Amsonia tabernaemontana

Enjoy 3-season appeal with true blue flowers in spring and lemony yellow foliage in fall. Especially stunning when a number are planted to form a row or along a building. Deer resistant. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: May
Flower Color: Blue

Aquilegia canadensis

Columbine is easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of conditions. Red and yellow 1"-2" lantern-shaped flowers are hummingbird magnets. Under favorable conditions Columbine spreads readily. Larval host plant for a cute little butterfly, the Columbine Duskywing. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: prefers Part Sun
Soil: Moist to Average
Height: 1-2 feet
Blooms: April-June
Flowers: Red with Yellow center

Asclepias incarnata

When looking for a milkweed plant for the home garden, Swamp Milkweed is usually the best fit. It is not stocky nor does it spread vigorously by rhizomes. The milkweeds are one of the best nectar plants to attract pollinators, especially the monarchs which rely on milkweed foliage in the caterpillar stage.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Moist to Average
Height: to 4 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Pink

Cacalia atriplicifolia, Arnoglossum atriplicifolium

Interesting large, fan-shaped leaves are white or "pale" on lower surface. Clusters of cream colored blooms are highly attractive to pollinators. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average Moisture
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flower: White-Cream

Cassia marilandica, Senna marilandica

Topped with dense clusters of yellow pea-like flowers in mid-summer, Wild Senna is low maintenance & deer and rabbit resistance. Although shrubby in habit and therefore also included under "woody" here, it is an herbaceous perennial, sprouting at ground level each spring. Pollinator host plant to Sleepy Orange, Orange-barred Sulfur, Cloudless Sulfur, Silver-spotted Skipper butterflies & the Black Witch moth with wingspan to 7". Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average Moisture
Height: 3-6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Yellow

Coreopsis tripteris

Tallest Coreopsis topped with delicate flowers that provide food for Goldfinches if allowed to dry and remain into the fall. One larval host plant for the Common Tan Wave Moth and the interesting Wavy-lined Emerald Moth. Plant spreads readily under favorable conditions. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Wet to Dry
Height: 3 to 8 feet
Blooms: July-October
Flowers: Yellow

Fragaria virginiana

Wild or Virginia Strawberry has white flowers which provide early-season nectar. Decorative in a hanging pot and effective as a ground cover as it spreads readily by stolons. Having high ecological value, it provides early season nectar, pollen & serves as a larval host plant. Provenance: Kentucky.

Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 4 to 7 inches
Blooms: April-June
Flowers: White

Helenium autumnale

Also known as Sneezeweed (a misnomer as it is insect pollinated. Pollen is not dispersed via wind), this plant is under-utilized in the home garden and for cut flowers. The flowers have rounded, nearly spherical yellow centers ringed with notched yellow petals. Trim in late June to desired height. A larval host plant for the Dainty Sulfur butterfly. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: August-October
Flowers: Yellow

Helianthus angustifolius

The leaves are sparse and small, making the entire plant appear to be a bountiful bouquet. It has a long blooming period. If left standing, the dried seeds support many birds in winter. Under favorable conditions, this plant grows large and spreads readily. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Moist
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Yellow

Helianthus occidentalis

Most of the leaves are clustered in a basal rosette making the flowering stems look airy and perfect to trim and pop into a vase. Like other sunflowers seed heads left on drying fall stems will provide food for birds in winter. Visited by a multitude of pollinators and is one larval host for the Gorgone Checkerspot, Silvery Checkerspot and Painted Lady butterflies.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: August-September
Flowers: Yellow

Heliopsis helianthoides

Beautiful orange-yellow flowers practically glow and will continue to bloom when spent flowers are removed. Variously called Oxeye Sunflower, Early Sunflower, Everlasting Sunflower, & False Sunflower.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: June-August
Flowers: Orange-Yellow

Eryngium yuccifolium

Rattlesnake Master is surprisingly a member of the Carrot Family. Spherical flower clusters add much interest to a garden or a bouquet. Larval host to an attractive moth, the Rattlesnake Master Borer. Drought-tolerant. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 4 to 5 feet
Blooms: June-September
Flowers: Green

Physostegia virginiana

White to pink tubular flowers fill the flowering stalk attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Makes a lasting cut flower. Spreads readily. Consider using in contained situation for home garden use.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Blooms: August-October
Flowers: White to Pink

