A staple of the American landscape, these iconic wildflowers feature bright daisy-like petals surrounding a deep chocolate-brown central cone. Black-Eyed Susans are extraordinarily hardy, heat-tolerant, and capable of thriving in conditions where more delicate flowers might falter. They are the perfect choice for gardeners who want high-impact color with minimal effort.
Sun Exposure Full Sun (Preferred) to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low to Moderate; very drought-tolerant once established
Soil Type Needed Adaptable; can thrive in Muck, Clay, Loam or Sandy soils.
Mature Height 2 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time June – October
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 10 – 12 inches
One of the longest bloom periods of any summer perennial, often lasting from early summer right through the first frost.
The plant is biennial that blooms and completes in life cycle in it’s seconds year. They are self-seeders, so they will appear in your garden for years to come but can succumb to longer-lived perennials in later years after planting.
Highly resistant to heat, humidity, and drought, making them ideal for "problem spots" in the yard.
Pollinator Favorite: The wide, flat blooms act as perfect landing pads for a variety of butterflies, including Monarchs, the Wavy-Lined Emerald and the Silvery Checkerspot.
Bee Support: A primary nectar source for honeybees and several species of native solitary bees.
Birds: If you delay your garden cleanup until spring, the sturdy seed heads provide essential winter forage for goldfinches and other small songbirds.
A true standout in the wetland or meadow garden. This hardy native perennial is instantly recognizable by its unique foliage. In late summer, the plant is topped with large, fuzzy clusters of fragrant, creamy-white blossoms. These flat-topped flower heads create a soft, cloud-like effect in the landscape, providing a nice contrast to the purples and golds of late-season asters and goldenrods.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Moderate to High; prefers consistently moist to wet soil.
Soil Type Needed Thrives in moist Muck, Clay, or Loam; tolerates "wet feet."
Mature Height 3 – 5 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – September
Bloom Color White
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet
Unique Architecture: The "perfoliate" leaves provide a structural look that adds instant character to your garden beds. The pairs of textured, lance-shaped leaves are fused at the base, making it look as though the sturdy stem is growing right through the center of a single long leaf.
Wet Spot Solution: It is an excellent choice for rain gardens or areas with poor drainage where other perennials might struggle with root rot.
Late Summer Glow: While other plants are winding down, Boneset hits its peak, keeping your garden looking lush and full of life well into September.
Pollinator Super-Plant: Boneset is legendary for the sheer volume of insects it supports. It is a favorite of honeybees, native sweat bees, and beneficial wasps.
Nectar Source: A vital late-season fuel stop for migrating Monarchs and other varieties of butterflies and moths.
Late Season seed source: Goldfinches, chickadees, sparrows and juncos will feed on the fall seed heads.
Just like the goldenrod, this plant is a "bridge" species—but while the goldenrod bridges the seasons, the Evening Primrose bridges day and night! While most flowers wake up with the sun, this native waits for the twilight. It features bowl-shaped yellow blossoms that unfurl in late afternoon and evening.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; very drought-tolerant
Soil Type Adaptable; prefers Sandy, Rocky, or Lean soil
Mature Height 4 – 6 feet
Deer Resistance Low - Moderate
Bloom Time July – October
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet
Long Bloom Time: It is one of the last natives blooming into late fall.
Hardy & Resilient: It thrives in "neglected" areas where other plants struggle. It is highly resistant to pests and can handle poor, dry soils with ease.
Polinators: Although labeled as a weed by some, it is a very important native plant with a long bloom time. It benefits many different kinds of bees, nectaring moths, butterfiles, and caterpillars.
The "Night Shift": The flowers attract sphinx moths (hawk moths), which are nocturnal.
Hummingbirds: Though they open late, the flowers stay open long enough for hummingbirds to visit them for a breakfast snack in the early morning.
Garden Note: Common Evening Primrose is a prolific self-seeder. Because it is a biennial, it relies on dropping seeds to ensure a new generation blooms every year. If you want to limit its spread, simply snip off the seed pods after the flowering season is finished!
This native is named for the soft, silvery-gray "down" or fuzz that covers its stems and foliage, giving the entire plant a frosty-blue tint. When the mid-summer heat arrives, it erupts in a cheerful display of multi-flowered stalks topped with bright, 2-inch golden-yellow blooms.
