American Meadows Order
Dec. 15th, 2024 11:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmith posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
birdfeedingWhile researching a post about monarch butterflies, I realized that one of my favorite nursery catalogs has a big sale going, with a lot of things 20-25% off. So I placed my order with American Meadows in December instead of the usual January. The seeds will ship within a few days, while the plants will ship in spring. If you want native plants to attract birds, I highly recommend this source.
My all-time favorite flower seed mix! I usually grow this in at least a couple places in the prairie garden. Most highly recommended.
Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix
SALE | SAVE 20%
1/4 pound
was $21.95 sale $17.52
Overview
• Our Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix helps you to create a Monarch Waystation, supporting populations of these beloved native butterflies
• 4 types of milkweed ensure that Monarchs have plenty of host plants to lay their eggs on, while a variety of nectar-rich blooms energize adults as they migrate
• A blend of annuals and perennials provide color and pollinator support in the first season and for years to come
• A Mike "The Seed Man" favorite • 100% pure, non-GMO and neonicotinoid free
Key Features
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Long Bloom Time, Naturalizes, Cut Flowers, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Life Cycle: Mix of Annuals & Perennials
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry, Average, Moist / Wet
Seed Coverage: 1/4 lb covers 250-500 sq ft.
SKU AM016980
Description
The Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Mix contains 4 different varieties of Milkweed that provide habitat and food for caterpillars, along with a blend of nectar-rich wildflowers that provide early-to-late season food for butterflies and other pollinators. This mixture thrives in any sunny spot in the garden and the first annuals bloom just weeks after planting, making this a great choice for both spring or fall seeding. Replace part of your lawn with pollinator-friendly wildflowers, create a designated pollinator wildflower patch, or plant this mix in large planters in your small space or container garden. The pollinator possibilities are endless!
We usually get some bluestem to put in the prairie garden.
Little Bluestem Grass Seeds
1/4 pound
$9.95
Overview
This attractive grass produces purplish plumes with grey/green foliage. Little Bluestem can be planted for erosion control and will attract wildlife. Perennial. (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Key Features
Botanical Name Schizachyrium scoparium 'Camper'
Advantages Native, Attracts Birds, Groundcover, Erosion Control
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Life Cycle Perennial
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 48-52" tall
Seed Coverage 1/4 lb covers 1,361 sq ft.
Bloom Time Mid summer to mid fall
SKU AM016051
Description
Little Bluestem prefers full sun and is extremely drought tolerant. It blooms from July to October.
These are new, and lipstick-pink. :D I'm not sure where I'll put all of them yet, but there's enough to spread around. There's also a mixed bag of lighter pink, white, and pale yellow if you prefer.
Pink Rain Lily
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $18.65 sale $13.98 per Bag of 25
Shipping: Shipping begins the week of March 17th, 2025
Overview
The darling, crocus-like blooms of Pink Rain Lilies are sweethearts of the summer garden. Popping out of the ground after summer rains, these tender perennial bulbs are pollinator friendly and as adorable as can be. Their clear pink blooms resemble miniature versions of their close cousin, the Amaryllis. (Zephyranthes robusta)
Key Features
Botanical Name: Zephyranthes grandiflora
Advantages: Deer Resistant, Easy To Grow, Container Planting
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Annual in colder zones
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height: 6-10" tall
Bulb Spacing: 9 per sq ft
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
SKU: AM002751
Description
The slender, dark green, grass-like foliage of this summer bloomer is topped with flowers for several weeks in mid summer. Rain Lilies are deer-resistant blubs that prefer moist but well-drained soils in full to partial sun. Though they're hardy to zone 7, gardeners living in can treat Rain Lily as an annual, growing it in a container instead of in the ground. Rain Lilies are easy to overwinter by lifting the bulbs and storing them for the winter, or by dragging the pot into a garage just before frost arrives. Also known as fairy lilies, these natives of the New World naturalize easily in the southern US, but they're a delightful mid-summer surprise for gardeners everywhere.
This is a type of deciduous holly that I want to try in the savanna hedge. This one is female; if it lives, it'll need a male. Sadly they're out of stock on those.
Winter Red Winterberry
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $18.65 sale $13.98
Overview
Winter Red Winterberry is famed for its signature clusters of festive red berries that persist into winter, providing year-round color and food for birds. This female plant’s small white flowers require pollination from male Southern Gentleman Winterberry plants to produce berries. Plant at least one male for up to 6-10 female plants. In autumn, this native shrub’s glossy green foliage will drop, leaving the stunning berry-studded branches. (Ilex verticillata)
Key Features
Botanical Name: Ilex verticillata Winter Red
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Mass Plantings, Privacy
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist / Wet
Mature Height: 72-96" tall (6-8 feet)
Mature Spread: 72-96" wide (6-8 feet)
Bloom Time: Early to mid summer
SKU: AM018675
Description
(6-8 feet tall x 6-8 feet wide) A deciduous holly that brings year-round interest to the landscape, Winter Red Winterberry is famed for its bright red berry clusters that line its branches, providing food for both overwintering and migrating birds. Winterberries are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Winter Red is female, and flowers require pollination from a compatible male, such as Southern Gentleman Winterberry, to produce berries. Plant at least one male for up to 6-10 female plants, in close proximity to ensure good pollination. Spring brings attractive foliage and small greenish-white flowers. The real show begins in late summer, when the flowers, if properly pollinated, mature into clusters of berries. As autumn progresses and the foliage naturally drops, the vibrant berry display is revealed. Cut branches are a natural choice for holiday decor. Winter Red Winterberry is ideal as a foundation plant or in a hedge. Native to eastern North America, Winterberry shrubs are perfect for acidic and moist soils.
Asters make good fall food for pollinators. This goes in the wildflower garden.
Purple Dome New England Aster
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $7.99 sale $5.99
Overview
The violet daisy-shaped blooms of 'Purple Dome' Aster pair beautifully with its honey yellow centers and forest green foliage. This native wildflower is easy to grow and compact, making it a great choice for containers, borders and small-space gardens. 'Purple Dome' bursts into bloom in the late summer, providing much-needed color and vital nectar for pollinators right when much of the garden has finished for the season. (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Key Features
Botanical Name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 16-18" tall
Mature Spread 18-24" wide
Bloom Time Late summer to fall
SKU AM017939
Description
'Purple Dome' Aster is a world-famous New England Aster that every wildflower gardener wants (Novae-Angliae means New England in Latin)! This native is the perfect late-season color maker in meadows or perennial borders. It covers itself in flowers for weeks, when almost everything else in the meadow is
finished blooming. These magnificent plants make up the last hurrah before the garden or meadowscape tucks itself to bed for the winter.
'Purple Dome' was featured as an honorable mention in a Mt Cuba Center Trial Garden Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide.
Here's a new wildflower for the forest garden. The wild phlox I've seen tends to be lavender-orchid-pink range, but blue works for me.
