Native Plants
Piedmont Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) Native range includes North Carolina to Tennessee, south to Central Florida and west to East Texas Southern gardens are known for their azaleas, and Piedmont azalea is a native woodland shrub not to be left out. Delicate, fragrant flowers appear in spring, welcoming hummingbirds and other pollinators in for a drink of nectar. Pale pink flowers bloom before the plant leafs out, resulting in a dramatic display that’s softer than that of bold-colored azaleas. As a woodland native, it can be left to colonize in light shade underneath a pine or another coniferous evergreen. It can also be trained into more of a specimen if used in the garden’s foreground. Caution: Although hummingbirds feed on azalea nectar without a problem, the plant is toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23.3 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 9) Water requirement: Medium to high Light requirement: Partial shade Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide Bloom time: Spring When to plant: Fall Learn more about growing Piedmont azalea | See 10 essential Southeast native plants
Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) Native in areas from the central Great Plains to the southeastern and northeastern U.S. Blue wild indigo is for gardeners who are looking to fill a problem area with a beautiful, low-maintenance flowering perennial that will attract native bees and offer more than just a few weeks of pretty blooms. In mid to late May, spikes of purple blooms appear, eventually transitioning into ornamental seedpods that will stick around through fall and winter.
How to use it. Big bluestem can be wildlife habitat and a workhorse for erosion control, and can act as a living fence or screen. It’s best to cluster multiple bluestem plants together so that they can support one another, or plant it with tall perennial flowers, such as ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) or tall blazingstar (Liatris aspera), that can do the same. Big bluestem is an architectural statement as it reaches toward the sky, while its dense foliage serves as a ground cover to outcompete weeds and conserve soil moisture. Big bluestem is a bunch grass and will spread only by seeds, which are wind-pollinated. In open ground with full sun and ideal soil (loam and medium moisture), it may spread somewhat aggressively in a small garden. However, in tightly planted gardens, it tends to simply stay put and mature gloriously. Planting notes. The seeds don’t need winter treatment, so you can broadcast-plant them, scattering the seeds across the soil in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Being a warm-season grass, it will be late to perk up in early summer, but when it does, the grass will go into hyperdrive. Try not to overwater or fertilize it, as this tends to make the...
Distinguishing traits. Big bluestem reflects the original tallgrass prairie in the middle of the U.S., a prairie ecosystem now almost entirely gone. With deep roots, this staple tallgrass is very drought-tolerant, and some of those roots will decay and make for rich, well-drained soil over time. Its fall color ranges from yellow to orange to rust to pink, while the seed heads resemble a turkey’s foot in mid to late autumn. This grass is a nexus of wildlife activity. Ranchers call big bluestem “ice cream,” as it’s a favorite forage plant for grazers like cattle and bison. A good stand is ideal nesting habitat for several songbird species. The larvae of many skipper butterfly species also use this native tallgrass as a host plant.
If you’ve ever walked a prairie or meadow remnant in fall, you’re sure to have seen big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), with its fanned-out seed heads forming gorgeous silhouettes against a bright blue sky. Native to most of the country, big bluestem is a workhorse in the garden, and it seldom needs supplemental water once established. Its fall color in a clump of several grasses is eye-popping, so bring the echo of the tallgrass prairie home with big bluestem. Botanical name: Andropogon gerardii Common names: Big bluestem, turkey foot Origin: Native to all states except Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Nevada Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 9; find your zone) Water requirement: Little to regular water in loam, clay or sandy soil (determine your soil type) Light requirement: Full sun to a bit of shade Mature size: 5 to 7 feet tall in bloom (2 to 3 feet tall before bloom) and 2 to 3 feet wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant once established in loam, sandy or clay soils Seasonal interest: Blooms in late summer to midfall, depending on the region When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in...
Planting notes. Red columbine is a short-lived perennial that readily reseeds in dry, well-drained sand to loam soil. Collect the shiny black seeds when the upright pods dry and on the verge of splitting open. Broadcast the seeds in the fall in the same area as the existing plants to ensure that a dense population returns the following season. Alternatively, broadcast them in a new area where there is adequate bare soil.
How to use it. Plant red columbine in clusters or masses for best effect, in the middle of a perennial border, naturalized along the edge of a woodland or partially shaded understory, or featured in a rock garden. Combine it with native perennials that also thrive in well-drained soil and partial shade, including golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) and foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis). Throughout its range in eastern North America, red columbine grows in a wide variety of habitats. This population was growing out of limestone rocks on the shore of Lake Huron.