What sets the Downy Sunflower apart is its incredible versatility. It is one of the few sunflowers that stays at a manageable height. It is a rugged survivor that handles the hottest, driest corners of your yard with ease, maintaining its silver-green luster even in the peak of a summer drought.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Sun
Water Needs Low to Medium; very drought-tolerant
Soil Type Poor, drier, Clay, Sand, Rocky, or Well-Drained Loam
Mature Height 4 - 5 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate - High
Bloom Time August – September
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Aggressive Spreader: please consider when picking your planting location. Removal of the seed head before it is ripe is preferable if you do not want to weed seedlings.
Compact Habit: Unlike the towering 8-foot giants, Downy Sunflower stays relatively short and sturdy, rarely requiring staking or support.
Prolific Bloomer: Rather than one single flower head, each plant produces numerous branches, resulting in a dense "bouquet" of yellow flowers on every stalk.
Nectar: Its late-summer blooms are a vital resource for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and skippers during the hottest months of the year.
Bird Seed Source: In the fall, the flower heads dry into nutritious "bird feeders." Chickadees and Goldfinches will cling to the stems to feast on the oil-rich seeds.
Host Plant: It serves as a nursery for the Silvery Checkerspot butterfly and several species of moths.
While most goldenrods wait for the cool air of fall to arrive, this eager native begins lighting up the landscape in mid-to-late summer. It features elegant, arching wands of tiny, nectar-rich yellow flowers that look like a burst of sunshine caught on a stem.
Unlike some of its taller, more aggressive relatives that can take over a space, this species stays at a moderate, manageable height and forms tidy clumps. It is the perfect choice for adding a "layered" look to your garden beds, filling the gap between your mid-summer blooms and the late-season asters.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; very drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Sand, Loam, or Rocky soil
Mature Height 2 – 4 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – September
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 1 – 3 feet
First to Bloom: As the name suggests, it is one of the earliest goldenrods to flower, providing a critical "bridge" of color between summer and fall.
Pollinator Powerhouse: The brilliant yellow plumes are a primary nectar source for a huge array of beneficial insects during the peak of summer heat.
Aggressing Spreader: Spreads by rhizomes. Keep this in mind when selecting your planting site, may not be suitable for small landscapes.
Thinning every few years is recommended.
Butterfly Fuel: It is a favorite stop for Monarchs, Viceroys, and hairstreaks as they begin their late-season activities.
Native Bee Support: It provides high-quality pollen for specialized native bees that rely on goldenrods to feed their young.
Songbird Food: In the winter, the dried seed heads offer a tiny but nutritious feast for chickadees and goldfinches.
*Don’t believe the myths—Goldenrod does not cause hay fever! Its pollen is heavy and sticky (designed to be carried by bees, not the wind). The real culprit for itchy eyes is usually Ragweed, which blooms at the same time but has inconspicuous green flowers. You can plant Early Goldenrod with confidence, knowing it brings beauty and health to your garden without the sneezing!
Also called Brickellbush, this tough-as-nails native is prized for its fine-textured foliage and creamy, vanilla-colored flowers. It provides a soft, neutral "break" for the eye in gardens filled with bright yellows and deep purples, making every other color look more vibrant. Though not very showy, it is an excellent nectar plant for butterflies and moths.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low; highly drought-tolerant (Xeric)
Soil Type Well-drained Sand, Loam, or Rocky/Gravelly soil
Mature Height 2 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time August – September
Bloom Color Cream
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet
Deep-Rooted: Like the False Indigo, it possesses a deep taproot that allows it to stay lush and green even during the most punishing summer droughts. Roots can grow up to 17 feet deep!
Tidy & Upright: It forms a clean, bushy mound of narrow, serrated leaves. It does not flop or lean, making it an excellent "structural" plant for the middle of your garden layer.
Nectar Late-Seater: It blooms alongside late-season asters, providing a critical fuel source for the very last of the season's butterflies and migrating Monarchs.
Moth Host: It is a high-value host plant for several species of flower moths, adding to the nighttime biodiversity of your garden.
Pollinator Variety: Because the flowers are small and grouped in clusters, they are accessible to a wide range of beneficial insects.
Pro tip: Try planting it directly between Early Goldenrod and False Blue Indigo. The creamy white flowers of the Boneset act as a "color buffer," preventing the bright yellow and deep blue from clashing and creating a more harmonized garden look.
A member of the mint family, this plant is famous for its "obedient" flowers—if you bend a flower to the left or right, it will stay there (at least temporarily). It produces striking, snapdragon-like spikes of pink to lavender flowers that bloom from the bottom up.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Medium; prefers consistent moisture but can handle dry spells
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Clay, Loam, or Sand
Mature Height 3 – 4 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time August – September
Bloom Color Pink
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet
Vertical Accent: The square stems are incredibly sturdy and topped with 10-inch long spikes of flowers.