Blue Moon Woodland Phlox
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $9.32 sale $6.99
Overview
'Blue Moon' is a lovely native Phlox groundcover featuring clouds of rich violet-blue blooms that float above green foliage. With fragrance to wake up your senses, it flowers in April May. Its a perfect addition to a rock garden or any shady spot where it can slowly naturalize. Provides early season pollen for hummingbirds and butterflies. (Phlox divaricata)
Key Features
Botanical Name Phlox divaricata Blue Moon
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes, Fragrant
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-24" tall
Mature Spread 24-36" wide
Bloom Time Early to late spring
SKU AM016100
Description
Easy to grow ‘Blue Moon’ Woodland Phlox shimmers with lilac-blue blooms for a month in early-to-mid spring. With intoxicating fragrance, this lovely native plant provides valuable early season nectar for hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and other pollinators. ‘Blue Moon’ flourishes in bright shade with moist, rich, well-drained soil. Plant ‘Blue Moon’ with spring blooming bulbs – its foliage will offer support and hide the any wilting leaves on neighboring bulbs. It gradually multiplies by rhizomes and spreading stems that root at the nodes. To deter spreading, simply cut back the flowers as they fade and keep the plant trimmed up. The foliage is burgundy in winter, providing another season of interest.
‘Blue Moon’ Woodland Phlox was featured as a top performer in a Mt Cuba Center Trial Garden Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide.
I've been wanting switchgrass ever since I saw it at the marsh park earlier this year. This one is a small pot. They only had the seed in huge 1-pound bags, which is more than I need, so hopefully someone else will have a smaller packet. This goes in the prairie garden, probably near the west edge to pick up the colors.
Shenandoah Red Switchgrass
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3.5" Pot
was $15.99 sale $11.99
Overview
'Shenandoah' Red Switchgrass is a favorite selection of native prairie grass with gorgeous, colorful leaves. New growth emerges green with red tips. Gradually the entire plant turns to a rich burgundy color that appears to be aflame when backlit by the sun. Airy blooms appear in midsummer, hazy clouds floating above the leaves. Its a real showstopper year-round, with seed heads providing an important food source for native wildlife during the winter. (Panicum virgatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Panicum virgatum Shenandoah
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Mass Plantings, Container Planting, Privacy
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 36-48" tall
Mature Spread 36-48" wide
Bloom Time Foliage plant all season.
SKU AM018241
These produce big plumes of tiny white flowers with an intense honey-vanilla smell. I literally tracked them by scent this spring at a nursery, to find what was giving off that incredible perfume, and bought two then. More is better. These are shade flowers for the forest garden.
Deutschland Astilbe
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $17.32 sale $12.99 per Bag of 2
Overview
'Deutschland' Astilbe's pure white plumes are lovely in the moonlight and can brighten the shade garden with grace. Soft and feathery flowerheads play beautifully against the glossy green, mounding foliage. Very showy and very easy to care for, like most astilbes, this one is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Try pairing with any fern for a gorgeous, contrasting look. (Astilbe japonica)
Key Features
Botanical Name Astilbe japonica Deutschland
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Groundcover, Easy To Grow, Cut Flowers, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 18-20" tall
Mature Spread 18-24" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM014038
Description
About Astilbes: Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens. In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens. They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.
The vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.
These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden.
From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long. They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.
This is another shade flower for the forest garden.
Hepatica
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
was $19.99 sale $14.99
Overview
One of springs earliest woodland wildflowers, and always considered one of the most beautiful, native Hepatica is quite common in eastern forests. The blooms vary dramatically in color, and range from white to lavender to (rarely) pink. Growing from 4 to 6" in height, lovely Hepatcia will spread and naturalize over time in most soils with dappled sunlight. (Hepatica acutiloba)
Key Features
Botanical Name Hepatica acutiloba
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Groundcover, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 4-6" tall
Mature Spread 6-9" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM018260
Description
One of springs earliest woodland wildflowers, and always considered one of the most beautiful, Hepatica is quite common in eastern woodlands. The blooms vary dramatically in color, and range from lavender to white to (rarely) pink. Some even take on a picotee coloring, with stunning white-edged purplish petals. Hepaticas are usually the very welcome first color in the spring woods, blooming through the leaf litter long before trees leaf out. Each plant is approximately the size of a healthy African violet, and they spread quite rapidly. An easy-to-grow must-have species for all shady gardens. (Photo by Dr. Brian Klinkenberg of eflora.bc.ca with gracious permission.)
This is another shade flower for the forest garden and the forest yard. I picked white because this one spreads, but they also have a bunch of other trillium varieties.
White Trillium
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
was $19.99 sale $14.99
Overview
White Trillium opens exquisite white blooms up to 4 inches across in mid-spring. Flowers fade to a pretty pale pink. This woodland wildflower requires patience but is well worth the wait. Seeds produced by the plants and underground roots and will spread slowly into drifts of trillium that look like a white blanket covering the ground. (Trillium grandiflorum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Trillium grandiflorum
Advantages
Native, Rabbit Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-14" tall
Mature Spread 12" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late spring
SKU AM018262
Description
This is the Big One. Not only in size, but also in popularity. This is always the gardeners favorite from the large trillium family, all prized wild garden flowers. The Great White or Snow Trillium opens exquisite blooms up to 4" across in mid-spring, but that's not all. It has other wonderful qualities for gardeners, too. It is one of the very few plants in the flower kingdom which actually change color during bloom. After about a week or more, each flower slowly begins to change--from snow white to a shell pink. Then in a few days more, each pink one is a dark rose as the flower fades. This is one of the true spectacles of spring, and when a drift of this beautiful flower has blooms of both white and pink, it is unforgettable.
A great companion plant is our yellow violet which blooms at exactly the same time. A bed of these Trilliums, yellow violets and a few unfurling ferns make a spring show that is truly breathtaking. Our trillium plants are nursery propagated from seed.
About the Great White Trillium There is great lore and legend about this plant, and also quite a bit of misinformation. Many people believe it is endangered which it is not. It may be protected in some places, but where it thrives, it grows in great abundance. It is the provincial flower of Ontario, and is quite common there and around the Great Lakes. It is also the official wildflower of Ohio. In New England, it is rare in all the states except Vermont, where it grows in huge drifts near Lake Champlain.
Unlike other Trilliums (such as the Red Trillium) which are solitary, standing alone in the woods, the Great White Trillium forms large drifts over the years, creating one of North Americas most beautiful spring wildflower displays.
Best of all, the Great White Trillium is quite easy to transplant and grow, making it a great choice for your wild garden.
The Trillium Tribe, and why its so famous. The classic 4-inch thick botanical reference work, Hortus Third, tells us that there are about 30 species of Trillium worldwide, but the majority of the species are native to North America. A very few originate in Japan and Korea, none in Europe. This is one reason that our colonists were so taken with these woodland beauties when they arrived. They had simply never seen anything like them.