Distinguishing traits. Red columbine is one of just a handful of plants native to eastern North America with red flowers. This plant has a sturdy, upright form; beautiful, softly lobed foliage; airy flower stalks; and pendulous flowers. This hummingbird-pollinated plant historically flowers in a particular area around the time when ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) pass northward on their migration.
Botanical name: Aquilegia canadensis Common names: Red columbine, wild columbine or Canada columbine Origin: Native to eastern North America from the Dakotas eastward to Maine in the north, and Texas eastward to Georgia in the south; native in Canada from Saskatchewan eastward to Nova Scotia Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 7; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Dry woodland edges or rocky openings Water requirement: Needs no additional watering once established Light requirement: Partial shade to full sun Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates dry conditions; attracts hummingbirds Seasonal interest: Blooms in May in upper Midwest and earlier southward When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants or seeds available from most native plant nurseries in areas where it occurs
How to use it. Shortbeak sedge is a workhorse in prairie, meadows, streamsides, ditches, open woods and disturbed areas. Its adaptability, while not uncommon among sedges, makes it a strong candidate for problem areas where typical lawn or native grasses won’t grow or are highly intensive to manage. Sedges and grasses provide nesting habitat and cover for many bird species, and their seeds are eaten by a variety of wildlife. Many skipper butterfly and moth species use this native sedge as a host plant. Shortbeak sedge works well as a living mulch, allowing other perennials and forbs to grow freely between its airy, tufted mounds. Plant in drifts, clumps and masses among shorter perennials or in the front of a border. Shortbeak sedge can be planted to prevent erosion, as sedges have fibrous root systems that hold soil in place. Their dead leaves, when submerged, help filter areas of standing water, meaning a stream, pond edge or rain garden would also be an effective place for shortbeak sedge. Planting notes. Potted plants can go in the ground from spring to fall, while seeds should be sown on bare soil in late fall through midwinter; germination is improved by going through one ...
Distinguishing traits. Sedges differ from grasses in that their stems are triangular, whereas grass stems are hollow. “Sedges have edges” is a good phrase to remember. Sedges also tend to green up earlier in spring and have flushes of new green growth in fall. Shortbeak sedge stands out from other native sedges because of its adaptability and low, mounding habit, making it a great lawn alternative for low to moderate foot traffic.
Botanical name: Carex brevior Common names: Shortbeak sedge, plains oval sedge Origin: Native to all states except South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, Nevada and California Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Once established, which happens fairly quickly, no supplemental water needed; prefers dry to moist soils Light requirement: Full sun to 50 percent shade Mature size: 12 inches tall and wide; plants may be anywhere from 2 to 4 feet tall while in bloom Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable and resilient ground cover; erosion control; can grow in a variety of soil conditions; attracts wildlife Seasonal interest: Early to green; blooms in late spring to midsummer, depending on region When to plant: Plant potted or bare-root plants in spring to early fall; sow seeds in late fall through midwinter (seeds need 30 to 60 days of cold, wet conditions to germinate)
Planting notes. Bleeding heart prefers rich, moist soil, but it will grow under drier conditions. It spreads slowly by rhizomes but will grow vigorously by reseeding into good soils. Plants in too much sun will look ragged later in the season. Plants do not grow well in sandy, low-organic content soils. Propagate by planting fresh seeds. Any seed held for a time must be kept moist. Germinate seeds by alternating warm, cold and warm periods of stratification to get good results. In nature ants assist with seed dispersal. The seeds have a lipid-rich coating, which the ants eat. They collect the seeds and store them underground in their nest. After eating this coating, the ants discard the seed in the “trash,” essentially sowing the fresh new seed. Overall it may be easiest to transplant the self-seeded plants. After four to five years, mature clumps may be divided in early spring. Shown: This photo shows that blooming starts very early, while ferns and other plants like Bellwort are just breaking out. Twinleaf (Jeffersonia diphylla) is another early-blooming native species. These particular plants are located under a Norway maple and have been slowly spreading for over five years.
