade

• Moisture: Average

• Attracts: Native bees and wasps

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Coral bells, switchgrass, lady fern, New England aster, New York aster, aromatic aster

‍Iris cristat

This perennial is a fragrant flower with golden crested pale blue/violet flowers.  Each sepal on the flower has a crested ridge (beard) along a purple striped band.  The short stems and large flowers make an ideal ground cover with blue/violet flowers resting on beds of narrow, sword shaped green leaves.  Valuable to the gardener as a showy understory, woodland, edging plant or in a rock garden. Tends to form dense colonies and can be used to replace nonnative invasives such as vinca, ajuga and liriope in the landscape. It is a Northeastern U.S. native

‍ ‍

• Height:  6”

• Spread: ½” - 1’’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: April, May

• Light: Full sun to partial shade

• Moisture: Moist

• Attracts: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies

• Deer resistant:  Yes

• Companion plants: Woodland phlox , foamflower, coral bells, Christmas fern, spotted geranium , fringed bleeding heart

Photo: Glover Perennials

‍ ‍

Symphyotrichum (Aster) oblongifolius ‘October Skies’

‍

Low growing bushy habit. Lovely sky blue light purple flowers. Drought and poor soil tolerant. Easy care and prolific.

• ‍ ‍

• Height: 18”

• ‍Spread: 18”-36”

• ‍Pot size: 1 qt

• ‍Bloom time: September-October

• ‍Light: Full Sun

• ‍Moisture: Average-Dry

• ‍Attracts: Bees, Butterflies

• ‍Deer resistance: Yes

• ‍Companion Plants: Goldenrods, Northern dropseed, purple coneflower

‍ ‍

Photo credit: Glover Perennials

‍ ‍

Zizia aptera

Zizia aptera is a tall upright perennial wildflower with glossy heart-shaped basal leaves. From late spring to early summer flowering stems elongate bearing showy flat-topped umbels of small yellow florets. Mixes well with blue flowers and foliage.  Excellent in masses as a groundcover.  Nectar source for spring emerging bumblebee queens.  Native to Eastern U.S.

‍ ‍

• Height:   12-24”

• Spread:   12-18”

• Pot size: 3 qt

• Bloom time: May - June

• Light:  Full sun to Partial shade

• Moisture: Average to Moist

• Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, pollinating flies, beetles, and other plant insects; the caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterfly eat the foliage.

• Deer resistant:  Yes

• Companion plants: Wild columbine , Christmas fern, little bluestem grass, coastal Joe Pye weed, showy swamp milkweed

Photo: Lady Bird Johnson, Wildflower Digital Library

Penstemon hirsutus

Beautiful clusters of lavender to violet trumpet-shaped flowers blossom on downy stems from May to July.  Distinct seed pods appear that provide winter interest.  Well-drained soil is best.  Great addition to stone walls, rock gardens, low meadows and woodland gardens.  Northeastern US native.

• Height: 12-24”

• Spread: 12-24”

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: Spring, summer

• Light: Sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, dry

• Attracts: Hummingbirds, pollinators, butterflies, bees

• Deer resistance: deer tolerant

• Companion Plants: Coneflower, bee balm, foxglove, Eastern blue star, anise hyssop, black eyed Susan

Chrysopsis mariana

This golden yellow flowered perennial has a long blooming season.  It has a clumping form, grows well as a border plant, or as ground cover which tolerates light traffic. Drought tolerant used in waterwise landscaping.  When finished blooming the flowers form an attractive silver brown fluffy seedhead which provides a delectable meal for birds.

• Height: 1’- 2.5’

• Spread:   1’- 2’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: August - October

• Light: Full sun – part shade

• Moisture: Dry to medium

• Attracts: Butterflies, bees, birds, Keystone Species - See our article HERE

• Deer resistance:  Moderate

• Companion Plants: Blazing star, little bluestem, butterfly weed, goldenrods

Photo credit: Mette Rossi

Solidago caesia

Bright yellow flowers bloom on the purplish, arching stems of this shade tolerant perennial. This is a relatively small goldenrod and not aggressive. Provides nectar for pollinators late in the season. Charming addition to a shade or woodland garden. Native to Northeastern United States.

• Height: 1.5-3’ tall

• Width: 1-1.5’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• time: August-September

• Light: Full Sun-Part Shade

• Moisture: Medium-Dry

• Attracts: Pollinators, Birds

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Black cohosh, Eastern red columbine, Christmas fern, broad-leafed sedge

Heliopsis helianthoides

This showy perennial resembles a true sunflower, but unlike sunflowers, its rays persist on the flowerheads.  It’s easily grown and is a good choice for dry sites or clay soil.

• Height: Up to about 5 feet tall.