Trilliums, as the name implies have everything in 3s--three leaves, three petals, etc. And compared to the other spring flowers that bloom when winter is finally over in our cold climates, the Trilliums are the ones with large look-at-me flowers. They were famous with the Indians before colonization, and instantly the stars of spring bloom with the colonists.
Remember, when the colonists arrived, they arrived on our east coast which was totally wooded--big, primeval old growth forest, right down to the beaches. And under these cathedral-like trees were the woodland native flowers--almost all species the Europeans had never seen. Also, this is why almost all the native flowers of our east coast are woodland plants, not meadow wildflowers. Of this famous original group of woodland wildflowers, which includes the Lady Slippers, Mayflower, Hepatica and many more, the Trilliums reigned supreme.
[---8<---]
Here are the best known species, with a little info on each:
Trillium grandiflorum, Great White Trillium. The provincial flower of Ontario, and quite common there and around the Great Lakes. Also the official wildflower of Ohio, T. grandiflorum is native over most of the east, from Canada to Georgia, especially in neutral or non-acid soils. Large white flowers fade to pink; plants form large drifts.
Trillium erectum, Red Trillium. Also called Wake Robin and Stinking Benjamin, the second because of the flowers unpleasant odor, said to be similar to rotting meat. Propagated by flies. Red to purple flowers; plants solitary in acid or alkaline woods. Native to the eastern forests from Canada to Georgia.
Trillium undulatum, Painted Trillium. Smaller than the Great White or Red, but with one of the most beautiful flowers--white with purplish/red centers. Must have highly acidic soil; common in pine woods. Native to forests from Canada to Georgia.
This is another shade flower for the forest garden.
Bloodroot
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
was $19.99 sale $14.99
Overview
Bloodroot’s unique, cigar-shaped leaves slowly unfurl and open into large, water lily-like foliage. Bearing pristine white flowers with golden-yellow centers, Bloodroot illuminates the garden floor with breathtaking springtime beauty. Happiest with partial shade and moist soils, Bloodroot gets its name from the crimson sap that flows through its roots and stems. (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Key Features
Botanical Name Sanguinaria canadensis
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Rock Gardens
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 6-8" tall
Mature Spread 3-6" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM018259
Description
One of North America’s all-time native wildflower favorites, beautiful Bloodroot, a member of the poppy family, rises in early spring with unique cigar-shaped rolled up leaves that eventually open into large, waterlily-like foliage. Then the magnificent pristine white flowers appear, from about 1 to 2" across, and literally light up the forest floor. This treasured native plant has been important for centuries, and takes its common name from the orangey red juice that oozes from the root when cut. The richly textured large leaves and breathtaking pristine white flowers make it special. Best of all, Bloodroot is quite easy to grow, as long as it is given a moist shaded situation and rich woodsy soil.
This will be going in the wildflower garden in the savanna, where I already have what I suspect is narrow-leafed mountain mint that is extremely popular with insects.
Blunt Mountain Mint
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $13.32 sale $9.99
Overview
Blunt Mountain Mint is a distinctive native wildflower that simply buzzes with life. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators cover the small, white, nectar-rich flowers from mid to late summer. Blooms form in button-like clusters, surrounded by silver bracts that give plants a frosted appearance. Foliage smells strongly of spearmint, with the added benefit of being unpalatable to deer and rabbits. This resilient perennial can tolerate heat and humidity and naturalizes easily. (Pycnanthemum muticum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Pycnanthemum muticum
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Naturalizes, Fragrant
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-36" tall
Mature Spread 12-26" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM020078
Description
Blunt Mountain Mint is easy to naturalize in pollinator gardens, meadows, and cottage gardens. Plants form a dense clump through slowly spreading rhizomes. Native to bogs, low meadows, and damp woods throughout most of the eastern United States, Blunt Mountain Mint thrives in fertile, moist soils and full sun. Plants tolerate some shade as well as clay soils. Blunt Mountain Mint is highly attractive to pollinators, recognized by the Xerces Society for being a valuable nectar source for native bees, honeybees, and bumblebees. It also attracts skippers and flower flies, and supports a healthy population of beneficial insects to prevent harmful pests. Blunt Mountain Mint looks lovely massed in perennial borders alongside tall Coreopsis, Blazing Star, and ornamental grasses.
This is a great big sunny wildflower, probably for the prairie garden.
Common Ironweed
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $11.99 sale $8.99
Overview
If there were awards for best pollinator support, native Common Ironweed would win the day. Clusters of brilliant purple flowers top the tall stems, creating a purple crown. Growing to 6 feet tall, Common Ironweed is a great pick for the back of a border, or the edges of a yard or meadow. Bees of all types love native Ironweed, as do butterflies. (Vernonia fasciculata)
Key Features
Botanical Name Vernonia fasciculata
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 36-72" tall (3-6 feet)
Mature Spread 24-36" wide
Bloom Time Mid summer to fall
SKU AM019714
Description
If supporting pollinators is on your list, native Common Ironweed is a top pick. Clusters of magenta-purple flowers top the branches from mid-summer to fall and it is a pollinator magnet. In fact, the Xerces Society identified it as a special value plant for native bees. It is also the host plant for the American Painted Lady Butterfly. A resilient plant, it’s a good choice for rain gardens, too. Deadhead flowers to reduce self-seeding and to encourage more flowers. In fall, fluffy brown seeds follow spent flowers. Easy to grow, this low-care native species requires only a mostly sunny spot, average soil, and moderate moisture. Cut back by half in spring if a shorter height is desired.
I basically collect thyme varieties, of which golden and silver are favorites. This will go in the goddess garden.
Silver King Creeping Thyme
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $9.32 sale $6.99
Overview
Lace your gardens and walkways with the lemony scent of ‘Silver King’ Creeping Thyme. This attractive, aromatic groundcover features variegated medium-green leaves with cream-colored edges for a soft, inviting appearance. In spring, enjoy a splash of pink blooms. Spreading easily in full sun with mounds of upright and trailing stems, this drought-tolerant, deer-resistant Thyme amplifies pathways, rain gardens, and window box plantings.
Key Features
Botanical Name Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver King'
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Fragrant, Striking Foliage, Container Planting
Growing Zones
Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 4-5" tall
Mature Spread 9-12" wide
Bloom Time Spring
SKU AM021395
Description
‘Silver King’ Creeping Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver King') provides visual interest alongside a fresh fragrance. Thyme has been cultivated for centuries, beloved for its strong scent, diverse uses, and easy-growing, low-maintenance nature. Once established, Thyme requires almost no care. This spreader prefers full sun and fast-draining soils and is also drought-tolerant. Thanks to its essential oils, it's deer-resistant, generally pest-free, and may even help to repel mosquitos. Plant it in mass along walkways or use it as a lawn alternative in low-traffic areas. Thyme is native to Greenland, Europe, Asia, and Northeast Africa.
Another shade flower for the forest garden.