How to use it. In a shady garden, wild bleeding heart forms a dense, low mass of long-lasting foliage punctuated by dangling pink flowers. The fine texture of the foliage combines well with that of ferns and contrasts with that of broad-leaved plants like hosta and Bergenia. In a woodland garden, its tight, dense form means it serves well as a ground cover and along paths. The small garden shown here was intended to calm. All of the plants have an arching form, but contrast is provided by the foliage textures and tones. Wild bleeding heart and sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) provide the finest textures. The flower colors are limited to pink — with astilbe (Astilbe sp) and bleeding heart — and white — with hosta (Hosta sp) and sweet woodruff — to maintain the subtle nature. Pollinator notes. Hummingbirds and long-tongued bumblebees pollinate wild bleeding heart. The bees grab onto the appendages at the bottom end of the flower and stick their heads inside the corolla (group of petals) to collect nectar. In the process they rub their bodies against the reproductive flower parts that protrude from the end of the blossom.
Water requirement: Prefers moist soil but will survive under drier conditions Light requirement: Sun to shade; does best in partial sunlight or open shade; will tolerate more sun if the soil is kept moist Mature size: 12 to 18 inches tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Resistant to deer and rabbit browsing; the foliage will look good all season in a shady location. I have grown this plant under the canopy of a Norway maple (dry shade) with good success. Seasonal interest: Blooming is most intense in early to mid spring and will continue sporadically until fall; wild bleeding heart is among the first plants to leaf out in April and can have good-looking foliage well into fall When to plant: Nursery-grown plants can be put in the ground anytime during the gardening season, though they fare better in spring or fall Distinguishing traits. The flowers are like little pink hearts, dangling from a stem held just above the foliage. The flower color is typically pink or purplish pink but ranges from white to red. The foliage consists of finely divided leaflets arising from a short rhizome.
Botanical name: Dicentra eximia Common names: Wild bleeding heart, turkey corn, fringed bleeding heart Origin: Native from New Jersey and West Virginia south to Virginia and Tennessee, mostly in the Appalachian Mountains; has been found growing wild from Vermont to Georgia and west to Illinois Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zones 3 to 9)Water requirement: Prefers moist soil but will survive under drier conditionsLight requirement: Sun to shadeMature size: 12 to 18 inches tall and wideBloom time: Early to mid spring, continuing sporadically until fallWhen to plant: Spring or fall is ideal
Planting notes. Canada anemone is easy to grow if planted in moist conditions in full to partial sun. Mature plants can be divided and replanted or thinned as needed. Growing it from seed requires patience; the seeds need two periods of cold, moist stratification, followed by warm stratification before germination occurs.
Distinguishing traits. The root is rhizomatous, and this plant can spread quickly in open, bare sites, especially in moist, rich soil. This plant, therefore, requires space and would not be suitable for a small planting, where it could potentially outcompete its neighbors. How to use it. Canada anemone is an ideal native perennial for pond edges, roadside ditches, stream banks, retention basins or large areas that remain moist throughout the summer.
Botanical name: Anemone canadensis Common names: Canada anemone, Canadian anemone Origin: Canada anemone occurs in eastern and western North American wetland margins, from Montana eastward to Maine in the north, and southward to Colorado in the west and Virginia in the east; in Canada it occurs in all provinces as well as the Northwest Territories. Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 2b to 6b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Moist to mesic sites in full to partial sun; common along lakes, wetlands, creeks, and small rivers Soil requirement: Wet to mesic, sandy to clay-loam soil Light requirement: Sun to partial shade Mature size: 8 to 30 inches tall and 12 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates wet soil; prefers sunny, open sites with rich soil Seasonal interest: Large, bright white flowers open in late spring, typically in April or May, providing color along stream and lake edges; the geranium-like foliage remains dark green throughout the summer. When to plant: Spring or fall; bare-root or potted plants are available from many native plant nurseries
Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis) is a common water’s-edge perennial native to much of North America that provides bright white flowers in late spring. The flowers are held on long stalks above the dark green, finely cut foliage. It is also not uncommon to see this plant growing in roadside ditches where the soil remains moist throughout the growing season. Canada anemone is a vigorous spreader, so it is only appropriate in established plantings where the mature plants can help keep it in check. It would not be suitable for smaller gardens, but if you are fortunate to have a large property or garden with a pond, stream or lake that could accomodate Canada anemone