Vigorous Spreader: This plant spreads via rhizomes. In rich, moist soil, it can be quite assertive. It is perfect for filling a large area quickly but may require thinning every few years to keep it in its "assigned" layer. Please be mindful when choosing your planting site.
Hummingbirds: The tubular shape of the flowers are perfectly evolved for the beak of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. They are one of the primary visitors to this plant in late summer.
Bumblebee Favorite: Large bees love to "crawl" inside the blossoms to reach the nectar, often emerging covered in white pollen.
Late-Season Support: Because it blooms into fall, it provides one of the last high-energy meals for pollinators preparing for winter or migration.
While many plants are masters of the dry, sunny prairie, Great Blue Lobelia is the perfect choice for the slightly cooler or damper spots in your landscape. A stunning, clump-forming native known for its densely packed spikes of tubular, bright blue flowers. It is a fantastic "structural" plant that brings a pop of rare color to the garden just as the mid-summer heat begins to peak. It prefers medium to wet soils, especially with a little shade.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade (Prefers some afternoon shade)
Water Needs Medium to High; prefers consistently moist soil
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Muck, Clay, or Loam
Mature Height 2 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate - High
Bloom Time July – October
Bloom Color Blue
Plant Spacing 12 – 18 inches
Color: The flowers are arranged in a crowded spike that bloom in true blue color from the bottom up.
Well-Behaved Growth: It is a clump-forming perennial that stays tidy and upright. While it may self-seed in moist conditions, it does not have aggressive rhizomes.
Versatile Placement: Can be found in wet prairies, pond and creek edges, soggy meadows, marshland borders and other moist areas.
Deer Resistant: It produces a compound called “lobeline” which deters herbivores.
Pollinators: The deep blue flower spikes attract many different bees and butterflies. You’ll often see bumblebees prying the petals apart to disappear entirely inside the bloom for nectar.
Hummingbirds: While they usually prefer red flowers (like its cousin, the Cardinal Flower), hummingbirds will frequently visit Great Blue Lobelia for its high nectar content.
Late-Season Support: Its long bloom period provides a reliable food source for pollinators during the transition into autumn.
Unlike most goldenrods that branch out into arching plumes, this species grows in a distinct, upright spike, making it a fantastic structural choice for tight spaces or the middle of a layered bed. A distinctive and well-behaved goldenrod easily identified by its fuzzy, silver-haired stems and its unique upright growth habit. Rather than wide-spreading plumes, its flowers hug the stem in a dense, golden column, creating a "wand-like" appearance.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; exceptionally drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Sand, Rocky, or Lean/Poor soil
Mature Height 1.5 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time August – October
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 12 – 18 inches
Color: Its most striking feature is the dense coating of fine white hairs on the stem and leaves, giving the plant a soft, grayish-green cast even when it’s not in bloom. The yellow flowers are relatively large compared to other goldenrods, up to ¼ inch tall and face out from the branches.
Non-Aggressive Habit: Unlike its "runaway" relatives, Hairy Goldenrod is a clump-forming species. It stays in a tidy, vertical bunch, making it one of the best goldenrods for small landscapes or rock gardens.
Perfect for open dry woods, rocky outcrops, dunes.
Pollinators: The nectar-rich golden cylinders are a favorite for a variety of native bees, beneficial wasps, and butterflies.
Critical Fall Fuel: Because it blooms into October, it provides late season energy before the first hard frost.
*Don’t believe the myths—Goldenrod does not cause hay fever! Its pollen is heavy and sticky (designed to be carried by bees, not the wind). The real culprit for itchy eyes is usually Ragweed, which blooms at the same time but has inconspicuous green flowers. You can plant Hairy Goldenrod with confidence, knowing it brings beauty and health to your garden without the sneezing!
Harebell looks incredibly delicate with its wiry stems and nodding bells, but don’t let the looks fool you—this is a rugged survivor that can grow in the toughest of conditions. Known for its paper-thin, violet-blue bells that seem to float in the air, the Harebell is a versatile perennial that adds a touch of "fairytale" charm to the garden. It is famously long-blooming, often starting in early summer and continuing until the first hard frost.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; very drought-tolerant once established
Soil Type Well-drained Loam, Sand, Rocky, or Gravelly soil
Mature Height 12 inches
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time June – September
Bloom Color Purple
Plant Spacing 6 – 8 inches
Unique Foliage: Its species name, rotundifolia, refers to its round basal leaves that appear in early spring. However, as the flower stalks rise, those leaves wither, leaving only very thin, grass-like foliage that makes the flowers look like they are hovering.