Jack in the Pulpit
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $19.99 sale $14.99 per Bag of 3
Overview
Jack in the Pulpit boasts unusual, hooded green blooms with burgundy-striped interiors that surround an upright spadix, known as the “Jack” inside each flower. Blooms evolve to produce brilliantly-red berries. A truly stunning, unique plant for the shade garden, Jack in the Pulpit can reproduce and spread over time in moist soils. (Ariseama triphyllum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Arisaema triphyllum
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 20-24" tall
Mature Spread 12-18" wide
Bloom Time Early spring
SKU AM014107
Description
One of our best-known native plants, and always a favorite with children, Jack-In-The-Pulpit is quite common in rich woodland. The plants are often solitary, large, and quite striking in the spring woods. The elegant hood curves forward over the Jack, an upright spike inside, creating the preacher in the canopied pulpit design. These treasured plants grow from a bulb, and can do very well in partially shaded perennial borders, growing tall if fertilized, and adding an exotic touch amid otherwise more traditional flower displays. Both the unique bloom and then the bright red berries that follow add a bit of mystery and woodland lore to any garden, and if undisturbed, the plants return faithfully each spring.
Another shade flower for the forest garden. Apparently these are a wild form of bleeding hearts; look closely and you can see the resemblance. :D
Dutchman's Breeches
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $17.99 sale $13.49
per Bag of 3
Overview
One of America's most famous wildflowers, Dutchman's Breeches is a small, wild version of Bleeding Heart, with creamy white flowers so named for their resemble to a pair of upside-down, hung-to-dry pants. Blooming in early spring, the delicate fern-like foliage lasts on, changing from a gray-green to pale yellow. A simple yet striking addition to the shade or woodland garden. (Dicentra cucullaria)
Key Features
Botanical Name Dicentra cucullaria
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 8-10" tall
Mature Spread 6-12" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM014041
Description
This is the wild version of Bleeding Heart with white to rosy flowers arrayed along a stem, each one looking like a pair of pants, hung out to dry. Its a small plant, usually under one foot, much smaller than our garden variety Bleeding Hearts. Always a favorite with children and naturalists.
This is a bicolor hollyhock with single or double flowers. I'm hoping for single, which is better for pollinators. I keep trying to get something more than black ones to bloom. But nowadays it's hard to find singles, most of the ones sold are doubles. :/
Creme De Cassis Hollyhock
SALE | SAVE 25%
per Plant - 3" Pot
was $7.99 sale $5.99
Overview
Creme de Cassis Hollyhock is a biennial which rewards with spectacular raspberry and white blooms in single and double form. (Alcea rosea)
Key Features
Botanical Name Alcea rosea Creme De Cassis
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average
Mature Height 48-72" tall (4-6 feet)
Mature Spread 12-24" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM014634
Description
(48-72" tall (4-6 feet) x 12-24" wide) 'Crème De Cassis' Hollyhock is a knockout. Growing up to 6 feet, each flower stem is arrayed with big (up to 4) blooms in raspberry and white. You'll have the semi-doubles with a fluffy center, and then the singles, which feature a bright yellow center, all on the same plant.
Everybody loves Hollyhocks--tall beauties that create tremendous color wherever they grow. They quickly create spires of flowers up to 5 or 6 feet. These old-fashioned plants are famous for being biennial which means they bloom their second year from seed. Hollyhocks are great for the back of the border, and also as a blooming screen for unsightly views or other things you'd like to hide with beautiful flowers all summer long.
Another wildflower / herb for the forest garden.
Common Boneset
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
was $13.32 sale $9.99
Overview
Common Boneset is a late-summer standout, boasting large flat-topped flower clusters that bloom well into fall, followed by seed heads to provide winter interest. The small white florets are highly attractive to pollinators, especially native bees and butterflies. Unique, paired leaves are fused at the base and look like they wrap the stems. This adaptable and deer-resistant native perennial thrives in woodland settings and wet soils. (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Eupatorium perfoliatum
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Winter Interest
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 36-48" tall (3-4 ft)
Mature Spread 48-72" wide (4-6 ft)
Bloom Time Mid summer through fall
SKU AM020070
Description
Common Boneset is a valuable pollinator plant, identified by the Xerces Society as a plant of special value for native bees and healthy populations of beneficial insects to prevent harmful pests. The species is native to damp prairies, streambanks, alluvial woods, marshes, and bogs throughout eastern North America. Plants spread by rhizome to form a small clump, and Common Boneset is a great problem-solver for woodland gardens and wet areas of the landscape. Plant it alongside other moisture-loving species like Cardinal Flower, Blue Flag Iris, and Rose Mallow in full sun to partial shade. After flowering, the dried seed heads remain intact, providing interest in the winter months. These are often collected for dried flower arrangements.
Another shade plant for the forest garden. It blooms, but is grown mostly for its nifty umbrella-shaped foliage.
Mayapple
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $15.99 sale $11.99
per Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
This unique groundcover boasts umbrella-type leaves and will thrive in any shady area. May Apple’s bright green foliage is also deer resistant. (Podophyllum peltatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Podophyllum peltatum
Advantages
Native, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-18" tall
Mature Spread 8-12" wide
Bloom Time Early to late spring
SKU AM014433
Description
Plant May Apple in your shade garden for unique, bright green foliage growing in the early spring. This woodland beauty grows to only about 18” and is deer-resistant, making this the perfect choice for most shade gardens.
It's extremely difficult to find peonies at a reasonable price, and this is the first peach-colored one I've seen, so I pounced on it. Not sure yet where I'll put it. Maybe near the barrel garden?
Pink Hawaiian Coral Peony
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $17.32 sale $12.99
per Bag of 1
Overview
'Pink Hawaiian Coral' Peony lives up to its name with semi-double blooms that arrive in a sunset of coral, peach, and melon shades in early summer. Very fragrant and packed with petals, this one took the gold from the American Peony Society in the year 2000. Exceptionally easy to grow and easy to care for. (Paeonia lactiflora)
Key Features
Botanical Name Paeonia lactiflora Pink Hawaiian Coral
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average
Mature Height 32-36" tall
Mature Spread 32-36" wide
Bloom Time Late spring to early summer
SKU AM014958
Description
Growing Peonies: If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.
Perennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy. In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.
My all-time favorite flower seed mix! I usually grow this in at least a couple places in the prairie garden. Most highly recommended.
Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix
SALE | SAVE 20%
1/4 pound
Overview
• Our Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix helps you to create a Monarch Waystation, supporting populations of these beloved native butterflies
• 4 types of milkweed ensure that Monarchs have plenty of host plants to lay their eggs on, while a variety of nectar-rich blooms energize adults as they migrate
• A blend of annuals and perennials provide color and pollinator support in the first season and for years to come
• A Mike "The Seed Man" favorite • 100% pure, non-GMO and neonicotinoid free
Key Features
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Long Bloom Time, Naturalizes, Cut Flowers, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Life Cycle: Mix of Annuals & Perennials
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry, Average, Moist / Wet
Seed Coverage: 1/4 lb covers 250-500 sq ft.