Planting notes. Dry to medium soil in full sun is best. Don’t put this grass in a bed with rich or even good soil. It just won’t be happy unless you throw the worst at it. Purple lovegrass spreads in open ground by seed and, depending on competition and soil moisture levels, by rhizomes. The seed heads detach in late fall to spread in the wind like tumbleweeds. Plants shown (from front to back): Purple lovegrass, bluestar (Amsonia sp) and reed grass (Calamagrostis sp)
How to use it. This is absolutely a grass you should plant in masses and drifts to highlight the flower show. Place a dozen or dozens together to bring their powers of beauty together for greater effect. Don’t place it among taller plants, as they may outcompete it. Do think about using it in a rock garden, where it will thrive. Plants shown: (click photo to see the plants tagged): Purple lovegrass, Bartered Bride Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum ‘Bartered Bride‘), Ruby Giant coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Ruby Giant’), feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’), cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Laciniata’), lesser calamint (Calamintha nepeta ssp nepeta), Black Adder hyssop (Agastache ‘Black Adder’), Coconut Lime coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Coconut Lime’), purple moor grass (Molinia litoralis ‘Transparent’), autumn moor grass (Sesleria autumnalis), ornamental oregano (Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’) and ornamental allium (Allium ‘Summer Beauty’)
From early October until the end of the month, aromatic aster shrugs off frosts and even a few hard freezes. At 2 feet tall and wide, sometimes a bit wider, Aster oblongifolius is the last nectar pit stop for migrating and overwintering insects like bumblebees, monarchs, red admirals and sulphurs. Dry, hot, nasty soil is its preferred home, being native from the high Plains to the East Coast. It's probably one of the more adaptable asters, and I use it as a small perennial shrub, especially the cultivar 'October Skies'.
On the right here is Aster laevis, called smooth aster for its smooth leaves. At about 2 feet tall and wide, it's certainly stiff competition with New England aster for the biggest insect draw among asters. Blooming in late September to early October, smooth aster likes a medium soil in full sun, and is one of the easier asters to start from seed. It's also native to most of the U.S. Plant something else underneath it, since (like New England aster) its legs tend to die out and look ratty.
You all know New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) I'm sure. Native to most of the central and eastern U.S., it reaches 2 feet wide and 3 to 5 feet tall — shorter if in medium soil; taller if in moist. It's a late-September to early October bloomer; the more sun it gets, the more flowers a myriad of insects and butterflies can enjoy. Cut it back by 50 percent before July 4 to have a bushier, shorter, bloomier plant.
White woodland aster (Aster divaricatus) is native to the East Coast and takes dry soil in full shade (the common name is a giveaway). It blooms about the same time as A. azureus, so it's nice to have both plants — one blooming in sun, one in shade. It reaches about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, and looks great massed in groups of three.
Pollinator notes. In addition to being a bee tree in the spring, where a colony of bees may live, the tree’s leaves play host to several species of native caterpillars. Mature trees form cavities that provide nesting sites for many species of birds and some small mammals. The fruit that ripens in early fall is consumed by both migratory and nonmigratory birds. Here, you can see how the strong horizontal branching of this mature tree holds the lower limbs off the ground.
Black gums are available at many nurseries. The gender of young, wild-type plants can’t be determined until they begin to produce flowers. If fruit generation is important and no wild population is nearby, you should consider putting in three or more plants to improve the odds of having at least one of each gender. Several cultivars have been selected for their desirable traits. If fruiting is important, one option to take out the guesswork is to buy known male and female cultivars. Unfortunately, a list of the gender of each cultivar isn’t universally available. Some available cultivars: ‘Autumn Cascade’ is a male weeping form originally discovered as a seedling in a nursery in Australia and reintroduced to the U.S. by Dick Jaynes of Broken Arrow Nursery. ‘Carolyn’ is a female from Wisconsin with excellent cold hardiness. ‘Haymanred’ (aka Red Rage) is a male from southern Indiana with improved resistance to leaf spot and excellent red-orange fall color. ‘Miss Scarlet’ is a female plant from Missouri with brilliant red fall color. ‘Wildfire’ is a male with red-tinged new foliage that carries into summer; fall color is more golden than red; it was discovered a...
