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.

Plant Profile

• 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

Plant Characteristics

• 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.

Wildlife Benefits

• 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.

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.

Plant Profile

• 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 Moderate

• Bloom Time July – October

• Bloom Color‍ ‍ Yellow

• Plant Spacing 1 – 2 feet

Plant Characteristics

• 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.

Wildlife Benefits

• 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 towering native perennial is famous for its deeply lobed, sandpaper-like leaves that traditionally orient themselves North and South to avoid the intense midday sun—giving the plant its iconic name.Rising on sturdy, sap-filled stalks, its cheerful, sunflower-like yellow blooms provide a vertical element that can be seen from across the yard.

It is a slow-growing "anchor" species that invests its early years into developing a massive taproot that can reach up to 15 feet deep. This incredible root system makes it virtually bulletproof against drought and extreme heat, allowing it to remain lush and vibrant even when the rest of the garden is parched.

Plant Profile

• Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade

• Water Needs Low to Medium; exceptionally drought-tolerant

• Soil Type Loam, Sand

• Mature Height 5 – 8 feet

• Deer Resistance High

• Bloom Time June – September

• Bloom Color Yellow

• Plant Spacing 3 – 5 feet

Plant Characteristics

• Height: Given rich soil, compass plants can reach upwards of 8 feet in height making it a natural focal point or a stunning "back of the border" screen.

• Living Compass: The large basal leaves align with the Earth’s magnetic poles to maximize water use in the leaves and increase CO2 gain.

• Centuries-Long Life: This is a "legacy plant." Once established, a single Compass Plant can live for up to 100 years, becoming a permanent fixture of your home's ecosystem.

Wildlife Benefits

• Pollinators: The resin-rich flowers are a favorite of bees, and butterflies.

• Birds: Seeds are a high-energy food source for goldfinches and other songbirds throughout the fall and a favorite perching spot.

Pro Tip: Patience is a virtue with the Compass Plant! Because it spends its first few seasons focused on growing that legendary 15-foot taproot, it may only produce a small cluster of leaves at first. Don't be fooled—it is building the foundation for a lifetime of beauty. Due to this taproot, it is very difficult to move once planted, so choose its "forever home" in a sunny spot with plenty of vertical room to grow.

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.

Plant Profile

• 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 High

• Bloom Time August – September

• Bloom Color Yellow

• Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet

Key Characteristics

• 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.

Wildlife Benefits

• 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.

If you’re searching for a low-growing, rugged shrub that provides multi-season interest without the invasive headache of other honeysuckles, consider Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle. This is a mounding, woody perennial that is great for dry, difficult shady areas. In early summer, it produces delicate, lemon-yellow trumpet flowers that are a magnet for the tiniest of garden visitors. It starts with dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange, then into vibrant shades of red and purple in the fall.

Plant Profile

• Sun Exposure Partial Shade to Shade

• Water Needs Low to Medium; highly drought-tolerant once established

• Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Dry Sand, Rocky soil, or dry Clay

• Mature Height 2 – 3 feet

• Deer Resistance Moderate

• Bloom Time June – August

• Bloom Color Yellow

• Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet

Plant Characteristics

• Three Seasons of Color: Bronze spring buds, yellow summer flowers ending with beautiful red autumn foliage.

• Somewhat Aggressive Spreader: Spready by rhizomes and can overwhelm small landscapes. Keep this in mind when choosing your planting location

  • Will spread to form thickets over time, making it a good choice for shrub borders or hedgerows.

Wildlife Benefits

• Bumblebees: The small yellow blossoms are perfectly designed for bumblebees and other long-tongued native bees to crawl inside.

• Hummingbirds: Though the flowers are small, their nectar is high-energy and often visited by hummingbirds patrolling the garden.

• Host Plant to the Laurel Sphinx moth and the Snowberry Clearwing.

Pro Tip: Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle is incredibly forgiving when it comes to pruning. If it ever begins to look a bit unruly or "leggy" after a few years, you can cut it back nearly to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will roar back with fresh, colorful new growth and a tighter, more compact shape. It’s one of the few shrubs that actually enjoys a "fresh start" every now and then!

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.

Plant Profile

• 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

Plant Characteristics

• 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.

Wildlife Benefits

• 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!

Early Sunflower (often called False Sunflower or Oxeye Sunflower) is a champion of the "pre-autumn" season. While it looks remarkably like a true sunflower, it’s actually a distinct native perennial that is far more manageable and long-lived in a garden setting.

A cheerful, multi-stemmed native that produces a profusion of daisy-like yellow flowers. It is one of the longest-blooming perennials in the summer garden, often starting its show weeks before the rest of the sunflower family.

Plant Profile

• Sun Exposure Full Sun to Partial Shade (Best in Full Sun)

• Water Needs Low to Medium; drought-tolerant once established

• Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Clay, Loam, Sand, or Rocky soil

• Mature Height 3 – 5 feet

• Deer Resistance High

• Bloom Time June – September

• Bloom Color Yellow

• Plant Spacing 1.5 – 3 feet

Key Garden Characteristics

• Prolific Bloomer: Unlike true sunflowers that bloom once, this species is "deadhead friendly"—removing spent flowers will keep the gold coming all summer long.

• Sturdy & Reliable: While it can get tall, its stems are generally stiffer than true sunflowers.However, in very rich soil, it can become "leggy," so it's actually happier in leaner, average soil.

• Clump-Forming: It stays where you put it! Unlike some aggressive spreaders, this species grows in a tidy, non-invasive clump that increases in diameter over time.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

• Specialist Pollinator Support: It is a critical host for the Holcopasites heliopis bee—a tiny specialist pollinator that relies specifically on this plant.

• Bird Buffet: If you leave the seed heads standing in the fall, they become a favorite snack for goldfinches and other small songbirds.

Pro Tip: Try planting Early sunflower with purple-blooming companions like Blazing Star or Ironweed that would contrast beautifully with all that yellow.