SKU AM016980
Description
The Monarch Butterfly Wildflower Mix contains 4 different varieties of Milkweed that provide habitat and food for caterpillars, along with a blend of nectar-rich wildflowers that provide early-to-late season food for butterflies and other pollinators. This mixture thrives in any sunny spot in the garden and the first annuals bloom just weeks after planting, making this a great choice for both spring or fall seeding. Replace part of your lawn with pollinator-friendly wildflowers, create a designated pollinator wildflower patch, or plant this mix in large planters in your small space or container garden. The pollinator possibilities are endless!
We usually get some bluestem to put in the prairie garden.
Little Bluestem Grass Seeds
1/4 pound
$9.95
Overview
This attractive grass produces purplish plumes with grey/green foliage. Little Bluestem can be planted for erosion control and will attract wildlife. Perennial. (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Key Features
Botanical Name Schizachyrium scoparium 'Camper'
Advantages Native, Attracts Birds, Groundcover, Erosion Control
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Life Cycle Perennial
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 48-52" tall
Seed Coverage 1/4 lb covers 1,361 sq ft.
Bloom Time Mid summer to mid fall
SKU AM016051
Description
Little Bluestem prefers full sun and is extremely drought tolerant. It blooms from July to October.
These are new, and lipstick-pink. :D I'm not sure where I'll put all of them yet, but there's enough to spread around. There's also a mixed bag of lighter pink, white, and pale yellow if you prefer.
Pink Rain Lily
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $18.65 sale $13.98 per Bag of 25
Shipping: Shipping begins the week of March 17th, 2025
Overview
The darling, crocus-like blooms of Pink Rain Lilies are sweethearts of the summer garden. Popping out of the ground after summer rains, these tender perennial bulbs are pollinator friendly and as adorable as can be. Their clear pink blooms resemble miniature versions of their close cousin, the Amaryllis. (Zephyranthes robusta)
Key Features
Botanical Name: Zephyranthes grandiflora
Advantages: Deer Resistant, Easy To Grow, Container Planting
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
Annual in colder zones
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height: 6-10" tall
Bulb Spacing: 9 per sq ft
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
SKU: AM002751
Description
The slender, dark green, grass-like foliage of this summer bloomer is topped with flowers for several weeks in mid summer. Rain Lilies are deer-resistant blubs that prefer moist but well-drained soils in full to partial sun. Though they're hardy to zone 7, gardeners living in can treat Rain Lily as an annual, growing it in a container instead of in the ground. Rain Lilies are easy to overwinter by lifting the bulbs and storing them for the winter, or by dragging the pot into a garage just before frost arrives. Also known as fairy lilies, these natives of the New World naturalize easily in the southern US, but they're a delightful mid-summer surprise for gardeners everywhere.
This is a type of deciduous holly that I want to try in the savanna hedge. This one is female; if it lives, it'll need a male. Sadly they're out of stock on those.
Winter Red Winterberry
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
Winter Red Winterberry is famed for its signature clusters of festive red berries that persist into winter, providing year-round color and food for birds. This female plant’s small white flowers require pollination from male Southern Gentleman Winterberry plants to produce berries. Plant at least one male for up to 6-10 female plants. In autumn, this native shrub’s glossy green foliage will drop, leaving the stunning berry-studded branches. (Ilex verticillata)
Key Features
Botanical Name: Ilex verticillata Winter Red
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Mass Plantings, Privacy
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist / Wet
Mature Height: 72-96" tall (6-8 feet)
Mature Spread: 72-96" wide (6-8 feet)
Bloom Time: Early to mid summer
SKU: AM018675
Description
(6-8 feet tall x 6-8 feet wide) A deciduous holly that brings year-round interest to the landscape, Winter Red Winterberry is famed for its bright red berry clusters that line its branches, providing food for both overwintering and migrating birds. Winterberries are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Winter Red is female, and flowers require pollination from a compatible male, such as Southern Gentleman Winterberry, to produce berries. Plant at least one male for up to 6-10 female plants, in close proximity to ensure good pollination. Spring brings attractive foliage and small greenish-white flowers. The real show begins in late summer, when the flowers, if properly pollinated, mature into clusters of berries. As autumn progresses and the foliage naturally drops, the vibrant berry display is revealed. Cut branches are a natural choice for holiday decor. Winter Red Winterberry is ideal as a foundation plant or in a hedge. Native to eastern North America, Winterberry shrubs are perfect for acidic and moist soils.
Asters make good fall food for pollinators. This goes in the wildflower garden.
Purple Dome New England Aster
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
The violet daisy-shaped blooms of 'Purple Dome' Aster pair beautifully with its honey yellow centers and forest green foliage. This native wildflower is easy to grow and compact, making it a great choice for containers, borders and small-space gardens. 'Purple Dome' bursts into bloom in the late summer, providing much-needed color and vital nectar for pollinators right when much of the garden has finished for the season. (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Key Features
Botanical Name Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Purple Dome'
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Easy To Grow, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 16-18" tall
Mature Spread 18-24" wide
Bloom Time Late summer to fall
SKU AM017939
Description
'Purple Dome' Aster is a world-famous New England Aster that every wildflower gardener wants (Novae-Angliae means New England in Latin)! This native is the perfect late-season color maker in meadows or perennial borders. It covers itself in flowers for weeks, when almost everything else in the meadow is
finished blooming. These magnificent plants make up the last hurrah before the garden or meadowscape tucks itself to bed for the winter.
'Purple Dome' was featured as an honorable mention in a Mt Cuba Center Trial Garden Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide.
Here's a new wildflower for the forest garden. The wild phlox I've seen tends to be lavender-orchid-pink range, but blue works for me.
Blue Moon Woodland Phlox
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
'Blue Moon' is a lovely native Phlox groundcover featuring clouds of rich violet-blue blooms that float above green foliage. With fragrance to wake up your senses, it flowers in April May. Its a perfect addition to a rock garden or any shady spot where it can slowly naturalize. Provides early season pollen for hummingbirds and butterflies. (Phlox divaricata)
Key Features
Botanical Name Phlox divaricata Blue Moon
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes, Fragrant
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-24" tall
Mature Spread 24-36" wide
Bloom Time Early to late spring
SKU AM016100
Description
Easy to grow ‘Blue Moon’ Woodland Phlox shimmers with lilac-blue blooms for a month in early-to-mid spring. With intoxicating fragrance, this lovely native plant provides valuable early season nectar for hummingbirds, swallowtail butterflies, and other pollinators. ‘Blue Moon’ flourishes in bright shade with moist, rich, well-drained soil. Plant ‘Blue Moon’ with spring blooming bulbs – its foliage will offer support and hide the any wilting leaves on neighboring bulbs. It gradually multiplies by rhizomes and spreading stems that root at the nodes. To deter spreading, simply cut back the flowers as they fade and keep the plant trimmed up. The foliage is burgundy in winter, providing another season of interest.