Planting notes. When selecting container-grown trees, avoid ones that have a lot of circling roots. With balled-and-burlapped plants, look for ones whose trunks near the ground are less than 2 inches in diameter (2-inch caliper) for best success; plant them in early spring. Black gum requires little maintenance. Pruning isn’t generally needed along the straight trunk, though it’s beneficial to remove crossing or damaged branches. While black gums do well under adverse soil conditions, they actually have trouble competing with other trees and shrubs in open, well-drained soils. Established plants have a deep taproot and can tolerate periods of drought. Although the tree isn’t a deer favorite, I’ve noticed some browsing on branch tips in the winter. For my situation, a chicken-wire fence works well to protect the young
How to use it. Since the tree is difficult to move, you should consider its mature size when planting. Its strong central leader and upright form make it a good candidate for a formal planting. The horizontal branching is very strong. The lower branches can be left on the tree, visually anchoring it to the ground, or pruned to create a shaded space below. Since the leaf canopy is dense but late in developing, spring ephemerals are a good choice to plant underneath. Its tolerance for wet or low-oxygen soils makes black gum a good choice for soggy sites or where the soil is compacted and not well-aerated. Since the red fall foliage is its most outstanding feature, growing it with evergreens or other trees and shrubs with less vivid color will highlight its intensity.
Distinguishing traits. Young trees have a pyramidal form with predominantly horizontal branching. They maintain a strong central leader as they age. Mature trees often take on a more rounded form but are generally upright, growing about two-thirds as wide as they are tall. Black gum grows slowly, adding 6 to 12 inches in height per year. The dark green leaves are elliptic to obovate and 3 to 5 inches long with a waxy surface that makes them reflective, giving the foliage a lustrous appearance. Foliage forms a dense canopy. In most cases, male and female flowers are carried on separate plants. In order to get pollination and fruiting, male and female trees need to be planted close enough, about 100 feet, so that honeybees can easily transfer pollen from one to the next. Although you won’t see it, black gum has a very deep taproot. This helps it endure challenging growing conditions but also makes transplanting very difficult.
Seasonal interest: Black gum blooms in midspring as the leaves are unfolding. The flowers are not showy but are extremely attractive to honeybees. In summer, the shiny, large dark green leaves give the tree a lustrous appearance. In early fall, the fruit ripens as dark blue drupes. Though sour, these are attractive to a wide variety of birds. Black gum has excellent fall color. In early fall, it turns an intense red, with accents from orange to purple. When to plant: Container-grown plants can be planted spring or fall. Balled-and-burlapped plants should be planted only in early spring. New plants should be watered well until established.
Water requirement: Reaches its maximum size in moist soils; grows more slowly and to a smaller size under drier conditions Light requirement: Prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade; grows slowly under shaded conditions and puts on rapid growth when shade is removed Mature size: Typically reaches 30 to 50 feet tall (80 feet under ideal conditions) and 20 to 30 feet wide; tends to be smaller in northern range; slow growth rate can be sped up slightly with consistent moisture and a little fertilization Benefits and tolerances: Handles soils with low levels of oxygen, such as clay and areas surrounded by pavement; has some resistance to de-icing salts, making it a good candidate for use near roads and parking lots; tolerates wet soils and periods of flooding
Botanical names: Nyssa sylvatica Common names: Black gum, blackgum, tupelo, black tupelo, sour gum, pepperidge Origin: Native from southern Maine to central Florida in the east and as far west as Michigan and eastern Texas Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34 degrees Celsius (USDA zone 4 to 9; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Grows in a variety of habitats, from drier upland fields and slopes to wet woodlands, pond edges and stream banks; best in slightly acidic soils, pH 5.5 to 6.5; doesn’t tolerate alkaline conditions
Distinguishing traits. Whorled milkweed has finely textured foliage and an upright form with bright white flowers that bloom from July into early September. Seedpods develop in early September and persist into late fall after they have opened and released their seeds.
Distinguishing traits. Whorled milkweed has finely textured foliage and an upright form with bright white flowers that bloom from July into early September. Seedpods develop in early September and persist into late fall after they have opened and released their seeds.
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates dry conditions and well-drained soil Seasonal interest: Bright white flowers open in early July through August; fine, linear foliage When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants and seeds are available from most native-plant nurseries in areas where it occurs
Botanical name: Asclepias verticillata Common name: Whorled milkweed Origin: Native to central and eastern North America from Montana southward to New Mexico in the west (absent from Colorado), and eastward to Florida in the south and Massachusetts in the north Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 34 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 4a to 10b; find your zone) Typical plant communities: Dry prairies, roadsides, railway right-of-ways, old fields and woodland edges Soil requirement: Dry to dry-mesic, sandy to loamy-sandy soil Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide
Virginia mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is a great pollinator magnet while in bloom, and look, it even gives you something different in winter. These seed heads also carry a faint echo of the minty-smelling summer leaves. They’re just lovely with a dusting of snow.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) will provide nice, low drifts of persistent seed heads during winter. Sometimes it even still spits out a few flowers in autumn. Again, this might be something that will be shown off even more in front of grasses, especially if those grasses are backlit by the low winter sun.