Pycnanthemum pilosum

Light and billowy in flower, providing a visually soft effect when planted in groups. This is a highly effective plant for attracting 'clouds' of pollinators. Brush past the plant to release a pleasing aroma. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 3 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: White

Silphium trifoliatum

Leaves most often in whorls of 3-4 along a tall slender stem topped with bright yellow flowers about 2" across. Flowers attract a wide range of pollinators including bees, flies, butterflies, and moths. Seeds are favored by birds. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3 to 7 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow

Solidago odora

Licorice Goldenrod forms a tidy clump. Wonderful anise fragrance from crushed foliage provides a delightful show-and-tell opportunity. Goldenrods are particularly important to both insects and birds. Cut back by 1/2 in June to control height if desired & removed spent flowers to prevent self-seeding. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 1 to 4 feet
Blooms: August-September
Flowers: Yellow

Solidago rigida, Oligoneuron rigidum

One of the prettiest goldenrods, Rigid Goldenrod has broad, flattened clusters of rich yellow flowers that attract pollinators galore. This plant is tall, typically unbranched and spreads by rhizomes. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 2 to 5 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow

Silphium perfoliatum

A large plant with interesting square stems and fused leaves that unite around the stem forming "cups" that catch rain water. A real pollinator-magnet and prolific bloomer. The seed is eaten by birds such as Goldfinch. Great for a backdrop, rain garden or privacy edging. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 4 to 8 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow

Manfreda virginica

Also called American Agave, this plant has a basal rosette of fleshy leaves. The flowers, both interesting and fragrant, are borne on tall slender stems. An excellent drought-tolerant plant for a dry sunny spot or rock garden. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 3 to 6 feet
Blooms: July-October
Flowers: Yellowish-Green

Zizia aurea

Yellow blooms, though moderately showy are cheerful, providing early season color and nectar for pollinators. Host plant for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average
Height: 1.5 to 3 feet
Blooms: May-June
Flowers: Yellow

Veronicastrum virginicum

Tall wispy, white candelabra-like flowers attract a multitude of pollinators and produce an especially strong effect when a number are planted together in a group. Candidate for rain gardens.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 4 to 7 feet
Blooms: May-August
Flowers: White

Chelone obliqua

Attractive especially when planted in groups. Best planted in intermediate light with moist well-drained soil such as in a rain garden.

Light: Intermediate
Soil: Average to Wet
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Pink

Orbexilum onobrychis

Indigenous to prairies. Spreads by rhizomes that participate in nitrogen fixation. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height to 3.5 feet
Blooms: July-August
Flowers: Blue-Purple

Penstemon digitalis

Perfect for a sunny border, the tubular flowers are white or tinged with pink and attract a variety of native bees & hummingbirds. Foliage is a smooth, glossy dark green.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 3-5 feet
Blooms: April-June
Flowers: white to pink

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Like many mints, its nectar draws & supports many native pollinators. White flowers are borne in clusters at the top of plant. In nature this plant is found adjacent to streams, waterways and in moist meadows.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average
Height: to 3 feet
Blooms: July to September
Flowers: White

Aruncus dioicus

Herbaceous plant of stature and foliage with excellent feathery visual texture. Looks elegant along a woodland border or walk. Flowering plumes in spring resemble Astilbe. Separate male and female plants.

Light: Full to Part Sun
Soil: Average to Moist
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Blooms April to May
Flowers: Creamy White

Helianthus mollis

A showy true sunflower which serves as a larval host to over 70 Lepidoptera (moths & butterflies). The foliage is "ashy" or grayish. The seed heads are a favorite of local birds in autumn. Best placed where it is free to spread or grown in pots. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 2 to 4 feet
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: Yellow

Symphyotrichum oolentangiense, Aster azureus

Blue flowers (0.5" to 1") with yellow centers beautify the garden with color & attract pollinators seeking late-season nectar. This plant is easy to grow, drought-tolerant & can be used in rock gardens. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun
Soil: Dry to Average
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Blooms: September to October
Flowers: Blue with Yellow Center

Anemone virginiana

Elegant flower for edge of woodland garden. Long lasting seed heads mature into an interesting thimble shape. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: to 2 feet
Blooms: May to August
Flowers: White

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium

Veritable clouds of small pollinators abound when in bloom. Also, a lovely addition to a vase. Provide space as this plant grows vigorously in optimum conditions. Grown from Kentucky-source seed.

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil: Average to Dry
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Blooms: July to September
Flowers: White