‘Blue Moon’ Woodland Phlox was featured as a top performer in a Mt Cuba Center Trial Garden Research Report. These reports evaluate native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value, highlighting the ecosystem services they provide.
I've been wanting switchgrass ever since I saw it at the marsh park earlier this year. This one is a small pot. They only had the seed in huge 1-pound bags, which is more than I need, so hopefully someone else will have a smaller packet. This goes in the prairie garden, probably near the west edge to pick up the colors.
Shenandoah Red Switchgrass
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3.5" Pot
Overview
'Shenandoah' Red Switchgrass is a favorite selection of native prairie grass with gorgeous, colorful leaves. New growth emerges green with red tips. Gradually the entire plant turns to a rich burgundy color that appears to be aflame when backlit by the sun. Airy blooms appear in midsummer, hazy clouds floating above the leaves. Its a real showstopper year-round, with seed heads providing an important food source for native wildlife during the winter. (Panicum virgatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Panicum virgatum Shenandoah
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Mass Plantings, Container Planting, Privacy
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 36-48" tall
Mature Spread 36-48" wide
Bloom Time Foliage plant all season.
SKU AM018241
These produce big plumes of tiny white flowers with an intense honey-vanilla smell. I literally tracked them by scent this spring at a nursery, to find what was giving off that incredible perfume, and bought two then. More is better. These are shade flowers for the forest garden.
Deutschland Astilbe
SALE | SAVE 25%
Overview
'Deutschland' Astilbe's pure white plumes are lovely in the moonlight and can brighten the shade garden with grace. Soft and feathery flowerheads play beautifully against the glossy green, mounding foliage. Very showy and very easy to care for, like most astilbes, this one is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Try pairing with any fern for a gorgeous, contrasting look. (Astilbe japonica)
Key Features
Botanical Name Astilbe japonica Deutschland
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Groundcover, Easy To Grow, Cut Flowers, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 18-20" tall
Mature Spread 18-24" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM014038
Description
About Astilbes: Easy to grow, tough and hardy, Astilbes are now a mainstay in all good perennial gardens. In fact, American gardeners are in the midst of a passionate love affair with Astilbes. Native to the far east, these beautiful plants and their hybrids have revolutionized the perennial possibilities of moist, shaded American gardens. They are companions of ferns and our favorite annuals, impatiens--one of the few flowers that make big color in full or partial shade.
The vast majority of the scores of hybrids now available are the work of one man, master hybridizer Georg Arends (Yes, that's why you keep seeing arendsii tacked onto hybrid names.) Mr. Arends, working in Ronsdorf, Germany spent decades hybridizing Sedums, Phlox, Campanulas....and his first love, Astilbes. In 1933, Arends introduced 74 different Astilbe cultivars, and there have been hundreds since.
These plume-flowered plants have ultra-handsome fern-like foliage, (usually dark glossy green) and stiff stems that always hold the elegant plumes aloft without any staking. Flower arrangers find the flower plumes are just as handsome in a vase as in a garden.
From tiny dwarfs to big draping hybrids, Astilbes are all quite easy to grow, as long as their ground does not dry out for long. They must have plenty of moisture, so choose your locations carefully.
This is another shade flower for the forest garden.
Hepatica
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
Overview
One of springs earliest woodland wildflowers, and always considered one of the most beautiful, native Hepatica is quite common in eastern forests. The blooms vary dramatically in color, and range from white to lavender to (rarely) pink. Growing from 4 to 6" in height, lovely Hepatcia will spread and naturalize over time in most soils with dappled sunlight. (Hepatica acutiloba)
Key Features
Botanical Name Hepatica acutiloba
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Groundcover, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 4-6" tall
Mature Spread 6-9" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM018260
Description
One of springs earliest woodland wildflowers, and always considered one of the most beautiful, Hepatica is quite common in eastern woodlands. The blooms vary dramatically in color, and range from lavender to white to (rarely) pink. Some even take on a picotee coloring, with stunning white-edged purplish petals. Hepaticas are usually the very welcome first color in the spring woods, blooming through the leaf litter long before trees leaf out. Each plant is approximately the size of a healthy African violet, and they spread quite rapidly. An easy-to-grow must-have species for all shady gardens. (Photo by Dr. Brian Klinkenberg of eflora.bc.ca with gracious permission.)
This is another shade flower for the forest garden and the forest yard. I picked white because this one spreads, but they also have a bunch of other trillium varieties.
White Trillium
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
Overview
White Trillium opens exquisite white blooms up to 4 inches across in mid-spring. Flowers fade to a pretty pale pink. This woodland wildflower requires patience but is well worth the wait. Seeds produced by the plants and underground roots and will spread slowly into drifts of trillium that look like a white blanket covering the ground. (Trillium grandiflorum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Trillium grandiflorum
Advantages
Native, Rabbit Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-14" tall
Mature Spread 12" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late spring
SKU AM018262
Description
This is the Big One. Not only in size, but also in popularity. This is always the gardeners favorite from the large trillium family, all prized wild garden flowers. The Great White or Snow Trillium opens exquisite blooms up to 4" across in mid-spring, but that's not all. It has other wonderful qualities for gardeners, too. It is one of the very few plants in the flower kingdom which actually change color during bloom. After about a week or more, each flower slowly begins to change--from snow white to a shell pink. Then in a few days more, each pink one is a dark rose as the flower fades. This is one of the true spectacles of spring, and when a drift of this beautiful flower has blooms of both white and pink, it is unforgettable.
A great companion plant is our yellow violet which blooms at exactly the same time. A bed of these Trilliums, yellow violets and a few unfurling ferns make a spring show that is truly breathtaking. Our trillium plants are nursery propagated from seed.
About the Great White Trillium There is great lore and legend about this plant, and also quite a bit of misinformation. Many people believe it is endangered which it is not. It may be protected in some places, but where it thrives, it grows in great abundance. It is the provincial flower of Ontario, and is quite common there and around the Great Lakes. It is also the official wildflower of Ohio. In New England, it is rare in all the states except Vermont, where it grows in huge drifts near Lake Champlain.
Unlike other Trilliums (such as the Red Trillium) which are solitary, standing alone in the woods, the Great White Trillium forms large drifts over the years, creating one of North Americas most beautiful spring wildflower displays.
Best of all, the Great White Trillium is quite easy to transplant and grow, making it a great choice for your wild garden.
The Trillium Tribe, and why its so famous. The classic 4-inch thick botanical reference work, Hortus Third, tells us that there are about 30 species of Trillium worldwide, but the majority of the species are native to North America. A very few originate in Japan and Korea, none in Europe. This is one reason that our colonists were so taken with these woodland beauties when they arrived. They had simply never seen anything like them.