Most goldenrods have attractive puffs of smoky inflorescence this time of year, but this stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida) steals it. I mean, look at that puffball — don’t you just want to leap in and rub your face in it?
Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris) may have tiny seed heads, but as you can see, they are arranged in such a way that they come together for bigger visual impact. I just love them against a bright blue sky — they look like hands and arms reaching up for warm sunlight.
Great coneflower (Rudbeckia maxima) shoots up tall, yellow flowers that leave behind stupendous conical seed heads. They look great placed among grasses, seen here in James Golden’s garden, sort of like burned fireworks frozen in time on their way to exploding far above.
The spent spikes of Culver’s root (Veronicastrum virginicum) last almost the entire winter and will look great above any snow drifts that may accumulate. I place this perennial in the middle of beds and let it steal the show postbloom.
I love tall plants, both for their architecture and their use as bird perches. At 4 to 6 feet tall, ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) makes a nice late-fall ornament in any garden, seen from far away when in groups or clumps.
No garden should be without at least a few of the Liatris species, like this L. pycnostachya. The seed heads don’t last too long, what with windy autumn days and hungry birds, but you’ll be thankful while they’re there.
Here we have a nice combo of blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) seed heads paired with Mexican hat coneflower (Ratibida columnifera). I think the juxtaposition of the hard, geometric shape of the coneflower next to the soft wisps of grass is stunning. And as serendipity would have it, I have this same combo on the side of my house.
Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) has clumps of tall stalks with delicate seeds floating like little halos. When the seeds lift off, you’re still left with an umbrella of structure and texture that withstands winter winds.
Hydrangea is a garden standby that’s dependable and widely available. The big puffballs add a distinct dimension and color to any autumn or winter garden as they catch light at different times of the day. Topped with snow, they look even more enchanting.
Any tree that looks this good in the middle of winter deserves applause. ‘Winter King’ is in a class of its own with a great form and year-round interest. There are thorns, but thankfully the tree requires practically no pruning. Interestingly, birds much prefer crabapples and winterberries and leave this fruit on the branch. Origin: This is a cultivar of the southeastern U.S. native. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 7) Water requirement: Dry to medium soil Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 25 feet tall and wide Benefits and tolerances: Attractive spring flowers; disease resistant; pollution tolerant
Winter King Hawthorne (Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’) Named a Gold Medal Plant by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, this award-winning cultivar is noteworthy for its abundant fruit.
Redtwig Dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’) With its colorful branches, redtwig dogwood makes an outstanding focal point in winter, especially when paired with ornamental grasses. What would a winter container be without a dash of red? I love birch branches, but they are hard to find and break easily. Use redtwig dogwood instead, adding it to your pots by the entry or front porch; the branches can also be trimmed and added to smaller arrangements indoors, too. Origin: This is a cultivar of the eastern U.S. native. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 8) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Attracts birds; deer resistant; good for erosion control, as a screen plant and in a rain garden
Winter Red Winterberry (Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red’) This is a better selection for gardeners in cold regions — and it’s more compact. The male cultivar for this plant is I. ‘Southern Gentleman’. It makes for an eye-catching border and is very low maintenance. Traditional Landscape by Burke Brothers Landscape Design/Build Burke Brothers Landscape Design/Build Save Email For winter containers branches of winterberry holly look fantastic mixed with pine boughs, fir tips and other evergreens, and they last a long time indoors, too. In the landscape birds will eat the red berries — watch for robins, cardinals, juncoes, grosbeaks and cedar waxwings. Origin: This is the female cultivar of the eastern U.S. native. Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 9) Water requirement: Medium to wet soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 6 to 8 feet tall Benefits and tolerances: Adapted to swamps and wetlands; attracts birds
Pollinator notes. The vines have separate male and female flowers. Both flower forms attract a number of pollinators, including flies, native bees, and solitary and social wasps.
