Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – Bright red flower spikes bloom in late summer, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and long-tongued bees including bumblebees. They prefer wet to moist soil, and can grow in full sun to full shade. The more light that they receive, the more moisture they need to thrive. Deer Resistant. Grows 3-4 feet tall. OH Native.
Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) – Deep blue flower spikes bloom in late summer, which also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bumblebees. They grow best in moist to average soil, but prefer a bit more light than their red relatives, growing in full sun to part shade. When grown in shade, they can handle drier soil than usual. Deer Resistant. Grows 2-3 feet tall. OH Native.
‘Autumn Bride’ Alumroot (Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’) – Blooming late summer to fall with panicles of creamy-white flowers that can reach up to 30 inches tall. The clump-forming foliage makes a great ground-cover, growing up to 18 inches tall. Prefers part shade in dry to moist soil. Walnut Tolerant. Cultivar of an OH Native.
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) – Profuse yellow flowers with a brown/purple center bloom in late summer to early fall. They need full sun or light shade to thrive, with average soil moisture. Short-lived, but reseeds readily. Deer Resistant. Grows 2-3 feet tall. OH Native.
Mariachiᵀᴹ ‘Fuego’ Helen’s Flower (Helenium autumnale Mariachiᵀᴹ ‘Fuego’) – Red flowers edged in yellow emerge in mid to late summer. They have a compact form that is great for container gardening! Prefers average to moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Deer Resistant. Grows 20” tall. Native Hybrid.
Purple Lance-leaved Loosestrife (Lysimachia lanceolata var. purpurea) -The wine-red foliage slowly creeps around the garden and grows 1-2 feet tall with an equal spread. Small, nodding yellow flowers bloom throughout the summer. Prefers full sun to part shade with moist to dry soil. Deer Resistant. OH Native.
Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) – Pink to pale lilac snapdragon-like flowers grow in upright spikes and bloom all summer. Called “Obedient” not because of its garden manners (it is known to be an aggressive spreader), but for the flower’s ability to pivot on the stem and stay where you push them! Requires full sun to light shade with average to moist soil. Deer Resistant. Grows 3-4 feet tall. OH Native.
Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) – Light yellow flowers that bloom in late summer attract all manner of pollinator. Host for up to 73 species of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). Grows in average to dry soils (even sandy soils) in full sun to part shade, and is naturally found in woodland edges and along stream banks. Vigorous spreader by rhizome. Grows 2-6 feet tall. OH Native.
Common Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) – Rose-pink to white, 3-4 inch flowers bloom in late summer, attracting hummingbirds and most other pollinators. They are very late to emerge each spring, but grow to 3-7 feet tall once they do. Great for rain gardens as they prefer average to wet soils. Deer Resistant. OH Native.
| Now Available! |
| A number of plants are now available after having grown their roots in this spring and summer. Some standouts include Purple Prairie Clover (available in quarts!) and ‘Blackhawk’ Big Bluestem. |
| Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) – Rosy purple cone-like flowers have a long bloom period each summer. This plant fixes nitrogen into the soil and has a very deep taproot, resulting in stellar drought tolerance. In optimal conditions it will self-seed. Grows 1-3 feet tall. Extirpated OH Native. | ‘Blackhawks’ Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’) – Growing up to 4-5 feet tall, this cultivar has foliage that emerges green to dark purple and darkens throughout the season. Growing best in full sun in average to dry soil, it is very drought tolerant and handles poor soil well. Deer Resistant. Cultivar of an OH Native. |
| Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium) – The yucca-like foliage of this plant is bristly and unappealing to deer and rabbits. On top of stalks that can grow 3-5 feet tall, unique globe-shaped white flower clusters bloom in mid to late summer. These flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators including small bees and native flies. It prefers full sun, and can grow lanky if it is planted in part shade. Does best in medium to dry soils. Deer Resistant. Potentially Threatened OH Native. | Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) – Tiny yellow flowers grow in long, nodding spikes from late summer into fall. Growing only to about 2 feet tall, it’s one of the shortest goldenrods and a better choice for tighter spaces than others in the genus. It prefers full or partial sun, and will grow in medium to dry soil (even poor, rocky, or clay soil). Host to around 115 species of Lepidoptera and a food source for over 40 species of pollen-specialist native bees. Deer Resistant. OH Native. |
August 2024 Newsletter