Trilliums, as the name implies have everything in 3s--three leaves, three petals, etc. And compared to the other spring flowers that bloom when winter is finally over in our cold climates, the Trilliums are the ones with large look-at-me flowers. They were famous with the Indians before colonization, and instantly the stars of spring bloom with the colonists.
Remember, when the colonists arrived, they arrived on our east coast which was totally wooded--big, primeval old growth forest, right down to the beaches. And under these cathedral-like trees were the woodland native flowers--almost all species the Europeans had never seen. Also, this is why almost all the native flowers of our east coast are woodland plants, not meadow wildflowers. Of this famous original group of woodland wildflowers, which includes the Lady Slippers, Mayflower, Hepatica and many more, the Trilliums reigned supreme.
[---8<---]
Here are the best known species, with a little info on each:
Trillium grandiflorum, Great White Trillium. The provincial flower of Ontario, and quite common there and around the Great Lakes. Also the official wildflower of Ohio, T. grandiflorum is native over most of the east, from Canada to Georgia, especially in neutral or non-acid soils. Large white flowers fade to pink; plants form large drifts.
Trillium erectum, Red Trillium. Also called Wake Robin and Stinking Benjamin, the second because of the flowers unpleasant odor, said to be similar to rotting meat. Propagated by flies. Red to purple flowers; plants solitary in acid or alkaline woods. Native to the eastern forests from Canada to Georgia.
Trillium undulatum, Painted Trillium. Smaller than the Great White or Red, but with one of the most beautiful flowers--white with purplish/red centers. Must have highly acidic soil; common in pine woods. Native to forests from Canada to Georgia.
This is another shade flower for the forest garden.
Bloodroot
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Bag of 3 $5.00/bare root
Overview
Bloodroot’s unique, cigar-shaped leaves slowly unfurl and open into large, water lily-like foliage. Bearing pristine white flowers with golden-yellow centers, Bloodroot illuminates the garden floor with breathtaking springtime beauty. Happiest with partial shade and moist soils, Bloodroot gets its name from the crimson sap that flows through its roots and stems. (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Key Features
Botanical Name Sanguinaria canadensis
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Rock Gardens
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 6-8" tall
Mature Spread 3-6" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM018259
Description
One of North America’s all-time native wildflower favorites, beautiful Bloodroot, a member of the poppy family, rises in early spring with unique cigar-shaped rolled up leaves that eventually open into large, waterlily-like foliage. Then the magnificent pristine white flowers appear, from about 1 to 2" across, and literally light up the forest floor. This treasured native plant has been important for centuries, and takes its common name from the orangey red juice that oozes from the root when cut. The richly textured large leaves and breathtaking pristine white flowers make it special. Best of all, Bloodroot is quite easy to grow, as long as it is given a moist shaded situation and rich woodsy soil.
This will be going in the wildflower garden in the savanna, where I already have what I suspect is narrow-leafed mountain mint that is extremely popular with insects.
Blunt Mountain Mint
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
Blunt Mountain Mint is a distinctive native wildflower that simply buzzes with life. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators cover the small, white, nectar-rich flowers from mid to late summer. Blooms form in button-like clusters, surrounded by silver bracts that give plants a frosted appearance. Foliage smells strongly of spearmint, with the added benefit of being unpalatable to deer and rabbits. This resilient perennial can tolerate heat and humidity and naturalizes easily. (Pycnanthemum muticum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Pycnanthemum muticum
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Naturalizes, Fragrant
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-36" tall
Mature Spread 12-26" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM020078
Description
Blunt Mountain Mint is easy to naturalize in pollinator gardens, meadows, and cottage gardens. Plants form a dense clump through slowly spreading rhizomes. Native to bogs, low meadows, and damp woods throughout most of the eastern United States, Blunt Mountain Mint thrives in fertile, moist soils and full sun. Plants tolerate some shade as well as clay soils. Blunt Mountain Mint is highly attractive to pollinators, recognized by the Xerces Society for being a valuable nectar source for native bees, honeybees, and bumblebees. It also attracts skippers and flower flies, and supports a healthy population of beneficial insects to prevent harmful pests. Blunt Mountain Mint looks lovely massed in perennial borders alongside tall Coreopsis, Blazing Star, and ornamental grasses.
This is a great big sunny wildflower, probably for the prairie garden.
Common Ironweed
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
If there were awards for best pollinator support, native Common Ironweed would win the day. Clusters of brilliant purple flowers top the tall stems, creating a purple crown. Growing to 6 feet tall, Common Ironweed is a great pick for the back of a border, or the edges of a yard or meadow. Bees of all types love native Ironweed, as do butterflies. (Vernonia fasciculata)
Key Features
Botanical Name Vernonia fasciculata
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 36-72" tall (3-6 feet)
Mature Spread 24-36" wide
Bloom Time Mid summer to fall
SKU AM019714
Description
If supporting pollinators is on your list, native Common Ironweed is a top pick. Clusters of magenta-purple flowers top the branches from mid-summer to fall and it is a pollinator magnet. In fact, the Xerces Society identified it as a special value plant for native bees. It is also the host plant for the American Painted Lady Butterfly. A resilient plant, it’s a good choice for rain gardens, too. Deadhead flowers to reduce self-seeding and to encourage more flowers. In fall, fluffy brown seeds follow spent flowers. Easy to grow, this low-care native species requires only a mostly sunny spot, average soil, and moderate moisture. Cut back by half in spring if a shorter height is desired.
I basically collect thyme varieties, of which golden and silver are favorites. This will go in the goddess garden.
Silver King Creeping Thyme
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
Lace your gardens and walkways with the lemony scent of ‘Silver King’ Creeping Thyme. This attractive, aromatic groundcover features variegated medium-green leaves with cream-colored edges for a soft, inviting appearance. In spring, enjoy a splash of pink blooms. Spreading easily in full sun with mounds of upright and trailing stems, this drought-tolerant, deer-resistant Thyme amplifies pathways, rain gardens, and window box plantings.
Key Features
Botanical Name Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver King'
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Fragrant, Striking Foliage, Container Planting
Growing Zones
Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Dry, Average
Mature Height 4-5" tall
Mature Spread 9-12" wide
Bloom Time Spring
SKU AM021395
Description
‘Silver King’ Creeping Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus 'Silver King') provides visual interest alongside a fresh fragrance. Thyme has been cultivated for centuries, beloved for its strong scent, diverse uses, and easy-growing, low-maintenance nature. Once established, Thyme requires almost no care. This spreader prefers full sun and fast-draining soils and is also drought-tolerant. Thanks to its essential oils, it's deer-resistant, generally pest-free, and may even help to repel mosquitos. Plant it in mass along walkways or use it as a lawn alternative in low-traffic areas. Thyme is native to Greenland, Europe, Asia, and Northeast Africa.
Another shade flower for the forest garden.