Resilient: Despite their "hair-like" stems, Harebells are remarkably wind-resistant and can handle harsh, exposed sites. They are the perfect choice for a rock garden or a stony edge.
Does well in dry sand, rocky crevices and gravelly soils.
Bloom Time: While many natives have a short window, the Harebell will often keep producing new bells for several months, especially if the spent blossoms are dead-headed.
Polinators: It is a favorite of small native bees..
Hummingbirds: Though small, hummingbirds are often seen investigating the blue bells during their mid-summer rounds.
A stately and resilient native, Missouri Ironweed is prized for its intense purple flower clusters and its ability to stand tall without staking. Perhaps the showiest of Ironweeds, it acts as a majestic "anchor" in the garden, signaling the peak of the late-summer season. It provides the garden with a bright magenta color and beautiful, soft texture thanks to its distinctive fuzzy stems and leaves.
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Water Needs Medium; more drought-tolerant than other Ironweeds
Soil Type Adaptable; Clay, Loam, or Sandy/Rocky soil
Mature Height 5 – 6 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – October
Bloom Color Purple
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Foliage: Unlike its smoother cousins, V. missurica has fine white hairs on the undersides of the leaves and stems, giving the foliage a soft, slightly silvery-green appearance.
Deer Resistant: Ironweeds are bitter to the taste, so they are rarely browsed by deer.
Sturdy: True to its name, the stems are "iron-strong." It provides a rigid vertical line that won't flop over, even when topped with heavy clusters of blooms.
Blooms: Expect to wait 3 years for Ironweed to flower.
Pollinators: In late summer, you will often see this plant covered in Monarchs, Swallowtails, and Skippers. It is a vital fuel stop for migration. It is a high-value source of pollen and nectar for a variety of native bees.
Winter Interest: The spent flower heads turn a silver-tan to rusty-bronze color (hence "Iron" weed) and hold their seeds through the winter, feeding small songbirds like goldfinches.
Also known as Spotted Joe Pye Weed, Eutrochium maculatum is loved by dozens of species of butterflies. It grows up to 6’ and it is famous for its massive flower heads that look like soft, dusty-pink clouds floating at the top of the garden. It provides a massive amount of nectar just as the summer heat reaches its peak, acting as a social hub for every butterfly in the neighborhood.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Medium to High; prefers consistent moisture
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in rich Muck, Clay, or Loam
Mature Height 5 – 6 feet
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time July – September
Bloom Color Pink
Plant Spacing 3 – 4 feet
Stems: Its name comes from the distinct purple spots or mottling found along its thick, sturdy stems. These stems are strong enough to hold up the massive flower heads without any staking and are almost the same color as the dusty rose-colored flowers.
Somewhat aggressive spreader. Please keep this in mind when picking your planting site. Use with caution in small landscape situations.
Moisture lover: Unlike other Joe Pye Weeds, this one requires the most moisture. It is perfect for planting in damp settings such as along pond edges, streambanks and drainage areas.
Butterflies: Because the flower heads are flat and wide, they provide a perfect "landing pad" for dozens of butterfly species.
Native Bee Favorite: It is an incredibly high-value nectar source for bumblebees and many species of native bees.
Birds: Several species of birds benefit from eating the seeds and many birds feed of insects that are drawn to the plant.
Also known as Dense Blazing Star, this plant features stiff, upright stems covered in grass-like foliage, topped with thick spikes of feathery, magenta-purple flowers that look like glowing sparklers in the summer sun. Marsh Blazing Star is native to moist meadows and marsh margins of the Midwest. It is a standard component of naturalized moist prairies, butterfly gardens, water feature margins, and rain gardens.
Sun Exposure Full Sun (preferred) to Partial Shade
Water Needs Medium to High; prefers moist soil but is quite adaptable
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Muck, Clay, Loam, or Moist Sand
Mature Height 3 – 5 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate - High
Bloom Time July – September
Bloom Color Lavendar - Purple
Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet
Blooms: Unlike most spiked flowers that bloom from the bottom up, Liatris starts at the very tip of the wand and works its way down, extending its beauty over several weeks.
Corm-Based Growth: It grows from a bulb-like structure called a corm. This makes it a very "polite" neighbor; it won't spread aggressively or take over your garden beds.
Distinctive Texture: Before the flowers appear, the plant looks like a lush clump of fine, fountain-like grass, providing excellent green texture in the early spring.