Planting notes. Devil’s darning needles needs a structure to grow on, or you’ll constantly be pulling up the vine as it rambles and roots on the ground. You have to check on the growth about once a month (especially if it’s on a fence) to pick up any stems on the ground and weave them into the structure. Devil’s darning needles needs partial shade. Ideally, grow it vertically along the east side of a building or in a woodland. Don’t plant it where the root system would receive hot afternoon sun, such as on the south or west side of a building. In the spring, cut the vine about 15 inches from the ground. If desired, remove dried stems from the previous season or leave them in place to act as additional support for the current season’s growth. Shown: Fluffy seed heads in late October
Distinguishing traits. Devil’s darning needles provides interest in late spring once it begins to climb up a trellis or along a fence. Flowers are smaller than cultivated Clematis species but are numerous and pretty in late summer. This native Clematis is similar in appearance to the nonnative and invasive sweet autumn virginsbower (C. terniflora). Both vines have small white flowers that open in late summer or fall and vigorous growth. However, the leaves of sweet autumn virginsbower are darker and more rounded than those of devil’s darning needles. How to use it. Unlike many Clematis cultivars, devil’s darning needles requires a tall trellis or long fence to accommodate its mature size. I stack two 10-foot trellises, one on top of the other, for my vine to climb an exterior wall. Shown: Seed heads beginning to develop in late September
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates a wide variety of soil types and partial sun Seasonal interest: Clusters of white blooms in mid to late summer, typically in early August; fluffy seed heads in late September through November When to plant: Spring or fall (potted plants available from most native-plant nurseries in regions where vine grows); if planting in fall, cut back to 10 inches before planting or transplanting; plant near an appropriately sized structure that vine can climb on the following season
Typical plant communities: Woodland understories and openings in partial shade Soil requirement: Sandy loam to clay loam Water requirement: Medium Light requirement: Partial sun Mature size: 15 to 25 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide
Devil’s darning needles (Clematis virginiana) is a U.S. native herbaceous vine that thrives in partially shaded woodland understories and edges. This fast grower can be used both formally and informally; let it climb up a large trellis or pergola, or along a picket fence. Bright white flowers emerge in clusters in late summer and develop into attractive fluffy seed heads in October. Consider devil’s darning needles if you’re looking for a somewhat shade-tolerant native vine to provide interest or screening, or to cover a structure. Botanical name: Clematis virginiana Common names: Devil’s darning needles, virgin’s bower, woodbine Origin: Native to eastern North America, from North Dakota south to Texas, and eastward to Maine in the north and Florida in the south; in Canada, native from Saskatchewan eastward to the Maritime provinces Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 37 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3b to 9b)
Pollinator notes. Early meadow-rue is unusual; it is one of a few flowering woodland plants that are wind pollinated. On rare occasions you may observe bees collecting pollen from the male flowers, but overall this is not considered a pollinator plant. Shown: A mature plant with female flowers
Planting notes. Mature plants can be transplanted, but it’s better to attempt transplanting smaller plants or seedlings. Fall is the best time of year for transplanting larger plants; seedlings can be moved in spring or fall. Early meadow-rue thrives in partial shade in dry woodlands. It is a very robust and adaptable woodland plant, compared with some of the more delicate spring-flowering woodland plants. The new leaf and flower stalks are browsed by deer. Protect the shoots once they emerge from the ground with a wire exclosure or sharp sticks inserted around the plant. Shown: Male flowers, with the developing anthers dangling downward
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates most soils and does well on dry, wooded slopes Seasonal interest: Lacy foliage and upright flower stalks; flowers begin to open in April or May, depending on latitude (will bloom earlier in southern U.S. climates). The plants have either entirely male flowers or female flowers — male flowers provide more interest. When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants are available from many native-plant nurseries Distinguishing traits. Early meadow-rue has delicate, lacy foliage that resembles that of columbine (Aquilegia spp). Its flowers are subtle: The female flowers are very tiny, and the male flowers resemble Japanese lanterns. The anthers on the male flowers (shown here) dangle downward and tremble in the slightest breeze. Shown: New leaf and flower stalks emerging in early spring
There aren’t many plants that can be categorized as thriving in dry shade. Early meadow-rue (Thalictrum dioicum) is an often-overlooked, medium-size woodland native plant with delicate, columbine-like foliage and subtle flowers that performs really well in dry shade. Its subtle flowers need to be appreciated up close; the male flowers are especially interesting, resembling small lanterns. With the slightest breeze, the dangling anthers flutter in the wind and release pollen to be transported to awaiting female flowers on separate plants. For this reason, it is important to purchase several plants to ensure that you get both male and female plants. After the spring flowering finishes, enjoy the delicate texture of the foliage through the summer months. Botanical name: Thalictrum dioicum Common name: Early meadow-rue Origin: Early meadow-rue occurs in eastern North American woodlands, from the states bordering the Mississippi River (except for Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana) eastward to Maine in the north and to Georgia in the south; it is rare in North Dakota southward to Kansas; in Canada it occurs in Ontario and Quebec Where it will grow: Hardy to -45 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zon...
Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea) Native to the eastern U.S., from Minnesota south to Texas and all parts east Gold ragwort’s low clump of large leaves makes up half of its height, while the other half is composed of yellow flower clusters on wiry stems. This plant prefers woodlands, river and lake edges, moist meadows, rocky glades, sandy swamps and medium-dry woods. Short-tongued pollinating insects, such as carpenter and cuckoo bees, visit this flower, as well as many fly species. You’ll also find its foliage resistant to many herbivores. Golden ragwort self-sows freely in optimal conditions, which may be a concern in a small garden. But sometimes aggressive plants in their native regions can be a very good thing. Light requirement: Shade to sun; needs more moisture and richer soil the sunnier it gets Mature height: 1 foot to 2 feet tall Planting tips: Put potted plants in the ground in fall or spring in a loam soil.
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) Native from Minnesota east to Virginia and New York, and south to Arkansas and Mississippi Virginia bluebells puts on a show each spring, with bell-shaped flowers appearing after new shoots of tightly curled leaves appear. Due to the flower shape, bumblebees and other long-tongued bees are some of the only pollinators that can reach Virginia bluebell’s pollen and nectar. Sphinx moths and other hummingbird moths visit the bell-shaped flowers as well. This plant is a moderate spreader in medium soil that’s fairly rich and fertile, and will spread faster in moist soil. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, look into tall bluebells (Mertensia paniculata); if you’re in the Southwest, look into aspen bluebells (M. arizonica). Light requirement: Dappled sunlight to a 50/50 sun-shade mix Mature height: 1 foot to 2 feet tall in bloom; spreads slowly Planting tips: Put potted plants in the ground in fall or spring in moist to medium loam soil. The wetter the soil, the more sunlight they can take (and then the more blooms you’ll get).
Early Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum dioicum) Native from Minnesota south to Arkansas and Mississippi, east to Georgia in the south and Maine in the north Early meadow-rue flowers might be subtle, but the foliage adds a textural punch through summer (even if the leaves are the size of dimes and nickels). The female flowers are very small, and the male flowers dangle upside down like lanterns. You won’t see many pollinators on early meadow-rue, since it’s mainly wind-pollinated, but it is a very adaptable spring plant that doesn’t need rich soil, like so many other woodland species. Light requirement: Shade to partial sun Mature height: About 1 foot to 2 feet tall and wide Planting tips: Put potted plants in the ground in spring or fall. Male and female flowers appear on different plants, so be sure to purchase several plants so you have both (male flowers are shown here).
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) Native from the eastern Dakotas south to eastern Oklahoma, all the way to northeast Georgia and into Maine; also found in the Pacific Northwest Often found growing in undisturbed areas along slopes, ravines and streams, Dutchman’s breeches begins blooming in early spring, with bright white flowers that resemble upside-down “V”s or Dutchman’s breeches. The attractive leaves resemble those of a geranium-meets-rue and turn yellow once the flowers have gone to seed in early summer. Dutchman’s breeches prefers loam soil. While ants are the primary seed spreaders, you’ll find bumblebees and mason bees pollinating Dutchman’s breeches, with occasional visits by butterflies. Caution: All parts of this plant are poisonous. Light requirement: Full shade or dappled sun Mature height: 12 inches tall Planting tips: Plant potted plants in fall or spring in somewhat rich, well-drained loam soil.
Native plants are less maintenance when they’re in the right place. You’ll hear a lot about natives being easy to take care of, but you won’t often hear about matching the plants to the right soil, light and drainage conditions. You wouldn’t put a water-loving plant on a hillside that has sandy soil, would you? Knowing the site for your proposed garden is key — everything from where the light is spring to fall, to how rainwater flows or collects, to doing a soil test on your growing medium. Then you need to research plants. Make sure to use Latin names since many plants share common names. What do respected institutions say about where and how the plant grows? Is it competitive or a behaved clumper? How does it spread?
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