Jack in the Pulpit
SALE | SAVE 25%
Overview
Jack in the Pulpit boasts unusual, hooded green blooms with burgundy-striped interiors that surround an upright spadix, known as the “Jack” inside each flower. Blooms evolve to produce brilliantly-red berries. A truly stunning, unique plant for the shade garden, Jack in the Pulpit can reproduce and spread over time in moist soils. (Ariseama triphyllum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Arisaema triphyllum
Advantages
Native, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Growing Zones
Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 20-24" tall
Mature Spread 12-18" wide
Bloom Time Early spring
SKU AM014107
Description
One of our best-known native plants, and always a favorite with children, Jack-In-The-Pulpit is quite common in rich woodland. The plants are often solitary, large, and quite striking in the spring woods. The elegant hood curves forward over the Jack, an upright spike inside, creating the preacher in the canopied pulpit design. These treasured plants grow from a bulb, and can do very well in partially shaded perennial borders, growing tall if fertilized, and adding an exotic touch amid otherwise more traditional flower displays. Both the unique bloom and then the bright red berries that follow add a bit of mystery and woodland lore to any garden, and if undisturbed, the plants return faithfully each spring.
Another shade flower for the forest garden. Apparently these are a wild form of bleeding hearts; look closely and you can see the resemblance. :D
Dutchman's Breeches
SALE | SAVE 25%
was $17.99 sale $13.49
per Bag of 3
Overview
One of America's most famous wildflowers, Dutchman's Breeches is a small, wild version of Bleeding Heart, with creamy white flowers so named for their resemble to a pair of upside-down, hung-to-dry pants. Blooming in early spring, the delicate fern-like foliage lasts on, changing from a gray-green to pale yellow. A simple yet striking addition to the shade or woodland garden. (Dicentra cucullaria)
Key Features
Botanical Name Dicentra cucullaria
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Naturalizes
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 8-10" tall
Mature Spread 6-12" wide
Bloom Time Early to mid spring
SKU AM014041
Description
This is the wild version of Bleeding Heart with white to rosy flowers arrayed along a stem, each one looking like a pair of pants, hung out to dry. Its a small plant, usually under one foot, much smaller than our garden variety Bleeding Hearts. Always a favorite with children and naturalists.
This is a bicolor hollyhock with single or double flowers. I'm hoping for single, which is better for pollinators. I keep trying to get something more than black ones to bloom. But nowadays it's hard to find singles, most of the ones sold are doubles. :/
Creme De Cassis Hollyhock
SALE | SAVE 25%
per Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
Creme de Cassis Hollyhock is a biennial which rewards with spectacular raspberry and white blooms in single and double form. (Alcea rosea)
Key Features
Botanical Name Alcea rosea Creme De Cassis
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average
Mature Height 48-72" tall (4-6 feet)
Mature Spread 12-24" wide
Bloom Time Mid to late summer
SKU AM014634
Description
(48-72" tall (4-6 feet) x 12-24" wide) 'Crème De Cassis' Hollyhock is a knockout. Growing up to 6 feet, each flower stem is arrayed with big (up to 4) blooms in raspberry and white. You'll have the semi-doubles with a fluffy center, and then the singles, which feature a bright yellow center, all on the same plant.
Everybody loves Hollyhocks--tall beauties that create tremendous color wherever they grow. They quickly create spires of flowers up to 5 or 6 feet. These old-fashioned plants are famous for being biennial which means they bloom their second year from seed. Hollyhocks are great for the back of the border, and also as a blooming screen for unsightly views or other things you'd like to hide with beautiful flowers all summer long.
Another wildflower / herb for the forest garden.
Common Boneset
SALE | SAVE 25%
Choose a Size:Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
Common Boneset is a late-summer standout, boasting large flat-topped flower clusters that bloom well into fall, followed by seed heads to provide winter interest. The small white florets are highly attractive to pollinators, especially native bees and butterflies. Unique, paired leaves are fused at the base and look like they wrap the stems. This adaptable and deer-resistant native perennial thrives in woodland settings and wet soils. (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Eupatorium perfoliatum
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Birds, Deer Resistant, Winter Interest
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 36-48" tall (3-4 ft)
Mature Spread 48-72" wide (4-6 ft)
Bloom Time Mid summer through fall
SKU AM020070
Description
Common Boneset is a valuable pollinator plant, identified by the Xerces Society as a plant of special value for native bees and healthy populations of beneficial insects to prevent harmful pests. The species is native to damp prairies, streambanks, alluvial woods, marshes, and bogs throughout eastern North America. Plants spread by rhizome to form a small clump, and Common Boneset is a great problem-solver for woodland gardens and wet areas of the landscape. Plant it alongside other moisture-loving species like Cardinal Flower, Blue Flag Iris, and Rose Mallow in full sun to partial shade. After flowering, the dried seed heads remain intact, providing interest in the winter months. These are often collected for dried flower arrangements.
Another shade plant for the forest garden. It blooms, but is grown mostly for its nifty umbrella-shaped foliage.
Mayapple
SALE | SAVE 25%
per Plant - 3" Pot
Overview
This unique groundcover boasts umbrella-type leaves and will thrive in any shady area. May Apple’s bright green foliage is also deer resistant. (Podophyllum peltatum)
Key Features
Botanical Name Podophyllum peltatum
Advantages
Native, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Naturalizes, Cut Flowers
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
Soil Moisture Average, Moist / Wet
Mature Height 12-18" tall
Mature Spread 8-12" wide
Bloom Time Early to late spring
SKU AM014433
Description
Plant May Apple in your shade garden for unique, bright green foliage growing in the early spring. This woodland beauty grows to only about 18” and is deer-resistant, making this the perfect choice for most shade gardens.
It's extremely difficult to find peonies at a reasonable price, and this is the first peach-colored one I've seen, so I pounced on it. Not sure yet where I'll put it. Maybe near the barrel garden?
Pink Hawaiian Coral Peony
SALE | SAVE 25%
per Bag of 1
Overview
'Pink Hawaiian Coral' Peony lives up to its name with semi-double blooms that arrive in a sunset of coral, peach, and melon shades in early summer. Very fragrant and packed with petals, this one took the gold from the American Peony Society in the year 2000. Exceptionally easy to grow and easy to care for. (Paeonia lactiflora)
Key Features
Botanical Name Paeonia lactiflora Pink Hawaiian Coral
Advantages
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Mass Plantings
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Light Requirements Full Sun
Soil Moisture Average
Mature Height 32-36" tall
Mature Spread 32-36" wide
Bloom Time Late spring to early summer
SKU AM014958
Description
Growing Peonies: If you live where peonies grow, its the same every year in late spring. Certain homes have them in beds, borders, along drives--and anywhere they grow, they create probably the most beautiful clump of flowering of the whole season. Big, usually fluffy flowers in glossy green foliage.
Perennial peonies are what experienced gardeners call investment plants. They're some of the most permanent landscaping you can buy. In fact, many continue blooming beautifully for over 100 years. Once they're established, they're as hardy and dependable as oaks, creating a fantastic season of bloom in your yard year after year.