Monarch Fuel: This is arguably one of the best plants for Monarch and other butterflies. During their migration, you will often see several butterflies jostling for position on a single flower spike.
Bumblebee Favorite: The feathery "stars" are packed with nectar, making them a high-priority stop for bumblebees and clearwing hummingbird moths.
Bird Feeder: If you leave the stalks up in the fall, goldfinches and other songbirds will visit the garden to feast on the small, nutritious seeds.
While other plants are winding down for winter, this aster explodes into a cloud of vivid purple and gold, providing one last massive feast for pollinators. A robust and showy native perennial that is famous for its late-season bloom. Its stems are topped with hundreds of daisy-like, deep violet-to-pink flowers with bright yellow centers, creating stunning color in the autumn landscape.
Sun Exposure Full Sun (best for bloom density) to Partial Shade
Water Needs Medium; prefers consistent moisture but is adaptable
Soil Type Adaptable; Muck, Clay, Loam, or Sand
Mature Height 3 – 5 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time August – October
Bloom Color Purple
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Color: Blooms can range in color from purple, violet and shades of pink.
The "Hairy" Stem: Similar to the Hoary Vervain, the stems of New England Aster are covered in fine, bristly hairs, which helps with easy identification.
Foliage: It is natural for the bottom leaves of this plant to turn brown and drop off by late summer. This is just the plant focusing its energy on the flowers at the top! You can easily hide this by planting shorter natives in front of it.
Aggressive self-seeder: Please keep in mind when selecting your planting sites. Removal of the seed heads before the seed is ripe will help prevent it from spreading or the need to weed unwanted seedlings.
Migration Fuel: Provides critical, high-energy nectar for Monarchs and other butterflies into late fall.
Bees: It is a vital resource for late-emerging specialist bees and bumblebee queens who are preparing to overwinter.
Host Plant: It serves as a larval host for the Pearl Crescent butterfly and several species of moths.
Often found in rocky openings and sandy savannas, this species is prized for its large, shaggy flower heads. Unlike other Blazing Stars with dense, tight spikes, Liatris scariosa has distinct, rounded thistle-like flower clusters that give it a more textured and "wild" appearance. Unlike it’s damp loving cousin Marsh Blazing Star, Northern Blazing Star prefers dry conditions.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Low; highly drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Loam, Sand, Rocky, or Gravelly soil
Mature Height 2 - 3 feet
Deer Resistance Low, this Blazing Star is commonly browsed on by deer and rabbits
Bloom Time August – September
Bloom Color Purple
Plant Spacing 10 – 12 inches
Flowers: The flower heads are wider and more separated than other Liatris species, looking thistle-like and are about 1” across. Flowers can extend up to 18” of the overall plant stem.
Top-Down Bloomer: Like its relatives, it begins blooming at the top of the spike and works its way down, providing a long-lasting nectar source throughout the late summer.
Because of the top-heavy weight, plants may require staking to hold them upright.
Dry Specialist: This is one of the best Blazing Stars for "difficult" dry spots. It thrives in poor, thin soils where other plants might struggle to find nutrients.
Monarchs and Other Butterflies: This flower is loved by Monarchs and many other butterflies. The wide flower heads provide an easy platform for them to rest and refuel.
Bees: It attracts a wide variety of bees, especially bumblebees, who are attracted to the deep nectar wells.
Prairie Blazing Star is famous for its exceptionally crowded flower spikes. The species name pycnostachya literally means "thick-spiked," which perfectly describes the way the fuzzy purple flowers are packed tightly together on the stem. It is an excellent species to plant in wet-medium perennial gardens or prairies.
Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Needs Medium; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates dry spells
Soil Type Clay, Loam, or Moist Sand
Mature Height 4 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time July – September
Bloom Color Purple
Plant Spacing 12 – 18 inches
Blooms: Because the flowers are so densely packed, the entire top 1–2 feet of the plant becomes a solid column of vibrant purple. It creates a much bolder "block" of color than other Liatris species.
Top-Down Bloom: Like its cousins, it starts blooming at the very top of the spike and slowly works its way down, ensuring several weeks of continuous color.
Stalks: The stems are very rigid and covered in narrow, grass-like leaves, giving the plant a very clean, architectural look before it even begins to flower.
Butterflies: Along with the Marsh Blazing Star, this is a stop for Monarchs and other butterflies.
Bees and Hummingbirds: It is a favorite of bumblebees and other large native bees and hummingbirds in the height of summer.
Host Plant: Prairie Blazing Star is a host plant for numerous small moths.
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