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: June, July, August, September

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Moisture: Dry

• Attracts: Hummingbirds

• Deer resistance:  Yes

• Companion Plants: Black eyed Susan, phlox, coreopsis, miscanthus, bee balm, purple coneflower, milkweed

Mertensia virginica

Beautiful native wildflower that appears in early spring. The pink buds open and reveal delicate, pendulous, slightly fragrant, blue bell-shaped blooms that last about 3 weeks. Plant with other shade-loving perennials that will emerge as the Virginia Bluebells go dormant mid-summer. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 1.5’ - 2.0’

• Spread: 1.0’ – 1.5’

• Pot size: 1 qt

• Bloom time: March to April

• Light: Part shade to full shade

• Moisture: Average

• Attracts: Pollinators such as bumblebees, long-tongued bees, butterflies, skippers, moths, and hummingbirds

• Deer resistance: No

• Companion Plants: Trillium, mayapple, Christmas fern, cinnamon fern, fringed bleeding heart

This plant may be dormant at the time of pickup.

Photo: CCE MGV Ann Ellis

Asclepias incarnata ssp. pulchra

Erect, clump-forming plant with showy, fragrant, pink to mauve blossoms in summer. A pollinator favorite and an excellent choice for a butterfly garden. Northeastern U.S. Native and Rockland Native.

• Height: 3 - 4’

• Spread: 2 - 3’

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: July-August

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: Average, Wet

• Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies, host plant for Monarch butterfly

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Joe Pye Weed, turtlehead, New England aster, goldenrod, NY ironweed, cardinal flower

Photo: CCE MGV Ginger Hughes

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Large cranberry, American cranberry or bearberry is a low growing vine or trailing broadleaf evergreen with white to pink blooms in late spring to early summer. Best grown in damp to boggy soil, it can be used as a ground cover for boggy or marshy areas with acidic soils. The berries mature in August-November. This plant is intolerant of heat and drought. The leaves are a larval food source for the bog copper butterfly, the flowers are visited by bees, and the fruits are eaten by birds.

‍ ‍

• Height:  0.25 to 0.50’

• Spread: 1.00 to 6.00’

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: May to June

• Light: Full sun

• Moisture: medium to wet

• Attracts: Flowers are visited by bees, and the fruits are eaten by birds

• Deer resistant:  high to moderate resistance

• Companion plants: Highbush blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons

‍ ‍

‍ ‍Photo: Lady Bird Johnson, Anderson, Wynn

Eupatorium (Eutrochium) dubium

Wetland species with small, showy fragrant, flowers ranging from pale pink to dark purple in 4 – 7” clusters. Excellent choice for rain gardens. High pollinator value. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 3 – 5’

• Spread: 2 -4’

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: July, August, September

• Light: Full sun, part shade

• Moisture: Average, Wet

• Attracts: Butterflies, beneficial insects

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, swamp milkweed, asters, obedient plant, bee balm, tickseed

Viola labradorica

Lovely dark green heart-shaped leaves flushed with purple. Long blooming violet-purple flowers. Mass plants for use as a ground cover or filler between pavers or in rock gardens. Mixes well with ferns and in a shaded shrub border. Self-seeds regularly to form colonies. Northeastern U.S. Native.

• Height: 1 - 6”

• Spread: 4 - 6”

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: April, May, September, October

• Light: Part shade, shade

• Moisture: Dry to moist

• Attracts: Pollinators, host plant for Fritillary Butterfly

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Christmas Fern, Golden Alexanders, Wild Columbine

Photo: Glover Perennials

Allium cernuum

Lovely pink “nodding” flowers on persistent foliage. Great for edging, rock gardens, and containers. Edible can be used like chives.

• Height: 12 -16”

• Spread: 4 - 6”

• Pot size: 1 qt.

• Bloom time: July, August

• Light: Full Sun, light Shade

• Moisture: Dry, Average

• Attracts: Hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects

• Deer resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple love grass, little bluestem, goldenrods, strawberries

Photo: Glover Perennials

Monarda fistulosa

Wild Bergamot’s long lasting, fragrant, light powder-pink blossoms attract many pollinators and birds. It tolerates a range of soil and light conditions making it ideal for perennial, pollinator, and native gardens.

• Height: 36”-48”

• Pot Size: 1 gal

• Bloom Time: July - August

• Sun: Full

• Moisture: Dry, Average

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, Culver’s root

Photo credit: MGV Ginger Hughes

Liatris spicata

Tall purple spikes, which bloom from the top down, draw pollinators to this summer blooming perennial. Blazing Star, like many native plants, is resistant to deer. This doesn't necessarily guarantee that deer won't eat it, but it certainly increases the odds that they'll leave it alone.

• Height: 24”-48”

• Pot Size: 4”

• Bloom Time: July - August

• Sun: Full to Partial

• Moisture: Dry

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Coneflower, tickseed, goldenrod, sneezeweed, New England aster, bee balm, butterfly weed, beardtongue

Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’

Bee balm’s scarlet flowers add beautiful color and contrast to gardens. while attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Leaves have a minty fragrance. ‘Jacob Cline’ is more powdery mildew resistant than other Monardas.

• Height: 36”-48”

• Width: 36”

• Pot Size: 4 qt

• Bloom Time: July - August

• Sun: Full to Partial

• Moisture: Average, Well Drained

• Attracts: Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Coneflower, blazing star, tickseed